My Christmas at the farm
It was a white Christmas at my farm and I had a lovely time there with my daughter Alexis and our good friend, Kevin Sharkey. We spent a great deal of time outdoors visiting all of the animals in their various living environs, making sure that everyone was healthy and happy. We also cooked a fabulous fettuccini from scratch and tossed it with butter and white truffle. It was simply fabulous!
1 The chickens were all out during the day. It was about 25 degrees F, but sunny, and they were enjoying pumpkin and vegetable scraps from the kitchen.
2 To encourage the hens and roosters to eat the nutritious pumpkin, we sprinkled cracked corn over it. All the pumpkins were left over from the TV set and my magazine's Halloween stories for next October.
3 Sharkey is always desirous of getting in the coop to wreak havoc - She would instantly kill the hens despite my constant instructions to be nice.
4 This red sweater is really well-made, but I need to shorten the tail end, if you see what I mean.
5 I'm always careful to check the livestock when I am at home to make certain that everyone who cares for the animals understands their needs and wants.
6 The Pomeranian geese were hysterically funny and noisy in the snow.
7 They are so fat and healthy and don't seem to mind the cold.
8 There are 3 geese and they actually chatter and squawk to one another constantly.
9 This is a great photo taken by Kevin.
10 The geese were talking loudly to Kevin as he took their pictures.
11 The donkeys also wanted to talk, and they were asking for carrots and apples and love.
12 Rufus stuck his face into the lens.
13 Rufus and Billie laughing
14 Rufus is so handsome and he loves the snow and the holidays.
15 I made a simple but delicious fettucine - 2 cups 00 flour, 3 eggs, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Process in a food processor until a ball forms. Knead a minute or two and cut into noodles using the Kitchen Aid pasta attachment.
16 Two magnificent white truffles on my prized truffle slicer - you can find a similar one at J.B. Prince Company in NYC. www.jbprince.com
17 This is a bowl of freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. We boiled the pasta in salted water, put it on a giant platter, tossed in the cheese and a stick of melted butter, and sliced the truffles on top, sprinkling generously with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper - there is no better pasta!!!!!!
18 The finished masterpiece
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Your 'finished masterpiece' makes me want to try it myself! Yum!
Thanks for sharing the pictures of Christmas on the farm Martha - makes me long for the quiet that comes from fresh snow all around.
Posted by: Donna Olson | December 29th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Ur dogs r alwyz so stylish & look gr8 - I <3 it! The red sweater is da bomb! 4 those texters/twitters this is a gr8 read to decode this comment as well. Enjoy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_language
Posted by: K L Brown | December 29th, 2009 at 2:54 am
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, Martha and your family and friends. You have a wonderful home and I love reading your blog everyday. I miss Frannie in the pictures. Is she alright?? Hope you have a healthy, happy, safe and prosperous New Year. My dream home is yours and I love everything about it, including the animals!! Will there be another Chow in your future?? I hope so!! I certainly miss Paw Paw!!
Posted by: Shjirley Hawksby | December 29th, 2009 at 7:09 am
I always enjoy seeing the animals on your farm! We raise chickens and turkeys and are looking forward to adding some different kinds of animals. Need to do a little more research but you are truly my mentor!
Posted by: Claudette | December 29th, 2009 at 7:37 am
Dear Martha,
By way of introduction, my name is John Burton, I am your neighbor, a local builder and designer, and a huge fan. I live off of Pea Pond and drive by your home at least twice a day, and am truly impressed by the attention to detail. It is remarkable how someone so busy can manage a home the way you do.
You walk past my office frequently, and I saw you in Scaglio's Christmas Eve. I consider your career to be an inspiration to my own, and am grateful to have your energy in our town.
If you have a moment (not to impose) - I wondered about your path from your own creative vision into your business is? Do you edit yourself? Do you have criteria for what you introduce or is it just self-inspired?
I think that people like yourself who add quality to other's life experience are sharing a wonderful gift, and I thank you for it.
In gratitude,
John
Posted by: John Burton | December 29th, 2009 at 9:45 am
I love the pictures of the geese and donkeys! Rufus seems like such a character. Happy new year, Martha!
Posted by: Amanda | December 29th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Merry Christmas to you Martha and a happy, healthy and blessed New Year to you....
I also love the pictures of all the animals. The chickens, geese, and donkeys. It was a beautiful white Christmas and no better place to spend it other than home. I loved mine too. We had 5 foot snow drifts. I was convinced the drifts would be around till July but by Monday not one was left. Oh well.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | December 29th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Sustainable ranching is part of me. Our adult son, Jamie's beloved pet dog died yesterday and know that you understand the loss. Kindle and Nook bring changes but much stays the same
with family, nature, and animals forever.
Posted by: ann | December 29th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Hi Martha,
I hope you are having a great time in Bangkok and maybe you'll post some pics on Twitpic??
~
Thanks for sharing your animals with us. I love seeing them - they are so darn cute, especially the donkeys.
~
Your finished masterpiece was indeed a 'masterpiece' and the plate you served it on is beautiful too. Catch you later. Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 29th, 2009 at 11:39 am
I can't believe I'm doing this but I'm having your blog as my homepage instead of Facebook!!!
By the way I should have done it soon enough when I missed your trip to Vegas. If I only knew I would have camped out for days off of WIlliams Sonoma to get my book signed.
Posted by: Norbie | December 29th, 2009 at 11:44 am
FROM:
Christopher Stowell
17597 N. Peoria, Ave.
Skiatook, OK. 74070
Phone 918-230-1556
e-mail dragonhero244@yahoo.com
December 29, 2009
Dear Bee keeper Martha Stewart,
My name is Christopher Stowell. I am 13 years old. I am a boy scout in Troop 250. I am also a Beekeeper inn Skiatook, OK. I am a member of both the North East Oklahoma Bee keepers Association (NEOBA) located in Tulsa, OK., and The Oklahoma State Bee keepers Association.
I have recently learned that the Boy Scouts of America discontinued the Bee Keeping merit badge in 1995. I have contacted the National council and ask why. They have informed me that there was not enough bee keepers in America. They also informed me that the reinstatement of the merit badge had been brought up several times sense to no avail. It seems to me that it would only make sense to encourage bee keeping if there are not enough bee keepers in our country.
I believe that now more than ever before the survival of the honey bee is important to all. If other boys are not encouraged to learn how to become bee keepers the honey bee will surly die out. Not only I feel this way but I believe that bee keepers all across America believe in the importance of teaching the younger generations the importance of the honey bee. The reinstatement of the merit badge will lend validity to the art of bee keeping.
I am contacting you to ask your support in getting the Boy Scout Bee keeping merit badge reinstated.
I am working on a proposal to the National Boy scout Council. I am also working on getting a petition signed by as many people as possible that would like to see the merit badge reinstated. I have a goal set to send in my proposal to the council by July 15, 2010. At that time , I would like your endorsement of my proposal as well as your help in getting as many bee keepers and people who believe in the importance of youth learning how to keep bees as possible involved in this effort.
This is what I need from you. 1. A letter from you addressing the Boys scout council to send along with my proposal would be very beneficial. Please send it to my personal address above on you letter head stationary if possible. I will take it along on July 15th.
2.I would also like to get a petition being signed in your area to add to the list of names we already have. I will be getting that to you soon to get it passed around. By e-mail or in person at association meetings.
3.If you could e-mail the National Boy scout council now, a personal letter from you telling them why you would like to see the merit badge reinstated and about the many bee keepers you have in your area that would be great. Here is the e-mail you would need to address that letter too Ronda.Devaney@scouting.org
Please copy and pass this letter to other bee keepers and gardeners in your area. This is not a boy scout project. I am doing this on my own. All expense is paid for by my parents. So please help get the word out.
If you have any other ideas on how you could help please feel free to contact me. I would appreciate any thing you can do to help. I look forward to hearing from you.
p.s. I couldnt find any other way to contact you.So I hope you get this letter MS. Stewart. I belive that if you were to endorse the reinstatement of the merit badge it would carry a lot of weight behind it.
Sincerely,
Christopher Stowell BSA Troop 250, Skiatook, Ok. e-mail dragonhero244@yahoo.com
Posted by: christopher Stowell | December 29th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Best Wishes for the new year, Martha.
Could you comment about how to prevent and deal with frostbite in your fowl flock?
Posted by: jill Wilks | December 29th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
I m thinking this was ur most favorite day thusfar, it has all of the best ingredients......r some of those chickens some of the baby chicks u featured several months ago.....I agree with the gentleman above, u do share the most wonderful gifts and thank u 4 that.
Posted by: Charmayne | December 29th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Martha, wanted to let you know about the oldest Martha Stuart that was on your show a couple years ago. Martha passed away this morning in Charlotte, NC. I remember she was excited to have met you.
Posted by: Toby | December 29th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
The pasta in the last picture looked absolutely wonderful. The plate that it is on is so beautiful. Is it English china by chance?
Posted by: Maureen | December 29th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Hi Martha,
I simply love the shots of your precious animals. A person can never have too many photos of their beloved animals.
I spent the entire day after Mass with our beloved Golden Retreiver "Jasmine" and loved every minute of our quiet Christmas day together. Our animals gift of unconditional love brings so much comfort.
Thanks for sharing, their delightful faces almost seemed like they were saying "Hi Mommy and Merry Christmas to you too!"
Posted by: Becky HK | December 29th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
My best wishes for 2010, Martha !!!!!
As for the fetuccini, incredibly simple, absolutely "chic"....
Great idea !!!! Congratulations
Posted by: Cristina | December 29th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I wish you well....Martha Stewart
Deborah Stewart
Posted by: Deborah Stewart | December 29th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Happy Holidays Martha,
I lived in a farm for a year and these fabulous photos brought back so many memories...
~ Gabriela ~
Posted by: Gabriela | December 29th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Dear Martha,
Thank you for sharing your pictures of all your animals on your farm, during your Christmas Holiday. They are adorable. It's nice to be home for the Holiday with your daughter and close friend. Just looking at your fettucini makes me hungrey, it turn out great.
May you have a Healthy and Happy New Year "2010", God Bless, Jeannie Kuehl
Posted by: Jean Kuehl | December 29th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
What wonderful farm animals you have! All very dear. Your Christmas meal, the fettuccini, seemed so perfect, simple ingredients (albeit one very fabulous simple ingredient, the truffle) prepared well. Yum. And of course loved ones to serve it to. Glad you had a sweet Christmas holiday.
Posted by: Penny | December 29th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Fettucine and truffles?!...comfort food at it's finest!...yes, indeedy! I would've been in seventh heaven with a hardy serving of this luscious offering! I absolutely LOVE pasta (and it shows!) [giggle]
.
Had I been at your farm on Christmas Day, Martha, I would've wanted to visit all the animals, too - to wish them Merry Christmas and to hug them around their necks and slip them some treats. My most favorite photos are of Rufus and Billie grinning for the camera and of the Pomeranians - the more up-close shot where their three bills are close together - that is just dear! These little guys CAN be full of sass, but I find their fussing about all the more endearing. They're excellent watchdogs, too! Little Sharkeybarkey was a little snowangel - wearing that red sweater against her own blonde hair, out in the snow. She was absolutely adorable - awnry as she can be!...
.
Hope you're enjoying Bangkok and all it's must-sees (and must-eats! [giggle] ). I know you're taking photos and documenting events while there - we'll all want to see them, you know...
.
Happy New Year, my Martha!
.
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | December 29th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
...for Christopher Stowell...:
.
I wish you the utmost success in trying to reinstate the beekeeping merit badge within the BSA! I support your endeavors wholeheartedly, as well as any beekeeping practitioners. Our bee populations are in serious trouble and any efforts to keep them thriving has my full endorsement (but I am nobody). Our divine Lord God made these industrious little creatures for a reason, and we, in all our humanness, are destroying them as we find better(?) ways to take care of our gardens.
.
You are to be commended for your passion at your young age. Your parents deserve credit as well, as they obviously have instilled good values in you, and have opened up your eyes to all the possibilities you can accomplish and are capable of!
.
Blessings to you and your family!
.
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | December 29th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I see that you have geese on your farm in Ny. I walk at a public trail here in Madisonville Tn. and there are 3 geese there that have terrorized all of us walkers..Any suggestions to discourage them from chasing us all and biting us..It has really discouraged us from walking..
Posted by: diane evans | December 29th, 2009 at 6:46 pm
A tip for anyone with fresh truffles....store them in a jar with fresh eggs. The flavour permeates the shell and when the eggs are cooked , especially in fresh pasta dough, the truffle flavour is intensified. The flour for the pasta can also be put into the jar so that it takes on that wonderful flavour. Enjoy!
Posted by: Cathryn Dilley | December 29th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Hi Martha,
My name s Brian Deniz and I must say that your farm is very beautiful. I wish I was there to see it. I have to say this also that I have always enjoyed following you as a fan and think that you are such a talented person. My friend's brother in-law named Andrew (whom you actually featured his home in Upstate New York back in April in you magazine) said that he once worked in your advertising department at Martha Stewart & he just raved about how nice of a person you are. I really hope to visit your farm one day; I love gardening and hope to learn from your's. Take care & I wish you the best. P.S. I will be in New York at the end of January and again in July, You should have Shawn give my family & I a tour!
Brian
Posted by: Brian Deniz | December 29th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Hi Martha, This was a wonderful blog about your Christmas at your beautiful farm with your fantastic animals and delicious food. It was 45 with no snow here in the Puget Sound area. I spent lots of time outside splitting apple wood to keep it warm inside. I cooked a turkey breast in a new crock pot and it turned our delicious. I'm going to try a whole chicken it there next time. Hope you are having fun in Bangkok and congratulations on having your fantastic MSL magazine available to your fans there. Can't wait to see your Bangkok photos. Have a safe trip everywhere you travel and hopefully there will be no more traffic jams. Take care and have fun. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 29th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
few weeks ago i was thinking on giving a thankful and happy holiday present to my clients, watching martha's show on the web i got the perfect idea, miniature golden fruitcakes, delicious and so nice, i've never liked fruitcakes before, but martha's are gorgeous!!!!!! thanks martha por my perfect homemade gifts.
Posted by: Sylvia | December 30th, 2009 at 2:15 am
Martha, I just spotted a squash in your hen pen. I was just walking by my one leftover pumpkin from Fall decorating and saying to myself, I should just throw this in the back 4 for some wildlife to eat it. I guess I should smash it to get it open for them. I am still getting used to living in the country with so much to learn. Thank you for all your inspirations. I hope someday to meet you. God Bless, Pamie G.
I live in the Hill Country, north of New Braunfels, Texas near Canyon Lake. I have a guest house and you are always welcome to retreat here.
Posted by: Pamie G. | December 30th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Thank-you for sharing the exquisite pictures of your beautiful holiday. Simply divine to see your much loved animal family as well. Thank-you for your constant inspiration and sharing your wealth of knowledge. Best Wishes and Happy New Year!
Posted by: Karenna | December 30th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Happy New Year. I always enjoy seeing and hearing about all your precious animals. the Pomeranians are so cute. I never seen them before. I love the donkeys also.
Posted by: Barbara Brown | December 30th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Martha, Hope your enjoying your time off, I was wondering if you recieved my thank you for my subscription. Kathleen Bruce
Posted by: Kathleen Bruce | December 30th, 2009 at 8:11 pm
How appropriate that you spent Christmas taking care of your animals. Afterall, Christ was born in a manager. It all looks so peaceful.
Posted by: Mary Skidmore | December 30th, 2009 at 10:05 pm
hello keep it up in 2010
Posted by: mike allison | December 31st, 2009 at 1:24 am
Hi Martha:
I as so thrilled to see your chickens, as well as the rest of your animals. I see that you have chickens of all colors, just as I do. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Posted by: Edna | December 31st, 2009 at 1:45 am
I have so enjoyed your blogs this year...I admire you so much...and I have learned so much from your shows...there is just something about watching you that makes me feel like I go home for a little while...have a wonderful New Year..
Posted by: Rita | December 31st, 2009 at 10:23 am
Martha, After living in the country for 5 years there is no turning back.What a glorious life style!We have a small farm and raise chickens as well.What a great pleasure to walk out in the morning to collect fresh organic eggs.Missing from our christmas morning was that beautiful snow and the company of your cute daughter!Merry christmas,Charles
Posted by: Charles McKenzie | December 31st, 2009 at 10:58 am
Wen you were in Thailand yesterday, I had my 50th birthday!
Happy birthday to me
Posted by: Claudia | December 31st, 2009 at 12:36 pm
This year I had wonderful tours through your photos. Thankyou very much.
Love ya,
Rose Garren
Posted by: Rose Garren | December 31st, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Like you I love horses, but mine are the smaller version: Paso Finos, the horse with the fine gate. Previous to having my own barn I borded my mare at a Fresian farm. A study in contrast. It was hysterical when I turned my 14 1/2 hand skyscraper mare out with several "larger" Freisan ladies. Within a short amount of time my Paso Fino had somehow managed to become Boss Mare. All of us at the barn really enjoyed the interaction between the Paso Fino and the Fresians. A great learning experience in horse dynamics, social skills, and friendship. Equines are such wonderful teachers. Happy New Year to all especially to those smitten with "horsing" fever.
Posted by: Patti Putnam | January 1st, 2010 at 9:39 am
Dear Martha,
Happy New Year. I'm Phaik Ee from Malaysia. I'm a great fan of your TV show. You mentioned before that you make your own buttermilk. I've searched many websites for the receipe but unfortunately till today I've yet to get it. I hope you can share with me your receipe for making butermilk.
Another matter that you had mentioned about buuter measurement. Can you please tell me how much is "one stick" of butter.
Thank you.
Phaik Ee
Posted by: Phaik Ee | January 1st, 2010 at 9:57 am
Happy New Year Martha! Thank you for all you do (and do quite well).
Please take Chrstopher Stowell's plea (see above)to heart! There are many of us that agree with him, but feel powerless to do anything about the dearth of bees.
Posted by: IowaCowgirl | January 1st, 2010 at 10:54 am
Dear Martha,
Thank-you very much for your truly inspirational and informative web-page!
Could you please post some more photos of your beautifull chickens and donkeys? The photo of the black hens, in the snow, eating from the orange pumpkin is visually so rich, I wish you had a close-up!
Wishing you all the best for the new 2010!
Posted by: Albena Bojilova | January 1st, 2010 at 6:44 pm
wondering what size is that wire on the chicken pen in the photo?
Posted by: Susie | January 2nd, 2010 at 7:57 pm
HAPPY NEW YEAR MARTHA HOW DO YOU STAY POSITIVE I AM HOMELESS MY KIDS ARE OUT WEST I AM ALONE LOVE YOUR WORK--ALWAYS HAVE THANKS
Posted by: BEVERLY HIGGINS | January 3rd, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Hello
More of your donkeys !
I think I have a crush !
Posted by: Vanessa | January 6th, 2010 at 4:54 am
I love your Rufus pictures.
Posted by: Hale | January 10th, 2010 at 12:55 am
hi i live on a farm in illinois christmasis fun at afarm
Posted by: olivia | January 14th, 2010 at 12:02 am
OMG, Martha, aything would taste good on that gorgeous plate! I entertain often and love anything antique to set the table. I used your idea from the Thanksging special for salt and white pepper. I have small footed nut cups (not really sure if that's what they were once used for, but that's what I call them). I layered the salt & pepper and added a small silver salt spoon. One at each place setting. The table was all white and silver. Fresh green plants in a silver bowl for the centerpiece, so simple. For added texture, I filled small wine glasses with varing shades of cream and brown jelly beans and scattered them along the table runner. My grandsons could not wait until the party was over and they could come eat the leftover jelly beans! Would love to send you pictures.
Posted by: Mary Cherry | January 24th, 2010 at 11:17 am
I am huge fan. You are an inspiration.When i watch you or read your blog i feel at home.Thank you.
Posted by: Monica | February 2nd, 2010 at 9:36 am
PARA MI REALMENTE MARABILLOSA ERES MARTHA. TE ADMIRO , GRACIAS POR LAS MIL Y UNA IDEAS . GRACIAS . DESDE COSTA RICA UN FUERTE ABRAZO . ELSA CORRALES SANCHEZ.
Posted by: ELSA CORRALES SANCHEZ | February 27th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Dear Martha,
I didn't know until today that you were a bee keeper. This great product is a must for all bee keepers and is being used by bee keepers all over the states and in germany, france england canada and australia. please go to this website and check it out. I would like to hear your review.
Thanks,
Morris Mc Master
Posted by: Morris Mc Master | March 14th, 2010 at 12:19 am
Hey Martha,
So I was wondering, when will your Christmas magazine 2010 enter the stores, especially in Europe? I'd love it, if you could somehow inform me 
I love Christmas, I enjoy decorating, baking, making gifts... pretty much everything about it
Viola
Posted by: Viola Helynranta | October 15th, 2010 at 9:09 am