My Book Tour Took me to Chicago
Last Wednesday, November 9th, after a busy workday, followed by a gala for the Orthopaedic Foundation for Active Lifestyles held at the Harvard Club in New York City, I boarded a plane and headed for Chicago, Illinois. The purpose of my visit was the next leg of my book tour promoting my new Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebration. I am very proud of this 432-page 6-pound coffee-table size book. It’s filled with lush photography, delicious recipes, and lots of tips for elegant entertaining. Here are some photos from my day spent in Chicago.
1 After waking up in the Peninsula Hotel, I arrived, camera ready, at the Windy City LIVE Studios at 9:00 AM for a live appearance in front of a studio audience of 75 people.
2 Windy City LIVE is Chicago's newest daytime talk show featuring anything and everything Chicago, hosted by Val Warner and Ryan Chiaverini.
3 I joined comedian Mark DeCarlo, as he prepared a burger dish in the studio set kitchen. Windy City LIVE is a really fun show that fits into Oprah’s previous timeslot.
4 In honor of my visit, Mark used my new Professional Cookware from the Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's. With its long handles that can rest on your forearm, lifting pots and skillets is so much easier.
5 Mark is certainly funny! He made us laugh hard.
6 And his burgers were very good.
7 Posing with Mark DeCarlo, Contributor Billy Dec, Ryan Chiaverini, Contributor Ji Suk Yi, and Val Warner
8 Afterwards, we wanted a really good cup of cappuccino and we were told to go to Intelligentsia Broadway Coffee Bar, where Charlie, the barista, showed us his talents. http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com
9 So beautiful!
10 And really, really satisfying!
11 Right near the coffee bar is a really great shop called Broadway Shoe Repair. Located at 3171 N. Broadway, they've been in operation since 1942. I really like their work and asked them to make me studded dog harnesses.
12 Driving to my next engagement, a luncheon with the American Cancer Society, I asked the driver to stop at this remarkable structure, the Bahai House of Worship, located in Wilmette.
13 This amazing lace-like exterior is cast concrete and quartz. Construction began in 1920, and the temple was formally dedicated on May 1, 1953.
14 Founded in Iran in the mid-1800s, the Baha’i Faith extends today throughout the world. I was awed by the grandeur of this structure and stopped for a few moments by the reflecting pool.
15 Designed by Canadian Louis Bourgeois, this Baha’i House of Worship is the oldest of the faith’s seven temples worldwide, and the only one in the Western Hemisphere.
16 A closeup of the exquisite detail
17 As all Baha’i Houses of Worship, Wilmette’s has nine sides.
18 The entire interior of the main temple area is highly ornate with a delicate and lacy detail. It is also flooded with light.
19 The interior of the dome is decorated with a Baha'i symbol known as the Greatest Name.
20 At 11:30, I arrived at the ‘Women’s Board Author Luncheon: Conversation with Martha Stewart’, held at the Orrington Hilton. It began by Women’s Board Chairs Connie Teska and Shannon Weasler giving me a warm welcome.
21 This well-attended luncheon was held in the Grand Ballroom. The American Cancer Society Society helps people stay well by working to prevent cancer or detect it early, when it’s most treatable.
22 The Society helps people get well by guiding cancer patients through a diagnosis, and providing them the resources and support they need – whenever they need it. I was asked to speak at the luncheon.
23 My talk included a PowerPoint presentation and I covered topics such as gardening (that's me in my vegetable garden), healthy living, and how I share the American Cancer Society's commitment to good health and longevity.
24 I showed the ladies some of the pages from my new book, Martha's Entertaining, A Year of Celebrations. This is a wonderful and healthy blueberry breakfast that I served at Skylands, my home in Maine.
25 The centerpieces were beautifully autumnal. As the largest private funder of cancer research, the American Cancer Society has played a role in nearly every major cancer breakthrough in recent history.
26 During this event, I was interviewed by Mistress of Ceremonies Kathy Brock, of the local ABC7 news. Kathy also moderated an onstage Q&A.
27 Another gracious audience and such a wonderful cause
28 Kathy Brock's work has been recognized with two Chicago Emmy Awards. She has also been honored with two prestigious national awards. She, too, was very gracious.
29 Here I am with Events Director, Lee Kite, who did a great job putting this all together.
30 Finally, it was time for shopping! We stopped at The Home Depot in Evanston, IL. My bulb collections, which were already at a good price, were on sale for $14.98!!! What a deal!
31 Daisy and I checked out the Martha Stewart Christmas trees. They were lovely!
32 The Martha Stewart lights are great.
33 I said hello to Ms. Joy and to Coleen.
34 My ornament collections were nicely displayed and well-stocked.
35 There are many beautiful colors and styles in my carpet line.
36 And my kitchens are terrific.
37 The Home Depot staff was so friendly!
38 Our new line of bathroom sinks and vanities
39 Here I am with Isabel
40 The Martha Stewart Living™ paint palette includes 280 beautiful colors in 4 interior and 2 exterior sheens, plus extras our easy-to-use color symbol keys that make combining colors a breeze.
41 The next stop was the fantastic twelve-floor Macy's State Street, one of the largest department stores in the world and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
42 My bedding collection includes some amazing quilts.
43 And some pretty and warm, cozy throws
44 This 6-piece Sultana set is so handsome.
45 My collection has really nice gift ideas.
46 Macy's features 'gifts from our stars,' including me!
47 I fell in love with these big plush bears, which are not part of my collection.
48 Macy's has some really good sales going on right now.
49 These adorable animal ornaments are part of my collection.
50 And so are these trees.
51 A better look
52 And another
53 If you need help with Thanksgiving supplies, I can help you at Macy's!
54 Great storage container sets
55 And baking supplies
56 Baking sets for beginners
57 And great gadgets galore
58 At 5:15 PM, I arrived at the Standard Club for an event called ‘An Evening with Martha Stewart: Martha’s Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations’. This is the Grand Ballroom where this sold-out event took place.
59 There was an onstage conversation with Susanna Negovan, Editor in Chief of Michigan Avenue Magazine.
60 Following the interview, I answered more questions from the audience. Another great crowd!
61 Following an audience Q&A, I signed books on stage.
62 My traveling companions - Kate Tyler from Random House, my publisher and Nicole Sutliff, of The Susan Magrino Agency, my publicist
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
I have a story I tell people about my cooking..Or I should say lack of cooking skills,( I burn everything and have 2 cooking levels of heat, off and High LOL. Anyway you are involved with my story..LOL
Here it is...
The Fire Department has me on their favorite Customer list...
I accumulate Frequent Fire Miles with every visit they make to my home...
When I reach a certain amount of Fire Miles they are going to give me an all expense paid trip to Martha Stewart's Cooking School along with a set of Cindy's special made fire proof cookware... Martha told them that if Cindy makes it through her cooking school without incident or burning her or the place up she will receive a free autographed cook book, a autographed apron and Chief's hat along with a "I'm Fire Free" Award and a "Safe To Get Near A Stove" Certificate...
I tried to find a place to write you personally to tell you this little story, but I couldn't find one, so I just thought I'd send it to you here..Hope you enjoy my little poking fun at myself burning food skills...You are AWESOME !!
Sincerely with love ♥,
Cindy McBride
https://twitter.com/#!/CherryKissies
http://www.facebook.com/TheRealCherryKissies
Posted by: Cindy McBride | November 17th, 2011 at 12:51 am
Good GOD Lady.. You are like the energizer Bunny! http://www.themalemartha.com
Becareful not to get burned out!! I have to say that you look amazing! Your line of christmas ornaments this year are dazzling!! I'm sure to have some for my tree in the coming days!
Thank you again for such another wonderful book!! I have every single book that you have put out so far! Fine tried and true recipes!
Dan Viger
Hollis 5 Corners, Maine.
Posted by: Dan Viger | November 17th, 2011 at 1:25 am
Wow Martha!!! All I can say is WOW!
Your outfits were beautiful.
And, all those "meetings" and visits. I keep wondering how you do it and keep saying I'd like to follow you around for a week, or two, to see if I could keep up with you.
Thanks for the visit to Chicago.
Gloria G!!
Posted by: Gloria | November 17th, 2011 at 1:34 am
After mild tempertures for months, it is now bitterly cold in Dakota and my furnace is acting up so I am up trying to warm up this old house. News of your book tour is so interesting and these photos are great.
Posted by: ann | November 17th, 2011 at 4:48 am
I find this structure absolutely breathtaking!!
Posted by: Gail Hildreth | November 17th, 2011 at 7:50 am
The Baha'i temple is fascinating, no wonder you asked to stop and take a closer look. I look forward to getting your new book Martha, and I must say every product from your Macy's and Home Depot's line I have purchased have been top notch! Right down to the summer squash and zucchini seeds I planted in the spring. I have never had such a great crop. The leaves of the plants were enormous. They looked like they were right out of Jurassic Park! The squashes were plentiful and delicious. I know when I purchase one of your products I won't be disappointed.Thanks!
Posted by: Cindy F | November 17th, 2011 at 9:17 am
Martha, what fun! Thanks for sharing this blog!
Posted by: KLBrown | November 17th, 2011 at 9:59 am
Hi Martha, Wow! You certainly had a great time visiting Chicago this latest time! Your photos are wonderful! How great that you shared your visits to so many terrific places that I've never seen in Chigago-very special tour! Loved seeing the Baha'i House of Worship-beautiful inside and out! The Macy's and Home Depot stores in Chicago look so festive with tons of your products that are fantastic and I love everyone of them! Sure wish our stores were as large and had as many items as they do in Chicago! Nice to hear that you still have exterior paint-our HD said it wouldn't be available anymore-sure hope they were wrong! You sure did see a lot of happy people that day! How fun to see John Barricelli on your TV Show yesterday-terrific that he has a new bakery in Westport! Mary's young daughter, Elizabeth, sure did a great job making those cookies! Loved seeing your photos of darling granddaughter, Baby Jude in your new December MSL Magazine! What a charming baby with a beautiful grandmother! Loved that book you made for Jude! Hope you have a great time in Washington, DC today! Jan PS-We had a horrible windstorm during the night so have to go out and check out all of the damages-awful:(
Posted by: Jan Erickson | November 17th, 2011 at 11:23 am
Martha you look fantastic...a testament to good health as well as being interested and engaged in everything!
Enjoyed the 'windy city' photos!
Posted by: sherey | November 17th, 2011 at 11:52 am
Hi Martha,
You never cease to amaze me – I am so in awe of your energy! An early morning TV show in another city after a long day the day before, and then a luncheon would have done me in but then you went shopping in two stores and attended a dinner event later on to sign books. I want what you’re having at all times! I put in long days myself but they don’t include traveling or hosting TV shows and when bedtime rolls around, I’m out like a light with no plans for anything but coffee in the morning. I often wonder if there is any other celebrity/entrepreneur that puts in the hours that you do. Please let us know if you know of one!
~
I wish your Washington D.C. book signing today would have been a couple of weeks ago when my son was there. He just might have picked up your Entertaining book for me, autographed of course. Oh well, I’ll just wait for Santa to bring it. Have a great day. Trish
Posted by: Trish | November 17th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Martha, I simply cannot live another day without that brown tweedish looking jacket with the pockets and fringe!! Gotta have it, gotta have it! You looked so good in it. My favorite of all you've worn lately. Good blog as usual.
Posted by: Elly Oliver | November 17th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
Martha,
You were A JOY to cook for! Knowing your interest in history, I wanted to surprise you with something interesting and delicious that most people didn't know... thus the humble hamburger.
Like all Italian cooks, I modified the recipe a bit, though I print the original in my book, A Fork on the Road: 400 Cities 1 Stomach. I love stuffing the cheese and onions and mushrooms IN the burger - keeps it moist. And easier to eat.
You have a wicked sense of humor and a very understated comic delivery. That was our funniest cooking segment yet, felt like a well-oiled comedy team. Brava!
I've been to over 400 cities in the US, and collected even more regional and personal recipes. I hope I have the chance to cook & clown with you again.
Next time... my Yucatan Guacamole!!!
Posted by: Mark DeCarlo | November 17th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Whoa - you were hangin' out at MY home Depot?? Very cool. I'm in the market for a new pre-lit tree this year, so I'll get myself in there again this weekend!
Posted by: sundevilpeg | November 17th, 2011 at 8:52 pm
I got news of your new tool it's a lightboard plus alot of other gadget you can use with it. Please tell me you will be selling it at michael's and can use a coupon on it. Please respond I love all your products and have almost all of them wish you would bring back a few the one I am looking for is {
Posted by: Amy | November 17th, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Hello Martha - Do you have Dallas, TX as one of your next stops on your book signing tour? Would absolutely love to get a signed copy for your latest Martha's Entertaining book!
Wishing you all the very best! Leslie
Posted by: Leslie Cohen | November 17th, 2011 at 9:46 pm
Bridal Expo Chicago was honored to be invited to the Peninsula Hotel for this event.
Everything was spectacular and we wish you all the best.
Posted by: Bridal Expo Chicago | November 18th, 2011 at 9:56 am
You are always an inspiration to me. Would love to get a sign copy of your book. Do you happen to head up north, across the border?
Posted by: holiday gift guide 2011 | November 21st, 2011 at 1:56 pm