Cold, clear skies.  The mornings have been well below zero (minus 17 this morning) and the afternoons have been in the low twenties.  On this day last year the high was well into in the 60's (an 80 degree difference from this morning)!  Despite the cold start to the day, the relatively strong March sun melts the snow off the roof tops in the afternoon.  A light snow has been falling every few nights leaving the ski trails much improved. 

Common redpolls at our platform feeder 

 

Penelope showing off her Easter eggs.  This year we used all natural items to dye eggs - beets, red cabbage, yellow onion skins, chili powder, tumeric, blueberries, and coffee grounds.  I was surprised how well they turned out.  (We were glad they were all hard-boiled after this photo shoot!)

Mashed Potato Trails

Cold nights and warm days.  Lows are just below zero with highs in the twenties.  A classic heavy March snow fell leaving the trails as solid as mash potatoes.  Nevertheless I broke trail the other day on a nice slow "walk with skis".

For the last week or so my mind as been up along the Iditarod Trail following the running of the "last great race".  It's been an exciting race to track as long distance dog teams continue to get faster, mushers get bolder with strategies, and the elements ever-changing.  Our local distance race was run this week as well.  Poor early season snow conditions forced the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race to push the event into March.  The race runs from Duluth to the Gunflint Trail and back.  We spent an evening "on the Beargrease trail" at a check point along the Gunflint Trail cheering on a couple of friends and neighbors who were running the marathon.  This is the first winter in some time that I haven't committed my spare time to running dogs.  Even though it's been a little tough at times I wouldn't trade these days at home with the family for any amount of miles on the trail.  Following the races help ease my yearning for making miles on the runners.

Inside I've been busy with finishing carpentry projects, playing with Penelope, and my latest experiment brewing beer.  I'm two batches into the game an it turns out that this fits pretty well with the way my brain operates.  I like to think of it as an adult chemistry laboratory experiment.  Either way, the booze hasn't made us go blind yet and it even tastes alright!

A view into the woods along the ski trail

Completing the Kitchen

Our latest project completed the kitchen cabinets and sink countertop.  

Penelope had to inspect every corner of the the cabinets.

And of course; she had to confirm the structural integrity of countertop before I could cut the sink opening.  It passed.

Nowadays the sun rounds the world at a relatively high angle.  Nights are near or below zero.  The days, however, are within the twenties- warm enough to melt ice and snow.  

  

Look carefully- can you spot the drop?  

Inside I have been pecking away at my "winter list".  Mainly the list is comprised of finishing and storage-related projects.  I've been busy setting cabinets, building bathroom shelves and a linen closet.

Daddy's Third Hand