Martha Stewart "Gift For The Gardener" Picks The Hamtpons & Long Island Homegrown Cookbook
I never do this -- or hardly ever -- but because the news is so BIG and because the news channels both my Homegrown Cookbook AND gardens, I'm re-purposing or using a news story I did for my Celebrity Chefs and Their Gardens blog here on Garden Glamour.
After all, Martha Stewart chose the book as a Garden Gift pick!
Enjoy the garden and good food news story.
It's a sparkler.
I had been so anticipating and hoping the Martha Stewart
feature recommendation would happen for my book.
I am much too polite to follow up much with my esteemed
garden friends, Stephen Orr, editorial director for Gardening, Martha Stewart
Living and his enduring, plant-loving associate, Melissa Ozawa, Martha Stewart
Living, senior editor Gardening.
I think you may remember I had attended a lovely,
only-in-Gotham-soiree last late autumn – (or was it early winter?) hosted by Gael
Towey, chief integration and creative director of Martha Stewart Living
Omnimedia (MSLO) nearby Greenwich Village townhouse.
Here I met up with Stephen and Melissa – and Martha -- and
Stephen told me they were planning to highlight my book, The Hamptons & Long Island
Homegrown Cookbook on the Martha Stewart online Gift Guide.
I impetuously hugged Stephen. I was overcome with unbridled joy. Plus I do love Stephen J
But in my overscheduled world where it seems I never get a
chance to really catch up – in fact, it rather seems I just glide from one exciting
event or deadline to another, this Homegrown milestone eluded me.
I pride myself on my use of social media. It’s no secret I have two Facebook pages, two
Twitters, two blogs, three email accounts, and yet this Gift Guide “gift” from
Martha was nowhere on my radar.
How could this happen?
Martha Messenger
It was only after EunYoung Sebazco, landscape designer and
plant whisperer told me about it over exquisite plates of fresh sushi at her
chef friend’s Jewel Bakko restaurant.
I was stunned. And so
thankful she shared the good news.
I have to write to Stephen and Melissa to atone for what
must look like my ill-mannered non-response.
Allow me to digress a second. EunYoung is one of those angels
you can’t believe you are fortunate enough to have crossed paths with in this
galaxy. That you are able to call her friend is nothing short of life’s little
miracles. I will write about her shortly
on “Garden Glamour.” But I can’t say
enough good things about her and her work. So indulge me. After all, she is the
“Martha Messenger:”
Among her many artistic talents and quiet achievements is
producing Gotham’s first-ever rice paddy: http://ricepaddyrandalls.wordpress.com
Gift Guide
There is the no-doubt, bust-my-buttons pride for the
recognition in Martha’s Picks.
It’s surely a dream come true that I want to be able to bask
in for a nano-second.
I couldn’t be more gobsmacked by it all.
Especially that “my” chefs and growers received the
recognition they deserve.
Martha wrote:
Much more than just a book of recipes, this lush
cookbook profiles outstanding Long Island chefs and their personal gardens.
Here is the link to the Martha Garden Gift Guide Pick:
Homegrown Friends
And you know what’s most rewarding and memorable as the
actual achievement?
I shared the news on Facebook and the overwhelming Friends’
support makes me cry with joy.
And blush.
The support ranged from “you deserve it” to
“Love this!!! Congrats xoxo” to “This is the Cat’s Meow, terrific” to one of my
dearest former bosses, Bob Dorf, writing: “Wow, Leeann … I knew it would be so,
but you are every bit as much of a brilliant star in your “new” field as you
were in your many years in pr. Congratulations… guess I better stop typing and
buy one J”
The group hug and Friend support is just as good a
feeling. I LOVE my friends!
Thank you.
So now, perhaps we can all take a moment and bask in the
Homegrown and “Martha” moment.
But not for too long.
It’s Hamptons Restaurant Week! April 7-14th.
Enjoy the bounty of the gardens and the restaurants.