I’ve never been a big fan of Martha Stewart’s icy demeanor and hoity-toity attitude (I’ve met and worked with her on a few occasions, even traveled with her on a private plane from Florida to New York), but I greatly admire her work ethic and creativity. She’s still going strong at 70 (mentally and physically) and she just came out with a new book, called Entertaining.
Like the first Entertaining book she wrote three decades ago, when she was a caterer, this one is chock full of suggestions on how to throw glorious parties, from the food to the table décor. Unlike the first book, which featured parties thrown by numerous hosts, this one highlights only Martha’s personal events over a one-year period.
Interviewed recently on National Public Radio, Martha told the story of discovering molds for a nativity scene when she participated in a pottery group in jail. (Remember, she was sentenced to five months in prison, after being found guilty of some financial hanky panky.) Calling herself a “ceramist” (versus a “potter”), Martha convinced the teacher to let her make more than the one piece each inmate is allotted per month, so she could create the entire crèche (there are 15 pieces in Martha’s crèche.) She also used her stipend to buy supplies—such as clay—forgoing other “perks” she would have liked, she told the NPR interviewer.
As for painting the ceramic pieces, Martha didn’t have a large selection of colors, so she chose a color that reminds me of the one used on Wedgwood Drabware. I can’t resist calling it Prison Brown. It does look wonderful on her Nativity scene.
Martha, you ARE a force of nature! Merry Christmas.
0 Responses to “Holier than thou”
Patricia C. says:
I know there are many different ways to think about Martha Stewart. I am actually a great admirer of her, especially after her stay in prison. How many people could have gone on after that humiliating downfall? Not many, I bet. I think her show of grace and dignity are rare. Yes, maybe she isn’t the kindest person, but what empire builder is? And does anyone talk about men in power being nice guys? No, not really. The men are all expected to be a hard ass. I like the fact that she has turned the art of homemaking into something to be admired, with high standards that we can all aspire to achieve.
Geri says:
Well said, Patricia.
Toby Wollin says:
I think if I were faced with La Stewart, I’d go hide in the bathroom. I have a severe case of ‘FOE” (Fear of Entertaining). I used to think it was because we hadn’t finished redoing the house, but I’ve found that since we finished it off (and it’s lovely, thank you), I STILL have a panic attack over having people to the house. “Will everyone have a good time?” “Will they like the food?” “Will anyone get sick?” “Do I have anything decent to wear that doesn’t make my rearend look huge?” The list goes on and on and on.
Geri says:
as usual, toby, you are funny. people have a good time because they like you, not because of your food or rear end.
oxo