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So the first snowfall of the season in Belgium was not outside, but inside my freezer instead. (There are lots of things that we miss from the U.S. and big, up-to-date appliances is one of them). The freezer was getting progressively smaller with the amount of ice and snow that was accumulating in it. Finally, it was impossible to pull out the ice cube trays (you do remember we don’t have an automatic ice maker, right?), without getting freezer burn on your hands. It was time to do something about it and unfortunately, my mom wasn’t coming to visit for awhile.
One Saturday morning, I got out some old towels and a wooden spoon and got to work. I emptied the freezer of food (fortunately, we do have a 1980’s style American fridge/freezer in our garage). Next, I put the two freezer drawers in the sink to defrost, and then it was time to chisel away at the iceberg. When big chunks of ice would fall off, I was thrilled. I was filling up the ice cube bin with the snow and ice and emptying it into the sink. By the 6th time, I had to get mittens as my hands were freezing. My back was hurting and my legs were cramped from sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the freezer. Since I am my mother’s daughter, I persevered. I was on a mission. I chipped away at the snow and released inner frustrations I didn’t know I had. This self-made blizzard was not going to win. My motto became, “No ice left behind.” Finally, it was over. The last of the ice slid into my bin and I had won! I have no idea how long it took, all that matters is that I conquered the ice queen in my freezer! Fingers crossed she learned her lesson! :)
