An ice storm coats my home in Bedford
Two nights ago, here in the northeast, the weather reports called for freezing rain and those reports were quite accurate. When I woke up yesterday morning, there was a coating of ice on everything. Moving about was very difficult, but I took some photos to show you, before slipping off to New York City to do my television show.
Ice storms can be very damaging, especially if the wind begins to blow. That’s when tree branches come down along with power lines. Fortunately, I didn’t hear of too much damage. At the farm, though, we did have some problems with white pines. Those trees, with their pithy wood, are notorious for breakage and there is considerable cleanup to do.
Hi, Martha,
Your farm at Bedford is certainly encrusted with ice! Thanks for sharing the photographs. The ice, though so damaging, is also quite beautiful.
It seems we have had more ice storms, one right after another, this year than in the recent past. It is hard to take my two dogs out under such conditions. One of them likes to frolic as she slides around, but the other wants to run back inside as soon as possible.
Thanks again for the glimpse at your farm
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | January 8th, 2009 at 2:48 am
I hope your ice melts faster than our ice storm here in Wisconsin last weeek. As it has been so cold the ice didn't get a chance to melt. Salt doesn't work because the temperatures are so cold.
Thanks for the photo's you sent.
Betsy
Posted by: Betsy Mech | January 8th, 2009 at 3:35 am
It is so beautiful, but so dangerous to drive in...Jersey had alot of delayed openings yesterday, we were lucky it wasnt too bad in our area.
Posted by: CatHerder | January 8th, 2009 at 3:36 am
How beautiful. God in all His glory gave you a gift of nature covered in ice. There is no way you can't marvel at the splendor. Each picture got prettier and prettier. Martha, you seem like a person who enjoys the beauty God has created. I just say Thank you Lord when I see it.
Posted by: Sueboysmom | January 8th, 2009 at 3:48 am
I love Picture #8 of all the bird feeders! Amazing! Lucky birds with all the ice around.
Posted by: Deb | January 8th, 2009 at 4:21 am
Hi Martha,
And there you go, walking in all of it with a camera!
Have you heard of those new foot gear attachments for walking on ice? I've read that they are like chains for your shoes/boots. They are called "Yac Trax", I think. They are suppose to work amazingly well...I can see why...simple but not too simple!
Even though you risk your life to do it, you take really great pictures! I love "Chicken and the wire."
Posted by: tinay | January 8th, 2009 at 4:29 am
Your poor white pines! For us up here in Ontario is was snow instead of rain: massive amounts of it. In 1998 there was an ice storm of such epic proportions that most of eastern Ontario and western Quebec were without power for a week. Even those enormous steel power lines just crumpled like paper under the weight of it all. It's strange, though, how ice can be so beautiful and yet so dangerous.
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | January 8th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Janet M. and others have been wondering where Eva Scrivo has been. Eva is the owner of two very busy salons in NYC and she felt that she really needed to concentrate on their operation. Eva still provides us with consultation, however, she could no longer take the time to work on the television show. Mary Curren has taken over for Eva.
Sherry was inquiring about Mary's eyeshadow - it's Bobbie Brown's Basic Eye Palette.
Thanks for all your wonderful comments - keep them coming!
Happy New Year,
Martha
Posted by: Martha Stewart | January 8th, 2009 at 4:48 am
Many of the photos today look like paintings...especially photos #11, #14 & #18.
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport, Maine | January 8th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Dear Martha,
Treacherous occurrences can be so beautiful! While driving alone in the city with my 3 month old son one winter, I was caught in an ice storm. I made my way home, breathlessly maneuvering around stranded drivers in their cars on the roads. My tiny street looked like such a haven when we reached it, but I could not turn the car wheels to park along the curb, and ended sliding five houses past my house before accomplishing a stop. I could not stand on the ice-covered sidewalks, once out of the car, and could wait no longer to calm my crying, hungry, diaper-soaked baby. My only recourse was to pull his car seat from the car and skate it with him in it and me crawling on my knees up our street to our porch. After recuperating, I stood in warmth at our windows thinking how beautiful the outside was. Such a phenomenon! It was 29 years ago, but still fresh in my memory.
Posted by: Vicki Dinsmore | January 8th, 2009 at 5:25 am
I live in Ontario, Canada. Seeing the pictures reminds me of "Ice Storm '98". Nobody could go anywhere, and school was cancelled for the logest time (which I loved). But it sucked being without hydro for a while. I thought that we were going to have another one two days ago. I was very surprised at the amount of snow that was dumped on us in an hour. Then, the freezing rain that came afterwards was a cake topper. But we still have a lot of snow left. It looks like it's going to snow here again really soon.
I loved the pics even though it must not have been great to drive in.
Posted by: Ashley | January 8th, 2009 at 5:48 am
Ah, yes, those days and hikes in Arizona....
Martha I am very appreciative of your dedication to this blog.
Your stories and pictures are the best way to start the day.
Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Posted by: Margie | January 8th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Hi Martha,
I cannot imagine living in weather such as you have where you live. Yesterday, I took my miniature Dachsund (Schatzie) for a walk in our neighborhood and she was knee deep in fall leaves. She seem a bit perplexed by it but plowed through them. What a contrast. I must add that we live in San Jose, California about 50 miles south of San Francisco so our winters here are quite a bit different than what you experience. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed your photos and think it would be fun to spend about a day or so in weather like that.
Diane Carr
Posted by: Diane Carr | January 8th, 2009 at 5:53 am
I have a question: how do you refill the birdfeeders, from the windows? And how do you cope with the hulls (and the poop) on the ground? I love feeding the birds, but there is always such a mess on the ground, below...
Posted by: Susie Spaulding | January 8th, 2009 at 7:50 am
I can definitely relate. After all the snowstorms and ice...while it's very beautiful...it can very much wreak havoc with getting around and damage to the landscape is inevitable. Hopefully, your healthy garden will recover nicely.
Posted by: Sherey | January 8th, 2009 at 8:28 am
Hi Martha, I love these photos of the recent ice storm at your farm in Bedford. The close-ups of the ice coating the branches, fences, walkways, etc. are really cool {no pun intended!}. It reminds me of an ice storm we had in the mid nineties that covered about a foot of snow. I had to walk about a mile to visit my Mom who was in the Masonic Home. It was a very invigorating walk! Hope the ice has melted and no more white pine trees are damaged. Your ice storm happened about the same time as our latest storm here in the Puget Sound area. It was a 2 day rain storm that left the 3 mountain passes closed and numerous rivers flooding everything from city streets to I-5 near Chehalis. The only way to go east or south of Seattle, was by airplane. This latest storm, followed the snow and freezing weather during the last 2 weeks of December. Who knows what's next on the agenda! Thanks for sharing and stay warm. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | January 8th, 2009 at 8:36 am
This is really beautiful, Martha. You really appreciate the exoticness of such scenes when you live in Arizona (Southern California before that!)
Posted by: Heather Comforty | January 8th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Susie Spaulding wanted to know how we go about refilling the line of high-hanging bird feeders at my farm. We use a tall step-ladder. We're also not too concerned about hulls and seeds that drop below because there are always hungry squirrels and chipmunks and ground-feeding birds. Below the feeders is a long gravel dry well and what isn't eaten disappears into the gravel.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | January 8th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Martha,
It is so nice to see you answering questions. Would you believe I can't think of anything worthwhile to ask? Wait, don't answer that!
Today's photos are great and make me appreciate Florida even more. I think I'll go take a walk along the shore! Trish
P. S. You really tickled me in today's show! I will be careful when using habanera spray!
Posted by: Trish | January 8th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Suffering succotash I know how it feels to loose the pine branches! I have a small stand of 60+ year olds. One beautiful white pine is well over 100! Every year an ice storm or heavy snow brings down the beautiful boughs leaving them somewhat balded. Sometimes though I think that nature's natural pruning does often add to each tree's unique form when they are old.
Posted by: Jewel | January 8th, 2009 at 9:19 am
In some garden magazine I found something that fits on the bottom of your boot or shoe that is made of springs and rubber. When we have iced snow I put those on and I can walk on any iced steps or ground.
The time it takes to put them on is better than an injury and I feel very safe. I call them my shoe chanins.
Posted by: susan erickson | January 8th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Your farms is really lovely with all the ice... too bad, you don't have the 72" of snow we have had in the last three weeks, here in Spokane, Wa!
Its incredibly beautiful, scary and a bit frustrating as you can imagine!
Angela
Posted by: Angela Willis | January 8th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Martha - the above website will take you to Yak Trax products - mentioned by Deb.
They look like they would be perfect for your day.
Love all the pictures you post and though the ice is destructive have to agree with many others that it also drapes a cloak of loveliness on everything.
Posted by: Donna | January 8th, 2009 at 10:50 am
sure hope the weather lessens soon
It is a very special occasion for my daughter and I - WE ARE GOING TO YOUR SHOW. Meredith and I are flying in for the January 22nd show. Meredith has been a fan for several years - she used to say that she was your long lost daughter, but I kept reminding her I wanted to keep her for myself!!!We are so very excited - soooo keep the fires burning
Sharon Tyhurst (the mom) and Meredith
Posted by: Sharon Tyhurst | January 8th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
The farm is so pretty under all the ice. Now we have snow on top of ice in Indiana. Our spruce trees do wonderful in this weather but our white pines also break easily if the ice is too heavy. I love the picture of the chicken the best. How do all of your animals like the cold Bedford winter?
Posted by: Pam | January 8th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Thanks to tinay, susan, and Donna for suggestions about the Yak Trax. They sound as if they would make walking on icy patches safe. My cousin has recommended wearing golf shoes.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy | January 8th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
To me, your New England farm, even under cover of heavy ice, is so much more beautiful than the desert landscape of your recent vacation. Grew up in the northeast and have visited the desert, and the appeal of the latter eludes. No doubt the beauty of harsh winter ice storms lacks appeal to the desert lovers.
Thanks for bringing back old memories.
Posted by: lil | January 8th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I hate to say it for all of you in the north, but, Lafayette, LA had beautiful weather today. Good luck with surviving the rest of the cold winter.
Posted by: Paula | January 8th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I grew up in the South, where ice storms, though quite beautiful to look at, can be incredibly destructive. I well remember lying in bed at night, freezing because the power had been knocked out, listening to the eerie sound of pine limbs cracking and falling outside my window.
Posted by: Pamela | January 8th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Hi Martha! I live in the Philippines and I haven't seen snow. That has really been my wish, to see and touch snow. Your pictures are beautiful for me. Although, I know it must be some kind of dangerous, I still find the views pretty. Hope I can be in a winter wonderland someday.
Posted by: Josephine Fabricante | January 9th, 2009 at 7:01 am
I'm from South Georgia, where we don't see much snow, however, I love your photo alblums.. I have a request for the paint color that I think you used on the outside of your home "Bedroom Grey" Maybe... not sure... Your guess from the tv show Scruggs also said she use it as well.
If you ever need a South Georgia lady with a South Georgia accent to help with a show just let me know...
Thank you,
Posted by: Debbie Johnson | January 9th, 2009 at 7:59 am
I stated previously that we use a tall ladder to fill the bird feeders. Let me tell you a much safer method that we've been using lately. A tall, rigid pole with a hook on the end can easily lower and raise the feeders without wobbling on a ladder.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | January 9th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I really think you get beautiful winter pictures. What's really nice too, is if the sun comes out & everything just sparkles....it seems to "light" up the branches, trees & mountains.
Posted by: Sherry | January 9th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Pam from California wanted my opinion about visiting NYC's Ellis Island and the Richmond Settlement in February. Both places are open all year round and offer so much history about our nation. They are well-worth the visit. You should also consider going to the US Custom house in lower Manhattan. The building is home to the New York branch of the National Museum of the American Indian - also fascinating and full of history. Let us know how you enjoyed your trip!
Posted by: Martha Stewart | January 10th, 2009 at 5:02 am
Hi Martha:
I know ice is very dangerous and bad for the trees but it's still so very pretty. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. We have had ice storms here in Philadelphia too. It can be treacherous. Today we are expecting a big snowstorm accompanied by ice. Take care.
Sincerely
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | January 10th, 2009 at 6:54 am
The ice makes for really beautiful pictures. But it's very dangerous. Find something to hold on to tightly! My friend recently fell on the ice and fractured her coccyx.
Posted by: Mel | January 10th, 2009 at 10:29 am
It always amzaes me how well our chickens do do in bad weather, nothing seems to bother them. Last week the Boston Globe ran a funny (but useful) story on the correct way to walk on ice, evidently you need to walk like a penguin with a side to side waddle. It looks funny but it works!
Posted by: Phyllis | January 10th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Oh beautiful photo... I mean I do not know what a weather like that means,I have never seen the snow, the weather here in Venezuela is so hot.
Please send us 1/4 of that cold weather
Posted by: Faery | January 11th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I moved to Fl from NJ 3 yrs. ago and believe it or not, I so miss being held up at home after a storm.Looking out at the snow and ice covered trees and an occasional bright red cardinal in the midst of all that white and silver is a beautiful memory. My little Pom, Talula, surely doesn' t miss her cold snow covered nose and the wait for a path to be shoveled for her though.
Posted by: JoAnn Rygiel | January 12th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Living in the South, I cannot imagine finding everything encased in ice. Though dangerous, it certainly is beautiful. Here we still occasionally have temps in the low 70's during the day - and in the 30's at night. No ice or snow for us here in South Carolina!
Posted by: Jeannette | January 12th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Martha,
This is the time of the year when weather can keep you indoors.It's also perfect for organizing closets and storing items. I am interested in purchasing acid free tissue and boxes. Can you tell me a store or web site to help me out. I live in Queens NY. I am also interested in attending your show.
Thank you
Geri Suida
Posted by: Geri Suida | January 14th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Martha, I can't thank you enough for posting so many photos for your devoted readers/watchers! Your website is fabulous with the many links to various departments of your life -- and so educational in every respect! And I especially love your blog!
THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING!
Posted by: Joann Shirley | January 19th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Hi there; I am from Newfoundland, Canada. Not too sure if you know where that is. I have been watching your shows every day. Please keep Joey, I really like him. I use to like your shows when you have more crafts. It seems to me you like cooking more which is fine. But there is enough cooking shows on TV. Any chance of you going in for more crafts this year. I enjoy knitting and crocheting. I hope you get my email. Thanks Lor Simmons.
Posted by: Lor Simmons | January 20th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Nice site you have!
Posted by: Lesbiche | January 25th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
The best foot gear for walking on ice are the old fashioned golf shoes with spikes. Having lived on a hilltop through an icy Maryland winter, I found I could walk down steep icy hills with them. Whole lot better than going down on your butt! And, a new use for old shoes! Stay warm, Pam
Posted by: Pam Stoner | February 7th, 2009 at 7:26 am