I have enclosed several photos for all the great rink makers of North America. Although I will not claim to be the greatest rink maker in Minnesota (it's Hammit), I do have the easiest method I have seen shared.

This is it:

1) Decide what size THICK blue or silver plastic tarp you want to make your rink.  I buy a 40' X 60' Blue tarp every year for about $70 (US). And lots of boards.  You can easily cut this tarp down to fit ( mine is 24' X 59' ) later with a razor.  This year, I ran an extension cord under my rink to get a floodlight in an "outside edge" tree, to accompany my "house side" lights. (see night photo)  Begin this process in 40-50 (F) degree weather.

2) Frame (end to end) 2"X 8" and 2"X12" boards together using joiner plates with a cordless drill. I use 1"x 6" joiner plates with 1/2" screws. Using a combination of these boards for levelness, and mend on the topside.  I also put mending plates on the backside of deeper areas of the frame. Your rink frame needs to be about 18" smaller than the tarp. (read on)  The whole system rests on the ground. (no stakes are needed for any reason)

3) To level out the frame, use sand tubes to raise the low part of your rink. A large level works good, but experience will improve your perception. If you have a low area during ice making, you can remedy board height later. 

4) Carefully place your tarp under the frame and pull taut (out) from all sides. Starting with one corner, fold the tarp up and start screwing in the tarp to the outside of the frame. As you finish that side, pull your tarp tight to the other side and inspect as you go. I use 3/4" screws with washers to strongly attach the tarp to the frame. Try to fasten a washer/screw at least every 3 feet.  If your deepest corner drops TWO FEET, no big deal. You can boost your frame level and re-enforce the tarp from underneath in those "gap" areas by using sand tubes.(see photo) It looks (and works) like a shallow swimming pool.

You can now carefully pick leaves out of your "pool" for a few days or weeks. Do not start adding water until you have 8-10 (F) degree lows at night, and those temps. must be forecast for a while.
    
5) Add water at a reasonable rate. If you set 6" of 60 degree hose water in your deepest corner, it will take 18 cold hours to freeze that deep part. Shallower water will freeze fast and hard. I have never flooded for more than about 30 minutes at a time. The more hose water laid out, the longer to freeze. As the water moves up the inside of your frame, it freezes to the boards and will not rise above the tarp level from behind. (It can on a very warm day). As you near the completion of your ice, you may need to add a board to the top of the frame board in the low areas to raise the height. (see my night photo ) I use 2" X 3" boards on edge and screw them into the top of frame. I add these to help keep our pucks and tennis balls (and sometimes flood water) on rink. I do all surfacings fast and thin, with a open ended hose, just like you would paint a floor. I never use sprinklers or nozzles. Below zero (F) can be too cold to do a smooth resurface. The water will freeze as it crawls across the ice, and not cover smoothly as you apply it.

You now will have a rink that can be shoveled or snowblown quickly with no fears of hitting plastic. It does not leak at taped seams or foaming sealers, and it looks like a million bucks when you get snowbanks. Pucks and skates hitting the plastic is not a concern when this method of rink making is used. 

- If you want to paint a logo or lines, use enamel paint and brush it on a nearly finished rink. Let the water gently fade across frozen paint during a flood and it will work great. When the Sun gets higher in March, this will take the rink out earlier than no markings. 

-  I once framed together half sheets of plywood on each end to make some 2' high boards. It just doesn't look as nice for the neighbors' view.

-   When you turn the hose off, detach and hold your end high as you roll it up. Let the water run out onto the yard, not your rink. Keep the hose on a warm porch or basement during peak construction of the ice.

-  Once and a while, turn all your lights off for a skate under the moonlight. All residents of Minnesota know what a Garage Logician does on Spoon Lake. These are the most serene moments my family has in our backyard.

When Spring hits hard, unscrew your tarp from the frame, it will melt and drain away slowly. Remove your materials quickly and the grass will look better than the surrounding areas. ( No lie )

Very informative.  Thanks for sending in all the info and your pics Tim.