A holiday brunch at my house this past weekend
On Sunday, I invited friends and employees and their families to my home in Bedford for a holiday brunch. Saturday evening, as predicted, a coastal blizzard made its way slowly up the east coast, dumping many inches of snow. My surrounding area only received a few inches. However, New York City registered about eleven inches. Since many of my guests live in and around the metropolitan area, I was worried that many of those invited would not be able to attend. Thankfully, the snow was powdery and the road crews were able to clean it off quickly, making travel safe on Sunday. The brunch was fantastic and fun and I was so happy to share a little holiday cheer.
1 A gathering around the table in the brown room
2 The fire in the brown room was burning nicely.
3 Harper really liked the popovers.
4 Yasmin enjoying some holiday candy
5 Katie enjoying a hot cappuccino after coming in from the cold
6 This polar bear was greeting guests to the eggnog table.
7 Ladling out the eggnog
8 I love these gold rimmed punch cups.
9 Eggnog was also served in these silver cups.
10 We used my beautiful holiday linens.
11 A caramel-topped wheel of Camembert
12 The popovers were baked with a sprinkling of grated gruyere cheese.
13 The popovers were cut in half and filled with creamed spinach and a fried egg - YUM!
14 This is a platter of beautiful smoked salmon.
15 One of my holiday hams from Costco was also served, glazed nicely. Also on the platter was thinly sliced fresh pineapple and buttermilk biscuits.
16 A platter of roasted potatoes, carrots, and kale - so many wonderful flavors.
17 Caviar was delicious!
18 Brioche bread pudding
19 The bread pudding was topped with my mother's sour lemon sauce.
20 Simon Andrews and Vanessa Holden - Vanessa enjoyed the chef's scrambled eggs served in an egg shell and topped with caviar.
21 Keven Sharkey enjoying a cup of eggnog
22 A selection of holiday cookies made with a cookie press
23 Chocolate filled sandwich cookies
24 These are Dani Fiori's cookies made on my TV show.
25 Holiday candy was set around the house.
26 The chocolate-peppermint bark was a real hit.
27 Katie Hatch, Steve Rees, Alex Postman
28 Ellen Morrissey and her daughter Nora.
29 Alex Postman and daughter, Nell.
30 Darcy's daughters Ella Bea (held by Yasmin) and Daisy
31 Chef David Malbequi did a superb job.
32 Eliad Laskin and his wife, Katie
33 Yasmin and Annika had a great time. Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/
34 Lisa Wagner with her sons Alexander and Ethan
35 Susan Magrino and her husband Jim Dunning
36 This is Hugo - Sticky fingers - sticky mouth
37 A photographer in the making.
38 Susie Ercole giving Laura Acuna a warm embrace
39 Sanu Sherpa was very helpful in the kitchen.
40 My neighbor, Peter Michaels, having some fun with the eggnog foam - he came to the party wearing a chef's coat.
41 Darcy Miller and her youngest daughter, Pippa Dot
42 Andrew Postman and daughter, Nell
43 Here I am with Raymond Haddad - he was showing me his super new 85mm lens.
44 Judy Morris and her sons William and Eddie
45 Harper getting walloped by a snowball - all in good fun. Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/
46 Here's the culprit, Nora. Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/
47 Harper making nice with Clive. Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/
48 Yasmin and Annika amused by Rutger - Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/
49 Uncle Carlos provided shuttle transport from the parking area to the house. Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/
50 Susan Magrino and her dog, Churchill. Photo credit: Raymond Haddad http://www.flickr.com/photos/raymondhaddad/
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Crystal of Snow
.
.
If a snowflake starts three miles high in the sky,
I takes half an hour to join us bye and bye.
As they roll and hesitate, then carry on to the ground,
They are only visible, they arrive without sound.
.
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Frozen water vapor, floating and falling as snow;
Ice crystals joining forces, massing downwards they go.
Willy-nilly flying with no care for us beneath,
Snowflakes are without prejudice lighting on lawn or heath.
.
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There is no preparation for their long haphazard trip,
Simply lots of water vapor and in the air a nip
The slightest breeze can have them dancing about
Steadily filling nooks and crannies emulating grout:
.
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Yesterday's scene could have been a beautiful fall,
Tomorrow every item in the yard has its own shawl,
A covering starting to build and hide mistakes,
Sometimes fortunate or a benefit for all our sakes.
.
.
Posted by: celia stock | December 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 am
Hi Martha, what a lovely holiday brunch and gathering. The menu looks delicious. I am sure the kids had a wonderful day at your place and enjoyed the snow. Thank you for introducing Raymond Haddad, I visited his site and his photos are amazing such a talented person. I am having a party for my friends and their kids on Thursday, started baking cookies last night, I am using your books: Cookies, Cupcakes and Baking Handbook, amazing and wonderful recipes. Thank you Martha. I would love to send you some photos of the event.
Best Wishes,
Rowaida Flayhan
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | December 22nd, 2009 at 12:59 am
looks delicious! too bad i didn't get an invite
Posted by: tasha | December 22nd, 2009 at 1:40 am
hi, we really love your place, if you don't mind, we appreciate you can share on our website (it's all for free) http://www.decomyplace.com we're trying to share everyone's living idea, to help more people to improve their living space. now we got over 75 countries, real peopel real living spaces & decorating ideas, we appreciate any support from you. and please let us know if we made any uncomfortableness to you, have a good day.
Posted by: jerry | December 22nd, 2009 at 5:12 am
Martha:
It all looks so yummy and delicious. And your home is so beautifully decorated. I love your eggnog cups to, especially the red and gold ones. Everything looked so beautiful. Thanks for sharing your brunch photos with us.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | December 22nd, 2009 at 5:34 am
That food looks so good...I'm weeping.
Posted by: Lynn from For Love or Funny | December 22nd, 2009 at 7:16 am
These photos have gotten me into the spirit. Great collaboration with your guest photographer. The animals and children look so happy and your brunch was beautiful, abundant, and generous. It is all about taking the time to gather and celebrate! Thanks for sharing and for all of the MSO family's expertise shared through the year. We got 22 inches of fluffy snow in Philadelpha. I shoveled with my neighbors for five hours!!!
Posted by: Teresa Touey | December 22nd, 2009 at 11:34 am
I love the decor not to mention the food looks great! Who decorated the house? I know those were mostly pieces from your Grandinroad collection.
Posted by: Norbie | December 22nd, 2009 at 11:39 am
Running a Bed & Breakfast I'm always excited to see new creations to whip up for my guests. Everything looked so yummy. Thank you again for sharing, Martha.
Posted by: Judy | December 22nd, 2009 at 11:52 am
By far, my favorite posts on your blog are those that capture views of your home while you are entertaining...the decor, the food, the farm, the guests, all so beautiful. Inspiring and a boost to all who host gatherings in their homes.
Posted by: lil | December 22nd, 2009 at 12:11 pm
You really have a beautiful life filled with friends and family. I'm sure you have so much to be grateful for...all those years of hard work have really given you the most beautiful life...thanks for sharing it with me and others.
Robert
Posted by: Robert | December 22nd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Beautifulset-up!!! Love all of those wreaths!
Posted by: Tricia | December 22nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Oh my what a magical brunch and so glad you had some help:)
Posted by: Cynthia | December 22nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
What a wonderful get-together, Martha! In spite of the weather, folks came! - I'm glad it didn't put a damper on everyone's spirits AND your brunch! Everything looked just delicious and festive...that brioche bread pudding and the popovers with fried eggs were especially calling my name!
~
The irony of this past weekend's storm was in how it tracked thru the mid-atlantic and parts of the northeast. I am south of you in Maryland, and we got around 20 inches of snow over Friday nite and well into Saturday nite (our largest storm in about 5 years.) Folks in the snow belts got a couple inches or even none at all. My cousin who lives in Vermont even escaped this weekend dumping! So, all in all, it was a good thing, Martha, that you received a managable amount of precipitation that didn't spoil your holiday festivities!
~
'Tis the season!...
~
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | December 22nd, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Very festive Martha, and hope you all had a great time!! I'm pretty sure you ate like Queens and Kings!! Happy Holidays to all and to all a good night. Not a creature was stirring not even a barn mouse. Decorations were hung on windows so snug, and In Sweden they're drinking some glog!! Cheers to all, and a Happy New year. Smiles and peace go out to all in that room. Be safe be healthy!!
<3 Kristin
Posted by: kristin svens | December 22nd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Simply superb...good friends, food and fun! It's fun to be a 'blog' guest!
Posted by: sherey | December 22nd, 2009 at 8:43 pm
As always, the food and decorations are my favorite photos to see! Everything is so beautiful!
I would love to see more Christmas decor like the glittered chandelier and 9' blue spruce tree. Also, do you decorate your bathrooms for Christmas? I always decorate my bathrooms for holidays but I would like to know if that is appropriate to do.
Happy holidays, Martha and (MSLO)family!!
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport, ME | December 22nd, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Hi Martha, Thank you for letting all of us see this fantastic brunch at your farm for your lucky employees. Your photos were beautiful and what a wonderful time everyone must have had. The food and everything else looked spectacular and the kids sure had fun, didn't they?! Even your animals had fun! Thanks so much for sharing. Loved watching you on Jimmie Fallon's show last night. You two had fun being together again, as usual. Stay warm and have fun. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 22nd, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Martha, these photos are absolutely gorgeous. What a talent Raymond is! I love the way the mantel looks and the food looks so delicious! Each photo caused me to utter a little "ooo" or "ahhh." Thank you for sharing these.
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | December 22nd, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Thank you for showing that there are still companies (employers) that still have the Christmas spirit.
Posted by: Sportsfaninnky | December 23rd, 2009 at 1:18 am
Martha, love you and the show & your blog!! I am trying to open a organic/natural cafe and I am inspired by you! Ck out me website: http://www.asproutabove.com
We are trying to help community and provide organic food. Plus we want to help pets get the same benifit by offering organic pet products.
Posted by: Laurie | December 23rd, 2009 at 2:11 am
These pictures reminds me of my mother at the holidays, she is not with us anymore........ but she loved you Martha
Posted by: Adam Anderson | December 23rd, 2009 at 8:53 am
I loved the pictures of the holiday brunch. The house was lovely. How nice of you to have the children attend the brunch with their parents. Thanks so much for sharing, and I know it was a lovely time shared by all. Merry
Christmas Martha and thanks for all that you do to teach all of us how to be better consumers, cooks, and decorators.
Posted by: Kimberly | December 23rd, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Dear Martha,
I have been home with a badley broken leg since Sept. 20 So I have been watching everyday I love all your ideas and recipes and now I want a french Bulldog. I sew and cook and my friends call me Martha as a joke. I am a Flight Attendant and when I come home I love to cook and make things but since I have been home with my injuries I discovered something you might want to share with you viewers. I have been cleaning out closests and found one of my old curtain rod for a door that has the Magnets to stay on the metal doors well I was going to throw it out. And I discovered if you put it on the fridge you can hang dish towels from. Its awsome. And my son thought it was very smart.
Posted by: Christy Jennings | December 24th, 2009 at 2:05 am
How adorable is that shot of Harper and Clive? Nothing more precious than animals and kids together. No doubt this was one of the best days of their young lives!
Posted by: Marie | December 24th, 2009 at 5:08 am
Absolutely the best. Lovely. Love the linens. And, the popover with egg and spinach . . . OMG
Posted by: jeannette | December 24th, 2009 at 10:44 am
hi,i love you & your best recipes.i require say me a bout your good thins show (bake cristmas cookies,noah's ark animals cookie's chef)
thank you so much
Posted by: mohadeseh | December 24th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
This is first time I have visited your blog.
That alot of people talk about the pictures of the food are fabulas. It's all very lovely you really know how to through a shin dig. You really look at the details, down to the last little dot of icing on the cookies.
Thanks loved looking at all the wonderful things you so love to do.
Heather
Posted by: Heather Wallace | December 25th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Lovely pictures as always.
The photos of the food made my mouth water!
Posted by: Carolyn | December 28th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Martha,
I challenge you to make tamales the way I make them. I have been told by everyone that has had the opportunity of eating my tamales as being 'THE BEST". I have enough confidence that I will show your audience how to prepare my tamale recipe from the tedious start to the final finish! Are you ready to take on the challenge? I am!
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Olga Lopez
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Posted by: Olga Lopez | January 6th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
Good job, again to Celia for her wonderful writing skills.
Posted by: Nan | February 7th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Hi! Martha, Thank for sharing you photos with us it put a smile on my face. There is nothing like spending the special times with family and friends.The pictures of the food was making me hungry. In Australia our Christmas feasts are quite different of course because it is in summer. Many families spent their Christmas at the beach and have salad dishes with prawns,cold meat ect.That part is very different but never the less dos'nt matter what part of the world we life in it is always wonderful to be with family and friends at that time of the year.
Posted by: Heather | February 20th, 2010 at 3:49 pm