GO VOTE! and read about my chickens
UPDATE: This is what I sent to my employees this morning
Please make time today to vote for the candidate of your choice.
Nothing is more important than to cast your vote
The lines might be very long so take your knitting, a book or your work.
Above all have patience.
Good luck!
With autumn in full swing, the flowers in my cutting garden have long since faded. Rather than have the flower beds in a completely dormant state, I thought it would be a good idea to plant cold weather lettuces in the very same beds where we have lilies, tulips, and hyacinths planted. You may recall that the cutting garden is adjacent to my chicken coops and this lettuce crop is intended to serve as nourishing food for the hens, roosters, and turkeys. They seem to really appreciate pecking at fresh produce and I feel good being able to stretch the gardening season this way.
I have several comments:
#1, you, or someone on your staff, is posting rather late at night! Something I understand.
#2, your chickens in the lettuce...I also have a liking for chickens, we have some beauties in Fair Oaks, California, well known as a haven for chickens.
#3, one of my favorite MSL issues was of the chickens in front of the curtain, being held by someone in back of the curtain!
Posted by: Jeannie Hanson | November 3rd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Just a brilliant way to keep color on the groung into the cold months!
Posted by: Blushing Hostess | November 4th, 2008 at 1:04 am
My chickens don't care about buttercrunch one bit, but they denuded the kale I was hoping to overwinter. Oh well.
How about an article in MSL about the health benefits of eaching eggs from backyard chickens???
Posted by: nt | November 4th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Your captions make me smile and what a great idea it was to plant cold weather lettuce. But you always have great ideas! Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 4th, 2008 at 4:49 am
Thanks for posting the pix of your chickens...I would like to suggest a article idea- how to raise chickens in the city/in a small space. I live in the city (unfortunatly) but would love to have a few birds.
Your pix are always so beautiful, and I love the everyday aspect of them. Pix of closeups of lettuce to me are facinating! I now try to do the same on my blog and facebook whenever possible.It brings the experience in-not just posed pix, but ones of things that interest you, even the 'seemingly' common.
Posted by: Lori Lemanski | November 4th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Oh Martha I just love those pups of yours.They have such attitude.You have inspired me to put a garden in next year. I usually have a garden, but do not take very good care of it.You have inspired me to try a garden and plant things I love an take great care of them.Thanks.
Posted by: Connie Crook | November 4th, 2008 at 6:06 am
Dear Martha,
Where did you vote? In your hometown in Bedford?
Was it very busy?
just curious,
Mary Ellen Barnatt
Posted by: Mary Ellen Barnatt | November 4th, 2008 at 6:39 am
What a great boss you are! I hope all employers feel the same way and support their employees to get out and vote!!
Posted by: Tabitha (From Single to Married) | November 4th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Hi Martha, Thanks for this beautiful, enjoyable blog on election day 2008! I voted, by absentee ballot, on Oct. 29th. I hope you had a great experience voting for the first time in New York state. I love the fantastic photos of your wonderful fall lettuce crop, the very happy chickens and turkey and most of all Francesca and Sharkey! Has their new baby brother moved in yet? Can hardly wait to see photos of all three of them together with you at Bedford! I'm also anxiously awaiting the arrival of your frozen apple/raspberry slab pie at Costco! It doesn't arrive until Nov. 10th here in the Seattle area. Thanks again for sharing. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 4th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Martha,
You are the best Boss! The lines were long today...not bad in CT! I voted too!
Love the photo of Sharkey and Francesca! How patriotic of them!! LOL
This election was exciting wasn't it??
How long do lettuces last with the frost? Do you cover them with a special cover so they won't freeze?
Your Halloween costume was awesome this year! Loved the show!
Paula
Posted by: Paula M. | November 4th, 2008 at 8:16 am
(...my goofy self can't resist>>> "baKAACK, baKAACK!" [that's me, sounding like a chicken]...I know, I know, just go along with it, okay?!!)
I enjoy chickens and have had the pleasure to be around them and get to know their habits on a family farmette. They will indeed devour most anything! They'd truly be great, on duty in the flower and vegetable gardens as "pest control", but they'd scratch and peck so bad, that they'd ruin what was also good and beautiful! They're alot of fun, though... I've a-l-w-a-y-s loved your show segments spent in the chicken house or yard (and I'm sure yours is kept cleancleanclean!)
These lettuce cover crops add to the autumn imagery! - the colors are beautiful, and what's good is they ARE nearby and handy to supplement your chickens' diet! (Plus) lettuce is a cold-weather crop...how befitting to choose this (win/win for everybody)!
Boy oh boy, Martha...our fall colors have just reached their peak here in Maryland the last couple days! If we happen to get more wind, or maybe rain, they'll soon be on the down-hill side. I did my first leaf clean-up (the first, of what will seem like a million before next spring!)on Saturday (Nov 1st), and as I was raking, I tho't to myself that, OMGoodness, a month from now I'll be decorating for Christmas!
Time flies when you're having fun...
(baKACK!)
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | November 4th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Martha, good job getting your dogs to wear the sweaters/tee shirts. They really are wonderful dogs and do make us laugh. I am sure they don't think that is their role in life to thrill your audiences--but they do. But of course the chickens are a must have as well.
Always fun to see pictures of animals being animals.
Thanks for the "get out to vote" picture. We all are important in this country only if we care.
Posted by: Margie | November 4th, 2008 at 8:32 am
I love your pups' tees. Just curious Martha, what candidate are you hoping will win? I'm an Obama Mama all the way.
Posted by: Jessica/Green Mamma | November 4th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I am watching your show with Rachal. You were talking about how to fix the voting problems at the polls. Look at Oregon we vote by mail. No broken machines, we can study our voters pamphlets and vote in the privacy of our homes. Voter fraud is not an issue as we only get one ballet per voter and we mail it in or drop it at the drop boxes. So easy and cheaper than doing the Polls.
Posted by: Cathy Baker | November 4th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Hey Martha!!
Fantastic idea for getting the office into the voting mood!! If you ever have time, stop by my blog, it's pretty neat!!
http://www.myguyfriday.blogspot.com
All the best!
Joey
Posted by: Joey Adami | November 4th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Martha,
I see Francesca is the smartest of the pups!!! Go McCain/Palin. LOL! I know you support Obama, and I guess it is up to God now, and let the best man win. I don't think my heart can take any more of this. Tomorrow is another day.
Posted by: miriam neeson | November 4th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Love your doggie pictures. Its nice to see their support ; ) Your veggie garden is a beautiful inspiration. Great ideas.
Posted by: sushi2 | November 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I headed to the polls before nine this morning and avoided the long lines. Now to wait for the results tonight!
Posted by: Kari | November 4th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I love the chicken pictures, Martha. They are too funny going after that lettuce, but those bulldogs -- how precious they are in their little shirts! I love the fact that the white bulldog has on an Obama shirt and the black bulldog has on a McCain shirt. Nice touch!
My husband and I both voted early. Now I'm going to curl up under my Martha Stewart quilt and read.
Wishing you all the best,
Sheila
Posted by: Sheila | November 4th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Red, White and...Blue Sky!
I posted a white farm silo with red roof against a blue sky on my gardening blog. I've got a live Electoral Map up for seeing the results -- updated every 2 minutes.
I voted early on Oct 20th here in North Carolina.
Cameron
Posted by: Cameron (Defining Your Home Garden) | November 4th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I just love your dogs!!!!!
Posted by: Arlene | November 4th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Beautiful! Some of my favorite garden photos from this past summer were of lettuces - they can be so pretty.
Posted by: dlyn | November 4th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Way to go everyone!!!! Growing up in Ohio....I tried to call everyone I knew...as a Military Vet, as a once Republican, Prof RN, and ALWAYS a woman...I am soooooooooooo proud to have made many calls to friends and family! I really hate that S.C was not one...but my HOME STATE voted for with me and carried OBMAMA!!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
My 50th B-day is the 19th...I know this is an early present!!!
Sorry...love your pic..but just got excited!
Posted by: Carla Martin | November 4th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
what a lovely post. I just learned something today - chickens eats lettuces. I didn't know that.
Posted by: Norbie K. of Las vegas | November 4th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Dear Martha,
Congratulations for the new president.
God Bless
Rowaida Flayhan
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | November 4th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
congratulations on your new president wonderful choice
Posted by: kathy hall from australia | November 5th, 2008 at 9:48 am
LOVE the party shirts on the dogs--great picture!
Posted by: Mrs.W | November 6th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Hello Martha- I was in the audience of your November 5th show. It was the day after election night and you stated you were up late. It was so exciting to see you- you looked great. You were friendly and warm to the audience and even answered a few questions. Everyone should experience first hand all of your hard work and patience it takes making your live shows. You are a pro! I look forward to coming to the show again.
Thanks for the cook book.
Posted by: Suzanne from Southeast, NY | November 6th, 2008 at 5:34 am
Hi Martha
Where can I buy the coats/ shirts worn by Martha's dogs ?
Thanks
Sandra
Posted by: Sandra Cogger | November 9th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
My Husband ( who is a BIG FAN of YOU)
watched your show the other day and informed me that yor chicken has a feather growing problem.
DRY CAT FOOD
I bought a moulting Polish hen at an auction in the spring and at the end of the summer she had not grown any feathers.
A friend of mine who is very Chicken Knowledgeable
suggested I feed her dry cat food (only a couple pieces a day as it is high in salt content that chicken do not digest well)
Within a week I noticed new growth and in 2 weeks she had a beautiful new coat of shiny feathers everywhere. Unfortunately I have no "before pictures" but if you would like to see her now I can send you what she looks like now, which is.. Never been better
Sincerely,
Sue Cristante
Posted by: Sue Cristante | November 29th, 2008 at 12:47 pm