I hope you had a lovely holiday. I wish you all a wonderful 2023. Here's a blog that was originally posted on January 08, 2021. It ends this look back at some of our favorite entries, enjoy.
A brief trip south to escape the cold winter can be so invigorating.
If you follow my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48, you may have seen photos from my recent holiday trip to Palm Beach, Florida. I was joined by my daughter Alexis, my grandchildren Jude and Truman, and our dear friend, Ari Katz. We spent most of our brief stay swimming and relaxing on the beach or by the pool, enjoying water sports, visiting a few shops around town, knitting, and watching movies - all done safely while adhering to CDC social distancing guidelines.
Here are a few photos from our trip, enjoy.
My family and I always try to do something special during the holidays – my grandchildren love the water, so we often go somewhere warm. Of course, one of the first things we did was spend some time by the pool. My daughter Alexis took this photo of Jude, Truman and our friend, Ari.
I love to knit and crochet. It is very relaxing. I find knitting a little faster for me. Here is part of my latest project. I am knitting four blue hats for two sets of twins boys.
We also spent time on the beach. It was windy, but that didn’t stop Ari, Jude, and Truman from heading toward the water.
Here is Jude trying to teach Ari how to do a front walkover flip.
Making shadows seemed a bit easier.
Jude loves to collect shells. Here are some of the shells she gathered – she picked out her favorites and then returned the rest to the beach later.
Organization is key – Jude sorted all the shells before selecting those she wanted to keep.
Jude wanted to make necklaces – here is one of her favorites.
During one outing, Alexis and Ari visited Brenda’s Birds in Delray Beach. Ari is a young and passionate avian enthusiast – he has many pet birds at home. All the birds seemed to know he was friendly.
These macaws and cockatoos wanted to perch on Ari’s shoulder.
Here’s Alexis with a Moluccan cockatoo. Also called the salmon-crested cockatoo, the Moluccan is endemic to the Seram archipelago in eastern Indonesia. It is among the largest of the white cockatoos and very smart.
We also stopped at Casa Gusto, a new company of antiques, objects, and artworks on Georgia Avenue in West Palm Beach. This is a Rococo 10-drawer cabinet, circa 1760. It stands 85-inches tall by 48-inches wide.
Some of the art work at Casa Gusto includes these papier-collage paintings by artist Catharine Warren.
Catharine is best known for her landscape-inspired abstract works and use of vibrant colors.
This is one of a pair of 1880 English George II style wingback sofas covered in Rodgers & Goffingon velvet upholstery.
I spotted another nice sofa. Here is one of a pair of 1930s northern canapés. A canapé is a piece of furniture similar to a couch, and is meant to describe an elegant sofa made out of elaborately carved wood with wooden legs, and upholstered seats, back, and armrests. Canapés emerged from France in the 18th century.
Here is the other. I admired the clean architectural lines.
Along another wall, a set of of six 18th century French dining chairs. The style is transitional – between Louis XV and XVI. Above the chairs – 18th century Granada Lebrillo Gigante bowls and plates – Spanish Lebrillo earthenware, made of hand crafted terra cotta, originating from Granada, Spain.
We ate in the French bistro, La Goulue. I chose this delicious green salad.
Among the desserts we also tried was this creme brulee – a bourbon vanilla custard with brown sugar crust, topped with mint and a strawberry.
And look at these profiteroles – vanilla puffs served with warm chocolate sauce and toasted almonds. Everything was so delicious.
My good friend, entertainment banker and entrepreneur, Lisbeth Barron, made sure we had lots to do while we were in the area. She helped arrange some outdoor sports for Alexis, Ari and the children. Coordinated through VisitPalmBeach.com, on this day the four went kayaking in the intracoastal.
The four had a lovely time – they did quite well navigating through the wind and waters. In all, it was a safe and enjoyable few days away with my family – the best Christmas gift ever. Please go to my Instagram page @MarthaStewart48 for more photos from my trip and a video of Alexis, Ari, Jude, and Truman paddling!
And here are more fun photos from that memorable holiday party in 2017. It was originally posted on December 22nd of that year.
It makes me so happy to hear how much you’ve enjoyed these holiday party blogs.
My recent gathering was a huge success - delicious food, beautiful decorations and quality time spent with friends and family. Here are more photos from the festive evening, including some with my special guest, Santa Claus.
The party was scheduled from 3pm to 5pm in the evening. Everyone was very punctual.
We put this tree out on my terrace parterre – one of a handful of real trees we used this year. I never like to cut down trees, but this was the top of one tree that needed some good pruning.
Coat racks were placed on my large porch, so guests could remove their coats and shoes at the door.
Here are some guests in my Brown Room enjoying eggnog, hors d’oeuvres and good conversation. (Photo by Peter T. Michaelis)
Creme Brûlée didn’t seem to mind all the noise at all. Here she is in her Christmas red.
Here is the gorgeous Buche de Noel we made – brought inside and ready to serve. Everyone loved it. Buche de Noel is made of sponge cake to resemble a miniature actual Yule log – it is a form of sweet roulade, and so delicious. (Photo by Peter T. Michaelis)
Chef Pierre Schaedelin from PS Tailored Events and his talented team did such a wonderful job preparing the dishes. Here he is making red caviar appetizers. (Photo by Peter T. Michaelis)
There were selfies being taken in every room. (Photo by Peter T. Michaelis)
Outside, my driver, Carlos, helped bring guests from their cars to my house.
My friend, Jim Klinko, gifted me this beautiful 18th-century planter – I think it will look perfect up at Skylands, my home in Maine.
And here he is, the jolly ol’ man himself – Santa Claus.
Everyone loved the oysters from Norm Bloom – we ordered 400 delicious oysters, served on the half shell with cocktail sauce and mignonette. http://www.coppsislandoysters.com (Photo by Peter T. Michaelis)
Here is my gorgeous Empress Qin looking up at Kevin as he captures this quick snapshot.
We also had four wonderful carolers singing on the terrace parterre.
Santa wished everyone a Merry Christmas as they walked from house to house.
My property director, Fred Jacobsen, and some of my outdoor grounds crew – Chhewang, Chhiring, Pemba, and Phurba – took this nice photo with Santa.
Here is Santa with the daughters of my nephew, Morgan – Beatrix and Kit.
My driver, Rock Pereira, and Heather Kirkland, who is in charge of all these special events, posed for this photo.
Here are my friends, Laura Blau, and her husband, Michael Citro.
Here are Carlos and Wilmer.
This is our head of programming and development, Kim Miller-Olko, and her family.
Churchill is Susan Magrino’s miniature poodle – he’s pictured here with Susan’s driver, Laurentius Surca, and of course, Santa.
Here’s my friend, Muffin Dowdle, aboard the sleigh with Santa.
And, here’s Terre Blair and Melinda Shea.
Allyn Magrino also took a fun photo with Santa Claus.
Shqipe and Ryan stood nearby for their photo with Mr. Claus.
On Santa’s left is Dr. Pedda Reddy – he is a very passionate peafowl breeder and has given me several beautiful peacocks and peahens. He attended the party with his lovely wife, Leela, and their son.
Dawa, who is in charge of caring for all my outdoor birds, brought up the day’s chicken eggs and took this quick photo with Santa.
My special eggnog, made with rum, bourbon, cognac, and whipped cream folded in, was very popular. (Photo by Peter T. Michaelis)
Here is my kitchen – bustling with guests having a great time and enjoying all the delicious food. (Photo by Peter T. Michaelis)
Kevin, and my friend, Richard Christiansen, joined me for this photo. (Photo by Peter T. Michaelis)
And here I am with Santa – I hope you all have a very special holiday with you and your families.
Everyone had such a great time at the party. Over the next week, I will share some of our best holiday blog memories from years past. (Photo by Peter T. Michaelis)
I hope you enjoy this encore blog from December 21, 2017.
Here are more photos from this year’s holiday party at my Bedford, New farm.
My Winter House was where all our delicious savory dishes were served. My friend, Chef Pierre Schaedelin from PS Tailored Events, prepared a fabulous feast - cooked hams, homemade biscuits, an array of mouthwatering hors d’oeuvres, and of course, lots and lots of fresh shrimp and oysters. I made panettone, plum puddings, and a giant Buche de Noel. Every room of my Winter House was beautifully decorated in glistening shades of gold, silver, white and green. It was all so gorgeous and perfect for our holiday gathering.
Enjoy these photos.
Guests entered the Winter House through the large porch. We started a nice fire in my sugar pot. This is one of two huge cast iron sugar kettles I keep as fire pits. They add such a nice accent to the terraces and have always been fun conversation pieces during gatherings.
Another sign tells guests what they will find inside this building – it was by far the most crowded house during the party.
The giant bird in my entrance hall greeted everyone as they arrived.
My Green Room is just off the foyer. Laura decorated this sunken parlor in gorgeous gold and green. I love these two trees filled with ornaments – they just light up the room.
Here is a closer look at one of the trees – overflowing with balls in every shade of green.
I love how everything shimmers on the branches.
On one table is a collection of green bottle brush trees.
Another grouping of bottle brush trees sits on this high chest. Kevin’s reflection can be seen in the mirror.
My Bird Room is on the other side of the foyer. It is the smaller of two dining rooms. Here, Laura added touches of green and silver – in the back right corner is another gorgeous tree.
This is a 7.5 foot silver tinseled tree from my collection at The Home Depot. goo.gl/judpnB
On the table is another lovely napkin display – simply rolled and piled neatly together.
The napkins were set next to nuts and dried fruits from New York City’s famous Eataly Downtown. https://www.eataly.com/
This is my servery – a room from which meals are served. During parties, I often serve drinks from this area. This big silver bowl is for my special eggnog.
We filled this room with lots of white decorations dotted with copper and silver-colored accents.
More trees and woodland animals fill my mantel in the Brown Room.
In this corner, a green tree from my collection at The Home Depot – adorned with strings of lights. Beautiful decorations don’t always have to be elaborate. This tree was a big favorite.
A smaller tabletop tree with glass icicle ornaments – also very simple, but so elegant.
We moved my long dining table closer to one side, so we could serve the foods buffet-style – it’s a wonderful solution for large gatherings.
Meringues, cakes, and cookies filled the table.
Whenever possible, always try to use real china. Here, we stacked a combination of white and white with gold plates for all the guests.
Nearby, a tray of forks – even the flatware looked so decorative on the table.
Laura folded these napkins in rectangles and then arranged them in a crisscross pattern.
This is one of the plum pudding cakes I made for the party – it was so deliciously moist and flavorful. Next to it is a hard sauce I made with cognac.
My daughter, Alexis, is an excellent baker and cook. She brought this gorgeous cake topped with berries.
Here is a platter of beautifully sculpted meringues.
On this plate, stollen with marzipan from Balthazar New York. It is surrounded by Noel Nut Balls, the tasty cookie made from our Martha & Marley Spoon Holiday Cookie Box. http://balthazarny.com
Our shrimp came from True North – 40 pounds of the freshest shrimp. We served it on cake stands garnished with lettuces from my garden – they look like flowers. http://www.truenorthseafood.com
Jason Schreiber and I created this giant Buche de Noel – I added these whimsical mice right before the party – they were perfect.
My kitchen is where we served our hams – it is quite a spread.
This ham in the center is from my friend, Pat LaFrieda. It is a 20-pound smoked ham. http://www.lafrieda.com
This one is a whole country ham from Loveless Cafe – so flavorful. https://www.lovelesscafe.com
And the ham in the foreground at the bottom of the photo is from La Quercia – a spectacular acorn-fed prosciutto style ham. http://laquercia.us
The hams were served with homemade biscuits and mustard sauces.
We made a delicious pomegranate punch using concentrate from my friends at POM Wonderful mixed with citrus slices. It was very popular with all our guests. https://www.pomwonderful.com
And look how beautiful it is in this giant bowl.
Everything looks so stunning all prepared on my kitchen counter.
Tomorrow, I will share more of the food, photos of friends and family who attended, and of the special visit from the jolliest of them all – Santa Claus. I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season.
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