You already know these things. I don’t need to convince you how a closer look at snowflakes will open your heart to miracles. To the wonder of: creation, our existence, intelligent design, and the journey of every lovely soul. Still, here I am reminding you of the mystery and awe right here, right under our noses. The wonder of snowflakes? Hasn’t the topic been exhausted? Why am I insistent? Because the clutter of our lives, the noise of media, and daily disappointments arising dim the light to see.
The Wonder of Snowflakes Real & Crafted
At times we stop seeing the very beauty for which our souls hunger. We settle for imitations on screens.
What if we gazed a bit closer at the journey of a single snowflake? At the potential for beauty and shelter when crystals stick together? If you are hustling through these holy days, it is understandable and even lauded in the culture. But should you have a quiet moment to open to the science and poetry of ordinary falling snow? Maybe wonder is waiting to find you.
Divine Beauty of a Snowflake’s Descent
We’ll begin with the science.
Are snowflakes white? No. They are actually translucent and only appear to be white as light scatters off all their surfaces.
Why do snowy days and nights feel peacefully quiet? There’s an absorption of sound with snow. Because of the open spaces within a snowflake’s structure, snow effectively absorbs sound.
How do snowflakes form? Tiny water droplets in clouds freeze around dust particles and then they grow into ice crystals while they fall through the sky.
Why is every snowflake symmetrical with six sides? Symmetry and shape are due to the hexagonal structure of water molecules when they freeze.
Is every snowflake truly different? The reason the probability is so low for two snowflakes to be identical is that each snowflake travels through unique atmospheric conditions…they are being sculpted as they fall.
The unique journey of each little snowflake changes their very structure.
How do atmosphere and environment shape the snowflake? A snowflake’s shape is formed by temperature and humidity encountered along its descent.
The interaction with the environment (which is ever shifting) creates diverse snowflake patterns.
Where was the largest snowflake found? Of course a super-sized snowflake made its descent through a wondrously Big Sky! Measuring 15″ across, it fell in Fort Keogh, Montana.
Poem By Me About Snowflakes
Easy PAPER SNOWFLAKE Wintry Garland
Skill Level: Can you layer 7 lunch bags, cut 6 straight lines, and squeeze white glue in a T-shape?
I knew I wanted a whimsical, light as air, poetic touch for this dramatic staircase. White roses sculpted from beautiful handmade paper were my first choice. Maybe someday. But snowflakes…
I love the look of fresh greens but am over the maintenance and mess after!
These prom-tastic stairs will make more sense when we finish the millwork on the wall at the top, but for now?
As far as a traditional garland, that’s a whole lotta greenery happening.
So I opted for the simplicity of nostalgic paper snowflakes and ribbon.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Wanna make one? You’ll need white paper lunch bags, scissors, white glue, and paper clips.
I needed 20 snowflakes and kept things super chill (get it?) and uniform by cutting just one template. If you’ll be decorating your own staircase with them, you will likely need less snowflakes.
To attach snowflakes to the handrail, I cut ribbons of white poplin from old pajamas.
Are you new? Know about my PJ friendly lifestyle in spite of an internet telling me to grow up and get dressed like the cool grannies?
Rest is important to health and is my right. I shall defiantly wear pajamas to shreds before their resurrection as Christmas ribbon.
7 lunch bags + template as shown for a guide.
Stack and cut them all at once. Glue goes where green dots are.
Glue one at a time…then open for the MAGIC, kittycats.
A paper clip holds it together (can store flat for next year).
These snowflakes and ribbons can be used again next year too if like me, you opt for paper clips rather than glue. You may like this tutorial for snowflake garland too.
Do you love pinecone garlands? Here’s one on our antique console in the foyer.
This doorway into the music room would be perfect for greenery against the wallpaper. I wasn’t afraid to just go for it with mural wallpaper panels after we built the walls in the foyer because I had already lived with the pattern in another home.
No decorations on the porch yet. I enjoy placing real lit candles in the windows and on the porch tables.
So much pressure in social media to create insta-worthy holiday vignettes, but I will only comply when my heart is in it.
Still with the crafty snowflake making poet? As I sit in my PJs stringing together words and a paper snowflake DIY, I wonder if any of this flows together coherently.
Thank you for showing up here with tenderness and love. If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, it’s just one six dollar garland away…
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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