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This blog has been very silent for quite sometime. I was extremely busy this summer with family visiting and then I went to India for 6 weeks. After I got back, I did not feel like updating this blog. I have been updating my other two blogs though. But today, it was a little exciting and it would have been lot more exciting, had I know about this particular event. It all happened this evening.

It all started because of my photo blog. I decided that from today onwards, all this month, the theme for that blog would be “holiday spirit”. I have already posted a few holiday related pictures on that blog but from now on, most of the pictures would be of holiday lighting, decoration and window displays. The first holiday lighting I remember seeing this year is the snowflake on the intersection of 5th avenue and 57th street. Hence, I thought I would kick-start the theme with the snowflake. So I walked down to 5th avenue, got my picture and headed back home.

On my way home was Crate and Barrel and I reluctantly walked towards the store to pick up a few bowls, I was meaning to purchase for sometime. As I got closer to the store, I saw the store crowded and I was even more uncertain if I should stop by. Then I noticed a long line and that seemed very unusual and wondered why? During the holiday season, the store is busy, but never this crowded and right then I knew there was something going on inside, perhaps a book signing ceremony. Now I was curious to know what was going on in there and walked into the store. I asked the guard and she confirmed, it was in fact a signing ceremony and that of Barefoot Contessa’s Ina Garten!  I walked around the store to catch a glimpse of her and of vain.  Then I saw few people holding their iPhones and cameras to take a picture and I peeked in that direction and there she was! She looked exactly as she does on food network! She was surrounded by many fans to get their book signed.  The line was so long, it ran all around the store and would have taken me at least 30 – 45 minutes to get to her.  I for one, do not have that much patience to stand in line to get a book signed!   Now that I saw her, I wanted her picture.  I pulled out my camera and by then, the view I had of her was blocked and unfortunately, I could not get her picture.  I walked out of the store and headed home.

As I walked home, the more I thought about the event, the more I wanted her autographed book cook!  I watch her shows on food network, I tried at least couple of her recipes, lemon yogurt  cake and Tuscan Lemon Chicken which I mentioned here. I would have loved to have a signed cookbook and meet her in person!  I wished I had know about the event in advance, so that I could have better planned my day and got there early to get a signed copy. May be next time! I do get emails from Williams Sonoma whenever they have a signing event and never from Crate and Barrel. May be I should sign up again to their email circulation to get an update of their on going events.

On hindsight, had I gotten an email from the store about this signing ceremony, I probably would not even  have gone to the ceremony.  I usually don’t get excited about such events.  Today, since I happened to be there, I got carried away and wished I had known about the event.  However, after today’s experience, if there is a signing ceremony of any chef that I know and follow, I think I will attend.

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