Nana's B-Day

We packed up and headed south to IL for Nana's birthday. When we got there, the grass was green and there wasn't any snow, even in the shadows. The next morning we got 6" of beautiful wet snow that clung to everything.

By the afternoon, the sun came out and we sat on the patio and soaked in the sun.

 

Missed Northern Lights

We had some incredible northern lights. Sadly, we missed them. That's the problem of going to bed at a reasonable hour. I tried in the morning, but they were gone by then. If nothing else, we have a beautiful city skyline.

 

Cat Stool

The cat is up most of the day and she follows us around. She knows that she is not supposed to walk on the kitchen counter, so she sits on a stool where she can see what's cooking.

 

Minnehaha Falls

With all the snow this year, the creek and falls are going full speed. Such an improvement from last summer when everything was dried up!

 

Warm Cat Bed

There is nothing better than a stuffed kitty bed next to the radiator.

Except for a cardboard box next to the radiator.

 

Spring Break

Lots of college kids go to the beach for spring break. Bot our son. He came here for a week of snow and parental guidance. 

We had fun hanging out with the whole family. 

 

Snowpack

This has been the winter of snow. The back yard is piled up deep. Any more and we will need a bigger snowblower to kick it up into the yard.

The ruts in the alley are spectacularly awful. Once you're in them, there is no getting out. You can turn the wheel, but the car keeps going straight.

All the yards have 3 feet of snowpack. Spring has been put on hold.

 

Weekend Morning Dog Walks

Weekend mornings are my favorite. S & I go extended walks thru the neighborhood. It's quiet and the only people out at that hour are the others that enjoy the solitude of weekend mornings. 

We have had an incredible year for snowy days. S is in his element and he never tires of traipsing around in the show.

 

Warm Mitens

One of out favorite things (there are many) about our old house is the radiator in the dining room. It is a dual purpose wet gear dryer and hat/mitten pre-heater. Our hats, glove, and mittens are always warm, dry, and ready to go out.

 

Don't Eat the Blue Snow Either

I've been cautioned my whole life: "DON'T EAT THE YELLOW SNOW!". 

No one ever mentioned the blue snow near the porta potty.

Probably should be added to the list of colored snow not to eat.

 

Top 10 Snow

This winter is now in the top 10 snowiest for Minneapolis, and we still have a few more weeks to go. Since neither of us have a difficult commute, it's pretty and we absolutely love it. If I still had my 40-mile drive each way across open land and a three car driveway to clear every other day, I might have a different opinion of the snow.

 

Coyotes on Lake Harriet

There was a pair of coyotes out on the lake. Our guess is that they were snacking on teh baitfish left behind by the ice fishermen and got caught by daybreak.

 

Zippo Man

DK Next door won some tickets to see a band we have never heard of: Zippo Man. We bought our own for $12 each and made an evening out of it. We started at a classic supper club and enjoyed too much food (cajun food). One of the things that we love about the city is that we are close enough to downtown that Uber/Lyft rides are easy and affordable. No one has to worry about parking or driving home.

In all, four bands played in the small venue and it was absolutely incredible. It took us back to the days when GP was playing with his band in Lincoln. All the songs from each band were all original and very listenable. We stayed back enough not to get caught up in the rowdy mosh pit; we're getting to be too old for that. But not old enough to complain that the music is loud.

 

Puzzle Time

The hustle and bustle of the winter season is slowing down to the point that it's time to break out the puzzles we bought throughout the year. Our favorites are those by Charles Wysocki. Each piece has enough of a clue on it that you can place it without trying its fit in 20 different places.

 

Snow Fort Firepit

We finally had a quiet night and broke in the firepit in the snow fort. We have enjoyed the firepit and we have enjoyed the snow fort, but this was the first time of the two together.

 

Fast Sled Rides

My friend from work invited us down to his place for a snowmobile ride.

We rode 15 miles to a pub in the middle of nowhere and had a tasty burger. We stopped on the way back to marvel at the beautiful sunset.

JP drove her own sled and kicked butt. 

 

Urban Ice Fishing

We watched this group drag their ice fishing sled and gear out onto Lake Harriet. It was a slow slog with the fresh snow - I'm not sure that they were anticipating that. With a sunny 20 degree day, there's no need for so much gear.

 

Dog Sledding

We hit Birch's on the Lake again this year for their dog sled brunch. It was a perfect day for it - 20 and sunny and no wind. Perfect for us, but a bit too warm for the dogs pulling people thru the deep snow.

Afterwards, we sat next to the fire table on the deck overlooking the lake and watched the rides below.

There were two 6-dog teams pulling everyone around. 

 

Foot of Snow

For a week, we had 18-24 inches of snow in the forecast. The governor was on the news telling people to stay home and off the streets. It was exciting and the only topic of conversation. 

In the end, we got a solid foot, but no more. It freshened up the dingy snow that had been exposed for almost two weeks.

It took us all day of on and off shoveling to get dug out. The snow fort walls are now 18" higher and it feels cozier.

 

Rain Rain Go Away

We had a few days of warmth and then an inch of rain. It didn't do much to the snowpack, but it certainly filled up the creek.

 

New Guitar Day

CG Left some of his unplayed guitars behind. The plan is to get them cleaned up, setup, and play them for a year or two. If anyone is looking for a decent guitar, let me know; I have too many.

 

Breakfast Walk

We ran the Gs ragged while they were here. Saturday morning we walked around the lake and hit Tilia in Linden Hills for an awesome breakfast. We caught the polar bear plunge group in the water and it was the last day of the Art Shanty project over at the bandshell. It feels like winter is almost over already.

We closed out the day with a fire in the snow fort.

 

Hockey Night with the Old Neighbors

The Gs came up from Lincoln or Vegas or wherever they live now for the MN Wild vs. Las Vegas Golden Knights hockey game. We grabbed dinner at a fun pub on 7th St.

JP Got her "First Game Certificate" and she is quite proud of it.

CP Came along and had a good time, too. Our seats were on the 50 yard line, but second to the last row at the top. At a football game, we would have needed binoculars, but the Xcel center is small enough that there really are no bad seats.

 

Workplace Deli

Here is another masterpiece from the deli counter @ work: English cucumbers stuffed with cooked salmon with red peppers & onions and a wasabi sauce.

 

Winter Fun

One of our favorite things about MN is winter and the fact that it gets cold enough long enough to actually have fun with winter sports and activities. S loves going out on the lake. We drop his leash and he is somewhat free to run & romp on his own.

We took advantage of a beautiful day and put our skis on for the first time this year. It has been such a crazy winter, we haven't had time.

 

Klondike Dog Derby 2023

This weekend was the 3rd annual Klondike Dog Derby in Excelsior. The main attraction is the 40 mile dog sled race that does two loops around Lake Minnetonka. We had a good viewing spot near the starting line and it was fun seeing (and hearing) the excitement in the dogs as they waited for the green light. In all there were 35 teams. About half were women, and there were more than a few teens, too.

We have all seen air hockey, and ice hockey, but what about an ice air hockey table?! I need to make one for the snow fort.

We picked up CP on the way out. 

 

Longer Days

The days are definitely getting longer. The sun is still up when I get home from work. It's so nice walking the dog in the light rather than at night all the time.