My New Friend Martha

I recently got a fancy offer in the mail for Martha Stewart Living magazine. If I sign up, I get a free tote bag and a free subscription to Everyday Food, another Martha Stewart publication.  I took the bait.

I enjoy magazines. I've been an O Magazine subscriber for years and it still delights me. I especially like the articles by Martha Beck and Lisa whats-er-name who "Tells all."  The shopping sections are always lots of fun.  The beauty sections are practical with a spark of glamour. This magazine recognizes that women are mostly thoughtful, intelligent, and spiritual people, but we like to look our best, too. 

For the longest time, when I lived in North Carolina, I studied every issue of Southern Living when it arrived, trying to learn how to be the best southerner I could. Gardening, cooking, vacations, home decor - it has the secrets to living the authentic southern life. A lot of good that does me now, since moving to the midwest. Nevertheless, I keep several great recipes clipped from the magazine that never fail to bring me rave reviews. It wasn't a total waste of time. 

I'm curious why I have been drawn to Martha Stewart, at this point in my life. In the past, I had read her magazines every now and again, and at that time, I found them a bit pretentious. Who has time or desire to hand sew baby shoes, or decorate Ukranian eggs for Easter? Now, for some reason, the magazine speaks to me. I like the crafts section. I like the pets section. The home decor they feature is a not exactly my style, but there are ideas that I can apply in my own way. I kinda enjoy reading Martha's "calendar" for the month, even if it is probably more fiction than real. (...like she turns her own compost pile....as if!). The gardening sections are good too. I really like that this magazine offers downloads from their website to support their stories and crafts. You can download designs they feature in a story, or templates for a craft design. That's nice. 

I'm in a phase where I just want to play and make things.  Dozens of ideas for quilts and craft projects are floating around in my head, waiting to be worked on and made; if I only had the time, I'd be so happy. But I don't - I have a job. And I like my job, so I want to do that, too. 

So what is it about Martha Stewart?  

I don't know, but I know what I like.