Several years ago, we adopted this dog (then named "Jewels") who came to be known as Luna, the focal point and spoiled child of this family.  Loving our time on the frozen river, we decided to throw a party for her 6th birthday.  In attendance were three dogs and a dozen people from ages 3 to 79 who arrived by foot, snowshoe, fat-tired bike, and sled.

We had toys and a giant dog bone for the canines, and pot of chicken noodle soup on the fire for the adults.  One tip: don't waste your money buying these edible doggie birthday cards.  It was rejected by every canine in attendance including Sam, the golden retriever who will eat ANYTHING.

Happy Birthday, Luna Fay, and thanks for letting me dress you in a goofy party collar!

I know we've got a long ways to go before declaring springtime, but the daily increase in light is so discernible right now.  The sun creeps higher over the horizon for longer periods of time.  We still have crazy long shadows, as seen in this photo below.  It's a selfie I took while on snowshoeing on the river.  You can just barely make out a dog team mushing my way in the upper left of the photo.