A small gathering at my house for Valentine's Day
I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. I was hostess to a small gathering of loved ones. The menu was delicious - terrine de foie gras (a gift from Pierre now at Benoit), bucatini with black truffles and butter, garden greens and herb salad, and buttermilk panna cotta with passion fruit and heart-shaped cookies - chocolate, ginger, and lemon-sugar. We all really enjoyed ourselves.
All of your photos always look fabulous...of course, you are Martha. I just love thoses roses. I saw the segment on your show the other day about glittering them, what a fabulous idea!
By the way I am loving those table napkins with the M on them!
Posted by: Ashley Cornewell | February 16th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Everything is absolutely beautiful! Trish
Posted by: Trish | February 16th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Hi Martha, This is a most stunning photo gallery of your lovely gathering of your loved ones on Valentine's Day. I can only imagine what a wonderful time all of you had. I absolutely love the beautiful table settings and the gorgeous roses and orchids, as well as the wonderful gift boxes you gave everyone. Martha, to me you are the most generous, genuine true humane person I have ever known about. Even though I have never met you in person, I feel like you are a true friend who does so many nice things for everyone. Thank you so much for taking the time to share so much of your "up close and personal life" with all of us. Have a wonderful, safe trip to Atlanta and St. Louis. I got some lovely items at K Mart today. They were having a sale and many items are becoming scarce. Couldn't find any cookie sheets or cake pans at all. When everything is gone, I'll just have to go to Macy's more often. Take care. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | February 16th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Table is beautiful as all your tables are. In my second life I'd like to come back as you!I'd even settle for someone who could pronounce the menu you serve to your guest! Thank you for continuing to inspire us all! =O)
Posted by: Christine | February 16th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
The table looks beautiful Martha. I hope your party was a pleasant one for you.
Pam from California
Posted by: Pam From California | February 16th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I love this tablesetting: Not overly laid nor too fussy with theme-y "tablescape" nonsense. Be well, The Hostess
Posted by: Blushing Hostess | February 16th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Looks beautiful! =D melanie
Posted by: melanie | February 17th, 2009 at 1:04 am
.
Reverent appreciation to you for your illustration of love toward friends.
Pink and Silver Ribbons to You!
.
Posted by: andrea and the weimaraners | February 17th, 2009 at 2:05 am
Beautiful! Is Kevin Sharkey single?
Posted by: Roy L. Thomas | February 17th, 2009 at 2:12 am
Martha,
How lovely! I feel like a guest! Thank you so much for inviting us to see your beautiful work. I love the color of the wall in your bird room! And clementines...mmmm!
Posted by: Shannon | February 17th, 2009 at 2:18 am
What a delightful party. Thanks for sharing the photos, Martha!
Posted by: Lily | February 17th, 2009 at 4:25 am
The orchids and roses are gorgeous! It makes me long for springtime when everything is in bloom and the world is waking up.
The clementines sound intriguing. I will have to keep my eyes peeled for them so I can try them out.
Your place settings at the party were lovely! I just took an an afternoon film and spoke to my Valentine across the miles. Simple yet equally sweet!
Posted by: Kari | February 17th, 2009 at 4:25 am
in photo #15, could you please describe the window treatment? Is it linen? Thank you!
Posted by: marybeth | February 17th, 2009 at 4:35 am
My favourite photo here is of the orchids in the servery. How beautiful!! It illustrates two things about your home in Bedford, I think: that gray makes all of the colours in comes into contact with pop and that plants and flowers indoors warm up a space tremendously. (Kevin did such a great job on that arrangement of roses, by the way!)
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | February 17th, 2009 at 5:29 am
Everything is just a feast for my eyes, Martha - the crisp linens, the gleaming silver, and your - well, your crystal-clear crystal dishes and bowls! I especially love your signature 'M' in pink on your napkins! (I AM wondering to myself what that little 'package' was inside your gift boxes that had your girls' picture on it(?)...
I only KNOW, too, that your home was filled with heady aromas with all those orchid and rose bouquets! (ba-Buum...ba-Buum [that's my heart pitterpattering!] ) Oh Martha, how gorgeous! (Except for one who would have allergies, who wouldn't absolutely LOVE flowers throughout their house?!) Everything was just soooo beautiful!
You really do bring out the best in us, you know?!... The word 'inspire' seems so trite, as it's been used over and over, but you truly invoke in your true followers to become the very best I/we can be!
(...now, if I could just become interested in/choose to make time for/enjoy cooking [big sigh!]...I will have arrived!) [giggle]
=^..^=
"He who plants a tree ~ plants a hope."--Lucy Larcom
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | February 17th, 2009 at 5:33 am
Nice!!
Posted by: Salvador | February 17th, 2009 at 5:36 am
Martha, those rose coloured glasses and the utterly beautiful display of roses, just make that table. I hope you and your guests had a wonderful time. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Liz@VioletPosy | February 17th, 2009 at 5:37 am
Dear Martha,
Happy Valentine! Everything looks amazingly beautiful. Love the table setting and the flowers are so refreshing.
Thank you for sharing.
God Bless
Rowaida Flayhan
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | February 17th, 2009 at 5:48 am
What a beautiful table! I LOVE the pink and brown dishes. For my Valentine's dinner I used my new favorite dishes, your Conservatory Collection from Macy's (there are pictures on my blog
Posted by: Pamela Newberry | February 17th, 2009 at 5:55 am
How pretty the table is. Love Valentine's Day this one was special. My son got married on Saturday it was beautiful lots of pinks!!!!
Posted by: Arlene | February 17th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Martha- Such a beautiful table setting! I loved seeing your monogrammed napkins again (I remember them from your Menus For Entertaining book)I have been obsessed with them since the first time I saw them, and have always wanted a set made up for myself. Did Penn & Fletcher embroider those for you?
Posted by: BCD | February 17th, 2009 at 6:58 am
I've posted photos from the taping of your wedding episode on my blog (url below)! I love your 'set' kitchen and plan to use it as inspiration for the kitchen in my new house.
http://www.blisslistkc.com/blissblog
Enjoy!
Jenny
The Bliss List
http://www.blisslistkc.com
Posted by: Jenny, The Bliss List | February 17th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Love the place setting! What a coincindence that I used the exact same wine glass as part of my dinner for my wife. Along with old Wedgwood mulberry transferware and red bakelite, I used the Steak Poivres and sauteed vegetables that I saw on your website for the menu. Superb!
Brian
Posted by: Brian | February 17th, 2009 at 7:09 am
I whish I was one of your guests that day. It loks so nice and the pictures are so inviting
Posted by: Wenche | February 17th, 2009 at 7:15 am
My Mom entertained a lot and as a little girl she put me in charge of setting the tables because I am known as the "creative" one in the family. She had several sets of dishes, many goblets and several vases. My grandmother cross stitched numerous gorgeous tablecloths and Dad and I were the gardeners, so I had a lot of good ingredients to work with. Somewhere Mom had picked up a small napkin folding brochure and she challenged me to learn each one, which I eventually did. To this day, whenever I entertain, one of the most important and fun things for me remains setting the table. I've incorporated many of your ideas over the years and love to see my guests reactions and treat them to something special. The one you have pictured here is of course, exquisite down to the last detail. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Posted by: Sandi | February 17th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Love the flow of the monogram on the napkin- very pretty tablesetting!
Posted by: Tracey | February 17th, 2009 at 9:22 am
What a lovely table setting. The pink glass looks very much like my cranberry. Everything was lovely as always. You make the most of every holiday and my hat is off to you. The clementines are available in our home market and yes, they are wonderful. Thanks for sharing your home and party with us. We do love to see what you are doing next. It inspires all of us!
Posted by: Sylvia | February 17th, 2009 at 9:52 am
To answer Marybeth's question regarding my window treatments - They're made from a type of solar shade fabric that allows for light without compromising privacy.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | February 17th, 2009 at 10:14 am
And to answer BCD about the monogramming on my napkins - yes, it was indeed Penn & Fletcher who did the lovely work.
Posted by: Martha Stewart | February 17th, 2009 at 10:22 am
Your flowers and monogramed napkins are lovely.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Crispell | February 17th, 2009 at 10:40 am
The flowers are just gorgeous! Kevin is so talented!!!
Posted by: susieshomemade | February 17th, 2009 at 11:14 am
hi martha, can i come for next valentines day? you remind me so much of my mom's aunt, who passed away many years ago. she always made special meals like this. her cooking of course was wonderful, but she always was very much into the special and finer details as are you. how special she always made us feel. brenda
Posted by: Brenda | February 17th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Martha- your Valentines get together looks lovely and it sure beats the bag of store bought chocolates I bought for myself. (I don't think my husband gets special occasions) I adore the orchids, very beautiful.
Posted by: Kim G. | February 17th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Martha,
I just came in from working out in the wind all day.
Your blog with the beautiful well thought out, inspiring table pieces were just what the doctor ordered.
Thanks so much for always making us proud
for believing in nice things.
Posted by: Vince | February 17th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I love the table setting, the pink & white & clear glass are really beautiful. The flower arrangements are really nice. Also, I noticed Francesca & Sharkey's picture on a box of the candy! That's so cute.
Posted by: Sherry | February 17th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
how can i get an invitation
Posted by: connie | February 17th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
How pretty. What fun to sit down to.
Thanks.
Posted by: Margie | February 17th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Wow - the ladyslipper orchids from India are some of the most beautiful flowers that I've seen. I also really liked the napkins with the huge mongram. I think I'm going to buy some nice linen napkins and embroider a set of my own.
Posted by: John Cipollini | February 17th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
We went to a Valentines Day party too. So fun. I love all things Martha. My mother and I never miss an issue. We have a lot in common. I wrote a whole novel about it, Social Climbers. http://www.socialclimbers.net xoxo
Posted by: Beth Dunn | February 17th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I just love this table setting!
Just stopped in to let you know that we are having a blog swap over at Petticoat Junction. IT would be sooooooo wonderful if you joined in! OF course I may have to cheat and pick you for my partner. hee hee.
Diane
Posted by: Diane | February 17th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
You are more of a romantic then you let on, Martha...I guess Kevin got to go, huh? Or just his flowers? (Tee Hee)
Posted by: tinay | February 18th, 2009 at 4:08 am
Martha, have you ever visited Belgique choclatier & patisserie in Kent, CT? I am positive you would simply love it!
Posted by: Catherine | February 18th, 2009 at 6:24 am
What a beautiful setting...just lovely. Where would one find the placemats - I love the way that flow off of the edge of the table.
Posted by: Di-Anna | February 18th, 2009 at 7:35 am
beautiful roses! oh I can not wait for summer
Posted by: susan | February 18th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Martha~
If only I had more time to be so creative - I must say I do think you send me inspiration to a smidge of your ideas... My maiden name is STEWART and my friends are just sure we have some blood line... LOL... You are THE BEST! I enjoy each and every idea I come across from the web, magazines, and books you have in your collection... One day I will meet you... Hugs, Edie
Posted by: Edie (Stewart) Anderson - Roberts, WI | February 19th, 2009 at 9:17 am
BEAUTIFUL table setting!!!! I love it!!!
Posted by: Julie | February 20th, 2009 at 5:16 am
Beautiful table setting and unique menu.
Thanks for sharing your gatherings as this is special to be part of your life.
Always a faithful viewer and friend on line.
God bless
Posted by: Norma J Scott | February 20th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Just beautiful! I love the roses and orchids, and the table glistened with good taste.
On another topic, I just wanted to let you know that the parchment origami box fish dinner was such an interesting approach. I found some very nicely illustrated and lucid instructions for making an origami box at the website http://www.origami-fun.com. The directions there were very easy to follow, so thought I would let you know.
Thanks for all of your inspirations for making life an art.
Best wishes, Phylies from California
Posted by: Phylies from California | February 21st, 2009 at 7:04 am
Thank you Ms. Stewart for sharing these photos and your life with us, I do love this photo of the orchids, just beautiful! When will you be posting photos of your trips to India? Take care.
Posted by: Prisilla | February 22nd, 2009 at 8:37 am
I am mad about the cranberry glasses on the table! They are beautiful. The monogram napkins are also gorgeous. What a lovely table.
Posted by: MarthaAndMe | February 24th, 2009 at 4:29 am
Beautiful granite table.
Posted by: john | February 25th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I love the tablescape but the napkins are fabulous! The really finish the whole setting so well. I love that they are pink! Excellent choice for Valentine's Day.
Posted by: Cheap Checks | February 25th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Martha, thank you for sharing pictures from your private dinners. The table setting is beautiful, and I love your monogrammed napkins!
Posted by: Wendy | May 17th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
The picture are very nice, But I don't see the picture of anybody. If you invite me I'l be there. I was in a camp like you.
Posted by: Charly Hagege | October 16th, 2009 at 10:03 pm