Sharkey and I have been going around the farm, inspecting all that’s being done in preparation for a long and cold winter. I started thinking about all the creatures down at the stable and if they would have a sufficient supply of hay to get through the season. Here’s what we found.
1 Sharkey, follow me! I'm kind of concerned about the horses, the donkeys, and the sheep!1
2 I've been wondering about hay, now that winter's coming. Let's have a look upstairs in the hay loft and see if they have an ample supply.2
3 Wow, it's pretty empty up here! We better remind Betsy to order more hay, right away!3
4 When that hay is delivered, this bale conveyor will need to be lowered out of the loft window, but that's not our concern. We'll let the strong guys take care of that.4
5 Well Sharkey, if my eyes aren't deceiving me, Betsy, as usual, is on top of the situation and we have a load coming in right now!5
6 Wow Francesca, that is one big truck! It even had to use the service entrance to get on the property!6
7 And big trucks can carry big loads! Just look at all that hay!7
8 Ok, the driver is pulling up by the stable. From the looks of things, it's really a good thing that we have that conveyor!8
9 Let's inspect it, Sharkey. It looks like fine quality hay - very clean and neatly baled. Let's go back up to the hay loft.9
10 The guys are ready and waiting.10
11 The conveyor was lowered and look how easy it makes getting those heavy bales up into the hay loft! The chain has big hooks, which grip the bales for transport.11
12 Hi Chhiring! Great work, team!12
13 Hi, Gyurme. You and guys sure stack hay fast!13
14 We are so glad that the barn animals have their winter hay!14
15 Thanks, Betsy, for being such an excellent stable manager. You care for our friends, the barn animals so well and we really appreciate that!15
16 Hey, big boys! Come and get it!16
From: Sonya | 12/7/10 at 1:23 am
Francesca and Sharkey, you two are the sweetest little pups to take care of your farm friends the way you do. Thanks for the education on what it takes to feed your pals during the winter months.
Photo #14 is sooo adorable. That should be your publicity photo. It just needs your 'pawtographs.'
That lil' brother of yours GK was MIA again. 
From: Dr Rand Pink | 12/7/10 at 9:15 am
My daughter's dog "Bubbles" is interested in a play date and I want one with Martha.
From: Malcolm Fawcett | 12/7/10 at 9:22 am
I agree about photo #14 - a great shot! The hay conveyor is an interesting machine, and so efficient. Now that the horses are settled for the winter, I guess you won't make hay in getting back to your other duties around the farm! Bye!
From: Basil | 12/7/10 at 10:08 am
Hello Ladies,
Thank goodness Mama Martha has the two of you to check the property out and keep things in line.I got an education on how all the hay workings goes on. You both look great once again in those pink fleece coats. PLEASE!!!! PLEASE!!!!!!! Tell me where they come from!!!!! Mom and I looked everything up from the dog fashion show last week and you did not model these, so they weren't on the sources. I am desperate. I need warmth at night and everything else I seem to slip out of. HELP!!!
Love & licks,
Basil
From: mary jo smalley | 12/7/10 at 10:13 am
Oh my gosh! Sharkey and Francesca, I love your little pink cloaks...so understated;)
You remind me of my Great Aunt Gladys and Aunt Vena (who for some reason always reminded me of a turnip and she always grew the most wonderful white Maine potatoes that baked up nice and fluffy)
Carry on!
From: Francesca | 12/7/10 at 10:37 am
Hey Basil,
You and your Mom just trot on down to PetSmart, where you can find the same pink fleece coats and many other great things to wear. It's the Martha Stewart Line.
From: Kirby Bear | 12/7/10 at 11:06 am
Hello ladies, Kirby here.
It looks as if it does take a lot of hay to keep those big animals fed. I don’t eat hay; doesn’t taste too good. Wait, I’m a dog and dogs don’t eat grass unless my stomach is upset. Then I will graze on a little fresh green grass. I don’t know what you people up north did but this cold weather down here in the south is really good for me. I spent all day outside yesterday in the warm sunshine. It did make it up to almost 50; heat wave. I am ready for the cold but Mommy and Daddy aren’t. They haven’t grown any new hair yet.
Catch you later, Kirby.
PS: Zoe, Zoe hope you're doing fine with your Mommy away.
From: Gracyn Erwin | 12/7/10 at 11:07 am
Hi Francesca and Sharkey: WOW! That sure is alot of hay for all the horses, donkeys and sheep. I am glad that they have enough to eat this winter. It is a very cold one already.
We just got back (me from the deluxe boarding kennel and spa) and mom and dad from Duke where daddy gets his heart checked out. Momma heard on the news up there about the little puppy who was set on fire a few months ago. She said she also saw the moron who set the puppy on fire too. Momma wondered how he would like to be set on fire as his punishment! He was convicted on felony animal cruelty! He is a stupid moron just like that football Vick guy. Anyway, the puppy is now healthy and has been adopted and went to his "forever" home last week. My parents and I wish him a happy and wonderfully long life.
Everyone stay warm cause it is very bitter cold out there everywhere but still no show here on the East Coast in NC. Well, it is time for my snuggly nap in my warm house. Oh, we all saw Miss Martha on the Jimmy Fallon show last night. Momma wanted to stay up to see her on the show. The ornaments were beautiful and you can get them at the Home Depot too! How very cool is that????
Take care. See ya later. Love, Gracyn.
From: delia | 12/7/10 at 11:21 am
WOW this brings back some great memories! I always worried about having enough hay for the winter.. When we moved to Missouri from California I was surprised to see the difference in the Alfalfa hay bale size and quality. I was used to 150lb bales of irrigated alfalfa, then in MO. and WI. all I could find was maybe 50lb bales, so had to store so much more...the larger and better hay was always used for the cows. I some times bought from the dairy farmers.
I love the setup at the barn...mommie Martha sure has been Blessed and her horses get to benefit.
From: DDR & animallover jan | 12/7/10 at 1:01 pm
Hi Girl Friends&G.K., Thanks so much for taking us on a superb tour of the stable and the hay loft! These photos are fantastic and my favorites are #14! You girls look so cute and the horses look so happy. You continue to be Martha's #1 helpers and her other animals sure are lucky to have you around to see that everything is done when it needs to be. Loved seeing all three of you on Martha's TV Show last Friday and hope you are on her show again real soon. Stay warm and have a great day! Love, Dudley Do Right XOXOXO+ PS Hey Basil, sure hope your Mom is doing a lot better. Give her a hug for me. DDR
From: Trish | 12/7/10 at 4:25 pm
Honest to pup, you two are the cutest little doggies - I just want to squeeze you, gently of course! Thanks for the hay delivery info and the tour of that fabulous stable!
From: Jobi | 12/8/10 at 5:17 am
This is such a wonderful story and I am happy for all the hay to keep everyone warm up there. The stable looks fit for a king - or better yet, for critters.
From: Baby Favor | 12/8/10 at 7:14 pm
Hello dear. That's so nice of you, to check up on the other animals.
It has gotten very cold here in Boston, so new Mom and Dad took us to PetSmart. I got the pretty burgundy jacket that you were modeling the other day and Millie got a pretty red sweater, very festive! We sure do appreciate that the clothes from your Martha-Mom's line fit so well on Frenchies; please tell her thank-you from us!!
From: Marcia Richardson | 12/10/10 at 10:46 pm
F and S, I loved the barn tour...my mom wants to know if there are plans for Martha's barn published or her friend Jodi's barn...she wants to fancy up our barn like yours! love the pink coats...Mocha!