A Guest Blog From Skylands!
I know that you are waiting for another installment of more adventures from Israel, but I need a bit more time to organize all of the hundreds of photos that were taken. So, in the meantime, I thought I would post another guest blog. Kate Berry, our AVP Style Director of Weddings, took these photos of Skylands, my home in Maine. Many of these images may look familiar, but I always think it’s interesting to see things through someone else’s lens. Thanks for sharing, Kate!
Some may say that prepping vegetables, picking berries, and making flower arrangements sounds like work. But for me, they’re such relaxing and therapeutic activities. Being from California, I had access to nature much more easily than I do living in New York City. So when I have a chance to go to Skylands, Martha’s home in Maine, I am instantly relaxed. This can be attributed to the 62-acres of wooded splendor and breathing clean, fresh air! What a luxury! Aside from being relaxed, I am totally inspired by everything we do and see, from the all the special antique shops where we find great treasures to the natural beauty we see on hikes. Our days are filled with all kinds of activities and there is so much to absorb. There really is never a dull moment! Here’s a peek.
1 The first thing I did when I arrived at Skylands was to see how the Alocasia plants I planted back in May looked. Then, they were in little 6”-8” pots, and they’re gigantic now!
2 These plants were also quite little when we put them in.
3 The next thing I did was head to the wonderful kitchen. Pierre showed me how to prep all the vegetables - the tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, artichokes, carrots, beans, chard, and onions all from Martha’s garden!
4 I love all things pickled, so Pierre did a quick cucumber pickle recipe for dinner that night. The tomatoes were styled beautifully on the platter and the Hollandaise was prepared for the artichokes.
5 Pierre’s presentation for everything is amazing. He used a spoon to clean out the choke - the fine fuzzy stuff inside the artichoke - to create a cup for the Hollandaise sauce. I used kitchen shears to cut off the spiky tips of the leaves.
6 We visited John W. Sheets, a great toy store on Main St. in Northeast Harbor with super quality toys, like this colorful wooden puzzle.
7 One of my favorite things were these beautifully crafted tops.
8 Martha was entertaining the neighborhood kids by operating the snow gondola lift.
9 My husband, Ian and Editorial Director of Home Decorating Editor, Kevin Sharkey hanging out on our afternoon walk at Hunter’s Beach Trail.
10 Gael Towey and I let out a sigh at the same time when we came up to this pretty alley of fir trees.
11 The alley of trees opened up to Hunters Cove.
12 Uncle Carlos helped G.K. across the beach rocks to flat terrain.
13 Editorial Director of Books - Ellen Morrissey, Gael’s husband - Stephen, Martha, Gael, and Kevin take in the calm waters. This shot made me think of old rock band photos. Hah!
14 While I used my iPhone to document what I saw, Ian sketched.
15 Ian’s quick sketches of Hunters Cove and the Skylands van on Main Street
16 Some rocks I found on the beach
17 Indian pipes seem almost otherworldly.
18 When we got back to the house, the sweet smell of Pierre’s peanut brittle was wafting in the air.
19 Martha’s Hydrangeas that grow down by the barn are almost as tall as I am!
20 Yes, that’s me standing on Martha Stewart’s furniture! Kevin was splitting the woody stems of the Hydrangea so they'd absorb more water and last longer.
21 The table was set on the pink gravel at the back of the house. I love the how the palette of the blankets match the surroundings. The wax paper tablecloth added to the relaxed setting.
22 The lovely view of Seal Harbor from upstairs at dusk
23 These rocks line the cliff that overlooks the woods at Skylands. This view is breathtaking.
24 Claire and Cheryl made Aperol Spritzes (my favorite cocktail this summer) before dinner. Yay!
25 We bumped into Gael and Stephens’ friends in town and Martha invited them up for cocktails.
26 And gave them a tour. Here, they are talking about the linens.
27 Martha was very pleased with her vegetable crop.
28 We enjoyed a delicious dinner of the vegetables from the garden and fresh Maine lobster! Yum!
29 The next morning we went for a nice hike at Long Pond.
30 No, those are not boots on Sharkey. She and Francesca got into some muddy waters.
31 Ahhh! Sharkey smiles while washing her legs.
32 The wild blackberries were really sweet.
33 There were all kinds of mushrooms along the hike.
34 Kevin took a stroll on the beach across from Long Pond.
35 Martha chilling on the rocks
36 We were so happy to have a delicious breakfast after the four-mile hike.
37 Ian and Ellen enjoyed being on the boat.
38 Gael and Stephen cozied up with Francesca at the stern of the boat.
39 We went by boat to the town of Blue Hill and visited Blue Hill Antiques and the vintage book store. On my last trip, I regretted not buying a book of inspirational still life’s. I saw that it was still there, so of course, I had to get it.
40 These old German books have great patterned covers.
41 Martha prepped our picnic on the picnic boat – sandwiches, crudités, and crispy chocolate cookies.
42 Some of us napped on the ride back.
43 We hit pockets of fog but navigated through safely.
44 I love Kevin’s mossy arrangements around the house.
45 The plants and the Sphinx take in the sun on the terrace.
46 Stephen is also a great sketcher.
47 We also went mushroom hunting and discovered Chanterelles.
48 Their bright orange-yellow color and funnel shape stem help to differentiate them from some poisonous ones.
49 Our mini harvest
50 These cute baby vines are growing between the rocks on the way up to the house from the woods.
51 I was disappointed that I didn’t get to go berry picking this summer, so I was excited to see that Martha’s blueberries were still producing!
52 We made a pie for dessert.
53 Pierre's cold borscht – so healthy and delicious!!
54 Best veggie lunch ever – linguini with tomato confit, fresh tomatoes basil, and herbs!
55 Martha took us out in her Edsel Ford station wagon to visit the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden.
56 Ian and I at one of my favorite spots on the property.
57 This Navajo rug that I saw that weekend, inspired me to pick up the paintbrush. It was stimulating to be around all the beauty and art in Maine. Thanks Martha!
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Once again, everything is so beautiful at Skylands, and no matter who is behind the camera, it is still the same beautiful, mystical place. I especially like pictures 17, 23, 33, and 43 for their mystical qualities.
Thanks, Martha, for letting us see yet another person's view of Skylands. Kate did really well.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | September 8th, 2011 at 12:46 am
Amazing photos and tour thank you Kate!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | September 8th, 2011 at 1:42 am
My favourite guest blog this year! Thanks Kate.
Posted by: Perfecting Pru | September 8th, 2011 at 3:59 am
..beautiful!!!...Martha, do you sneak up to Skylands much to enjoy it with just your family?
Posted by: Monica | September 8th, 2011 at 5:31 am
Several years ago I remember seeing a picture in a magazine of a mossy, lush, enchanting wooded pathway on one of Martha's properties. I was so moved by the photo at that time that I began to cry. It was such a lovely and serene place and I was deeply touched by it.
Today in photo 56 above I see that place again after all of these years. Kate, thank you for that picture! Clearly, I am not the only one who sees something extraordinary in that spot. Thanks for the memory.
Posted by: Sandra McCurry Chitty | September 8th, 2011 at 6:51 am
aperol spritzers at skylands?!?! i'm so jealous. what did you cook with the chanterelles?
Posted by: liisamarja | September 8th, 2011 at 6:55 am
Kate, I just love your look at Skylands and our beautiful land here in Seal Harbor. #10 happens to be one of my favorite spots.....take my little dog, Barney on that trail at least once aweek.....those firs are always the best part! You can almost smell them in your photo! Thanks
Posted by: JEANLIPKIN | September 8th, 2011 at 8:16 am
I hope you feature her commentary and "eye" again. That was awesome.
Posted by: Karen | September 8th, 2011 at 9:23 am
Hi Martha and thanks Kate. Your pictures were very enjoyable and so were the captions. It is true that we have seen Skylands from many angles but each new angle is equally exciting. Picture #43 was extraordinarily beautiful – almost like a painting. I never get tired of seeing any view of Skylands. I think it has special magnetic powers that just draw us to it even in photos. I always loved seeing any TV segments that Martha filmed at Skylands and especially liked the one when she and Dan Hinckley walked around the property naming all the plants and then they sat around the council without a fire. I have it on tape somewhere and I’m going to look for it. Thanks again Kate and you really made me drool over the food pictures especially #54. Red, white and green is my favorite view – I love pasta – but that dash of purple made it even more enticing! Trish
Posted by: Trish | September 8th, 2011 at 10:30 am
Hi Kate, Thank you so much for sharing your fantastic photos you took while at Martha's beautiful home at Skylands! You did a fabulous job photographing all around the area and it's easy to tell you and everyone else there had a terrific time! My favorites are every photo you shared and I love viewing them over and over again just like I do with Martha's photos! Your husband Ian sure is a fantastic artist-his sketching is superior! The Alocasias that you planted on Martha's terrace are outstanding! Great job everywhere! Thanks again for sharing! Hope you have a great day! Tell Martha Hi for me-thanks! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | September 8th, 2011 at 10:34 am
Thank you so much for sharing these photos, It is inspiring and delightful to see Skylands through other eyes... It is easy to see how enriching time spent with Martha is, we all need to remember to think more like Martha, constantly learning and doing!
Posted by: Jane Gamble | September 8th, 2011 at 10:56 am
Kate, These photographs are so breathtaking and spectacular! I agree with a previous poster that everything looks like a beautiful landscape painting, with the misty greens of Martha's property. Thank you, Martha and Kate, for showing a different glimpse of Skylands.
Posted by: Judy | September 8th, 2011 at 11:37 am
Love all the photos and the sketches are just great!
Posted by: sherey | September 8th, 2011 at 12:03 pm
Each time I dream of having my own backyard one day I definitely want it to look like pic #21. I'll keep dreaming because Martha reminds me that dreams can become reality and they do really come through. Thanks Kate for the great photos of Skylands. They are truly inspiring to say the least.
Posted by: Angela | September 8th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
Thank you, Martha and Kate,
So nicely done emersing us in wonderful shapes, textures, and color. Martha is such a warm and creative hostess - I feel like I've been renewed!
Posted by: Bobbie | September 8th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
The pictures of the blankets and individuals using them were nice touches. I am sitting by and open window with the cool fall weather demonstrating the need for a blanket to snuggle up in. Perfect. Of course all the pictures and details of the adventure were perfect. Thanks.
Kate, glad you were able to purchase the book.
Posted by: Margie | September 8th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Martha, I love your car!!!! Amazing! What fun to take that for a drive. The beach, the forest all so beautiful! Thanks for the pictures Kate1
Posted by: Frances | September 8th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Hi Martha.
So nice to see Kate's many great photos. I love your red "Skylands" Edsel !!! That looks like loads of fun for a cruise into town. However, my favorite photo is # 31, of your two Sharkeys.
Both are adorable! <3
Posted by: Barbara Gookin ~ Nantucket | September 8th, 2011 at 9:12 pm
Thank you for sharing your charming home with all it's breath-taking views! I imagine your guests (as well as yourself) linger to take it all in.
I would love to teach you to use your found items in a mosaic sometime. Blessings, Tricia
Posted by: Patricia Huffman | September 9th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Just love the photos of Skylands as always so beautiful!
Posted by: Marcia Long | September 9th, 2011 at 11:05 am
Kate. It appears that you and your husband really enjoyed your visit to Skylands.
Posted by: Jan | September 9th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
A beautiful photo-narrative.
Everything is delightful and charming but the pink granite stones and their subtle variation really wowed me.
Posted by: jw | September 10th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Martha Skylands looks like such a very relaxing place to be...
Posted by: Michael Conley | September 12th, 2011 at 12:07 am
completely idyllic. a wonderful place to submerge oneself in the true essence of good living.
Posted by: michael p | September 14th, 2011 at 5:37 pm
I would feel right at home at Skylands!
. Thank you for posting so many photos on your blog Martha.
The surrounding countryside remind me of my native Sweden. Mushroom picking is an autumn must here. I have posted some images of our chanterelle hunt in the local woods, if you are interested
Posted by: Herringbone | September 26th, 2011 at 6:54 am
looks like it would be a very peaceful place
Posted by: robyn | January 29th, 2012 at 12:25 am