Working at my Farm
I was home in Bedford last Thursday, but, as usual, I was busy at work, shooting in the garden for multiple magazine stories. Fortunately the weather was glorious and being outdoors was a pleasant experience. Noted photographer, Paul Costello, came to the farm with his crew. Here is a little behind-the-scenes for your enjoyment.
1 Here's a nice photo of me taken just having completed planting in my 'white garden.'
2 Stephen Johnson, Deputy Art Director for MSL, kneeling in for me while Paul and his crew adjust for lighting.
3 From the white garden, we moved to the shade garden for the next shot. Marie adjusts my makeup.
4 My tools of choice for the next chore - a Dutch planting spade and a traditional English trowel.
5 Looking at the camera viewfinder - Stephen and Paul are very happy with the lighting. Digital photography has the perk of instant review.
6 Working while waiting
7 Planting a Crested Lady Fern - filling in your shade garden with even more shade!
8 Anthony, my hair stylist and Annie, my wardrobe stylist looking on
9 Next stop - the pond - As a gift to me, Joey Kola, the warm up artist from television, has been removing branches and other debris from the water.
10 The cleaning process is being filmed for a television segment for my show.
11 Joey even plans on skimming off the green algae.
12 Joey is always warm and endearing and knows how to make people laugh.
13 Paul uses this Mac Book Pro as a portable photo editing studio.
14 Whatever he shoots immediately appears on the screen, enabling his team to choose just the right image.
15 Another change of clothing and another makeup touch up.
16 Again, Stephen stands in for me. The woods look beautiful.
17 Anthony and the girls
18 The white fabric and photo scrims help to diffuse the light.
19 Removing an Eternal Dogwood from its pot
20 Anthony is thinking of getting a French bulldog to keep his Boston terrier company.
21 A well-planted tree
22 After the woods and before the next scene, I stopped to feed the donkeys some fresh-picked apples.
23 Guess where we moved to for the next shot?
24 I'm all zipped into my protective beekeeper garb and carefully lifting the cover off of a hive.
25 The bees are agitated by this 'invasion.'
26 Good thing I had my smoker handy. Smoke distracts the bees and makes them docile.
27 Next, I use my hive tool to loosen a honey frame.
28 There it is! A full frame of delicious honey!
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Do you know what I like best, Martha, besides your beautiful farm? The fact that you're dressed for gardening, and not like you're taking a stroll down Main Street.
So many pictures I see in magazines of people workng in their gardens are dressed as if they're going out to dinner somewhere. Good for you, Martha!!
Gloria!!
Posted by: Gloria | September 14th, 2010 at 12:12 am
Martha,
You lead a blessed life. I'm so glad that life has provided so many wonderful things for you. And in return, all of your fans (me included) are enriched everyday.
Your farm is beautiful. If you every need an extra eye for your interior design, sign me up.... I'm certified, degreed and love your aesthetic!
Becky @ Harmony and Home
Posted by: Rebecca Corvese | September 14th, 2010 at 2:11 am
Things looked like fun and what a sweet ending to your pictures!!! Congrats on the new season with Hallmark chanel!
htt://www.meandmartha.net
The season looks great to come!
Dan Viger
Hollis Center, Maine.
Posted by: Daniel Viger | September 14th, 2010 at 3:26 am
I always enjoy your behind the scenes photos!
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport, ME | September 14th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Martha, you work hard for your blessed life. I love the garden aspects.... Did you know that over time cornmeal will keep algea clear .... and that there are people who are experamenting with different shapes of bee hives - roundish - trying to strengthen the hive and prevent the dread dying.
Posted by: Susan | September 14th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Nice photos from behind the scenes, read on your twitter that your show will be online the following day, so excited. Thank you Martha!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | September 14th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Dear Martha: I LOVED your show! Now I cannot see it - my cable company does not provide the Hallmark Channel on my non-digital subscription; and I CANNOT afford the digital package. I wonder just how many of your fans will not be able to watch your wonderful show because they cannot afford the appropriate provider in their area (?); no job, then no Martha! You enrich our lives with all of your ideas and provide us with a positive outlook, so different from other programing on TV.
Posted by: Valerie | September 14th, 2010 at 10:36 am
Such a lovely time to be working in the garden and to be sharing this with us. I would be most interested to know what you have planted in your 'white' garden.
Posted by: sherey | September 14th, 2010 at 10:41 am
Hi Martha,
Picture #6 made me smile. You just had your make-up ‘adjusted’ and probably your hair too and then you start working while you wait for the cameras to start rolling. Like to heck with my hair and make-up, I need to trim these plants! Btw, nice shade garden.
~
If most are like me, we have no idea what goes on with filming a show. I don’t know how you do it but I’m glad you do. I’m watching as I type this and Lidia is great. I also really enjoyed the Donna Karan sweater segment. That is a fabulous sweater! Thanks Martha, I’m loving premier week! Trish
Posted by: Trish | September 14th, 2010 at 10:56 am
I love your farm, and your life style. since I follow your magazine, and your website I have a very good imagen from USA. I,m sorry because my english isn,t good. I am your best fan here in Spain, I,m sure. Are you going to come here anytime? please, we need magazines and shows like yours!
Best regards from Madrid (Spain)
Posted by: Carmenchu | September 14th, 2010 at 10:57 am
Martha,
Your farm is sweet paradise. I find all that you do with your gardens, your animals and those amazing beehives, so fascinating and so inspiring!
Trina
Posted by: Trina | September 14th, 2010 at 11:01 am
Martha, thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | September 14th, 2010 at 11:10 am
Again the farm is lovely. Joey Kola is so wonderful. Just saw him on Whatever! I am enjoying all the programming on Hallmark. Wishing the MSLO family a great TV season at your new home!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | September 14th, 2010 at 11:42 am
I never get enough of the behind the scenes of the farm, the office, or the studio.
I am begging you pretty please to change the video player that you use so that it can be made full screen, no more buffer or stutter issues, and that it can be rewound without being reset. I think you have the last player that you can't make full sreen. I will happily watch the online commercials but please do this.
Posted by: Sonya | September 14th, 2010 at 11:55 am
Hi Martha, What a cool place for you to work! Everything there looks so beautiful and so well cared for! I would really love to work there everyday! How lucky your gardeners are to have such a fantastic place to work! Your photos are once again beautiful! How neat to see Joey Kola there helping you and I'm sure your F&S were helpful,too! The donkeys look terrific! Would love to taste that delicious looking honey from that great beehive! Loved all of your new shows on Hallmark Channel yesterday! Fabulous! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | September 14th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
As always, your posts about your farm are my favorite. I especially love to see your animals in their habitats as well as the girls in playful poses. I learn a lot too since you provide handy hints and I appreciate this.
Thanks!
Posted by: Tracy McDonald | September 14th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
working on your farm looks wonderful! You must love that job!
Posted by: Wendy | September 14th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Martha. I am thrilled to be able to see you on my Hallmark channel everyday. I really love all your programs. I try to watch everyday. i learn so much from you. I am wondering if your will be including a crafting program on one of your time slots. I do beaded jewelry and cardmaking. Mostly pergamano and i also use many of Ecstacy Crafts kits and products. Please try to include these ideas in your future programming. Thanks. one of your biggest fans!!!
Ruthanne Yeakey
Posted by: Ruthanne Yeakey | September 14th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Thanks for letting us be part of the peanut gallery as you shoot the show stories. Joey is a hoot with his attire. I do admire he is wearing a hat. Good job, Joey.
My problems with cuffs and exposed socks, white in your case, is dirt, stickers, worms and everything else find its way it into the crevices. I always have to shake the day's collection out before going inside.
Posted by: Margie | September 14th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
Excuse me, but I started drooling seeing that honey. Love the new show, love watching the old shows again. I know you have had segments on raising chickens, but would love to see an extensive program on the care and feeding of your wonderful fowl. Those eggs look so wonderful in the basket. My curiosity was aroused when Lucinda and her son spoke of separating the onions and coffee grounds from the scraps you feed the hens. Although I live in the city with no hope of ever being able to raise chickens, I have this insane curiosity about the entire process. Also, glad to see the celebs gone from the show. Chefs are fine, but leave the "stars" to "O" or someone else. They never have much content, anyway!
Posted by: janice Belcher | September 14th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Hi Martha!
I always enjoy your blog especially behind the scenes and your FARM...thank you!
Posted by: Katty | September 15th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Hi Martha:
Love pictures of your farm. They are great.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | September 15th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
Hello Martha,
Thank you for sharing this trip! I adore Sweden, Swedish culture, and certainly the wonderful Swedish architecture and design!
I've noticed many of those tile stoves in books I've read about Swedish interiors. Unfortunatly they never seem to give much info about them or their design. This may require some googling!
Again, thanks for sharing!
Shelly
Posted by: Shelly | September 15th, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Hi Martha, This is my first time on your blog. I have been a fan of yours since 1994 and have watched your shows since then. You are such an inspiration to me. I was very disappointed when I found out that you were going to the Hallmark station. We do not get cable TV, or have a sattelite dish. I wish you would put your shows also on one of the main TV stations. Even if it is all reruns of the Martha Stewart Show. Please give this a thought. Best of Luch with your new program. I am still trying to get to New York sometime to see your show in person. That would be a dream come true.
Posted by: Nancy Powell | September 16th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Hello Martha,
I have always loved your TV show and watched it daily in North Haven, Ct.. Unfortunately, even though I subscribe to Comcast extended basic I no longer receive the Hallmark channel and wonder how many other of your fans are in the same situation. I will miss your program immensely and will continue to subscribe to Living but find it to be more of a supplement to the program.
Posted by: Carol | September 17th, 2010 at 11:47 am
I love being able to watch your shows (even the old ones)on the Hallmark Channel. I love seeing your gardens, flowers and home. It is my most relaxing time of the day.
I am a farm wife and live on the farm in IL. I have gardens, flower beds, etc. We ran a Registered Angus cattle farm for 30 years. I have raised chickens and other animals in the past and even once an orphan baby deer.
My friends call me a "Wanna Be Martha Stewart". I think that most of my learning experiences have been out of necessity but I do enjoy working with plants, cooking, sewing, artwork, etc.
I feel a kindred spirit when you share your knowledge of the homekeeping arts. And I use many of your recipes here at home.
Thank You.
Posted by: Connie M Mowen | September 17th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
Have really enjoyed watching you again Martha...hope all is well and prosperous in your world. Doreen (a long time fan)
Posted by: Doreen | September 17th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Thank you so much for the lovely pictures of your farm. The animals are so calming to follow after a hard day at work.It tickles me to read about their field trips!I am so thrilled you are on Hallmark-gives this channel a much needed shot of glamour-can't wait for the next show!
Posted by: Stacy Warren | September 20th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Martha, I love your farm and my husband and I long to have a farm someday. We have honey bees and are looking to expand that business and my dream is to have a christmas tree farm. Ahhh dreams, I wonder if it will ever come true? I keep your website up on my computer at work all day so I can peek at it when on my break. Thanks for your inspiration. Kathy from the beautiful state of Michigan.
Posted by: Kathy Coblentz | September 28th, 2010 at 9:57 am
How genereous of you Martha to share so much with us. We enjoy each and every picture of your homes and your life that you share with us. I think that is why you have so many loyal fans that always root for you and wish you well. Citinued success and health so you will be able to do all the things you do for a very, very long time to come. Can you please tell us the secret to you always looking so beautiful and having so much energy, and doing it all with so little sleep.
Posted by: anna | September 29th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I see lots of people are missing you! Me too!
Posted by: Lyn | October 4th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
I enjoyed seeing the behind the scene photos.Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Cynthia | October 23rd, 2010 at 9:57 pm
I hope if Anthony decides to get a French Bulldog, that he considers rescuing one. My family has a rescue Frenchie from French Bulldog Rescue Network. She's pretty great!
Posted by: Baby Favor | October 29th, 2010 at 12:47 am