Yesterday we spotted a manatee in the river along Fort Lauderdale’s Riverwalk. Learn more about gentle manatees at SavetheManatee.org.

My friend, Taina from Kotka, Finland sent me these. The best way to get around here? Cross country skiing!

Dog Muffin is camouflaged by the snow!

Amazing that the branches can hold up all that snow!

House is being swallowed by snow!

Kotka is down south, to the east of Helsinki

My brother, Eric Rosen, took his kids sledding at Central Park yesterday and sent me these pics. Gorgeous snow! Thanks, Eric! And by the way, there has been more snowfall this winter in NYC than since a year in the late 1800s!

Lilly Badilly spent an evening with an extra special group of children with cancer at Gilda’s Club last night in Fort Lauderdale. The children’s program is called “Noogieland,” in honor of Staurday Night Live’s comedian, Gilda Radner, who died from ovarian cancer in 1989. The kids learned all about writing, reading and Costa Rica. Then we did a craft project – a decorated paper bird to hang. Thanks to one of our Corporate Partners (who wishes to remain anonymous) we were able to donate a book to each of the children who participated. Thank you, thank you, thank you TB!

I cannot say enough about what a wonderful place Gilda’s Club is to be and how dedicated the volunteers and staff members are there. If you are not familiar with this organization, Gilda’s Club is a completely free cancer support center – not only for those who are ill – but for all member of their families. Networking groups, lectures, workshops, specialized children’s and teen programs, and social events are all part of their programs. The South Florida location is housed in a gorgeous old mansion in the historic section of Fort Lauderdale along the Tarpon River. They rely upon donations to keep their indispensable services going. I cannot think of a better cause to support! I am sure that Gilda herself would be so proud of what the organization using her name has accomplished and how many lives it has touched. If you or anyone you know needs cancer support, check out the website to find locations near you.

I hope to be invited back soon to do more craft projects. Special thanks to Elisa Jones, Noogieland Manager, for inviting me.

Gilda’s Club of S Florida is housed in a most inviting historic house

I was greeted by a gorgeous peacock upon my arrival at Gilda’s Club

Sharing my character voices with the children

The children loved making paper birds

An adorable 5th grade girl shows me her blue bird.

My sister, Shelley Rosen, took these great pics of the snow in Chicago last weekend from Burham Harbor where the boats normally dock.

Daring Darwin, Chocolate brown, just like the couch

Darwin (10 weeks) jumps on and over the couch, hunts, kills and eats cockroaches, chews on the cement steps outside and barks at anything made out of metal.

Here are links with some amazing animal photos worth checking out:

• MSNBC Animal Tracks
• Animal-Photos.org
• National Geographic
• American Humane Photo Contest

It has been rather chilly here for a number of days. Tonight it is going to dip down into the mid 30s! We do not have a working heater in our home! We had to cover our tomatoes just in case of a frost!

2 lb Big Beefsteak waiting to be ripened by the sun

2 Roof tarps designed for hurricane damage make great tomato plant  covers1