March 2007

The month of love was the happiest, most exciting February I remember. We were on book tour in Charlotte, North Carolina, when You Are Your Choices went into a third printing! This thrilled me beyond words as I jumped for joy at hearing the news from my editor Toni.

February 2nd, we had our ninth Happiness Weekend – the second one that wasn’t at the Inn at Stonington in Connecticut, where we have our sweet cottage. The Adam’s Inn in High Point, North Carolina hosted us magnificently. As always, this experience was touched with magic.

One friend came up from Florida to attend her fifth Happiness Weekend. Ginny is a loyal soul who makes friends easily and always has a wonderful time. She hopes to see us in Vero Beach, Florida, as well as later this month in Louisville, Kentucky, where her son and daughter-in-law live. Dear friends Anky and Mary Ann Petro came to High Point from Jackson, Mississippi. What a great reunion we had among old and new friends. Melanie Dunn and Lucie Patton, friends for twenty years, beautifully hosted our group at the Drexel Heritage Showroom, where I gave a talk about how to create a happy home. Melanie generously gave each of us a beautiful colorful pillow as a parting gift. Lucie, who designs upholstered furniture for Drexel, created these glorious pillows. We were all surprised by joy. At the Inn Saturday afternoon, I gave a Happiness seminar that was lively and especially interactive. Wendi, who sings like an angel, moved us all by singing “My Funny Valentine” and to end our session with a flourish, “Amazing Grace.”

Our Saturday evening Happiness banquet was delightful at the famed gourmet restaurant at the Inn. The dinner was memorably delicious and we all had great fun. We’ve already planned to have another Happiness Weekend at the Adam’s Inn February 29 through March 2nd of 2008 to celebrate Leap Year: Happiness for Two. To register, call Sue or Brittany at the Inn (336) 882-3267.

A new friend Clyda drove Peter and me to Charlotte from High Point, where we had several exciting book events and fun experiences, including a Super Bowl party and a remarkable luncheon event at the Culinary Institute. I met most interesting people, several of whom opened their homes and hearts to Peter and me. Grace is amazing!

Once home, I spent three days doing syndicated radio shows where hosts from all over the United States and Canada interviewed me about You Are Your Choices. Toni, my editor, came over for a work session by the fire one Friday afternoon, helping me finalize plans for my essays for Happiness for Two. It is such a gift to be writing about love and happiness again. This book is especially meaningful because Peter has written a most touching introduction.

We managed to sandwich a family wedding between travels, and had a wonderful time participating in Peter’s grand niece’s marriage to the love of her life on February 10th. That morning we were picked up at the apartment at 5:30 AM to go to New Haven where I was on the morning news show on Channel 8 to talk about You Are Your Choices.

Off we flew to Seattle, Washington, where I was a judge of 23 gardens at the Northwest Flower and Garden Show. I gave a talk, “Stress Reduction through Flowers,” and then “Bring Nature’s Colors into Your Home Décor.” Everyone was given a white or red long-stemmed rose on Valentine’s Day when they acquired a copy of my new book. Friends came from near and far. We had an intensely happy experience.

My good friend Carl Brandt’s son, Colin, lives in Seattle, where he has founded his own architectural firm. Peter and I last saw Colin in Rome eleven years ago when he was studying architecture. We met at one of his favorite restaurants on Valentine’s evening for a splendid time, telling stories, laughing and loving our time together.

We flew directly from Seattle to Washington, DC, to visit the “grands” – Nicholas, Anna and Lily. We went to the twin’s two different classrooms where they are in kindergarten. Lily had the day off, giving us the blessing to spend the day alone with her. My daughter Alexandra took us to a restaurant where Lily especially loves the pasta. In the afternoon Lily managed to beat me several times in the “memory game” before her sister and brother returned home from school. We played every game imaginable, made Valentines for friends and loved ones, told stories, read and re-read Valentine stories, and wrote some of our own. We were fortunate to avoid all the storms in our travels, but Washington, DC, had solid ice on the ground and we walked like ducks to be safe from falling. The Drexel Heritage pillows are now the magic pillows for the three grandchildren. How do you explain to five-year-old twins the concept of sharing their big magic pillows? Lily’s pillow was smaller and pink to match her room color. By the time we left to fly to New York, there was an understanding that one big magic happy pillow for the twin’s room was perfect. It lives on the rug and is now a favorite spot for reading stories.

On a snowy evening back in Connecticut, we had a book talk and signing in Mystic at Bank Square Books. The new owners, Sally and Jane, hosted a most enjoyable evening with wine, cheese and tulips. Jennifer, a most creative friend that Peter and I met at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck several years ago, drove down from the Cape in Massachusetts with her genial son, Andre. Jennifer has surprised us on several occasions, always sharing a spontaneous time filled with joy and good cheer.

We’re off to Nashville, Memphis, Oxford and Jackson, Mississippi, then back to Connecticut for a book event in Madison at the famous R.J. Julia Bookstore, where our friend Roxanne Coady will host a great evening. Please continue to check my calendar to see where we will be. This book and lecture tour will continue into early summer. I am challenging myself to share my message with as many people as possible. Many of the events are private, and when they happen not to be open to the public, I don’t post them, but most of them welcome all. Please also call for details because there might be time changes.

Our tour is not geographically linear or logical. We criss-cross, go here and there, go to Lexington, Kentucky and then Florida, then Louisville, Kentucky, with San Antonio, Texas, thrown into the mix. Please tell family and friends to join us. One of the greatest joys is to meet friends in these communities where our events take place.

In closing, a note of thanks to all our friends – new and old, who have helped so generously to have my twenty-fifth published book, You Are Your Choices: 50 Ways to Live the Good Life, be greeted with such celebration. Your guest rooms, your parties, your art galleries, your kitchen tables, have warmed our hearts and deeply nourished our souls. You’ve driven us, you’ve cared for us, and reminded us of the blessings of friendships and love. We’re deeply grateful! As photographs come in, we’ll post them on the Website.

You inspire me to write. My life is richly lived because I’m able to make meaningful connections because of the books I write.

Happy March! We’re moving toward Spring. I’m writing away and also working on some exciting projects I know you’ll find personally interesting. Until next month or when I see you, I send you great happiness and love.

Love & Live Happy

I cannot sell my new book to you directly, but I'm happy to send book plates for you and your friends. Please consider using my new book for a Book Club discussion. I would be happy to participate in your meeting by speaker phone!

Peter, Mary Ellen and Alexandra pose for a photograph at the Riot Relief Luncheon in New York City. Mary Ellen tirelessly assists Alexandra with her event scheduling. If you're interested to engage Alexandra for an event, send a message through Alexandra's website mailbox, Attn. Mary Ellen, and she'll help to schedule the event for you.

Peter and Alexandra are joined by Vicki and Joe, who delighted them at the Adams Inn Happiness Weekend in February. "Hey Vicki, We love you!"

Mary Ann and Alexandra - Thanks you Mary Ann for the fabulous photographs!

The Happiness Group!

Peter and Alexandra pose with Melanie of Drexel Heritage

Clyda, Mary Ann, Alexandra & Peter, Anky, Ariel and Mike

What a lovely 7-page piece in this month's Country Living magazine. Enjoy beautiful colorful photos of Alexandra's Happy Home.
(see more photos in Calendar section)