New York Minute

A couple of months ago, I read that Martha Stewart was going to be cancelled. My heart dropped. I don't watch her like I used to, but Martha has been the benchmark for all things homemakery for me. I still have some of the first issues of her magazine. They were given to me by my best friend from high school, who died shortly after and represent a shared love of cooking and decorating between us. Martha helped me plan parties and my daughter's wedding.

tissue flowers inspired by Martha

I've made baby shoes for Helena from her patterns. She taught me how to felt, how to make icing and I copied my collection of milk glass from her. I even went to her trial (maybe I shouldn't admit that. I'm starting to sound a little crazy). ANYWAY, all that to say, I really wanted to see her show live. Every year when we would go to NY, I would try to walk by the studio, my crafting mecca. It seemed like I was either not in town while they were in production or couldn't get ticket on the days they were. I saw my chances slipping away.

At the trial, March 2004

The day I saw the news, I vowed to apply for tickets every week until I got some. Well, I got lucky on the first try! Plans were quickly made to go the NY. Kenny wanted to go, too (to NY not Martha). He offered to go the the show with me, but I didn't have a ticket for him. Long story short, he stood in line for 2 hours to get a standby ticket and was the only standby to get in. Meant to be, huh? Isn't he the best guy in the world?? We got on the front row and one of the crew saw me taking pics so grabbed my camera, GASP!, but then started taking pictures all over the set for me! THEN, as if things couldn't get better, they passed out tastes of what they were cooking AND gave out gifts. We both got a microplane and a wedge of parmesan cheese. Oh happy day!!!!

That was all on the first morning, before noon. We had lunch at one of Tom Colicchio's restaurants and then went to Mood fabric, where they buy fabric for Project Runway. In a Project Runway side note, I am now one degree from Tim Gunn. My friend, Jamie (she's really the daughter of my friend Sheila, but I borrowed her apt in NY for a trip and she was in some of my classes all those years ago at Snow Hts. so that makes us friends, too), works for the producer of Godspell on Broadway. One of the PR challenges was to make costumes for Godspell!!!! That means only one person stands between me and probably becoming BFF with Tim. That, along with my shopping at Mood last week and petting the Mood dog, Swatch, made me feel like I know them. When you watch PR this Thurs, look at the dossiers the designers are holding. Jamie did those. Yep.

Anyway, back to the trip. Jamie also got us some great tickets for How to Succeed in Business..., which was great. I now have a crush on Nick Jonas. We went to 2 flea markets, did some shopping, ate way too much and, best of all, had a great time just being together.