A Celebration of Snow / The Snow Queen

Currently, the midwest is in the midst of a blizzard. For those of us in the heartland, that means non-stop shoveling, hazardous road conditions, and eternal layers of clothing. Despite the drawbacks of heavy snow and unbearable cold, there is something magical about a Wisconsin winter. It means more time at home huddled up with friends. We drink hot coacoa and spiced wine, light candles, play games, and watch the snow fall. It's no secret that many regions of Wisconsin and Minnesota were colonized by Scandinavians and Germans: peoples who had an intimate knowledge of the harshness of winter. Speaking of which, the other night as the cold winds roared I began talking to my friends about the story 'The Snow Queen' by Hans Christian Andersen (a Danish writer). Much to my surprise (and chagrin) my friends had no idea what I was blabbing on about. Well, in devotion to all things winter, I've decided to share the fairy tale. It's considered by some to be the greatest Hans Christian Andersen story of all time. To read this and other Andersen tales, please check out http://www.online-literature.com/hans_christian_andersen/