My love for all things Martha is undeniable and pretty well known. Martha magazine, cookbooks, show, products, and radio.  Well when there was a chance for the ‘first 5 people to email to get to attend a live broadcast for the Tree Trimming holiday show on Friday’. I jumped at the chance thinking I would be way to slow. Luckily I was not!

On Friday morning, I left Brookline before 6am to drive down to CT to meet my mom so we could go into The City together. Of course I stopped on the way for breakfast at Bill’s Bread and Breakfast to get the BEST english muffins around.

We encountered some issues with the train since service was down. Luckily, as soon as we ran back to my car to try to another station on a different line there was an annoucement  saying it was just restored, so we ran right back. And very randomly, I ran into someone I had not seen since HS so we got to catch up. Fate… maybe?

I love New York City. I doubt I could ever live there, but I love to visit it. I love the energy of the city. We arrived in busy Grand Central and then headed over to 5th Ave. We saw really interesting window displays at Sack’s as well on our way up to St Patrick’s Cathedral. After that we wandered over to Rockefeller Center to see the tree.

We then headed over to grab some light lunch at ‘Witchcraft in the concourse of 30 Rock.

The McGraw-Hill Building is the Sirius HQ, so we went there next to see the radio broadcast. We arrived to a busy scene with with Martha Stewart Staff decorating the tree in the lobby. Even Greg Kleva was there!

The group of us went into the Fish Bowl Studio, where the show was being broadcasted from that day. The studio was just as busy as the lobby with Mario (the host), Lauren Gloud (the producer), engineers, interns, and the incoming guests.

The first guests were 2 Rockettes, Allyson Kelly and Elizabeth Sousek, from Radio City Music Spectacular. They were stunning. The explained how they became Rockettes, what it is like being a Rockette, their healthy life styles, and they even brougth recipes with them. But the most impressive things about Rockettes… their kicks! They told us they do 300 kicks per show. Clearly they had to show how they do the kicks, and clearly, I had to volunteer to learn now. I was really embarrassing and hard! I have this on video so I will have to post all this embarrassment later. ha

The next guest was Sal Scognamillo, head chef and co-owner of New York City’s Patsy’s Restaurant. He brought Baked Clams, Shrimp Scampi, and Strufoli for everyone to try. Sal discussed Christmas traditions and some of the ways to prepare for the Feast of Seven Fishes.

The third guest was Event Organizer David Monn. David explained various ways of setting the holiday scene at home or at a party. He explained that creating the mood does not have to be expensive since a candle can add a lot to a space but you can get them for as little as $3. He brought 2 centerpieces with him that were stunning, inexpensive, and creative. The centerpieces are ‘low’ because you want to have pieces that are not in the way of your guests looking across the table to someone. He explained that centerpieces should not go much higher than your wrist when you have put your elbow on a table (see photo)

Abby Dodge came with some desserts. She wrote about book about desserts using only 4 ingredients in each recipe! She brought chocolate cheesecakes, bourbon balls, and pistachio shortbread. I loved the shortbread! Abby took questions during the show about baking recipes and problems- even from audience.

So the show has covered… appetizers, entrees, decorating, and dessert… what else does it need? DRINKS! Allen Katz, mixologist, brought 2 suitcases with him to haul up his drink ingredients. Allen made 5 drinks to fit perfectly for the upcoming holidays- like Run, Run Rudolph. Sadly, we did not get to try the drinks there but I think that the punch recipe is calling for me to make it.

After the show mom and I rushed back to Grand Central to get a train back home. We then did some dinner with my grandma- fried calamari on pizza is amazing! I was back on the road by 9pm and picking Price up from his poker night by 12.15. It was a L-O-N-G day but really worth it.

Check out the Martha Radio Blog post about that show, including recipes, here. (My mom and I are with  Mario in picture #31!)