Photos from my book signing in Las Vegas
I found myself in Las Vegas, Nevada last Tuesday. As usual, it was another whirlwind trip as I, and my team, always try to fit in as much as is humanly possible. One event I attended was a book signing for my latest book Dinner at Home: 52 Quick Meals to Cook For Family & Friends. It was held at the very beautiful Williams-Sonoma at Rampart Commons. I was startled at how cold it was in Las Vegas - near freezing temperatures. However, that didn't stop 350 of my fans from standing outside waiting patiently as the line filtered into the store where I was, poised with pen in hand. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Williams-Sonoma and to all of those who attended! It was really fun.
1 The entrance to Williams-Sonoma at Rampart Commons
2 There was a very long line waiting in the cold.
3 Delicious hot apple cider was offered to those waiting in line.
4 The event guidelines
5 I am very proud of this book.
6 Williams-Sonoma provided me with a comfortable chair and a very nice marble-top table.
7 This baby was making a meal of my book.
8 A very chic little girl
9 This darling girl is Audriana and she told me that she is a huge fan. In fact, she presented me with a beaded bracelet that she made with my name on it.
10 Here I am putting on that bracelet.
11 These are friends of Mary Curren, my hair and makeup artist - Monica, Noah, and Sophia Fink. It was so nice to meet them.
12 Here I am with Sophia.
13 This is Chris, who does PR for the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. He told me that he loves to bake and showed me photos of a beautiful braided bread that he made using one of my recipes.
14 Nicole - from The Susan Magrino Agency and Hilleary - PR person for Williams Sonoma
15 I loved this little girl's hair.
16 Chiropractor, Jamie Warner (another friend of Mary's) - I wanted him to do some work on my sore shoulder while I was in Las Vegas, but we ran out of time.
17 I was told that this group flew to Vegas just to see me!
18 This group was at the very end of the line, but were so excited to meet me, despite the long wait.
19 I'm so touched that people of all ages come to see me at these book signings.
20 Here I am with my good friend David Chesnoff.
21 When the book signing was over, I still had an enormous stack to sign for other people. I signed more than 600 that day!
Looks like it was a great event, Martha.
~
But here's the *important question*---how was your In-n-Out Burger in LV? (I've been a fan from Pasadena for at least 50 years, and I'm amazed at their cult following. . .would love to hear how you enjoyed your hamburger!)
~
I love your blog, read it every day, and always look forward to your next post.
Posted by: MMC in San Diego | December 11th, 2009 at 12:14 am
Martha...you have amazing endurance as well as talent. And you look so very cute...worth the wait in line! More fun than having to wait in line for the H1N1 vaccine.
Posted by: sherey | December 11th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Your book signings are one of favorite postings from your blog. I, especially like to witness your interaction with your fans--its really touching. You are one G-R-A-N-D person for sure! Take care.
Posted by: K L Brown | December 11th, 2009 at 3:32 am
So lucky! a dream of mine is to attend one of your book signing events and to meet you.
Bonne chance!
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | December 11th, 2009 at 5:29 am
What a thrill. Hopefully we will see you at the Williams-Sonoma in Richmond Virginia sometime soon!
Posted by: Christopher Brochon | December 11th, 2009 at 7:30 am
i wish i was there!!:(but i am from romania(europe).oh...you are so far be it from me(sorry my english):)
Posted by: diana zaharia | December 11th, 2009 at 9:12 am
I can't believe I missed you by only 3 days! I was in Las Vegas for the holiday and even passed through the Wynn where you mentioned you stayed. One of these days I will find a book signing that's close to me
Posted by: Kari | December 11th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Hi Martha,
Congratulations on a nice turn-out for your fabulous book and thanks for the great photos!
~
These pictures by Erik Kabik were very nice too:
http://bit.ly/5pKYmf
~
Trish
Posted by: Trish | December 11th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
...it's like I always say, Martha...folks LOVE you - I DO! - that's for sure, so they're going to come out to a local (for some - NOT so local) establishment if you're in town! I too am wowed at the diversity of ages as well as men who want to meet you and express their devotion - it is just amazing to me and personally heart-warming. There are men who are avid fans, and there are those who know you by association - thru their spouses who adore you and strive to make their homes and lifestyles more enriched because of you and your wonderful product offerings...how could they help but NOT notice and be familiar with 'Martha' as a household word?!
~
'If you build it, they will come'...I'd say this concept has (already) come to fruition and continues to unfold before your very eyes, each and every day!
~
I love my Martha! - pure-n-simple...
~
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | December 11th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Martha,
I was there...Even though I grew up in LA..and have met and interacted with many celeb types..I was tongue tied when i found myself in front of you...I use to live in the mid east... As a crafter, I compare meeting you to visiting Mecca...I have decided to pull a Julie and Julia..I will call it Martha and Me...I will be cooking one of your meals every week of the year...My mother has alzheimers and lives with us...She insists she met you at her senior center in Pinon Hills California..If you don't laugh, you will cry..Please acknowledge Alzheimers on one of your shows next November..Alzheimers month...They even have their own symbol now and their color is Purple..Thank You again..Toni Thompson Las Vegas, Nevada
Posted by: Toni Thompson | December 11th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
You look great in the pics in Las Vegas this week. That Chiropractor, Jamie Warner, is a real
cutie!!!!
Posted by: Billie | December 11th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Hi It looks like fun! Is there a schedule coming anywhere in Virginia?? I live in Richmond.
?
Posted by: Jon Beattie | December 11th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Dear Martha,
I just last weekend launched my second children's book (here in Australia) and I didn't have anywhere near as many books to sign as you... but I do know how overwhelming and exhausting it is. For someone who has signed ad nauseum - you still look so vibrant and gorgeous.
Well done on your latest book; it's the most amazing feeling in the world being published and no matter how books you have published, you must be so proud.
I look forward to adding this one to my collection.
Warmly,
Tania
(Canberra)
Posted by: Tania McCartney | December 12th, 2009 at 6:28 am
.
The Hour Glass
.
Reaching the other end of the hour glass,
It's then you find out that time goes fast.
In the wee smalls, down empty halls,
The quiet eve', and no footstep falls;
Solitude, is reserved for the very few
Who choose that course, as some do;
Secretly, you know it's true, most desire
To sit with love, around a cozy fire,
Share those looks that promise forever
Breathe each other's breath with fervor,
Those precious whispers that mean so much:
Long warm kisses, the intimacy and such
The touching, holding, smiles and pain
Anguish that lingers as doubts still remain;
Recall the hour glass, the sand goes back
Only we go forward on a one way track.
How it all ends, only heaven knows,
Be sure, take time to smell the rose.
.
.
The song in my heart - Anniversary Waltz.
Posted by: celia stock | December 12th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Hi,
So I'm watching an episode of your show featuring a wine made by a Roberto Cavalli. Watching this, I thought of another artist who grows and makes what I imagine to be, a very nice wine. He also sings for the bands Tool, A Perfect Circle, Pucsifer. He's Maynard James Keenan, one of the most innovative figures in music today, he might make a wonderful guest on your show. Thanks. HH!
Posted by: Kris | December 13th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Did you get to go to any casinos and try your luck???
Posted by: Maureen | December 13th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Dear Martha...
I want to Thank you from my heart for putting my Grandaughter Audriana pictures on your BLOG and Recognizing the bracelet she made you. You made her day and even her year! I had gotten a invitation to go to your book signing through William Sonoma and had mentioned it to my husband. We are raising two Grandchildren and I lost my job and my husband is disabled. I really wanted to take her. Audriana over heard me talking about your booking signing and begged me to take her and that's all she wanted for Christmas is to see you. When she received you cookbook with the ticket inside of purchase she said " I feel like I got the golden ticket Mimi " Audriana is 7 years old and watches all of your shows after she comes home from school of course after her homework. She loves to make crafts and loves to even cook to. After Audriana seen you she said "Mimi, Martha is so even more beautiful in person I will always save this book forever. I hope she loved my Bracelet I made her." The night before we were to see you she wanted to make you a special gift for coming out here to see your fans. She bearly could go to sleep. Everyday we have to go online to see if they wrote something about your trip to Las Vegas for your book signing. When Audriana saw her picture on your Blog she smiled from ear to ear and said "Martha made my Christmas so special this year!" Audriana also said her next dream is to come see your show when she gets bigger. Audriana has gone through a lot in her little life and this just brings more postive things for her wants and needs. Once again I Thank you for adding her to your BLOG. Hope you have a Very Merry Christmas Much Love From The Gallagher Family. God Bless
Posted by: Angelyn Gallagher | December 13th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Hi Martha, Thanks for another fantastic blog about a book signing. How lucky you are to be able to meet so many of your delightful fans all over the country and how lucky your fans are to meet you! Maybe some day I will be as lucky as they are. Your photos were absolutely fabulous again. The more I think about your 'tweet' about the special tablet to be able to read your magazines, the better I think it would be. It would decrease the amount of printing your company would have to do and help us in being able to keep the magazines in one small space instead of trying to find space to store all of them. I would have 'tweeted' this response, but it was easier to put it on your blog. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | December 13th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Martha,
Off topic. I came to you late - for the longest time I never thought much about you, frankly - you were just somebody who wrote books about homemaking stuff and made deals with Kmart. I wasn't interested much in either. When your name came up in conversation I would just say something like, "yeah she's a smart businesswoman" - without really knowing what I was saying. In the past year I started my own business - working now from home. I caught your show one morning and something about it captivated me - I didn't know then what it was but I do now since I tape it and watch it every night - it's the way you manage the time on the show that is most impressive. You have certain things to get done and you get them done - brilliantly weaving the guests into your entire routine. I got your book "The Martha Rules" and loved it. You are a great inspiration to those of us in business. I won't be buying your glitter (not my thing) but I did do Turkey 101 on Thanksgiving and it was awesome!!
Posted by: Will | December 13th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
William F Buckley said "Industry is the enemy of melancholy" and you are the champion of that - life is about doing projects. Whether it be making a meal or crafting something or running a business - life is about projects. Have you ever considered turning "The Martha Rules" into a television show or even just a blog? It might be perfect for these recessionary times when people are redefining work - as you are a totally self-made woman. My sense is that you have a lot to offer people that is not being captured on your daily show. How about a daily evening show called "The Martha Rules" about being an entrepreneur where you interview other entrepreneurs and discuss business?
Posted by: Will | December 13th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Martha, I wish I could attend one of your book signings too. Are you coming to Houston anytime soon? I too have that new book and have made the pork roast twice, once for my honey, whom I'll call Alex The Lion. He liked the black pea salad but the apple cranberry crumble, not so much. He doesn't like cranberries. Oh, well. . .but there are plenty of other good recipes to try. Gotta find something good for Christmas dinner, it'll be just the two of us this year.
Many thanks, and I can't wait for the new sewing book next year!!!
Amy
Posted by: Amy in Houston | December 14th, 2009 at 12:21 am
Love seeing all the bright, shiny faces. You can tell how excited they are to be seeing you! So sweet.
Posted by: Marie | December 15th, 2009 at 3:57 am
What a line:) Love all the details of the day:) Oh this book is on my Christmas list:)
Posted by: Cynthia | December 17th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
POEM
.
a FAVORITE here...sand, roses, and her hand in receipt of a kaleidoscope kiss.
.
Nice lines.
.
Posted by: andyjspencer.blogspot | December 29th, 2009 at 3:42 pm