A christening in Tennessee - My godson Luke Haynie
After we left Shadow Nursery in Winchester, TN, we flew to Nashville to attend the christening of Luke Haynie, the baby of my former assistant, Liesl Menning Haynie and her husband, country music artist, Kevin Haynie. I was very touched when Liesl and Kevin asked me to stand in as godmother. The role of godfather was given to Kevin’s brother, the well-known fiddler, Aubrey Haynie. Liesl has adjusted nicely to life in Nashville and she, in fact, now works as manager to multi platinum country music artist Clay Walker. Upon landing in Nashville, we did a quick change in the airport and proceeded to the church for the christening. Little Luke is now six months old and is a very well behaved baby. He seemed to really enjoy the ceremony. Afterwards, we went to the famous Loveless Café for yet another delicious Southern meal, which I also loved. This was a wonderful end to a whirlwind day and Liesl did a beautiful job.
1 I love this photo of little Luke and Liesl.
2 And this photo of Kevin, Luke, and Liesl
3 There's nothing like a sweet baby to make me smile.
4 Liesl found this adorable christening outfit on line and had printed up charming invitations.
5 Kim Miller - TV producer - assists Liesl in getting Luke ready.
6 Another great photo taken right before the christening
7 Kathy Sloan waiting for the ceremony to begin
8 Luke seems curious as to what is happening.
9 I decided to play a little peek-a-boo.
10 He liked that game.
11 Susan Warburg takes a turn holding Luke, who doesn't seem to mind strangers.
12 Here we are singing a hymn.
13 This is what we were singing.
14 Pastor Jim Hughs performing the baptism sacrament
15 Luke is still happy after the ceremony.
16 Luke is a very well-behaved little baby.
17 Aubrey standing proudly with his godson
18 After the christening, we went to the famous Loveless Cafe for a celebration.
19 The very charming exterior of the Loveless.
20 The Loveless Motel rooms have been converted into shops.
21 Photos of celebrities line the interior walls.
22 Dolly Parton artwork
23 An old Johnny Cash poster
24 The Loveless is a very popular eatery.
25 I love the rustic interior.
26 The history of the Loveless is printed on the place mats.
27 Baby Luke arrives at the Loveless.
28 Liesl picked beautiful daffodils for the table and made thoughtful gift baskets.
29 The baskets were filled with homemade strawberry jam, blown and glittered eggs from my chickens, petit fours, heirloom seeds, and cute cookies made by TV's Dani Fiori.
30 The biscuits are world-famous and the recipe is top-secret.
31 Luke loves strawberries.
32 And also the tartness of a lemon slice
33 Kim gives Liesl a break and feeds Luke.
34 Here we are enjoying another feast.
35 This photo was taken by Kevin and Liesl's friend and videographer, Marcel. Please take a look at his video.
Video By Marcel
Luke Menning Haynie "Baptism with Martha Stewart" from MARCEL on Vimeo.
Hello Martha:
Congratulations on your baptism of little Luke. He is so cute and adorable. What a beautiful celebration in his honor. Thank you for sharing this day with us.
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 7th, 2010 at 1:41 am
Beautiful photos and video. God bless baby Luke.
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | April 7th, 2010 at 3:27 am
Thank you for sharing the JOY of Luke's baptism...Spring has brought the blessings of new life into your life and our lives from your sharing.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | April 7th, 2010 at 7:41 am
What a nice blog and video. It's easy to see how happy you were to spend some time with that lovely baby!
Posted by: Barbara | April 7th, 2010 at 9:16 am
I don't recognize the hymn but it sounds pretty. Your agreeing to become godmother is touching and shows just how much you care and do for others. Thanks!
Posted by: http://twitter.com/geotravel | April 7th, 2010 at 9:27 am
He is adorable and to have you as God Mother, he truly is blessed. You have so much experience to share with him through his journey in life.
Posted by: Diane DoBucki | April 7th, 2010 at 9:29 am
This is lovely. I am 57 and will be a Godmother for the first time! I am so excited. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Sharyn | April 7th, 2010 at 9:48 am
That was quite a beautiful video and collection of photographs from little Luke's baptism. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: K. Osinkosky | April 7th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Looks like you had a great time. Very cute photos of the baby & of everyone else.
Would love to see a demo on how to make those baby cookies.
Posted by: Kim Ross | April 7th, 2010 at 9:58 am
On our mother-daughter road trip to Florida, we passed thru Nashville area, debating Neely's BBQ or Loveless Cafe. We went with BBQ because it was closer to interstate. What a mistake!
We could have had great food and seen Martha Stewart; when we read the twitter afterwards, we were kicking ourselves all the way down the road.
And those biscuits look like a little piece of heaven.
Posted by: Rhonda Fleming Hayes | April 7th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Sweet baby Luke and it looks like everyone had a simply lovely time. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: sherey | April 7th, 2010 at 10:47 am
What a beautiful way to welcome spring! Your Godson is absolutely adorable and what an honor to be chosen to be his Godmother. It was so nice to see you relaxed and truly enjoying little Luke.
Thank you so much for sharing such another private day of your life.
You once again made my day.
Regards,nina
Posted by: nina zeumer | April 7th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Hi Martha,
Everything about this blog is just SO NICE! Luke is a sweetie and a lucky little guy to have you for his God Mother. Thanks for sharing his special day with us. Trish
Posted by: Trish | April 7th, 2010 at 11:32 am
That was a great video.
It's wonderful to see another new life dedicated to the Kingdom of God.
Posted by: Nan | April 7th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Martha, THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS PIECE WITH THE WORLD....VERY cool!!!!! Thank you Thank you!!!!
Posted by: marcel | April 7th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Just beautiful Martha! Luke is adorable and so lucky to have you in his life. Thank you for sharing such a special day with us.
Posted by: Jennifer | April 7th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
What a special moment in the lives of those you love. Glad you were in Tennessee and hope you'll visit again. Wish I had thought to tell Pat Kerr Tigrett ahead of time so she could have whipped up a one-of-a kind christening suit.
Happy Twirls,
Libby
Posted by: Libby Murphy | April 7th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Absolutely beautiful! What a beautiful baptism,
baby,parents, & Godmother!! TY for sharing.
Posted by: charmdeyes | April 7th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
That was a wonderful video, Marcel did a great job. Baby Luke is so adorable i love him so much, that was a great celebration in his honor... God Bless Y'all.
Posted by: Brenda Longoria | April 7th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
The video is so well done kudos! They all look so happy there in TN. I am happy for Liesl & Kevin never did she know by becoming your assistant how much her life would change for the better and that she'd meet Kevin on your show and now little baby Luke.
Precious.
Thank you for sharing the special day.
I'd love to visit The Loveless Cafe my kind of place.
Pam From California
Posted by: PamfromCalifornia | April 7th, 2010 at 3:20 pm
Martha, you are so considerate of your fans. After seeing baby Luke's christening, I really wished I could have seen pictues of his parents' wedding. We are in the midst of preparing for a few family weddings, and I guess I just having weddings on the brain right now. Well, later I went to your website to get ideas about flowers, and there were pictures from the Haynie wedding! lol. Martha, you are always way ahead of me!!!
Posted by: Lee | April 7th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
How Sweet...since we have had quite a few baptisms in my family recently, it is so touching to see you share such a down to earth personal day with your fans, thank you.
Posted by: Debbie Mahoney | April 7th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
I can just see in the future when Liesl sits down with Luke and explains who his godmother is and how she changed clothes at the airport just so she would look nice for his christening.
That is just pretty darn special.
I am very happy everyone experienced such a special occasion.
Posted by: Margie | April 7th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Hi Martha, You seem to have more fun than anyone else I know. That trip to Tennessee was one of the best. Little Luke is one precious, adorable little fellow. How special that you are now his Godmother. Liesl and Kevin must be super parents. Your photos of this event were very special. The interior of the Loveless Cafe and the food they produce was spectacular. It looked so very delicious. I watched PBS last night and saw a wonderful interview of you by Charlie Rose. He certainly is a nice guy and everything he said about you is absolutely true. That was the best interview of you that I have seen in a long time. I'm watching the Hallmark Channel right now and will try to see as much of your regular show at 2AM again tonight. You make my day in one way or another. Thanks. Love, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | April 7th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
Congratulations Martha! Little Luke is so lucky to have you as his godmother.
Posted by: Lesley at YTG Designs | April 7th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
What (((WONDERFUL))) pictures! Thank you for sharing this beautiful day with us!
Posted by: Renee Candy Stick Lane | April 7th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
What a blessing from God Martha.
You'll be a wonderful Godmother!
Posted by: kitty kat | April 7th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
A beautiful gathering to honor friends as well as a new life. "Hello", to KS from KY and the Yewells in Owensboro.
Posted by: Jean | April 8th, 2010 at 9:54 am
I really enjoyed those photos..made me want to plan a visit to Nashville so I can stop at the Loveless Cafe! And Luke is adorable...in a very dignified baby way.
Posted by: Sarah Skoda | April 8th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
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Hello Kind Lady with God Son ----
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Touching entry. Thank you.
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Could you post a video of your interview with Charlie Rose?
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Posted by: andrea and weims on twitter | April 8th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Just Beautiful! What an amazing video.
You could feel the emotion and happiness!
Posted by: Suzanne Morelli | April 9th, 2010 at 9:15 am
As a very proud Tennessee belle, I must say I'm ashamed I've never been to the Lovelace cafe....I am so glad that you felt welcome in our beautiful state, Martha! Please visit again anytime!
Posted by: Kate a' la Southern Belle Simple | April 9th, 2010 at 9:55 am
You "flew" to Winchester. You "flew" to Nashville, from Winchester??? Why bother, you spent more time going to the airport, loading up, unloading at BNA, loading back in a car than it would have taken just to drive. But worst of all you missed a wonderful drive up or over from Winchester. Gee wiz it's only 50+- miles, what a shame.
Posted by: Shelby | April 16th, 2010 at 11:38 pm