Same thing here in WI, we had accumulating snow on Saturday and the winds and the cold have been wicked! Haven't seen the TRES since Thursday and we had at least five to six pairs, no nestbuilding yet though. Still haven't seen a Bluebird since March 19th. It didn't even get to 40 degrees today for a high! I remember last year when we got the cold rainy weather in the middle of May, we had three eggs in two different TRES boxes. All the TRES left except for four of them who all roosted in one of the boxes that had the three eggs, I know this because I saw them all go in the box one after the other, it was weird. Once the weather got nicer the TRES in that box didn't lay any more eggs but those three eggs did hatch. In the other box that had the three eggs those eggs got pushed into the nest and the TRES added some more nesting material and laid new eggs. Donna

It sure is Lisa! It is going to be 60 and sunny here tomorrow! And my blues are finally back at it! I saw the male perched multiple times on one of the boxes of my pair. On the opposite box was a TRES. No fighting! They appear to have their boxes chosen and standing guard! And Mrs. Blue is getting closer and closer to that box! I have HOSP to trap tomorrow (Neighbor's PUMA house and boxes at other trail...80 on sunday! 50's and 60's next week. Is this NOT the PERFECT forecast for nest building?! Seeing the blues so much more active, a beautiful forecast, some things to do, having the TRES...I am SO excited! There's much more to happen in the coming weeks with nest building, hummingbirds returning, trees blooming...it's gray now but full fledged spring is on its way! And I sure can't wait! I just LOVE spring and summer! My boxes are so out in the open though that I've never had Dees...they are nice birds. But I absolutely love those beautiful insect eating Bluebirds, Swallows, and Martins! It reminds you that the battle vs. the HOSP MUST go on! Good luck Lisa! Because the season will get very active very soon!

Love this thread!! looking to build in the spring and love this plan and everyones changes. We are planning on doing the open loft with stairs behind the fireplace. Wanted to get all the ideas and compare. We live in Iowa and will have a walkout basement we will eventually finish. Anyone willing to email me their plans and changes they made? Please and thanks! Courtsnee22@gmail.com

Joanie, what brand of solid surface are you looking at? I have been looking at countertops for 4 months, and have definately found that at least in our area (northeast) granite and solid surface are priced very close. The budget solid surface colors are very limited as well. We actually had plan to go with an LG clor that was on special. I was really drawn to the seamless aspect of solid surface. When the price came in after templeting I was shocked. They charge an arm and a leg for integrated sink and backsplash. By the time it was all said and done it would have been more than a basic granite by about 25%, even more if I wanted everything completely seamless. So I'm back to the drawing board myself.