Last year my Wisconsin brother told me how he makes ice lanterns. (See post.) I really wanted to try my hand at this, but my first two attempts failed. Finally, yesterday, after 52 hours in the cold, my balloon produced a successful lantern. Psyched!
Among today’s other pictures is the Japanese Maple at my workplace, glorious in every season. The reflection photo was taken at Fort Point Channel in Boston. That ice is made of saltwater. If you live inland, you may not know that for saltwater to freeze, it has to be extra cold for an extra long time.
The construction scene is from the nearby Seaport area, which as everybody knows, is being recklessly overbuilt, given that it’s low-lying area exposed to hurricanes.
The gingerbread houses were at the Boston Society of Architects and featured Boston buildings, including the state house with its gold dome. The giant geometric snowballs in Dewey Square are courtesy of New American Public Art, about which, more anon.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
These are such fun! Are ice lanterns really that hard to make? I love the effect. The gingerbread statehouse is pretty neat, too!
Once you know what you are doing, they’re not hard to make. You need a long cold snap, which I think you get where you live. My brother makes lots and lines them up to welcome friends to a winter party. The balloon I had was labeled 12-inch. You almost fill it by wrapping the opening over your faucet, then blow air in the top. It took mine 52 hrs to freeze enough, with some water still inside. You remove the balloon, break the flat part and pour out the water. I made a small hole in the opposite side to give the candle air. I am on my third night of lighting it.