A Fire in the Snow Fort.

If you want to come hang out with us in the great white north, than you're going to need to come prepared.

Last year the boys built an awesome snow fort around the fire pit in Serge's backyard.

This year we decided to do it again, but up the ante. This year the boys prepared the snow fort a few days in advance by bringing in the tractor. The design this year piled up tractor buckets of snow followed by a manual dig to create enough benches for at least a dozen friends.

After all their hard work, it was up to each of use to come prepared for the chilly evening. On the list of things to bring: work gloves for shoveling, a busted old cooler, and wine. Funny how all these items seem to go together when you're talking about hanging around a winter fire in a snow fort.

It also seemed completely natural to have a drink in one hand and a shovel in the other. I don't deal with shovels but they sure come in handy when you need to dig out a new seat or perhaps make yourself a shelf to house your beers.

You'll also want to be sure to wear your winter boots if you're coming to our snow fort. Most of us were sporting Sorels because they're the best. Luckily no one's melted in the fire, despite keeping our feet propped up on fire wood near the edge for the whole evening.

It was amazingly warm and cozy inside the fort. The walls were high enough to block the wind and the snow insulated the heat from the flames. When you're coming off -30 degree days all of the sudden a temperature above freezing is considered mild. But even if it is nice out, you'll still want to bundle up in a parka, hat and mitts. The more fur trim, the better in this country.

As much as he doesn't want to admit it, we were also celebrating Serge's birthday. We'll make a proper birthday cake later this week, but for the fire he settled for my homemade chocolate cupcakes topped with cream cheese chocolate icing. I like to serve birthday cupcakes in my finest tupperware because I'm classy like that.

If you're ever up in our area and want to see how real Canadians spend their Friday nights in the dead of winter, than come on by. My friends will put on their sunglasses, light you a fire and whip up a snow fort in no time. Just bring your own snow pants.