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After a long hiatus we have spent the last week here at the farm — and indeed we are stuck here indefinitely — as a result of COVID-19. We have all been strongly encouraged to “work” from “home” and I am doing my best to comply. Still there are encouraging signs of spring all around, including these ducks on the pond.

We have been stuck in New York for some while, but it’s nice to be able to see a beautiful moonlit evening on the PondCam®️.

There are signs of spring everywhere, including one Labrador Retriever who spent much of the weekend outdoors. You can see her sitting patiently in front of the house.

On Saturday Daisy and I took a quick trip up Burger Hill, where we both enjoyed the warming weather and fine view.

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?