MIA - C'est Moi

Hello Again, Hello…
It's good to say, "Hello." And I know... I've been missing in action. Be assured, "action" is the operative word. It's been crazy, here on Golden Pond, where fall has clearly descended. Lake waters are losing heat every day, with clouds of foggy mist rising to the heavens...

Our nearly-resident carpenters and new good friends, Aaron and Bill, said, "Au Revoir, until we meet again," after an admiring glance inwards upon finishing the finishing of the downstairs. It turned out beyond our greatest expectations. Another room with a view, bedroom, full bath, utility room and much needed closet space. Moi? I'm so grateful to have seen this huge undertaking to fruition. My vision has been realized, thanks to Joe's handing over the reigns and basically saying, "Have fun!" While most have exotic trips and such on their bucket lists, tops on mine was the gutting and renovating of "one more house." Who knew??

Upon completion of the work end of things, we were able to move the rest of our furniture that we are able to use from the Old Homestead. Basically, we now have a "Stacey Drive Room-With-A-View" that includes all of our older "stuff" that has somehow taken on new life. Gav deemed it "cozy," as did Bill, mentioned above. That it is, complete with our painting (taken from a wintry photo) of that gorgeous house we built when in our twenties… bringing me to the awesome news that Bri, Kell, Aubs and Gav shall soon move in to keep the memory-making on the move, as they guard our precious, most wonderful ones. The old abode is bursting with Soll-family stories. Yes, if only walls could talk!!

While Joe stained lots of new doors, I took on the staircase and glass doors, so as to complete the much anticipated photo gallery we'd planned. Can't seem to escape that paintbrush, but I'm not complainin'. 

I discovered one must-use photo of the kids, BL - before Lyla. I'd taken the shot in Aubrey's bedroom, brought it into PhotoShop to delete the background and turn into black 'n' white. Thing is, it had gotten all ripply, in its frame. A coat of Modge Podge on its backing allowed me to smooth to perfection. Maybe this hint will help another.

A tad off topic but along the way to this post, we got to see Gavin playing defense for his soccer team, in what was the last chilly game of the season. He looks like a gazelle, out on the field, and now boasts of being taller than moi. For the record, he saved A LOT of goals. Nice job, Honey.

Oh, and one more mention… just as the Old Homestead forever lives in our hearts, so does the beach. To think, we now have our own beach, albeit lakeside…

I'll take it, at the same time giving thanks and hoping y'all have been well and enjoying November. Can't believe that it's almost turkey-time. We must put that umbrella away.

The Early Bird Gets the Rainbow

Funny thing, just yesterday during a springlike lunch on the deck with our favorite carpenter-friends, we discussed the ever-changin' scenery here on Golden Pond. Every sunrise is different, as is each sunset. Daytime might bring total calm or whitecaps. Who knows what's happening during the night. A rhetorical question.

Catching as much as possible of this changing face depends on timing, of course… and luck. When do we glance up to take a peek? Or, when do we sit and stare in total serenity and/or solitude? During the conversation, I thought of and mentioned our neighbor, Klaus, who once told me that the scenic mysteries are what he loves the most about the lake.

This morning, the sun struggled to poke its face through lots of clouds. Somewhere nearby, it must have rained. It remains overcast, as I write. But at 7:20 AM and for a fleeting few moments in time, conditions were perfect for a truly exquisite view.

Goosebumps, here in upstate New York… I've gotta tell y'all… what a treat… what a blessing.
Wishing you rainbows, too.

Admit It!! I Can Pick 'Em!!

STILL cracking up at the Auckland, New Zealand review of Mr. D's first show of his Down Under leg of the '15 tour. Can't BELIEVE it's already been so many months since sharing space with him on opening night, here in the States. I digress…

"A smoldering sex symbol at seventy-four." Who can ask for more? The man is simply nothin' but a heartache of the good variety. And I don't even like beards and/or mustaches…

But I understood his staying power a long, long time ago, when we were all a whole lot younger.

Rock On, Mr. D.

Serenity Now?? Not Today!

Today, I found serenity at the Old Homestead, after running away from the LakeHouse for a few hours. Why? Well, it was hoppin' lakeside, as our work force continued to put finishing touches on our lower level. It's gorgeous and we are thrilled…

But parking was at a premium, roadside.

:-)

They Pass!

Gavin had me in stitches, yesterday, about an addition to the school curriculum. It seems the last class of the day is Social-Emotional Wellness, complete with a "wellness box" in which the kids are instructed to put personal letters of concern. His take on this class is hilarious.
It wears him out, last period, and he told me... 

"I just need to relax, when I get home." 

All kidding aside, I'm not knocking the concept. If you read this article and its excerpt posted below, you'll probably agree that all of these issues are top priority.

But, please, if an almost-eleven-year-old hasn't mastered the criteria by now, he or she needs private counseling in which to grow. Writing one's innermost thoughts on a piece of paper and plunking it into a classroom collection to be read aloud by a new teacher in front of a newly assigned classroom full of kids just does not cut it. So, how did my boy handle it?

"I wrote, 'I'm having trouble with math. Can you help me?'"

He and my other GrandLoves are pretty danged expressive, engaging, warm, compassionate, friendly, confident and smart as whips…
can't you tell??!! :-)

Okay, okay. I HEAR YOU. You're calling me biased. Hey! Don't be so judgmental, or I'll have you write something for the wellness box.

SunDay*FunDay*FrostDay

photo courtesy of Joe

It must be fall! The GrandLoves are all busy with soccer, basketball, chorus and music lessons interrupting peaceful weekend days. The weather is erratic, temps in the sixties one day and down to a frosty twenty-two degrees over night. That's right, I said 22. I'm in the throes of cooking again, trying to keep Joe happy with pots full of soup 'n' such. Baking has begun, with Aubs whipping up her first offering from the LakeHouse… this in between creating a fabulous collage and nice invitations for her upcoming thirteenth. I'm a tad upset to have found a typo, after our printout and assemble. My girl promised to fix it… I'll be watching. :-)

collage courtesy of Aubs

Gav sets up Monopoly inside, rather than on the picnic table. No worries there, as the view is still spectacular. Big Baldie seems to enjoy it, right along with us.

Steam is rising daily from the still-warm lake waters into the chilly air, creating pretty photo ops, early in the AM. Gotta love it, even though trees shall soon be bare naked…

Though first initials of Aubrey's friends come together as Sad-B-Sad, we know it should read

Glad-B-Glad!
We danced! Giving thanks.

Soul Food

It's two years almost to the day that I first (link) made my own spaetzle. I wondered how long it had been, after dining on Spaetzle Primavera at the Brauhaus, yesterday. Well actually, I had a second meal from that hearty portion. Who's complaining?

Call it what you want, but seriously, this qualifies as soul food, aka pasta. Okay, okay, so it's German pasta; but I guarantee you, my Italian ancestors wouldn't give a hoot.

This past week, I went on a cooking binge. It must be fall, yes? Time to dig out the spaetzle gizmo and add this to the repertoire.
Simply can't wait for another visit to New Paltz.

Our Anniversary in the Gorgeous Gunks

Forty-nine years!! We are ever so grateful and celebrated our boundless love by taking yet another ride through the gorgeous mountains we call home. The foliage! Have I mentioned that before? 

And what better than a long, delicious, gourmet lunch at our favorite Mountain Brauhaus in New Paltz. 

Mambo joined us with a bark of approval for a wonderful day.

We went on to find the fabulous footbridge that crosses from Highland to Poughkeepsie, but saved our hike across it for another day…

Upon arriving home, we toasted with some very hardcore cranberry juice. I know. We have to stop living on the wild side.

GIVING THANKS.

♥

6:55 AM RealTime Sunrise

 Good Morning, World!

Even a cloudy sunrise can be an exquisite one!

Bloomin' on Sylvan Shore

It was nice to come home to full blooms, yesterday...

So, you think you don't know Wurtsboro?

Sure you do. The "Seinfeld" episode "The Puffy  Shirt" might jog your memory. There was SO MUCH going on, in that show.
Jerry about George:

We loved the mention of good ol' Wurtsboro, an integral part of our family's history. Joe grew up there. Gran owned a summer house on its outskirts. Mom spent childhood summers there, as did Ronnie et moi. I met Joe just a few miles away at Masten Lake. Need more?

The little village has made a bit of a comeback, having suffered through the Catskill downslide for several years. Once again, it's quaint and desirable… somewhat back to its roots, as memory serves me well regarding our trips before the quickway was born. Yep. Up "the old road" from downstate to the country, Wurtsboro a mecca of sorts. A long, arduous, bumpy, heavily-traficked trip during which vomiting was a large part of my repertoire. Dad kept a plastic-lined hat, just for me. I was special! But as is my custom of late, I digress…

What I'm getting at here is the sharing of yesterday's captures of the very-early morning fog that can be found daily, nestled in the Wurtsboro valley. It's a daily phenomenon of sorts and a true landmark. It had long disappeared, by the time we returned home from our trip downstate.

Vick ♡

Vicki really deserves kudos. She maintains all her relationships with grace and, more importantly, love. She's been dealt a few tough blows, over the years, but they have never stopped her from remembering and cherishing the good times…. or, the good food! :-) Case in point??? How 'bout Mom's (Nan's) sauce/artichoke pot. What better keeper of the antique piece than a granddaughter who not only remembers the tantalizing goodies it produced but also cooks herself. A rhetorical question. And see how I benefit via today's technology, when Vick is remembering my Mom, her Nan…

Love you, Sweetie. Thanks for permission to use your photo and thanks to C.C. for the capture.

Giving thanks.

Catskill Colors 'n' Columbus Kayakin'

A bonus day, today! Brilliant sunshine, blazing color and balmy temps beckoned quite a few wannabe sailors onto Golden Pond, including Joe et moi. The peace and tranquility of it all made me think of Native Americans and their handcrafted vessels and soundless paddling. I'm not fond of what is celebrated, today; but (link) I've been down that road before, here on CMI. I digress...

A small fish put up a good fight, before being released. Reflections abounded. Color… well, see for yourself. A trip "inland" for a delicious Brew lunch afforded me yet another photo op - pretty tree, yes?

COL0R ME!

"A Room With A View"

What a perfect "excuse" to share even more pictures taken this morning from OUR room with the most gorgeous view…

…and at the same time tell y'all about the remastering of the old film on Blu-ray. What a movie! What a cast! Can't wait to watch again on our TV while nice an comfy in our room…

…well, you know!

As compared to a capture from just a few days ago, one sees the color intensifying.
What a gorgeous display, this year.

Look Who Came For Dinner! ♡

If one Chloe (our sweet GrandLove) is fabulous, just imagine two! How lucky can we get? 

Grandniece Chloe came with our Kim and Vicki for a fabulous weekend sleepover that flew by way too quickly.
We're here to tell you we had FUN!

Gorgeous Girl!

♡