The day started out with snow. Lots of snow. But neither sleet nor snow nor the giant puddles on street corners could deter us. Even a missed train didn’t stop us.

Anyway, back to the topic.

When we got there, we picked up our tickets and headed into the audience holding pen – two white rooms decorated with a variety of cat and dog photographs like the ones that are shown during the show’s opening credits. There were plates of these amazing chocolate brownies cupcakes for us to snack on from the The SoNo Baking Company & Cafe with bottles of Vitamin Water to wash it down. Mmmm. It was good. It was the kind of sweet that melts in your mouth and inevitably causes choruses of mmms, mid-bite.

(Note to self: must check out the bakery next time I am nearby Norwalk)

In any case, we were ushered into the studio shortly before 2 p.m. It was BRIGHT in there, for sure. I’ve been to quite a few shows over the years, and this was the first time I looked at a set and said “Wow, it’s so much bigger than I expected!” As usual I got the stage bug and fantasized about me being on television, or at least behind the scenes.

Joey, whose title and last name I do not know (bad journalist *slaps hand*), got the crowd prepped and going with hand clapping and throwing out giveaways before the show started and during the commercial breaks (even though it was taped, they took the breaks). I got a Microplane (R) Zester/Grater, which is something I had really been wanting. Yay! I can’t wait to use it!

Everything with the show moved so fast, although when I watched it Friday it actually seemed to move at a slower pace. Coincidentally, you can catch a glimpse of my mother and I when actress Stephanie March makes her entrance. I’m the one in bright pink.

Other than that, my observations:

• Martha has very thin legs and looks pretty youthful
• The moving camera, which is operated by Eddie, gets right up into people’s faces
• Giveaways included flax seed meal, seeds, chicken broth and magazines
• Everything is high energy, except Martha, who is more low-key