A day in my life - part two
As stated yesterday, my one-day trip to Philadelphia on Monday was something of a whirlwind. To celebrate the release of my latest book, Dinner at Home, my first stop was a book signing. I greeted hundreds of fans at the Williams - Sonoma store in the King of Prussia mall and signed more 600 copies. After the book signing my traveling companions and I ate lunch at Pod, a sleek and extraordinary Asian-fusion restaurant owned by the trendsetting, Stephen Starr, and designed by the Rockwell Group, a famous architecture and design firm. Our dining experience at Pod was a unique and enjoyable experience.
Following our lunch, we walked the short distance to Wharton, the business school of the University of Pennsylvania. A member of the Ivy League, Wharton is recognized as one of the world's most prestigious and influential business schools. I was invited to speak at the Zellerbach Theatre at the Annenberg Center to a group of more than 500 business students. It's always a thrill to speak to such bright and inquisitive minds. The topic was building the Martha Stewart Brand, and I must say that after my talk, they asked many impressive and intelligent questions.
1 After the book signing, we headed for downtown Philadelphia in search of a lunch spot.
2 The restaurant, Pod, seemed like the perfect choice to enjoy a relaxed lunch. It was in close proximity to the Wharton School so we would not be rushed.
3 The interior of Pod was nothing less than futuristic, created by Stephen Starr, Philadelphia's leading trendsetting restaurateur. This is one of several small eating pods for more intimate dining.
4 The interior is sleek and white and has bold, bright colorful lighting,
5 This bar features a translucent amber resin bar top, lit from beneath with white neon.
6 This area is the red lounge - a sofa-like foam sculpture.
7 This is the busy sushi prep area.
8 This oval-shaped sushi bar has a conveyor belt that delivers the freshly prepared sushi. Above the sushi bar, a large, screen shows non-stop video clips.
9 One sushi roll on its way!
10 These bright panels are actually a sliding door.
11 The pods looked like a fun place to eat, so that is where we dined.
12 The interior lighting can be changed according to the diners' mood - we were happy with this pale green - Mary, Susan, Ellen, Dee, Will, and me.
13 In Japan, it is customary to use chopstick rests. We decided to create our own. This is my knot design.
14 Will's was shaped like a ramp.
15 Eliad, our photographer for the day, came up with this design, which he named the 'dragon tongue.'
16 Mary wanted to keep the wrapping logo in tact.
17 Food is served family style - we had lettuce wraps with delicious tofu and chicken filling.
18 Yummy chicken potstickers
19 Lots of sushi - California roll, eel, spicy tuna, and yellowtail
20 Bowls of spicy condiments
21 After lunch, I visited the ladies' room.
22 The lit up symbol for not occupied
23 Pink for taken
24 And then, a quick touch up before leaving for the Wharton School.
25 At Wharton, I was greeted by Erin Armendinger and Keith Niedermeier, Ph.D.
26 The podium all set up for my lecture, while students poured in
27 This gentleman's name is Chad and he was so upset that he had lost his camera, so I will try to email him this photo.
28 The presentation begins
29 I love speaking to a young and ambitious crowd.
30 Here I am, once again, in action.
31 As I was speaking, many students were taking notes on their laptops. Things are so much easier than when I was a student attending lectures.
32 When I finished speaking, there were many excellent questions asked.
33 Leaving the downtown area of Philadelphia for the airport, the landscape becomes very industrial.
34 Many industrial plants along the way
35 The afternoon light on the tarmac was incredibly gorgeous.
36 Finally aboard the plane, but no slowing down - we used our remaining time together to review my schedule for upcoming events.
37 The setting sun marks the end of daylight, but not the end of my work day.
Photos By Eliad Laskin
I hope you have a good rest after a very full two days.
Posted by: Robin | November 5th, 2009 at 6:20 am
Pod dining looks fun and interesting. What does the dining area look like at MSLO?
Posted by: Gloria Brown, Winterport, ME | November 5th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Hi Martha,
No wonder you don't sleep - when would you have the time! Not everyone could do what you do and keep up the pace along with all the other stuff you do. I bet you even have to schedule a time to see a movie! Well, it's all very interesting and exciting but I'm glad it's you and not me. I like staying home but I have a son who is like you. Every six months he's off somewhere, South America earlier this year, Costa Rica in two weeks and he’s planning a trip to Thailand for early next year.
~
I wanted to say I am glad you have your monthly calendar on the site so we can get a glimpse of some of your schedule such as an upcoming appearance on the Today Show, (Friday). Also, I so wish I had the money to bid on your Charity Auctions for The Center for Living at Mt. Sinai especially the one for a chance to visit Skylands. I’m not a traveler but that is one trip I would make if I was the highest bidder! I’m already envious of the ones who are going to win!
~
Thanks for part II of your hectic schedule and for showing us parts of Philly and Pods. I feel like I was almost there! Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 5th, 2009 at 11:13 am
I love posts like this, Martha! Thanks for the peek into your life. Any chance you'll be sharing the powerpoint presentation with us?
Posted by: Amanda | November 5th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I very much enjoyed the photos of how you spent your day....you certainly have a full life and an exciting one. I'm sure that's why you are
so healthy and young-looking. I would like to see more of your days, especially at the farm.
Thanks....
Vivian Price
Posted by: Vivian Price | November 5th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Incredible day Martha! Pod dining looked very fun and the food very fresh and lovely. We all need to make the most of each and every day...not as full as yours perhaps...but at the end of the day we should feel that something good was accomplished.
Posted by: sherey | November 5th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Man, what a full day! I saw the setting sun and it sunk in at what all you accomplished on Monday! Francesca and Sharkey were sorry to see you go in yesterday's photo gallery, but I'm sure they were all wiggly with stubby tails wagging when you arrived back home that evening!
~
Pod surely did George Jetson proud, with it's futuristic sushi conveyor belt, how 'bout it?! [giggle] One could say that Pod is certainly progressive. The actual dining pods were neat - cozy and somewhat private areas for small groupings. It was neat, too, that the mood colors could be changed within the pod- the Martha-green was juuust right, Martha, for your luncheon!
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Well...thanks for taking us along and revealing to us a different vantage point as to what goes on behind the scenes, basically...
~
I know there are no show tapings today...have a wonderful day, in whatever you get into...
~
=^..^=
~
"If God took time to create beauty, how can we be too busy to appreciate it?"--Randall B Corbin
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | November 5th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Hope you have time to "stop and smell the roses" once in a while!
Posted by: Mel | November 5th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Thank you for posting the picture with me! I did eventually find my camera. Explaining how I lost my camera was not how I planned to introduce myself. It was very nice to meet you! All the Best, Chad
Posted by: Chad | November 5th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Hello Martha, This is going to be out of context.
I live near the Chesapeake Bay where the pollution from (especially) chicken farms is literally killing the bay. It's all good to eat chickens that are humanely raised, well-fed, etc. but how am I to know if the farm which raised the chicken is taking care of the waste in order to keep the bay safe? With only the most basic research it is easy to find information on the Chesapeake Bay and the pollution problems under which it suffers. My family is no longer eating any chicken until we can figure this out. I hope you can bring light to this important subject of animal waste management.
Best to you,
Sandra Meltzer
Posted by: Sandra Meltzer | November 5th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
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LOVE the pace!
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I schedule each minute of my day for most efficient output. It's a marathon and I love it! There are those who make fun of the pace and precision, but just kicking a can down the street with idle foot time doesn't much catch my eye!
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To Booking Life Full !!
A and the W's
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Posted by: andreaandweims on Twitter | November 5th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Oh, POD! One of the few things I miss about living in Philly. That and the Mutter Museum.
Posted by: Twwly | November 5th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
You are an inspiration, dear Martha. Thanks for sharing your day. Will there be a part three? I am guessing....yes. Your energy and spirit are infectious. I think that I will hang a big picture of you over my computer with a sign that says... "GOT MARTHA?" That will act as my motto as I try to make it through a very tough and productive phase in my life.
Posted by: Lara Piper | November 5th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
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With you and your dream. Voted Whatever Martha.
Dont care for concrete jungle. Wrote this for you.
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Clear Blue
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Look up, up to the clear blue skies
You can see that's where freedom flies.
Up in the fine clear air, there's no word.
Glide merrily with wind, cloud and bird;
Discover a quiet you can almost hear
There are no troubles anything to fear
Let your thoughts ramble, fill with delight.
Find solace and peace well into the night,
Before night falls and the last bird wings home,
As the sun says goodnight and moon to roam;
Hold your breath make a wish and smile,
Enjoy the innocence like that of a child.
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Luv those Yankees, smiling for sure!
Posted by: celia stock | November 5th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
Wow. Look at that crowd! Love college kids. They're so open to information and excited to learn.
Posted by: Marie | November 6th, 2009 at 6:30 am
Hi Martha .. . .YES King OF Prussia is beautiful (as malls go!) , ,I was getting tired just "traveling" along with you. . .Glad you had some time at home AND I LOVE your espresso/latte machine!!
Could have had some myself.. .
Though things are very tough I will make a small donation to the Center of Living. . My Mom is gone 5 years and I still miss her terribly . .she was 89yrs old but we didnt have the opportunity of the Center for Living.
Thank you martha .. .Big Martha is so proud of YOU!
Regards, nina
Posted by: nina zeumer | November 6th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Hi Martha, What a fabulous day you must have had! How great you have such a wonderful, efficient staff who goes with you on days like this. It would be fun to eat at the Pod. I can see why you all enjoyed it so much. Your lecture looked like it was very well received and I can only imagine the terrific questions the Wharton students asked. How lucky they were to have you come for a visit. Loved your show again today. All of the different cheeses were really tasty looking. Thanks again for a great blog. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 6th, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Martha I read a small blurb in the November 7th edition of Minneapolis MN Startribune Variety section page 1 that indicated you were promoting health care for seniors and more specifically modeling what we can do to prepare for the "sliver tsumani" of aging baby boomers. My partner, Jody Link and I have launched a counsulting business just this year that develops plans for seniors to prepare them for the aging process and more specifically to assist them to maintain as much independence and health as possible. I would be interested in sharing ideas and findings with you. Please contace me by email if you are interested in networking together. Thanks for taking an interest in us seniors. By the way I am 67 years old and a retired health care worker. RN by education. Char
Posted by: Charlene Jebens | November 7th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Martha, I would love see the power point on building the MSO brand. I think it would be amazing. Please consider postint it.
Thanks,
Kirk
Posted by: Kirk | November 7th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Oh Martha, I love coming here. Thanks so much for taking me on your trip with you to Philadelphia via this web page. I really needed to get away and feel so refreshed now. You are such a wonder woman! Have a good week, doing what you love.
Posted by: Lin Valentine | November 8th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
MARTHA I LOVE YOUR SHOW. WHERE DO YOU PURCHASE THE 00 FLOUR MENTIONED ON TODAYS SHOW. IS THERE A WEBSITE IT COULD BE ORDERED FROM?
Posted by: SHARON BOERNER | August 2nd, 2010 at 4:06 pm