Dear Ina

Dear Ina,

You have been featured in my kitchen a dozen times, especially when it comes to chicken, from the roasted variety to herbed goat cheese. I love how you always have some fabulous friend/family member/celebrity over for one of your own delicacies. I appreciate your directions to always use "good" olive oil, "good" vanilla, and "good" salt and pepper, even though mine are likely from Fresh & Easy, Target, and Trader Joe's, respectively. I find them sufficient and quite tasty.

Anyway, you have a fan (well, duh, lots of them) in me for the entertaining you do weekly and I am making this public declaration to visit you in the Hamptons, visit the Barefood Contessa, and taste cheese and wine from one of those quaint fromage and vino establishments you frequent. Of course the table would be set with one of your amazing hydragea arrangements (which I'd like to discuss with you because I do not have a north-facing wall-what do you recommend? Keep buying!?!?!?!?)

Anyway, I think we could get along swell. I look forward to hearing from you. I'll even sell out my beau's famous steak*. I will be bold and say it may rival your restaurant-style steak. It's to die for, even my best girl said so.

Sincerely,

Erin Haselton, Orange County, CA

*he will not want the recipe on tv. Yep, it's that good. Don't you want an invite?