girl scout badge, please

"build an igloo" is on my bucket list, so what better time than the present to check it off, especially when the snow conditions are perfect?

it's harder than it looks but really fun.  here's what you need to make your own personal snow cave...

location:  pretty much anywhere works, preferably in the proximity of a wood fire pizza oven if you are really roughing it

tools: in my case an enormous snow shovel, oversized planter--that you can actually tug/haul and tip upside down when it's packed with snow--, a garden trowel for indentations and artistic touches (or lack thereof) and a bread pan (makes perfectly-sized bricks)

provisions:  plenty of clean snow to eat/drink, plus nut bars and dark chocolate (we're talkin' wilderness survival here, folks)

a little tune to hum:  it helps to sing to yourself while you are traipsing further and further afield to get fresh snow for your ever-growing pile, especially since the full creation takes the better part of an afternoon  

architectural prowess:  some say you're only as hip as your igloo. in my case, your igloo is only as big as your hips.  measurement is key.  so is having a plan.  the roof is tricky (as you can see) and is a balance between carving out from your pile and adding to it in funky angles.  i really respect the eskimos, that's about all i can say

i like to bring play to my work.  and, all things considered, it is a good skill to be able to build a small (ok, infintessimal) shelter if you were out in the woods and got lost or something.  i'd like to think i'm just adding another badge to my somewhat frozen girl scout vest.