Visiting Broadway in my 40's.....how it's changed

The Book of Mormon

I didn't know what to expect from this Broadway show.  Needless to say I didn't think I'd laugh out loud the way I did.  I was in stitches, just another way of saying it hurt to laugh.  I'm so glad I wore my comfy clothes: my self made Brooklyn t-shirt, stretchy long skirt and even longer cardigan.  I wanted to be comfortable when placed between two very tall men (which I was).  I was straight on and right in the middle of the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on West 49th St.  It was a glorious feeling to come out at intermission (the photo above) and feel like "Wow, you know what it's not my personal feelings, it's art, it's somebody else's interpretation of their art.  I can appreciate it.

Written by the creators of South Park (Comedy Central), Matt Stone and Trey Parker created a skillful take on the satire.  The lead actors played by the understudies in this Saturday night performance was done with such perfection, I the harsh critic had not a word of judgement (a complete pun if your considering the work of the playwright here).  

The lead songs at times seemed long but nothing where my restless leg syndrome kicked in.  I couldn't help but feel for the 6'4" of 5" man sitting next to me with his likewise tall daughter.  As I recall not a person flinched in this majestic theatre; it was as quiet as central Manhattan could be.....we'll until the sing-along tune "Turn it Off" was heard by the both of us.  When my husband is at attention when ten men are singing on stage and it's not Imagine Dragons, we'll then you've done well.  

In this play-musical I had to pay attention, no wait, really pay attention. There is religion and the talk of Mormonism and to get the nuances and the sarcasm as a Christian was we'll a job but I didn't mind.  Once again it was the playwright's art and not necessarily his belief's or feelings about Mormonism.  I choose to look at it that way and understand that my feelings about religion and spirituality are rooted and strong and sacred to me.  Laughing was a good outlet in this venue and I have to say in my 20's I just wouldn't of gotten the whole deal, the play, the concepts. 

The 30's on Broadway were reserved for Man of LaMancha, The Producers, and Disney musicals I know you know (before kids by the way!).  Now in my 40's I have an ethereal appreciation for the art of theatre.

On my way out of the theatre after such hearty laughs, my husband asked me if I missed the stage and my answer is still no I don't. After I gave birth to my daughters in 2009, my thoughts never strayed to the stage.  From 1997 to 2009 I worked on stage, behind stage, and in between.  It took over.  I thought about going back and directing in my beautiful hometown of Annapolis, Md and then a few short months before the read-thru's I opted out.  It was the right decision.

I wanted to spend the summer with my family, my garden, and work on my bustling new home decor business.  Theatre is still sweet and perfect and fun but it's obvious that it takes long hours and a sincere commitment to make the art work and convince the audience you believe.

In the Book of Mormon's performance on July 19th, I was convinced this cast knew what they were doing, liked what they were doing and it showed.  I dedicate the photo above to my dear friend, actress and model Anastasia Summers who loved the art of make believe, the camera, and make up artistry.  Rest in peace my friend: 1974-2009.

  

  

Hell's Kitchen Flea Market and that one dress

When I visit the great big and wonderful New York City, I never get to a flea market and Hell's Kitchen Flea Market on 39th & Ninth Avenue was a special surprise!  It was on my to-do list in life and voila, I stumbled upon it!  My partner in life, husband and soul mate (lucky me!) and official photographer of this blog gave me a special birthday trip to the city which included a cruise around the Statue of Liberty and a Broadway show! But no one ever mentioned the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market................happy.

Part of the trip was funded by his employer and HBO and the other, us.  I couldn't wait to get back to the city again.....the excitement, the people, the action, all of it bustling with activity and wonder. A flea market: bonus.

As Patrick and I headed out after a yummy omelet at Lenny's we turned a couple of corners and what do you know, we ran into the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market!  Okay this is when I shut down with my husband.  Like most people who shop a flea market, you should get focused, have your dollars stashed away, and be ready to make the deal.  I was not prepared for this.  We moved from the Hudson Valley part of New York so I was always ready to purchase.  Here I was in a constant daze.  The weather was overcast and the booths were lined up like soldiers ready to attack.  This is New York City I say to myself.  I got this. I got this.  My husband is so super confident and skilled at handling my meandering, it's not unlikely that we get separated and ultimately he finds me pondering at item only to tell me, I wouldn't.  He means, "I wouldn't buy that......I wouldn't buy that waste of time.....I wouldn't it's junk." He knows.

In Patterson, NY  at the Patterson Flea Market I was famous for coming back home with something.  Even my kids would come back with the cutest things, an iconic children's storybook or an adorable Beanie (wash these once at home) but as luck would have it, I was not having much chutzpa at the HK market.  As a matter of fact I was searching for some kind of a buy.....desperate for a piece of McCoy Pottery to scream out BUY ME but I managed to avoid those purchases too!  After a satisfying run along the Hudson River to downtown Manhattan, I promised myself I would return to HK and be successful and thus I was.  Smile.

Walking to a tent filled with Indian clothing, I happily stumbled upon a pretty little dressy number, a dressy number just my style.  Totally casual with flowers, very Woodstock.  The lovely lady running her shop gave it away for $10.  I was one happy Momma and will decorate my dressy number with long gold and silver chains I've inherited over the years.  Sweetly Decorated, just the way I like life and my surroundings.  What do you look for at flea markets?  Please share with me, I'd love to hear about it!  For more information on the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market go to hellskitchenfleamarket.com 

"What to Expect When You're Expecting", a warm hug and wisdom

I was extremely fortunate to meet the incredibly wise author and mother to all Heidi Murkoff. I don't find myself at many trade shows but in my career as a former struggling model/actress/struggling writer I've had the good fortune to meet several talented authors, actors and musicians. Let's just say I've been extremely blessed.......

On a 15 minute break from working the booth at Miralax (the powder that helps you go potty) I was able to walk the show floor and explore the various booths in attendance at the annual Pediatrics show. I saw stacks of the books "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and people crowded around an obviously pretty lady: the author, Heidi Murkoff.

I'm not sure what propelled me to fall into her arms and divulge my current terrible two woes concerning my twin daughters but as fate would have it, I would confess my wrongdoings as a parent and hopefully Heidi would offer up some miracle cure as to when my girls would subside in going 15 rounds with one another. :)

I was graciously given a warm hug and told it would get better.  She did ask me how I was handling it and praised me for how I've handled it thus far. I can't remember exactly what advice she gave but I do remember feeling relieved I met her and then she signed a copy of her book " What to Expect the Second Year."  I left the trade show floor at 4 pm with the other zillions of imports fleeing D.C. to get home to their families thinking how thankful I was for that meeting with Heidi Murkoff, how safe I felt in telling her about my failings as a parent and how grateful I am for my husband and sweet little daughters. Nothing is perfect in family life. We have to remember that. Sometimes the tough parenting is the hardest part and the sweet stuff follows-you hope and pray and that's all you can do. It turns out, I'm in the throws of the terrible 4 1/2's......

Remember Billy, he's doing the best that he can." -Ethel Thayer, On Golden Pond-1984 (my favorite film)

Adorning your walls with bird prints

It's as if I turned 40 and birds started to mean more to me or I gave birth and bird watching became more sentimental and slowed down the aging process!!  Recently turning older (I don't have to throw out that number!) I found myself buying an aged old framed print of a male and female bird of some kind hanging onto a vine.  The colors muted, vintage, a gold frame.

The dealer offering 50% off all items in her booth was nice but not knowing this was her framed art, I browsed "Stallion's Antiques" in Leesburg, Va and found out I was in luck. My print at $69 was reduced to $34 and I wasn't leaving without it. There were some minor wrinkles in the print but after observing carefully the tones and beautiful greys within the feathers of the said birds, I was hooked.  With the lighting just so, you would never see the wrinkles. No matter. This matted and gilded frame of "loverly" (My Fair Lady reference) birds would adorn the wall above my toilette (aka powder room) and every time I find myself in the said room washing finger paint off my worn hands, I will have reminded myself that on my 41st birthday (oops I let it be known!) within the Blue Ridge Mountains, with my 63 year old beautiful mother, I bought this work of art-for a spit and that it made me happy once upon a time. My daughters will hopefully not fight over it after I'm gone....and I will know, happily that I raised them the right way. Smile.

Rockin' the July 4th Party Table!

When I host a party, it has to be over the top!  I like decorations, I like festivity, and I LOVE food.  For me it's not enough to have hot dogs and hamburgers, turn on the grill and invite guests over (and not necessarily in that order).  I have to research recipes, go shopping at the last minute and run around like a crazy person for my guests!  This is TRUE and sometimes there is no stopping me.  I think I got a lot of looks in the grocery store but I was on a mission and actually so were the other customers!  Can anyone say where are the thin crips pretzel thins!!!!!

My table. 

But I love to see people happy and once the hard work is done, it's worth every happy smile at the end of a long day.  The weather for our party was impeccable.  A nice sunny breeze, my kids were happy and painted with red, white and blue stickers and the guests were beginning to arrive.  My husband and I love music playing in the background so there's no shortage of a variety of pop, jazz, and contemporary tunes playing from our INano.

I use burlap runners, lots of candles, and colorful plates and serve ware.  My history with chalkboard announcement placards have been the favorites of my customers.  They love what I do with chalkboard paint and even though this may seem like a passing trend, I reassure you it's not.  Chalkboards have been around for years and years and I don't think they're going anywhere!  We've just found new uses for them.

For example, my little signs were crafted from little pieces of pine wood from the dollar store and then spray painted black and attached with a popsicle stick.  Thanks to my daughter's for saving all those refreshing sticks for later uses.  I always preach Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!!!

There was dancing, horseshoeing, sparklers and bubbles.  After an article on the Maxwell family in Better Homes and Gardens (July 2014), I just knew I wanted to recreate a 4th of July memory worth waiting for next year!  I think our family and friends will want to come back for our party next year and how about this, no pesky bugs were present!  It was just a great day overall; the food, the smiles everywhere, and even the neighbors came over for a while...... a blessing not just for our family but thankful for our founding fathers for not giving up.  :)

Sophie and Mommy, photo by Marie Lilly