Martha's Holidays 2005

From the pokey to primetime, domestic diva Martha Stewart hasn't missed a beat getting back into the swing of all things Martha, including a new gig as hostess with the mostest in a spin-off of Donald Trump's The Apprentice. After her little visit to the big house, she's comfy in an even bigger house…her own, sharing a compilation of holiday “how-to” gems culled from the Martha Stewart Living TV series (1993-2005). Stewart walks viewers through a cornucopia of projects, gift ideas, decorations, and recipes to help make a truly beautiful holiday season. We watched Martha's Homemade Holidays, which features recipes for baking (no, there isn't a cake recipe with a file in it), mouth-watering main dishes (Standing Rib Roast and Yorkshire Pudding, and Duck with Pomegranate Walnut Sauce), and holiday sweets (Chocolate Truffles, Gingerbread People, and Meringue Mushrooms). Also covered are: ideas for lovely Christmas decorations (Winter Wreaths, Ice Votives, and a Pearl Tree Topper) and handmade ornaments (using gumdrops or clothespins or origami); special recipes and gifts for Hanukkah; gift-wrapping suggestions, and many other topics. Bonus features include field trips to a candy shop and an old-fashioned-sleigh-bell manufacturer's studio, as well as DVD-ROM printable shopping lists, recipes, project instructions, a holiday planner, and more. This seasonal extravaganza, which also includes Martha's Classic Thanksgiving and Martha's New Year's Celebration (the latter exclusive to this set), should become a staple in any holiday collection—and that's a good thing. Highly recommended. [Note: Martha's Favorite Family Dinners is also newly available for $19.98.] Aud: P. (N. Plympton)