Spring can be a smelly time of year for dog owners, especially when turds can no longer freeze into poopsicles. It’s one thing to become lenient in picking up the poop in your own backyard but imagine seeing and smelling everyone else’s soggy dog poop when you’re out on a walk.

When the bitter, cold prairie winter hits, so does the desire to pack your bags and jet-off to a warmer destination. A place where the parkas and snow boots can be swapped for shorts and sandals as a wardrobe staple. Whether you choose to escape the cold with a short weekend getaway or a week-long vacation with family and friends, it’s important to prepare your home for when you are away to ensure you stay stress-free from take-off to landing. Here are some tips to keep in mind prior to your departure:

Building your dream home is a thoughtful process that is so much more than just choosing the square footage and number of rooms that your new place will have. It’s an exploration of where you and your family want to be, and how you want to live. Your new build is a customized space that will be more than just a house; it will be a place for you and your family to call home. Here are some things to consider when building your new home:

Winnipeg winters are notorious for being cold, dark and seemingly everlasting. However, one doesn’t need to look far to find a local event, attraction or activity that embraces the coldest season and all that comes with it. One such popular event is, of course, Festival du Voyageur. As a long-standing sponsor of Festival du Voyageur, Qualico Communities annually selects a prominent location to place one of the event’s famous snow sculptures. This year, because of their popularity, we decided to collaborate with local artists to offer not only one but five snow sculptures in our communities. Read more to learn about Oak Bluff West's snow sculpture.

Winter can seem never-ending but instead of wishing it away, it’s nice to make the most of it. During these winter months it’s important to get a daily dose of fresh air and sunshine, even on the blustery cold days. As an old saying by Alfred Wainwright goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” In the spirit of being hardy Winnipeggers, here are some activities to get you and your family outside this winter to get active, create new memories and have fun in the comfort of your own backyard.