Every year around this time my farm undergoes a great transformation. It's when all the precious boxwood shrubs and hedges are covered with burlap.
I am a big supporter of "burlapping" shrubbery for the cold season. Burlap casings protect the tender branches from splaying and breaking under heavy ice and snow while shielding the foliage from strong winds. Burlap is more effective than plastic because it allows air to circulate through the plants. It is a practice I've followed for many years, and I think it also provides a cozy and pretty look to the winter landscape. Last week, the crew built the framing for the biggest part of this project - my long Boxwood Allée.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
I have hundreds of boxwood shrubs, Buxus, growing on my property. I use boxwood in borders and hedges, as privacy screens, as accent plants in my formal gardens, and of course in the long allée to my stable. Just before it gets really cold, my outdoor grounds crew begins the process of covering all the boxwood with burlap to protect them from the winter elements.
These pipes, which I keep organized in a back field where I store other supplies, are made from rolled galvanized 16 gauge industrial tubing. They are actually the metal parts of greenhouse hoop houses.
A few years ago, I came up with the idea to also use them for the burlap framing. In all, hundreds of ground stakes, purlin pipes, connectors, nuts, and bolts are used for the project.
To start, pieces are placed along the allée in a production line process.
As with many projects at the farm, preparation is key. Here, Alex and Phurba secure twine at one end to provide a straight guide for the pipe placement.
Alex checks several times to make sure the twine runs straight down the allée. These boxwood shrubs grow a lot every year, so the measurement and placement are always different.
Next, Alex pounds the ground pipes into the soil as Phurba holds the wood to protect the pipe from any damage.
Alex is young and strong – it only takes a few hits to get it about a foot deep into the ground.
The ground pipes are installed every four feet along the allée. These hollow pipes will anchor the supports.
These are 10-foot wide bow sections – they will last quite a while and give the boxwood a lot of room to grow. Building the frame at least a foot taller than the majority of the boxwood protects any heavy snow from weighing down onto the tender foliage.
Phurba carries one of the bow sections to its designated location.
Working in pairs, these bow sections are positioned on both sides of the boxwood.
Here’s Pasang on the pother side securing the end of the bow pipe section.
Each end of the bow piece is then checked to make sure they are secure and straight.
The boxwood has grown quite a bit in the last couple of years, but there is still room under the framing to accommodate more growth.
Long center pieces support the perpendicular bow sections.
Holding the center piece in place are these tension purlin brackets. They connect the center piping to the bow sections.
Pete fastens one pair of purlins to the bow section at the center peak.
And then small pieces of wood are pounded into the ground next to each steel ground stake. These short wooden pieces provide points at which the burlap can be secured.
Constructing the frame for the burlap takes several days, but the process is well worth the effort. Any snow that accumulates on top of the finished structures will slide down the sides. This boxwood allée will be fed one more time and then enveloped in burlap for the season.
One doesn't have to travel abroad to appreciate Mother Nature - there's so much beauty right here in the United States.
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, my daughter Alexis, her children Jude and Truman, our friend Ari Katz, and I spent five days in Canyon Point, Utah at the secluded Amangiri resort. Amangiri spans more than 900-acres of stunning desert landscape where one can see ancient mesas and rock formations, pristine lakes, and awe-inspiring views. We saw so much during our guided hikes, trail rides, and climbing expeditions.
I hope you saw my photos on @marthastewart48. Here are some more, enjoy.
On this day, our Navajo guide led us through three distinct canyons – Upper Antelope Canyon, Rattlesnake Canyon, and Owl Canyon. Upper Antelope Canyon is located in Page, Arizona and is a breathtaking slot-canyon loved for its extraordinary sandstone formations.
This canyon is also know for the breathtaking beams of light that illuminate the walls. The canyon is part of the Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park.
The light shows through the passages during midday creating beautiful photos for visitors – and all of it completely natural.
Rattlesnake Canyon is part of the larger Antelope Canyon system. Although Rattlesnake is a lesser known slot-canyon, it is also stunning to see with all its shapely sandstone walls and natural light streams.
Its name, Rattlesnake Canyon, refers to its many sinuous paths. And while slot-canyons are found in many parts of the world, where rainfall is low, some of the best are in the Southwestern United States.
This is a view of Stud Horse Mesa. It is characterized by a narrow promontory that overlooks Lake Powell.
These are stacked boulders by Cabin Trail, or the Wall-E Rock at Amangiri.
On another part of the trip, we enjoyed a trail ride. This is Long Canyon. Here I am riding through the area on my trusted foxtrotter mare, Sadie.
Long Canyon is a slot-canyon known for its towering red rock formations and views.
This is called a petroglyph, which is made by carving directly on the rock surface exposing the lighter colored rock underneath. Petroglyphs date back thousands of years. They have been found in all parts of the world except Antarctica. Creating these rock engravings decreased largely after the introduction of other precursors of writing systems and storytelling art forms.
The Hoodoo Trail at Amangiri is its most extensive. It features three trailheads and a circuit hike of approximately 3.5 miles. Among the sites are free-standing sandstone towers known as hoodoos. From here, we also saw ancient sand dunes, and spectacular vistas of the region.
Lake Powell is so pristine with its turquoise waters. It measures more than 400-feet deep and 186-miles long. This man-made lake and reservoir is home to many animals including herons, eagles, and fish.
Lake Powell was formed by the flooding of Glen Canyon near the Glen Canyon Dam and was finished in 1963.
Tower Butte is a 5,287-foot sandstone summit located south of Lake Powell, in northern Arizona on Navajo Nation land. It is known for the stunning panoramic views of its surrounding landscapes.
Cookie Jar Butte is another prominent tower located on the north shore of Lake Powell. It has an elevation of 4,311 feet.
During our five hour long visit to the lake, we saw this beautiful heron, a long-legged wading bird characterized by its S-shaped neck which helps in catching its prey from a standstill.
A heron’s wings are long and broad, allowing them the necessary lift for strong and fast flight. The wingspan of a Great Blue Heron can reach more than six feet.
The summit of Padres Butte at Lake Powell is about 4000 feet. It was formerly an island in the lake, but now with lake waters declining, land has exposed its connection to the rest of Padre Point.
This is the Cave Peak Stairway of Via Ferrata at Amangiri. It is a 400-foot high ladder that spans 200-feet. It is currently the longest aerial stairway in the northern hemisphere. The hike from the Via Ferrata trail to this stairway is about three hours – we saw so much during our tours.
And here is a photo I captured of a crescent moon, which is one of the phases of the moon where less than half of the moon’s surface is illuminated by the sun, making it look thin and curved. Amangiri kept us all very busy during our short trip – a different, but very memorable and interesting holiday excursion. I am especially thankful for the natural beauty that surrounds us here in the US – so many treasures that must be preserved.
My annual tradition of sharing Thanksgiving photos from colleagues, business partners, and friends continues.
Every year I send out an email extending my very best wishes for a safe and lovely holiday. I also urge everyone to take photos of their table settings and feasts, so I can share the images on my blog. There are always so many pictures and so many stories that accompany them - it's among our favorite entries.
Here is the gallery you've been waiting for, enjoy.
One of my own traditions is to make pies for everyone who works with me at my farm. I offer each member a choice of several pies and then I bake every one from scratch. I hope you saw my posts on @MarthaStewart48 and @marthastewartblog. I made more than 30 pies this year.
Here are some of the pies cooling in my servery ready to be boxed up and distributed – maple bourbon pumpkin pie, pumpkin honey molasses pie, pecan pie, and chocolate pecan tart. No one ever forgets to pick up their sweet dessert.
Our own Chief Content Office, Christian Martin, always submits a lovely gallery of photos from his Thanksgiving celebration in Connecticut. Here are his homemade apple pies fresh from the oven.
There were lots of starters for everyone – and lots of wine and champagne too.
Christian’s wife, Liz, set s a beautiful table every year – this year for 10.
A fresh centerpiece always adorns the table.
The table’s theme colors are blue and white.
This is the family’s dog, Appa. Christian says, “Appa was, as usual, simultaneously perfect and a menace.”
The family photo includes two grandmothers, two uncles, Christian’s uncle’s wife, Betsy, Christian’s brother Kabir, Liz, Christian, their kids, and Christian’s mother’s dog, Lexie.
The turkey was great and the sides were equally delicious.
It was a very satisfactory day – as demonstrated by Christian’s daughter, Millie, and Appa, napping post-feast.
Marquee Brands Associate Art Director, Olivia Crutchfield, baked these for her Thanksgiving celebration in Woodbury, Minnesota – sweet potato casserole, sweet potato pie, and an apple pie.
My agent, Ben Levine, spent Thanksgiving morning at a food bank run by a local Manhattan church, Manor Community Mission. He handed out groceries to those less fortunate and hungry. Ben says, “the work the Mission is doing is amazing.”
All the volunteers help to unload the truck filled with food.
The boxes are lined up along the sidewalk neatly, so portions can be organized and distributed efficiently.
It was such a rewarding experience for Ben.
Marquee Brands Art Director, Heather Baker, spent her holiday in Mammoth Lakes, California. She says she had a “mammoth-sized holiday feast—shrimp gumbo, turkey, and all the cozy fixings, dished up in the heart of a snowy mountain town.”
A longtime member of my security team, Bill McCormack, sent these photos of his table and family. Here’s the table before everyone gathered…
And here is everyone ready to enjoy their meal. It was a full house.
Here are Bill, Will, Diana and Elizabeth.
After a full meal, the family participated in another popular tradition, picking up the Christmas tree.
Marquee Brands Office Manager, Frank Sanchez, and his family, enjoyed macaroni salad, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, and an onion, lemon, and tomato salad – an Ecuadorian dish that goes well with rice. And of course, the delicious turkey made by Frank’smom.
Here’s another view before everyone “dug in.”
The dogs are always part of the family – Frank’s Mini Australian Shepherd is Loki and the Maltese is Yoshi.
Here are Frank and Yoshi after their feast. I think Yoshi is eyeing the leftovers.
Producer, Abigail Lengyel, had a wonderful time with her family for Thanksgiving. Here she is on the right along with her cousin, Megan.
Abby spent the day with several cousins – here they are catching up.
The cousins then took selfies to share on social media.
There was a full spread of delicious dishes on their table.
Here is Abby joined by her mom and sister.
Here, Abby is on the right, with sisters Bailey and Gabi.
Making his first Thanksgiving debut at the family feast is Leonardo.
Abby makes a cornbread, mushroom, and chestnut stuffing filled roasted cheese pumpkin every year. Here it is empty.
She actually made two – here they are buttered and stuffed…
… and ready to transport.
And finally, on the table and ready to serve.
This is Abby’s dad and Abby’s niece, Serafina.
And here is Serafina – she’s grown so much since last year’s Thanksgiving blog.
Here’s the turkey sliced and ready to serve.
My friend Christopher Spitzmiller, sent in the following several photos. This is his table. The chrysanthemums were from Bear Creek farm.
Here’s his turkey from a local farm, Quatrro’s Poultry & Game Farm.
The ceramic fruit was by Clare Potter. And at each place setting, old Wedgwood transferware plates in blue and white.
Here’s a closer look. Transferware is a type of pottery made by transferring a print from special paper onto earthenware or a porcelain dish. It first started appearing in the late 18th century and became more popular in the 1820s and 1830s.
The chocolate turkey came from Krause’s a local Rhinebeck shop.
And here is just one plate full. There were many to follow.
The next few photos are from VP Creative Services for Marquee Brands, Ryan Mesina. This year his niece, Olivia, really wanted to make an apple crumble pie, so naturally he suggested my recipe from my 100th cookbook, MARTHA: THE COOKBOOK.
Ryan prepped the crust with her and then let her run with the rest. Here she is with her boyfriend, Blair, working on the crumble topping.
Ryan’s nephew, Alex, always requests a cheesecake. The one Ryan makes has a sour cream topping and gingersnap crust, and this year he garnished it with sugared cranberries, which were a great addition.
Here’s the rest of what Ryan made – a pumpkin pie, chocolate chip cookies, and a big platter of French macarons – hazelnut, pistachio, and salted caramel.
Here’s Ryan with his family before they tucked into dinner. He says, “we always welcome our extended family and any stragglers. This year we were about 20.”
Another colleague from Marquee, Carlos Ale, submitted his photos. He spent the holiday with his partner Lina’s family in Cincinnati, Ohio. this is the table setting and centerpiece.
The buffet was so full.
Here is the bar cart.
This is the “grazing table” filled with delicious cheeses, nuts, etc.
Here’s another view – such a beautiful and inviting display of bites.
This is a photo of Carlos and Lina.
And one of the entire family.
Connie Verducci sent in her photos. She and her husband hosted a wonderful meal at their home. Here is “Tom carving Tom and the buffet ready to be gobbled!”
The buffet was filled with all the traditional favorites.
And here is Connie’s table just before meal time.
The following four images are from the Zelnick and Belzberg Thanksgiving celebration in Anguilla.
Pigs in a blanket – delicious at any party.
And here are the turkeys – ready to carve and serve.
There were lots of sides and starters for everyone.
Danielle Vadai hosts a wonderful gathering every Thanksgiving. Here is her table.
Lots of turkeys and fall colors on the table.
Garrett Gottesman spent his holiday with his family in sunny Austin, Texas.
Garrett hand-delivered a copy of MARTHA: THE COOKBOOK to his mom and she was thrilled to receive it.
And my special projects producer, Judy Morris, made her rendition of my Mile High Apple Pie filled with pounds of apples in a flaky crust. What a wonderful selection of photos to ring in the holiday season. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving.
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