An Early June Morning at the Farm
On Sunday morning, as is my habit, I was up with the birds, letting my dogs and cats outdoors. I find sunrises to be so exciting because you never know what sort of light show nature will provide. It seems that every morning is different, depending on the clouds and how much moisture is in the atmosphere for the sun’s rays to pass through. What I encountered on that particular morning was magnificent!
1 This is what I saw when I took the dogs outside at 5:30 on Sunday morning.
2 The sky to the east was many shades of peach and mauve.
3 Turning towards the south
4 The sky turned even more pink!
5 I then turned towards the west and found the terrace aglow.
6 There was an amazing contrast between the purple allium and the golden barberry.
7 These terrace gardens are a work in progress as the shrubbery grows and is pruned, time and again, becoming fuller with each passing year.
8 I love the form of this massive stone, which I use as a horse mounting block.
9 I then turned towards the south and found my Bedford gray house looking as pink as the horizon!
10 Turning back towards the east, the sun was making its presence, commencing another day.
11 A look down the drive
12 The hanging baskets on the front porch are beautiful and lush.
13 These baskets contain an assortment of ferns, such as staghorn and Christmas ferns.
14 The porch door is ajar, allowing the cats exit and entry.
15 Vivaldi is one of my four cats.
16 Off the porch is another terrace for sitting, which is surrounded with boxwood plantings.
17 Looking in the westward direction again, I spotted a faint arc of a rainbow!
18 Checking the sun's progress - dazzling!
19 Moments later, the sky toned down.
20 And the rainbow became bigger and brighter!
21 Another glimpse down the drive, which looks very neat and nicely edged
22 Turning south again
23 And back at the rainbow - It's so unusual to see a rainbow early in the morning and it hadn't even rained.
24 A pretty view across the paddock
25 A view of the recently planted linden allee
26 My gigantic fire cauldron
27 The warm rays of the sun
28 And a final look at the rainbow
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
Ah-maz-ing, simply ah-maz-ing. I, too, get up very early to teach Bible study. I'm one of the lucky people to see the last of the night and the first of the day. I'll think of you then, Martha, and your beautiful farm.
Posted by: Brenda Knowlton | June 12th, 2012 at 12:46 am
Wow!!! Beautiful pics!!! But how on Earth you get up that early!!!! I imagine you have a siesta because I can`t imagine how tired I would be in the middle of a day I got up at 5.30 AM!!!!
Posted by: Josè Luis | June 12th, 2012 at 1:00 am
Rosy fingered dawn ! The pink of dawn hugs, colors, suffuses all so beautifully. The sight is a great gift for the early riser. You captured it wonderfully on camera. Thank you for this wonderful post on your blog !
Posted by: Penny | June 12th, 2012 at 2:38 am
Absolutely breath taking pictures. What a beautiful morning you were blessed to witness and us to share in.
Posted by: Kathy | June 12th, 2012 at 3:31 am
Fantastically Beautiful, Martha!
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | June 12th, 2012 at 3:58 am
PS Thanks, Jan! Aren't brothers great?...Or some of them, especially the ones who can fix computers.
I saw where you also said your brother fixed yours.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | June 12th, 2012 at 4:02 am
Wonderful photos of the light. Every morning is a new chance for LIVING and thank you for teaching us much on this blog and love the new Linden tree ally.
Posted by: ann | June 12th, 2012 at 4:26 am
Gorgeous photos love love!
I read your previous post Celebrating Design, lovely event, beautiful dress and accessories. I can't wait to read your post about your trip to Tokyo.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | June 12th, 2012 at 4:29 am
Good mornig Martha,
Once again, the pictures of the farm are breathtakimg. # 23 is most beauitful.
You should make that into an 8 x 10 and frame that. The rainbow stretched over your house is just beautiful. That is a once in lifetime shot. Awesome.
Karen Tracy
Posted by: Karen Tracy | June 12th, 2012 at 6:36 am
Well, nothing quite that beautiful to see here in Ohio this morning, but it IS summer at last, and I really enjoyed seeing your rainbow! Thanks, Martha!
Posted by: Vicki Powell | June 12th, 2012 at 7:13 am
Wow... I am so envious of the amazing clean lines amazing property Thanks
Posted by: Dale Coykendall | June 12th, 2012 at 7:18 am
i can imagine only how beautiful in person! thanks for sharing!
Posted by: darrell white | June 12th, 2012 at 7:19 am
Your aliums are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing your morning pictures.
Posted by: homer | June 12th, 2012 at 7:35 am
Your blog is so often an inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing glimpses of your personal life with us. Your pictures of the morning light are spectacular and your property is absolutely magnificent.
Posted by: Susan | June 12th, 2012 at 7:49 am
What an extraordinary sight you captured Martha! The rainbow appearing over your house is so unique, I love it! I'm glad to hear I'm not the only person up with the birds
Thanks for capturing the sunrise on your farm for all of us to enjoy Martha!
Posted by: Cindy F | June 12th, 2012 at 7:52 am
Simply stunning!!!!! I'm waiting to purchase the book!
Posted by: Charles McKenzie | June 12th, 2012 at 8:23 am
Dear Martha,
Thanks again for sharing. Your bushes are shaping up quite well. How's the knot garden doing?
I'm with Karen, photo #23 is a treasure! Magazine cover maybe?
Have a great day.
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | June 12th, 2012 at 9:30 am
Hi Martha - These pictures are spectacular! I agree with another reader that #23 is tops, it is just breathtaking. I'm so looking forward to seeing more pictures of Skylands as your summer progresses as I was just in Bar Harbor and Seal Harbor 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, the weather was rainy and just miserable for the duration of our 3-day stay, but we managed to see most of Acadia and managed to take some fabulous pictures from atop Cadillac Mountain during a brief clearing of the skies. We also tried to locate Skylands from the Seal Harbor Yacht Club, but to no avail - it's so well enveloped by the surrounding landscape! Thank you again for sharing your life with us, reading your blog is a daily treat! Have a good day. Walter H.
Posted by: Walter H | June 12th, 2012 at 9:41 am
Hi Martha, Oh, what a beautiful morning! Sure wish I could be at your delightful Bedford farm at any time of the day! These photos you shared are absolutely wonderful and all of the other photos of your farm are so much fun to see at any time! I'm sure your doggies and kitties love being out there especially when it isn't raining, snowing, or very windy! I love seeing all of the places F,S&GK also like to visit at your farm that they share on The Daily Wag-today they are showing us the beautiful currants at the farm! Some of these photos remind me of seeing rainbows and beautiful pink, light blue, very white colors in the sky over Puget Sound early in the mornings! Sometimes we have a rainbow around the sun later in the day before it begins to rain and each time that occurs, I know it will rain later-fascinating! Was fun to listen to Kevin Sharkey filling in for you on 'Ask Martha' on Sirius Radio yesterday! He does a great job and I also love to hear Alexis sometimes! I listen to 'Ask Martha' repeats every day! Sure hope you are having a great day and I'll bet you are still working on your new TV Shows-can't wait to see them! Off to visit The Daily Wag! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | June 12th, 2012 at 9:57 am
I am inspired to rise early every morning to view the wonders of God's creation. I can't bare to think about missing gifts like this as each day begins. How could anyone see a sight like this and not treat each day as the gift that it is. Thank you Martha for your gift of these photographs. Splendid!!
Posted by: Laura Plummer | June 12th, 2012 at 9:59 am
Hi Martha,
If I had views like yours to wake up to, I might get up early too like maybe 6 A.M. (ha-ha). You always take such magnificent pictures! I’m thinking Monet with the different shades of light. That terrace of yours just makes me drool, especially picture #6 which I will definitely pin. #7 is quite spectacular also and the massive stone looks cool too in front of the fence which appears darker in that picture. I’m glad you get up early and always have your camera close by. It would be a shame to miss these gorgeous views and I’m happy you are always willing to share! Trish
Posted by: Trish | June 12th, 2012 at 10:05 am
Your blog is the most informative, well written blog I know of. Photography is of high quality. I always enjoy the long shots and closeups of life on your property accompanied by intelligent commentary and an abundance of interesting facts. Thank you.
Posted by: Sarah Masters | June 12th, 2012 at 10:18 am
Love the serenity and the beauty of viewing the garden in the early a.m. I think it would be wonderful to have a yoga class in the midst of all!
Posted by: Sherey | June 12th, 2012 at 10:30 am
Martha,
The rainbow was beautiful! Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | June 12th, 2012 at 10:37 am
where would this paradise, the United States is beautiful you are blessed with your parents
Brasil
Posted by: marilda | June 12th, 2012 at 10:51 am
Stunning. Makes me want to wake with the sun. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Laura Jo | June 12th, 2012 at 11:55 am
Martha, this is probably one of the best series of photographs of your farm that you have shared on the blog. Really spectacular! Everything looks superb. I love the trellises you've put up on either side of the kitchen entrance. I'm sure they have an interesting story behind them. Thank you so much for sharing!
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | June 12th, 2012 at 11:56 am
Very nice pics. Your farm is lovely and you too. The way you talk about it enchants me. Thank you again for sharing your blog.
Malú
Posted by: Maria Lúcia Guerra | June 12th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Truly blessed. There is no other way to describe it. Thank you very much for allowing us all to share in your blessed life.
Posted by: Michele Hebson | June 12th, 2012 at 2:28 pm
Thanks, Martha, for the lovely morning pictures. I am a farmgirl, though somewhat handicapped now, but I still live in the farm house. I just love early mornings myself. You'll never know how much your morning pictures meant to me. Thanks again for sharing.
Ruth =-)
Posted by: Ruth Newland | June 12th, 2012 at 2:37 pm
Hi Martha,
What a coincidence; my husband and I were just talking about finding the end of the rainbow, and here it is--Your Farm. So that's where the pot of gold is buried! With all the beautiful hues in the sky and the land I really can believe there is gold there. Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures.
Posted by: Lee | June 12th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Wow Martha, every picture is stunning and inviting. I love the early mornings as well!!! Absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Frances | June 12th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Martha you are so blessed and your farm is so beautiful. . After all your hard work, you deserve that beautiful view. I hope some day I can have such a peaceful place to call home. Thank you for sharing your home with us.
Posted by: Susy | June 12th, 2012 at 3:43 pm
I love waking up before everyone else in the house. I quietly move around so as not to wake anyone just so I can "steal" some time alone! Delicious coffee, quiet and the dawn!
Posted by: Jeanne | June 12th, 2012 at 6:32 pm
The boxwood terrace is a lesson in the art of Zen. Oh, how I would love to sit in this space. Martha, your ideas and design taste is so well thought out and fits the situation to a T. Everytime I thumb through old Martha Stewart magazines and your cookery books I'm reminded that you were talented in all things design and food from the day you were in the womb. Thank-you.
Posted by: may delory | June 12th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Martha,
If Heaven is like this beautiful rainbow in the moring,I can only imagine what it will be like when i get there.Thank's for sharing.
Teresa
6-12-12
Posted by: Teresa | June 12th, 2012 at 8:20 pm
Martha. Your Home/ Property Look Amazing As Ever! So much Hard Work Involved And @ hand. I am Very Happy And Proud That you Have worked Hard Your Life And You Can Really Enjoy Your Reward's:-) Keep Sharing And KeepOn Keepin On!..
Posted by: Darlene Martinez | June 12th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
What I love about the morning is the sound of the birds waking & singing to the morning light, the due, the idea, another day is dawning.
Posted by: Kay Septrion | June 12th, 2012 at 9:04 pm
Heavenly! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Jane | June 12th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Martha your farm is so beautiful!!! When I used to live back East I also like the sunrises. Miss the sunset on the West Coast. I've returned from the East & live in San Diego. Now I'm getting ready to move to AZ. LC
Posted by: L C | June 12th, 2012 at 10:10 pm
The solitude and peacefulness of any morning when you are out in nature is a gift. It is the reward for being fully present in the moment, fully alive! To be up early to celebrate the beginning of any day is a simple unsurpassable pleasure.
Posted by: Karen Flesner | June 12th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
So pretty Martha. I see your Christmas ferns are abloom. Mine was about 1 month ago. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Kathy Matches | June 12th, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Beautiful photos. I love mornings for the smells the peace and the vistas. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: NMHill | June 12th, 2012 at 11:43 pm
Not only are these photos dazzeling, but you can almost see the hand of God painting them.
Thank you so much Martha for shareing the start of a beautiful day.
Becky
Posted by: Rebecca | June 13th, 2012 at 12:14 am
Absolutely beautiful!!! God's glory was surely shining over your estate. The rainbow photo is one that would be a lovely gift for your family to have as it reveals one of God's promises. I treasure my mornings as a gift from God, and as you stated the sunrise is different with each new day. Seeing all this wonder on Sunday morning is special to behold and makes me wonder what heaven is going to be like?
Posted by: Syl | June 13th, 2012 at 8:34 am
I am an early riser also and can appreciate the beauty you've captured here with the rainbow perfectly aligned and centered WOW! If I were to think of a title for that
photo it would be called " Good Morning From Martha Town!"
Posted by: Katescana | June 13th, 2012 at 10:13 am
Picture does not say a thousand words but the still of it is imagining and breath taking, I would love to have been there in person me and my wife love good scenery and pretty settings and know yours is one of a kind.
Posted by: Sammy | June 13th, 2012 at 1:18 pm
The rainbow pics.. simply lovely! I look forward to photos of your beautiful farm.
Posted by: Judy | June 13th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
Looks like a painting to me! Just a few seconds of gazing takes you to another place.
Posted by: Barbara Croson | June 14th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Love your horse mounting block! What is that very long building (very long!) on the property? An original dairy barn? It's big alright!
Posted by: Kate McCue | June 15th, 2012 at 4:41 pm
The only thing that could make that sunrise nicer, would be to have the silhouette of the friesian horses on the horizon. I just purchased 2 also from the same breeder. They are magnificent creatures.
Posted by: Brenda Bradshaw | June 16th, 2012 at 10:39 pm