Finding beauty on a gloomy day
Last week, two major weather systems sat over the Northeast, bringing rains and high winds. Many coastal areas were flooded and my heart goes out to the families of those who perished and to those with property damage. Away from the coast, the days were long and dreary and I decided to wander around the farm and capture some images of this rather bleak time. As my eyes began to wander, I was amazed at how much beauty there was just waiting to be seen, even on a gloomy day. Enjoy, and this week promises to be sunny!
1 The sun is trying to be seen through the heavy cloud cover.
2 Leaves still dropping
3 So much work went into building this nest. I wonder where the little birds flew off to?
4 These dried stalks were the flower stems of leafy hosta plants.
5 The crab apple is now without leaves.
6 A close up of the fruit
7 A row of bald cypress nearly bare of foliage
8 These wisteria standards are late to drop.
9 How funny and strange - an oriental poppy is wanting to bloom in November!
10 My giant Kenneth Lynch urns have been covered over with protective burlap.
11 The cole crops - kale and collards look good in the vegetable garden.
12 The asparagus bed has gone to seed and needs to be trimmed back. I cannot wait to eat more in the spring.
13 How did we miss those raspberries?
14 I hope the berry patch is as prolific next season.
15 Entrance reducers have been installed in the bee hives to help keep the hives warm during frigid weather.
16 This is my cold frame.
17 This is what's growing inside the cold frame - leafy lettuces and herbs.
18 My little Japanese garden
19 The climbing hydrangea - clinging vines
20 Remember the jewel-like currants?
21 The woody stems of the blueberry bushes have a red tinge.
22 Into the woods
23 The Pomeranian geese are happy in their penned yard.
24 A grove of metasequoia - a coniferous tree with deciduous needles, thought to be extinct until it was discovered growing in China in the 1940s.
25 Needles and cones dropping from white pines
26 The dried flowers of a peegee hydrangea
27 Again - the sun
28 The tennis court with net down and lines lifted
29 The newly planted Japanese maple grove now void of color
30 No leaves left here
31 Ramon sporting his winter coat
32 This tarp is beneath the giant ginko tree collecting the falling, smelly fruit. When dried, the nuts are edible.
33 The tree peony bed all trimmed and cleaned
34 The herbaceous peonies cut back and resting for the winter
35 Another renegade flower - this time a clemetis
36 Sans blooming clematis, the pergola looks so bare.
37 Not much foliage left on this landscape.
38 Leaves still clinging to pin oaks
It looks like your landscape is readying to accept its first snowfall. . .
Lovely photo tour, Martha.
(. . .on my way to NYC for the week. . . so glad sun is forecast!) The bad news--no tickets available for Martha TV---I tried *weeks ago* with no luck. ;-(
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | November 16th, 2009 at 12:21 am
The sun finally came out today in Virginia after several gloomy days. What a relief! I love your cold frame and your Japanese garden. It reminds me a bit of the beautiful one they have at Wave Hill.
Posted by: how it grows | November 16th, 2009 at 12:52 am
Wow. Great photos. Those collards look soooo farm fresh; and will no doubt be delicious. I like the idea of a cold frame.
Posted by: Edna/HandmadeDiva | November 16th, 2009 at 4:29 am
Hi Martha,
I'm so sad for all the people who lost their loved ones due to weather conditions...
During the last days the weather in Italy (north of Italy) was bad and cloudy too. I live near the biggest and most important italian river and when it rains a lot it swells and become very fearful!
So, I spent the last few days at home, reading your blog and others I love, listening music and...learning English
Have a good day!
Daniela
Posted by: Daniela | November 16th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Good morning Martha,
The photos were lovely. I always admire how you can find inspiration and optimism in everything, even a dark depressing day.
Hope you have a good day.
Pru - only two weeks until the taping of your show on 30 November - I can't wait!!!
Posted by: Pru | November 16th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Constantly changing and interesting.
Posted by: Mike | November 16th, 2009 at 6:21 am
Hurricane Ida overstayed her welcome in our neck of the woods, too. Here's hoping for a week of sunny days to come!
Posted by: Lynn from For Love or Funny | November 16th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Hi Martha! Greetings from London, the weather here is so refreshing, I love winter. Your photos of your farm in this cold weather are so beautiful I can feel the weather from looking at the photos. I noticed your Japanese garden, don't you transfer your trees indoors?
Best Regards
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | November 16th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Martha, I really enjoyed looking at this set of photos! I can feel the love you have for your property and felt as if I were with you on your walk about checking the state of things in Novemeber:) Photography is a gift to both the viewer AND the taker of pictures.
Posted by: shelagh | November 16th, 2009 at 8:08 am
Optimistic people find always something beautiful - optimistic deers find always something to eat - what is the height of your vegetable garden fence to keep them optimistic outside and me optimistic on the inside ?
Thanks for your great photos, I also love to stroll around my garden & the nearby nature. With a camera you can capture so many little wonders.....
Have a nice day, the sun shines between the golden leaves into my home.... it`s just beautiful ... I will work in my garden ...
Posted by: Dani & cats | November 16th, 2009 at 8:55 am
I agree - there is always something beautiful to be found not to mention the beauty in the simple act of walking around outside and taking those kinds of moments to find them. Thanks for sharing yours.
Posted by: Karen Haberstro-Walls | November 16th, 2009 at 9:01 am
The pictures are very "peaceful", Martha. I love your huge cold frame. What do you do with all the produce that you obviously can't use yourself? We have food pantries here in Concord, Mass. that love to receive the leftovers from the local farms.
Do you grow fordhook swiss chard? Ours just gets sweeter and sweeter with the colder weather. It's our favorite variety.
Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Mandler | November 16th, 2009 at 9:10 am
I.m not from your 'neck of the woods' but your pictures of the farm's layers of nature's landscaping gives a unique view.
Posted by: Ray | November 16th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Martha it is just beautiful. Everything so nicely resting for approaching winter. Our woods looks the same and there is also an occasional bloom which is so exciting. I just love all your many different hydrangeas and trees. You are amazing.
Posted by: Pam from Indiana | November 16th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Martha -
Completely unrelated, but I made your "One Bowl Chocolate Cupcakes" this weekend and they are AMAZING!!!! Topped them off with Ina Garten's chocolate ganache and a tiny pearl candy and they are bridal shower perfect:) I am catering a bridal shower next weekend and wanted to practice before the big day.
THANK YOU for the simple and delicious recipe. This is going in my "keeper" file!
Leslie Ann
Posted by: Q. | November 16th, 2009 at 11:33 am
And your photos of the bare farm landscape are hauntingly beautiful. Amazing that come spring, all those empty, dried-up bushes and trees will once again bear gorgeous fruit. The change of seasons is always a good time to soul search and be thankful for what we have.
Posted by: Q. | November 16th, 2009 at 11:36 am
Hi Martha . .. .Ramon looks so regal in his new Winter coat!
Are all your pine cones on the ground gathered for Holiday projects?
As usual LOVE your photos . ..I look forward each day to see the results of your photographic talents!
Have a great day AND am so looking forward to your Documentary this week!
Regards,nina
Posted by: nina zeumer | November 16th, 2009 at 11:43 am
When days have wet & gloomy weather, it's time to look at tiny things, the colors of bark, the brave, remaining flowers, the wet tones of winter. Your photography is wonderful, Martha. Keep at it because you are bringing such pleasure to your viewers.
Posted by: Penny | November 16th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
The quiet beauty of autumn, with a hint of winter to come. These are lovely photos.
Posted by: Linda Hoge | November 16th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Beautiful Martha
Posted by: Anne | November 16th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Thank you for sharing a glimpse into your life and the world around it. Thank you for being a caretaker of the lands, and the animals thank you I am certain too.
Wishing you all the best.
Posted by: Paula E OBrien | November 16th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Beautiful...Love gloomy weather when there's no pressure to be outside & enjoy the day. Days like these make me want to read a book, take a nap, or bake....
Posted by: jennypennyny | November 16th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Oh, I enjoyed today's photo gallery, Martha! I always ask folks without hesitation when I'm a new visitor to their home to please give me a tour of their yard/grounds - I love seeing what kinds of trees and plantings they have. I usually don't feel I've asked in bad taste, as, in my opinion, it WOULD be forward of me to ask to see the inside of their home, which I view as being much more private than the open, expansive out-of-doors.
~
We did have a tough go of it last week with the nor'easter and basically a week of 'drear'. Our temps in the northeast continue to 'hold' this week, being forecast somewhat unseasonally high for mid-November.
~
I continue to work in the yard as if it's early October...
~
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | November 16th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
For Rowaida Flayhan - The little "Japanese" garden next to my cold frame remains right where it is, outdoors for the winter.
For Tyler - My horses are Friesians from Canada.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | November 16th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I've always thought the coming of winter is kind of sad with everything drying out and dying. I must say, though, Ramon is very handsome in his winter coat! Nice pictures. It was like taking a walk with you.
Posted by: jayaycee | November 16th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Thanks for showing us the wonderful things to be seen and appreciated on a gloomy day.
Posted by: Margie | November 16th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
And then before the trees even get green, you’ll have daffodils blooming again in about 5 months! I love the way you have something growing practically all the time. The cold frame really fascinates me. I never heard of such a thing when we gardened in Michigan but maybe they are relatively new, but then I don’t always pay attention. It must be great to have fresh greens in the winter and no doubt Alexis loves it.
~
I enjoyed The Daily Wag today also – you have a real nice basement. Thanks again for the photo tour. Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 16th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I love your pictures they are so beautiful.
thanks for sharing them with people.
I am from TOGO in Africa.
Best Regards
Posted by: Marcel AGBALEKPO | November 16th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Martha,
Well Ramon looks just as grand as can be posing for this shot. He gives such prominence to the autumn background. With imagination I can almost hear him whinny in a soft and gentle neigh with your view of the frame.
The fruit on your crab apple tree looks so pretty. I have a red jewel crab and the berries are fire engine red and look spectacular against winter snowfall. My prarie fire tree berries look more like the color of your crab tree fruit. All in all these specimens are very dramatic on both bright and gloomy days.
Today's pie show was great. Like a breath of fresh air. It just felt happy from beginning to end, and you could see the excitement and enthusiasm from the audience from start to finish. Choosing a winner had to be a tough pick from all those delicious looking pies, and congrats to Marjorie Johnson. What a peach of a pie she appeared to be!
Thanks Martha for the beauty and fun you bring to others!
Posted by: Becky HK | November 16th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Martha - I love the fall garden - so much promise for next year and the satisfaction of this year's harvest.
Your cold frame looks productive! I recall your brother building you a cold frame on one of your old shows. Can you do a segment on your show or a blog on this cold frame? It looks more complicated than ones you've shown us in the past!
Posted by: elle | November 16th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
.
To Martha,
Thinking of you, on this November 16th.
A and the W's
.
Posted by: Andrea Spencer | November 16th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Martha...lovely photos...Ida was pretty wild huh ??? I too feel so badly for those that felt her wrath...
I LOVED your pie show today...and the winner... priceless, I can't wait to see her on your show tomorrow....I remember seeing her (I think) on Rosie O'Donnell's show.
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | November 16th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Thank you for the beautiful photo tour and helping people to see the beauty in simple things. I live in SoCal now and miss the east coast and all of its seasonal changes. Thanks for the glimpse of home!
Posted by: Marguerite | November 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Doesn't Ramon look so handsome! Your landscape is lovely even on the bleakest of days. I always love leaving the garden orderly in the Fall...it seems to me that Spring will be oh so much better just because we took the time to tidy things properly.
Posted by: sherey | November 16th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I really enjoy looking at the pictures of your property! Thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by: Beth | November 16th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
There is always beauty in the landscape on a gloomy day, you just have to find it, we are coming into our summer season here in New Zealand. The 4 seasons I love each one, I always look forward to the next but love to look back at photos of the past ones and the beauty that nature provides. thanks Martha
Posted by: liz forbes | November 16th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Hi Martha
Ramon looks too cute in his winter coat!! My kids loved the picture.
Posted by: Vee | November 16th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Hi Martha, What a cool blog! It's kind of a preview of the weather we are having here in the Pacific Northwest right now! Your photos are absolutely gorgeous and I hope my area will look as nice after the last rain and wind storm ends here. Ours started last night and may last until Wednesday. It seems like we have this type of weather often before or after the Thanksgiving holiday. We now have extreme winds up north and lots of rain over the entire Puget Sound area with flooding in many areas. So far, no power outages or flooding in my area, but I'll cross my fingers and hope we don't have either. Thanks for sharing and I would love to have some dry, sunny days any time. What great pies you had on your show today! I think Joey Kola had more fun than anyone except the winner of the pie contest! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 16th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
.
Gloomy Day at Canitoe
.
Leaves are still dropping, exposing secrets of the summer,
Little nests that housed little birds from robin to hummer,
The sun straining, a white blob through the grey murk
When leaves are gone, the silhouetted trees seem to lurk.
Dried hostas flower stems and cypress wait 'til winter comes,
Two giant urns, covered with burlap look like kettle drums.
With leaves gone from the crab apple trees, best in the county,
Hundreds of dear wee apples,a reward that is worthy bounty;
Climbing hydrangeas girdling stout trees are still clinging.
Hives are prepared for frigid weather, happy bees still winging.
Still hiding in the cold frame, lettuces and herbs are saved.
Funny, strange, an oriental poppy needs to bloom and wave.
Veggie garden with its shades of green, all the crops you need,
Asparagus to be trimmed back, has already gone to seed.
My little Japanese garden, sounds like the start of a song
Newly planted Japanese maplegrove, coming on strong;
Memories of jeweled currants, blueberries, peonies, now bare.
Running away from the carriage road, the pergola can only stare.
Not much foliage in this landscape 37, focal point a wizard,
Pomeranian geese are flappy happy and exercise their gizzard.
Into the woods find the right time to wait for a spot that's shady.
Down the runway with Ramon, waiting for his very own veiled Lady.
.
As always - Keep smiling.
.
Posted by: celia stock | November 17th, 2009 at 12:11 am
.
To Celia in the mist.....Keep those eyes on the prize. Who knows, the surprise.....!
.
Posted by: Andrea Spencer | November 17th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Hello Martha and thanks once again for such beautiful pictures from your farm. I always appreciate the links from Twitter to your blog. Like you, we've put our garden to sleep upstate. Finished wrapping our 18 young arborvitaes this Sunday past. Enjoy your photos so much--you do see the beauty in every season.
Posted by: Nicolas Ricketts | November 17th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Martha,
you have succeeded once more to capture the beauty of your farm. I especially like the photo of the tall dark tree trunks against the gray sky. What a picture! Also, the little splach of orange and yellow in your woods.Those photo's are so peaceful to look at. I'm looking forward to the winter scene pictures. Keep them comming. Thanks Martha
Sylvia CMGCLS@cox.net
Posted by: Sylvia | November 17th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Lovely. As always, Martha, you find beauty everywhere, or create your own. Love your poem,
especially the ending.
Praying for you,
Jerri ( Morning Star)
Posted by: Morning Star | November 19th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I surely welcome the gloomy today. It hints of rain. My little winter garden babies are thankful for the break from the heat.
Posted by: Ingrid Ernest | November 22nd, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Martha, I am from Texas but am a new englander at heart. I also love new york. The pics you share of your farm at different times of year are so wonderful, you can almost smell the earth and touch the trees. Please continue to share your pictures especially in the fall and winter. Since we never get snow here thats my favorite time of year there. Thanks
Posted by: Felicia Dark | November 26th, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Martha..
You are so fantastic..I se your program most every dag here in Sweden. I look at your website to.
From
Kristina Karlsson, Sweden.
Posted by: Kristina Karlsson | November 29th, 2009 at 8:34 am