Easter at my Home
Easter Sunday was a perfect day here in the northeast. The sky was a brilliant shade of blue, the temperatures were on the cool side, and it wasn't too windy. In fact, it was very pleasant to be outdoors, which was a good thing, as I invited nearly twenty children and their parents to the farm to take part in an egg hunt. The Easter Bunny also made an appearance, to the great delight of the children. A delicious brunch was served, prepared by me, Chef Pierre Schaedelin, and Sarah Mastracco, from my television kitchen.
1 The island in the servery was decorated with purple tulips, a giant milk chocolate bunny, and pastel gilded Easter eggs.
2 I placed hollowed out eggs beneath the beautiful glass cake domes from the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's.
3 Turquoise eggs sat on little paper nests.
4 There were jars and jars of jelly beans and lots of other candy, too.
5 An antique cement urn was the perfect nest for an ostrich egg.
6 The dining table in the canary room was set with yellow stoneware from Bennington Potters in Vermont.
7 Narcissus from the garden were placed in this sweet papier-mâché chick.
8 There was a matching chick on the other end of the table.
9 More hollowed out eggs rested on this multi-tiered china pedestal.
10 Blue glittered decorative eggs, bunny candy dishes, and a faux amethyst crystal geode, made from a Professor Figgy Science Kit http://www.marthastewart.com/343344/crystal-egg-geodes
11 More bunny candy dishes and a nest of feathery foliage.
12 Glittered eggs and white narcissus upon the silver service
13 Steel chime eggs, chicks, and all types of bunnies - an Easter table of delights for Baby Jude
14 More decorative eggs, polished stone eggs, pink tulips and baby tears - The beautiful decorated mural candy boxes are from Swedish Fish, a candy store in New York City's Greenwich Village.
15 Of course there were green jelly beans in the green parlor!
16 And milky green glass bunny candy dishes
17 More daffodils from the garden and bunnies, too
18 A potted succulent from the greenhouse and blooming lady slipper orchids in one corners
19 And practically a mirror image in another corner
20 The long dining table in the brown room was set with Wedgwood Drabware.
21 The mantle in the brown room displayed a fine collection of Ukrainian Easter eggs.
22 Ukrainian Easter eggs, called Pysanka, are eggs decorated with Ukrainian folk designs.
23 The detailed designs are intricately carved through the color on the egg in a free-hand design.
24 Decorative eggs were hung from giant pussy willow arrangements.
25 Another silver tray displaying whimsy
26 A closeup of a very sweet nest
27 One of my guests was Chef Jean-George Vongerichten, who was so happy to see Chef Pierre Schaedelin and Sarah Mastracco in the kitchen.
28 This gorgeous smoked ham, garnished so brightly, came from Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors. It was roasted with a cognac/brown sugar glaze.
29 The kielbasa was sent to me by Wardynski's in Buffalo, New York. It was very, very good. http://www.wardynski.com/
30 Fresh homemade horseradish was served on the side. It was quite potent!
31 Pierre made tender pea ravioli filled with fresh pea puree and served with butter and sugar snap peas - so tender! It was Jude's favorite food at the party.
32 Russ & Daughters provided amazing smoked fish - salmon, whitefish, sturgeon, and sable. The fish from Russ & Daughters is the absolute freshest fish that has been smoked to perfection. http://www.russanddaughters.com/
33 This platter is homemade gravlax using a great fresh salmon from Iceland's first lady, Dorrit Moussaieff, who was on my recent Iceland show.
34 Crusty bread from Balthazar Bakery with herb butter - yum!
35 We also had Cheese Souffle-Filled Artichokes that I made on my TV show last week. http://www.marthastewart.com/899411/cheese-souffle-filled-artichokes
36 Pierre and Sarah made the most vibrant platter of spring vegetables - red and orange baby carrots from my greenhouse, baby artichoke hearts, fava beans, and sugar snap peas - all so sweet and flavorful.
37 These giant asparagus from Mister Spear were cleverly decorated with orange bunnies cut from steamed carrot strips. http://www.misterspear.com/index.php
38 The roasted lamb chops were so succulent.
39 A large bowl of fresh minted peas
40 Small servings of brilliant pureed beet soup, also from my greenhouse
41 One dessert was this wonderful Flan Patissier with Prunes, a creation of pastry chef Sebastien Rouxel of Bouchon Bakery. The recipe is a bit complicated, but worked well. I substituted custard powder with organic corn starch and soaked the prunes in a bit of brandy until they were plump. http://www.marthastewart.com/898936/flan-patissier-prunes
42 Jean-George Vongerichten and Richard Gere
43 Amy Conway and Virgina
44 Jane Heller and Steve Gerard
45 These were the three children who found the three golden eggs.
46 A proud hunter
47 The children were fascinated by our visiting Easter bunny, who was really my wonderful gardener Alfredo - we called him Alfredito and he was the Perfect Easter Bunny.
48 A group shot with me and the Easter bunny
49 It was a perfect Easter day!
50 Dylan Shaw, Harper, and Anduin Havens
51 David Maupin and Stefano Tonchi with Isabella and Maura
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
You crazy Martha... that's all I can say. (in a good way) Haha
Posted by: ~liz | April 10th, 2012 at 12:58 am
Hi Martha,
Everything is so beautiful – all I can say is wow and your guests were so lucky to be invited! I don't think there is anyone who does things as fabulous as you do! Trish
Posted by: Trish | April 10th, 2012 at 12:59 am
It looked like a perfect Spring day to host an Easter brunch Martha. What a feast! I can't get over the asparagus decorated with the cut out bunnies made from carrots. The house was decorated very nicely, so many ideas on displaying eggs, bunnies and all things Easter! Thanks for sharing your life with your fans Martha.
Posted by: Cindy F | April 10th, 2012 at 7:35 am
Hi Martha,
Your home was beautifully decorated for Easter and the food looked scrumptious. I can only imagine what a good time the kids had. Did little Ms. Jude hunt for Easter eggs for her and her brother Truman? In the photo numbered 46, that little boy looked so proud displaying the egg he found. How cute. Another great day at the farm.
Karen
Posted by: Karen Tracy | April 10th, 2012 at 8:12 am
Absolutely Beautiful!!! So enchanting to the eye.
Posted by: Syl | April 10th, 2012 at 8:56 am
How very beautiful! I love the matching chicks on your table! You are a wonder Martha!
Posted by: Cindy | April 10th, 2012 at 8:57 am
Delightful....the Ham was the highlight for me. Those milky blue Bunny dishes.... gorgeous. I think I liked the Children's table the best so bright and cheery.
Posted by: Rachel | April 10th, 2012 at 9:01 am
Your choices are both elegant AND authentic, dear Martha.. You inspire us all.
Posted by: C J Taylor | April 10th, 2012 at 9:36 am
Hi Martha, OMG! This is just about your best blog posting ever! Everything that you prepared for your friends and shared with us is absolutely beautiful, delicious, inspiring, outstanding, awesome, stunning, and could be the best Easter presentation I've ever seen! Thank you so much for these very special photos and I love everyone of them and will view them over and over again! How nice that you had Chef Pierre and Sarah M. from your TV kitchen help you prepare all of this delicious brunch for those happy friends! I'm still drooling from viewing these delicious foods-sure would love to be there! The dining tables are awesome! How fun to see Chef Jean-George, Richard Gere, Jane Heller and Steve, and You and those cute kids! The only things missing are your lovely daughter Alexis and your darling grandchildren Jude and Truman! Thank you so much for sharing! Hope you have another wonderful day! Off to see The Daily Wag giving us A Lesson in Fiddleheads! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | April 10th, 2012 at 9:46 am
oh martha, all is so beautiful, like a dream.
this is my first time visiting your blog and commenting.
thanks for all you do.
Posted by: agnes | April 10th, 2012 at 9:53 am
Wow, everything looks so fantastic! Love it.
Posted by: Sharon @ Red Poppy | Pink Peony | April 10th, 2012 at 11:00 am
Martha,
Looks like you guys had a wonderful Easter. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | April 10th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
I can only wonder who consumed all the jelly beans. With the house completely full of fun rabbits I must think there has to be a rabbit or two hopping around in the pasture. Jude may have a really life experience with Peter Cottontail.
Posted by: margie | April 10th, 2012 at 12:13 pm
I love those white bunny candy dishes, Martha. They remind me of hen (covered ) dishes, which are delightful to collect also. As a child, for me and my sister the trick was to open the dish silently, snatch a treat, and put the top back again absolutely silently.
Posted by: Penny | April 10th, 2012 at 12:21 pm
You must have had a glorious day!! I bet Jude's favorite food was the candy, not the ravioli, tell the truth Martha!! So much candy...the kids must have left on a sugar high. How do you dare put out all those antique Easter decorations with so many kids ... not exactly a kid friendly house. Glad you had fun.
Posted by: Sharon | April 10th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
I am fascinated by all you do. I watch your show when I have a chance. My favorite, is still your horses. Have a great Spring...
Posted by: pearl | April 10th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
I looove your kitchen and your Easter decorations, flowers and treats! It's so picture perfect!
Posted by: Debra Donaghey | April 10th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
Thats so pretty but the rabbit wouldn't have lasted long looking that tasty... He should have a name if he wants to live. : P
Posted by: Shannon Turner | April 10th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Lovely pictures, Martha. I am happy that you all had such a wonderful time, good weather, good food, etc. -- Dottie
Posted by: Dorothy Melosky | April 10th, 2012 at 8:36 pm
Thank you for sharing your beautiful party! My annual egg decorating and egg hunt party is the favorite of my friends- crafting, good food, and a treasure hunt with prizes.
Posted by: homer | April 10th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
I love to watch your show,I did the glitter eggs for my Grand Kids.We hid 60 some eggs (only 6 glittered) and the youngest Grand Daughter had to have all the beautiful glittered eggs.Thank you so much for all your creative ideas.
P.S.Tell Joey I love him! Not in a strange way,I just get a kick out of hearing him.Have a Beautiful Spring.
Posted by: Lisa Bradley Simpson | April 10th, 2012 at 8:57 pm
Thank you Martha, the Easter displays and food are gorgeous! It's one if the delights of the season to see your egg collections and flowers so beautifully and uniquely displayed. The cake stand looks like a work of art. I love your sense of design, simple, uncomplicated yet elegant. The food so fresh, colorful and wholesome. By using plants from your garden, nature and objects from your collections you show how things one may already possess, a potted plant or a hens' egg can be used to great effect. Your sense of design is very approachable and timeless.
Posted by: suzanne powers | April 10th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Martha, You are my HERO. Thanks for sharing. Debbie Spore
Posted by: Debbie Spore | April 10th, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Looks like a perfectly lovely day! I'm sure it was enjoyed by everyone who attended. You have a beautiful home and I love how you share it!
Posted by: Jennifer | April 10th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Wonderful! thanks for sharing, would love to pull something like that off, only on a smaller scale!
Posted by: Kay Calvert | April 10th, 2012 at 9:39 pm
What wonderful photos, Martha! The food looks mouth-watering and the decorations are so bright and pretty. You do everything so beautifully. (We had gorgeous weather here in Toronto, too!)
Posted by: Andrew Ritchie | April 10th, 2012 at 10:10 pm
What a wonderful day, and of course everything was fabulous!
Posted by: Michele | April 10th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
I love you Martha for bringing us all of the fabulous good things you and your staff do on your show. BRAVO to YOU!
Posted by: CarlafromTexas | April 10th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
simply perfection in all the decore scenery and feeling of the martha stewart living experience.truly it reminds me of the turkey hill road experience with a very refined uniqe but familliar heir and measure of experience that only martha and her team can give. i say to all great job it surpassed my expectations. surpassing the norm is a martha thing an we expect it and we love it. i do use many of the ideas in my home just in a way i can do it on my budget but it works every time.i like bringing out my inner martha stewart from time to time.may you have a great blessed day and i thank you ever so for letting us view a glimpse in the world of martha stewart living that we ever so adore.artist are the best were the lucky ones
Posted by: MR.GARETH OSCAR TILLERY | April 10th, 2012 at 11:59 pm
Martha,
I would really like to see a behind-the-scenes prep of your Easter party. I would love to watch and learn from your talented staff. I especially like your housekeeper, Laura Acuna, and I would love to be her shadow as she prepares for one of your events. Could you maybe do a "Day in the Life of Ms. Acuna" sometime?
Looks like you had a great Easter, and hooray for the Wardynski kielbasa from Buffalo!
Posted by: Lee | April 11th, 2012 at 12:27 am
Martha,your one in a million,or zillion,so wonderful and beautiful,class act indeed,love you
Posted by: Shirley Calhoun | April 11th, 2012 at 6:54 am
The ravioli looks delicious! Mmm.
Posted by: Anne | April 11th, 2012 at 8:10 am
Everything looks so fresh and beautiful!
Posted by: Anne | April 11th, 2012 at 8:11 am
What a wonderful and special Easter at your home!
I am sure your guests were thrilled with all the delicious food and amazing presentation from inside your home to outside in the garden
)
Thank you for sharing your day,
Kay Ellen
Posted by: kay ellen | April 11th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Martha, Its great that you had a wonderful Easter.
Regards,
Shirley-Ann
Posted by: ShirleyAnn Pearman | April 11th, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Martha,
Its great that you had a wonderful Easter.
Regards
Shirley-Ann
http://marketingsites-sp.net
Posted by: ShirleyAnn Pearman | April 11th, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Martha,we must of been switch at birth. You are leading the life that was ment for me. You are doing a great job at it.
Posted by: Mary Shafer | April 11th, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Love your show great you enjoyed your Easter.
Posted by: wavey flynn | April 11th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Martha, Easter was a beautiful day! Your home, decorations and food is breathtaking! Everything looks so special...my dream life. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Judy | April 12th, 2012 at 10:44 am
Martha, Such beautiful decoratons...Love your show; I record each program and watch many times. I do love the pair of yellow chick planters...Please let me know where I can some or how to make them.
Posted by: Eva | April 16th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Simple but beautiful. I love turquoise!
Posted by: Alicia | June 21st, 2012 at 12:35 pm
You are truly amazing and a wonderful mentor. You must have been at the top of the creativity line when God was dishing it out.
Posted by: Alicia | June 21st, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Could I come live with you? My kids and I don't take up much room! Everything you create is a masterpiece, we just love you.
Posted by: Caroline | September 23rd, 2012 at 4:27 pm