Hey Amy!

I do not know where to begin with this post. The beginning, some of you are saying and of course, that is the logical place to start. However, I am so overwhelmed by the story that I simply have no idea where to begin.

Last month I read a tweet from The Martha Stewart Show about an upcoming show that was focused on siblings. The tweet encouraged we readers to go to the website for more details. Each of you can imagine my respect and admiration for all things Martha. I share that same respect and admiration of my brother so I thought I would apply. I cannot recall the complete process details for the initial application. It was a standard audience request for tickets as much as I can recall but had a twist. If chosen for the show Martha wanted us to come dressed alike or in matching color outfits. I loved the request. I presumed they would be inundated with responses and we would have a small chance of getting in.

A couple weeks later I was in PA with my family and I remember telling my brother that I had yet to hear anything from the show so I suppose ‘they didn’t want us’. We had a laugh about it, thought the idea was great and knew we would enjoy watching the show when it aired. The following week I get the email from the audience of the MSS telling me we had been accepted! I was so excited and honestly could not believe it. In the email we were instructed to RSVP to the show with the number of tickets needed, share what matching color top or outfit we will wear and share a favorite memory about your sibling. Of course I had two to submit:

1. When my interest turned to cooking and baking, our mother got everyone in the family as well as dear friends to contribute to a recipe box. Garnet’s recipe was for toast. You can see the recipe card over there to the right. I attached the recipe card to the email thinking they may get a laugh out of reading it. He very well could be the wittiest man I know.
2. The summer between my junior and senior year of college, I found myself having to attend summer school if I wanted to graduate on time. Working to put myself through school, I was always broke and this was an expense of which I was not prepared. I called Garnet because I knew he was hoarding his paper route money. He was only 16. He paid for my tuition. At 16. What a giving brother. (BTW, I paid him back when I got my next paycheck.)

I got busy seeking matching red shirts for us. I chose red because I thought a traditional red may be very easy to fine. I also knew my Mom loved us both in red. I discovered them on my girl’s shopping trip in Philadelphia the following week. Simple.

The Thursday prior to the taping, I got a VM from a production assistant named Noelle asking me if I had any great stories about my brother I wanted to share with them. I returned her call and shared that I had included two of my favorite stories. I asked Noelle if she had a chance to read the email. She said that the shows producers wanted them to call all the people coming to the show (I later found out in line that no one else had been called who were standing around us). I shared the stories again, told her how excited we were to attend, and thanked her for the opportunity to participate in a fun themed show.

Fast forward to Monday night when Garnet arrived in the city with a framed picture of the two of us from our childhood that mother had sent.  She thought “perhaps Martha would like to see the two of you in matching outfits before”.  I had a great laugh and decided I needed to take not only ‘the Garnet Gourmet recipe card’ but also this framed picture.

Tuesday arrives and we are checking in at the show when I whip out my framed picture to show to the young woman who is reviewing ID’s. I say to her “Our Mom thought Martha may want to see that we have been dressing alike for a long time”.  She laughed, looked at the picture and then found our names on the list. She then handed us our tickets along with a green card and explained that the card meant the producers MAY want to speak to us later. Garnet and I are not sure if we were marked on the list to receive this green card or did my frame exhibition prompt the receiving of this Golden Ticket.

After signing the release forms, the warm up guy, Joey Kola, asked the audience if anyone wanted to cook with Martha. Garnet and I raised our hands along with just about everyone else in this pre-studio waiting room. Then the producers came in and asked if anyone had a green card. I raised my hand and they asked us to come with them. Two other sets of siblings also had a green card–one set of sisters and one brother/sister set.  The staff interviewed us informally in a hallway and asked about ourselves. I was beaming for the opportunity and again, cannot recall what sorts of questions they asked.  I simply remember telling them about how much I love to bake and cook as well as some funny stories about Garnet.  They looked at the picture as well and the recipe card. I was on cloud nine. Not going to lie.

The team who interviewed us went up stairs and brought back what must have been the senior producer. Again, I was having so much fun, I have completely forgotten her name (where are my manners???? I am disappointed in myself). She asked additional questions, including what we did for a living, why we were here, anything else we wanted to share and if we wanted to cook with Martha! She left and her team told Garnet and I they felt certain we were going to be the chosen ones and asked us to return to the waiting area with the remaining audience members. We walked back into the room and many of our new friends from the line were smiling, waving and giving us the thumbs up. They were all so lovely and encouraging. Ahh, the kindness of strangers.

Before I knew it, we were being whisked upstairs to hair and make-up while the team shared with us what we were doing. Bradford the make-up guru touched me up a bit but said overall I looked great. I was thrilled! As we were sitting in the chairs, Martha’s sister Laura walked in and I about had a heart attack.  They look exactly alike.  I heard her say she was on the show that day so I hoped we would sit close to her.

After hair and make up, our main contact Ellen took us into the studio to review what we would be doing and where we were sitting.  The studio is more gorgeous than you see on TV.  It really is a stunning array of colors, textures and visuals with all the attention to detail one would expect from Martha.  I am not sure there is anything domestic she does not do well.

Much to my pleasure, we were seated next to Martha’s sister Laura who is an absolute delight.  I enjoyed visiting with her throughout the hours in the studio as much as I did cooking with Martha. I am not going to tell you what we made or the details of our time with Martha. I am saving that for the air date of May 20. I want to share that I have been around my fair share of productions from TV shows to concerts to special events. I have never been with a happier nor more pleasant group of people than those who gave my brother and I a memory that will last a lifetime. Thank you Martha Stewart Show staff. You are the best in the business.

xo–me

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