In only four months, the eponymous nationally syndicated show has been sold in 95 of the top 100 markets, or 93 percent of the country.

Katie is set to premiere in September, meaning Couric will have quite the busy summer!

I remember vividly giving up on old and stale coffee by the late afternoon. And I’d be annoyed spending 7 bucks a day on three cups of coffee. I like to do decaf, 7 bucks a day for three cups of decaf coffee is just dumb.

But this Keurig machine is the greatest thing ever. First of all, loading it up is as satisfying as loading a gun. I feel like I’m about to launch a rocket when I lock and load this thing. And then at the push of a button, like magic, I get a hot cup of coffee.

Ah February in the Hamptons, the things that get me excited these days…

They are made in the classic, Pennsylvania Dutch fashion, and the key for me is that they are healthy snack that tastes really good. You don’t get any of the heavy oils or sugars that are in most pretzels, and they are very crunchy and satisfying. There are all different types of versions, including a whole wheat one for those looking for the healthy boost.

My favorite is the one in the picture above, the extra dark. The extra dark reminds me of an extra toasted bagel that brings me back to the days of growing up. If you are in your house snacking on them, throwing some mustard on them is perfect. They also have an oat bran version.

You can buy Uncle Jerry’s online. Their website is very straightforward and easy to use. I have a coupon for them as well that I can share with you, so if you do buy anything type into the coupon area PMR21612DP and you’ll get a good discount.

We’ve shared the story before, but any story worth telling is worth telling twice (after all, isn’t overdoing it what Fat Tuesday is all about?). In the 1940s, New Orleans bar owner Pat O’Brien found himself with too much rum and too few rum-drinking customers (scotch was in short supply during WWII). The solution? Grab that rum and sweeten it up with fruit juices, pour it in hurricane lamp–shaped glasses and begin a legend. The drink is a big part of celebrations in the Crescent City, but just as celebratory on the East End.

Make Your Hurricane:

Mixology:

Mix ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, strain into glasses (need not be hurricane-lamp inspired), garnish and enjoy. Don’t be stingy—there’s enough for a second round.

Red Rooster  

Mixology:

Fill tall glass with ice, add vodka and fill glass to 3/4 full with cranberry juice. Top with orange juice. Stir and enjoy.

Red Snapper

Mixology: Combine ingredients in shaker with ice. Strain into highball glass. Enjoy.

Beaded Lady

Mixology:

Combine all ingredients—except bitters and soda—in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into tall iced glass. Top with bitters and soda, garnish with pineapple or orange slice and drink up.

Mardi Gras Milk Punch

Mixology:

Combine ingredients with ice and shake. Strain into ice-filled glass and enjoy.

If you have a favorite Fat Tuesday spot in the Hamptons, tell us about it here!

About $200 in art supplies later and a lot of support from my friend Colin Goldberg who is an artist and regularly sells his work. I found myself listening to Jimmy Buffet music on a Saturday night at 3 in the morning in Southampton painting in my condo.

It was an epic experience.

I haven’t painted anything since I was a kid in fourth grade in art school. But let me tell you, painting is one of the most pleasurable form of the arts. I think out of all of the arts, painting is the most enjoyable. Just the sound of the paint running across the canvas sounds good. The feel of the brush in your hand just feels right. And I think it is a very healthy thing to do for you mind. I was so tuned in to what I was doing. Nothing was distracting me. The only other times I have ever felt like this is when I used to go surfing or when I would go sailing.

I found myself wrapped up in putting paint to canvas and dazzled at the colors and the creation that was taking place before me. Painting is a spiritual experience. And there is an added pleasure doing it in the Hamptons because there is so much rich history and so much art out here.

The above painting was what I finally created after about four hours of complete and perfect focus. I ended up giving it to my neighbor who wanted it after he saw it.

There is a great paint store in Southampton, there is also one in Bridgehampton as well as East Hampton and Amagansett. It’s a really great thing to get into doing every once in a while and it clears your head. Get inspired and do a painting Hamptonites. And feel free to e-mail me and let me know how it goes.