A Discovery

Tucked into a quiet private neighborhood in Michigan City, Indiana, the Duneland Beach Inn was a wonderful discovery when we met our Wisconsin friends, Jackie and Dave for dinner last Sunday.

Originally built in 1924, the Duneland Beach Inn was the hope for the American dream by German immigrants the Esser family. At the time of construction, the inn was a small hotel, boasting 20 rooms and just one shared bathroom.

Mrs. Esser was known for being a good cook, and word of the table she set soon spread into nearby Chicago. As her talents became more widely known, the inn became a summer vacation spot for people living in busy Chicago who wanted more tranquil surroundings.

The Duneland Beach Inn now has only eight rooms, but has not lost any of its original charm. With its wooded residential location, it’s just a five-minute walk to a private lakefront access to Lake Michigan.

The country inn charm of this Michigan City gem is enhanced with their outstanding menu and cozy dining room. With three separate dining rooms, the inn can accommodate up to 95 diners and can be rented for special private events. The atmosphere is intimate, and the food is exquisite. Everything was fresh, prepared perfectly, and served promptly.

We were surprised and very pleased with the discovery of the Duneland Beach Inn. If you’re looking for a getaway from your hectic world, make the trip to Michigan City, Indiana.

Martha Stewart Closet Organization Tools

Are your closets a danger zone?  Is a hard hat required before you open a closet door?  It's time to get organized!

Martha Stewart closet organization tools are now available at The Home Depot to help you create a customized closet to fit your needs and your space. 

The online design tool helps you create a functional and well organized closet space.  Within minutes,you'll have a recommended closet design for your existing space that can be customized to your specific needs.  Want less shelving and more drawers?  Maybe you like hanging baskets instead?  You can alter the plan to fit your own design style and storage solution needs. 

After you've designed your closet you can print out a shopping list and pick up all the necessary pieces you'll need for installation; or you can order it from the website and have it shipped directly to your home.

Design your closet and get yourself organized.  For more information on the Martha Stewart Living brand of products available exclusively at The Home Depot, visit the Martha Stewart Living page.

March Living: Special Gardening Issue

The March issue of Martha Stewart Living is about to appear in mailboxes, and will be on the newsstands on February 15. 

This issue, the 11th special gardening issue, celebrates how we enjoy  life with all of our senses:  taste, touch, smell, sight, and hearing. 
Here's what will stimulate your senses inside this issue: 

Sight:   Martha transforms her back porch into a shady retreat with container plants from around the world in her monthly column, "From My Home to Yours."  Editorial Director of Decorating Kevin Sharkey shares his exptertise on selecting the perfect colors and finishes for the home in "Painting Pointers." 

Taste:  Join Martha and some of the most renowned tomato experts in the country - including Amy Goldman, author of "The Heirloom Tomato" and Michael Anthony of Gramercy Tavern - as they taste, judge, and celebrate America's favorite garden treat. 

Sound:  Among the soothing sounds in a garden, water's fluid notes work a complex kind of magic.  A fountain can provide a gentle splash, a babbling brook, or the rush of a waterfall.  This how-to story shows how to create all three effects. 

Scent:  Be transported to another place and time by the aroma of flowers.  From sweet peas to scented geraniums, annuals are the perfect vehicles for adding fragrance to your garden.  Bring the flowers up to nose level in hanging baskets and window boxes, or cover the ground with their delicious scent. 

Touch:  Explore the garden from a different perspective.  See a new side of plants and the qualities that invite our touch - from the feathery fronds of fountain grass, to silky rose petals, and spiny cactus. 

This issue is sure to awaken your senses and stimulate your gardening genes!

A Look Back At March Issues

The March issue of Martha Stewart Living has always been a personal favorite.  As a gardener, the arrival of this issue inspires me to begin thinking about my own design plans for the numerous pots, planters, and garden beds around my own home. Let's take a look back at all the March issues: 

  The second issue of Martha Stewart Living, published in 1991 was devoted to spring.  That first full year, Martha Stewart Living was a quarterly publication.  From 1992 - 1995 the magazine was published as a February/March issue. 

The first March issue designated as the "Gardening Issue" came in 1996 (upper right), when the magazine increased its frequency and March became a regular monthly publication. 

In 2002, Martha Stewart Living celebrated its 100th issue in March. 

The 2005 March issue gave readers some exciting Martha news.  Martha was away when this issue was published, but would be back (as she promised) in the April issue. The March 2003 cover was actually shot in the gardens of Margaret Roach, then, editorial director and garden editor of the magazine.  Those same pots still line the steps at Margarets home in upstate New York.  

The covers for the March issue have always been among the favorites of readers. When the magazine arrives in February each year, most of us are OVER winter and ready for the beauty in the garden!

Which March cover was your favorite? 

Saying I Love You

Don't settle for a store bought card to express your thoughts of love this Valentine's Day.

Fall in love all over again

The guys at Beekman 1802 now have the most unique and beautiful Heirloom note cards available for purchase. 

The hand-sewn cards are the creation of quilter Betty Pillsbury.  Betty uses vintage fabrics and antique lace to create the everlasting note of your love.  When ordering, create your own special message in 140 characters or less, and your message will be hand printed on the inside.  Each beautiful card will be mailed directly to the one you love from Beekman using their own W. Beekman postage stamp.

Sending and receiving one of these cards will make you fall in love all over again.

Order at Beekman1802.com   

The Martha Stewart Show Moves to the Hallmark Channel in September.

Original Episodes of “The Martha Stewart Show” Move Exclusively to Hallmark Channel as Anchor of Network’s Daytime Lineup Beginning September 2010.  Hallmark Channel and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Form Strategic Alliance to Create Lifestyle Programming

Hallmark Channel today announced a multi-year strategic partnership with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. to exclusively televise original episodes of the Emmy™ Award-winning, popular daytime home and lifestyle series “The Martha Stewart Show” on Hallmark Channel beginning September 2010. Hallmark Channel is a cable television network owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
Announcement of the partnership was made today by Bill Abbott, President and CEO, Hallmark Channels, and Charles A. Koppelman, Executive Chairman of MSLO.

As part of the agreement, MSLO will also develop a range of new and original series and prime time specials that will complement Hallmark Channel’s current schedule of popular original movies, movies from the acclaimed “Hallmark Hall of Fame” library collection, specials and classic television series. In 2010 the network will produce 24 original movies.

Beginning in the fall, Mondays through Fridays, “The Martha Stewart Show” will be presented 10-11 a.m. (ET/PT), kicking off a two-and-half-hour block of original Martha Stewart programming. The flagship how-to series will continue to be filmed in New York City with a live studio audience, informing and inspiring viewers on subjects from cooking and entertaining to crafting and gardening. Encore performances of the daily show will also be presented on the network.

Following “The Martha Stewart Show” from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (ET/PT) each weekday, Hallmark Channel will present exclusive original programming currently in development at MSLO that will feature a portfolio of creative content for which the Martha Stewart brand is known and which will showcase experts and personalities from within MSLO. Additionally, MSLO will develop numerous holiday and interview specials for prime time on the network.

“This is a match made in TV heaven. We couldn’t be more excited about welcoming Martha Stewart to the Hallmark Channel family. She is the undisputed leader in cooking, home décor, design and gardening, and ‘The Martha Stewart Show’ is the kind of high-quality programming that celebrates life, exemplifying Hallmark Channel and the Hallmark brand,” said Mr. Abbott. “We believe the creative programming, branding and advertising opportunities this partnership presents are limitless. As these properties join our already strong lineup which includes a full slate of original movies, our viewers, distributors and advertisers will continue to see in Hallmark Channel a destination like no other.”

Mr. Koppelman stated: “We're very excited about this partnership, which brings together two powerful and trusted brands in the lifestyle arena. The new relationship builds our broadcast strategy, greatly extends our media platform and reach, and we anticipate will have a positive impact on our business. This also will benefit our merchandising and advertising partners, while offering viewers multiple opportunities to watch and learn from Martha and MSLO experts on a single channel at consistent time periods around the country.” Mr. Koppelman added: “As we make this move to Hallmark Channel, we also want to thank NBC Universal Domestic Television and their affiliates for their support over the past five years. We’re proud of all that we have accomplished together.”

MSLO Founder Martha Stewart added: “It has long been a dream of mine to bring our unique evergreen content to television in an expansive way. I’m delighted that we have found the perfect home for the kind of programming that consumers look to us for, a home that is devoted to excellence, family life and celebrations – what we call Living. Our core values and content areas--entertaining, weddings, crafting, cooking, gardening, holidays, pets and humor--are a perfect fit with Hallmark Channel. I’m thrilled with the opportunity to further develop MSLO’s deep pool of talent and provide audiences with exciting new programming that educates, informs, entertains and inspires.”

“The Martha Stewart Show” is in its fifth season and is currently distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

In addition to “The Martha Stewart Show,” MSLO offers a growing roster of television series and specials presented elsewhere including the popular “Everyday Food” and the critically-acclaimed “Whatever, Martha!” Upcoming programming includes the weekly series “The Emeril Lagasse Show,” featuring celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. Other current programming includes “Essence of Emeril,” “Emeril Live” and “Emeril Green.”

Learning to Relax

I'm not real good at relaxing.  My mind is always in gear with thoughts of work, things to do at home, new projects, and the list goes on and on.  I often have trouble falling asleep at night because I can't seem to turn off the thought process long enough to allow myself to relax.  When I do fall asleep, I wake up several times during the night and several thoughts will run through my head at a rapid fire rate making the return to sleep equally as difficult.  I rarely feel totally rested in the morning and by mid-day, I'm pretty much toast. 

The Whole Body Action Plan addressed stress and relaxation with some great tips on learning to meditate.  I've been trying to engage in some of these techniques throughout my day, when I truly need a pause to clear my head and calm myself.

If taking up meditation seems daunting, however, start with devoting just 15 minutes a day to this beginner-friendly technique. Once you've made it a habit, deepen your practice with the additional techniques below.

Meditation for Beginners

1.Sit in a chair and allow your body to settle.

2.Slowly scan your body from toe to head, noticing where you feel tight.

3.Bring your attention to your breathing, inhaling and exhaling through the nose but never forcing your breath. Keep your mouth softly closed, your jaw relaxed.

4.Become more and more sensitive to your breath, in tune with where your body moves (and doesn't move) on the inhale and exhale.

5.Allow your awareness of your breath to bring ease to your entire body. Imagine your body moving toward the earth, fully supported.

6.Continue observing your breath moving in and out of your body.

7.At the end of the 15 minutes, breathe deeply three times, allowing the inhale to move down to your toes and the exhale to move up and out of the tops of your shoulders. Pause and then open your eyes.

Meditation with Nature

1.Find a park, forest, beach, nature preserve, or reservoir.

2.If possible, remove your shoes. Walk around for a few minutes until you come to a place where you feel like pausing.

3.Stand still for a moment and take in the natural elements around you. Take 10 deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.

4.Notice how your body feels. What feels tight, tired, achy? What parts feel loose and easy? Take five more breaths, directing the breath to the tight places and relieving the tension as you exhale.

5.Begin walking again, for as long as you'd like. Allow yourself to be completely absorbed by nature.

6.When you are done, notice how you feel, such as whether your breath is easier, your body feels more relaxed, and your heart is more connected to what's around you.

Body Scan

1.Sit in a chair with your back straight, your feet under your knees and your palms resting on your thighs.

2.Take a deep breath and let your attention be absorbed by the sensations in your feet. Feel, for instance, each foot's temperature, or the texture of your socks.

3.After a few breaths, move your attention to your calves. For several more breaths, sense your calves in the same way.

4.Gradually move your attention through each body part. After the calves, focus on your thighs, then your bottom, abdomen, lower back, chest, upper back, shoulders, arms, hands, neck, face, and head.

5.After scanning each body part, let your awareness cover your entire body at once.

I found these techniques to be very helpful.  For more information on the Whole Body Action Plan, check out wholeliving.com for complete information.

Chef Emeril Lagasse Breaks Bread With New Original Series

'The Emeril Lagasse Show,' Featuring Celebrity Guests, Music, and Good Food, to Debut in March 2010 on ION Television

 ION Television today announced its first original non-scripted series, "TheEmeril Lagasse Show," a new weekly, entertainment television show featuring celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. The original, primetime series will be recorded before a live studio audience and will capture Emeril's passion for people, entertainment, music, food and celebration. The hour long program will air on Sundays at 8pm beginning March 28th.

"TheEmeril Lagasse Show" will feature one of America's most popular chefs as he has never been seen before. Each week, Emeril will welcome celebrity guests, musicians and entertainers to break news and break bread as Emeril shares his world, his friends and his passions with the studio audience and viewers at home. A house band will be on set, playing live music and interacting with Emeril, guests and audience. The show also will include entertaining and surprising field pieces that will be shot in and around New York City where the show will be taped. TV veteran Karen Katz and After Five Productions, which executive produced Lagasse's long-running Food Network series, "Emeril Live," will be executive producer of "TheEmeril Lagasse Show".

"TheEmeril Lagasse Show" will be produced with innovative marketing opportunities that will appeal to advertisers from a broad range of categories. The show will be supported through traditional marketing and social media including Facebook where consumers can become a fan at Facebook.com/Emeril.

"We are excited to bring Emeril's 'Positively Entertaining' persona and larger-than-life superstar-chef status to ION Television. His brand will be a dynamic addition to our general entertainment network and a treat for our audience," said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO, ION Media Networks.

"Emeril is a terrific talent whose passion for food coupled with his natural showmanship will attract a broad range of viewers. We're thrilled to be working with ION Television, a network that shares our commitment to fresh ideas, quality and innovation. This new show is an important step in further extending the Emeril Lagasse brand," said Charles A. Koppelman, Executive Chairman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.which acquired the assets related to Mr. Lagasse's media and merchandising business in 2008.

"I'm excited to be live on ION Television nationwide, bringing the high energy, interaction and every day celebrations to audiences across the country. I look forward to sharing my passion for interesting people, fascinating places, good music and, of course, great food," said Emeril Lagasse.

"Emeril's culinary prowess is matched by his great personal charm and appeal. I'm delighted that his new program will showcase all that he has to offer," stated MSLO Founder Martha Stewart.

A popular chef and successful restaurateur, Emeril has a strong track record as a national TV personality, has hosted over 1,500 shows on the Food Network, and is the food correspondent for ABC's "Good Morning America." His show "Essence of Emeril" can be seen on Food Network, and "Emeril Live" appears on both Fine Living and Food Network. His recent appearance on "Super Chef Battle: An Iron Chef America Event" was Food Network's highest-rated, most-watched night in Food Network history with 7.6 million viewers. He is the host of "Emeril Green," an original series exploring fresh and seasonal ingredients on Discovery's Planet Green.

In addition to his television presence, Emeril has a new, live, call-in radio program, "Cooking with Emeril," which airs twice weekly on Martha Stewart Living Radio on SIRIUS XM. He also has a new column in MSLO's Everyday Food magazine where the chef and his six-year-old son, E.J., provide delicious family-friendly recipes. Emeril is the author of 14 bestselling books, including the recent Emeril 20-40-60: Fresh Food Fast (HarperStudio).

Emeril Lagasse has been active in the food world since his teenage years in Fall River, Massachusetts, where he worked at a Portuguese bakery and mastered the art of bread and pastry baking. Upon graduating from high school, he turned down a full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music to pursue a career as a professional chef. He earned a degree from Johnson and Wales University, which later awarded him an honorary Doctorate, and traveled to France where he polished his skills and learned the art of classic French cuisine. Returning to the United States, Lagasse practiced his art in fine restaurants in New York, Boston and Philadelphia, before heading south to the Big Easy. In New Orleans, he established his start at the legendary Commander's Palace restaurant, where he was executive chef for seven and a half years. Lagasse is now the chef-proprietor of 13 restaurants across the country. The recognition and awards he has garnered has made him known to food-loving Americans everywhere.

Since its recent formation and launch, ION Television concluded 2009 with record year-over-year growth in households, Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49, posting 49%, 65%, and 74% growth in those demographics, respectively. ION Television has become one of the fastest growing U.S. television networks, taking the Q4 2009 top spot among fully distributed broadcast and cable networks. And with a strong 2009 year-end performance, ION Television entered the list of the top 15 entertainment networks in the U.S. cable universe for the first time.

Lucinda Scala Quinn: Work, Life, and Spurtles

If Martha Stewart was interviewing you for a job in her company and asked, “Do you have any management experience?” how would you respond? After thinking for a moment, Lucinda Scala Quinn responded to that question with honesty: “if you consider raising a family of five in New York City on a freelance budget…then yes, I have management experience..” That was a response that helped land Lucinda Scala Quinn a position with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, overseeing food for television.

Fast forward a little over ten years and Lucinda’s role with the company has definitely changed. As the Executive Editorial Director for Food at MSLO, she now oversees the entire food operation for the company. But wait; that’s not all. Lucinda hosts her own radio show, “Eat Drink” on Martha Stewart Living Radio (Sirius 112/XM 157), Co-hosts the PBS series “Everyday Food,” has regular appearances on NBC’s Today Show, contributes to both Martha Stewart Living magazine and Everyday Food magazine, AND this last fall, released her third cookbook, “Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys.” In addition, she keeps followers up to date through Twitter, Facebook, and regularly updates her blog, “Mad Hungry.”

To say Lucinda is passionate about food is an understatement. She began cooking professionally in her teen years and has worked in a variety of food related jobs including cooking teacher, caterer, chef, and food writer before landing her position with MSLO.

I had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Lucinda when her extensive book tour brought her to Michigan last fall. I knew just one minute into her presentation that I wanted to do a feature interview with her for House Blend. Lucinda graciously accepted the invite to do just that.

When did you develop your passion for food?

I grew up in a big Italian family, which means food, love and fun were all intertwined from my earliest memories.

What inspires you as a cook?

Films, books, folklore, museums, markets, gardens. Everyday sights, scents, sounds and conversations.

What makes for a good food story in Martha Stewart Living or Everyday Food?

Where inspiration, aspiration and ‘how-to’ collide in a potentially visually arresting, clearly organized idea. Sophisticated simplicity means a story on rice is as compelling as a holiday feast.

Lucinda on the set of Everyday Food

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Living

How are recipes developed for MSLO?

Recipes start with a clearly defined umbrella concept and idea for a story narrative whether large or small. The food editor draws on personal experience, research, reading, travel and interviews to construct a balanced list of recipe ideas that attempt to hit several notes in a story so there is something for every reader to find a point of entry on. Cooking and tasting happen in the test kitchen until a collection of delicious and representative dishes/recipes are complete and ready to be photographed along with a creative team.

Work/life balance, it is said, is essential for success. How do you balance your duties as an editorial director, a television co-host, an author, and a wife/mother?

My family is my priority on a daily basis. With that as a driving presumption, most days all the aspects of my work life dovetail beautifully together with home life. But, this also means there is an occasional overturn in that flow where family prevails. I rise early and enjoy m y home’s early morning in all its craziness; husband, kids, dogs, breakfast, lunch prep, personal chores, etc. and go to work like anyone else (and, I have cultivated a very collaborative group of sons and husband in terms of household/kitchen labor sharing!) Once at the office, unless there is a special event, I prioritize within the day, just tackling one thing after another with enthusiasm and lots of incredible colleagues to work with too. By 6:30PM, I go home for dinner where cooking and gathering with my family and friends around the dinner table is one of my favorite activities and something that also informs my work life. But, if there is a soccer game, play, doctor appointment, family or friend emergency, I will make time to be there; confident in the knowledge that many of these extracurricular activities not only bring personal satisfaction, but also contribute back to my professional performance.

Lucinda and two of her sons during an appearance on the Martha Stewart Show.  Calder (left) toured with Lucinda on her Mad Hungry book tour.  Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Living

You had a very long book tour for the release of “Mad Hungry: Feeding Men and Boys.” What was your favorite part of doing the book tour?

My favorite part was seeing so many American cities, eating regional food, visiting legendary regional independent bookstores and meeting so many interesting people. Plus, my son, a recent college graduate, toured with me which made the work so much more fun.

And your least favorite part?

4:30AM wake up calls and being camera ready with hair and make-up for TV (not my strong point!)

What would you say are the three absolutely essential tools a person needs in their kitchen?

A 12-inch well seasoned cast iron pan, an all purpose sharp knife (any size or shape as long as it works for you) and a “spurtle” (laughs). But seriously, it’s made of wood and is a cross between a wooden spoon and a spatula. It was originally designed for stirring oatmeal but it’s perfect for stirring, flipping or even stir frying. Three utilities in one!

Lucinda adheres to an over-arching philosophy about food that has stuck with me since meeting her at the book signing: “Cook for the people you love and teach them to cook for themselves. They’ll pass it on.” That, is a true love for cooking and for family.

Lucinda can be seen regularly on the new season of Everyday Food on PBS (check local listings), and every Thursday at 4PM on her radio show, “Eat Drink” on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius 112/XM 157. “Mad Hungry” is available at Barnes and Noble or Amazon, or check with your local bookstore.

Now.. I need to speak with her about one of those great Mad Hungry t-shirts!