A Snowy Christmas Morning
Today’s temperatures at my Bedford, New York farm are expected to hit the high 20s, and according to the forecast, we are in for more snow tomorrow.
So far this winter has been bitterly cold, but fortunately we’re well prepared - the boxwood is covered in burlap, all the tropical plants are safe in their greenhouses, and the plows are attached and ready to use. On Christmas morning, we woke up to about five-inches of snow. It was so beautiful - everything was covered in a blanket of powder, and the Friesians were out in their paddock running, playing and enjoying this year's White Christmas.
Here are some photos - enjoy.
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- It’s so beautiful to wake up to a white Christmas here at my farm – everything looks so pretty looking down the carriage road from my Winter House.
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- I love to tour the property early in the morning to see all the fresh snow and to check that everything is in good order.
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- We planted this ‘Gravenstein’ apple espalier about seven years ago. It produced some wonderful apples this season – a few are still hanging onto their branches. Malus ‘Gravenstein’ is an antique variety that is well known for cooking sauce, cider and eating out of hand. The fruit is large, with crisp white flesh and a distinct, juicy flavor.
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- The giant silvered-glass kugels are topped with snow. I love these kugels – they are from our old mail-order catalog business, Martha by Mail.
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- Here is the dwarf apple espalier behind my carport – there are still a few apples here also. We made so much cider from our apples this year – everyone loves the cider I make here at the farm.
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- Just above the dwarf apple espalier is a row of bird feeders for all the avian critters that visit. There are about 125 different types of birds that visit my farm.
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- This is one of the giant boxwood shrubs on my terrace parterre – completely protected by the burlap shroud.
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- Out in the paddock are four of my gentle and dear Friesians – Rinze, Rutger, Meindert and Ramon.
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- Right as I approached, they started to run over to say hello.
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- And then went off in their own directions – such playful creatures.
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- They ran and ran and ran – so handsome.
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- The Friesian is a horse breed originating in Friesland, in the Netherlands. Although the conformation of the breed resembles that of a light draft horse, Friesians are graceful and nimble for their size.
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- Friesians are known for their beautiful black coats, thick manes and flowing tails. My Friesians are groomed every day to keep them looking their best.
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- I love this photo of them galloping – the four snow-capped chicken coops are in the distance.
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- After their romp in the snow, we put their blankets back on – it was still a pretty cold Christmas morning.
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- A few days later, we caught these photos of Banchunch, my Fell Pony, and Sasa, my other majestic Friesian.
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- Here is Banchunch – he loves to play and is trying to get Sasa to play some more.
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- Banchunch is the Fell pony I acquired for my grandchildren, Jude and Truman. He is still young and loves attention from all who visit.
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- Here he is trotting across the paddock – such a beautiful black pony.
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- And here he is galloping – it was a cold day – only about 25-degrees Fahrenheit, but these equines did not mind at all.
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- I am so happy to see them enjoying themselves – see you soon, my dear horses.
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