My helicopter ride over the farm - view my photos and make a comment please!

Last weekend, despite inclement skies, I went for an exciting helicopter ride aboard Charles’s chopper, piloted by Bill Lavallee.  Bill is wonderful to fly with and is always ready to share many terrific stories.  The destination that day was to fly right over my farm.  Someday soon, I will show you photos of what that parcel of land looked like when I bought it.  I cannot believe how much it has changed over a short period of time!  Enjoy these photos as I certainly enjoyed the point of view.

This is our approach to my property.  The stables are what you see in the center.

We’re coming around to the front of the property at Maple Avenue.  This is a good shot of the greenhouses, vegetable garden, equipment barn, and hay barn.

Look how spectacular the vegetable garden is.  This is the best year yet.

We’ve circled around to the entrance of the property.  I didn’t realize how nearby the Cross River Reservoir actually is.  We don’t usually see it because the land is on a gradual slope down to it.

The ‘Summer House’ is on the left at the corners of Maple Avenue and Girdle Ridge – Look closely - you can see the boxwood garden in the corner.  My main residence, the ‘Winter House,’ is in the center foreground of the photo.   The peony bed is beyond and between the 2 buildings and the curved structure on the right is the pergola.  The 4 little buildings in the rear are the chicken and turkey coops.

Another shot of the stables facing Girdle Ridge.

More of the fields with carriage roads encircling them.

This is one of the ‘backbones’ of the property – the composting area – I just love this place.  All the different mounds are at various stages of decay.  This is a big reason why the gardens are flourishing this year.  Composting takes time, as do gardens.

Comments

[TwoPretzels]

Martha,
That looks absolutely amazing. Your home is gorgeous. I enjoy your blog!

Kylee

[Vivian Love]

Martha, Seeing your farm from that view kinda reminds me of one of my favorite scenes from the film "Out of Africa" when Meryl Streep's character, Karen Blixen, sees her farm from a plane with Denis Finch Hatton, Robert Redford. What an awesome feeling to see one's home from a bird's eye view. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Vivian Love, California
quiltswithlove.blogspot.com

[katie]

Wow! How beautiful! I love how tidy and orderly everything looks from the air. The vegetable garden does look lovely- mine is doing well and we are putting out tomatoes in Kentucky this week. I really enjoy your blog, especially seeing your animals and gardening projects.

[Kerry]

it looks so so organised - i love it!

[lisagh]

Love your blog Martha! I've only recently discovered it. I've added you to my Bloglines and I look forward to new posts every day.

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, I am in awe of your beautiful farm! I can see why you love to ride your horses around the property. It would be easy to get lost and and to forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life in New York City. What a fabulous place to come home to each day and to wake up to each morning. I remember on your old show a few years back when you had a company picnic there at Bedford. Wow! How fantastic it looks now after all of the wonderful changes you have made since you moved to Bedford. Your property is much larger than I imagined. Thank you so very much for sharing. You really make my day! Jan

[Lexi]

Wow, amazing photos! Very beautiful! I wish the weather was like that here in Tucson!

[maurdel]

Well done, Martha. Congratulations. It is truly a fine spread. I always ponder what I would do if I won the lottery or some other great windfall were to come to me. This is very near what I would consider ideal, however sometimes I am not certain I would want to be responsible for so much. It would mean lots of folks working together for my dream.
I wonder if at some point you begin to feel that it is not really all yours?
Of course sometimes I just wish for a great beach house with very little maintenance.

[mattchew03]

Thanks for posting these, Martha. The photos are simply breathtaking! I've always been a fan of yours and never miss an episode of your show; in fact, I'm about to start watching today's episode on my DVR as I write this comment. Thanks again! -Matt

[Koselig]

Lovely pictures of your farm. Have a nice day :)

[Kimberly]

Your property is beautiful. I can tell you have worked hard and take a lot of pride in that work to make it so nice. Great job!

[Stephanie Quilao]

Thanks for sharing those pictures from the helicopter. That's one amazing vegetable garden! Can't wait to see the Before pictures of the land.

[My Sweet & Saucy]

What a beautiful farm...it's just breathtaking from that view! I love the open space everywhere!

[Claudine]

Great photos, such a diffrent perspective from that high up. Please share the "before" pictures. the property looks great!
Claudine

[angela]

What a beautiful property and how fabulous that you have respected the heritage and leave a wonderful mark on the ground for future feet to follow.

[Susan]

Hi Martha! I love reading your blog, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I've been wondering -- what ever happened with the asparagus? Did they turn white? I had asparagus for dinner tonight and thought of you. Thanks for blogging and all the wonderful photographs you post up! xx

[Trina]

Very nice photos from above! The Stables are great and the rest seems to be a natural part of the area. You have every right to be proud.

Trina

[Jessica]

Lovely, Martha... just lovely. I really am intrigued by the composting area. Perhaps you can post more about that!

[Pru]

The photos are so cool, we see so many photos of your property, but it is great to see how it is all laid out. You are so lucky.

[Islel Dance]

It looks exquisite! I can relate to the amazing transformation ones property can quickly take. It's shocking, really.

[liisamarja]

aah, is there any way one can intern at you farm?

[cookiejar]

Amazing photos Martha, how lush and green your farm looks even from above. Thanks for sharing these pics, they really are breathtaking! Please do tell us when you have decided on the names for your new Herefords!! I'm looking forward to finding out.
Warm regards,

[Finbar]

Martha
Thank you for sharing, those photos are wonderful. So good in fact you might have some framed to hang @ Skylands.

I enjoy reading your blog each day, have a great weekend.

[fatafelice]

Wow. I am in awe. It looks so beautiful and well-organized! And I especially love that the peony bed is so close to the house, so it is even easier to enjoy them. Please keep sharing photos from the farm!

[AnnBrennan]

Good Morning Martha
What great pictures of your property, you must be so proud of all you accomplished. I look forward to the before photos. I must tell you I look forward every morning to reading your blog. After I check my emails I then go to your website, it always brings a smile to my face.
Thank you
Ann
New Jersey