From President Bush to Perez Hilton, come see my photos!

This past Saturday was a very busy, but very exciting day.  It started out at my home in Bedford with an Easter egg hunt for about 30 children, accompanied by their parents.  I realize that Easter has come and gone, but this delayed hunt was being photographed for my new Entertaining book.  The spring gardens were lovely, as were the decorations, and fortunately, the weather cooperated for the children to have a really fun time.

Later in the day, my friend, Charles Simonyi, flew us in his jet to Washington DC, to attend the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) dinner held at the Washington Hilton Hotel.  The WHCA was founded in 1914 by journalists who were concerned about protecting the interests of reporters and correspondents assigned to cover the White House.  Its annual dinner is quite a gala, raising money for WHCA scholarships and to honor the professional recipients of the WHCA’S Journalism Awards.  It was wonderful seeing old friends and meeting so many other fascinating people.  I hope you enjoy my snapshots.

Guests arriving on the red carpet at the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner on Saturday night.

I was so happy to meet up with Bill Yosses, a friend who is now the Executive Pastry Chef at the White House. He told me all about recently making the Pope's cake. He is now busy planning Jenna Bush's wedding cake. To his left, is a friend of Bill's

I wore this lovely brown chiffon dress with topaz beads and earrings.

This is Perez Hilton, celebrity blogger, who stopped to chat up the Jonas brothers, the American pop-rock band.

There was too much buzz to hear what they were talking about, but everyone was very, very intent!

President Bush greeting Charlie Wilson, who is standing next to ABC's Ann Compton, the chairperson of the event.

The very cute and, I must also say polite and well-behaved, Jonas Brothers, have a very large and cute bodyguard.

Here I am with my hostess for the evening, Executive Editor of People Magazine, Betsy Gleick.

At the party, I bumped into Larry King - that's Charles Simonyi with me.

I loved meeting Donatella Versace - her dress was quite form-fitting and beautiful. \

It was a pleasure seeing Henry Kissinger, who is always jovial and friendly.

My old friend, Patricia Duff - ex-wife of Ron Perlman - looked very glamorous.

Here I am with Mr. Donald Graham, son of Katherine Graham, former head of The Washington Post newspaper.  Donald is now CEO and Chairman of the Board of The Washington Post Co.

Aaron Eckhart played a handsome chef in his last movie, 'No Reservations' - co-starring with Catherine Zeta-Jones

2 camera guest paparazzi

more guest paparazzi

It was nice to see an old friend, John McLaughlin, of PBS's The McLaughlin Group.

My friend, Charles, entering the Newsweek bash, hosted by Lally Weymouth and her brother, Donald Graham.

The former ambassador to Hungary, Nancy Brinker, and Charles Simonyi, who was born in Hungary.

Lally Weymouth looked gorgeous in her red dress.

Former Secretary of State, Madeline Albright - NBC news correspondent, Andrea Mitchell - and Padma Lakshmi, actress, writer, television host.

Charles with Donna Shalala, former Clinton Secretary of Health & Human Services - now President of the University of Miami.

Here I am with Tina and Terry Lundgren. Terry is President and CEO of Macy's.

Evelyn Lauder and Tina Lundgren.

Charles, Lally Weymouth and Leonard Lauder

Here I am with the Commandant of the US Marines, James T. Conway. He gave me a medal for my driver, Rock, who is shipping off to Iraq soon.

US Attorney General, Michael Mukasey and his wife, Susan, standing with Charles.

I had the distinct pleasure of sitting next to Senator John McCain's mother, Mrs. Roberta McCain.  At 96 years old, what an amazing lady!!!

President Bush and the Marine Band

Ed Chen, The First Lady Laura Bush, and David Westin

The President waiting for the dais to be seated

Vice President Cheney, Jennifer Loven on the dais with the honor guard

Greta Van Susteren and Mrs. McCain

Betsy Gleick, Marcia Cross, and our other host - managing editor Larry Hackett.

Rob Lowe

Marcia Cross's husband Tom Mahoney, and the Jonas Brothers.

Martha and the Jonas Brothers

Marcia Cross, Martha, Larry Hackett.

Rick Kaplan - former president of CNN - gagging Greta Van Susteren, with me laughing.

Susan Lyne, Terry Lundgren, and I

We're trying to get a a picture of me with the president - this was the closest I could manage.

President Bush in intense conversation with Ann Compton.

Did you know that the 'Charlie' of Charlie's Angels was named after this Charlie Wilson?

 

Comments

[matt]

This is almost too much in just one post! What a fascinating evening and thank you for giving us a glimpse!

p.s. you look absolutely beautiful!

[Joseph Brennan]

Martha:

What a busy day and night you had last Saturday!

The party at the Washington Hilton looks like quite an affair. I'm glad you and Charles had such a good time. I really enjoyed the photo of you with Marine Commandant, James T. Conway. It was very thoughtful of him to give you a medal for Rock, your driver. My brother, also a Marine, spent 10 months in Irag 2 years ago. He shipped out right after Christmas and I prayed the whole time he was there. He returned home safely, thank God. I'll say a prayer that Rock will do the same.

The picture of you with Roberta McCain is great, too. You're right, she is an amazing woman.

It's too bad you weren't able to get a picture with President Bush. Oh well, maybe next time.

Please show us some shots from the Easter Egg Hunt!!

Joseph Brennan

[Isle Dance]

Fantastic!

[Pam from California]

Looks like you had a great time and some fun pix. Always a pleasure to see where your travels take you.
i hope you managed to grab some goodies to take home from the dinner you know M& M's, programs and maybe a wine glass or something from the event lol!
Pam from hot and sunny California

[Dayami]

You looked gorgeous!
How are you able to remember all those names?! Then again, you ARE Martha.

[ShopLittleGifts]

So many fun pictures! Love your dress and the aquamarine clutch.

[Nan Ashby]

How beautiful you looked in your brown chiffon dress. The pictures are most entertaining and I'm glad you and Charles had a fabulous time. Thanks for letting us in on this important occasion. Nan

[Gladys Marie]

Wonderful photos, Martha. Thank you so much for sharing. Much enjoyed & much appreciated. Rather Awesome!

[Rowaida Flayhan]

Dearest Marhta,
WOW!!! You look wonderful as always.
God Bless
Rowaida Flayhan

[Kim Wylie]

Parties are always fun, especially when you don't have to host them! With all that you do, Martha, it must be nice to just kick back and enjoy yourself a little. It certainly looked like you had a good time, and you were definitely in good company! Thank you for sharing the photos with us.

[Maureen]

What a great blog this time around. With all your pictures of the event it "almost" felt that we were there too.

...And the Jonas Brothers are to cute for words!!

[Robin]

You look fantastic (as always)
Thanks for sharing your evening with us. I would never get to see such an event if it wasn't for you posting the photo's. Charles and you make a stunning pair.

[Andrew Ritchie]

Martha,

You do realize that hard copies of your timetables would fetch thousands on eBay, don't you?

-Easter photo shoot in the gardens for new book
-Fly to Washington in private jet
-Meet fabulous people and eat fabulous food

And that's just on Saturday!

Love,
Andrew

[Margie]

Martha,
What a pretty outfit you wore. So stunning. "Bump in" sounds to be very literal, what a crowd, did all have cameras? I want to know, did you ever once have to turn to someone and say "who was that"? It would be hard to sort out the guests from body guards--no name tag on Donatella Versace's dress.

[Desiree']

What a wonderful post on your blog. It was so nice to see you enjoying yourself at an event like this. Thanks for sharing!

[Trish]

Great photos, your dress is beautiful and I especially liked the close-up of your topaz jewelry in your photo 'with' the president. Trish

[Savannah Chase]

wow, that you must have had an amazing time, thank you for posting and sharing with us your evening......

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
Thanks for the glimpse into the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. I enjoyed your photos. You and Charles must have enjoyed the evening.
Kathy

[mtthw]

Martha, Why didn't you get a picture with Perez? I would have printed it out and hung it on my refrigerator. Seriously!

[Jenn]

The evening looked absolutly amazing. Thank you for sharing those pictures. You looked stunning as always =)

[Katherine Meade]

Martha,

As usual, you were the Belle of the Ball!

[Julie Dufrene]

Thanks so much for sharing the pictures. I love to see things like this going on in the world. I live in New Orleans and all we hear about on our stations is the violence around us. Glad I have things like this on the internet to brighten up the days.

[Amanda]

Wow Martha! You are such a beautiful woman! I hope that when I am your age, I will look as good as you!

[charlotte]

Martha,
What a fantastic evening! You took some great shots.Especially the ones with my favorite blogger Perez Hilton!

[alli]

Adorable pictures. Mrs. McCain is so elegant. To me (and I'm 36), she's the sharpest looking lady at the event! Nothing like the power of understatement.
Martha, just curious, did you get to catch up with your pal Jennifer Garner? I notice no pictures of her on your blog ...