Autumn is Coming and I'm Thinking Good Thoughts

Fall isn't quite in the air. Summer lingered too long this year of 2011. I want to send my best wishes for Mr. Michael Moore, the documentary film maker. This year instead of creating Martha's bakery recipes or growing heirloom roses, I want to send good thoughts to Mr. Moore and create all the positive environments I can. I am being given the chance to open a new school in the desert as part of a team of gifted and committed teachers and educators. I hope to use film with my students. Can my students create works at the level of Mr. Moore? I'm going to say yes, because I do have high expectations and dreams for my students. Good luck to my students in their own dreams and expectations. Ms. M.

Happy Birthday Martha and Seattle Roses

Today is Martha Stewart's birthday. A very happy birthday to Martha! I send her a million different beautiful roses on this lovely day. I'm here in Seattle, up on Capitol Hill, having a blast. My grandparents came from this neighborhood (St. Mark's Cathedral) and I have the chance to reconnect with my roots. My mom was adopted, but Melba and Henry are the closest things I ever had to grandparents. It's been a long hard year, but I can really say that thanks to Martha, my knowledge of roses has increased. It was working on a rose garden that really helped me with the difficulties of the economy and just life. Who would have thought that I would go from trying to bake Martha's recipes to trying to recreate her rose gardens, but that's just what I have done. I still love food, but I'm trying to love gardening more. The roses up here in Seattle are so beautiful. Take care, and if you read this Martha, know that I wish you the best birthday ever. Really! Ciao, Marilee

A Day of Hope at Eisenhower in Palm Desert, CA

The Coming of Spring

Spring is almost here. It seems so long since I have not worn a sweater or jacket. Since I wrote last, I have entered a program to become a dietician. It's funny how quickly I am learning and finding ways to change my eating patterns. There is a website called FitDay and I am journaling what I'm eating each day as well as writing about my exercise (or lack of ). This process seems doable and helpful to me. Just looking at a graph of the total amount of fat in my daily diet is pretty scary. I've actually moved a great deal closer to vegetarianism. I've made big changes in my life. With all the stress the nation is under, I just keep thinking, "What would Martha do?" It might sound funny, but I like that dream that if I work harder, become smarter and be more creative, my life will improve. I'm also looking at my spirituality. "Be in the moment!" I tell myself. "Breathe." It helps. I'm greatful to be breathing and I just know Spring will be beautiful. I have a print that my mom used to have before she died and it's of a mother and daughter. The title is "The Coming of Spring." Fond memories I have of Easter baskets and egg hunts and new shoes. I'm really ready for Spring this year, and I hope it lasts.

Dreams Come True in the Year of the Tiger

Oh the Crescent City is devine. It's full of oysters, crab, shrimp and of course gumbo. Actually it's also about duck and poor boys and crawfish. It's all a good time. Saint Bernard Parish is still a sad place trying to get back on its feet. The feet of the trees come up through the roads even now, years later. Bourbon Street is newer and cleaner. It seems everything got hospital grade cleaning after Katrina, even Bourbon Street. The St. Louis Cathedral on Christmas morning was alive and well and warm. New Years is fast approaching. Will I put my faith in my own abilities, the abilities of others, or the abilities of the devine? Super greatful for the holiday season of much joy. M.

I just signed up for facebook. That is a really weird experience. I can't believe how many people in the world I just connected with. I am going to remember this moment forever. I suspect the future is going to be really different.

Harvest Moon Week

This week has been so much fun reading the Martha Stewart Magazine. People keep asking me if I read it. Of course! There's an article about Joshua Tree and how Martha came to town. Well, I knew that, but it was fun to see in writing. I love the picture of Martha in front of the Joshua trees. I have photographed so many Joshua trees. I'm going back to Greek cooking school this week, but I haven't been baking. I made some beautiful Autumn cards, but of course I haven't sent them. Anyway, I miss you guys. Thanks for being there. Marilee