Enjoying my Farm
One day last week, I attended meetings in New York City all morning long and found that I had the afternoon free. Because I am so busy with work and travel, I decided that I would spend a leisurely afternoon at home on my farm in Bedford. I was happy to find the garden growing well and the animals in good spirits. There’s something to be said about quiet time and appreciation of one’s surroundings.
1 On my tour around the farm, I stopped by the berry patch to check on the raspberries. I was amazed to see the bushes still loaded with fruit ready for picking.
2 Beautifully fragrant and sweet raspberries - I ate a generous handful.
3 The guys had been busy mowing and Chhiring was on his way to give the Pomeranian geese a nice big pile of clippings to eat.
4 I stopped into the cold house and noticed that there were dead bugs on the sills, so I got a hose and washed them off.
5 The apple espalier is loaded with fruit this year.
6 All of Shaun's good pruning skills has really paid off.
7 These are some of the 'ancient' apple trees that still produce abundantly.
8 I paid a visit to Billy, Clive, and Rufus and gave them some apples to eat. They were happy to see me.
9 The next stop was the stable to check on the horses.
10 Hello my beauty Ramon!
11 And my precious Rinze
12 And my handsome Rutger
13 And my gentle Meindert
14 I saw that the copper in the stable kitchen was nicely polished. I love this collection. I purchased most of these pieces during visits to Paris. Perhaps you remember it hanging in my kitchen at Turkey Hill?
15 The next stop was to pay a visit to my little pair of Black Welsh Mountain Sheep. They love chomping on fresh cut hay.
16 They saw me coming and could not wait!
17 The sheep have a really nice long paddock to wander in.
18 And they really like to run!
19 Down to the chickens - the hens and roosters really love the perches that Alfredo made from fallen trees.
20 They also like climbing and perching on the ladders.
21 It was quite busy inside this coop.
22 Many eggs still warm
23 After collecting all of the eggs, I visited the geese. They always make such a ruckus when people come near!
24 Laura Acuna cleans the freshly laid eggs every day with a damp cloth. The hens are very productive these days.
You work so hard that you deserve to have more carefree days on your farm! The "ladders" in the chicken coop are a great idea!
Posted by: Nancy in AK | August 25th, 2010 at 12:08 am
Sometimes I envy you, Martha, even though I shouldn't. You live my dream, only my dreams are on a smaller scale.
I love the stable...it looks so old worldly and should be attached to a castle in England, or Germany.
And, all of that delicious-looking fruit!!!
I'm glad you get to enjoy your farm every once in a while.
Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | August 25th, 2010 at 12:11 am
I love love love women like Martha who garden in white- I spent summers of my undergrad as a landscaper, and the architects who wore skirts while they dug were my favorites.
Posted by: Erin Saucke-Lacelle | August 25th, 2010 at 12:15 am
I was about to go to bed but then decided to check what Martha posted, of course they are about the beautiful and inspiring scenes from your farm.
They give me such light and tingling feeling that will send me to bed smiling,
My endorphin is flowing. Thank you, thank you Martha for sharing all the beautiful things that surround you.
Good night, sleep tight, sweet dreams Martha.
Posted by: Nikki | August 25th, 2010 at 1:08 am
An unexpected afternoon free from work is always a joy! Going to spend it at the farm was a good choice. The chicken perches made from the fallen trees in the recent storm look fine. And don't the Welsh sheep look settled and content in their new shed and paddock. I love it when you approach animals with a bucket of food! They get excited, don't they! My grandparents' farmed geese too. They are noisy and nosey, they make good guards as they hear the slightest noise. And without being morbid, I can still taste my grandmother's roast goose, stuffed with mashed potato and served with an artery-clogging cream gravy (an old German recipe from her mother). I must order one soon for New Year's Day! Sounds early I know, but farmers need help so it's nice to get orders in between your Labor Day and Hallowe'en.
Posted by: Christian / @vfbr2001 | August 25th, 2010 at 1:32 am
What a beautiful and peaceful place you have, Martha. I wonder what you do with all those abundant goodies that your farm produces. Maybe, one day you'll write a post to tell us about that..8)
Posted by: Rita | August 25th, 2010 at 3:31 am
Martha, it is lovely to see the fruits of all your hard work and planning. Too, you are so smart to take the time to visit each area and see things are as you want.
Posted by: Susan | August 25th, 2010 at 4:17 am
Good morning Martha,
You look so lovely in photo 11 with your horse. It is great to be able to spend time at home enjoying all the hard work that goes into making a property your own home. I plan to take your advice and spend time enjoying my home this weekend. Is there any news on you coming over to the UK soon?
Posted by: Pru | August 25th, 2010 at 6:17 am
Rarely leave a comment but must say you are an extremely photogenic woman Martha. So beautiful and such a lovely smile.
Posted by: TommyBoy | August 25th, 2010 at 7:07 am
Thank you for sharing the beauty and bounty in your life. Wishing you health and happiness!
Posted by: lila grace | August 25th, 2010 at 9:39 am
I love photos of your farm. I'm wondering what happens to all the products, crops, eggs and such, that your farm produces? Is some of it donated or sold at local markets?
Posted by: Peony | August 25th, 2010 at 10:00 am
I love that so many of your photos of your farm include all of your sweet furry friends. Seeing the photos of you snuggling with your horses makes my heart go pitter pat.
Trina
Posted by: Trina | August 25th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Martha,
What do you do with all those apples, fruits & eggs? And everything else you grow?
Posted by: Sharon Hines | August 25th, 2010 at 10:25 am
I’ll never forget the first time I saw your copper pots and pans hanging in your kitchen – I tried to figure out a way we could do the same thing in our kitchen without an island but it just wouldn’t work. That’s okay though because I’ve copied other things that do work and as we all know, the choices are endless!
~
Thanks for the tour Martha. I love seeing your animals and your property and omg would I love to have a few apple trees! I’ve eaten an apple a day for the last seven years and they have done wonders for my knees. I might be able to painlessly walk the streets of New York City one of these days! I’m working on it. Trish
Posted by: Trish | August 25th, 2010 at 10:34 am
Perfection : )
Posted by: Debra Van Dyke | August 25th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | August 25th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Always special to be able to walk around and enjoy the fruits of your labour. It gives us a sense of serenity to be surrounded by the simple things in life. We must do this whenever we can. I have a small space garden but taking the 'tour' every morning really makes my day...as well as ensuring that the garden is healthy!
Posted by: sherey | August 25th, 2010 at 11:20 am
what lovely quiet time! I agree it is great for the soul!
Posted by: Wendy | August 25th, 2010 at 11:23 am
I can never get enough of seeing beautiful photos of your farm. It's especially nice seeing you taking the time to enjoy it since you are such a busy, hardworking woman.
I sincerely hope you are considering publishing a line of books, calendars, etc. about your farm. A line of children's books teaching them about farm life alone would be wonderful. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Posted by: Sonya | August 25th, 2010 at 11:56 am
Martha , everytime I see there are new pics of your farm I can't wait to see them. I love, love your farm, gardens,the apples, oh and especially your beautiful horses, ( my favorite breed). They are so gorgeous!! Its great to take the time to enjoy what you have! Can't wait for fall pics of your farm!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Posted by: Frances | August 25th, 2010 at 12:12 pm
Martha, the farm looks so so peaceful. Do you ever get to ride those beautiful horses? If someone wanted to tour your farm, how would they go about it? The fruit looks awesome. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.
Kathleen
Posted by: Kathleen | August 25th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
These are my favorite posts.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | August 25th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
There's a lot to be said for a "stay-cation" no matter how long or short it may be. It is so restorative and rejuvenating - thank you for showing me a quality of living easily attained just by enjoying what I [you and others] have.
Posted by: Suse | August 25th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
The loaded apple trees are a pleasure to see. Always a fun afternoon to sit outside and peel apples or prepare some for apple sauce or even better getting the cider press going. And of course the sharing with the animals is very important.
Posted by: Margie | August 25th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
Wonderful example of gentlewoman farming - excellent! You must treasure all the wonderful support staff to make it happen. Those ancient apple trees could do with some pruning too! The apples would then be bigger. I never tire of seeing the farm.
Posted by: Louise | August 25th, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Heaven!
Posted by: Donna | August 25th, 2010 at 2:55 pm
Hi Martha, How delightful that you had a 'free' afternoon to check out your beautiful farm and your wonderful animals! I love this tour and I appreciate you sharing it with us. Your garden items look delicious and your animals looked so happy to see you. These fantastic photos express it all! Thanks Martha! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | August 25th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Watching you visit all of your spaces quickly put me in my "happiness" zone of having nothing better to do than to tend to the living things in my life. And don't we just love to putter, touch and care for them? I do. Every one a moment gift!
Posted by: Amy | August 25th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
A Quiet Afternoon In Bedford
.
Twas one of those afternoons that allows a quiet walk.
The kind that simplifies everything and no need to talk;
Pick a handful of sweet raspberries and admire the berry patch,
Skilful pruning aided the apple espaliers to produce a good batch.
So too, the 'ancient' ones, a bounty of luscious delectable fruit,
Billy, Clive n Rufus were happy for the visit, treats and looking cute.
Check at the stables, the harmonious old stone and cobbles bare,
Picture this at moon glow, say hello to Ramon my beauty there,
To Rinze my precious dear heart and to Meindert the gentle one,
Swapping secrets and a smooch with Rutger, so devilish handsome;
The little pair of Black Welch sheep love chomping on fresh hay,
Happy too for the visit and skipping and jumping about at play,
No visit complete without viewing the chickens in their coop,
Happily chuckling, perching, the rooster keeping order in his troop;
It's rewarding, collecting the complement of eggs, some still warm.
The geese too got a look see, and were honking away in the barn.
Daily, Laura cleans the freshly laid eggs from a busy bunch of gals.
Again, all's right with the world, in this haven of happy pals.
.
.
Posted by: celia stock | August 25th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
A free afternoon...that's a good thing
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | August 25th, 2010 at 9:52 pm
Hi Martha,
I just love all the farm pics, esp. the stable and horses. You have a beautiful stable and I love the Friesian horses. I live on a farm too, with lots of horses and other animals, and just love the days that I can actually relax and visit the different parts of it. Keep all the great pics coming, we all enjoy them so much... and your great magazine!
Posted by: Kim Rich | August 25th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I too love all the pictures of your farm and the animals. It is stimulating and energizing to see what and learn what you have done. You encourage me to do more and appreciate more. There are so many others who have so much less. I always remember a home visit I did (I am a social worker) with a young woman who came to Vancouver with her younger mentally challenged sister from Yugoslavia hoping for a better life for particulary her sister. Her apartment was in a "seedy" part of town complete with
graffiti in the hallways but inside her place was spotless with so very little. She served me tea in one of 4 very precious teacups that she had brought with her. She was so proud of the home that she had established.
I have to admit some envy for your beautiful properties as I would love a little plot of land and a horse. But I live in an apartment in beautiful Vancouver where I have an unobstructed view of our glorious mountains. I have a beautiful little garden out on my balcony. In two very different ways, from the lady mentionned above to the beauty and creativity you bring. It is all about taking pride and loving what you have. You have helped teach this, Martha.
Thank you.
Posted by: Daphne Grant | August 25th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
.
Homecoming in the fall from summer traversing....
.
It's good to BE back, as it is to see you back.
.
Shut those cameras off for just a moment now and then, and just sit down to a bowl of soup and a personal thought in solitude.
.
Andrea and the Weimaraners
.
Posted by: andreajetspencer.blogspot.com | August 25th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
I am curious (nosy) about what you do with all of the produce and eggs?
All of your animals look so healthy and shinny. Those little sheep are way too cute. I would probably invite them into the house.
Thanks Martha ( and Blog helpers )
Posted by: Mike | August 26th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Hello Martha,
Seeing your Freisiens gives me goosebumps. Do you ever drive them and do you have pictures you can post? They would be exciting to see.( I used to train all the (able)horses and ponies on my rescue farm to drive and they loved it.)Thank you so much and also for the graciousness you bring to our lives and warmth to our homes.
Posted by: Diane Guidice | August 26th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Now that's what I'm talkin about. I know your busy but Oh what a life. One can only keep working hard and hope for the best.Georgious photos!
Posted by: Annie Bush | August 27th, 2010 at 3:24 am
I have so enjoyed your blogs as well as your daughters. Day after day I go to check them out. I have not been too proficient on the computer but you inspired me to try my own blog about life here in Centreville, DE.(you will be coming down the street to Winterthur to speak for the Antiques Show I believe). Know you are so, so busy but if you get a chance take a peak at my first attempt. My first brief blog is about Belted Galloway Cows in our neighborhood !
http://isabel-muse.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Isabel | August 27th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Wish berried grew better here in Phoenix, AZ.
Posted by: Bettijo @ Paging Supermom | August 27th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
I find that the time I spend in the garden benefits me and my frame of mind. I plan a 15 minutes to a precious half hour in the morning, but it makes for a calmer and more peaceful me when I arrive at work.
I tell myself that I am hand watering to save water and keep my special plants green, but I also benefit from the swiped cherry tomatoes, the smells of basil, rosemary and tomato plants as well as the conversations I have with my kitty who accompanies me on these walkabout watering daily constitutionals.
Posted by: Kellyann Brown | August 28th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
You are so right Martha, there IS something so relaxing to be around your animals that you love so much..I have 3 cats that Ive spoiled rotten..because they give me so much love . Ive learned to communicate without speaking from all 3 of them..thank you so much for being you.
Posted by: Rebecca Cummins | August 30th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
What an enjoyable journey through your Bedford farm/house...although I see it daily with F & S, it's nice to see it in this way. Your stable is the perfect layout, that layout is something I had wanted to do, but now all my horses are gone...what an imaginative guy Alfredo is...did he also make the ladders out of tree limbs for the chickens?
Posted by: delia | August 30th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Well, first off, I just LOVE those raspberries! One of the best pictures of fruit I've seen in a long time. Speaking of pictures...the ones with you and your special horses (I believe you bought most or all of them in Ontario, Canada) are as lovely and as happy as pictures get. Keep up the excellent work, Martha and gang. Was it fun spraying the bugs away! Go to it Martha. I hope you consider attending the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto in November 2010. It is a yearly event. Prince Charles and wife opened the Fair in 2009. Thanks Martha.
Posted by: http://twitter.com/Geotravel | August 31st, 2010 at 3:24 pm
just adore the pictures of the animals. they seem quite happy. the goat running is so happy. thanks for being such an animal advocate.
Posted by: jeanette | August 31st, 2010 at 4:58 pm
High Five Martha, you rule. Your home looks so peaceful and inviting, thanks for being you and being an inspiration to the rest of us.
Posted by: Sarah | August 31st, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Martha, you rule....I love you. I always look forward to seeing pictures of your beautiful farm.
Posted by: Gregory Williams | August 31st, 2010 at 11:54 pm