We’ve dropped a few mentions of working on the book lately, so we figured it was about time for another post about the process. Our post two months ago mostly covered the journey to getting the book deal and the beginning stages of writing, but now we’re really in the weeds of things so there’s definitely more to share… and we don’t have to use pics of Burger to illustrate it this time! Sorry Burger.
At the time of our last book post two months back, we had turned in our 160-ish page completed outline and were beginning to coordinate the design process with our publisher. If you recall, the book is a compilation of 250-some ideas for “how to show your home some love” (everything from small art projects, little tweaks, and quick ideas to bigger makeovers involving paint & furniture). Things were trotting along nicely and our publisher, Artisan, was trying to figure out whether to keep our Fall 2012 release date or hold off until Spring of 2013. Sherry and I begged for the earlier date and they agreed – but it meant putting the pedal to the metal. So we buckled our seat belts…
- In a matter of two weeks (the two weeks that happened to fall over Christmas and New Year’s) we had to turn our finished outline into a completely written book. Yikes. But we put our heads down and two dizzying weeks later we had the manuscript done. Phew.
- When we turned the manuscript in to our publisher, she took the next week to read the entire thing and we braced ourselves for edits or rewrites.
- She finished without any major edits (really?!) so it went off to a copy editor – someone who would read it for nitty gritty stuff like grammar and punctuation. It spent a week or so there before coming back to us.
- As you saw in last Monday’s post, this baby arrived last Saturday as a hard copy. Our manuscript now officially lives as a printed document that has our publisher’s edits and the copy editor’s notes marked up in different colored pencils. Our task was to use our designated blue pencil (they included it in the FedEx box) to respond to any questions, agree (or disagree with) all edits, and make any final changes. Scary. Especially because as a single-spaced, single-sided document it’s 375 pages long. We thought it was really funny because we assumed it would all be done via email, so getting a giant chunk of paper overnighted to our house felt sort of official and old-fashioned, but that’s apparently how it’s still done these days! It’s actually a lot easier to absorb the info and catch errors while “really” reading it (as opposed to reading it off of a computer screen) so it ended up being really helpful.
- Once again, we hunkered down and plowed through. It was due back to the publisher by yesterday so we overnighted it to them on Saturday afternoon. Bless Sherry for having the focus to sit down for two days straight and do pretty much nothing but focus on that. It’s how she spent all of last weekend while I watched Clara (and did kitchen stuff while the bean napped).
- After 16+ hours (broken up over two days) just to read through the thing, we then scrambled to fill in some gaps and rewrite some sections just to further explain a few projects/ideas in the remaining four days. Then back to the publisher it went…
But the manuscript is only half of the book process adventure right now. It’s probably less than half, actually. Maybe a third? Because what’s really keeping us busy is prepping for the photo shoots that began yesterday morning. So here’s what’s been going down on that end of things:
- With the 250-ish ideas we’re including, about 100 are going to be photographed. Another 100 will be illustrated and the remaining ones are pretty self-explanatory tips that make sense without an image. So that means 100 of the projects/sets need to be done so we’ve got something to actually photograph. Can we say yikes again? Anyone with a blog knows that churning out enough projects to keep things interesting (maybe 3-4 a week?) is a pretty substantial task. But completing 100 secret projects on top of that? Crazytown. But things are really exciting and fun in Crazytown so we totally can’t complain. Or sleep. But sleep is so 2011. At least that’s what we’ve been telling ourselves as we whirl through projects into the early morning. At least we got to knock out a bunch of them leading up to the shoots, so some are already waiting in the wings to be shot.
- We didn’t really start full force on all of the projects until after the manuscript was turned in for the first time after New Year’s (we didn’t want to do a project that we or the publisher decided to later kill for some reason – but we did churn out a bunch that we knew would stay in). Not doing them all with a lot of lead time beforehand did mean that for those remaining projects, we did only have about 30 days to do them. Eeks. So on pretty much any night over the past month you could find us painting, hanging, sewing, cutting, and shopping for up to five projects. And that pace will continue for the next three weeks until shooting wraps (since many things have to get shot as “before” and “process” pics before being completed). But it’s fun because we’re transforming some pretty ugly things, like this old rusted thrift store table:
- As much work as it’s been, we’re not doing it completely alone. Our publisher hired a producer to help keep things organized (100 ideas doesn’t just mean 100 photos, since many have a before, process, and after shots attached to them – so it’s a lot to keep straight and schedule). We also have someone who has been a big help when it comes to gathering supplies for us. Sometimes it’s faster for us to just grab things while we’re out and sometimes we email her and say “ahhhh, can you help us get blank by such and such a date so we can sand and paint it in time to shoot it? Thanks!”
- And of course we’ve got a pro photographer who’s going to make everything look prettier than we ever possibly could with our little Nikon. So our “crew” of helpers aren’t exactly elves who do all the projects at night (we wish!) but it certainly takes a load off to have such a great team. Since we’re ultimately the people who have to choose all of the items, do all of the projects, decide what rooms/corners to shoot all of the photos, and style all of the shots, we’re still burning the midnight oil.
- As for where things for the book are coming from, we have a pretty modest book budget so we’ve been stalking craigslist, thrift stores, and even borrowing items from some of our favorite stores with their blessing (they’ll be returned in three weeks when shooting wraps). The nice thing about a modest budget is that it keeps us honest (there are a good amount of under $50, under $25, under $5, and even some free projects in our book, so that’s pretty exciting to cheap-os like us). And yes, sometimes Sherry gets hyper when we’re picking out accessories (our aim is to style things so they look fresh for you guys, since reusing all the things we already have around our house that you’ve seen a million times would be kind of stale).
- And our house? Well, it’s a mess. We’ve got projects at mid-completion here and there (we need to save some that are halfway done to shoot progress photos, so we can’t just knock them all out at once). We’ve got tons of thrifted furniture piled in the sunroom just waiting for a makeover. There are a bunch of fabric and frames and accessories stacked on the dining table. Paint cans pepper the floor. We even have frames missing from the hallway where we’ve repurposd them for book projects. Nothing is sacred. Haha. Again, in a word, it’s a mess. But it’s pretty exciting chaos.
- Being the over-sharers that we are, we’d love to tell all of the details of every project right now (#ohmanit’skillingus). But I’m not sure our publisher would be very happy with us ruining the surprise. So here are a few hint-y sneak peeks:
- Our guestroom has kinda become home to all of the completed projects. The dining room is home to all of the things in progress and the sunroom is where we’re housing all of the things we can’t touch until before photos are taken. Here’s sort of what they look like (well, as much as we can show ya)…
- So that thing that Sherry mentioned at the end of yesterday’s post that lasts three weeks is some pretty crazy-but-exciting book photography. Most of it will be going on from 8:30am to 6pm four days per week for the next three weeks, so nearly our entire February will be spent on a photography set. Well, actually the set is our house for the most part – so it’ll be three weeks of being in our house-turned-photo-studio. We finish just a few days before flying out to Oregon for the Portland Home & Garden Show, so it will definitely be a jam-packed month. Thank goodness it’s only 29 days long!
- Yes, we’re pretty much hosting a little crew of people in our house for the better part of a month so we’ll have to tell you how that goes! They’re all awesomesauce so far, and yesterday we banged out a ton of before photos and as soon as they left we were painting and upholstering and doing all the things we can now do since those “before” shots are in the can. Gotta tell ya, it feels good to get this thing going – and we already can’t wait for the book to be out so we can spill the beans about all these secrets. We’re taking lots of behind the scenes photos to share with you guys this fall when it comes out!
Update: Lots of folks are asking what we’ll be doing with all those secret projects/items once the book is shot. We’re actually hoping to do a charity auction/giveaway with some of them (not sure how shipping will work though) and some items have to be returned, etc. Maybe one or two especially sentimental ones will stay at our house, but they’re all “bonus” projects (we didn’t “design” any of them to fit into our house, which is actually really freeing since we can have fun with lots of color/fabric/textures, etc) so it should be fun to see where they end up!
So our apologies to anyone who left a comment yesterday and took a little longer than normal to see it pop up or get a response! We’re definitely juggling things over here when it comes to keeping the blog and the book (and the bean) attended to. And as nuts as the next month is going to be for us, we’re so grateful for the opportunity and so excited to share the whole crazy journey with you guys as we go. Anyone else dealing with someone visiting them for weeks on end? Or keeping 100+ secrets that are slowly burning a hole through their brains? Tell us about it. Or just tell us how crazy our house looks. Go.
Psst- Thank goodness our bean sleeps the night away so we can get stuff done (check out her technique over on Young House Life).
laurel says
Congrats!! You can do it and good luck, too. I haven’t got a crew of cameramen at my house, but 5 kids counts, so I understand. Your house really is beautiful. I ask myself all the time why I can’t make decorating decisions that turn out like John and Sherry’s!
Rochelle says
Goodnight! I can’t believe how busy you guys are. I’m exhausted just reading about what you’ve been up to. Don’t wear yourselves out!! I am so excited to buy your book! It’s so exciting. I’ll do a happy dance for you since your legs and arms and brain are probably mush at this point. Take care of yourselves, really.
Melissa @ HOUSEography says
A little scary but sooooo exciting! Can’t wait to see the book!! Maybe you could do a charity auction or something with the leftover pieces? People would obviously have to pay their own shipping.
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh that could be really fun too! We have been talking to the publisher about how that all could work (since the items are purchased with their budget they’re really “theirs” so we have to work out something with them).
xo,
s
heather says
That would be absolutely awesome. It would be cool if the charity was housing related. Since you guys give so much to the restore, maybe HFH?
YoungHouseLove says
We actually donate to Habitat For Humanity too (see our sidebar for all of the charities that we proudly support! yay!) but it would be really cool to team up with them and do something like an auction to raise money! Will have to wait until after we finish shooting and talk to the publisher about what they think!
xo,
s
Rachelle says
So excited for the book and it is so inspiring to read these updates!
Heather says
That is soo exciting!! (The fact that they sent you a blue pencil is hilarious!!) You guys are awesome… Praying for your family that all goes well in the next few weeks and your not to stressed out!!
EHS says
I’m a graphic designer, and I work with copy editors. It is funny that editing is still done with good ol’ fashioned paper and colored pencils, but it really does help to read the copy on a printed sheet.
Do you get to work with the graphic designer (I assume the designer is picked by the publisher?) once everything is edited and photographed?
Best of luck with the next three weeks.
-Emily
P.S. your house looks crazy
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, they have an in-house designer that we’ll be working with! Can’t wait for that part when we get to see it all come together!
xo,
s
tracey says
You guys are like whoa! Every time I talk about you or Clara to my hubby, we always have to remember that it’s *you guys*… You’re so amazing and rock our socks off!! Have you ever seen the movie ‘Over the Hedge’? I picture you two as Hammy the squirrel. I don’t know how you manage it all, but I love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, never seen it! Now I have to rent it just to see who Hammy the Squirrel is. Hah.
xo,
s
Barb says
Enjoy the ride!
This is a dream come true. Will be hard work but this is for your future!!! You are doing this for your family.
So through blood, sweat & tears……you will become book authors. Congrats to a job well done.
Can’t wait to buy the book.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Barb. It’s so weird to see the word book authors attributed to us. That day is going to be crazy indeed!
xo,
s
Gen K. says
My mom is coming to visit us for two weeks. She gets in on Saturday. I’m looking forward to having her here and getting a little time to myself (we have no family here, so no free babysitters, which equals no datenights and slacking on doctor visits, hair cuts, etc.). Anyways, I wondered if you’ll be getting help with Clara from John’s parents during this crazy time?
I, like everyone else here, also can not wait for the book to come out! Hope you’ll make it to the Austin area for book signings. If not, I may have to find a way to get to one elsewhere. It would be great to meet you! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, thank goodness for the grandparents! To keep her from getting overwhelmed she’s visiting with them when they’re able to take her and otherwise she’s here with one of us (while the other one of us tends to the book/blog stuff). Thankfully she’s a social girl, so she likes saying hi to everyone and has already learned their names! So cute. As for Austin book signings, we’d love to!
xo,
s
Sara says
Congrats on the book you guys! Can’t wait to see/buy/read the finished product. On a non-book related note… Where did you get the pillows in the fourth picture down? I love them!
YoungHouseLove says
The one on the left is HomeGoods and the one on the right is really old West Elm (about two years ago).
xo,
s
Ashley{The North Carolina Cowgirl} says
Wow! I bet you guys are jumping with excitement! Can’t wait till it comes out so I can get a copy! Do you think you’ll do a giveaway on the blog for a signed copy? :)
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to! We also think our publisher will be sending us on a book tour so here’s hoping we’ll end up meeting as many of you face-to-face as possible! We can’t wait to say thanks for all the love you guys show us.
xo,
s
Chesley says
I love following you guys, what a cool experience. Your determination and discipline inspire me. Thank you and best of luck surviving this month of insanity.
Alex says
So glad y’all pushed for the earlier release date! Waiting another year for the book would have been too much for me!
I don’t even know y’all for real, but I feel so proud for all of your accomplishments with this blog and now the book. Way to go!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Alex!
xo,
s
Kate K says
Holy cannoli. Take a day off from us! We will survive! This book is going to be amazing. I would have bought it even if it was all projects from the blog…but all new stuff? I’m so in. Hope it comes out in time for Christmas gifting!
erin says
Congrats! I don’t know how the heck you’re doing all of this. Question: wheredya get those two throw pillows on your couch?
YoungHouseLove says
The left one is HomeGoods and the right one is West Elm a million years ago (aka: two or three years ago). Maybe try ebay?
xo,
s
Missy says
Off topic. Burger doormat! http://www.westelm.com/products/nino-doormat-b862/?pkey=crugs-flooring
YoungHouseLove says
Love it so much!
xo,
s
Angie K says
Wow, now I can’t wait to see it!!! And I have to wait until FALL :(
You guys are my heroes :) But, reading about the next three weeks, not much balance there!!!! (I’m teasing)
Please (please) think about doing a post about how to do all this fun stuff with a Clara wandering around. I can’t imagine you are getting all this done during her nap time!! My 6 month old is really grabby and I have had to put my sketchbook down already!!!
YoungHouseLove says
She has been amazing! There are enough people here for her to chat with someone (usually Daddy or a lady named Susan) while we get stuff done and we’re also relying on John’s parents who have so kindly offered to help watch her from time to time just to keep her from getting overwhelmed by all the action. As for the actual stuff that’s all over- we usually have stuff all over for various projects (although not to this scale) so maybe she has just gotten used to having it around? She walks right up to the paint cans and squats and looks at them and sometimes pats the top but doesn’t pick them up. Just shouts “Mommy’s paint!” It’s really cute.
xo
s
Angela says
I hope you guys will be millionaires after this book deal. You totally deserve it!
Meg@ Green Motherhood says
God bless y’all! What a thrilling and overwhelming opportunity for your family. I know it will all pay off in the end!
Sending good thoughts your way! Can’t wait to purchase the book and stalk y’all on your tour!
Erin Machado says
I will be stealing “sleep is so 2011” as my motto for 2012, during which I will be finishing my MA thesis, directing a first-ever conference for our graduate department, and trying to figure out what to do with the next year of my life (aka, applying to any and every museum internship/fellowship I can find online). So thank you, John, for the mantra! ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- go get ’em girl!
xo,
s
Krystle @ ColorTansformedFamily says
Your lives are insane right now. I can’t even imagine how busy you must be and how overloaded your brain feels. I am looking forward to the book and hearing about your life over the next three weeks.
Kate says
Oh my gosh you guys are IN.SANE. Deep breaths, the chaos will be over with soon! I’m sure the book is going to be fabulous!!
elaine says
WOW! So exciting! Can’t wait for your book to come out :). Thanks for the update. This is so great for you guys and SO well deserved :)
Teri says
So exciting! The photo of Burger keeping an eye on the photographer totally made me laugh out loud! Too cute! :)
Shelley says
When you guys do your book tour you’ll have to come back to Portland and read at Powell’s. It’s sorta a big deal. =) Enjoy our gorgeous city! Tons to see and get inspired from!
YoungHouseLove says
Would love that!
xo,
s
Sarah H. says
I’m so excited for your book! I can’t believe you are working so hard on the book and doing a major kitchen reno at the same time. My question is, is our favorite photo bomber, aka Burger, going to sneak his way into any book photos?
YoungHouseLove says
Already has! Hahaha.
xo,
s
Jyl says
Wooo! So happy for you P family! Enjoy this crazy exciting time! I do hope that you plan a nice little vacation for yourselves after it’s all over though. Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of the book! Is it weird that I’m proud of you? Cos I am TOTALLY PROUD OF YOU! WOOO!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Jyl!
xo,
s
jeannette says
and burger hayulped.
love that shot.
the pic of all the paint cans just makes me tired.
hope you all are eating your greens and BRINGING SOME OF THAT PEP HOME.
take care, we’re rooting for you.
jeannette says
p.s. i am a collard green freak, and often don’t have time to cook them. the canned ones, with turkey sausage and chopped vidalia onion make a great lo fat southern lunch.
i’m strong to the bollards ’cause i eat my collards.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I like it!
xo,
s
Julie says
Much as I hate to be one of “those people”, I gotta tell you….you put your “pedal to the metal” (as in car)…not to the medal…sorry!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- you’re right! Fixed!
xo,
s
erika m says
I just wanted to tell you that your drive, ambition and discipline is truly admirable-I have 4 kids and though I need to “move it”, discipline is truly a weakness of mine-we are chaos unfurled. Looking forward to the book-keep up the awesome work!
Kate Battle says
Wow, you guys are amazing! When all this is done are you going to send Clara and Burger to Grandma’s house and sleep for like 48 hours straight???
Can’t wait to see the book!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- that sounds amazing.
xo,
s
Laurie Sturtevant says
Now I feel bad about being so impatient about kitchen updates! UPDATES? How are you working on it at all? Can’t wait for the book. I can introduce you to all the non-blog readers in the family.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- we’re trucking in the kitchen – gotta keep moving! Big hood update tomorrow!
xo,
s
Tina Bland says
AHHHHH!!! I can’t wait!!! I’m so excited for you guys – it’s going to be awesome! I am pumped to see all the projects because it’s totally something I’d love and buy to DIY. Congrats, and thanks for all your hard work and dedication!
Kat says
Yeowzers. I wanna go get a cup of my favorite “my work schedule just spun out of my control and now I need a grande triple-shot something-or-other to calm my nerves” drink in solidarity with you! So exciting and crazy, all at once. Congrats!
Not that you need further affirmation of how much you’re trusted and respected design gurus, I was at Home Depot this weekend, armed with a pillowcase and trying find a funky color for my spare bedroom. I was pondering deep grays (it turns out grays/greens are the predominate theme at the new maison du moi), and one of the HD “paint pals” (that’s what I secretly call them) waltzed up and told me they had a great color to recommend. They pulled out Martha Stewart’s Plumage, telling me it was a great color they saw on their favorite design blog – YoungeHouseLove. Yep, my spare bedroom is now all fancified in Plumage. I know a sign when I see it. :) Again, congrats on such awesome recognition and the fruits of hard work and skill!
YoungHouseLove says
No way!! I love that color! So sweet of them to recommend it.
xo,
s
Kat says
Way!! You have a following in the Frederick, MD area!
I love the paint color, not sure about the finished room. I think it may be a case of the right paint and bedding, but the wrong rug. We’ll see…
Alissa says
My only question (and I feel horrible for asking because you guys are so busy that answering me is another thing in your to-do list!) is how on Earth are you planning to run the blog AND do these 100 secret projects (and keep from going insane) in the next three weeks? Even if you just post reader projects, if I recall commenting takes up a quarter of your time!
Alissa says
Hope that didn’t come across as critical. Just love you guys so much I want to make sure you don’t burn out. Seriously, I’m in awee. Maybe a trip to the beach to celebrate when this is done? :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- no worries! A trip to the beach to celebrate would be amazing!
xo,
s
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve had to be less active on comments than usual just to keep up with book stuff but now that the crew has left (it’s 5:45) we can go in and answer and approve all the comments we couldn’t tackle during the day! It’s working so far, but we’ll have to see how it goes!
xo,
s
Sara R. says
I’m so excited to buy your book when it comes out! I really want to make-over our living room and do a total kitchen reno sometime soon! Love getting tips and advice from your blog! Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks!
xo,
s
BHK says
I don’t know how you guys do it with Clara. I mean, both my husband and I work fulltime and we have a little bug just about Clara’s age but at the end of the day after we get her to bed I have little juice leftover to do the regular stuff (cook, clean, put away) let alone paint, sand, DIY… Incredible! I think when February is done you guys deserve major vacation.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks BHK! We’re actually planing a little break at the end of the month- just to celebrate getting through it and living to tell the tale!
xo,
s
So... says
Wow, congratulations on such a wonderful and enormous undertaking!
This is so random and I’m kind of embarrassed but not enough to not ask…does the crew of photographers also follow your “no shoe” rule in the house? Did the electricians? My husband and I don’t allow shoes but for some of the maintenance people that have had to come into our apartment we’re too shy to force them to take off their shoes but they have the dirtiest ones so we need to figure something out.
YoungHouseLove says
Good question! The electricians had very dry shoes (it wasn’t a rainy day) and were only walking in our kitchen so we didn’t ask them to take them off (climbing up and down ladders might hurt in bare feet and might even be dangerous with all the tools they have to use/debris on the ground from drilling). But for the shoot people have asked if we’d like them to take them off and we usually say “it doesn’t hurt if you don’t mind since Clara does a lot of playing on the floor” so they usually wipe them very well or take them off completely. Sometimes we go in and out for shoots (and positioning reflectors) outside, so in those cases we don’t mind them keeping them on to duck in and out since it would be a big time suck to keep slipping in and out of them. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Fresnomommy says
Omg! I can’t wait for this book!! I love your website and ideas, please advise when it’s out!!! :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! Will do!
xo,
s
Azure says
Y’all are so awesome!!
Love your website, and can’t wait for the book!
Lauren says
Wow! This is so amazing and I know you must be pinching yourself as you look around your house and see all your hard work and dreams become realities! I can’t wait to pick up a copy. That picture of you in front of Pier One had me smiling because they have soooooo much gorgeous stuff right now. I could totally see myself buying a million things in there and coming out with my arms up in victory like that! Haha! How is Clara liking all the visitors?
YoungHouseLove says
She’s pretty good! She’s a social girl so she’s learned all their names and says “oh hi Susan” when someone walks in. It’s hilarious. She’s also spending some time with her grandparents just to keep her from getting overwhelmed, although shooting doesn’t seem to effect her napping thank goodness (she squeezed in two hours today even with hammering and dropping a giant daybed on its side. Oops.
xo,
s
Meredith @ La Buena Vida says
How fun! And also crazy/exciting/frustrating/overwhelming. I can’t wait to see the final product!
I didn’t know (or probably missed!) that you guys were coming to my neck of the woods…I totally consider all of Oregon my neck of the woods, even though I actually live in Southern Oregon ;) Have a great time, and be sure to hit up Powell’s Books and Voodoo Doughnuts if you happen to have any free time!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the Portland tips!
-John
heather s. says
Exciting! I am a Technical Writer and we still get our manuals back in printed form from the printer to review. You would be amazed at how much you see in print vs. online when you’re going through something with a fine toothed comb.
Leigh Anne says
Your pace puts us mere mortals to shame – can’t wait to see all the awesome projects you have up your sleeve!
Laura D says
Have you mentioned where the blue and white pillow in the 4th picture is from? I am afraid you will say “clearance 10 years ago” which is code for “don’t get your hopes up ‘cuz it doesn’t exist anywhere but someone’s living room”
YoungHouseLove says
It was a HomeGoods find, so not either of your guesses – but maybe equally unhelpful in tracking down another. :(
-John
Vanessa says
Wow good luck on everything. I am tired just reading your post! I cannot wait until your book comes out so I can buy one and some for family and friends! You are both working so hard and it will turn out great. I hope you come to Dallas to do a book signing!!
emily @ the happy home says
this is so exciting! i cannot wait until i can pre-order that book.
a few jobs back, i got to spend a lot of time in a photo studio. oddly, i think it’s one of the places that is most conducive to creativity. to see something turn into a magically-lit, gorgeous product just gives the warm & fuzzies.
Lisa says
I am so so so excited about the book and hearing about all the details! And I’m a little jealous of all your helpers. It would be awesome to work with you guys!
Emily says
PDX will be so happy to have you and I can’t wait to see you at the home show! There are so many fun shopping and dining places you should try. For shopping you should visit the ReBuilding Center, HIppo Hardware and Rejuvenation for architectural salvage loveliness and Schoolhouse Electric for fun local finds. Tasty N Sons, Toro Bravo, Ristretto Roasters are just a few yummy options for dining. See you in February!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the recommendations!
-John
Raquel says
I’m so excited for you! Really! Would be so happy to lend a hand if I were nearby. Do you have family who could step in during these hectic weeks to care for Clara and keep the home fires burning while you focus on the book? Take care of yourselves. And congratulations on this next big step in your careers!
YoungHouseLove says
Yep, Grammy and Tom Tom (my parents) have been a huge help this week so far with the Clara watching!
-John