1 Francesca! GK! There is something strange outside! It appears to be some sort of green animal about Frenchie size!

2 I'll just wait here, where it's safe, while you girls investigate. That green color is kind of disturbing.

3 Hmmm, it's shaped like one of the miniature donkeys except that it's much more miniature! But our mini donks are the smallest size there is! And they definitely don't come in green! We need a closer look.

4 Well, Francesca, would you look at that! It's a topiary in the shape of a donkey!

5 Topiaries are often made by trimming trees, shrubs, or bushes into shapes. This is a different type of topiary.

6 Oh I see, the donkey shape is actually a wire frame, which appears to be filled with sphagnum moss. Sphagnum is often referred to as peat moss, as it's often found growing on top of peat bogs.

7 You know what? I can pose like that, too. Why doesn't someone make a topiary of me? The art of topiary has been around since Roman times. What better way to be immortalized?

8 How about this, Sharkey? Is this a good pose?

9 Or should I look off this way, like I'm daydreaming?

10 Just think, people all over the globe could decorate their lawns with Topiary Francescas! This could be big, Sharkey!

11 Oh Francesca, you're so silly. We don't need a topiary version of you—one of you is enough!

1 Where is that Sharkey? I can hear her barking and I think I know where she is.

2 Franny, I'm in with the donks trying to get them to play tag! Run, Billie! Run, Rufus! Run, Clive! Come on, I want to play!

3 Sharkey, you should have gotten here sooner. We would love to play with you, but we've got an appointment in the stable for our daily hoof washing.

4 Oh come on, Billie! Why bother washing your hooves? They'll just get dirty again tomorrow! Skip it and stay out here and play with me!

5 Sharkey, we donks must think of our health. Hoof problems aren't common for miniature donkeys, but the risks are greater when the ground is soggy from rain and snow.

6 Washing hooves really doesn't take all that much effort. Dolma leads us right to the stable shower.

7 To keep us from bolting, Dolma hooks our harnesses to a strap in the shower. Of course, there are treats for good behavior.

8 And then the fun begins and we get our hooves sprayed clean. We've been told that when the ground is wet, it becomes a breeding ground for all kinds of bacteria. Yuck!

9 This is truly fascinating! I'll keep my distance to avoid getting wet.

10 All that bacteria can cause a number of hoof problems for donks and horses alike! Horrible infections like thrush, white line disease, lamanitis, and even abscesses can cause big health problems.

11 All clean again!

12 You see, Frenchies, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

13 Wow, I learned a lot today about hoof hygiene! And I'm so glad Dolma takes such good care of you. I better go home and ask to have my paws washed after running in your paddock.

1 Francesca and I love this area of the farm.

2 We have so many pretty songbirds that come to feed here and we have so many squirrels to chase because they, too, come to eat the seeds that fall to the ground.

3 Oh no, Francesca! This pile of feathers can't be a good thing!

4 This is more than just one little bird molting.

5 Horrors! This looks more like a crime scene!

6 Do you suppose one of our little birds has met an unfortunate end?

7 Sharkey, just yesterday when I was out here, a big shadow was cast on the ground and when I looked up...

8 I saw the gigantic four-foot wingspan of a red tailed hawk.

9 Oh no, Franny! All hawks are birds of prey and are feared by small animals because of their carnivorous cravings. It's widely assumed that these raptors eat primarily mammals, but they consider small birds to be a succulent treat!

10 I think we know what has happened here and I suppose we can close this unfortunate case.

11 Hey little birds! Watch your backs!

12 A hawk can swoop down at any time and grab you in its big sharp talons. I'm told they can even nab you in mid-flight! Imagine, birds eating birds! Who can figure it?

1 How do you like that, Francesca! Here we are all ready to play in the snow that fell last night, but it's turned to rain and the snow is nearly all gone!

2 Well, Sharkey, it may not be weather for playing in the snow, but let's take a walk around the farm and get some exercise anyway!

3 We should probably inspect the burlapping and see how it's holding up. Darn, my feet are getting wet in these puddles.

4 The shrubs beneath these burlap covers smell alive and healthy!

5 And Francesca, the burlap is still nice and taut on its frames. We wouldn't want any of Martha's beautiful shrubs to be damaged by winter's cold and heavy snow!

6 You know, Sharkey, burlap, or hessian, is a great material to use in the garden. It's strong and natural and is usually woven from fibers of the jute and sisal plants. Its loose weave allows for good air circulation and it's biodegradable.

7 Look, Sharkey! The guys have even outlined the walkways with metal stakes. If a heavy snow should fall, the paths are marked for easy shoveling!

8 So far, this has been one strange winter, Franny! I am so glad that Ryan and Wilmer finished spreading the garden beds with compost. I was really worried about all those confused spring bulbs.

9 Sharkey, that compost is blanketing the bulbs just as this burlap is protecting the shrubs and just as our warm coats are blanketing us!

10 In winter, it's all about covering up and being protected from the elements. Now, where does one find a squirrel to chase when it's cold and nasty?

1 What are you looking at, Sharkey? That looks like a posting on Martha's blog from 2007!

2 It is, Francesca! I noticed that Martha had put her namesake orchid in the kitchen and it prompted me to look up some information about it!

3 Oh right, I remember this! Art Chadwick, Sr. and his son Arthur, from Chadwick & Sons, appeared on Martha's show to present her with the orchid that they named for her. Let's take a closer look at it in the kitchen!

4 Here it is! Wow, look how large the flowers are! I don't think any of Martha's other orchids blossom this big!

5 The botanical name is Laeliocattleya Martha Stewart and is registered with the Royal Horticultural Society. It's a cattleya hybrid.

6 Did you know this type of hybrid takes seven years to bloom, Franny? After that, it will bloom every year. You're seven years old. Can you imagine waiting your whole life to see it blossom?

7 That's sure one special orchid! Cattleyas are a tropical flower, right? They typically grow in South America.

8 That's right Franny. They are often used in corsages, but I think this one would look nice behind my ear, don't you think?

9 They are characterized by three narrow petals and three wide petals with ruffly edges. They also have a lovely sweet fragrance. Smell it, Francesca!

10 Oh I did, and now I have pollen all over my nose! Achoo!

1 Chadwick G.'s dachshunds, Sadie and Jasper, pose like the bears from Grandin Road, the same as Martha has in her home.

2 Christ S. used this photo of his sister's dogs, Cookie, Muffin, and Blue, as this year's Christmas card.

3 Pam from New Mexico sends photos of Maude the Bulldog...

4 ...and Ugo the Spinone, both in festive Santa Hats.

5 Ugo loves the snow!

6 Marjory and John H. say their keeshound, Edd E BowWower, loves sitting by the tree!

7 Karen M.'s poodle, Rufus, is quite the patriotic pup!

8 Susie P.'s son's cat, Pouncey, is hoping Santa will leave her a chipmunk in her stocking.

9 Jackie T. says this is Bowzer's favorite Christmas shirt.

10 Gordon, Jane C.'s 15 year old poodle, loves his new plush bed!

11 Kathy M. says Merry Christmas from Sophie!

12 "My name is D’ozhee. My mommy loves me and is getting me ready for the Holidays."

13 Huck looks quite dapper in his Christmas sweater.

1 Maddie, Sherry's 2 year old rescued miniature poodle

2 Brian and Kathleen W. have Maggie, their elf like rescue.

3 Maggie always crosses her paws like a lady, especially when she's dressed up in her sweater and pearls!

4 Karen M.'s 8 year old rescued terrier mix is named Frito and lives in Texas.

5 Lucy was rescued by her mom, Loni, who found her on Martha Stewart's pet adoption link!

6 Theresa F. says Jak loves to read about our escapades on the farm.

7 Barbara K. says Buddy is ready for Christmas!

8 Barb B. says Griffin is patiently waiting for Santa!

9 Carrie N. shared this shot of Scooby, the Christmas Elf!

10 Paulette L. shares this photo of Marley, the "closest thing to a grandbaby my daughter Nikki says I'm going to get"!

11 Michelle G. says "This is Maggie May, our Jack Russell Terrier on Christmas morning."

12 Kev T. says "Aloha from Hawaii! This is Charlie (Golden Retriever) and Fen (cat)"

1 Kermit Escargot Yock is ready for Santa! Now, where could he be?

2 There he is!

3 Susan W. shared this photo of Shadow Dancer and Princess Belle with Santa. They love to go for long walks and chase ducks in the lake!

4 Kathryn D.'s Great Dane, Sugar Joy, is feeling the holiday spirit!

5 And her Neapolitan Mastiff, Rufio Ricardo, is ready to play Santa!

6 ...or an elf!

7 Or ring in the New Year in style!

8 What a great present!

9 Shana and Glenn took their precious pups, Penny and Cooper, to see Santa. We hope you all get what you want for Christmas!

10 Visiting Santa isn't just for the dogs—Tracy L's kitten, Bubba, is ready with a catnip-filled wish list!

11 Tracy L. also brought her pugs, Milo and Frankie, to sit with Santa.

12 Cici Y. from Sandwich, NH, found these reindeer in the woods...Wait, those aren't reindeer!

13 It's Nellie the Labradoodle!

14 And Rosebud, the Australian Shepherd!

15 Molly W.'s bulldog, Gretchen, is ready to fill in for Rudolph!

1 Francesca! Come up to the craft room! We need to work on our holiday card!

2 I think we should use this great photo taken of us wearing our holiday sweaters from PetSmart.

3 What do you think, Francesca?

4 Great, Sharkey! And now we'll print it out. Doesn't it look nice on this glossy paper?

5 I'll use this Martha Stewart Crafts paper cutter to cut out the photo. Franny, go find some card stock!

6 Already ahead of you! I'm using this bone folder to make a really nice crease!

7 A little glue to the back of the photo...

8 It's looking good, Francesca! But is there anything else we can do to make it a bit more festive?

9 I found this snowflake border paper punch!

10 Did you know that sending holiday cards is somewhat of a recent practice? The first card was designed by J.C. Horsly in 1843! They caught on in England because, at the time, it only cost a penny to mail them!

11 Wow, doesn't it look great? Come on, Sharkey! Let's run and give this to Martha! She'll be so proud of her little Frenchies!

1 G.K.! Watch the door and tell me if Francesca is coming up the stairs! I told her to run outside after one of those pesky squirrels.

2 I needed some time to work on her birthday surprise. I'm making meatball cupcakes for our celebration! Our Franny turns 7 today!

3 Don't worry, Sharkey! I'll be your sentry. Wow, I can't believe Francesca is 7 years old!

4 Hmmm - I'll use some white rice as jimmies. Well, G.K., Franny is 7 in human years. Some would say she's 49 in 'dog years', but that count is not actually accurate!

5 It's because dogs reach maturity much faster than humans! By age 2, for example, no longer a puppy, I was considered an adult dog! Humans are still babies at 2. Hey G.K., how does my cupcake look?

6 It looks delish, Sharkey! Boy, Francesca is going to be so surprised! How very exciting!

7 I think I hear Franny coming! Quick, G.K., let's light these candles!

8 How pretty! And delicious looking! I don't really eat red meat - I'm more of a pescetarian lately, but I just might have to steal a bite!

9 Wow, is this for little old moi? I was afraid you two had forgotten my birthday again!

10 Sharkey, this cupcake is simply beautiful and I feel so honored! Now to blow out the candles and make a wish...

11 It's sure hard coming up with a wish when you already have everything a dog could want, and you two are at the top of that list! Thank you so much!