Happy New Year...and Anniversary!

Well we survived another year! Thank goodness that one is over. I don't mean to sound negative, but many things happened this past year that I don't think I want to redo! Be that as it may, we are on to bigger and better things here at Upper Pond!

I'm not going to try to make any big resolutions...just try to be a bit more patient, enjoy the time I have with my family and let the small stuff go. That's it, nothing fancy, just try to be the me that I enjoy being around. (some days, I don't even want to be around me!)

Three years ago I decided to take the plunge and started sharing my life with anyone that wanted to stop and read. I'm so glad I made the choice to put myself out to the world. I have "met" great people, envied the creativity that's out there and have explored many new things which I might not have, if I hadn't discovered it online.

Spud and Chloe and Colinette Jitterbug

So thank-you for stopping by my little part in the blog-o-sphere! And in celebration...let's have a give-away! Leave a comment...come out of Lurkerville...and introduce yourself. I will be giving away a skein of Spud and Chloe: Outer and a skein of Colinette Jitterbug. I'll close the drawing on January 4th and let you know the winner on Tuesday, January 5th! Good luck and I'm looking forward to meeting new friends!

5 things...holiday wrap-up

1. I absolutely LOVED our Christmas card this year. I was inspired by Sara+h and her love of Polaroid film. I used a Polaroid film application through Picnik and created a card reminiscent of the movie The Christmas Story.

2. The boys and I read The True Gift: A Christmas Story at breakfast during December. In true Patricia MacLachlan fashion, she tells a beautiful country story about a little boy and a cow. When the boys were little, we read all the time at the breakfast table. One page-one bite. I think I'm still saying that to Matt.

yeah, I know this picture has nothing to do with the Symphony...but they didn't have any good pictures on their website and I didn't have any pictures of my kids playing their instruments.
3. We started a new tradition by attending the Holiday Pops concert performed by the Syracuse Symphony. We've taken the boys to the Symphony since they were little and they enjoy the whole experience. We try to pick the Pops series to attend, as the music is a bit more recognizable. On a side note: please remember your local orchestras and symphonies in your giving this year and next. They have been hit hard with the economic downfall. Nights out, listening to music are one of the first luxuries to go when scaling down the budget.

4. We were lucky to have perfect weather for our pond to freeze, just in time for Christmas! When the ice is ready, you have to act fast and call everyone you know. Pond ice doesn't last long, especially if it snows! We hosted a hockey skating party and we skated on Christmas Eve!

5. It was over all too fast...now it's time to hibernate!

Christmas in Caz

Christmas in Caz
Originally uploaded by Upper Pond

The windows were beautiful this holiday season! Hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Christmas!

If...

the accountants looked like this in my husband's office...he would have to find a new profession.

The Accountant

If you haven't caught The Sartorialist's pictures from Australia yet, they are worth a look. Stunning!
Happy Friday everyone!

5 things...

1. I really stink at blogging. I just don't know what to give up to sit down and blog every other day. I'm in awe at the people who write regularly. I make myself feel better by thinking that their house must be a mess, or there are dishes in the sink, or beds are not made...you get the idea.

2. We got our tree. Thanksgiving weekend. Needles are already dropping.

3. Shopping for everyone but the boys....done!

4. Peppermint mochas are back! My favorite indulgence of the season!

5. Looking for some new holiday music. Suggestions anyone?

Just In Case...

you're tired of turkey. I made this Black Bean Soup last week and LOVED it. So quick and easy and a refreshing change from what I usually make.

Black Bean and Salsa Soup

1/2 an onion

2 cloves minced garlic

2 (15oz) cans of black beans, drained and rinsed

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 cup chunky salsa ( I used a can of Ro-tel)

1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

4 tablespoon sour cream

Saute the onion, then add the garlic until fragrant. Mix in beans, chicken broth, salsa and cumin. Simmer for 10-20 minutes, until all flavors are well mixed. Use handheld blender to mix. I left it a bit chunky and it was great!

Enjoy!

5 things...

ahhh, Thanksgiving week! Turkey and stuffing. Pumpkin and apple pies. So without further adieu:

1. I'm thankful for my husband. We've known each other since May 1985!! He's my best friend. Don't know what I would do without him.

2. I'm thankful for the two spirited young men in my life. Matt and Ryan make my life. oh so interesting and exciting! They're good kids! Raising boys is a glorious adventure that I wouldn't miss for anything!

3. I'm thankful for my family. They keep me grounded and know when to make me laugh. Each and everyone is so very different, but that's the way it's suppose to be, right?

4. I'm thankful for my friends. They get the brunt of my complaining. From the days of "Play Group" to the "Middle School Years," my friends have been there as support to me, showing me that I'm not alone in this road of Motherhood.

5. and last, but so not least! I'm thankful for my Internet friends. Your constant creativity inspires me every.single.day. I'm so glad that I'm part of this amazing community!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving...enjoy your preparations...and try to relax in the upcoming weeks.

A Trip to the City...sans kids!

The inside of our hotel.

I have to apologize, I did not carry my big camera. Just didn't want to lug it around with all the shopping bags that I was carrying. So we all have to make due with iphone pictures.


the '09 retirees

We had a relaxing two days away, although I think it was hard on my husband to be back amongst the people that he really admired. His old firm really does give out the perks! It is hard to give that up....but then again, he is spending much more time with his family and that's the best perk yet!

One of the highlights of our trip was hearing an ex-president speak. Are there rules for posting pictures? I'm not sure, so I won't write his name. He spoke for an hour and was quite interesting. Can you figure out who it was?

30 rock--oh, how I love that show!

We had a wonderful dinner with my sister at Becco. Nice little Italian spot on restaurant row. I give it two thumbs up!

The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center

The boys survived and really did quite well with my mom. They knew we needed this time away so it was a win-win for everyone!

ice skating at Rockefeller Center

Back to the old grind and on to Christmas shopping. oh joy!

and what's a trip into the city without seeing the naked cowboy!

We Went For a Walk

The weather was perfect for a late autumn walk with a good friend. Ryan with his and me with mine.

We explored the house at the end of the lane. How could someone leave something so precious.

An outhouse for an art studio.

Barns that use to house animals.

An old family plot...discussions about the families that came before.

Discoveries to bring to the science teacher.

Old trees planted years ago...all in a line.

It felt like a walk to another time and place.

Break A Leg!

We'll be spending the weekend at the hockey rink and at the school auditorium! Matt's in the opening scene of "The Music Man!" Break a leg Matt!

We are beginning to feel better around here and I hope to be back to the living next week. Happy weekend everyone!

I Made Hats

I was bored this week and in need of some instant gratification. The Spud and Chloe, that I bought while in New York City, was calling from my stash hidden deep under my bed. I also knew just what project to cast on. Leslie's Chunky Knit Beanie. Easy, fast and oh, so satisfying. So satisfying, in fact, I made another. With Rowan Big Wool. I'm in love with both of them!

I have to say I really enjoyed knitting with the Spud and Chloe. My stitches were a bit loose due to the cotton content but I love the feel of the hat on my head. I'm not wishing for winter weather anytime soon, but when it comes, my head will be very warm indeed.

Five Things...the weekend version

1. A Friday night seventh grade dance. I ran the photo booth. The kids will get their pictures in homeroom this week.

2. Our yearly visit to a local corn maze.

3. and 4. Children of the corn

5. and a wonderful squishy alpaca!

Two Down

and two to go! A while back I participated in a pay-it-forward activity on FB. I commented on one of my friends notes and she made me something. The hitch, I needed to make something for five other people.

Our yearly trip to Florida was fast approaching and being the ambitious person that I am (all of you who know me, please stop laughing now!), I set to work and made this Amy Butler hat for my sister-in-law. One down and four to go. That was back in April.

The person who started all of this, for me, was Kerstin. She sent me these beautiful reading gloves. I wear them everywhere and have had so many nice compliments when people see them. So, since she fulfilled her end of the bargain, I knew I needed to get started.

So, the Wisps are growing.

And so is my Nuss from Berroco. I'm using Debbie Bliss Luxury Tweed instead of Berroco Blackstone Tweed . The back is almost done. It's an easy knit which I take to the hockey rink with me. Although, with my husband not traveling as much anymore my rink time has been cut dramatically. Sorta feels strange....

5 Things...

1. The boys and I went apple picking. We decided to pick local this year and are glad we did. Because the weather has been so rotten, no one has come out to pick so they are practically giving the apples away. Ten bucks for a bushel.

2. So I came home and made applesauce and this. I couldn't get a picture of the pie fast enough...it was that good!

3. I have begun the hibernation process around here. Cleaning, organizing and throwing away. Looks like the squirrels have begun too. Found these piles (five in all) in my garden. I have never seen anything like it before.

4. It's way too early for that white stuff...but it surprised us on Friday morning! Thankfully, it had all melted away by noon.

5. This couple made me smile. The Sartorialist is taking a lot of pictures of couples lately and I'm intrigued.

Happy Weekend to all!