Things I am doing right this very second: sitting in a hotel bed in Seattle (it’s really comfy) because I set my alarm for east coast time since I’m a freak. I’m watching the baby kick out of my stomach like it’s doing some kind of crazy 1990s tae bo (Billy Blanks changed my world in ’99) and it’s the cutest thing because it bounces all around. I’m resisting the urge to eat some chocolate that is in my purse, 1. because it’s only 9:12am my time but 2. because it’s really only 6:12am where I’m actually at.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind and this doesn’t even include all of it, but here is a teeny peek into what I’m been doing. I haven’t picked up my REAL camera in weeks – it weighs more than a toddler so I haven’t taken it on any trips with me (perhaps I should for practice?) – so these are all iphone snaps. Annnd maybe a few that I’ve stolen off of instagram from you.

A few weeks ago we celebrated Eddie’s birthday, which means we stuffed ourselves at meat and potatoes for brunch because, well… BRUNCH.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

Eddie almost always gets the crazy chicken and waffles which consists of an ENTIRE chicken. I got the french toast because this entire pregnancy is like one giant carbcation when it comes to food. And fries to start, because when you can’t have cocktails at brunch, fries are the next best thing.

And when you can have cocktails at brunch, fries still come in at a very close second. Don’t pass them up! Pro tip.

Later that week I did a book signing at Penguin Bookshop here in Pittsburgh which was super fun. It’s a dreamy little bookstore that makes it seem possible for all of my dreams to come true. I almost died when the window outside looked like this.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

I mean, is this real life?

Apparently it is and I can’t get over it so THANK YOU.

I mentioned it last week, but if you are looking for a signed copy of the book and can’t make it to a signing, I’ll be periodically signing books at Penguin and they will ship one to you! Just contact them.

Then I went to Baltimore! For approximately 12ish hours. The Baltimore Book Fest to be exact, which is exactly how I’d like to spend my Friday nights for the rest of my life. I’m not kidding. If this existed near me when I was 13 years old, I would have felt like I’d died and gone to heaven.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

I cooked the amaretto butternut squash soup on the culinary stage with barely any utensils and pretended to blend it with an immersion blender even though those things are the bane of my existence and never work. I also burnt the croutons in front of everyone… AGAIN.

This is becoming a routine thing. I probably need a watch with a timer. Or just a brain that works.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

At the risk of sounding like a broken record for the sixth week in a row, I loved loved loved meeting you guys. I love that you are filling up the #seriouslydelish hashtag on instagram and please continue to do so. I want to know what you’re eating.

And that way I can also steal your pictures and stuff, like I did here with this cute chick.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

The next morning, we drove to Philly where I signed some books at Fantes kitchen shop. Cutest little shop ever – we could NOT get enough of the owner who was incredibly wonderful and their coffee granita/frozen cappuccino was the most wonderful thing I’ve tasted, like ever. Get one!

The expression on my face below, while horrifingly embarrassing, is how excited I am every time I get to meet you. It’s true. When Eddie comes to signing, he takes a lot of pictures and I cannot believe the faces I make. It’s terrible to think my face looks so wildly contorted the entire time I’m talking to you.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

Speaking of my face, I was sweating it off here and thought I might melt into a puddle. The end of September was HOT!

After that, we ate cheesesteaks because we are the picture of health and then made then trek home. I am starting to become slightly uncomfortable since I’m ten thousand weeks pregnant, so in the car I recline the seat and lay on my side while attempting to stay buckled up. I have no other solution.

Except to eat the treats that you bring me.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

I just have to say that you guys have brought me some TO DIE FOR food from your hometowns. THANK YOU. I do not expect that and am always blown away. And then on a sugar high. I have been trying to take pictures of everything but that has been an epic failure because we usually end up devouring it soon after. Cupcakes and cookies and homemade s’mores cakes and other delicious things that I can’t even fathom. And OMG THE DONUTS. So many donuts. I think I’ve experienced donuts in 14 cities in the last month. FABULOUS. All the caps.

In other news, I still take pictures on every flight because 1. I’m basic and 2. I’m too pregnant to sleep.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

I’ve eaten pinkberry for dinner too many times to count. As long as I have a salad or some sort of greens for lunch or a small snack, I’m like OH I CAN EAT PROBIOTICS FOR DINNER! Airport pinkberry has become my lifeline. It’s sad when you know that’s a safe choice.

It’s just sooooo good.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

Last week I went to the cutest little town of Portsmouth, New Hampshire for a project with Lindt Chocolate. I’ll tell you more about that later but I have never eaten so many truffles in my LIFE. Gahhh. It also might have included a shopping spree of the Lindt store (and a wine tasting – depression) and I have enough chocolate to last for years. I promise my entire world is not made up of dessert right now which is exactly how it seems.

I mean, taking pictures of other things just isn’t as fun.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

I’m such a homebody that it’s hard to even express how much I miss getting to be HOME right now during my favorite season. I had a complete meltdown last week and was crying my eyes out wailing “I just want to decorate the house for FALL!”

But being in some of these gorgeous states where the season is in full swing has made it a lot better. I’ve taken many pictures of leaves on the ground because I find that to be important or something. And pretty! My camera roll is filled with over-saturated photos of crunchy foliage.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

See? GREENS!

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

At the end of last week I signed copies of Seriously Delish in Boston. It was such an amazing day after a long week – I made more amaretto butternut soup but didn’t have to make the croutons (thank god) and also made the whipped goat cheese on toast with warm vanilla berries from the cover of the book.

The support you guys gave me here was incredible and it still blows my mind that you are showing up. THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

I know that I keep saying it and I know that I’m overly emotional at the moment, but it is definitely challenging for me being away I can barely deal with my ridiculous appreciation to you for coming. During these talks/cooking demos/signings it takes a lot for me to not break down in tears, which I always want to blame on the bun in the oven but I don’t even think that’s it. For years, when I think about WHAT I get to do and HOW I get to do it because of YOU, I always get a little weepy.

Also, sidebar: one of the best parts of this is that you continue to ask me about makeup during book signings. And tell me about neon accessories. And your boyfriends are trekking to get books signed for you when you live hundreds of miles way. Hi true love.

I flew home for the weekend with these very important travel essentials.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

Want to know a secret? I’m really into the williams sonoma pumpkin pecan pancake mix. My brother’s fiance told me about it and I had to grab it – I usually go for the Trader Joe’s pumpkin version but I haven’t made it there in months – and it’s to die for. At the moment, it’s easier to throw together than homemade pumpkin pancakes. Read: I can barely lift a finger when I’m at home. Laziness.

I prefer it in pancakes, but last weekend I tried it with waffles.

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

I still want the waffles crispier but sometimes waffles just do over pancakes, you know?

Annnnnd our backyard looks like this below. It’s so stunning and crunchy and wonderful. As I sit here in the hotel bed in Seattle all I’m thinking is that when I get home this coming weekend, I’m going to make it looked like autumn threw up ALL over our house. I mean – everywhere. It’s not like I’m that late, right? I’m also going to burn eight million fall candles since I’m a crazy candle lady. I almost packed one in my suitcase but I thought that was crossing a line. (and legally, it probably is.)

on life lately I howsweeteats.com

Last night I had an incredible book signing at Book Larder here in Seattle – EEEEK I can’t wait to tell you about it in the next few days. And this Thursday – I’ll be signing books at TWO places (oh dear please come keep me company) in San Francisco where I will continue to eat all the things and squeeze you to pieces.

In a few weeks my Wednesday posts will be back to their regularly scheduled programming, which is probably a laughable thing to say since in a matter of weeks I WILL HAVE A CHILD.

Hold me.