Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale

I had a great afternoon today at the Martha Stewart Craft Sale. Only bought a few cards, but had the opportunity to see a wonderful array of crafts, some of which were right out of the pages of "Living." There were beautiful cards, handmade soaps, jewelry, adorable knit baby wear and the list keeps going. I was very taken with cookies -- that could easily double as tree decorations -- that are featured in this month's magazine.  I definitely think a subscription to the magazine is needed!

When I left snow was falling, but it was hard to tell if it was snowy rain or rainy snow and now the sidewalks are clear, but it's still raining. Didn't need my boots, but definitely needed a hat and scarf. Now I'm settled in for the evening. I've got low-fat peppermint ice cream, which is so good and I am determined to write at least five holiday cards and then luxuriate with the New York Times crossword puzzle and some ice cream.

Hope your evening is filled with sweet and warm pleasures!

There is Nothing Like...

...a beautiful Saturday morning in September. Nothing! No office to go to and no subway to take. I've just finished a fabulous cantaloupe/strawberry smoothy, with organic flax seed for good measure. Saturday morning services coming up and a quick run to the post office before I see my friend Mary. We're thinking of a movie and we'll also get in a nice walk and time to catch up.

More on Martha...The chairs were actually quite comfortable. Our gift was a cookbook that Martha had written the forward to. Alas, no car! There were some gifts given out randomly in the audience, including mugs and videos. The audience didn't get to try the food that was cooked, and there were no crafts on our day. Would love to go for an all-craft day of the show. Martha was very interesting and warm to guests, not a bit snippy, but my sense of Martha is not sweet and huggy. Martha would be the friend I turn to when I need to learn how to make special pumpkin muffins, but not my first thought when I need a hug.

Thanks blog sisters for hugs and good wishes. I'm feeling calm and going to enjoy this beautiful Saturday. Special wishes for Kathy and Jess, who are leaving next week for a wonderful trip and to Mimi, who is off to Disneyworld. Bon Voyage!

It's Now September 25...

...and we're at Martha Stewart! And yes, it was as much fun as we anticipated. We learned to cook fancy eggs, saw a fashion show, cooked lamb chops (and saw how to turn rack of lamb into perfect little lamb chops), saw a video of Martha's fabulous gardens at her house in Bedford and learned how to repot a plant. I sort of know the latter, but don't do it quite as perfectly as Martha and her gardener.

Actually the date for airing is Friday, September 25, but no need to TIVO to see Buttercup and my friend, Bev. Our section, which sat behind the greenhouse area wasn't photographed. And we were so cute! I was in bright blue and Bev was in bright pink.

Kitchen and craft area

The set was -- as to be expected -- gorgeous. There was a big and fabulous kitchen, a craft room that I do believe would change my life and a wonderful greenhouse area.

The green house. The picture below shows the detail of the topiary wall.

Martha!

This was the display of photos of Halloween crafts and goodies in the waiting area.

Despite the fact that we won't be television stars and it's back to my desk and the waiting phone and email messages tomorrow, we had a great time! I'm inspired to spruce up my apartment and even remake a section of my bedroom for a craft area. Definitely will be decorating for the fall. If anyone is thinking of visiting New York a visit to Martha Stewart might be a great way to spend a morning. So glad you could join Bev and me for our wonderful day!

What Should I Wear?

Dear Blog Sisters, What do I wear to Martha Stewart? The confirmation suggests " a chic dress, dressy jeans or trendy and fashionable outfits...and no black, gray, tan or muted colors." Most of my wardrobe is black or grey. I do have a bright blue shirt, which I thought might work with my dressy jeans. I don't really own anything trendy and fashionable that isn't black, and I'm not sure even my black clothes could be described as trendy and fashionable. The best description for my wardrobe is neat and practical. Eeks! Sounds pretty drab. This may just be the impetus I need to go through my closet and find something fashionable. I think trendy and I just don't mix. Any thoughts? What are the outfits you have that you like? Is anyone else stuck in a fashion rut? Please answer soon. I need to be at the studio -- I love writing that phrase -- by 10:00 am on Wednesday.

Now to share a few signs of the times...

This photo is for Amrita. The cafe is near my friend Elana's house. I was there last week and had to take a picture to share. It's a great place and they have the best iced coffee.

These signs were about a mile from my office. I stopped on the way home to do an errand and saw that they were filming the new television series, "The Good Wife" here on Wednesday. I will be at the taping of "Martha," so I can't run over at lunch time. As my mother would have said, "You can't dance at two weddings."

Off to look at my closet! Sweet dreams and happy wishes to all. Thanks for stopping by.

Autumn in the Air

I've been resisting thinking about autumn. I don't want to rush time -- it goes so fast on its own -- and when autumn appears winter is close behind. And I am not a fan of winter. But it's undeniable autumn is here. I ran an errand after eight this morning and the crisp feeling was here. By early afternoon it was late summer again, bright sun and no humidity.

Thank you all for your new year wishes. Services seemed lovelier than ever this year, and though they were long -- three and a half hours this morning -- the time went by very quickly. Ate lots of the traditional crisp apples dipped in honey and loved spending time with friends. I did lots of entertaining and enjoyed it very much. The big hit was a sweet and sour poached salmon and the tzimmis. Have lots of sweet potatoes left, so I think another batch is in order.

The apartment is just about back in order. The kitchen is cleaned up -- though I am having a plastic crisis with many containers and very few lids. Where do the lids go? Does anyone else have this problem?

I think it will be tough to get back into the regular work week. But a dentist appointment tomorrow morning gets me going and of course on Wednesday I'm so excited about Martha Stewart.

Wishing all a beautiful autumn week and all the blessings of this season.

When You Least Expect It...

I'm invited!!! It's my lucky day...

I'm smiling beause...

THE MARTHA STEWART SHOW

GENERAL TICKET CONFIRMATION

arrived in my inbox this afternoon.

I was idly going through my inbox this afternoon and caught the subject "last minute tickets." I'd almost forgotten about Martha Stewart tickets and had stopped obsessively looking for an email.

And here it is! I'm going with my friend and colleague, Bev, and we are both so excited. Cameras are permitted before and after the show and I will be taking lots of pictures to share with all of you. Can't thank you all enough for your encouragement. I wish I could take all of my bloggy friends with me.

Dear Martha and Rachel...

I've been waiting very patiently to hear from you. I know you both get a lot of requests for tickets to your shows and you can't get back to everyone right away. I also know everybody doesn't get tickets...But still every time I go to my inbox -- even on weekends when it's not very likely that your staff is sending out tickets -- I get that little thrill of hope. Maybe this time...

But for the last three weeks "this time" never happens. I'm not taking it personally, but my feelings are starting to be a little bruised. It brings back every memory of childhood kickball games and gym classes, when almost invariably I was among the last chosen, and I'd stand looking at the kids who had been chosen and wishing I wasn't among the last. It got a little better in high school, but it doesn't take much to bring back those memories. I thought somehow being the last chosen was gone with elementary school. I never dreamt it would still be with me on the cusp of Social Security and Medicare.

Dear Martha and Rachel, I'm appealing to you. Please! I would be a great member of your audience, absolutely great. I'm cute, I'm perky and I will clap wildly on cue. I've got a big smile and will laugh and nod at all the right time. I won't embarrass you, I promise. Just give me a chance, you won't be sorry.

Weekend Update

No, this isn't Saturday Night Live, which does a "Weekend Update" each week. But I'm thinking that Monday is a good day to update on my on-going projects.

Counting Calories...I'm down another half a pound. I'm pleased. This is a number I haven't seen in a little over a year and I still feel motivated. I'm eating more fruit and veggies and less processed foods, including diet soda and drinking more water.

The Television Project...Still no word from either Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray. Don't they like me? I'm starting to take this personally. I know I would be an enthusiastic guest.

There seems to be a problem with my photo chip and I can't download pictures. One of my errands before going on vacation is to buy a new chip. I can't go away without being able to take and share pictures!

Not to rush the seasons...I try not to do that (except for spring!), but as I turned an aisle at the Dollar Store there was lots of red and green, in place of the summer decorations. I still am dreaming one last summer dream and then I will begin to think of pumpkins and red and gold leaves and all the joys of the autumn. Wishing you a great week, dear and gentle readers.