SKIING IN SNOWMASS

Ever since I was little my mom would take my sisters and me skiing in the winter. I was never a big fan, preferring to hang with mom in the lodge sipping hot chocolate or basking in the sun off the side of a trail with my stepsister, Leona.

Then one day, out of the blue I decided maybe I would move to Colorado and become a ski bum. It seems an odd choice for the fair weather skier, but I was a bit lost and confused about my next step in the world and Aspen seemed like a cool place to take my first real independent move.

I meant to stay for a year to “find myself” but instead I found love (my first love and first real boyfriend, Dallas) and fell head over heals for the mountain air. I stayed almost 4 years (year round). Legend says that the Arapahoe Indians put a curse on the mountains making it impossible to leave… I believe it.

Even now, almost 9 years later when the snow begins to fall and the mountain opens to skiers, I can’t help but return. I love the full on ski bum life, crashing on my friend’s couches, teaching skiing and playing in the snow (Peanut loves it too! He was born in Littleton, CO in May 2003 and still has a soft spot for the mountains. He loves running thru the snow wearing his little white sweater, freezing his little paws).

I am so blessed that Aspen Ski Company lets me come back and teach every year. When I first started I taught Bears (3-4 year old) and Grizzles (5-7 year olds) full time in Snowmass (the biggest of the four mountains in Aspen). It’s amazing how quickly these tiny kids pick up skiing. By the end of the third day most are ripping down Fanny Hill (the bunny slope).

Now when I return I mostly teach private lessons to kids that I have been teaching since they were little. One little girl named Sabrina, I have been teaching since she was a 3 year old who was more interested in drinking hot chocolate and coloring pictures than hitting the slopes. Now, at 9 years old, she cruises all 4 mountains at mock speeds and I totally have to push myself to keep up (I better keep working on my skiing or she is gonna be WAY better than me in no time)! It’s amazing to watch and be a part of that progression.

Through my teaching and my trips to Aspen, I have found an amazing love of skiing. I would rather be cruising on the blue runs, than hiking in double black diamond terrain any day BUT I would definitely rather be out skiing than sitting in the lodge with a hot chocolate (or working in an office for that matter)!

Skiing in Snowmass (Aspen) is FABULOUS!!

THE KENNEDY CENTER HONORS

Last week, my siblings and I traveled to Washington, DC for the KENNEDY CENTER HONORS where my mother was awarded one of the distinguished awards. Congrats to MOM!

Each year, the KENNEDY CENTER HONORS give national recognition to 5 individuals who through their lifetimes have made significant contributions to American culture through the performing arts. This year’s Honorees included my mother (beautifully, strong and talented performer, singer actress and above all great mom), Leon Fleisher (amazingly talent composer and pianist), Steve Martin (super funny comedian, actor, writer), Martin Scorsese (iconic academy award winning film-maker), Brian Wilson (kind hearted musician and songwriter best known for the Beach Boys).

I love Washington, DC so I was excited as we flew in over the Potomac River. I reminisced about my college days as I spotted Georgetown’s campus from high above.

The festivities started with a welcome brunch at the Kennedy Center. The invitation said business attire and we were by far the most shnazzy family in our designer duds surrounded by a sea of coats and ties (business in LA is very different than on the East coast). We sat at the front table with all the honorees and their families. I sat directly across from Steve Martin (I love him!) and pushed some nasty seafood stew around in my bowl (yuck!) The chairman of the Kennedy Center spoke and honoring began.

That evening, we dressed in black tie (I wore a pale pink floor length dress not a black tie) and headed to the State department for a Gala dinner hosted by Condoleezza Rice. Each of the honorees were toasted with a list of their achievements and highlights from their careers. It was a lovely affair (and it’s always fun to get all dolled up) and the food was better than at the brunch.

Back at the hotel that night, we hung out with the family and honored our mom in our own way (We laughed and snacked and watched movies). I am so fortunate to come from a supremely FABULOUS woman and have such a close-knit family!

The next day, I took off and strolled Georgetown (my old hood). I cruised the waterfront (Potomac river) and the boathouse where I spent almost every morning of my college career (I rowed varsity Crew all four years!) I checked out all the new high-end shops and boutiques (boy, have things changed in the many years since I lived here). I strolled across the campus and read my book on the lawn. It’s so weird to be back because its been years since I was a student here, but I don’t feel that much older and I don’t feel like it’s been that long (BUT it has been!)

That evening, we got all dolled up in black tie again and headed to the White House. There was some talk of boycotting because of conflicting political views with the president, but in the end it is not about politics. This is about the Arts and our Mom.

How odd to find myself in the Great Hall of The White House! I would never picture myself saddled up next to the President for a photo by a huge Christmas tree, but there we were. It was surreal, but cool and Bush was actually very personable and nice (I still may not think he is a FABULOUS president, but after meeting him I actually kinda felt bad for him.)

The president said a couple words about each of the honorees then we dined from a great buffet spread to the tunes of a choir. After dinner, we headed to the Kennedy Center for the actual taping of the TV honors.

Each of the honorees sat in the President’s box right in front of the stage (right next to the President) with their spouses seated behind them. My mom doesn’t have a significant other, so I was voted to fill the seat. We watched the touching and heartfelt tributes to Martin Scorsese, then Steve Martin, then Mom.

Smokey Robinson said a couple words from the Motown days then introduced the video montage off mom’s career highlights and achievements (Not a dry eye in the place. It was beautiful!) Jordan Sparks sang a Supreme’s medley, Vanessa Williams performed highlights from Mahogany and Lady Sings The Blues and Ciara rocked out to some of mom’s more recent 90’s hits. It as FABULOUS! You must tune in and watch when it airs on CBS December 26 at 9pm.

After the show, there was a grand dinner dance, but we stayed only a short time because everyone was exhausted and our flight was super early the next day. The KENNEDY CENTER HONORS were FABULOUS and the whole weekend a whirlwind of amazing experiences in our nation’s capital.

What a great honor for my mom to be recognized at such a high level for her talents and achievements. It was amazing to be able to be a part of this super FABULOUS weekend!

CHILDREN'S BOOKS

Congrats to me! I’ve finally gotten a FABULOUS book deal with HarperCollins and soon my books will be on the shelves of your local bookstore…. So keep your eyes peeled!

I’ve been working on a series of middle readers (chapter books with pictures) called BEAN’S BOOKS for what seems like FOREVER. Getting a book published is a super long process of creativity and perseverance. While sitting at the Coffee Bean or hanging out the library, I have been writing and writing, and writing some more. Now that writing is starting to pay off! I landed a great NY literary agent and now an impressive offer from one of the best, most highly acclaimed publishing houses. FABULOUS!

Even though the contracts are signed, there is still much work ahead of me (re-writes and more re-writes… so don’t hold your breathe while you are waiting for it to hit the shelves).

There are a ton of amazing children’s books out there to entertain you (and your kids) till BEAN’S BOOKS hit the shelves. Here are some of my favorites from childhood and many that have inspired my writing today:

Shel Silverstein is my number one favorite writers of all time. His books of poetry (WHERE THE SIDEWALK ENDS and THERE’S A LIGHT IN THE ATTIC) still inspire me, make me laugh and fill my heart with joy. Growing up, I would memorize poems from the collection and perform them for my family at dinner. I still know many by heart and they dance through my head right now as I write about them.

IF YOU ARE A DREAMER,
COME IN,
IF YOU ARE A DREAMER,
A WISHER, A LIAR’
A HOPE-ER, A PRAY-ER
A MAGIC BEAN BUYER…

Shel Silverstein also wrote THE GIVING TREE, an amazing story of love, sharing and giving. I keep this book on my shelf and still today give it as a gift to loved ones. It’s a beautiful story that makes me smile. Also by Shel Silverstein is THE MISSING PIECE about a circle missing a part and trying to find the one thing that will make him whole. THE MISSING PIECE is FABULOUS story of finding yourself and realizing you have everything inside to make you whole.

Other picture books that stand out from my childhood are those by Dr. Seuss. His rhythmic style is amazing. I can’t imagine how he came up with a whole book (actually a ton of books) that are completely in rhyme and still tell fun, silly stories. OH THE PLACES YOU’LL GO is my favorite. It’s an inspirational story that’s fun and the pictures and characters are amazing. I received multiple copies at both my high school and college graduations. Other standout titles by Dr. Seuss are HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, GREEN EGGS AND HAM and HOP ON POP. They are so funny with creative characters and silly pictures.

Another standout Picture book is WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Are by Maurice Sendack. This book opens up a wild world of imagination with Max in his wolf suit as your guide. This was one of my favorite bedtime reads.

When I started writing and my first lit agent suggested I write middle readers, I started to read all that was out there. There are a lot of ones that don’t stand out in this age group (which is why it was so exciting to step into this venue) but I did find a couple series that are FABULOUS!

The JUNIE B. JONES series is hysterical. Each story is relatable and funny. Targeted at a little younger age group than I write for, I still learned so much about character development from this series.

JUDY MOODY is also very current and hip with a fun and relatable characters. The stories are fun and a little closer to the audience I am writing for.

Another series that is still pretty new is CLEMENTINE. I like these because they have multiple story lines and more sophisticated writing, but are still fun, entertaining and dealing with real issues kids face.

When I was young, I loved all books by Beverly Cleary. She has an amazing talent to make you laugh out loud while reading about characters that are going through things you go through too. The Ramona series is what I aspire my BEAN’S BOOKS to be like. A young, fun, silly main character that we root for at every turn and yet feel for because of her shortcomings. The Ramona series was a long lasting, inspiring series that spanned not only books, but TV shows, film and merchandise (OH... the possibilities!! I’m can’ to captivate the world with my stories!)

Judy Blume is also a stand out author from my childhood. FRECKLE JUICE, SUPER FUDGE, TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING made me laugh and I understood the things the characters were going through (everyday struggles of regular kids growing up). Listening to my sisters read out loud from Judy Blume’s, ARE YOU THERE GOD, ITS ME MARGARET was the first I learned about girls maturing (getting boobs and periods and stuff). I giggled in the darkness, but related and delighted in Margaret’s growth and struggle.

If I can make people laugh the way SUPER FUDGE made me laugh, teach like I learned from MARGARET and relate to kids like RAMONA THE PEST, I will be the most ecstatic writer around!

Though I’m not big into fantasy and science Fiction, I have to give recognition to the Harry Potter series which brought a love of reading back to children in an age where TV rules. My brother was obsessed with the books and I read most as well (and saw the movies… Obviously!)

Another fantasy hit from my childhood was The Chose Your Own Adventure series. At the end of each page you could chose where to go and what to do. “If you want to travel to the moon, turn to page 6. If you choose to stay on earth and hide in the jungle go to page 12.”

I loved reading while I was growing up. Being a little awkward and a bit of a nerd, there was always a great escape waiting in the pages of a book. Kids these days use the TV for this same feeling, but a book can stimulate your mind in ways that a TV just serves to you. I still love reading today and I’m excited to bring my creative fantasies into the lives of young readers. It’s truly FABULOUS to be able to call myself an author!

Now it’s time for holiday shopping, people. Get out there and inspire young minds with BOOKS as presents!!