A Freak Snowstorm and What Happened to my Farm
It was big news late last week that a powerful storm was approaching the northeast and that was no exaggeration. Now, unfortunately, this storm’s aftermath is big news, with widespread damage to trees and bushes and many thousands of people without electricity in frigid temperatures. This freak storm hit when most trees still had their leaf canopies. The snow was very wet and extremely heavy, causing trees to bend and split and branches to snap and break, taking electric lines down with them.
Here at the farm, chores are performed according to an established schedule, which is followed year after year. No one anticipated being dumped on by a foot of snow in October. Many of my tropical plants were still outdoors, as a new hoop house for their winter storage is nearing completion. My crew had taken precaution for heavy frost, not snow, by draping those plants with plastic sheeting. The boxwood hedging was scheduled to receive its burlap wrapping during the weeks before Thanksgiving, which would tuck the shrubs away nicely for the harsh winter. This storm really opened my eyes to the fact that we just cannot rely on what we’re used to as the “norm” for weather anymore. I want to thank my grounds crew for all of their hard work leading up to this storm and especially those who were able to help over the weekend during their days off. Unfortunately, there is now so much more work to do!
1 This photo was taken at 6:30 am on Sunday. The snow was heavy, wet, and weighing down all the trees and shrubs.
2 It was a beautiful sunrise, however, with so much heavy, wet snow on all the branches, there was snapping and breakage everywhere.
3 There are only some bird feeders hanging. The rest need to be filled and hung today, as the birds must be so hungry after the sudden snow.
4 Camperdown elms are hard and strong and, fortunately, no branches snapped.
5 I showed you this same scene just a few days ago with the blazing stewartia tree, when it was still autumn.
6 It looks so peaceful - It was anything but!
7 This nyssa tree in the forground did not break, but all the wisteria topiaries did, as well as many of the young apple trees along the espalier.
8 The back door steps were quite frozen.
9 The massive ornamental boxwood shrubs were splayed almost flat!
10 As you can see, the big boxwoods and the yellow privet were badly flattened.
11 This part of the garden was the worst. The yellow rain trees split in half and the yellow magnolia grove broke into many pieces.
12 Snap, snap, snap
13 One of the golden rain trees torn asunder
14 Another golden rain tree torn to shreds
15 Many of the yellow magnolias lost tops and limbs.
16 More of the yellow magnolias lying on the ground
17 Another golden rain tree and a topless magnolia
18 Big snapped branches of magnolias
19 This is an old apple tree very heavily laden with snow.
20 A lone apple - One reason for the extensive damage is that the trees have not yet lost their leaves, nor was all the fruit harvested.
21 It looks absolutely beautiful but was very, very devastating.
22 The hornbeam hedge survived, but many of the weeping trees and fastigiate trees lost limbs.
23 The tropical plants had not yet made it into the new hoop house, which was still under construction. This plastic cover did not help very much with the heavy snow and many of the plants broke.
24 The ornamental pieces in the garden are still uncovered. It's only the end of October, for heaven's sake!
25 A winter wonderland of horrible breakage - The limbs of the trees just cannot bear the weight.
26 I hope these weeping hornbeams are okay, as I have not been able to get in to see them up close.
27 We lost several big gum trees and some hollies.
28 Two Chinese elms, my favorite trees, were irreparably split down their middles.
29 There's just no way to fix this mess.
30 Another Chinese elm cracked and snapped and damaged beyond all hope.
31 More breaks
32 Another magnolia
33 And another
34 A cypress with a snapped off top
35 More snapped off tops
36 The roads were snowy and fairly impassable.
37 It's as though these branches were covered with molten lead.
38 The sun seemed to rise very slowly. The cloudiness on the photo is from snow on my lens.
39 This doesn't look much like October 30th.
40 Deep snow by the back terrace
41 I was terrified that the tall spruce would fall. Fortunately, they did not.
42 None of the trees were happy.
43 The walkways were treacherous.
44 A beautiful stately maple encrusted in the heaviest snow
45 The chicken coop wire ceiling covers completely collapsed under the weight of the snow.
46 It was as if some giant walked on the wire.
47 The snow was so heavy and the flakes so big, they remained on top of the wire, instead of falling through. The wire is there to keep varmints out of the coops.
48 The chickens were not happy with so much snow so early and we lost one hen.
49 The chicken wire fencing was just not strong enough against the weight of the snow.
50 Any hungry creature could get into the yards and wreak havoc. Luckily, we have the two Pomeranian geese to ward off danger.
51 This is the stand of redwoods near the chicken coops with many broken branches.
52 The big older trees lost limbs, too.
53 The maple woodland, where the Japanese maples are planted, suffered a lot of fallen branches.
54 The snow on the tree trunks was blown there by a very strong wind.
55 The crab apples were fine, but not the paulownias.
56 These are my prized azaleas all plastered to the ground.
57 More azaleas
58 We still don't know if these ornamental shrubs have snapped. There's just too much snow to tell.
59 The ginkgo bilobas lost lots of limbs, as they were still fully leafed out.
60 More azaleas buried in the snow
61 More terrible damage
62 The herbaceous peony garden - The peonies will be okay, as they die back to the root each autumn, but the boxwood hedge surrounding it?
63 Another look at the summer house garden all bent and snapped - It will never be the same.
64 Tall tree tops missing - fastigiate branches bent and snapped - not a pretty photo.
65 We lost many limbs on the wonderful sycamores.
66 The pinetum has very young, smallish trees and I don't think any were damaged.
67 Big branches snapped off in the giant trees upper canopies.
68 Here we are silhouetted in the snow - I'm on Rinze and Betsy's on Ramon.
69 The hay fields were pristine, but the trees around the perimeter were badly damaged.
70 This maple tree lost three or four major limbs - It will have to be removed. The horses didn't like the snow falling off the trees one bit.
71 More broken maple limbs at the contemporary house
72 This apple tree is laden with wonderful apples on branches still full of leaves. No wonder the trees broke!
73 More apples and leaves beneath a blanket of heavy snow
74 The roadside trees are also badly damaged, despite a recent careful pruning.
75 Even the wonderful beech trees were damaged.
76 Big broken branches in the old sycamore trees
77 It's so odd to see these poor tropicals shivering in the snow.
78 These fucrea need to be in a warm sunny place, not in the snow.
79 All the tropical plants were hastily moved into the equipment shed, where they will reside until the new hoop house is finished.
80 You can see the guys busy moving the tropicals, using the John Deere and its loader.
81 The white wisteria topiaries all snapped.
82 This is a very sad garden.
83 This is the vegetable garden fence encrusted in show.
84 It looks pretty amazing like this.
85 The long pergola was OK, but the pear trees and the cypress trees were really badly broken.
86 Two more wisteria snapped off
87 This is another giant boxwood bent under the snow.
88 Riding across the middle hay field
89 This is the boxwood allee to the stable. We did not dare to knock off the snow until it warmed up, so as to not break the branches.
90 The fencing was almost solid with snow.
91 The beautiful boxwood was really splayed out by all the snow.
92 I was happy not to have lost any of these tall pines.
93 Three of the five horses were out in the field blanketed against the cold.
94 The horses were wondering where all of their delicious green grass was.
95 My house across the paddock
96 Again - pretty, but so damaging
97 A view towards the cutting garden
98 Fortunately, the lilac allee was not too badly hurt.
99 At the Maple Avenue house, a big white river birch broken
100 Later in the day even more snow had accumulated.
AFTER THE STORM
I keep hearing reports about how badly trees and property were damaged as a result of this recent storm. In New York City’s lovely Central Park, they are counting more than 1,000 trees ruined. My friend, Gregory Long, CEO of The New York Botanical Garden sent out the following letter concerning the devastation to the landscape of that National Historic Landmark.
| Dear Friends:
The unexpected snowstorm on Saturday hit NYBG hard. The combined force of snow and high winds struck trees in full leaf across the Garden's landscape, tearing limbs from large trees and crushing smaller specimens. Our initial assessment shows that thousands of trees have sustained some degree of damage. A complete appraisal will take weeks, as much of the damage is high in the canopies of trees 100 feet tall or more. Approximately 15% of the 15,000 trees in the Garden’s Thain Family Forest have been affected, and many trees in the historic magnolia collection have been seriously damaged, even destroyed. The Blue Atlas Cedars in the Benenson Ornamental Conifers also felt the storm's impact, and in the new Azalea Garden, huge branches fell on new plantings and an ancient tree was lost. The entire 250 acres of the Garden is littered with branches and tree limbs. Our dedicated Horticulture staff has been working around the clock and will continue their efforts into the foreseeable future. The restoration can only be accomplished with the support of the private sector—we do not anticipate that any government agencies will be able to help. Despite these formidable challenges, we are committed to our 120-year tradition of stewarding a uniquely beautiful and treasured landscape and serving as an important center for learning about and preserving the natural environment. Together we can continue to restore our native Forest and protect the extensive living collections across this landmark site. Please give whatever you can. Any amount you are able to contribute will make a difference. Sincerely, Gregory Long |
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Oh Martha!! I am so sorry for your tree and plant damage, and all the other people who were hit by this snow.
But, hopefully, when it melts, the damage won't be as bad as it looks when you can't see all of it. I know one of the trees you said would have to come down looks like it could be saved, but that is only from looking at a small picture. I'm not there, so I can't really tell.
I hope you get it all straightened out and get the Tropicals inside before it is too late.
I lost most of my plants last winter because the heat lamp I had in the make-shift "greenhouse" shorted out through the night and most of them froze. Most of them were from my son and mother's funerals. It broke my heart to lose them. If I'd known to cut them back before the damage got to the roots, I may have been able to save them, but I didn't think about it till it was too late.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | November 1st, 2011 at 12:34 am
Martha...this is truly devastating and unbelievable. So sad for you and your magnificent property. Who knew?!
Posted by: sherey | November 1st, 2011 at 12:50 am
Thank you for sharing the photos; so sad to see the damage and must be much worse in person. Hurts my heart to see all the trees and shrubs broken. Wishing you and your staff well and good luck with all the clean up and repairs.
Posted by: Leslie | November 1st, 2011 at 1:15 am
Thank you for this post, Martha.
I live on Vancouver Island. Although a sub-tropical climate prevails here we do get some of the heavy wet snow falls you experienced in eastern Canada and NE U.S. Your farm workers carried out work that only they could feel and that they cannot properly relate. Too often I have found myself doing a smaller version of what they went through. Kudos to them for the level of success they achieved.
Posted by: Glen Osborne | November 1st, 2011 at 1:28 am
Martha;
I have enjoyed your blog, and seeing your farm through the seasons. I am,as I am sure you are, devastated to see the results of the Nor'easter that tore up the east coast on Saturday! I am afraid mother nature is continuing her tear as we have witnessed the past few years. Here in Maryland, near the Chesapeake, we were luckier. I live near Annapolis on a peninsula jutting out into the bay. We were protected from the snow because of how the storm moved over us. I fear as this "La Nina" winter progresses we may not be as lucky in the coming months. I guess we can use this as an opportunity to learn. You have taught me so much over the years! I look forward to watching the recovery of your farm, and learning from its progress!
Best Of Luck!
Your student,
Blake R. Baines
Posted by: Blake R.Baines | November 1st, 2011 at 2:52 am
WOW!!! It was really shocking to hear that in the news but to see these photos are surprisingly shocking especially at this time of the year. My prayers and thoughts are with you all. Blessings
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | November 1st, 2011 at 3:09 am
Martha
I truly am sorry for the loss and unexpected reconfiguration of your trees and gardens. You are right in that they will never be the same.
You still have a beautiful home and I'm so happy that you take such pride in your dwellings.
I have followed you for years and I really enjoy the blog and it's focus on reality.
Keep your chin up and get started on the cleaning of your farm.
Keep us "posted"
Darrell White
Brantford, ON
Canada
Posted by: darrell white | November 1st, 2011 at 4:46 am
oh dear...i'm sure that you, if anyone, will be able turn this disaster into something new, positive and something we all can earn from.
Posted by: liisamarja | November 1st, 2011 at 5:36 am
I can tell you are distressed with all the damage the snow has caused. There will sure be extra extra extra work and cost....BUT... there will also be the freedom to do some new things with damaged plant material, new designs, and great satisfaction is how much survives once the snow is melted....I do pray the snow will melt before any more "winter" arrives. Compost is going to be GREAT this year....
Posted by: Susan | November 1st, 2011 at 5:41 am
Such a contrast from yesterday's blog with Spring bulb planning garden tour, very sad but at least no one was injured.
Posted by: Tracey | November 1st, 2011 at 5:52 am
I know your farm suffered...but, the pictures are beautiful!
Posted by: Monica | November 1st, 2011 at 6:21 am
MOther Nature showing her muscle has wrecked havoc indescriminately. Many of the same trees and shrubs in my yard were tortured and broken just as yours!
Posted by: Jayne | November 1st, 2011 at 6:32 am
So very sorry to hear of that the Hoop House was not yet ready for the tropicals before mayhem paid a visit. Know it is major discouraging for you and your gardeners to see the snapped limbs and damaged hedges you all work so hard on all year long. Poor little dead hen. So glad the other farm animals are fine. And most especially gave a sigh of relief to know your gorgeous Peony garden will thrive come Spring. Make sure everyone stays safe during clean up for Boxwoods and trees are replaceable but people are not.
Posted by: Cairn | November 1st, 2011 at 6:41 am
Martha,
It is mind boggling how such damage and devastation can look so beautiful in a picture. I am very sorry for your loss. You recently had a post on your blog about the man who was making lumber out of your fallen trees from the twister that went through your property and now this. I hope that the destruction is not as bad as it appears, but if it is, you have very skillful workers who will work diligently to get things cleaned up.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Tracy | November 1st, 2011 at 7:39 am
Martha, so sorry for the tree damage! We had a similar storm here in the Buffalo area in mid-October 2006, with nearly 2 feet of snow and protracted power outages, and a state of emergency proclaimed. Leaf-covered tree limbs were everywhere; many roads impassable. Our massive white pines lost many huge boughs. The maples were bowed to the ground. A huge, fallen locust bough sliced off about 2/3 of a 6 foot star magnolia I had planted the year before. I expected it to die, but left it just in case. Now, 5 years later, it is perfectly symmetrical, is very full, huge, and lush! The ripped wound at the base of the trunk is almost completely healed over. The damage to the trees around town was painfully obvious for a couple years, but it is amazing how trees can recover and look beautiful again. I hope you and your staff will be able to salvage and nurse along the bulk of these damaged trees, so they will once again be the beautiful specimens that they once were.
Posted by: Terri | November 1st, 2011 at 8:00 am
I feel so sorry to see the devastation in your beautiful landscape,it is heart rendering to see how so many lovely trees and bushes were affected. Being an avid gardener and lover of trees, I can very well imagine how it must hurt to see this damage to the beautiful shrubs and trees and plantings. But I'm sure in time things will come back and your estate will look beautiful again.
Posted by: Frederique Jennette | November 1st, 2011 at 8:04 am
Martha
So sorry to hear of all the damage on your property. I live in Maine; we were expecting 10", but got barely 1". Other parts of the state got 18" and are still without power. I hope some work can be done to make your property look gorgeous again.
Posted by: Mary | November 1st, 2011 at 8:13 am
Thanks for sharing the photos of the farm in the aftermath of the freak October snow storm. I know you are not happy with all the damage to the trees and shrubs, I wouldn't be. Please keep us updated on the status of your farm ,we do appreciate it.
Posted by: Cindy F | November 1st, 2011 at 8:16 am
So sorry, Martha. But if anything, you and your staff can serve as a valuable teaching reference on what to do when this happens. You and your staff are the best of the best.
Posted by: Julie | November 1st, 2011 at 8:29 am
The extensive damage to the vegetation around your farm is heartbreaking, and your dismay over it is palpable. I'm so sorry. All the best.
Posted by: Sue Fawcett | November 1st, 2011 at 8:45 am
Oh, Martha, I'm so sorry to see the damage to your beautiful property. I know how hard that must be for you. I look forward to seeing (months from now) the beautiful "after" pictures that I know will come.
Posted by: Vicki Powell | November 1st, 2011 at 8:53 am
First of all, this is not a "freakish" snowstorm....all you global warming deniers! Just think of the weather disasters that have been taking place across the globe, too many to count.
Secondly, it breaks my heart to see such beauty ravaged. In my small garden I've seen similar damage on a smaller scale and it is amazing to see how resilient nature is. Unfortunately it takes a long time to grow a garden and time is short. I understand your heartbreak.
Posted by: Karen Kamer | November 1st, 2011 at 9:21 am
Hi Martha, Who would have guessed that Mother Nature would deliver such a horrible snowstorm in October along the Eastcoast areas. These photos show what it could have been like if it was wintertime and the trees would have lost their leaves and most branches would have survived-but no, this storm was terrible. What a devastating year this has been at your beautiful farm with the twister, rainstorms, hurricane Irene and now this terrible, early snowstorm. We have had a cool, rather wet summer and now it's a cold, rather wet fall-who knows what will happen next. You do have a fantastic garden crew with Shaun and his great crew and I know they will do the best they can to improve your beautiful farm! Sure hope you have a great day and hope the weather improves! Sorry to also hear that handsome Ghenghis Khan didn't get to go to the Dog Show because of the snow. I know he will be happy to be back home with his wonderful family! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 1st, 2011 at 9:33 am
Martha, look at the devastation on your property! I can't believe my eyes! Things will get back to normal. I was expecting to see beautiful winter wonderland. Thanks for sharing this blog with us.
Posted by: KLBrown | November 1st, 2011 at 9:53 am
Dear Martha, my heart breaks when I look at your photos of the farm. What devastation. This storm will most certainly go down in the weather annals as the worst October storm ever. Thinking of you and your grounds crew as you try to recover. I'm in Eastern MA and fortunately our snow was minimal and only took down a small amount of trees and limbs. We were very fortunate unlike so many other areas. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Cindy | November 1st, 2011 at 10:25 am
Martha, so sorry to see so much damage on your beautiful property. We are no match when it comes to Mother Nature. I live on Vancouver Island, Canada and a few years back we had a devastating winter storm, much like you experienced, and hundreds of trees and the famous sea wall were damaged in Stanley Park in Vancouver. Nothing will be quite the same after this, as some trees just can't be replaced, but there is hope and a new beauty will emerge. Glad you are OK.
Posted by: Margaret | November 1st, 2011 at 10:36 am
Martha, the devastation is sad, but Mother Nature seems to like to take us all by surprise now and then. Given the ultimate genius you are with everything you touch, I am very confident that your trees and shrubs that were damaged will look better than ever, soon. You are a wonderful inspiration to me. Keep up the excellent work you do!
Posted by: Sandy Pourcho | November 1st, 2011 at 11:11 am
Martha,
How very sad and devastating the damage on your farm appears. Knowing you from afar, I know that you are the type of person who can face this head on and will overcome this. Sending our love to you and all who have worked so hard on your farm.
Posted by: Marleta Crim | November 1st, 2011 at 11:25 am
Martha, I'm sorry to hear of all the damage to your farm. All the work and care involved by your crew, and now a major cleanup of the devastation. You're right about there not being any 'norm' to the weather, anymore. It's absolutely crazy! Maybe it's Nature's way of a renewal, by getting rid of the old to make way for the new. I know it's not a consolation...people not having power, the danger of power lines down and the damage to the trees all over. It will be well again... Give all of your grounds crew a huge hug, and all the best to you and everyone. In spite of everything...glad that you are ok.
Posted by: Judy | November 1st, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Hi, Martha,
We can tell you are crushed by the extensive damage to your beautiful farm, yet circumspect about not being able to depend on weather norms any more. It is heart warming to read the other posters sending their love and support to you and your team. I feel very badly for all those so adversely affected by this most recent storm and those still trying to make it through the aftermath of drought and flooding. It's been a very tough time for so many for so long now. I can only imagine how hard it is to keep spirits up. We're deeply fortunate here in the Pacific Northwest and we know it! Take care.
Posted by: Bobbie | November 1st, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Hi Martha,
It is usually nice to wake up to glistening snow after a first snow fall but there was nothing nice about this storm no matter how pretty the snow looked in your pictures. I was sad to see the damage on your property including the azaleas and the boxwood that was flattened, but like you said, no one expected this to happen in October so you weren’t fully prepared. I’m from Michigan and I don’t recall ever seeing anything so devastating in the month of October. There were some chilly nights before Halloween but it never got cold enough for snow. Everyone has been working so hard on your farm and now they have even more to do. It has to be frustrating for everyone. Dealing with trees and foliage is not an easy task even when you have great equipment for digging like you do. I tried to dig up a Plumbago plant with a shovel but the roots went on forever so I had to get out my drill and use my auger attachment. I’m sure I put on a great show for the neighbors with tugging and pulling and almost falling every time a root finally cut loose! I hope your tropical plants will be okay. Some of them are pretty resilient and may even look like goners for awhile but don’t give up on them. They’re full of surprises.
~
Great show today with Chef Thomas Keller and handsome Hugh Jackman – he certainly is talented. And you looked happy to have your pictures chosen for Harper’s Bazaar: Greatest Hits. I was given a copy of those pictures cut from the magazine and I remember thinking when I saw them that you looked great and certainly not 65 in them. I liked the ending of the article and smiled at what you said when the writer asked “Did you ever imagine the life you have now” and you said you didn’t know how to answer that question, that you just have a knack for what’s needed, for what’s useful. That’s it. It’s just a knack,” you said.
~
Have a great day! Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 1st, 2011 at 12:52 pm
Oh Martha, this is so terrible. I love all of your trees and bushes and this is truly devastating. I guess the silver lining is that no trees damaged your beautiful home or the stable. I just wonder if this is just the beginning of a year of record snowfalls etc. They have predicted that we out west may be in for a very hard year too.
Posted by: Frabces | November 1st, 2011 at 1:14 pm
It is just heartbreaking to see the damage on your farm. It reminds me of the terrible ice storm damage we had in S.E. Missouri a couple of years ago. Our town looks so different now without some of our oldest trees. My brother's acreage lost trees that I planted when I was a child and it was like losing old friends. You probably feel the same way.
Posted by: Lana Wills | November 1st, 2011 at 2:31 pm
That is so unfortunate that you lost so many plants and trees, Martha. I remember snow/ice storms of the past up here in Ontario and lying in bed at night listening to branches snapping under the weight. It's heartbreaking. I hope your recovery efforts go well. All the best.
Posted by: Isobel | November 1st, 2011 at 3:47 pm
We had a severe ice storm a few years ago that devastated the trees. It was absolutely a gorgeous site, too. This snow is even worse with everything still leafed out. It's such a shame to lose mature trees and shrubs.
Posted by: Terri | November 1st, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Oh my gosh that is unbelievable. Those pictures are amazing, it looks like a picture taken during the heart of winter and unfortunately it's only November.
Posted by: Cas | November 1st, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Martha,
I am sorry for the damage and losses to your farm. I am just as sorry for everyone who has suffered through the year as related to the weather. I cry as much or more for the drought victims, the tornado victims, the flood victims, the wild fire victims.
We have and will continue to be tested in the ways we can not expect. We will rise to the occasions because there is no other way.
Posted by: Margie | November 1st, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Martha,
I thought about you and your beautiful farm all weekend and hoping you would be spared. The pictures are amazing and truly show the devastation. Best wishes to you and your farm crew on this recovery. Sorry to read you lost a hen.
Posted by: joan | November 1st, 2011 at 7:49 pm
What a contrast: beauty and devastation colliding! The peaceful photos of the aftermath are utterly gorgeous, and they do make an exceptional album, despite the depiction of a rather disheartening reality. We are always at Her mercy, this elusive Mother Nature. Nothing we can do but rebuild with optimism.
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | November 1st, 2011 at 9:07 pm
i just saw a report on nbc about the early winter storm reccomending that power lines should be buried. i think you gave that very good advice to bill gates yrs. ago. smart girl you are!
Posted by: pamela borge | November 1st, 2011 at 11:52 pm
Paraphrase words about husbands and sisters
"Storms come and go, but a garden is forever."
Posted by: ann | November 2nd, 2011 at 6:38 am
Martha I am so sorry for your loss of your property. I know you will rebuild and have everything looking like new soon as you can . I pray for you and your crew. For you to have patience and kindness for your crew and your self in this time of rebuilding . Good luck to You. Sincerely Jessie
Posted by: Jessie Hooks | November 2nd, 2011 at 9:49 pm
Martha:
It is heartbreaking when tradgedy hits home. When You love being in your own home and the life and living things around you are affected well, it's a deep and sorrowful experience. Hopefully the new life in the Spring will heal your heart of the loss. I have gone through a hurricane and it hurts you deeply. Mother Nature is always giving us lessons, never to take it for granted. I hope the holiday decorating will help tide you through this time.
Posted by: Gigi Page | November 3rd, 2011 at 1:01 pm
I'm so sad
I recently changed over to at&t
for cable/internet. They are great except i no longer recieve the Hallmark channel & am missing
The Martha Stewart show, Martha Bakes, Mad Hungry, & Emeril's Table. I'm heartbroken 7 in
withdrawl from my favorite cooking shows. Any
way to get Hallmark back on At&T? HELP!!!!
Posted by: Cindy | November 3rd, 2011 at 1:59 pm
You mentioned two pomeranian geese. What happened to the third?
Posted by: brent | November 4th, 2011 at 12:24 am
Sorry about your farm being damaged - such a lovely place, I always enjoy seeing pictures of it. Very glad you have a dedicated farm crew to help you. Just wanted to comment how much I've enjoyed learning from you over the years - have always been an avid fan. Please don't let anything that Alexis put in her book upset you greatly - it irritates your fans and makes us think less of her. Just enjoy Jude and be her grandmother. Don't let anything change that. My grandsons are now 14 and 16, very busy so I see them less but they remember me building houses in the floor with blocks plus playing checkers or cards endlessly with them at our cabin - make simple memories with Jude for her and yourself. While none of us are perfect, you have worked very hard in your lifetime - taught many things to simple people like me who would never have accomplished lovely things. I am the hostess at our church and decorate it year after year - get lots of the ideas from your show, books or the magazine. I've lived in the same house 41 years so it is FULL for sure but I can't throw away not one magazine that I've learned from. The Martha Bakes show on Mondays is great - I'm finding the recipes easy to understand and I enjoy seeing your kitchen with you working away. Thank you, Ms. Stewart, enjoy the fruits of your labor every day. The trees will get better with your personal attention. You have made a difference in many lives, continue to do so please.
Posted by: Wendy Meers | November 5th, 2011 at 9:08 am
Wow, Martha! The snow is incredible and incredibly early this year. I grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY and in all the years I lived there, we never had snow until November, long after Halloween. My friends in Poughkeepsie say they got a bunch as well. I love seeing the farm photos so thank you for sharing even in the messy times and I am so sorry for the damage...Take care.
Posted by: Juanita Schulze | November 5th, 2011 at 9:49 am
I've been waiting on pictures from your gardens. I was telling the girls at work, "I bet Martha wasn't prepared, it's to early for a snow storm". It's heartbreaking to see those beautiful gardens crushed by the snow. But you are "Martha" and those gardens will be beautiful once again. Hang in there Martha....
Posted by: Sherry B. | November 5th, 2011 at 11:36 am
Thanks so much for sharing these photos,I'm sorry the farm suffered damage. Sounds like you have a devoted farm crew thankfully. Who could have expected a snowstorm before halloween, thats crazy!Wishing you the best, I enjoy your blog so much.
Posted by: pond fountains | November 7th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
I also live along the Eastern area- on the water. I often wonder what is going on with the weather lately- AND what's in the future!
Such crazy weather can cause unexpected damage.
Posted by: carrie | November 11th, 2011 at 9:53 pm
Martha,
I don't know if you will see this post because it is late in reply but I can relate to your damage from this "snowtober" storm we had here in the NE.
Here in CT, I lost one main branch of my tree wisterias, branches on my dogwoods, and my star magnolia tree lost it's middle. It was beautiful snow but devastating to say the least. My yard is not the same. Mother Nature dumping snow on leaf-ladden trees does not mix. So sad.
Your photos of your farm in the snow are beautiful but I feel your pain. I hope most of your trees can be saved and that you can replace some of the damaged ones. I am so sorry for the ones you watch grow to be gone in one day.
My Mom's yard has huge oak trees and she lost seven dogwood trees. It's been a huge undertaking to help her in the clean-up and to wait for the tree experts to come in and climb to saw off the offending hanging limbs. The whole yard has changed. Like you, she's an avid gardener and to see 45 yrs of work go in one day is awful. Though we will get through this like people do after disasters, I am blessed no one got hurt.
It was the first time we didn't have Halloween in our neighborhood.
I hope you take more photos to update us on how things are.
Also, congrats on your new Entertaining book. I can't wait to buy my copy!
Take care,
Paula M.
Posted by: Paula M. | November 13th, 2011 at 8:56 pm
I would like to know if its possible to learn more about winter gardens in milder climates like mine in California i.e. caring for rose bushes, outdoor container plants, herbs, what can we plant in our veggie gardens and maintenance. We don't get snow here but sometimes our temps dip into the low 30s for a few weeks during the winter. Thank you.
Posted by: Esther | December 7th, 2011 at 10:19 pm