If you haven't watched the Netflix documentary..Martha..I highly recommend it.
Many of you know I lost my mom at 19.I was in Uni.
I had not had time to learn much re everything I now love..
She was instrumental in developing so many little passions in me..Cooking..Baking..Gardening..Decorating..Entertaining( yes I used to lol)..Holidays..
My mom kept an impeccable home.. there really was in my memory only three at home..my mom my dad and I..My oldest brother had moved out when I was 7 I think..the other I was 10.And they were never home.
My parents were not rich..but she made food I loved..all humble typical dishes.. She could cook anything.
She was trained as an artist though..and seemed to give all that up after having children,especially after losing a five yr old little girl..
Imagine how I would have loved to learn from her.
Later.. she was a speedwriting teacher/ accomplished translator.
C'est la vie.
My spaguetti sauce is based on hers..my cottage pies.. mashed potatoes.. She did make roasts and steaks..I really don't.. She cooked wild duck my dad hunted..
We had a small small pantry..
My life is different.
Her husband ,my dad was often sick.
Anyway she was every Christmas every birthday every NY ..every single day to me.
Then gone..
So I have Martha to thank for so many things..
Getting back to the documentary..she is authentic in it..and I loved that.Interesting.. funny..also sentimental in some of her looks..she looks away..
That dessert above..is a staple in many French Canadian families..called Pouding Chômeur..as many recipes of this as there are FR Cdn families I bet.
Jacques would tape her shows for me.. I could not watch because I worked once both our daughters were in school..I have kept the VCRs.He would note all the episodes ..print and I would tape to the VHS tape:) I love seeing these.
And if a friend called me Martha.I was overjoyed.
Always loved..all of this.
Being a mom and a nana first and foremost..but all the rest? Love doing it.
This is one of the movies I am saving to watch after my next knee replacement in 4 weeks. You are the most Martha like persons I know. I am glad she was such a great inspiration for you.
ReplyDeleteOh good idea to save A..And many thanks for that nice compliment..I am flattered but have to say..nowhere near:):): Nowhere.
DeleteA J reads my blog..he just read your comment..laughed and said that's cute!!:)
DeleteMartha has inspired millions of us! I can still remember picking up my daughter from school, then rushing home, getting a snack, then the two of us would watch Martha's show. (I smiled when I read that Jacques taped her shows!) One of the qualities I most appreciate about Martha is her desire to try to do her best to make life better. I can see where she would have been a trusted voice for you, Monique, after you lost your mom at such a young age. And it seems to me that you have set your own sights on creating a beautiful life for your family. A priceless legacy. It's gratifying to think about the investment we moms/grandmothers can make in the lives of those we love. We might be growing older and moving a bit slower, but we still matter.
ReplyDeleteI think and hope so.It has been such a privilege to be in their lives and still be.I know you know:) Whether some wanted to glean from her or not..She is an outstanding business woman.:)I never even thought of the business aspect of her way back wehn.I do remember she had online shopping.. but being in Canada..it was quite prohibitive..price duty wise..Have a good day!
DeleteIt’s so sad you lost you mom at such a young age. You are such a lovely mom and and to your family and so talented as well. We are our own worst critics. Take a bow and smile. You are amazing Monique. I watched most of the Martha film. She was so talented and head strong and a perfectionist. She was quite hard on her staff and not a not really a warm and fuzzy person. She has inspired so many of us and still continues.
ReplyDeleteShe admits to not being warm and fuzzy.I would drive her nuts.I am the opposite.. But I appreciated her candor and transparency..Why come off as something you are not..much harder to live up to lol:) I can see you got so much inspo through the years for her also:)What continues to surprise me is that a male billionaire is respected.. a female..is accused of many not so nice traits. I mean I could never order a person around.. Only my daughters growing up..hahahahaha.They laugh when they remind me one of my worst criticisms ..was..Don't be a Nellie Olson.. IYKYK.Far from perfect..far from.I think I have been a much better nana than a mom.Its so much easier.But ..I did not have an instruction booklet..and so young like you!
DeleteMartha would be proud of you, from A to Z! It was wonderful having a role model like that when we were just starting to make our houses into homes. ♥
ReplyDeleteIt was.. I just loved her and am looking forward to rewatching a few tapes for fun:) She was and is brilliant.What an 83 yr old..Have a good day:)
DeleteI have always admired so very much about you, you are truly unique and wonderful for your entire your life.
ReplyDeleteYou were right by my side for many of those yrs.Thank you.
DeleteI've been watching Martha Stewart's cooking shows for years, her baking show has some great recipes and useful baking tips. I have to say though I was not impressed by her recent revelations about cheating on her husband. Her stint in prison was total grandstanding by the government. I always thought the sentence was draconian and unnecessary, there are elected officials like ex speaker Nancy Pelosi who are engaging in insider trading and lying about it all the time, not even a slap on the hand.
ReplyDeleteYet her husband constantly cheated on her.
DeleteI didn't know that...looks like they should have went their separate ways sooner!
DeleteMartha has inspired so many of us, not everyone I know was interested in learning from her but I was :-) I feel as though I know her a bit better from watching the documentary and she is brilliant!
ReplyDeleteMe too Debbie..and I liked her even more after:)
DeleteIts so sad you lost your mom so early...
ReplyDeleteI shall look if I can find that movie! Interesting!
Love from Titti
It is very interesting:). Yes she has never left my daily thoughts..thank you Titti:)
DeleteI don’t want to have to imagine your pain. I now want to watch Martha.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
We all,I think have sorrows in our lives..
DeleteLike you, I "grew up" as a wife and homemaker with Martha. She was my go to for everything. Class. Class. Class. I watched all of her shows, still do when I can. I am so sorry you had to lose your mom so soon in life. ((((hugs)))) I am sure she is proud of the wonderful woman, mother, wife, you became. I loved the film about Martha. I saw much of the same things you did. In fact I want to watch it all over again because I was so excited the first time I watched it, I am sure I missed a lot. She is someone to be admired for sure. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI want to watch again:) I received the sweetest note from a childhood friend who happened to read this post.Brought tears to my eyes it was so kind.She knew my mom:)I still admire her:). You listened well when she taught:) Look at you!
DeleteMonique, I can not imagine loosing my mother at the age you did. I did loose my dad at age 15, but my mother was my ROCK! No siblings to be with. I loved seeing how much you enjoyed Martha....I did too!! I also have many of her books....the wedding one is special. When I found the first issue of MS Living, I thought I had gone to heaven; I just bought her 2024 Christmas issue. I would get up early on Sunday before church so I could watch her show...no taping when I started...or we didn't have that capacity. I loved the shows where she taught us things; not the later ones, with guests, which she said were torture. I know no one's life is perfect, but you enjoy yours so much, husband, daughters, grands....I enjoy your blog very much.
ReplyDeleteRachel thanks so much! Old VHS tapes he was before his time my husband :) He would program the tv.. to tape.Can you believe I never mastered that..nor PVR nor anything tecchie with the tv:)I LOVED when she taught us things too.. I might be on the lookout for her 2024 Christmas issue! Have a very good week and thank you again for your kind comment:)
DeleteHello! I just want to thank you - I just found a recipe on your blog from 2009, a recipe I’ve been looking for on & off for YEARS! It’s for ground pork in wonton cups, and yes, originally from Bon Appetit, a New Year’s (print!) edition. I thought I had it, but must have thrown it out unintentionally. So, thank you, thank you, thank you!! (And TY to the internet, too!)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh my daughters even make those now.. everyone just loves them so much.Im still a tad sad so many of my posts have no photos and big danger signs.. All those deleted photos:( Oh WELLLLL..You would think I would be over it by now..(Me? Never..;) )
DeleteMonique, if anyone ever reflected the talents and gardening, cooking, and entertaining interests like Martha, it's you. I admire you more than Martha because of who you are. I've long been a Martha fan as well, but don't have her talents. I used to enjoy watching her show and learned much from her. I have her entertaining books but not her cook books. I'll have to watch the movie.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful documentary.Sarah thank you as always for your SWEET kind words:)
DeleteThanks for the fun "Oh SO Very Martha" memories. I still have the VCR tapes ,too. Although not labelled as cute as yours. I do have so many Old Martha Stewart Living magazines from the early years in file boxes in my greenhouse that I want to keep until I die. Our kids also loved her.
ReplyDeleteUntil I die:) I have some of those too.You made me smile out wide!!
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