Nikki and Nora from my TV show come up to work hard at the farm
When my television show ended for the season this past spring, I asked Nikki Elkins and Nora Singley, who work in the studio prep kitchen, if they would be interested in spending a few days at my Bedford farm. Since they have a keen interest in food, they agreed that working in the garden would be an enlightening experience and Shaun, my gardener, was happy to give them some tasks.
In this photo gallery, you will see Nora gathering eggs at the chicken coop. What I don't have pictures of is what happened to her one morning when Nora and Nikki wanted fresh eggs for their breakfast. Nora visited the chickens, removed four eggs from under a hen and cradled them against her chest. Suddenly, a rooster swooped down and pecked her. Nora was so startled by this and those eggs she collected were broken and dripping down the front of her shirt. So much for that plan.
Photos By Eliad Laskin
. . .looks like Nikki and Nora were having fun. Probably a real eye-opener for them, esp if they're city girls who are used to buying their veggies at the local farmer's market.
(Nikki is great on the show--seems very confident and unflappable, even when something is missing on the set and you're a little impatient, Martha. She hops to and never misses a beat.)
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | June 29th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Everything sounds most enjoyable, except for the rooster attack. Being afraid of roosters.... I would most likely have required sedation!!!
They are beautiful, but from a distance.
Posted by: Pamela | June 29th, 2009 at 12:29 am
I love your farm. I laughed out loud about the rooster, Nik, and Nora. The rain in Boston is doing wonders for my garden with the last five days of sun and heat, we have another rainy Monday morning. The pink geraniums love it. Blooming gloriously. The newly planted licorice plants are taking well to the weather too. I love this plant. Lettuce, herbs, tomato, cucumber and basil are growing on schedule! I planted seeds even this late yesterday as an experiment: zinnia, marigold, and morning glory. In less than two weeks, I have sunflower plants coming through the soil in my garden plot and in my Martha Stewart plant containers on my deck. They are already two inched tall. I am looking forward to your NYBG pictures. Safe travels.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | June 29th, 2009 at 6:23 am
How much fun! I wish that someone could come work in my garden. We have really struggled this year with it being the first time the ground has ever been turned. I hope to have a little produce before summer is up.
Love your pictures.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 29th, 2009 at 7:25 am
I adnire someone that can weed a garden and not have dirt/mud all over the knees. Youth----that can bend and stoop over. Use old timers just get on the knees and crawl down the rows.
Posted by: Margie | June 29th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Summer farm fun!
Martha, come over to my blog and see how we butchered chickens this weekend on our farm.
http://potsnpies.blogspot.com
Posted by: Clayvessel | June 29th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Thanks for sharing. These girls are some hard workers! I think it's time for a Martha Stewart restaurant with all of your wonderful farm grown goodies!
Posted by: Nicole from Illinois | June 29th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
What fun everyone must of had! Can't wait to see more! Beautiful girls on a beautiful farm with darling dogs too
Posted by: Danna Crawford | June 29th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Everyone should have the chance to visit a farm once in their life .I don't have a garden but I do have a herb garden that is doing well.Looks like your farm is a fun place to visit.
Posted by: jeanette mcfarland | June 29th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Are Nikki and Nora available to come down to Florida and help with my garden? = ) Great post. It looks like lots of fun!
Posted by: Sandra | June 29th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Thank you for sharing pictures of your farm; it's so beautiful and abundant. We are in pre renovation mode and are constantly looking for inspiration; our long term plans require sooo much elbow grease and your farm is proof that someone all our dreams can come true. Thanks again.
Posted by: Susana | June 29th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
That sure looked like they were loving the farm life, as a girl raised on a farm, not as big as yours, but a dairy farm in Ws. I really remember how the roosters are, and I did not like them at all. I grow fruit tree in Ca. now, and love to watch them grow, and have their fruit to eat. Thanks for a great TV show -Martha
Posted by: Loni Knowles | June 29th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Herbs in my garden are so so, so if you have any
suggestions for growing them just let me know.
Posted by: andreaandweims on Twitter | June 29th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
It looks like they had a good time. It's always work, but fun to work in the garden.
Posted by: Marlene Reed | June 29th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
My herbs in the garden are doing just so so,
any suggestions for helping them to grow bigger
and stronger?
Posted by: Irene Miehle | June 29th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Its so hot outside that our garden is moslty done for this summer.
Posted by: Rhonda from Texas | June 29th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Aioli, please!
Posted by: Merle Markes | June 29th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Martha. My grandmom used to make a beautiful white cake with marshmellow type frosting. I believe she cooked the icing. Do you know of a recipe?
Posted by: Lee Rzepecki | June 29th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
The trials and tribulations on the farm I wish it was me that got pecked!
No disregards for the incident but there's always action in the Martha Stewart world! It's never a dull moment, and I guess you love it that way? I'm happy she's okay did she get to eat? Cheers to the times on the farm and the happiness it bring you. Again Love this blog!
Posted by: kristin svens | June 29th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
You have a lovley garden and so orderly. This is my second year of vegtable gardening i followed all your indoor growing steps back in March my plants are doing great. Cucmbers are taking over. Thanks for all the great advice
Posted by: Lisa Howard | June 29th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I wasn't raised on a farm but my dad did raise chickens. I have many fond memories of helping my dad collect eggs and feeding the chickens. As for the gardening, I really have to practice my skills!
Posted by: Donna Swinesburg | June 29th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
O.K. Do Nikki and Nora know how lucky they are? Are they working off all that they had to taste in the kitchen at the show? F & S got in on the action as well, those lucky pups!
Martha, I think that people would pay to be able to work on your farm. There's a great idea! Anyway, it looks fabulous. Keep up the good work girls... you're hired!
Be well,
Kim in N.J.
Posted by: Kim in N.J. | June 29th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Hi Martha, Nikki and Nora are fantastic on your show and in the prep kitchen. I love watching them, especially when they give cookies, etc. to the audience. They are pretty darn good at doing tasks on your farm, too. Too bad about the eggs and the rooster, but strange things always happen when people are doing different jobs. Do you need any more help with the weeding? I'll be there! Continue having fun in France. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | June 29th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
I think it is amazing that the ladies went to the farm....I remember when I was in Spain with Nora on a food and wine trip when she first heard of this job. She was so happy, and although it has been a minute since we have reminisced, she is one of the coolest ladies I know. Smart as a whip, passionate and amazing...It is only natural that she is working with you Martha. Miss you Nora...keep shining! Come see me at Tinto Fino...
Posted by: Kerin Auth | June 30th, 2009 at 12:23 am
I am glad to talk with you and you give me great help! Thanks for that,I am wonderring if I can contact you via email when I meet problems.
Posted by: Lotro powerleveling | June 30th, 2009 at 5:12 am
Martha,
Now *that's* the way to get the most out of your employees!
Nikki and Nora are two lucky ducks! I love the shot of Nikki holding the three eggs...(Hey, Nikki, ever hear of an egg basket!?! Hee hee!)
Since they had to scratch breakfast, I suppose they could have cooked that Rooster for supper! Poor Nikki! But hey!, To be pecked by Martha's rooster; *that's* a story she can tell her grandchildren!
I'm glad that Nora and Nikki appreciate the garden as well as the chickens. The connection to our true food source should be established in *everyone's* heart AND kitchen!
You GO!, Girls!!! (Nikki and Nora, I mean...not the chickens!)
Posted by: tinay | June 30th, 2009 at 9:43 am
You wore them out!!!! lol Looks like a wonderful, informative visit. Thanks for sharing the pics.
Posted by: Anna Marie Penix | June 30th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Hi Martha
Loved to see the egg gathering. We have 18 chickens on our little farm, some of which are Arucuanas that we incubated ourselves and they are just about to the age where they will start to lay their beautifully colored eggs. There is nothing like a fresh egg for breakfast, or hard boiled
. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Penny Otte | June 30th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Martha,
I enjoy peaking in on you through your blog. It's always fun to see what's going on 'down on the farm'. I would love to see your pumpkin/gourd patch sometime as I am an amatuer grower of several unique varities. I can never get enough of your fall shows concerning Cucurbitaceae!
Posted by: Tana Teel | June 30th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Nikki and Nora are the best. Bright, efficient, and charming. Please give them and extra two weeks of vacation for all the fabulous work they do.
As for the usual disclaimer, I am in no way related to either of these wonderful chefs, other than being Nikki's dad.
But, I do watch the show every day, and I have stayed in a Holiday Inn Express.
LOL
Posted by: Bob Elkins | July 1st, 2009 at 8:00 am
It sounds like the gals had a great time on the farm and learn a lot! Those roosters can be quite scary too.
Joan
Posted by: Joan Fricker | July 2nd, 2009 at 7:19 am
They are great!
Posted by: Carey Chu | July 2nd, 2009 at 9:23 am
That Nora seems to have a thing about getting in trouble with roosters. I remember visiting a farm with her when she was three years old and rescuing her from a rooster that attacked her. (That's the kind of thing that moms do.)
Ask Nora about the mean "lo-lou," Martha. Thanks for hosting her. Keep up the good work, Nora, and stay safe. Miss you. Mom
Posted by: Wendy Singley | July 6th, 2009 at 11:53 pm