How I really enjoy you.  I have used many of your ideas and done them up in my own special way.  Your recipes have been made in our house year after year, cookies, rolled turkey with todd, cakes…  I even almost applied for a job in your offices just after my husband and I got married.  I chickened out at the thought of going to New York for the interview.

So today, when you (or one of your assistants) Tweeted that you were taking questions live on the air on Sirius Radio, I figured, why not.  I dialed the number and had the question ready that I have wanted to ask you for several years now.  But, your assistant wasn’t sure you would want to or know the answer so she encouraged me to think of another question. The only thing that came to mind was to ask you how to keep my fresh greenery fresh.

You probably thought, who is this Canadian girl asking me about a fresh tree?  Go artificial already!  You were quite sweet though and gave me a few suggestions including using prelit artificial garland that you are selling through Grandin Road and appropriately had on your show today.

But, just in case you drop by my little site, here is the real question I wanted to ask.  Why do you reuse so many of your photos in your magazine?  Sometimes you have a new recipe or at the very least a new spin on an old recipe, but instead of using a new photo you (and I mean your magazine, not you personally) reuse the same photo year after year.  Since I am a photographer it really plays on my heartstrings that a new photo can’t be taken to freshen things up.  That was my real question.  Bear in mind that I have many years worth of Martha Stewart Living gracing my bookshelves that I reference often and I still get inspired by your magazines.

Thank you for the opportunity to call in today, I never thought in a million years that I would get the chance to ever talk to you and certainly it wouldn’t have been about my Christmas tree and garland.  It was fun and truly made my day.

And most of all, I was so happy that these guys didn’t start fighting or screaming while I was talking to you.

Thank you,

BeachMama  from Ottawa, Canada

And the first snow fall.

We made it until November 30th for the real first snowfall and accumulation of the year. But, true to form J was raring to go. Apple doesn’t really appreciate snow yet, but after her ride around the backyard after school yesterday she may be a little more excited when we get another drop.

I was able to sneak a few photos through the window as J pulled Apple back and forth across the lawn.

That was one of those rare Brother/Sister moments that I was so happy to catch. I just feel badly that Apple won’t be able to return the favour for a few years as he is just that much bigger than she is.

Today was Day 1 of the 25 Days of Christmas that Andrea started up. We prepared a little something for the kids that was supposed to be all in one box, but after I spent an hour setting up the Playmobil Advent Calendar for Apple, I was in no mood to stuff it in a box. So we set up the Advent’s on the table with some Old Fashioned (Frosty, Rudolf..) movies wrapped up, Home Alone 2, and some Christmas Music. We were going to throw in pj’s but I was having trouble finding what I wanted so will add those in this week sometime.

Both kids were on fire when they woke up this morning, jumping all over me in bed while Hubby did his shower thing. Finally, we were able to come down to the kitchen and they went straight for the table and started opening up the stuff. It was quite exciting. J was even explaining to Apple how she could only open one door each day to find a surprise inside.

And then, I was off for my shower and true start to the day. 6am is early.