…we did our best to not be completely and utterly awkward beyond belief. Did we succeed? You be the judge. Just like in past blogiversary weeks, we invited you guys to ask us some personal (i.e. non-decorating) questions over on our Facebook page last week. And after over two hundred questions came rolling in, Sherry and I sat down and answered as many as we could while Clara napped one afternoon – and then culled it down into this 20 minute video. Among all of our shocking and jaw-dropping revelations (note the sarcasm) you’ll learn:
- If there’s a bun in Sherry’s oven
- What kind of money we’re earning for our book
- How working together has affected our marriage
- How many readers have knocked on our door asking for a tour
- If we fear stalkers
- If Clara will be home-schooled
- How many bras Sherry owns
- When we’re moving again
- If we’ll ever get started on the playroom
- If Sherry’s dad is invisible
- What we’d change about our old house’s style
- Why we try not to pick our noses in public
- What we hate most about our job
- What we each find romantic about each other
- How Sherry plans to bribe me into seeing the new Twilight movie
- Who we’d want to play us in a hypothetical YHL movie
- Sherry’s thoughts on Ramona from the Real Housewives of New York City
- What part of DIYing we like the least
- If Sherry feels competitive with Katie Bower
- How long it takes for a project to get posted about
- How Clara acts like a toddler
So now that your appetite is sufficiently whetted, here goes nothing…
A few notes:
- Sherry’s insanely embarrassed that she leans in towards the camera the whole time. We didn’t realize this was happening until we were done with the whole video and watched it back, so there you have it: my fidgety wife.
- You might notice the lighting/focus changes towards the end of the video. The camera actually fell asleep and shut off, so we had to tape the end part in a second take. Yup, we actually chatted long enough to bore the camera to sleep. High five.
- Clara (and Burger apparently) were napping, hence their non-appearances, but we decided to do a little bonus Q&A video featuring the real stars of this show – Clara and Burger. Since this is the first blogiversary where Clara can actually string words together into something semi coherent, we thought it’d be fun to let her take a turn in the hot seat. And by hot seat, we mean handling questions like “what’s your favorite number?” – oh yeah, we’re grilling her.
So there you have it folks have it – nearly 25 minutes of us blathering on about all things personal and not much home stuff (which feels weird and fun at the same time). Did you learn anything that surprised you? Or hear something that sparked another question in your brain? We can’t promise we can get to every answer in the comments of this post, but feel free to ask away as potential fodder for next year’s video…
Psst- Speaking of other years, here are the Q&A posts for 2011, 2010 and 2009 (and 2009: part 2).
Meagan {Green Motherhood} says
Sherry, Target doesn’t sell my organic tampons either :). Maybe they’ll get on that now that you’ve made it public knowledge.
The Clara and burger video just might have trumped y’all’s for overall entertainment value. Sorry! Those two are just too cute!
Stephanie N says
Love the video. I wish it was longer!!!
:)
I love Burger jumping for the treat at the end of the kids video. And I think Clara said Reupholster better than any other word in that video!!
:)
Chrissy Sparks (Brush Dance) says
Clara is so cute!! I love that you made a Q&A for her & Burger. As I was watching it, I was thinking about how fun it will be for her to grow up being used to being on camera..and talking…and that she might want to get into something similar as she gets older. It’s just so interesting to see how kids are shaped by their parents.
Sarah F. says
That was a great Q&A! I laughed out loud. By myself at home. Multiple times.
I hope your book tour takes you to Seattle, I’d love to meet you guys! I must say I was jealous of the question from the local who wanted to know if it was okay to say hi if they saw you.
Karen says
Thanks for sharing! I love hearing about the people behind the blogs.
jbhat says
Oh….you guys are just so much fun. I wonder if Anna Kendrick or Paul Rudd will see this. Or Liam H. :)
jbhat
Steph says
Haha I love how candid you guys are about everything. It’s very refreshing. Organic tampons?! How did I not know these existed? Am I going to be the only person to ask what kind you use? Please tell me I’m not the only one ;) Awkward! haha I’ve been greening up all my cleaning products/beauty products. Also-I just love, love those green chairs! Clara looks especially cute in it!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I just like the idea of them since I try to be organic with stuff when I can and they’re not much more (they’re free of chlorine and other chemicals/additives so they’re just organic cotton and that’s it).
xo
s
jessibee says
“Reupholster!” You could not have ended that on a cuter note :)
kate says
Gulp…my apologies for being a “reverse stalker” last weekend! In my defense, there were like 900 strollers & toddlers(ok maybe 3-4)between us! lol and I couldn’t quite muster the nerve to hurdle them, possibly ending in tragedy for all involved! If it makes you feel any better, in the few seconds I did see you as I walked by there was no booger picking…only complete Petersik adorableness!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha I just hope we weren’t nose picking!
xo,
s
Vonda says
Great videos!
SOOO, did you ‘stage’ your set to have the green and yellows (your office chairs, apples, bananas, yellow colinder and the vases) for the video! Great coincidence if not!!
Vonda says
PS – it’s from reading your blog that I’m even able to notice things like that now. By the way!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha total coincidence.
xo,
s
Christy says
I am so entertained that one of the bullet points is whether or not Sherry’s dad is invisible – Hilarious discussion on the video as well. Bummed that he doesn’t have superpowers, though!
Lisa says
God I love it. Haha :D
My favorite part is Burger jumping into the frame repeatedly :D
Hayley says
Man, I love you guys.
Question for next time – I know you guys probably edit out the not-so-pretty or fun parts of your lives on the blog, but you all just seem to happy and perfect and cute. Do either you have any vices or foibles? I just imagine you all in your amazing home, doing all these great things and seeming to succeed with everything, and then I compare my rather drab-in-comparison life, and you guys cheer me up and make me see that hey, at least someone is doing things properly!
YoungHouseLove says
Hah, oh we have lots of vices! Being too giddy, I’m a huge loud laugher/talker, we curse even though we try not to, we eat Oreos, we fight, we make up, we’re normal- I promise!
xo
s
Jodi says
Personal q for John: would you ever do a race like the Tough Mudder? (That would be an interesting blog entry for Young House Life hahah)
YoungHouseLove says
I actually considered signing up this year but just couldn’t convince my usual race partners (my dad or my sister) to do it with me. Maybe next time…
-John
Ash says
I has a sad that you don’t live in Seattle – I feel like we would totally be friends! Guess we will just have to be virtual friends :P
Thanks for sharing so much of your personal and professional lives with all of us, even your kiddo. It really isn’t something that just anyone would even want to do, and do it so charmingly at that, and you two crazy kids are what we all come back for (dare I say, even more so than the fun/brilliant/intense projects?!). Happy Blogiversary, and I virtually clink my champagne flute to yours, saying “Here’s to the 6th year!!!”
laura says
Hi J & S – Congrats on your blogiversary! I am curious though – do either of you miss the social aspect of having a job outside of the home? I know you hear about housewives who miss getting dressed up, going to work and interacting with their co-workers, so I was curious if either of you feel isolated now that you blog full time?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, we definitely both miss the social chitchat we used to have at work- thankfully we have friends and relatives who we try to hang out with whenever we can, just to have new things to chat about. Ha!
xo
s
Tina Bland says
Love it!!! The Clara & Burger was my fave – she’s so cute and so grown up already!!
Im kicking myself for not asking you this one, if you cant or dont have time no worries…its SO random!! We live up in MD and the “stink bugs” are crazy here!! Do you have them in VA? Do they drive you bunkers like us? :)
Thanks for sharing it all with us. It’s like we are all one happy bunch of BFFs. Sorry, that was weird;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I don’t think we have them here. Do we? Anyone?
xo
s
Tina Bland says
Oh gosh you are so lucky! I wasnt sure if it was an MD thing or an East coast thing or whaaaaat! Be glad you don’t have them…you would know if ya did! Oh and btw – I’m totally hoping and praying you come up to Baltimore for the tour…or even DC…its not too far for us!
Linda says
They’re around but haven’t been bad this year at all. I’ve probably only seen a couple all year. I hear they can be really awful in some areas.
GreenInOC says
I totally forgot in my previous comment to ask the question I’m dying to know!
Are you guys political? Do you keep up with local, state, and/or national politics or do you know it’s going on but don’t pay attention to it?
If you are political, how in the world do you keep your blog so free of even any hints of it?!
Do you agree politically?
That’s about 4 questions – sorry!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- we’re registered voters for sure! But we have always consciously decided not to chat about that on our blog (we just like to keep things light and fun and drama-free… this is our happy place!), so we don’t bring stuff like that up. Thank goodness folks understand so it just seems to stay light over here :)
xo
s
Angela says
OMG! Were you in DC this weekend!? I was there visiting my sister from MA and we walked by the National Book Festival. For a second I wondered if you would be there to promote your book. Then, a little down the road I saw a car from Virginia with the license plate “BURGER” and wondered if it was you.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, no way! That wasn’t us (we were in a parking garage and that’s not our plate) but that’s too funny!
xo
s
shannon says
Maybe you can file my question for next time? I am very envious of all your beautiful area rugs. However, I am the owner of 3 very cute female chihuahuas. They do their business outside ….for the most part. There is the occasional slip which will occur on a rug. Needless to say I have all hardwood floors and minimal area rugs. Is Burger really that good?
YoungHouseLove says
We got really lucky with Burger! He’s completely trained and only goes outside, but I think if you had a dog like I had growing up (who was good 95% of the time, but sometimes slipped up) any darker rugs with patterns might be best to hide things!
xo
s
kristi says
still laughing about the red robbin.Hahahahahaha. I would so do the same thing only we don’t eat meat.
lets says
Love the disappearing tea towel in Claras video! She is a cutie!
Kristen says
So, after watching this I really love your kitchen. I mean, I’ve seen the photos on the blog and all, but I found myself like, staring at your cabinet hardware and penny tile and thinking “They did a really good job with this”. Thanks to the new camera, I felt like I was in the room with you (and not in a totally creepy turn on your alarm kind of way).
Tania says
What’s the song that’s playing? I really like it! I’m looking forward to hearing about the book tour dates!
Tania says
Oh never mind — I see the link at the end!
YoungHouseLove says
No worries!
xo,
s
Amy says
OMG, that was the most adorable video ever. The moment when you said your tampons were organic and not sold at Target made me laugh out loud. I just love you guys.
Karo says
Great video! I know you guys did a post recently on taking photos, but have you covered how you handle/store your photos lately? (I do remember an older post, but have your “procedures” changed since the blog is growing so much?) Photo management came up a few times in the video, especially sizing photos–it sounds like it takes a lot of your time. Coping with my photos takes so much time that I just don’t deal with it. I’d love some advice!
YoungHouseLove says
We pretty much still do exactly the same thing. We upload everything to iPhoto where we have labeled folders to keep things organized. Then we save them for the blog and upload them to a cloud server, where those live, and a copy of them stays in iPhoto (and eventually gets backed up on our external hard drive).
xo
s
Cori says
I FINALLY got a chance to check out the blog. Loved it!! You guys are adorable (all 4)- it’s easy to see why you have so many followers!! My 4 girls especially liked Clara & Burgers video! :)
Jasmine says
OMG I laughed so hard when I saw the Q&A with Clara and Burger. I LOVE IT!!! You two are hilarious! Sherry have you lost weight? You look great. Do you stick to a certain meal plan? I’m trying to get a few pounds of baby weight off and just wondering. Thanks
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks n I think it just took a while after breast feeding for my body to stop hoarding the extra calories. Haha! I have been trying to be active and eat well, but no major secrets.
xo,
s
Adrianne says
Been reading your blog for quite some time now and I just love you guys! I think you’re great! Congrats on another blogiversary! Loved watching the videos too!!!
Amy says
What fun videos! Burger jumping into the frame for his treat was hilarious! Congrats on five years guys!
Bonnie says
I loved watching your video – I think the passion you guys have for what you do is really evident! After watching all of these blogiversary videos, I almost hear your voices reading the posts out loud (by this I mean, your posts really sound like both of you, in a good way).
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Bonnie!
xo,
s
Sondra says
Why this is my first comment to come to mind, I have no idea! :) But Chris Hemsworth (Liam’s brother) and Natalie Portman were in the movie Thor together. What a coincidence?!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha! That must have been the unauthorized story of our lives.
xo,
s
Melissa says
Sherry- one question. How come you only own 1 bra? Any reason in particular? :)
(btw, I almost feel bad asking questions and commenting after seeing how much of your time you spend on them!)
YoungHouseLove says
It has just become this hilarious joke because when Katie Bower learned that I had one bra she almost fainted (the girl has a million). I just learned that I only wear one even if I have ten, so having one keeps it simple.
xo,
s
Laura says
Just had to say, Sherry- your clavicle is a-popping in the video! See? Katie was right!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha!
xo
s
Amanda says
You poor thing! You must have the most-watched uterus after Princess Kate. At least it is motivated by love.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo,
s
Kim says
Happy Blogiversary! Great videos. Clara is so cute. You’d better watch out, Mom and Dad, because Clara sounds like she’s boy crazy! (“Adam Levine… Adam Levine”) Haha.
I haven’t been reading YHL very long (a year and a half? two years?), but I’ve experienced a lot of really tough life changes in that time, and believe it or not, your blog has really helped! You are generally so upbeat and fun that you manage to take my mind off things, lift my spirits, and make me smile. Thank you for that. It means a lot :) (And I hope I haven’t creeped you out too much by saying that.)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw you’re so sweet Kim! Thanks for the kind words.
xo,
s
Beth A. says
So glad to know that I’m not the only person who owns just one bra!! Keeps things simple.
Loved the video, and I would totally watch your tv show:)
Allyson M says
Loved it! :) Clara is just darling!
Grace says
I loved watching all 25 minutes of this! Not only were the closed captions hilarious, you can totally tell John knows the name of the actors “S: That girl.. J:Oh, Anna..Kendrick…or whatever..” Hahah I love you guys!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, he totally knows every actors name. His brain is crazy-good.
xo
s
Emily says
I’m pretty sure we’d be BFFs in “real life”.
And to that my husband just called me a stalker.
Po-tay-to / Po-tah-to
…but I promise to never come knock on your door! :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, we are friends! Anyone who reads our blog = our friend. At least in our minds. Ha!
xo
s
Laura says
Love the reupholster! Gorgeous.
Nat says
Actually I think sherry looks like Amanda Peet… No?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes I get that sometimes. Rachel McAdams and Emilia Clarke I get more these days though – maybe because they’re on screen more lately?
xo
s
Linda says
Oh, my gosh – waited til evening to watch and it was so worth the wait! And loved the bonus video! Thank you for all your hard work,and for sharing so much with your readers.
So hope to see you in Chicago!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, so glad!
xo
s
Irma Baker says
Awesome! I wanna be your neighbor haha! You guys are too cute:)
kristin says
omg. I love Clara’s video!!! she is so sweet!
Hope says
So this may seem like an odd comment, but I’ll leave it anyway…it’s about tampons!
Just as diapers are wasteful, so are tampons, which is why I have switched to the Diva Cup. It is a silicone cup to catch the flow that can be left in for 12 hours. It’s comfy and green!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes a few folks have recommended that to me. Still a little squeamish about trying it, but hopefully someday I’ll get over it and give it a whirl!
xo
s
Jules says
Such a fun video guys! Loved it! I can’t believe people want to know about your bras though Sherry! I did laugh at the organic tampon thing though, i went to the states on holiday this year and was a bit disturbed that they sell scented tampons and ones with other chemicals in them, you don’t see anything like that in the uk! Sorry, tmi but I’d be hunting down the organic stuff too!
Also your comments about Katie were so sweet, it is so nice that you are bffs! My BFF calls me when there is a new post on your blogs and we laugh our heads off at the thrift store videos, we would totally be your British bffs!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re so sweet Jules!
xo
s
Jules says
I may have overused the phrase BFF in that last comment, in my defense it is way past my bedtime! Stayed up too late watching the videos!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha no worries! I thought it was cute.
xo
s
Rosie says
Clara is so adorable. I love when she appears in front of the camera and all we can see is her forehead :D
Johanna says
Loved the blogiversary video…. You two are so cute! Your friendship and love for each other just shined thru in this video, so refreshingand sweet to see! :) Sherry, you seriously crack me up…. More than once you had me laughing out loud!