Michelle & Martha: A Midlife Culinary Quest

Maybe it’s a midlife crisis? Who knows, but I'm currently in my early 30s, with two kids, freshly out of a 10-year corporate job, and adjusting to life as a stay-at-home mom. I had this lingering thought in the back of my mind: This can’t be it. I’ve always needed to be working toward something.

I never read the book Julie and Julia or saw the movie, but I understand the idea. A woman chooses a culinary legend as her muse and embarks on a challenge that becomes more than just recipes, it becomes a journey of growth. I don’t know exactly what I'm setting out to do, but I know one thing: Martha Stewart feels like the perfect inspiration.

Why Martha?

There’s some history there. As a kid, I used to watch The Martha Stewart Show with my grandma during lazy weekday mornings on summer visits. I was captivated by her precision, her poise, and her ability to make every corner of life feel beautifully intentional. My grandma was always trying something new, scribbling down receipes or home projects as we watched the show. People used to call my mom “Martha Stewart” because she could throw a party that looked like it belonged in a magazine. My step mom is the master of making the table setting the season. I guess you could say I grew up in a very Martha households.

As I grew older and learned more about Martha I knew she wasn't exactly warm, and she sacrificed a lot of her family life to build her empire. They say the top can often be lonely... Although I don't aspire to have that kind of life, I can't deny the woman is a genius. I also noticed she does have a certain flare for perfection. I can't say that I'm someone who strives for perfection. Despite our differences I admire her confidence, her authority, and her elegance. She makes it all look effortless. She was, in many ways, one of my inspirations for effortlessly sophisticated.

The Beginning of a New Chapter

So here I am, a little lost, a little curious, and very much craving creativity. From that space, the idea came to me:

Michelle & Martha: A Series

A personal challenge, an ongoing lifestyle experiment, and maybe even a way to reconnect with parts of myself I’ve set aside. I’m starting with 20 of Martha’s most iconic recipes some pulled from her own lists of greatest hits, a few suggested by my mom, and a couple I’ve loved for years.

Cooking, for me, has always been about joy and expression. I started baking when I was 10 because I loved the process and the satisfaction of watching simple ingredients transform. In my twenties, I began reading Martha Stewart Living religiously. The magazine was like a monthly guide to a more elevated life, full of seasonal recipes, home projects, and little things to try that made everyday moments feel a bit more beautiful.

This series is my tribute to all of that: to Martha, to my mom, my step mom, and grandma. Also to the part of me that still gets excited by handy home tip or a really good banana bread recipe.

The Michelle & Martha Recipe Challenge

Here’s what’s on the menu:

✅ Basic Pancakes

✅ Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

✅ Macaroni and Cheese

✅ One-Pan Pasta

✅ Slow Cooker Corned Beef & Cabbage

✅ Classic Cream Puffs

✅ Vanilla Pound Cake

✅ Breaded Chicken Breast

✅ The Best Banana Bread

✅ French Martini

✅ Classic Cheesecake

✅ Baked Eggplant Parmesan

✅ Perfect Roast Chicken

✅ Tortilla Soup

✅ Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

✅ Perfect Mashed Potatoes

✅ Homemade Pasta

✅ Apple Pie

✅ Pierogies

✅ Simple Vinaigrette

Stay tuned for more updates as I make my way through this journey! First stop on the list is pancakes.

XOXO

Effortlessly Sophisticated