Awards, Pizza and Belated Valentines

This weekend was a head spinner. Saturday morning, Ella and I got mani/pedis. This might sound a bit indulgent but I had a big event to attend and it seemed like a good chance to sneak in a little special Mommy & Daughter time. After doing glam time in the chair, we picked up some sandwiches (or salad, in Ella's case) and met the boys at the park. The kids played like crazy monkeys until it was time for Milo's nap. Ella and I then took off to see a play for children; a version of the "Princess & the Frog". We had a lot of fun. And then we zipped back home so I could get ready for my event... the Art Director's Guild Awards!

This was the first time I have worked on a show that was nominated for such a prestigious award. We were up for Best Production Design in a Multi-Camera TV Series for Hell's Kitchen Season 6. It is a tough category because we also go head to head with sitcoms and variety shows. This year our stiffest competition was "How I Met Your Mother". They usually wipe the stage with my art director's tux. But surprise! We WON! It was the first award to be handed out for the evening and I truly expected to lose. But when they announced, "And the winner is... Hell's Kitchen!" I looked at my compadres and gasped! We headed up to the stage to collect our trophy. While I was standing up there all I could think about were the people I knew that were sitting in the audience... Mel Brooks, Warren Beatty, Gene Wilder and James ("I am taking the planet by storm!") Cameron! This little, behind the camera gal was petrified! But then I was consumed with pride as I walked a bit taller around the ballroom of the Beverly Hilton. I have to say that it feels pretty darn good to be a part of an industry that is so special. And to be surrounded by so many talented people. It was one of the great high points of a career that has already brought me so much joy.

It was a late night, but one that I would GLADLY do over and over again!

We dragged our keisters out of bed (not easy) and I attempted to make a new recipe out of the Babycakes cookbook, with only marginal success. Thankfully the kids gobbled up the "Johnnycakes" which I think were supposed to be flat but ended up looking a lot more like a biscuits. The taste was there, but might take some technical work on my part should I ever attempt them again!

We also tried a new restaurant that I have been hearing a lot about called Pizza Fusion. All organic, with gluten-free pizza options. Ella was thrilled and the pizza really was delicious. Lately, I feel like we are eating more and more pizza than I ever have in my life. But with a few of these places adopting GF menus, combined with the fact that kids intrinsically love pizza make our visits a no-brainer. (See my review, below.) Overall, a fantastic meal. And we had enough left-overs for dinner. Which was perfect since no amount of coffee could help rescue me from my exhaustion haze.

With all of that craziness, I was unable to complete my desired task of the day... wheat-free and GF sugar cookies for Valentine's Day. Thankfully, tomorrow is President's Day and the kids will be looking for something fun to do. So the dough is chilling in the fridge and tomorrow we shall bake and decorate!

Hope everyone is having a safe and happy weekend. Happy Valentine's Day! Happy President's Day!