1 hour scarf

It's winter on the prairie.

We've survived the polar vortex.

Even survived a blizzard.

This time of year requires warm gear. Even if you don't have a scarf, you can whip one up in an hour. Seriously. Scouts honor.

You need a small skein of yarn and a J crochet hook.

Chain 10, add 2 turning chain.

Go back across your 10 original with a half double crochet. Continue 10 across until you run out of yarn. I did this watching Ghost Hunters, which is an hour.

Quick, easy and stylish. My kind of craft.

Ice Ice Baby

It's April in South Dakota, which usually means sunshine, storms and the first buds of flowers poking through the ground. Today we are on day 2 of an ice storm, with over a foot of snow predicted for tonight. Currently we don't have power at my house either, so we've been living a low tech la vida loca.
Just a few images of ice, ice baby.

I'm Walking

If you are looking for a winter sport that is incredibly easy and doesn’t need a lot of gear, snowshoeing is it. If you can walk, you can snowshoe.

The basic gear

Snowshoes
Poles (optional)

The how to:
Snowshoes are made to walk forward. If you try to step backward, chances are you are going to wind up on your bum. (trust me, I know). Its as simple as walking. If you are just starting out, its best to stick with flat terrain until you get the hang of it. After you are used to it, hills or rolling terrain are no problem. Poles can help with balance, but are not necessary unless you are planning on a trek over questionable terrain.

Snow Ice Cream

1 c half & half
1 tsp vanilla
½ c sugar
5-6 c of CLEAN snow (best way to ensure this is to put out a big bowl to collect it as it snows)

Mix together and enjoy! This is such a fun tradition to do with the first snow fall.

Ice Ice Baby

One of my favorite things to do in winter is go ice skating.
There are several outdoor rinks around Sioux Falls that are free and open to the public. There are charges for concessions and skate rentals, but they are nominal fees.
Popcorn, hot cocoa and more make for great snacks!