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Here is America’s favorite harbinger, the robin, looking forward to a glorious spring. It was extremely cold when we arrived Saturday morning, justifying an all-day fire, but it warmed up for the remainder of the long weekend.

We had a light dusting of snow today, not enough to get the dog wet or to prevent Sarah from practicing driving — she got her learner’s permit on Friday!

Here’s an unusual view of the farm, from Wolcott Drive, where we went walking today.

We started the weekend with foggy skies and greenish fields, but a lovely snowfall began soon after we arrived Saturday. We responded, sensibly, by building a fire and making cassoulet.

We celebrated concurrent Christmas and Hanukah, with all attendant honors and gifts, with Jen’s parents and brother. Everyone, including Daisy (resting contentedly just above Sarah’s left hand in this picture), received many presents, ate like kings and/or queens, and generally had a wonderful time with family.

We had a happy Thanksgiving with Julie & Stacey, Erica & Geoff, and, in a reprise from 2018, the Perkins family from Perth.

We baked many pies: hickory, sour cherry, pumpkin, apple, and mushroom (clockwise from left).

Indeed, we had so many pies competing for oven space that some had to be cooked in the cottage. Here, Sarah gave a master class.

Jen understands the true meaning of the holiday.

This house finch wanted to join us Saturday evening. Who could blame him?

We spent most of the weekend in the city, but this evening we attended the Hudson Valley Hunter Jumper Association’s annual banquet at the Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel, where Sarah was named Reserve Champion in two events: Short/Long Stirrup, and Pleasure. Congratulations to Sarah and Cisco (a.k.a. Talk of the Town)!

Daisy is constrained by her electric fence, but she waits patiently for those who travel a bit farther afield.

We stayed in New York for a dance rehearsal and to watch the New York City Marathon, but here’s a bluebird checking in on the PondCam.