Exciting Life Updates: My Cookbook, YouTube Journey, Land Purchase, and Van Renovation
Hi, friends! It’s been a little while since I’ve shared a glimpse into my personal life, and I thought it would be the perfect time for a comprehensive update. I have so many exciting developments to share, from the progress on my first cookbook to new adventures in content creation, a significant land purchase, and a thrilling van renovation project. If you’re here primarily for baking recipes, feel free to skip this post; I’ll be back next week with a delicious new buttercream recipe. But if you’re curious about what’s been happening behind the scenes, grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive in!
Today, we’re covering a lot of ground: the latest on my cookbook and exclusive preorder giveaways, the exciting launch of our YouTube video series (including a special recipe video we filmed!), our recent acquisition of 40 beautiful acres, and the incredible journey of our van renovation. It’s a snapshot of the major projects and personal milestones shaping my world right now.
To kick things off, I recently had some new photos taken for the cookbook last year, and I absolutely adore how they turned out. While my everyday kitchen attire usually consists of comfy sweatpants and a t-shirt, it’s always a fun change to get a little dressed up for a photoshoot. These images truly capture the essence and joy I put into my baking. I also took the opportunity to update my About Me page, adding more details about my journey, why I started this baking blog, and some fun, lesser-known facts about me. If you’re interested in learning more about the person behind the recipes, I invite you to click over and read my updated bio.
Exciting Cookbook Updates: “Live Well Bake Cookies” Nears Release
The journey of becoming a published cookbook author has been nothing short of amazing, and I’m overwhelmed by your incredible support. Over 230 of you have already preordered my debut cookbook, “Live Well Bake Cookies,” which is just an absolutely incredible milestone for a first-time author! I know waiting a few months for a book to arrive isn’t the most instant gratification, but I want to express my deepest gratitude. Your preorders play a monumental role in the success of a new book and really help to make a significant impact on its initial visibility and reach. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for believing in this project and supporting my baking passion.
The official release date for “Live Well Bake Cookies” is set for August, and I am BEYOND excited for everyone to finally get their hands on a copy. This book is a culmination of years of baking, testing, and refining my favorite cookie recipes, designed to bring joy and deliciousness to your kitchen. It’s packed with a diverse range of cookies, from classic favorites to unique creations, all presented with clear, easy-to-follow instructions suitable for bakers of all skill levels. You’ll find everything from chewy chocolate chip cookies to elegant cut-outs, perfect for any occasion. If you’re interested in exploring more about the cookie cookbook, discovering the table of contents, or seeing some sneak peeks, you can find all the comprehensive details right here on my website or conveniently on Amazon.
Preorder Giveaway Winners: Baking Tools & Sweet Surprises
To celebrate the upcoming launch and show my appreciation for your early support, I’ve been running a special giveaway. Each month, I’m selecting two lucky winners from those who have preordered the book, sending them a delightful package of essential cookie baking tools. So far, I’ve sent out three exciting packages, and I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be randomly choosing another winner today! This initiative is my small way of saying thank you and helping you get a head start on baking some of the fantastic recipes from the book as soon as it arrives. If you’ve already preordered “Live Well Bake Cookies” and haven’t yet sent me your proof of purchase, please email a copy to me as soon as possible to ensure your entry into these ongoing monthly drawings.
A huge congratulations to our winners so far:
- Alice S.
- Charina R.
- Jen G.
I will be diligently updating this blog post each month with the names of new winners, so keep an eye out! If you are one of the fortunate individuals selected, rest assured that I will personally notify you by email first, sharing the exciting news and arranging for your prize delivery. Thank you again for being such an integral part of this cookbook journey!
Expanding to YouTube: New Recipe Videos & Baking Tutorials
Another incredibly exciting venture we’ve embarked on is creating recipe videos for YouTube! My husband, Josh, and I recently spent some quality time in the kitchen filming a video of me making a recipe straight from my new cookbook. We decided to feature the delightful chocolate cut-out sugar cookies – a fan favorite from the chocolate chapter of the book. You can watch the full tutorial and see the recipe come to life right here. For your convenience, I’ve also shared the complete recipe in the video description, making it super easy for you to try these delicious cookies at home. I absolutely adore this recipe, and I thought it would be a perfect and fun one to share with all of you visually.
I genuinely love talking about baking, sharing tips, and demonstrating techniques, so I found the entire filming process to be incredibly enjoyable and fulfilling. This positive experience encouraged us to take the plunge and invest in some new equipment specifically for filming more YouTube videos. Our goal is to bring more of my beloved baking recipes to life through engaging and easy-to-follow video tutorials, providing a new dimension to how you learn and enjoy baking. If you’re someone who loves watching recipe videos, seeing the steps in action, and picking up visual cues, I highly encourage you to subscribe to my YouTube channel here. By subscribing and hitting that notification bell, you’ll be among the first to know when a new video goes live, ensuring you don’t miss any of our upcoming baking adventures. We’re actively planning to add much more content to the channel very soon, so please stay tuned for more delicious video recipes and baking inspiration!
A New Chapter: We Bought Some Land!
For those of you who have been following my journey for a while, you might remember this post I shared back in 2017, offering a tour of the home Josh and I built. We currently enjoy living on about 1.5 acres within a lovely neighborhood, which has been wonderful. However, for quite some time now, we’ve felt a growing desire for more space, a deeper connection to nature, and the freedom that comes with a larger property. With our three beloved dogs, who thrive outdoors, we’ve been casually searching for the perfect piece of land for about a year and a half, envisioning a future where we could truly spread out and embrace a more expansive, natural lifestyle.
Earlier this year, our search finally bore fruit. We stumbled upon 40 acres of land that instantly captured our hearts. The moment we saw it, we knew it was “the one,” and we didn’t hesitate – we put an offer in the very next day! What makes this property so ideal is its unique balance: it’s conveniently located close to a larger city, only about 15 minutes away, providing easy access to amenities. Yet, it’s far enough removed to offer a profound sense of peace and tranquility, a true escape from the hustle and bustle. The property is predominantly wooded, featuring beautiful, established trails that wind through the trees, perfect for long walks with the dogs. There’s also a significant open field, offering endless possibilities. Adding to its charm, two picturesque creeks meander through the land, creating serene spots for relaxation and exploration. We are incredibly excited about this new chapter and eagerly look forward to the prospect of hopefully building our new dream home there soon, creating a haven that perfectly blends comfort with the beauty of the outdoors.
Our DIY Van Renovation: Embracing the Open Road
Josh and I have always shared a deep love for traveling, exploring new places, and especially camping with our three furry companions. Over the years, we’ve created countless cherished memories on the road, but we often dreamed of a more comfortable and flexible way to embark on our adventures. This desire led us to a new, exciting project: we decided to purchase a used cargo van with the ambitious goal of transforming it into our very own custom camper van. We dedicated several months to this renovation project, pouring our creativity and effort into every detail. Josh, being incredibly handy and talented with DIY projects, took on the majority of the construction and carpentry work. I happily assisted with various tasks, contributing wherever I could, and I must say, I am absolutely thrilled with how our transformed van turned out!
The interior of the van now boasts a surprisingly spacious and incredibly comfortable bed, designed not just for sleeping but also with smart functionality in mind. Beneath the bed, we incorporated extensive storage solutions, which have proven to be SO nice and essential for organizing all our travel gear, making every trip a breeze. We also installed durable and aesthetically pleasing flooring, adding warmth and a homey feel to the compact space. Custom-built cabinets provide even more storage, ensuring everything has its place, and we even managed to fit in a practical sink, greatly enhancing our ability to cook and clean on the go. This van conversion has truly elevated our travel experiences, blending the freedom of the open road with the comforts of a tiny home.
With our newly renovated camper van ready for adventure, we’re excitedly planning to do a fair bit of traveling this year. The thought of hitting the road, exploring national parks, and discovering hidden gems with our dogs in tow fills us with immense joy. We’re also contemplating the idea of creating some dedicated YouTube videos eventually, offering a detailed tour of our custom-built van and sharing snippets from the various trips we take. This would be a fantastic way to bring you along on our adventures, showcase the functionality of the van, and inspire others who might be considering their own van conversion projects. If you’re interested in seeing videos like that – perhaps a van tour, insights into van life, or travel vlogs – please let me know in the comments! Your feedback will definitely help us decide what content to prioritize for the channel.
Thank You for Being Here!
If you’ve made it all the way to the end of this post, thank you so much for taking the time to read through these personal updates. While my primary focus here is usually on sharing delicious recipes and baking tips, it’s truly a joy and a privilege to share glimpses into my life and the exciting projects my family and I are embarking on from time to time. Your continuous support and engagement mean the world to me, whether it’s through trying my recipes, preordering the cookbook, or simply reading these lifestyle updates.
I always love connecting with this wonderful community, and I’m genuinely curious about what’s been happening in your lives. I’d absolutely love to hear if you’ve had any exciting life updates lately – big or small! Please feel free to share your news in the comments below. Until next time, happy baking and happy living!