As I’ve done in the past, today I am going to review The Martha’s latest ideas for Christmas for you and me and all the other little folk who want to be just like The Martha.
I don’t know what’s happened to me since I went to The Martha’s lovely soiree back in August but I cannot find too much to snark about this issue. Do you think she had one of her minions slip something into my drinks while I was there? Because I can’t believe how soft I’m getting where The Martha is concerned.
Overall, I thought The Martha’s December 2010 issue was reasonable, by Martha standards. Oh sure, there was lots of handmaid this and homemade that, but that’s normal for her and it wasn’t nearly as over-the-top as usual. She did not apply gold leaf to a single thing, which has to be a record of some sort for her. (Or maybe gold leaf is out this year?) Of course, she did use silver paint on magnolia leaves and holly branches on page 183, which I think is an excellent example of her more pared-down and “real person” sensibilities this season. (Or maybe silver is in this year?)
Oh sure, there’s caviar in a recipe on page 37, but I believe that The Martha honestly cannot imagine a life without caviar and just assumes that we all eat it on a semi-regular basis. Don’t you?
One thing that amused me is on page 120, which contains helpful information about how to properly maintain and store your Christmas ornaments. Surprisingly, readers aren’t told to go to thus-and-such fancy store to order custom storage boxes; in fact, we are allowed to use boxes from Ikea, clean cardboard egg cartons for smaller “precious pieces,” and even Ziploc bags. What is this world coming to?!
Of course, on that same page, we are advised to buy acid-free tissue paper for wrapping all ornaments, which I can now tell you is $10 for 20 sheets. 50 cents a sheet?! Honestly? I’m going to continue using regular ol’ tissue paper, used bubble wrap, and whatever else is handy on January 2nd when I’m taking down the tree.
I do give The Martha props for sharing one basic cookie dough that can be used for 30 different kinds of cookies. That’s a level of efficiency and ease that I would never have associated with her usual holiday baking. Well, except for that 30 different kinds of cookies part — I’ll be lucky if I whip up more than one or two batches of treats and I can promise that they won’t involve rolling out, cookie cutters, a cookie press, or any sort of frosting or sprinkles. Call me lazy, but I don’t have the time or interest in spending hours on something that my children and their friends will inhale in five minutes or that will call my name from the pantry late at night.
One thing that I’ve complained about before and will mention here again is how little play the magazine gets on The Martha’s website. I had to search hard for the photo above and simply could not find several of the crafts shown in the magazine. Most magazines link between the two, so that it’s incredibly easy to find recipes and crafts that are in the print version. Not so, The Martha. It’s like she can’t be bothered or something, which is really not like her at all. I don’t know, I’m starting to worry about her.
And now I’m worried about me, because overall, I enjoyed the December issue of Martha Stewart Living for its merits and not for its humor value. I even got a couple of ideas from the magazine and didn’t just snort with derision over the idea of making snow globes at home.
Anyone else feeling kind about The Martha these days? Do we need to schedule a group intervention?
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Unless you count planning on making four kinds of cookies (from four different kinds of dough) Martha-ish, then I’m OK. No intervention needed. Oh, wait. I re-read and you said “kind about The Martha” not “kind of like The Martha”. Never mind. I still think she’s an overachiever.
They DID slip something in your drink! Either that, or she’s suddenly aware that the rest of us were floundering and going broke so she’s slowing down her game…
Yeah I could make 30 kinds of cookies if I had HELP. Not so much as one string of lights up at my house yet but while cleaning the front closet on Sunday found the snowman for the front door, hung it up and called it good!
My recent favorite is Barefoot Contessa who said she realized using Pepperidge Farm pastry dough for cookies were just as good as when she made the dough herself. I love her more all the time for this!
While I have not gone complete gaga over the Martha I did feel bad for her on Thanksgiving during her Today show segment when Natalie Morales was rushing her. I literally yelled “Hey, let the woman finish her talk on turkey.”
I don’t normally do that.
I have neither a handmaid (how Victorian!) or a copy of the magazine. And yet I’ll live.
Don’t think I’ll ever awaken my inner Martha.
I think we have all become more crafty over the years in part because of Martha – and I also think Martha has come down to earth in many ways. I am not surprized that you are finding less to snark about!
I am shocked there is not more to comment on! I am feeling like I need to go get this issue, expecially for the cookie dough recipe. One of my favorite holiday traditions. I am also confused on why her website and magazine are not connected. That does not sounds smart or is she over it all? Highly doubt it but so odd.
I’ve found the website tends to be a month or so behind the mag. I think it’s so they can try to bring in more $$ selling the mag. You can’t just jump online and get all the goods.
As for the Martha – I don’t think they slipped anything into your drink. I think her stint in jail and her declining magazine revenue from folks like me (canceled my subscription after 10 years…just wasn’t enough “relevant” content anymore) has made her realize she needs to tone it down a notch if she wants to maintain that mogul status.
And dagnabit. Now I’m wondering if my friend with the subscription is going to pass this issue on to me like she normally does, or keep it to herself! I need inspiration!
I’m going to make her Meringue ganache cookies – last page of the mag – soon
They look yummilicious
My inner Martha is nowhere to found so all of the above is leaving me feeling inadequate.
I’m fighting off a weird compulsion to make a papier mache Christmas snowman using balloons, card, and poster paint. The compulsion is winning. Does that count?
Now I want to see what Nic’s making!
I love MS. Always have, probably always will. Although I have my issues with her too. I bought a vintage Evergleam tinsel tree, (via e-bay for $167!) and spent A YEAR searching for the tin tray Martha showed us in her December 2009 issue – the one under her vintage Evergleam tree and NEVER found it. Then, a few weeks ago I see that she’s recreated the whole set up for Grandin Road (catalog) for LESS than I paid for the darn tree!
Of course, it’s not the same quality as the made-in-the-USA Evergleam trees, since the tinsel wrap on the trees, (I’ve gone through 2 now trying to get a good one from Grandin Road!) is cheap/not well secured, and unwinds down the braches, leaving them exposed/bare metal. Still, I’m hanging with it because I love the look!
But in almost 25 years this is my only issue with Miss Martha!