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Last weekend we were in San Francisco where it was 72°, but we were still happy to return to the frozen tundra that is Rhinebeck.  On Saturday, Sarah went riding for the first time in a month, and, perhaps as a result of the long layoff, she fell off Rocky when he veered to look at another horse out the window of the indoor riding ring.  Uninjured, she got right back in the saddle, as one must.  That night she had a sleepover — the first event in her multi-stage, town and country 10th birthday celebration.  This morning she went sledding, and she enjoyed it so much she’s doing it again right now in Central Park.

The icy weather put some color in her cheeks.

Daisy got a new bed.

Sarah kicked off a splendid Christmas holiday by planting the star atop the tree.  We had Jen’s parents and brother for Christmas, and her sister and Geoff for New Year’s, with a visit from the Scherr family in between.

Sarah’s stocking was quite full.

Even Daisy got presents, including a nice new bone.

After Christmas we got some snow (and bitterly cold temperatures).  Sarah ventured out to go sledding.

We all made a New Year’s resolution to improve our attitudes.  We have to put a dime in the jar each time we use sarcasm.  At the end of the year, we’re going to use the proceeds to buy a yacht.  Happy New Year to all!

Daisy was outnumbered ten to one, but she stared them down anyhow.

We had a happy Thanksgiving at the farm, featuring this highly locally sourced turkey.  It came from Kesicke Farm, about two miles down Route 9G.  When I called to ask if they had any turkeys, the farmer, Frank Vosburgh, making it sound as if he was looking out his kitchen window, said he might have one or two.

We had three pies for six people (the golden ratio — 0.5 : 1).

Jen made Old Fashioneds for all.

We had a visitor — a Northern Flicker — who flew down the chimney into the mud room, much like the marauding squirrel who destroyed my ukulele.

On Saturday, Sarah had a riding lesson with Rocky.

She had a crowd of admirers in the viewing box.

Everyone was smiling.

The dead apple tree in the field in front of the house finally gave up the ghost.  On the bright side, it’ll make mowing easier — I hit it pretty often with the tractor.

Daisy, however, was mournful.

Sarah had a riding lesson on Saturday.

It was a splendid day, and Sarah got Skarloe moving.

After lunch, we climbed Burger Hill.  It was fun until Daisy mauled a six year-old.  (Not really.)  (But kind of?)

Sarah was not happy about it.

Many leaves are still hanging on, even though Chanukiving is just a few weeks away.

Perhaps you have been thinking, gee, there haven’t been enough bird pictures lately.  I hear you.  Here’s a red-bellied woodpecker on the hickory tree next to the barn.

This bluebird found a convenient shelf on which to rest.

And here’s a mourning dove, who was sad that we had only one day in the country this weekend.  We returned to New York early this morning to watch the marathon.  We did find some time on Saturday to roast the seeds from Sarah’s Halloween pumpkin, which were delicious.

We had a short weekend in the country.  In fact, we spent only Sunday there, so that Sarah could go to her school’s Halloween party Saturday night.  This morning, Sarah had a riding lesson with Rocky.

In the afternoon, Daisy had agility training, but she was not very enthusiastic about going over this frame.  She’s having a tiff with the trainer, Karen, who, in Daisy’s basic obedience class, made the mistake of pulling the tail of her star pupil to illustrate a point about teaching dogs to be relaxed around children.  Daisy really holds a grudge.

Halloween preview: Sarah is Ron Turcotte.