The Snow Princess

Things are still icy around here and I am still too big of a wimp to go outside.  If it is below 10 degrees, I just don't think a 3 year old needs to be in and out of the car, and even though I am feeling better and over my bug, I didn't want to be in and out of the car either.

So we decided to make the most of a snow day, and have a Snow Princess Tea Party.  We got all dressed up for it.

Well, kind of.  One of us did at least. I'm wearing my husband's long johns, two sweaters, hair that hasn't seen a fixin in days, and a black lace "wicked witch" jacket.

The idea came about when we were out in the studio and I realized that cabin fever was really getting to both of us, if I was letting a baby play with power tools.  So, I started to make up a story about snow and princesses and fairies, and it turned into a 3 hour adventure for us both.

(Notice the new chandelier? It was out in the studio, I used it for lighting for above my jewelry display at shows, now it is staying in the kitchen. My son and I hung it last night- More Zero Dollar Decorating!!)

We scoured the studio for props, and made up the story as we went along. I covered Sugarwing's little table in layers of white and slipped pillow cases over our chairs.

After creating a snow princess crown, she decided that I should wear it instead of her.  Sadly, she isn't a hat person.  But that is okay, she usually indulges me in so many other ways, that I can forgive her for not playing with all of my vintage hats with me.

And what do you serve a snow princess?  All white foods.  Snow ball candy (yogurt raisins) were the hit of the day.

Here is the story:

Once upon a time there was a golden haired, happy little princess who loved to dance and sing in the sunshine.  Every where the sweet girl went, flowers bloomed and birds sang with joy, just to be near her.  Butterflies and fairies flit about above her just because she was so fun to be near. And her warm, kind heart always drew them to her.

One day, a nasty gnome who liked to spend his days in darkness and gloom heard the boisterous laughter of the happy little princess and all of her flying friends. This nasty gnome hated happiness and his ears ached from the sound of glee that was coming from the friends dancing and singing in the blooming garden.

He crept closer and peeped through the hedgerow to see where this hideous laughter was coming from. And he saw the pretty princess twirling and leaping in the flower beds.  The sight of such playfulness brought pain to his eyes to match the pain in his ears.  He couldn't take seeing and hearing anything as beautiful as this little girl. To him, it was not beauty at all- it was torture! He had to stop it.

So, he pulled out his crooked, magic wand and waved it through the air, then pointed it right at the happy little princess and cursed her with a spell to put a stop to all the singing.

The sweet princess suddenly felt a chill. She looked to the flowering ground beneath her silk clad toes and saw the flowers wilt and frost form over them. Quickly, the pond that was filled with long necked  swans started to turn to icy slush, then freeze into a solid sheet of ice.  As the princess looked up, a fat flake of snow fell right onto her once rosy, now pale cheek.  She smiled at his sparkling crystal beauty, even as she felt herself growing cold.

 

All around her, the birds, and fairies, and butterflies flapped their wings trying to warm themselves as their world became covered in ice and snow and the sun was buried behind a gray cloud of doom.

As the nasty gnome still peaked through the ice-crusted hedges, he almost smiled. But he couldn't because he had a heart colder than any block of ice.  But his ears no longer ached from the sounds of song and his eyes were no longer in pain from the sight of joyous dancing. 

Because, the pretty little princess who loved playing in the sunlight, slowly turned into a snow princess. Her golden hair became as white as a blizzard and she was as frozen as the ice on the pond.But as she became a statue of snow, her face froze in an expression of wonder and delight as she saw the sparkling snow flakes fall.

He trudged away, feeling satisfied with his spell, knowing that her friends would fly away to someplace warmer, leaving the princess cold and alone like he had been his entire life of 568 years.

But as he left, he looked over his shoulder, expecting to see a flight of fairies, butterflies, and birdies deserting their princess.  Instead, he saw something different!  All the creatures fluttered around her, staying close to bring her what little warmth they could.  The littlest fairy gathered herbs to make tea to warm her, as the swans plucked their down feathers to cover her frozen limbs.

Because the sweet princess had such a loving and kind soul, no one would leave her.  Even though they were so cold and had wings to fly away from the frozen garden back to sunshine, they stayed with their snow princess.  They would not stray from her side no matter how cold and miserable they were!

Maybe it was the tea that started to warm her. Or the fluffy swan's down?  But she knew that it was the love her friends showed her that warmed her heart and melted the ice that held her captive.  All the love and caring freed the happy little princess and broke the evil spell the nasty gnome had cast.

He saw the sun coming back out through the clouds and the flowers shaking off their frost and reopening their petals.  He heard singing, even more loud and joyous than what he had heard before!  This time, he ran as fast as his stubby, gnarly legs would take him, far, far away from the horrid sounds. He ran straight to a cave deep inside of a hill where he could hide forever in the darkness and gloom where he belonged.

A rainbow appeared in the sky as the ice storm cleared and the snow princess thawed. She felt the sun on her skin, wiggled her toes in the soft dirt of the garden and grinned the biggest, happiest grin she'd ever grinned before.  But from that day on, her hair stayed white as a blizzard and was never the color of sunshine again. 

When she saw her reflection in the pond, she was reminded of the nasty gnome and his evil spell. But she was never frightened when she remembered that day. To her the white hair was the color of the downy swan feathers that her loved ones tried to warm her with.  Her memories of that cold, cold day were of the love and caring that she shared with her friends.

 

Comments

[Bev]

Precious and priceless! What a perfect way to spend the day. You are amazing! and Sugarwings is always a delight!

[Marianne@Songbird]

Beautiful story, even more beautiful little princess. That first picture really made me stop! Hope the cabin fever doesn't get to you.

[Judy]

That child is just plain gorgeous! Watch out in a few years...you and Sugar Wing's Daddy are gonna have to keep the shotgun loaded for all the boys that are going to come prowling! Of course, MY little boys would be perfect gentlemen, but I mean those OTHER boys!

Hugs and WARM wishes,
Judy

[Kerryanne English]

You are the ultimate fairy grandmother Karla.
Memories are made of these days.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

[Bobbi]

Sweet Karla! It's the winter version of the Grumpy Fairy! Make another book! It would be so pretty! (I figure you can do this with your spare time and the secret Swiss bank account, right?) But you have to admit, it does have the makings of a beautiful book, complete with snow crystal sparkles! Your Friend, Bobbi

[Jojo]

A simply beautiful and magical day!

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

What a wonderful second book this will make, Karla. You must find the time to make another fairytale book, somehow squeeze it in amongst all of your crafting adventures...

[Sandy]

What a fun way to spend a cold day! Great time for both of you, creating memories. I'm jealous. The only one around here is my crabby old husband who's idea of fun is channel surfing.

[Deb]

Beautiful story for a beautiful princess !! What fun the 2 of you always have !! Love it.

PS LOVE the chandelier in the kitchen !!!

[ZoAnn]

What a beautiful little fairy you have to play with. My little granddaughter lives in FL. (a long way from St.Louis)and oh how I wish she were closer!! She was here for 2 weeks at Christmas and we had so much fun. Thanks for sharing your sweet fairytale too!

[Lynn Kreizl]

The sheer beauty and wonder in the face of your precious granddaughter brought happy tears to my eyes. I get all emotional when something beautiful touches me. What a wonderful day you gave the princess. What memories you created. I just happened on your blog and reading this has given me the most blessed morning.
Blessings to you both. BTW I love you kitchen, love that tall glass cabinet. I have to go back and read more of your wonderful blog.
Lynn

[Mary]

Oh to be a grandma and tell fairy tells. Oh to have the imagination to tell sweet tales like you shared with your sweet sugarwings! Ok heck I'll take, just being a grandma!

I love the picture of your kitchen area and the new/old chandy! What a lovely lovely home you have! How blessed that if you have to be housebound it is in a home like yours!

blessings
mary

[Kathy]

Well, now, Missy. You've gone and written yourself (and all of us) another lovely little Sugarwings story! I'm seeing another book - AND, you know....2 books about the same character is now a series!! This was lovely. - Kathy (who is wishing the sun would stay out for just a bit longer!)

[Sandy]

Karla,
I feel another book coming on. Maybe you should write a whole series like one ofthe other readers said. You truly have a gift for this. The pictures of Sugarwings are breathtaking! That child is soooooo beautiful!
Sandy

[Diane ( Crafty Passions)]

I hope those memories stay with her forever !
My daughter still remembers her tea party she about Sugarwings age .
Love your little story, you should think about writing!
Diane

[Valarie Kraft]

I hope that your Granddaughter knows what a lucky little girl she is to have you!! From what I have seen, you are truly a wonderful Grandma. I love the memories that you two are creating.
Hugs, Valarie

[LORRAINE BELL]

Morning Karla....love your story & Sugarwings pix...especially love you very becoming outfit... great drawers...Lorraine

[Brenda Kula]

She looks positively angelic, Karla! What a gift you are to that little girl. Wonderful story. Fabulous photos. Frame them!
Brenda

[Bunny Rose Cottage]

Oh Karla, you tell the best stories! This one is beautiful. Sugarwings is darling in her fancy dress! Lucky girl, I wish I could wear things like that. I think a tea party with dress up is the perfect way to spend the cold winter day! And making wonderful memories at the same time :) So glad you are feeling better too!
Hugs,
Amy

[Betty @ She's Sew Pretty]

That was so sweet! Aren't you lucky to have a little fairy princess to play with!

[LiLi M.]

I think everybody wishes to be Sugarwings, at least I wish! So good looking and having the best grammy in the world!

[Deborah Woodrow]

Dear Karla :
How Enchanting ! You are a wonderful Grandma !
How can anyone top that ???
Happy New Year !
Blessings,
Deborah Woodrow

[Rachael]

that dear little fairy princess is so blessed to have you for her grandmother - Rachaelxo

[Myrna]

Enchanting!

[Suz Reaney]

Oh my gosh! This just makes my eyes fill with tears. That is the sweetest story and I think the picture of the "Snow Princess" at the top is just breathtaking!

Thanks, Karla. This warms my heart on another bitterly cold day!

[aimee]

ohhh!! she is beautiful!! maybe our little 3 year old snow princesses will meet one day!

[kana]

Precious....such a lovely story with a lovely Grandmom and her grandbaby! I have missed her pictures and she is so pretty in her gown with those blue eyes!! Hope it warms up soon. It was around 9 degrees in Nashville over the weekend.

[Elaine L.]

You have a natural knack for telling stories. You could have a whole series of tales.

I love those pictures of your little Sugar.

~elaine~

[Sherry Williams]

So adorable! You remind me so much of myself with my granddaughters...tulle tutus, princess crowns, stories & tea parties! Isn't life wonderful!!!
Sherry

[Dollybelle]

She truly is a precious little pixie! The perfect winterblossom!
HAppy New Year Karla!
xoxo
Christine

[Andrea]

WOW! your so creative Karla and what a cute and lucky little girl to have you !!I love the white vintage hat she has on!!

[Amy P]

Since you girls like princess stories here's one you might enjoy! My daughter got this book for Christmas, although I can't find it online right now. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Princess-Sparkle/Nicola-Baxter/e/9780760767313/ Princess Sparkle Synopsis

Princess Sparkle loves glittery, shimmery things. She is shocked when she finds that the world outside her palace is often not beautiful at all. Something must be done!

It's a cute story, as is yours! :)

[Jonny Petros- Salone Di Petros]

Beautiful pictures of your granddaughter. It looks like her on your boutiue banner, beautiful artwork. Love the pictures of your home and your collections. I have enjoyed your site will stop back to visit. Best wishes Sincerely Jonny

[Rebecca]

Your stories are amazing. In years to come, when sugarwings is *old as the hills*, (what is *that*? 50? LOL!) she will be telling stories to all her tiny li'l sugarpunkins. And she'll begin them with, "My grandma used to tell me what I am going to tell you..." and the stories will be handed down generation to generation.... oh what joyous days we make with our babies!

[Deb]

I do think you should make this into a book......your granddaughter is one lucky little girl to have so much fun with you as a Nana.........:D some day......if I have a grandchild...I want to make THEIR time with me as magical as you do for your grandkids.....:D glad you are over your bug.....I had one, too......NO fun.....deb from Maine

[Mitzi Curi]

You seem to be thriving on cabin fever! What a wonderfully creative post. And the pictures are so lovely. It's always a pleasure to read your blog!

[robin]

Your beautiful little princess is so lucky to have a grandma who does all the important things with her that she will remember when she is older!

[SusanG]

What a great grandma you are!!

SusanG

[gayle olson]

You are such a gift to that darling girl! I have 4 grandgirls and I have never given them a day like this. I think I do well but I need to reassess my talents! love, G.G. (gramma Gayle)

[Jen R]

Karla, you are the most fun ever! I am coming over to your house to play! Love the chandelier!

[Wanda]

Does Sugarwings know she has THE best grandmother Ever?!

[bettyann]

ahhh so lovely, the pictures, the story and a beautiful grand baby..thanks for showing me how it can be done...take care..

[MyThoughtsMyVoice]

Aaawww Karla, yet again another beautiful story for sweet Sugarwings. I enjoyed reading it very much. Thanks for sharing for it brought a smile to my face. YOu really are good at story telling and I am sure every children would love to hear them. It's full of magic, fun, imagination, lessons and of course Love :-)

Wishing you a blessed New Year!

Mizpah,
Li

[tiffany]

have I told you lately what a wonderful grandma you are?? Love the story the pictures and the love...
xoxo, Tiffany

[Laura]

I love this story - what a lucky girl your precious Sugarwings is, to grow up in such an imaginative and loving world. You are a treasure Karla!

Laura

[Soarenth]

Hay, at least you look warm and cozy! As pretty as Sugarwings looks, all that bare arm in the cold temperatures makes me want to stick on an extra sweater, too.

Sweet story! That is amazing the way you two create such flights of fancy with no more prelude than being inside too much. Wow!