Snowy Weekend

Well, it's still winter. I don't need to be reminded (contrary to what every news outlet says) that we hit 80 degrees last year at this time. I'm not asking for 80, but maybe we could split the difference and settle on 40 degrees?  Alas, it is not to be. In fact, we are in for another storm tonight. 

The yard has seen an abundance of animal tracks and I can hear the spring birds singing, so it's only a matter of time. Unfortunately, those are our garden boxes buried beneath that layer of snow.

Not everybody is anti-Winter. In fact, some of us are thriving.

 Just another Saturday morning.

We took TJ to his favorite park to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. He had a surprising amount of energy to burn off today.

I challenge you to find the horizon on this photo. Honestly, I don't mind the snow (I rather like the snow), but Minnesota's endless wintry gray skies are what really get to me.

TJ action shots. If I had known he could still run and bound this quickly, I would have adjusted my shutter speed. (Too bad he's still not graceful!)

A sign of bad days ahead. 

When the snow starts to melt, we will never have clean paws or floors again.

Brrr...Minnesota! Go away, winter.

An Evening With Pour Decisions Acerbity Made With Lemmy Brett

Friday evening Nicole and I stopped into Pour Decisions to check out their fresh selection. We left with a growler of their warm and flavorful 3.1% ABV Pubstitute which helped to nudge Nicole out of her IPA-only corner. We also grabbed two bottles of Acerbity made with a special Brettanomyces strain. There is a lot of tart and sour fruit here. It is also very yeasty and acidic tasting. Nicole liked the initial sip, but the funk of Brett was not her cup of tea. The ABV on this guy was only 2.7%, which might make it the lowest alcohol beer I have ever consumed. You would think this would make it easier to drink, but it is hard to take down a whole bottle on my own. Nicole pitched in with a small glass, but the tartness is so intense I was only able drink it in small sips. Overall, a very pleasant beer that packs a punch without the alcohol. Only 100 bottles were made of this style, so I consider myself lucky to grab two. It's great to have another brewery in town willing to take some chances and make something unique.

Winter Highlights

Contrary to our lack of winter postings, we have actually been staying quite busy this season. I wouldn't say no to an early spring, but winter has been moving along rather quickly so far. 

After last year's birding disaster (see below, right), we had to get a new seasonal wreath. We went with something a little spikier this time around. On the upside, all four house finches successfully fledged. 

We took a nostalgic trip to the Schell's Brewery in New Ulm with some college friends. Everything still tastes and looks the same, so that's good, I guess. We topped off the trip with Bloody Marys from Patricks in St. Peter, which are still as delicious as I remember. 

I feel like the gnome on the right is texting someone.

Adam brightened up the house with beautiful yellow tulips, but not for Valentine's Day. We're not suckers.

I celebrated a bonus day off from work with a St. Paul Fun Day. I met Adam for lunch, went to a few favorite stores, and warmed up at the Conservatory, my favorite (nearly) free place to be.

It was the Winter Flower Show, very heavy on the lilies and other bulbs. 

It just makes my fingers itch for spring!

  

TJ has been loving the snow, as usual, but has developed a sneaky habit of running out between your legs as you try to leave for work in the morning. He's no fool. He knows that I always have about 5 things in my hands as I try to lock the door, and I have a soft spot in my heart for sweet dogs that love to sleep (or pretend-sleep) in the snow.

  Sunny Day Sneak-Out

Cloudy Day Sneak-Out

This day was exceptionally beautiful since we woke up to a beautiful coating of perfect snow and the first hint of blue skies in quite some time. I let TJ have a few extra snow minutes that morning.

Can you find TJ? He's trying to blend in so he won't get called back inside.

We also did a quick mini re-arrangement of the living room. Winter tends to bring out the restlessness in me. 

TJ loves being under the table...

...even when we move the table to the other side of the room.

I was waiting for the floor to dry, so I caught up on my Saturday morning PBS cooking shows.

New rug! TJ likes it.

Then I changed out the lampshade a few hours later.

And, finally, I tossed in a few decorative pillows for Adam, since I know how much he loves pillows. 

It's the little things that count.