Sunday Morning Coffee 3
Volume 3
Today I am pleased to share with you Sunday Morning Coffee. This is a place to share, learn, explain, dream, and have fun.
Thanks for joining me for Sunday morning coffee. Today I am sharing my weekly thoughts about entertaining, decor, crafts, and recipes and my slight obsession with a gal named Martha.
A Little Bit About Me
I Think I Might Be Martha’s Biggest Fan
As you already know, I have always loved to decorate and entertain. If you asked my friends to describe me in a few words they would respond with one word.
“Martha”.
Although most of my friends and followers refer to me as “the other Martha” (as in Stewart), I am really just a gal who loves to create. If I can make or bake or build something myself, then I will. Every single time.
In addition to having a nickname “Martha”, I have spent my entire life admiring Martha Stewart. In fact, she is my mentor.
The reason I made Martha my “mentor who doesn’t know she is my mentor” is that she is the person who inspired me to create. And entertain.
Back in 1982, Martha Stewart released her book, Entertaining, it changed my life. Now I realize many of you who are reading this weren’t even born yet in 1982! But trust me, it was the most beautiful and creative book I had ever seen. It was full of photos, parties, creative ideas, and amazing recipes.
I used to sit and read and reread the book, staring at the photos for ideas.
One of my favorite ideas she had in the book was freezing vodka in milk cartons. And since 1982 I have been freezing vodka every Christmas.
The book Entertaining, is also now in it’s 30th printing. Wow.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that I am kind of an expert on “things related to Martha” and I actually spent two years of my life answering questions about Martha Stewart.
It was 1994 and Martha Stewart had a best-selling magazine, Martha Stewart Living (1990), a lot of books, and a very popular TV show (1992).
What she didn’t have was a website. It was certainly in the works but it didn’t exist in 1994.
Without a cell phone and social media, I spent all of my free time reading my Martha Stewart magazines. Her first magazine was published in the winter of 1990. In 1991, it became a quarterly magazine. Of course, I had a copy of every single one of her magazines.
Somehow I found a blog online called “The Unofficial Martha Stewart Blog”. It was started by a gal in Colorado who was answering questions about Martha Stewart. One night, when I was reading a full page of questions that I knew every answer to, I reached out to volunteer my time to help.
I was hired (for free) immediately. Go figure.
My son Michael was born in 1994 and Matt was one year old and Andrew was two years old. It’s probably not a surprise that the only time I could find to answer blog questions was late at night. It’s funny because I don’t ever remember working on the blog when it was light outside!
I would sit at a table in Matt and Andrew’s room, with a huge stack of magazines piled next to me, and answer questions on the blog. Occasionally, and I mean occasionally, when I didn’t know an answer, I would look up in the index of a magazine the specific answer or recipe. I did this while my toddlers were sleeping and remember it as a very relaxing and soothing experience.
For the next two years, I spent my late evenings answering questions like “In which issue can I find the feature on Lustreware?”. I would answer, “February 1995”. Or “Which issue features Martha’s Hawaiian Cocktail Party?”. Of course, the answer was “July/August 1995”.
In 1997 Martha Stewart sold housewares at K-Mart and I used to drive across town every week just to see the new merchandise. I remember being embarrassed at the cashier because I never bought anything other than Martha Stewart products.
I did meet Martha Stewart twice. Both times were at a book signing. I got tickets by purchasing them online. I remember setting two alarms and having three friends try at the same time to get me my tickets.
At one of the book signings I shared my story with Martha her about my early Martha Stewart blogging experience. She laughed and thanked me for helping her out.
Basically, I think that means that I kind of worked for Martha Stewart and she was very thankful for my work.
Ok, that is stretching it a bit.
I guess I am sounding a bit obsessed with Martha. But I am!
Her creativity has influenced my blog every month. Here are some of the projects that were inspired by Martha.
I do get a lot of comments comparing me to Martha Stewart. I want you to know that I treasure each and every one of them. To even be compared to her is such an honor.
If you would like to see the amazing history of Martha Stewart and everything she has done, click here.
My Martha Favorites
My Favorite Martha Book
As I mentioned earlier, Martha’s book Entertaining was my favorite book for two decades. It’s the reason I am the way I am. It inspired me to enjoy entertaining, recipes, crafts, and more.
My Favorite Martha Magazine Covers
Back in the days before you could get everything online, I used to mark my calendar for the day I thought my Martha Stewart Living magazine would arrive. On that day, my boys knew that a home cooked meal was out of the question. Mom was going to enjoy her magazine instead.
My Favorite Martha Stewart Cookbook
I own a gazillion of her cookbooks but my favorite is The Martha Stewart Cookbook: Collected recipes for Every Day.
This cookbook is a collection of most of her recipes (1400+) and it is the cookbook I always reach for.
My Favorite Martha Recipe
Martha’s Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
These are the best ever.
There are about twenty of her recipes that I make all of the time. But this is a favorite for sure.
Around Our Home
In the Dining Room
I love that our dining room looks so festive with all of the pink. And copper.
There is a big change happening next week in our dining room and we are ready!
Can you guess what I am up to?
I promise to keep you updated.
A Decor Tip
Copper Goes With Every Color
I love copper.
In case you didn’t believe me, look at these photos from my blog posts!
I seem to use copper a lot. I used it in the fall, during the holidays, and in the New Year.
I am guessing copper is here to stay in our home.
Do you have a “metal” like you like? Perhaps gold, silver or bronze?
Have you thought about copper?
There is no doubt that copper looks great with pink. It also looks good with green (especially sage green) and aqua. Which probably means it works with blue and red.
If you want to add a metallic accent to your home, start out with a few accessories.
Here are my favorites.
Ready to add some copper accents to your home? Here are some of my favorite copper items that I purchased from Amazon.
In the Craft Room
I went a bit crazy this week in my craft room and shared four crafts on my blog! I will share them in a bit but until then, here are some amazing fun craft ideas that I found this week.
I love these Origami Hearts from Martha Stewart.
Click here to see the DIY.
I love this DIY Heart Wreath Tutorial. My friend Janine at Happy Happy Nester made it.
Click here to see how to make this adorable wreath
My friend Karianne from Thistlewood Farms has four, yes four!, awesome Valentine’s Gift ideas on her blog.
Click here for the DIYs.
Reflections on the Week
It felt good to get back to regular blogging this week. I was in a very crafty mood (which was awesome) and made a pink and white floral crate, a wreath for our front door, rose gold leaf candlesticks, and colored glass bottles for our living room.
Here are my blog posts from last week.
My Favorite Things
You have no idea how hard it is for me to narrow down all of the things that I love. But I am going to try! Every week I will share a few of the things I have found that I think you might love too.
An article popped up on my phone last week called “36 Little Cooking Habits You Should Actually Ditch ASAP“. I decided to read it because I was confident that I probably only did a few, if any, of them.
After going six for the first six, I decided I needed to take the article seriously. I learned so much!
Yikes. I hope you did better than me!
I got an email from Martha Stewart (not her personal email, haha) titled The Right Way to Clean Your Windows—Plus, How to Make Your Own Window Cleaner.
This was great information as ALL of our windows need cleaning.
Many of you might need this info after the bad weather. Enjoy!
If you want to spruce up your living room, you might enjoy Free Designer Living Room Decorating Hacks.
Here are Some Instagram Accounts You Might Want to Check Out
- Kari from House of Keene
- Toni at Toni Marianna
- Kelly at City Girl Meets Farmboy
- Amy at Cuter Tudor
One Healthy Habit
Many of you were very enthusiastic about my story last Sunday about my new healthy eating habits. I don’t think you need to go gluten-free, dairy-free, and meat-free at once.
Rather, why not try one healthy habit a week? I will share one of my healthy habits every week and you can try it or not. It’s up to you,
Let’s start with the item I fought and fought not to change. For ever.
My coffee creamer.
It’s a long story, but in a nutshell, I do not like black coffee. I love coffee but I really like it with flavored cream. I tried every possible healthy flavored creamer but the ones without sugar, were terrible. And then my awesome doctor suggested I try Laird’s Superfood Creamer. It contains Coconut Milk Powder, Aquamin (calcium from marine algea), and Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
Based on the ingredient list, it sounded disgusting. But guess what?
I love it.
You just need this battery operated amazing frother to make sure it’s not lumpy in your coffee.
Once step at a time, right?
You can sign up to receive my blog updates here. .
Things I Love for Under $25
Good Things from Martha
Yep, each week I will feature one of the gazillion Good Things tips that Martha Stewart has shared with all of us over the years.
Today I am sharing one of Martha’s top Good Things tips and this dish packing idea is brilliant.
Thanks Martha for this inspiration.
Click here to see more.
What’s Ahead
Next week is all about organization and I am joining the most talented blogger ever and my dear friend Karianne Wood from Thistlewood. We will be sharing five days of organizing rooms and tomorrow we start with our kitchens!
You might be pleased to know that my definition of organization includes both Function and Fashion. So plan to see some smart organization and some fun new decor changes in every room!
Pin the Sunday Morning Coffee image below to your Pinterest Boards (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!
I knew there was a reason I started following your blog 🤗🤗🤗 I am also a big Martha Stewart fan. I loved her crafts and entertaining and especially her baking. You have her style just updated for today’s life. I am now one of your avid followers. I also adore your kitchen and I am also a Thistlewood follower, she seems to be the sweetest person
Hi Martha,
I just started following you about a month ago. Hot have a great blog. I just happened to notice the spice holder on your kitchen counter. It’s just what I’m looking for. Could you tell me where you bought it or where I could get one like that?
Your home is beautiful.Continued success. I’ve already gotten some great ideas😊
Thanks,
Dianne
Thank you Lily for reaching out and for being an avid follower! I’m so happy that you enjoy the blog and my kitchen and that you are a Thistlewood follower also (she is, seriously, the sweetest ever!)
Good morning Leslie, it was so much fun reading your article this morning. Brought back many memories about Martha Stewart I absolutely loved her growing up I have her books and magazines in 1987 my mother gave me her entertaining with Martha Stewart book as a Christmas gift and I no longer have my mom here. I would dress like Martha and at one time for Halloween at work, I worked for a bank and I set up my whole cubicle as if it was Martha Stewart’s house with crafts, Kitchen area, I even walked around the office to see if anybody wanted an autograph. Also when my middle son turn 30 I had set up the banquet hall as a Martha Stewart’s staging area did the cupcakes with pictures of my son as a baby and the cupcakes etc. my family members call me Martha Stuart and if I do crafts oh Martha Stewart here she is. Thank you for sharing it brought back good memories I am so glad I found you on Facebook. I do look forward to all your new emails. Thank you again and I hope you have a wonderful day.
I too am a Martha fan , have all her books from the 80’s .I enjoyed youre blog on her todat
Oh my gosh Cheryl, I love the memories that you share, so much! Martha has touched so many people. Have a wonderful day!
Hi Leslie,
Your blog is fantastic! I am really enjoying all your crafts. Thanks for bringing back the “Martha” style. I look forward to Sunday morning coffee every week. Thanks for all your hard work to bring us beautiful ideas. Tami
Thank you Tami, so much! I’m so happy that you enjoy the crafts and this new Sunday Morning Coffee. See you tomorrow!
I always admired Martha Stewart’s for her skills and determination to add style and beauty to every day living. Something that has always stuck out to me was her shelves full of dishes and accessories for her photography and use. BUT my husband and I just loved her show Martha Knows Best and loved all her daily projects on her property in New York. And when she goes to visit a neighbor on her gator is like being in their party time. Caring for her many animals shows what compassion she has. In this time being closer to home, Martha has shown how to bring joy to our days with gardening and cooking and even fixing cocktails. What I would give to have her greenhouses where she grows her own fresh greens to pick daily. Thanks for reminding us that being a homebody is truly rewarding as you and Martha are examples of happiness.
Loved all of this! Thanks! I tried bringing up the living room decorating hacks, but it wasn’t correct.
Martha fan here too! She made it cool to love your home! She planted the seeds for all the blogs, home and food networks we have now. Love watching her still. She is a wealth of knowledge…always learning…….and did I mention her gardens are stunning.
My son remembers rolling out paper and stamping and painting it for homemade Christmas wrapping paper when he was just 3 or 4.
Some of her vintage Christmas segments were posted to her fb page this year. Still the best!
I read & re-read her book when it came out & tried to follow!! Still have it !!
I like Martha too! About the same time as you ( with a new baby) I had some time to watch, read, etc all things Martha when the baby napped. I remember wanting to go see her at a luncheon & book signing ( the same cookbook you mentioned) & my mom got me a ticket- it was just me ( single ticket) so I got placed randomly at a table with a group of women. They were appalled to hear that I just got a place at this table ( I was the only single ticket) and they had gone to some great lengths to coordinate their seating. Didn’t matter- I got my book signed & bought my other Martha loving friend and I both MSL holiday aprons! It was a good thing 😉
Good morning Leslie, I truly am enjoying your Sunday morning coffee with my cup of coffee. I too am a Martha Stewart fan and have used many of her decorating ideas through the years. Thank you for sharing your 100 year old home with us. I love it! Look forward to next Sunday.
Hi Leslie. I enjoyed today’s blog. Your house does look like Martha decorated it! I’m not sure if you know that she has a fashion and home goods line on QVC. I miss her line at Kmart. I used to love looking and purchasing too.
I enjoyed reading about how Martha has influenced you. I have always admired her and miss her old show, the one filmed in her home. I found her to be very relaxing to watch and listen to. I subscribed to her magazine but I don’t have any of her books. Maybe I will look for her cookbook since you seem to use it alot.
Leslie, this was a fun post! My first memory of Martha Stewart was in 1985. I was watching TV and heard them say “Coming up next is Martha Stewart’s Holiday Entertaining.” I’d never heard of her before then, but the “Holiday Entertaining” immediately held my interest. I watched the show and was hooked. I have many of her books, including the two you mentioned here. I also have some old VHS Martha tapes I bought years ago, such “A Formal Dinner Party” and “A Buffet Party.” I would watch those tapes over and over again back then. Thanks for adding to a nice Sunday morning! ~Becky
Yes I remember this also. You must be OLD like I am OLD. I was young and married with little children, I watched and watched over and over again. Try as I might to emulate Martha, so many years later I still am trying
Haven’t been here long but I love your posts I too like Martha have you seen Martha knows best? Love that show! Love your pink also, cant wait to get your emails
Keep it up, please !!❤
love this! you are a peach
Love Martha, copper and you. Thanks fo bringing great style and creativity to all of us.
Thank you Diane! I appreciate that you reached out to me.
Looking forward to seeing what you are planning for the dinning rm. Martha Stewart is one my favorite also. Enjoying your blog so much!! Funny, I used to go to k mart always buying Martha items.
Thank you Bernice, I am so happy that you are enjoying my blog. Oh, the K-Mart days, fond memories!
Really enjoying your Sunday Morning Coffee and really enjoyed your talk on Martha Stewart. I have a great tip that I would love to share with you (not mine).
Fresh flowers on a table look so nice – something to try – TULIPS and how to stop them from drooping and to get them to stand tall (even though sometimes they look really nice when they droop). When you get tulips home, cut about 1 inch off the bottom of the stem. Place them in a vase of water and add 2 copper pennies.
Thank you Janice. I have never heard this tip before and will give it a try! I wonder if this helps them to stop “growing” after they are styled 😊
Another relaxing and inspiring Sunday morning (or evening, in my case!) Thanks for all the Martha-inspiredness, and YES Copper is here to stay! 🙂 Happy Sunday Night!
Thank you Barbara! I am so happy that you are enjoying my new Sunday Morning Coffee posts. Have a great Monday!
I love Martha and you are so like her! I enjoy everything you do. Just discovered you lately. Look for me on Pinterest as Gigi Lefleur, I am sure you will get ideas. I am a retired interior designer in Florida.
Thank you Mary Jane. I will check out your Pinterest!
I just happened to run by “My one hundred year old home”, advertising it on Google. I thought man it would be awesome if this had some ideas to help me organize my kitchen, with NO cabinet space at all. I started reading and was hooked. Kept reading and you mentioned your kitchen ideas coming tomorrow. I can’t wait to read more, see more. I love Martha as well. Just wanted to say I enjoyed reading this tonight. I look forward to the emails, tips, and much more. Thanks
Lenee, I am so happy that you found me and that you reached out to me. I did a post on kitchen organization yesterday, I hope you saw it! You can sign up to receive my newsletter each day that delivers my blog to you so that you don’t have to search for it! I just got new rugs in the kitchen that people have gone wild over. I got them on Amazon, here is the link if you want to check them out! https://amzn.to/3bVcJR1 I’m glad that you are here and hope that you follow along!