Exciting Life Updates: My Cookbook Journey, YouTube Adventures, New Land, and Van Renovation!
Hello, wonderful friends! It feels like a beautiful moment to reconnect and share a comprehensive update on what’s been happening behind the scenes. Life has been bustling with exciting developments, and I’m eager to bring you into my world beyond the kitchen. While my passion for baking remains at the heart of this blog, I believe these personal insights foster a stronger connection, allowing us to share more than just recipes. So, if you’s curious about my journey as an author, my new ventures into video creation, our dream of a peaceful homestead, and our exciting van transformation, settle in! For those eagerly awaiting a new recipe, fear not – I’ll be back next week with a delightful buttercream creation you won’t want to miss.
Today’s post is a deep dive into several major milestones: the much-anticipated details surrounding my debut cookbook, the heartwarming success of our preorder giveaways, our expanding presence on YouTube, the incredible forty acres we recently acquired, and the exciting culmination of our van renovation project. Each of these chapters represents a significant step in my personal and professional life, and I’m thrilled to share the stories, challenges, and joys that come with them.
Behind the Blog: A Refresh and Reintroduction
Before diving into the bigger news, I wanted to mention a couple of recent updates that enhance the experience here on the blog. Last year, I had the pleasure of doing a new photoshoot for my upcoming cookbook. It’s always a unique experience to step out of my usual comfy kitchen attire – sweatpants and a t-shirt are my daily uniform! – and embrace a more polished look. The resulting photos beautifully capture the essence of my baking passion, and I’m so pleased with how they turned out. These images will be featured prominently, offering a visual feast alongside the delicious recipes.
In addition to the new imagery, I also took some time to update my About Page. This section of the blog is incredibly important to me, as it’s where I share the ‘why’ behind Live Well Bake Often. It now includes more details about my journey, what inspired me to start this baking blog, and some fun, lesser-known facts about me. If you’ve ever wondered about the person behind the recipes, or simply want to learn more about my personal connection to baking, I encourage you to take a moment and read my updated story. It’s a heartfelt reflection on the origins and evolution of this platform.
The Sweetest Chapter: Cookbook Updates
Your Support Makes a Difference!
The outpouring of support for my debut cookbook, “Live Well Bake Cookies,” has been nothing short of astounding. To date, over 230 of you have already preordered your copy, and that number continues to grow! As a first-time author, seeing this level of enthusiasm is incredibly encouraging and deeply appreciated. Preordering a book might mean a little wait, but it provides invaluable support for authors like me. It significantly boosts initial sales figures, which helps with bookstore placement, media attention, and signals to publishers the strong demand for the book. This momentum is crucial for the success of “Live Well Bake Cookies” and for potential future projects. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being an essential part of this exciting journey!
The anticipation is building, and I’m overjoyed to announce that “Live Well Bake Cookies” is set for release in August! I can hardly wait for each of you to hold your own copy, flip through the pages, and discover a treasure trove of delicious cookie recipes. This book has been a labor of love, filled with my most cherished cookie creations, expert tips, and baking secrets designed to help you achieve perfect results every time. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your cookie-making adventure, you’ll find something delightful within its pages.
If you’re eager to learn more about my comprehensive cookie cookbook, including a sneak peek at some of the chapters and what makes it unique, all the intricate details are available right here on my website. For those ready to secure their copy and be among the first to receive it upon release, you can easily preorder your copy on Amazon. Your early support means the world to me!
Monthly Preorder Giveaway Winners!
To celebrate your amazing support and to add a little extra excitement to the preorder period, I’ve been hosting a monthly giveaway specifically for those who’ve preordered the book. Each month, I select two lucky winners to receive a special package filled with some of my favorite cookie baking tools. These aren’t just any tools; they’re items I personally use and recommend to make your baking experience even more enjoyable and successful. So far, three fantastic packages have been sent out, and I’m currently in the process of randomly selecting another winner today!
If you’ve already preordered “Live Well Bake Cookies” but haven’t yet sent me your proof of purchase, please make sure to email me a copy. This is essential to ensure your entry into our ongoing monthly draws. Your receipt or order confirmation serves as your ticket to potentially winning some fabulous baking goodies!
A huge congratulations to our winners thus far:
- Alice S.
- Charina R.
- Jen G.
I am committed to keeping you all updated, so I will be sure to refresh this blog post each month with the names of our new winners. Should your name be drawn, you’ll be the first to know, as I will personally notify you via email to arrange the delivery of your prize. Good luck to everyone who has preordered and entered!
Lights, Camera, Action! My YouTube Recipe Adventures
Bringing Recipes to Life on Screen
Embarking on a new adventure, Josh and I recently dipped our toes into the world of YouTube! We filmed my very first recipe video featuring a delicious creation from my new cookbook. It was an incredibly fun experience bringing the Chocolate Cut-Out Sugar Cookies recipe to life on screen. This particular recipe, found in the dedicated chocolate chapter of the book, is a true favorite of mine, offering both stunning visuals and an irresistible flavor. I truly enjoyed the process of demonstrating each step, sharing tips, and showing how simple it can be to create beautiful, delicious cookies right in your own kitchen. For those eager to try it out immediately, I’s included the full, detailed recipe right in the video description!
Surprisingly, I found the whole filming process quite enjoyable! I genuinely love talking about baking, sharing my knowledge, and connecting with you all, and video offers a wonderfully dynamic way to do just that. The visual aspect of seeing techniques demonstrated can often be more helpful than written instructions alone, making complex steps feel approachable. This positive experience has inspired us to invest in some new equipment and make YouTube a more consistent part of our content strategy. We’re excited about the potential to create more engaging recipe videos and beyond!
If you’re a fan of watching recipe videos – whether for inspiration, learning new techniques, or simply enjoying the visual beauty of baking – I warmly invite you to subscribe to my YouTube channel here. By subscribing, you’ll ensure you’re notified the moment a new video goes live, making you one of the first to watch and perhaps even bake along with me! We’re actively planning to expand our YouTube content significantly in the coming months, aiming to bring you a diverse range of baking tutorials, tips, and perhaps even some behind-the-scenes glimpses into my kitchen. So, do stay tuned for more exciting video content!
A New Chapter: We Bought Some Land!
Our Dream for a Homestead
If you’ve been a long-time follower of our journey, you might recall this post from 2017, where I shared a tour of the home Josh and I built. We currently enjoy living on about 1.5 acres within a lovely neighborhood, a space we’ve truly cherished. However, for quite some time now, we’ve harbored a shared dream of finding a property with significantly more space – a place where we could fully embrace an outdoor lifestyle, let our three dogs roam freely, and cultivate a deeper connection with nature. This quiet search for our perfect piece of land has been ongoing for about a year and a half, a patient pursuit driven by our desire for tranquility and expansive outdoor living.
The turning point arrived earlier this year when we stumbled upon an incredible forty-acre parcel that immediately captured our hearts. It was everything we had envisioned and more. The property offered the perfect blend of seclusion and convenience; while feeling wonderfully peaceful and remote, it’s also remarkably close to a larger city – a mere 15-minute drive away! This ideal location means we get the best of both worlds: serene country living with easy access to amenities and urban conveniences when needed. Without hesitation, we put in an offer the very next day, a testament to how strongly we felt about this special place.
The land itself is a picturesque tapestry of natural beauty. It’s predominantly wooded, creating a lush, private canopy, but also features several cleared trails that invite exploration and leisurely strolls. A significant portion boasts a large, open field, perfect for future gardening projects, outdoor activities, or simply enjoying vast open skies. Adding to its charm, two beautiful creeks meander through the property, providing not only scenic beauty but also a calming soundtrack to our outdoor adventures. We’re beyond excited about the long-term vision for this land. Our hope is to embark on another exciting building project soon, constructing a new home that perfectly complements this breathtaking natural setting and allows us to fully immerse ourselves in the peaceful, expansive lifestyle we’ve always dreamed of.
Road Trip Ready: Our Van Renovation!
Embracing the Spirit of Van Life
Josh and I share a deep love for traveling and camping, especially when we can bring our three beloved dogs along for the adventure. Over the years, we’ve explored many beautiful places, but we often dreamt of a more flexible and self-sufficient way to hit the road. This dream led us to embark on our latest passion project: renovating a used cargo van into our very own custom camper! We found a suitable van and dedicated several months to transforming it into a comfortable, functional, and stylish mobile home base. This endeavor was truly a team effort, though I must give immense credit to Josh – he is incredibly handy and tackled the vast majority of the construction and carpentry work. I happily assisted with design choices, painting, and all the finishing touches, and I’m absolutely thrilled with how our “van home” turned out!
Our primary goal was to maximize comfort and utility within the compact space. We installed a custom-built bed, which is not only incredibly comfortable for resting after a day of exploring but also features ingeniously designed storage compartments underneath. This hidden storage, as you can see in the picture below, is a game-changer for keeping our gear organized and out of sight – it’s SO nice to have! Beyond the sleeping area, we laid down durable and attractive flooring, adding a touch of homey warmth. Custom-built cabinets provide ample storage for kitchen essentials, clothing, and other necessities, keeping everything secure while on the move. And, of course, a compact sink adds a level of convenience, perfect for quick clean-ups or washing up before a meal.
With our van renovation complete, we are incredibly excited to hit the road and embark on some memorable adventures this year! We’re planning a few trips, both near and far, eager to test out our new mobile setup and create lasting memories with our furry companions. The freedom and spontaneity that comes with having our own custom camper are truly invigorating. We’re also toying with the idea of documenting our van life journey and sharing it with you all. This could involve creating dedicated YouTube videos that offer a full tour of the renovated van, showcasing all its clever features, and perhaps even vlogs from some of our travel escapades. If this sounds like something you’d love to watch, please do let me know in the comments below! Your feedback helps us decide what content to prioritize, and we’d be thrilled to share more about this exciting new aspect of our lives.
A Heartfelt Thank You and Invitation to Connect!
If you’ve journeyed through this entire post, reading about all the exciting developments in our lives, thank you so much for taking the time to share in these updates! While my primary focus here at Live Well Bake Often is typically on sharing delicious and accessible recipes, I genuinely enjoy these occasional opportunities to share glimpses into my personal life. It feels wonderful to connect with you beyond just the culinary realm, fostering a sense of community and shared experiences.
Your engagement and enthusiasm mean the world to me. I would absolutely love to hear about any exciting life updates you’ve had recently too! Whether it’s a new hobby, a personal achievement, a travel adventure, or anything else that brings you joy, please feel free to share it in the comments section below. Let’s keep this conversation going and continue to build a vibrant, supportive community here. Thank you once again for your incredible support and for being such a wonderful part of the Live Well Bake Often family!