Outside, inside, upside-down

There is a family in the area named Eis. They call their farm "Eis Land". That is certainly appropriate THIS winter season...
The shiny stuff is ICE. From the freezing rain storm several weeks past, which descended on top of several feet of snow accumulation. The temperatures haven't been above 25 degrees since then, so it's all still here. The fields all looked like shiny lakes of water, it was like another world appeared overnight. Rather like someone had poured liquid wax over every surface, then put squadrons of Ice Elves to work buffing and shining. Then it snowed again...and again...and again. The arctic winds tossed and drove the snow into drifts, scouring it down to the ice patches in places, only to re-cover them in the next breath and reveal other areas of glare ice in turn. Cold is a relative word; right now we are giving it new definitions - and respect.
This is the scene out the dining room window of the farmhouse. I think I've mentioned, I currently don't venture outdoors for photo shoots.

That's not a tree shadow. It is tree reflection...glare ice is like a mirror.

The ice varies from an inch to several inches thick. It will hold a large dog, and most of the punks don't break through when walking on it. It is dangerous on its own, as a spill or two proved, and with a coat of snow it is sorta like Jaws - just waiting for you...

With windchill below zero, activities are strictly indoors. I introduced the punks to Speed Scrabble (thanks to my nieces!)...

...and the tournaments have become a favorite part of our daily activities. Then Carrie reminded us (from sunny Arizona where she isn't even wearing a COAT outdoors - sheesh) that she had a similar game stashed in the game chest....

...called Bananagrams! Instead of working with 7 letters, we got to start with 21 - what a kick!

First you "split", when everyone turns over their letter tiles. When you use all your letters up in free-form crossword style, you say "peel" and everyone draws one more tile. At the end, with all tiles in play, the first person using all their letters yells "Banana" to declare the win. BUT. If you happen to spell one of your words incorrectly (and we DO check), you forfeit and become the "Rotten Banana"!! Purr is NOT spelled pirr, just so you know.

Both games can be played solitaire, or multiple players. Great games for the readers/spellers in the homeschool setting. And the action has attracted the youngest punks to the point they are "helping" by sounding out letters, and working hard on becoming readers and spellers themselves so they can play with the "big guys"!

With all the energy expended, lunch time is never too soon. At least once a week the gang has a favorite lunch of Tuna and Crackers. They don't like tuna sandwiches. Nope, it's gotta be crackers. Who knew.

Tuna is mixed with mayo, just plain, no gourmet green things, or such un-manly stuff. They spoon it on plain soda crackers...

...and munch happily. Have you noticed how Lee can give any action a Zen-like touch? He is the most active punk by far, but also has meditation forms to balance his Chi. Even tuna can be Zen...

There's one in every crowd. Always pointing out the "proper" way to do something...Jayden demonstrates how you should do tuna sandwiches. Lighten up, kid.

He's not going to listen to a little brother, ya know!

"TUNA". Hmmm. A way to use one of those pesky "u" tiles...