I was charmed to discover this morning that some of my neighbors had been busy yesterday building a snow fort and snow woman. Here, against the morning sun, is their fine fort, its peak adorned with icicles:

But it was the snow woman and her dog I fell in love with. Here she is, with an enormous icicle hanging off her arm (a walking stick?):

And here is her little white dog with black spots. Forgive me, artists, if this is a cat instead!

And the two of them together:

But what’s that little thing sitting at the hem of her dress?

A perfectly formed little almond dispenser with its offerings for the squirrels and mice and whoever else in the neighborhood likes nuts.