My Eggcellent Easter!
This Sunday, April 17th, I hope you will tune in to Hallmark Channel at 7 p.m. ET to watch my Easter special called Martha’s Eggcellent Easter. On this joyous show, we’ll be celebrating Easter’s most prominent symbol – the incredible egg. I’ll be sharing delicious and festive recipes, such as meringue and puff pastry eggs, coconut nest cupcakes, and homemade marshmallow peeps. You’ll learn special decorating techniques for speckled, stickered, and glittered eggs. We’ll also visit our friends at The Ukrainian Museum and Library and the St. Basil Seminary in Stamford, Connecticut to learn about traditional Ukrainian Easter customs. Here’s a little preview of some behind-the-scenes of creating this special. Please watch and let me know what you think! Here is some more info about the special!
1 Part of our Easter special was shot at the New York Botanical Gardens. We invited several children to take part in an egg hunt. We also invited the Easter Bunny, of course!
2 Fortunately, it was a beautiful sunny day. This is the outside of the conservatory.
3 The timing was perfect for this Easter shoot because NYBG's fabulous and colorful orchid had just opened.
4 This enormous 'chandelier' was composed of beautiful orchids.
5 Here I am admiring the dessert table.
6 Homemade marshmallo peeps and bunnies, coconut nest cupcakes, and a bunny cake - The natural moss was decorated with little toadstools for a craft store.
7 A closeup of the peeps, which were decorated with yellow sanding sugar
8 Another faux bois dessert table
9 Egg-shaped puff pastry with filled with lemon curd
10 Tartletts filled with pastry creme and topped with candied kumquat slices
11 Meringue eggs filled with orange curd
12 The cookie table
13 These sugar cookies are decorated with edible images printed by kopykake.com.
14 Kopykake printed these edible images from vintage cards that we sent them.
15 The iced cookies were made by sweetdanib.com/
16 And if that wasn't enough sweets, there was also a candy table!
17 Malted milk eggs
18 Candy-coated almonds
19 Pink Jelly Bellies
20 And orange ones, too
21 These cute paper candy cups came from vikingimporting.com
22 These beautiful lollipops came from Vintage Confections - http://www.vintageconfections.com/, Candy.com - http://www.candy.com/, and Sweet Lollipop Shop - http://www.sweetlollipopshop.com/prestashop/.
23 An exquisite chocolate bunny from Conrad's Confectionery http://conradsconfectionery.com/
24 Eric Pike - our EVP Creative Director - oversees everything holiday in the company.
25 Kim Miller - VP and Executive Producer of the special discuss the next scene.
26 The children were thrilled to have an early Easter.
27 These lovely speckled eggs are resting in a pussy willow nest.
28 And this egg is upon selaginella greenery.
29 Nico found the golden egg and was very excited!
30 Sweet Penelope
31 Anna is happy with her find
32 All of the children were given wonderful baskets, including a sweet Steiff bunny.
33 Another part of the special was taped in my TV studio. My niece, Kristina Christiansen enters the set.
34 I was also joined by my niece, Sophie Herbert.
35 We decorated rhea, emu, and ostrich eggs.
36 Francesca and Sharkey had a lot of fun! The pink paint is a toned down Martha Stewart Home Depot color - One-part Peony mixed with two-parts white.
37 We also taped at the Ukrainian Museum and Library in Stamford CT.
38 I was sure to bring plenty of fresh eggs for this baking segment.
39 The kitchen staff mixing the yeast dough for Ukrainian paska
40 Here I am with Elizabeth Gardasz and Lubow Wolynetz in the kitchen of the Saint Basil Seminary with the beautiful paska dough.
41 Elizabeth showed me how to twist paska dough to form the decorations.
42 The decorations adorn the tops of the breads. They are held in place with wooden skewers during baking.
43 The finished breads are shiny and fantastic looking!
44 The paskas have a beautiful texture and a slightly sweet flavor.
45 This basket lined with a traditional Ukrainian embroidered cloth if filled with symbolic foods of Easter ready to be blessed, including kielbasa, horseradish root, beet and horseradish condiment, flavored butter, babka, Pysanky eggs, and the paska.
46 A lovely flower arrangement along with pysanky - Ukrainian decorated eggs
47 These cakes are the babkas.
48 A compote of naval oranges, cara cara oranges, and blood oranges
49 A platter of sliced kielbasa and an apricot mustard-glazed ham
The dessert table looks absolutely adorable! The little pink toadstools are from 32 Degrees North:
http://www.vintage-ornaments.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=VO&Category_Code=MIL
Can't wait for the show this Sunday!
Posted by: Amanda @ 32* North | April 15th, 2011 at 2:51 am
All very beautiful and inspirational. Thank you!
Posted by: Sara | April 15th, 2011 at 7:12 am
What an exquisite setting for such a charming event. The egg in the selaginella is adorable.
Then as if we weren't tempted enough, babkas and paskas! Beautifully presented and I'm sure just as too to eat.
Posted by: SilverMagpies | April 15th, 2011 at 8:20 am
Hi Martha,
I am always amazed at what goes on with filming a TV special or even a segment like you do on the Today Show. I actually had no idea of the work involved until you started this blog and began posting your still pictures. On that note, thanks for all the work you and your fine staff do and of course I’ll be watching on Sunday. Everything looks ‘Martha Stewart’ beautiful as might be expected and I’m sure the children had a great time. The basket to be blessed in picture #45 is so gorgeous with the painted eggs and that lovely Ukrainian paska and of course seeing Franny and Sharkey in their bunny ears just made my day. Btw, SweetDaniB, picture #15 is on Twitter too and posts pictures of her fabulous cookie creations. Have a nice weekend everyone. Trish
Posted by: Trish | April 15th, 2011 at 9:15 am
Pyansky eggs are wonderful and my own niece, Stacy, makes these heirlooms. On Sunday, our son took me to Hillwood for high tea and introduced me to 'Peter Faberge' teaching young people about jewelled eggs and collectibles from Katherine the great era. So looking forward to another of your holiday specials on Hallmark channel.
Posted by: ann | April 15th, 2011 at 9:35 am
Last year I watched you make eggs benedict. It looked so good I began making it regularely and I just love it. Now that I'm pregnant with my 4th (eek!) child I make it at least once a week and I would honestly eat it daily if it weren't for all of the extra calories. The baby and I thank you for your wonderful egg instruction. Also, congratulations on your grandchild! I can't wait to catch the special.
Posted by: Robin | April 15th, 2011 at 9:47 am
Those treats look absolutely divine! I'll take them all. Can't wait to tune in to your TV special. The New York Botanical Gardens is such an enchanting place to visit, especially at this time of year. Thanks for this marvelous post.
Posted by: Al | April 15th, 2011 at 9:52 am
The botanical garden story and the Ukrainian story are gorgeous! Wish they were in the magazine. I loved to be able to linger over the vibrant colors,
Posted by: iowalibrarian | April 15th, 2011 at 10:13 am
Hi Martha, What a delightful blog post giving us a preview of your special TV Show that is coming up on Sunday at 7PM on Hallmark Channel Home! These photos are absolutely stunning, charming, darling, and delicious! Can't wait to see the complete show. How lucky that the weather was so beautiful. I just love all of the delicious looking Eggcellent Easter items that were baked for this show. Those children are so darling and it's easy to see how happy they were to be on this show. How great to see Kristina and Sophie, as well as Francesca and Sharkey who will also be on the show! Superb! Got to check The Daily Wag which is also about The Eggcellent Easter Show. Thanks for the photos on yesterday's TV Show of your visit with Mrs. Obama-terrific! Have a great day and a great weekend! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | April 15th, 2011 at 10:31 am
You're the Pied Piper of kids. Egg faces...great stuff here.
Posted by: may delory | April 15th, 2011 at 11:32 am
Martha, your eggcellent easter looked like a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | April 15th, 2011 at 11:34 am
I would think the most prominent symbol would be the Cross, but the egg is a great second.
Everything looks so yummy, even you. The first picture and #32 shows you laughing at something, and you look so happy. Not that you don't usually, but these pictures just bring out the inner beauty and glow.
I really like your longer hair.
I wish I could see the program, but...I can't anymore.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | April 15th, 2011 at 11:45 am
This is so beautiful Martha! everything looks exquisite. Wish you a wonderful weekend. XO
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | April 15th, 2011 at 11:57 am
Wow! So enjoy your blog. Only wish you were located in the Midwest...Even St. Louis! They have beautiful gardens. You are so inspiring. Thank you for the inspiration.
Posted by: Kay in Kansas City | April 15th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
So many great ideas! I'll be sure to watch the episode!
Posted by: Kristina | April 15th, 2011 at 1:24 pm
I love watching your show.I get more ideas than I can keep up with. Love all of the Easter decorations and can't wait to see the special this Sunday. Looking forward to the Mother's Day special with the military wives.
Posted by: Dale Treadway | April 15th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
The photos are so uplifting! Our weather has been less than spring like here in Wisconsin. Still I enjoy the photos you post on your blog even though I can't see your show. AT&T still refuses to gives us Hallmark Channel again.
Posted by: Becky from Wisconsin | April 15th, 2011 at 2:19 pm
hi Martha i watch your show every day , i can because i am out of work right now . But even if i weren't i dvr it (thank God). well i sau your show on Conrads chocolates , WELL i went there and it reminded me of a store i went to as a child called VanHoultens. Oh my god to die for well conrads is the same ,the store is so quaint. I bought my grandaugthers easter bunny there and it was very hard to make uo my mind. I love the old fashion bunnies like the style we grew up with.We need morestores like Conrads when times were simpler. thanks again and Happy Easter to you and your family.
Posted by: Ann Allen | April 15th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
Just beautiful Martha! Being of Ukrainian heritage I was brought up with the tradition of making pysynka eggs and preparing our baskets to take to church to be blessed! I can't wait to see the show on Sunday. Thank you Martha!
Posted by: Gloria Stone | April 15th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
Can't wait for the show on Sunday! The pictures are gorgeous, especially of the cute kiddies!!
Posted by: Antoinette Clemente | April 15th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
Looking forward to your Eggcellent Easter Special this Sunday next year you should include us and our handmade Easter ornaments. Happy Easter!
Swirly Designs
Posted by: Paul | April 15th, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Oh Martha!
This sounds like it's going to be great. And that Museum has really peaked my curiosity.
Hugs and Happy Bunny Tails from Georgia!
Posted by: heather Ozee | April 17th, 2011 at 9:35 am
Indeed an 'eggcellent' Easter...i love everything! If only we could get the Hallmark channel i would be hopping about like a bunny...that's for sure!
Posted by: sherey | April 17th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Glad 2 see you are featuring pysanky, Martha!
As a graduate of St. Basil Prep & attended the College Seminary there, I have fond memories of the Chateau, the Museum.
As a Master of Pysanky I congratulate your efforts, hoping you accentuate that this ancient art is a form of talisman making - which can enhance the experience of the maker when done with intention & a good heart.
Happy Spring!
Eggman
Posted by: Paul Wirhun | April 17th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Martha, I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to your show tonight. Your holiday specials are so enjoyable and so beautiful! And I love your ideas, projects & recipes!
Thank you so much for all you do!
Pam
Posted by: Pam Kellogg | April 17th, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Thank-you so much for the wonderful ideas! I never would have thought to make garland out of the eggs. Everything was absolutely delightful! You have been blessed with such an amazing talent. Blessing 2 u and yours!
Posted by: Laurie James | April 17th, 2011 at 8:04 pm
I am so sorry I missed this. Will you show this again? If so, when?
Posted by: vicki | April 17th, 2011 at 8:54 pm
Well, Martha, your Easter Special was simply sensational. I felt that the show captured everything you and MSO represent beautifully. Another SUPERB hour on TV!
Thanks For All You Do.
All The Best, Jonathan Brown
Posted by: Jonathan Brown | April 17th, 2011 at 9:15 pm
What an incredibly, festive Easter Extravaganza!! I have never before seen an Easter Show, even remotely like "Martha's Eggcellent Easter" on TV--ever!! How splendidly special it was!! Being of Ukrainian descent, I especially enjoyed the Paska and Ukrainian Easter Foods that were featured!! They are truly works of art!! My mother would tell us how her mother brought their baskets of Easter foods to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in NJ and how the Bishops blessed them and also how all the church-ladies took envying glances at my grandmother's basket (thanks to "Eggcellent Easter" I now understand the significance of the red egg!) Lubow Wolynetz braids of adornment took my breath away! She's the master!! Thanks to your show, we now are planning a trip to The Ukrainian Museum in Stamford, CT. You continue to inspire your viewers with transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. You're one of a kind, Martha!!
Христос Воскрес! Susan
Posted by: Susan Zetkov-Lubin | April 18th, 2011 at 10:13 am
I LOVE the home made Peeps and the egg pastry wtih lemon curd is adorable! I'm in love with this!
Posted by: Jaxie | April 18th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
From the Martha Bakes series, I made a Pavlova and "iced" it with whipping cream, then placed sliced banans, crushed English Toffee Bars (Heath) and chocolate sauce on top. It went in a snap at my church fellowship. Yummmm.
Posted by: Cathy Andrews | April 19th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
I missed the show, darn, darn, darn, but these photos are fantastic to look at.
Another beautiful Martha "Good Thing:
Posted by: Becky Kuchefski | April 20th, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Unfortunately, Hallmark is not included in my cable package so I have not seen your show since you switched. I do try to read your website when possible and enjoy pictures that you post.
Posted by: Sheilaa131 | April 21st, 2011 at 1:01 am
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Hi Martha,
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Just hopping by briefly to say Happy Easter and glad you are well!
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With love from the Weimaraners and Andrea
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Posted by: Andrea and the Weimaraners | April 21st, 2011 at 5:54 pm
Amazing Martha,
I love the Easter Baskets in this picture. You make me smile! I
love everything you do...Excited for your next post!
Posted by: Rachel Faucett | April 23rd, 2011 at 8:53 pm
Great to see you mentioning Easter on your blog, I am not sure I agree that the cross is perhaps the most important symbol for this time of year. I would suggest that the egg is better one (at least in the northern hemisphere.
If you head outside you will see that around this time renewal and regenration (as the Christian Easter story is alluding to is everywhere.
Its fab time of year!
Thanks
PB.
Posted by: Yoga Retreats Europe | May 1st, 2011 at 10:45 am
Martha, they say you first eat with your eyes. Your photos are delicious! What you have presented is what everyone wants Easter to be.
Posted by: Fred Gonsowski | May 5th, 2011 at 9:36 pm
love your shows and all the things you do..........missed your recipe on noon show making scotch eggs.......it was a method of using leftover eggs from easter.......would love s.e. recipe ....thanks Pat
Posted by: pat minichiello | May 23rd, 2011 at 4:23 pm