on west coast book tour adventures.
Soooo I went to put this post together and realized that I BARELY TOOK ANY PHOTOS last week! Maybe that’s a good thing and means I was enjoyed the moment(s)? I hope.
First, let’s back up. Since I’ve told everyone with a 10 mile radius around me, two weeks ago or so I must have had some crazy pregnancy hormonal surge and turned into a complete nutcase. Like not-even-recognizing-myself nutcase. I mean, yes, normally I am a version of a nutcase. My normal = nutcase. But this was like a whole new side of nutcase. I hated everything around me, except for Eddie, which is, well… surprising.
Anyhoo, this made any and all thoughts of traveling daunting. My BFF said maybe it was because I wanted to be in nesting mode, which is totally awesome, except you can’t really be in nesting mode when you’re NOT IN YOUR NEST. I think I’m totally in nesting mode, but it’s so overwhelming since a lot of the house still isn’t unpacked and we don’t have some furniture yet?
Since I was on the verge of the most massive meltdown in the history of ever, my mom came with me! It was fun. I made her eat things she was afraid of.
Perhaps it’s a sign that the book tour is coming to a close – because all of my freaking flights have been majorly delayed – like every single one. I was in Seattle for less than 24 hours and ate dinner and breakfast at the same place (Lola, inside of our hotel – the Hotel Andre – where apparently I ate brunch at in 2012 and completely forgo about!) – but it was the best less-than-24 hours ever.
I spent time with Cindy – who brought her ridiculously adorable new baby to the book signing – and we met for coffee where I’m pretty sure all I did was tirelessly ask her “but like, how am I going to know how to keep the baby… alive?” She was wonderful. I adore her. I also got to have dinner and breakfast with amazing friends.
I rambled on for what I thought was like 20 minutes at the signing in Book Larder, to which my mom said “umm no, I think you were talking for at least an hour…” Horrified face -> palm. Sorry.
Book Larder is SO cute. I want a cookbook-only shop in Pittsburgh!!
Since I only took one photo, I stole everyone else’s off of instagram. Here’s a mini collage I made while worrying in the airport that our plane was being quarantined for ebola. I wish I was kidding. If I wasn’t pregnant, I probably wouldn’t be as flipped out.
I met Peabody and she gave us some of her apple cider caramels. We ATE THEM FOR BREAKFAST. Not lying. Boy were they good. I’m going to make them.
This boozy apple cupcake below was to die for too.
Then we went to San Francisco for a little longer than 24 hours where it was kind of freezing at moments, says the person from Pennsylvania. I also was apparently in non-photo mode there.
I took a picture of this cable car (is that what it’s called?), probably because all I want to do is drink a cable car cocktail.
In San Francisco, I ended up having two book signings which FREAKED ME THE HECK out. In the afternoon, I signed books at the ferry building and it was so much fun. At night, I signed books at Book Inc and they had CAKE and it was wonderful.
I stole more pictures off of instagram. I got to see Jenna and her little guy!
These delicious cookies were delivered to me and were the best midnight snack ever. I think those are pumpkin spice macarons?? That is what they tasted like, but I could be wrong. They were as big as my hand.
I did live out my little Full House dream and wanted to look for Uncle Jesse.
Books Inc gave me this unicorn sprinkle shaker below and no, I can’t stop staring at it either. Do you have any idea how many of you guys have sent me links and photos to this thing over the years? I am insanely grateful and giddy that it is finally in my possession. EEEEEEK.
Sorta want to frame it.
Below was the view flying back into Pennsylvania on Friday evening. SO MUCH FALL. It makes me nuts.
Ashley sent me some of her cookies and I cannot WAIT to dig into them. Eddie was begging to make them on Saturday afternoon so he could devour the entire batch Saturday night, but I had to nicely tell him that these are LEGIT cookies and couldn’t be wasted on a midnight cookie and diet Coke binge.
He didn’t get it. He says midnight cookie binges ARE important. We bought some Trader Joe’s cookies instead for that purpose. Real life: I’m currently struggling to not eat five one for breakfast.
Saturday night we went to the Eric Church concert. We’ve seen him before, as usual I am obsessed, it was super awesome and probably would have been awesomer had I not worn 4-inch wedges the entire afternoon and evening.
GAH. I love him and his aviators. Afterwards, at 1AM, we ate the cookies.
Sunday we attempted to get some fun autumn décor. I really AM in nesting mode but… it’s like I don’t know how to nest. How does someone not know how to nest? I feel ridiculous. I’m so overwhelmed by everything in the house that I don’t know where to start? Come nest for me please.
This week, I’ll be signing books in Richmond on Thursday at 4PM at Southern Seasons! Unfortunately my signing on Friday in Chapel Hill is cancelled – I’m so sorry! Next week, I’m cooking from the book at Crate on Thursday… you can eat your face off.
Thank you guys so much for showing up and supporting me this past week and selling out of books again. I can’t even believe it!! For real. You are everything good.
55 Comments on “on west coast book tour adventures.”
You are so cute lol. I love your posts…you always make me laugh. I’m not pregnant, but I’m pretty sure I would have no idea how to nest either. Besides being a hell of a baker & cook, I’m completely domestically challenged. :(
As someone who’s a little behind you on the pregnancy thing (I’m 20 weeks along), I feel you on the not knowing how to nest thing. I know that’s coming for me in a month or two… and I have NO IDEA what I’m going to do. If you figure it out, will you let me know? Because I’m gonna need all the help I can get in that department.
Your book tour photos look so much fun, even if you didn’t take too many of ’em. And cookies as a midnight snack and breakfast are the BEST!
I love these posts!!! And can’t wait for you to come to DC in a few short weeks!
Dying over the packaging for Not Without Salt’s Cookie Mix! Good luck nesting! I hope it involves more cookies:)
Oh are those the boozy apple cupcakes from Cupcake Royale? I’m so working on recreating those, they are awesome,
You already know how I feel about getting to meet you. :)
And so make those caramels!
YES YES YES! I brought her the tipsy apple from cupcake royale. PUHLEASE if you recreate it share the recipe because I LOVE THEM. Like. LOVE.
Looks like a wonderful trip! Also – a cookbook-only bookstore, sounds like heaven to me!
Emily
http://www.workinggirlafterhours.com
I love these behind the scenes of your book tour. I would totally nest for you. That was my jam with pregnancies, not my husband’s favorite part b/c I usually went completey crazy. I want cookies at any hour…unfortunately!
You must remember to breathe and keep your shoulders down. Don’t wear them like they are earrings. Breeeaaathhheeee….all is truly well. You are wonderful. If you find yourself stressing out just take another look at that beautiful photo you took of fall over Pennsyvania. But most of all remember to breathe.
About nesting. Makes a list of things you hope to accomplish before baby comes. Then:
1. Realize & come to grips that it won’t all get done and that’s ok
2. Prioritize
3. When you aren’t feeling it, throw out the prioritized list and do what you want to accomplish that day/week/moment
Hi, Jessica – I dropped those cookies off for you and I’m glad you liked them! There were a couple pumpkin spice, yeah, and one salted caramel I think… perhaps I should work more on labeling! Anyway, it was a pleasure meeting you and I’ve been having a great time digging into your book! I love the toasts!
I just bought your book on amazon and I am so excited! I wanted to come see your book signing, but I was gone on my honeymoon all of the dates you were over here on the east coast! Come back!!
I lived in San Francisco for two years and froze my a** off the entire time, but nobody tells you northern Cali is like that until you’re already there! It felt like a big prank! Still a beautiful place. The Full House houses are pretty much my favorite thing about that city. Best show ever.
That fall picture! The leaves! Almost makes me miss living in PA! Almost….
YESSSSS. see you tomorrow! hopefully i dont wuss out and get all shy!
I don’t know how you do it!!! The flights, the delayed flights, all the signings, the hormones, and having to be ‘on’…you are AMAZING! I would love to have one ounce of that…you’re my hero, seriously! And that unicorn shaker, amazing. And San Fran always being freakishly cold, I know! All the time you got to spend with friends, your mom, flying back in and seeing fall which I know is your favorite, and Tjs cookies at midnight..sounds all perfect! Hang in there…you are doing amazing!!!
I’ve never been pregnant (yet!) but maybe you could cook freezer meals? That’s something you like (well, cooking, I have no idea how you feel about freezer meals) and I hear it’s super useful after the baby’s born.
Love this overview, so fun to get to follow along on your adventures!
Eric Church in aviators eating the cookies I just made at 1am.
A girl can dream….
Just so you know, i’m like SO excited that my picture made it into your collage and like I got really tongue tied and star-struck meeting you and wanted to cry because I was so excited and thats why I was just like “I SENT MY BOYFRIEND TO MEET YOU IN NEW YORK – HI HAVE A CUPCAKE” and then stood there awkwardly for basically a whole minute and couldn’t think of anything else to say…
That pic from the plane is so so amazingly gorgeous!
Looks like your book signings were well-attended and delicious and all great despite flight delays and ebola!
That view from the plane! So amazing!! And that DOG!? Hellloooo fluffball. Love it. I totally would have made my mom come with me, too, and I always make her try scary food. :)
I love all of your book signing recaps, though it makes me wish I was able to go to one! Your pictures of SF were beautiful, too!
ITS MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
Love the pictures and updates – you are SO amazing to keep going through all those signings and flights and trips! Looks like you’re having an amazing time!
As the famous quote that Mark Twain never said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” You were there during the balmy time of year! I do hope you get to come back, little, one in tow, and get to go to the Farmer’s Market at the Embarcadero. It is the best! If you were closer, I would go over and organize your house for you.
I want to hear more about those sweet doggies and a certain southern belle who rode the ferry to come see you!!! ;) Would have LOVED to have been there!
My version of nesting was ridiculous… Suddenly I wouldn’t be able to think straight until I emptied the pantry, mopped it, and reorganized it. Or something else completely random.
Keeping the baby alive is not as hard as I thought, at least so far ;) (1 month old today!) But I did spend the first 2 weeks asking everyone, “But what am I supposed to DO?!” I have since determined that I’m supposed to snuggle my baby, Instagram a thousand pics of him, and marathon Gilmore Girls on Netflix while I nurse him. Yep.
The 1st kids was the Cooking Channel while nursing and the 2nd one,
was ” You’ve Got Mail “. Very comforting and quiet.
My family nesting history consists of washing the kitchen floor by hand…….should i say more.
Aaaahhhh! I feel soooo famous for you including the pic of my friend Stephanie and I meeting you! You are seriously the best, Jess. P.S., cookies are a food group, so you are totes fine eating them for any meal.
Ummm boozy apple cupcake?!?! OMG Wha?!?!?! Please explain (with a recipe) stat!!!
From what I have heard and read about nesting, there is not rhyme or reason.. You just do what feels right to do at that moment. mop the floors, polish the sink, eat a bowl of grapes while sitting on the floor of the baby nursery. I guess you just do what feels right. So go with what feels right, even if it doesn’t make any sense :)
so happy to hear your book tour is so successful. You deserve it!
All of your book signings look like so much fun!! I wish I was around during your NYC trip.
I just stumbled on your blog–seriously how have I made this long without seeing it?! My life is in shambles–and have two words for you: sprinkle shaker. It might be the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Next to puppies. And babies. I just can’t handle it.
Looks like a wonderful trip =)
I want to hear more about it!
here in Brazil one of most important Cosmetics Companies teach us how to love this!
Very Cool!
i loved this!
all you must know the Boulevard Monde! An great opportunity!
I want to hear more about those sweet doggies and a certain southern belle who rode the ferry to come see you!!! ;) Would have LOVED to have been there!
Our looks like it was quite a journey in
My family nesting history consists of washing the kitchen floor by hand…….should i say more.
I love the post.
Very good article and great scenarios.
Great post, thanks for this…
Looks like a wonderful trip =)
Very good
Great post, thanks for this, very good !!!
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Thanks for article
Nice article!!
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Simple amazing, i’m feel hungry now hehehe