Season 4 Opener Trivia

Did you happen to notice the 'truck' that John Barricelli was in? Do you know where that truck came from? It's the old Martha By Mail delivery truck that was used in television commercials and print ads when Martha By Mail was first developed in the early 90's. They covered the old MBM logo with the Martha show logo. It's just like Martha to keep everything! Just a bit of trivia...

I thought the season kicked off in a great way... no celebrities! It reminded me a great deal of the old show format.. I've watched it twice!

As my friend Will pointed out in an email, the stables were absolutely the cleanest stables on earth!

Paint Stir Stick Swatches

This "Self Portrait" ad from Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia reminded me of the 'good thing' I learned (from Martha, of course) several years ago.. keeping paint swatch stirrers. As you mix a can of paint, allow the wooden stir stick to drip into the can and then allow it to air dry. On the non painted portion of the stir stick, write the color, the finish used, what room, date painted, and manufacturer of the paint. Also include any 'recipe' for the paint color mix should it be available. Drill a small hole at the top of the stir stick and keep all your color swatches together using a binder ring, or tied with a piece of twine or leather lacing.

Season 4 Begins Monday 9/15!

You've waited all summer and now it's time to tune in to the new season of The Martha Stewart Show which starts on Monday, September 15. Martha and 100 lucky members of the audience kick off Season 4 by inviting you along to visit the place Martha calls home: her beautiful farmstead in Katonah, New York.

Martha will also be joined by some of her favorite chefs: Boston's grilling expert Chris Schlesinger, New York's Joey Campanaro, and Scott Peacock, of Georgia's Watershed restaurant. Then the popular “pickle guy" Rick Field prepares a distinctive recipe for dill cucumber spears with a twist. Plus, Martha is taking you on an exclusive tour of her amazing vegetable garden and stunning stables.

The season premiere week also includes:

Tuesday, September 16: Innovative Chef Heston Blumenthal, of Britain’s world-renowned restaurant The Fat Duck, shares some unexpected cooking that will surprise the palate. Also, popular radio hosts Jennifer Koppelman Hutt and Alexis Stewart (“Whatever with Alexis & Jennifer”) dish the inside scoop on their new show “Whatever Martha” and get a lesson in frosting and decorating cakes. Plus, find out what Martha and friends have been up to this summer with pictures from their latest travels.

Wednesday, September 17: It’s the Blogging Show!!! Martha goes one-on-one with some of the internet’s most prolific and popular bloggers including Perez Hilton, Matt Armendariz of mattbites.com, and Deb Perelman from Smitten Kitchen. Plus, as the road to the White House heats up, Ben Smith and Jonathan Martin join Martha for an inside look at covering the presidential election on Politico. And Margaret Roach tells Martha how she used her green thumb to grow her popular blog, A Way to Garden. How I would love to be part of this show!

Thursday, September 18: Academy Award-nominated actor Terrence Howard joins Martha in the kitchen to chat about his debut "Shine Through It," and to make a mouthwatering new recipe you'll definitely want to try. Then, renowned primatologist Jane Goodall talks about some valuable tips on what you can do every day to help better our environment. Plus, the creators of Myachi, the new game your kids are crazy about, are in the studio to demonstrate some amazing tricks with these popular hand sacks.

Friday, September 19: Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the September cover of Martha Stewart Living. Then, Martha shows you how to give your home a modern -- and affordable -- boost by stenciling pillows with stylish patterns. Plus, world-renowned fashion designer Ralph Rucci share his recipe for molten chocolate cake, and to chat about the documentary "Ralph Rucci: A Designer and His House," narrated by Martha and airing this month on the Sundance Channel.

This is a BIG premiere week! If you miss one the show during the day, don't forget you can always watch it on Fine Living at 8pm eastern. (there is a one day delay)

Remembering

Today, we remember.

We remember where we were. We remember what true fear felt like. We remember the spirit of America as we pulled together as one, united as a diverse family for a common good. We remember the sorrow. We remember the sorrow families and friends still feel to this day. We remember our hero's. We remember the miracles of survival. We remember the emptiness of loved ones never recovered. We remember that sunny September morning with the first hints of autumn. We remember the shock. We remember the silence in the air. We remember trying to return to some sense of 'normal.' We remember the pain.

We remember today. We remember what our world once was.

I miss that world.

Martha Stewart Living Radio Soon Available on XM

With the merger between XM and Sirius Satellite Radio complete, the new company, SiriusXM announced today the beginning of new subscription offerings for owners of XM or Sirius satellite radios.

Beginning October 6, SiriusXM will begin "Best of Both" programs for subscribers. “Sirius on XM” will include two Howard Stern channels, Martha Stewart Living, NBA, Sirius NFL Radio, Sirius NASCAR Radio and Playboy Radio. “XM on Sirius” will include, NHL Home Ice, Opie & Anthony, Oprah & Friends, Public Radio with Bob Edwards, College Sports and PGA Tour.

The "Best of Both" oferring will allow current subscribers to retain their current radio devices. The initial subscription cost will be 16.95; a four dollar increase from the current 12.95 monthly charge.

Also announced, starting October 6, an a la carte programming option to allow listeners to pick and choose up to 50 of their favorites from both services for a monthly charge of $4.99. The a la carte options will require subscribers to purchase new radios.

This is great news for listeners of Martha Stewart Living Radio.. if you're an XM subscriber, you won't miss all the great gardening, decorating, petkeeping and whole living hints and how-to Martha Stewart Living Radio has to offer. The best of Martha Stewart Living experts are as close as your radio and your telephone, since most shows offer a call in Q/A with the hosts and guests. We can't forget "Ask Martha," which is the listeners opportunity to call in and ask Martha personally that burning question you've always wanted to ask!

Subscribers to either XM or Sirius can expect specific details on the new programming options in the coming weeks.

Seasonal Decorating Inspiration

Now that the Labor Day holiday has come and gone, it's time to turn my attention to transforming our home from summer's 'light and breezy' to warm and inviting with the colors of autumn.

The photo you see to the left is actually a scan. I found these leaves last autumn and decided to scan them instead of attempting to photograph them. This photo became the inspiration for our seasonal fall color theme.

I've always enjoyed changing the look of our home for the seasons. In the coming weeks you'll find posts that will discuss how to find your own personal color inspiration, and seasonal decorating on a budget. Seasonal decorating doesn't have to be expensive!

Emeril Collaborates for 10 Book Deal!

First Book Due in May 2009

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. today announced that Emeril Lagasse is collaborating with HarperStudio, a new imprint of HarperCollins, on a multi-year, 10-book project. Mr. Lagasse is one of the first authors to join HarperStudio, which launched April 2008 as an innovative book publishing platform. The chef's first book with HarperStudio will focus on indoor and outdoor grilling and will go on sale May 12, 2009, in time for Father's Day. It will be Mr. Lagasse's first book since 2005.

HarperStudio will promote Mr. Lagasse's new book program and previous titles with an aggressive, integrated, multimedia marketing campaign. The HarperStudio website and emerils.com will play a significant role in these efforts, featuring video, photography, texts and blogs. MSLO will also help market the books across its Omnimedia platforms, including internet, magazines, television, and radio.

Stated Charles Koppelman, Executive Chairman of MSLO: "As a celebrity and accomplished chef, Emeril is the perfect author for HarperStudio's cutting-edge book publishing formula. We believe this collaboration presents significant opportunities for MSLO and contributes to our growth strategy for Emeril's brand."

"Emeril's long-term commitment to our new company gives us the chance to bring his new books as well as his existing best-sellers to an even broader audience," said Robert Miller, President and Publisher, HarperStudio.

"I've had a great relationship with HarperCollins for over 15 years," said Emeril Lagasse. "Since 1993, we've published 12 cookbooks for adults and children, including many best-sellers. I look forward to working with Bob and his team as we bring together the unique publishing model of HarperStudio, the infrastructure and expertise of my parent company, MSLO, and my ongoing passion for creating fun and innovative recipes for cooks at home."

Mr. Lagasse's relationship with the HarperCollins family has resulted in a number of best-sellers including "Emeril's Creole Christmas," "Emeril's TV Dinners," "Everyday's a Party," "Emeril's There's a Chef in My Soup" and "Emeril's There's a Chef in My Family."

The new book will feature approximately 170 mouth-watering recipes, 75 photos and many of the useful cooking tips for which Mr. Lagasse is known.
Recipes include Emeril's Delmonico Bone-in Rib Steaks, Northern Italian Style Chicken Under a Brick, Grilled Pork Chops with Mixed Herb Chimichurri and Grilled Banana Splits.

Since joining the MSLO family of brands in April 2008, Mr. Lagasse has continued to grow and expand the Emeril brand. His guest column titled "Kick it Up" for Martha Stewart's Everyday Food magazine continues in the September issue with his family meatloaf recipe. This fall, Mr. Lagasse will begin appearing in regular segments on The Martha Stewart Show, the nationally syndicated, Emmy-winning daily television series that begins its fourth season on September 15. Viewers can also watch Emeril on Emeril Green, his new cooking show on Discovery's eco-friendly Planet Green network and on Emeril Live on Fine Living. In addition, Mr. Lagasse's new cookware line for Pro-Clad is available at Bed Bath & Beyond and HSN exclusively until November, and will rollout nationally thereafter.

Happy Birthday Josh!

I missed Josh Kilmer-Purcell's birthday, so I wanted to send a belated birthday greeting!

I hope you enjoyed your birthday, Josh!