This week was the beginning the St. Paul Winter Carnival, a true celebration of all things having to do with winter.  And this year the weather has cooperated in fine fashion (some might even say it’s been a bit too cold).  In past years some of the events have had to be cancelled or shortened because of warming temperatures, but that isn’t an issue for us now.  The snow sculptures were being carved yesterday as I wandered around the Minnesota Fairgrounds.  This huge sculpture was especially popular for photographs, with the St. Paul Winter Carnival emblem in the center, surrounded by all sorts of cold-weather creatures and beasts.  There were even some “tools of the trade” – chests of saws and chisels – that were still being used for touch up.  The celebration continues through next weekend (although I truly believe winter will be lasting much longer than that!).