Dec 8, 2010

Birthday, Big City, Book Signing...Oh My!

Premier Issue now on stands of Where Women Cook!


Hello Everyone!


I had planned on catching everyone up with photos and news, but I am short on time this evening. My barber husband surprised me very recently with a trip to NYC for my birthday this weekend! Funny thing is, he isn't going with me...he is "sending me away" for my present to be with my theater friend, Bob, who was commissioned to write a play and it is performing in Philadelphia. And as my barber husband said, "I can't keep up with you theater people, staying up all night long, night after night...I need my sleep!" 


But let me back up a bit.


This coming weekend is also more then visiting my college/theater buddy, Bob. (For those with good memories, you will remember that Bob flew to St. Louis last year, as a surprise for my birthday and was waiting for me at the barbershop. You can read about it here.) 


It also just so happens that  Where Women Cook is launching a book signing party at Chelsea Market in NYC on Dec 10th. I fly in on the 9th! In case I haven't mentioned Where Women Cook...let me do so now...




WWCook is a NEW publication that is due out, this week, I believe. It is a take off of Where Women Create. And yes, I am very honored to be in the first issue - in fact, I am the first story. But don't let that discourage you from buying it...there really are for real cooks, chefs, and famous people. :-) On the cover is the Pioneer Woman - I mentioned a couple of posts ago that I flew out to her ranch and photographed her feature for this issue along with Fancy Farm Girl, Tiffany. I also took the photos of the feature of Joy Stinger, a bee keeper here in town...isn't that a hoot? Her last name really is "Stinger" and she is a bee keeper! Below are a few sneak peeks of her photos - and don't let her age fool you. She has more energy than me and very sharp mind. I love her!








Jo invited me to attend and so I will be at the book launch this Friday, in NYC along with many others, including Tiffany, Ree Drummond, Jo Packham and lots of other fab women. There is a great set up in the market (which is also featured in the issue) with vintage and custom made aprons - more on that later.


These are two of the pages of my feature in Where Women Cook. My story is a love story that involves a bald barber, a crepe pan, a kitchen renovation, and a delicious crepe recipe!




I am very excited about it and very honored to be a part of the launch party. I won't be able to stay long, as I will have to leave early to drive down to Philly with Bob to see his play. But I hope I get a chance to meet some of you who may be there. I hear it will be a fantastic party. I will take lots of photos! But, I don't want to disappoint my friend Bob, so I will leave early to attend his first commissioned play. It is about Ben Franklin. Descendants of Ben Franklin will be in attendance as well. 


And as a topper, on Thursday night, the evening I arrive, Bob is having a reading of another play he wrote and has asked me to read a scene with another actress for his playwriting class and an audience. I am very honored and haven't been on stage in quite a while. What is so neat about this is that I can finally say I have "performed on a NYC stage" and that it is Bob who is directing. That is neat because back in college, it was I who directed Bob in a play and I was in Bob's very play he ever wrote way back when.


We have now come full circle.


But what are the chances that both Bob and I should both have such big writing events in our careers happen on the same weekend, and that we both can be together to celebrate them? We both decided that it wasn't an accident. He has been writing for so long, and now he is getting paid to do so, and so am I. And now we are both getting a little recognition for it and it feels good to celebrate with someone who truly understands the hard, hard work, and all that is done for free, just to get where we are.


It will be a very special birthday, and I owe it all to my barber husband. Little did he know that when he decided to "send me away" (sounds a little dubious when I type it out, now that I think about it... :-) that he was sending me away for a really great birthday where I get to sign a few books, meet some neat people, read on a NYC stage (I don't care how small it is, because technically, if there is a floor, it is a stage, and it is in NYC), and I get to see my best friend's first commissioned play.


I do wish my barber husband was coming, but truth be told, we both know he would be happier being home, watching movies very loud (an issue of volume control between us) and sitting in his pj's eating hostess cupcakes. And I would be very happy not worrying how tired he is getting with me and Bob staying up late at a diner in NYC yakking over every detail of every scene and then walking to his apartment on upper east side and staying up later still, yakking over our Magnolia cupcakes (a New York must) wondering how the scene could have been done differently, all the while, barber husband wishing he had his straight razor so he could cut his own throat (or ours).


So, I need to pack, get some things ready, and how I wish I could still catch you up on some things, but right now, I don't have time.


I miss chatting with you all - but when I get back, I guess I will have even more to chat about.


Thank you again for allowing me to share my life with you. It means a lot to me. And I think that is what it comes down to really: sharing your life with someone. Like my barber husband sharing me with my best friend, Bob. And Bob and I sharing our lives with each other. And when I get back I will share my weekend with you. 


It is the sharing of experiences that allow us to remain human, I think. Without the sharing, we would eventually turn into hoarders. And what do hoarders do? They keep for themselves. It's not that they don't want to share, they are just simply afraid that if they give, they will have less. That is like trying to hoard the sunshine by letting it in the window, then quickly shutting the shade to "keep it" in the house so it doesn't get out. And what do you have instead? Darkness. The sunshine still shines - on the outside. You can't hoard it for yourself. That is how life experiences are...keeping them to yourself only makes them less. Sharing them with others makes the experiences all the more brighter for yourself and for others. Like sunshine.


Make sense?


In other words....sharing your life with others only makes your life more fun to live.


And speaking of sharing...below is a photo that I wanted to share last post, it is from our anniversary trip at a beautiful B and B...more on that later. But in the mean time...you can only imagine the story behind the photo and you can imagine how thankful your husbands are at this very moment as they look over your shoulder and feel sorry for my poor husband who is victim to my camera at every turn...but I love him...rubber ducky and all...


I know, I know, he is going to kill me when he wakes up and sees this tomorrow...but look at his grin...you can tell I caught him having fun in the jacuzzi... now isn't that something fun to share?




from my house to your house,





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31 comments:

Anne Lorys said...

Darling post, Elizabeth!

Randy is truly a keeper, my husband too would vastly prefer sitting at home in his bathrobe with the Little Debbie's, too. :-)

You are going to have SUCH a good time! And deservedly so, your feature in WWC is just wonderful, I picked it up the other day.

Stay safe and warm, and have a fabulous birthday!

Hugs,
Anne

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hi Anne,

You are up late and what an honor to have you take time to post a comment to me! Thank you for the nice comment before I head off to bed. He IS a keeper, isn't he? Thank you for the well wishes - I will stay safe and warm. Will tell you all about it.

Lot of hugs over here to you,
Love
Elizabeth

Claudia said...

Hi Elizabeth! Congratulations on everything in your post.And Happy Birthday! I'm going back and forth - should I take the bus into the city for this event? Sometimes I say yes, other times...not sure. I know it will be fun of course, that's not an issue. But I'm basically shy. Hmmm. We'll see.

Your husband is a sweetie!

xo
Claudia

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Oh Claudia!

I would love to see you! I can only stay an hour or so, but I will be there early before it officially starts, so I would love to meet with you before it starts and you can stay and have fun after I leave. I will introduce you around - these women are just wonderful.

If you can make it, then please email me today and I will give you my cell number.

Big hug
Elizabeth

Curtains in My Tree said...

Elizabeth I love your stories about the theatre in NY
I hope you take pictures to post of the entire trip.

Love your cute Husband's picture He will kill you for doing that !!!LOL

The book singing will be fabulous I know with all the other fabulous people besides you there.

Janice

Summerland Style said...

Okay, now I'm officially jealous!! ; ) If I could hop a plane to NYC to be a part of this momentous occasion -- I WOULD. I know some other ladies who are planning to be there. I know you'll have a blast and I can't wait to hear all the details.

oldgreymare said...

Oh you are soooo bad. You owe him a back rub for this one.: D

Congrats to you and your best friend. What fabulous memories you will have of this weekend. Hope it is a wonderful time and that you have glorious weather to boot.

Suzan

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Excitement and peace and contentiment and the wisdom to share and enjoy it all... Always look forward to your posts....

Claudia said...

Hello, Elizabeth - I send you an email re Friday. Let me know if you didn't get it. I'd love to meet up with you. Cell number and all other information is included.

xoxo
Claudia

Tamra said...

Hilarious!

Bon voyage chickie!

Pat said...

Elizabeth, Just the other day I bought Where Women Cook. I have to tell you that YOUR kitchen is my favorite in the book....it's a wonderful tribute to the 'small' kitchen..one of which I have. Yours is an inspiration. Good luck with all your new endeavors...and I'll be 'reading' you!!!! pat

Burlap Luxe said...

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!!
You deserve the best!
love every thing you do girl, Following you where ever you are featured.

Have a beautiful time and inspiring holiday.

Joyeux Noel
xx
Dore

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Hi Claudia!

Real quick - yes I am still packing - but I got your email and cell number! Yippee! I am so honored that you are taking time to meet me - I can't wait! What fun!

Thanks for making my weekend even more special!

See you on Friday,
Love

e

Caren G. said...

WOW! I LOVE your blog. I came over from the Pioneer's Woman's blog once I saw photo of the inside of your home. I must say that you decorate the way that I would love to. You are quite an inspiration & I think I will start making some changes around here. You decorate with things that I love & colors that are my favorite. WOW again! I look forward to looking though your blog some more to get me on the right track:)

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Thank you everyone for the well wishes! And thank you Caren for joining us from Pioneer Woman's site. She is fab, isn't she?? I am in NYC, freezing, and waiting for my real NY pizza and pasta to be delivered as I am going over my lines for tonight and resting. Just got an email from Jo letting me know that Ree Drummond (aka Pioneer Woman) just posted a very nice post about WWCook and posted some photos of my kitchen from the feature. I am thrilled!

Ya'll have a great (and warm) weekend,
Love
Elizabeth

Pat said...

Elizabeth, A Happy Birthday to you!! I know you are enjoying your present and having a great time. Thank you so much for your kind words yesterday concerning my blog/pincushions. I so appreciated hearing from you. I've just spent a great time reading posts from your archives...especially LOVED the one about your Randy and the socks dated August 4th. Many happy birthdays to come!! pat

stadtgarten said...

What a wonderful birthday present!
I love NYC and I hope you are having a wonderful time and birthday there!

Carol Bennett said...

You are going to have such a fun time!! Post lots of pictures when u return!!Oh, and happy birthday to you!!
Carol from GA

Anonymous said...

As usual good job. I am so jealous you get to go to NY. Christmas in Ny is like Christmas no where else. The music, fur coats, hustle and bussle, windows and the smells from the street venders. Ok, now I am deprssed. Richard at myoldhistorichouse.blogspot.compables

Burlap Luxe said...

Hi Elizabeth! I have the Where women cook! I have to say that you just glow with beauty! Your featured pages are a true favorite of mine, loving your style that I truly relate to.

Peace, Joy, Love

Joyeux Noel
xx
Dore

Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques said...

Congratulations! I just found your blog through Claudia's Mocking Bird Hill cottage.

Your hubby's photo made me laugh out loud... my hubby's rule is NO PHOTOS OF HIM ONLINE. I'll have to show this to him.

Glad you had a great time in NYC!

Jillian
Bella Rosa Antiques

sweetpea said...

elizabeth, i loved seeing your beautiful kitchen in where women cook. so soulful, so you. what a hoot to see randy in the tub!

hugs and happy birthday! have a great trip!

shelley

Glenda said...

Elizabeth, I love your life and the way you share it with each of us. Have a wonderful time in NYC and Happy Birthday to you!
~G~XO

Looking at the cute photo of your hubby and all I can think about is the fishing story!!! Love every post you write...

Cedar Acre Lady said...

I picked up the new, oh, so fun, magazine before we headed out this last week on a family vacation. I couldn't wait to get back home and look you up and ask you to please name a few nice quality crepe pans. I can hardly wait to get a pan and play and have some girlfriends and daughters over too.

Elizabeth Maxson said...

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. Will post photos of the weekend this weekend. To Cedar Acre Lady: I use All Clad pans only. They are pricey but are really good and will last a lifetime. The crepe pan is the perfect size. I use a 1/3 measuring cup to pour the batter in the pan, but I never use the entire 1/3 cup - just easier to dip in the bowl and pour. Hope this helps - it is easy to make!

Elizabeth :-)

Nancy said...

Happy (belated) Birthday Elizabeth!

I was doing some last-minute holiday shopping at the bookstore last night and picked up the issue of Where Women Cook. How awesome to see your smiling face as the first story! I know for sure that you had an amazing weekend in NYC and Philly ... two places near and dear to my own heart. Can't wait to read all about it!

All the best for a blessed holiday with Randy. Thanks for the inspiration you have shared with everyone and will continue to do so in 2011!

Anonymous said...

Happy belated Birthday,..hope it was a grand one.....and have a great Christmas also

Barbara Barth said...

I love your blog! Will be a follower. Very exciting for you. come say hi to me if time permits. I have lots of blogs, rescue dogs, a little shop I am opening and a book I've written. I don't cook, but this looks to lovely to pass up.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to everything in this post, as someone else already said. You definitely owe your hubby a great back rub at minimum. Mine would also go along with the posted pic but secretly would want to kill me lol.
Since this post is late I hope you had a great time, that your hubby didn't kill you and that you have a wonderful holiday season.
A new friend,
Beth

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS said...

OM*G....You are TOTALLY my new inspiration infatuation! I 'just' came across your post on HGTV's RateMySpace - because Kayla had mentioned your post for her New years Eve recap post on the Design Happens Blog.(I'll probably be sharing pics, post & link-backs to you on my blog).

I read your profile - visted your links - especially over on flickr - and I'm HOOKED!

LOVE * YOUR * STYLE !

and BTW: Congrats Elizabeth on your accomplishments and Happy (Belated) Birthday!

!HAPPY NEW YEAR!
xo Lynda

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS said...

Just wanted to let you know ~ I featured your "Moment In Time" tablescape on my blog (FOCAL POINT) ~ including linkbacks to your RMS post and your blog. Been tweeting the post too ~ just adore it!

Happy NEW Year to you!
xo Lynda

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