It’s cold outside and thank goodness I have my Violet to cuddle up and sit on my lap to keep me warm. She’s better than a blanket, in fact right now while working on the computer writing this blog she is fast asleep on my lap this close to me at all times, offering me some extra heat and well-deserved schnauzer love.

That said, the sprinkle of snow today reminds me of winters past, and that’s there’s work to be done. Yes, with February just around the corner I’ve already had my trees trimmed and all holiday representations removed. Just a rule I keep, that everything needs to be gone come Jan 15th. Now that that is done, I can begin to review my collection of gardening design books and get inspired during these cold days in Connecticut. I also find myself in the garden studio, playing in the dirt as it were, creating fabulous spring-inspired arrangements to display as a mind trick that spring has arrived in my home. Truth be told, with spring still 50 days away my abundance of vessels are filled with daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses. Lush green textures and fragrances helps hold me over until then.

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I got a chance to meet and interview the incredibly talented cast of the first Broadway revival of “The Miracle Worker .” Previews begin February 12, at the Circle in the Square Theater, a perfect intimate setting for this powerful play that tells the story of Helen Keller and the extraordinary teacher, Annie Sullivan, who taught her to communicate with the world.

Academy Award Nominee, Abigail Breslin, is making her Broadway debut as Helen. She says she has been inspired by Helen Keller, after first reading the book when she was 7. She is also a big, big Twilight fan! Abigail is also making a movie with Johnny Depp, coming out next year.

Alison Pill, who starred in the Oscar winning movie Milk and “In Treatment” on HBO, plays Annie Sullivan, a very emotionally and physically charged role. She says working in theater in the round is like being in a gladiator ring, and by the way, she loves the intimacy of the theater and complexity of her character.

Jennifer Morrison of “House” fame, plays, Kate Keller, Helen’s mother, and it’s also her Broadway debut. It is her dream to be on Broadway, she has been doing theater since she was a little girl. And, all you House fans out there…she said you will not be disappointed by her return!

Tony award winning actress Elizabeth Franz, plays Aunt Ev, and the brilliant director, Kate Whoriskey, is helping these complex women gel.

Veteran Actor Matthew Modine, plays Captain Keller, who is not sure what to make of Annie Sullivan, a northern catholic girl, coming to live with their very southern ways. He said the play is more modern then you would think and that Helen’s struggle can easily be one of this century, drugs or alcohol. Matthew is having a great time working on “projecting” his voice in the round theater. He of course is all about the environment and bicycling. You have to check out his website, he has a great reel of his work, and you can also find out more about his charities.

We will have a full story on Better February 10th!

My first trip to the Napa Valley area will forever be one to cherish. My dear friend Jason was celebrating his 50th birthday and what better way for a wine aficionado to celebrate than to visit the wineries. That said, along the way I met some wonderful, knowledgeable people that help made this a memorable experience of a lifetime.

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Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of making friends with lots of lovely single women, many of whom have been married once or twice. Sooner or later their desire to be with a man quickly became the “hot topic” of many of our conversations. Before I knew it I was the “how to find a man” resource for other women as well. I’ve helped them all from what not to wear to what not to do or say. That said, recently one of my dear friends, who shall remain nameless, broke-up with her three year on and off relationship. If you’re a fan of Bewitched you’ll remember Samantha Stevens’ Mother Endora who could never get Darren’s name right. Come to think of it neither could her Father, the distinguished, always wearing a fabulous tuxedo, Maurice. Truth be told I’m very protective of my friends and if they’re dating someone who I feel is not treating them right, I often get their names wrong, sort of accidentally on purpose. Derwood, Ding-dong and Dumbo are just a few examples of the names I used to refer to them. Never to their face, of course, as I’m too polite for that.

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Thanksgiving is over and we had many things to be thankful for this year: a successful career, good health, love, and friends and family. Thanksgiving for me has many family memories, some good and some bad. For example, one year my father did a nose-dive right into the turkey as he prepared to carve it. We laughed and laughed, as Mother (Aurora) took him off to bed and told the story how “he had been up since 5am cooking the 25 lbs turkey.” Later we learned he had been “celebrating” since 5am, too.

November is quickly coming to an end, and December will bring even more holiday good cheer, but first I must reflect on this year’s Thanksgiving feast—a modern new twist to the traditional Thanksgiving turkey. Wanting to do something different, I passed on the bird idea and decided to do something that perhaps the pilgrims could have done had they have thought of it. Fresh two-pound lobsters! That’s right, two-pound lobsters. Yum yum. The lobster tank was full and I had a wide selection of lobsters to choose from. I began to ponder as I waited for them, giving lobster thanks to the lobster tank. With my lobsters in hand I was stopped by many last minute shoppers asking “Are you having lobster’s today? What a great idea.” I was proud to say “yes,” a modern twist to a traditional holiday.

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I had the incredible pleasure of stepping into Chef Thomas Keller’s kitchen at Per Se this afternoon. It is one of the most pristine kitchens I have ever seen.

We had the fortune to be able to talk with Chef Keller and Chef de Cuisine Dave Cruz while they whipped up three incredibly delicious and gorgeous dishes from Thomas Keller’s new book “Ad Hoc At Home”.

The first — perfect Iceberg slices, with bleu cheese and a twist of oven roasted tomatoes. Chef Cruz, created a beautiful broccolini side dish and finally the two chefs teamed up for a Leek Bread Pudding that was more like a quiche.

You will find a lot of care and tenderness in the book’s recipes, including one of his father’s favorites that Chef Keller prepared for him just before he passed away.

Make sure to watch our full story with Chef Thomas Keller December 7th on Better, check the time in your local market. You can also catch it on bettertv.com

Get Thomas Keller’s fried chicken kit!

It takes big and small miracles to make the world go round.  Some of us dream to be famous, while others dream about having a puppy…

I interviewed Josselyne Herman, high profile manager in the acting/music industry, who said that ALL of her dreams in her lifetime have come true, including having been a pop star!!

Check out the interview:

CLICK HERE

Most of us have had dreams come true, even if we haven’t experienced being a pop star.  One of mine was my twin girls being born, and another one was becoming a SCUBA diver – dreams come in all shapes and sizes!

What was your most recent dream that came true?

Judy Goss, Better’s Lifestyle Expert

Stars on four legs and two turned it out last night for the dogcademy gala to benefit the North Shore Animal League at Cipriani’s on Wall Street. The green carpet was laid out, grand dog and cat sculptures lined the gorgeous ballroom.

Beth Stern, who is the North Shore Animal League spokesperson and huge dog lover, left her bulldog Bianca at home and brought along husband Howard Stern.

Beth’s dress was also being auctioned off to raise money. Howard was keeping his Tom Ford outfit. He loved Lauren’s vintage Thierry Mugler. Howard talked about Rosie O’Donnell jumping on the Sirius bandwagon, and that it was a good thing to have a place she can say whatever she wanted.

Fashion designers lent their touch to the evening donating dog collars they designed. From Issac Mizrarahi, to Betsey Johnson and even Christie Brinkley. You have a chance to buy one of these fabulous collars at CharityBUZZ and of course it all goes to a great cause!

Along with chatting with Beth and Howard Stern, Lauren was on the green carpet where she caught up Diane Neal from Law & Order, Ron Dipierto, the hunky Islanders goalie, singer Diane Birch, and gala host, Geraldo Rivera.

Catch Lauren’s gala coverage November 17th on Better in your market and on our site!

It was Christmas a month early in the New 42nd Street Studios in Manhattan, where we got a sneak peek during rehearsal of the musical “White Christmas”, under the direction of Tony award winning director Walter Bobbie.

This year there is a brand new cast, including David Ogden Stiers as General Waverly. David has been in the show in Los Angeles and can’t think of anything better than to be part of this cast during this season on Broadway. He sings the praises of the musicals young star, Madeleine Rose Yen, who is making her Broadway debut after playing Susan in the Detroit production.

Also a new face to the White Christmas family is Melissa Errico, who plays Betty. She is heading back to the stage after taking some family time out. She is the proud mom of 3 year old Victoria and 10 month old twins with husband , US Davis Cup Captain, Patrick McEnroe.

“White Christmas” limited engagement begins performances November 13th at the Marquis Theater, guaranteeing another Merry Christmas.

It was Julia Stiles debut on Broadway in David Mamet’s Oleanna. Julia’s family and friends came to support her along with co-star Bill Pullman.

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