NYT, RVA, Chi-town & the T-Dot: a house log

Swift note: Tomorrow (Saturday) we will be in Dallas at 11am at the West Elm on 5307 East Mockingbird Lane for cookies, cocoa and a book signing (more info here). We’d enjoy to see ya there!

We are back with a little book/life/tour update (#warning it is long). Admittedly, it is sooner than we had originally planned (our last one was a week ago), but plenty has happened and we are simply brimming with news and pictures so we have in short overflowed. Somebody get a mop. Or perhaps a tissue. Because we have gotta start with some crazy excellent / amazingly humbling news. We simply learned that our book has become an instant New York Times bestseller. I cannot believe I simply typed those words. It’ll in fact be printed in the paper on 11/25, but this is a sneak peek image that we got. And yes, we totally called our parents and Sherry had a good cry (and I got something in my eye, but no sir I was not crying). Then we laughed for at least three minutes about book #10’s title. #catpoetryforthewin

Sherry and I are still new sufficient to this publishing world that we do not fully comprehend how these lists are crafted and what exactly it means. Though we are certain it means one thing: we have the best readers ever. Because this was all thanks to you folks. Whether you’ve purchased a copy, shown up for a signing, or even simply left an encouraging comment back when we were starting this whole adventure – we owe you a giant fist bump for showing so much enjoy and support. We could not have done it without you. Seriously. And if we are being honest, we still think this might be a long and elaborate dream sequence…

Speaking of signings, we figured we should catch up up on some of our latest stops (or are we simply dreaming about them?) since happenings from yesterday are already starting to get blurry in our cookie-and-cocoa-riddled minds. So let us pick up where we left off here. We flew back from Boston to Richmond last Thursday, caught our breath, and before we knew it found ourselves at our first hometown event in Richmond called “R for the Holidays.” R.Home is a local shelter mag and we were fully surprised when they asked us to be on the cover of their Nov/Dec issue (and even more taken aback to see it blown up so big at the event)… let us simply say we both made faces like this:

Back in the day we wrote a Hands-on column for them and we have in fact attended every R.Home for the Holidays event since its inception simply as guests, so it was fully surreal to be speakers for the night. Oh, and how cute is beansie on that cover picture? We could not wrangle both Burger and Clara simultaneously, so Burger ended up being represented by the sparkly chihuahua ornament in the green bowl that Clara’s in fact reaching for in the photo. You can read a snippet of the article and watch a swift behind-the-scenes video here (and see a bigger picture of the cover, to get a glance of Faux Burger here).

Oh and Sherry wants me to tell you that when we shot the “Clara reaching photo” back in late October (here is another Clara reaching pic, simply because it seems to be her theme) she had waaay too much lively decorating those built-ins behind us for Christmas (they called to request that we do that since it was for the Nov/Dec cover). So they still mostly look like that and when we get back from this tour she’ll likely simply “add even more Christmas.” #imarriedachristmaself

Anyways, back to the event. You may have heard that this is where we auctioned off some of the projects in the book. It was a strong way for us to put some of those DIYed furniture and accessories to good use while also supporting a local cause (The School of Richmond’s Ballet which gives dance lessons to children who otherwise could not afford them). We put a bunch of items up for auction (among them were two desks, two chairs, a bookshelf, a mirror, and a rug) and as we mentioned here, we later found out that our little auction raised $500 for local kids. Woot! Here is Sherry making sure there are not any bugs hiding in the drawers before the auction. #keepingitreal

The evening began with a talk by Adam Roberts who turned his journal, The Amateur Gourmet, into a seriously striking cookbook called Secrets of the Best Chefs. In short: he was brilliant, inspiring, and hilarious. Then we went on and chatted with everyone about seven Hands-on lessons we have learned (many of them, the hard way). We certainly hope to link to a video of our chat when it is up on R Home’s website, so we will keep you posted. In the meantime, here is the synopsis: we were nerdlings, we over-shared, and the crowd was awesomely smiley. #bestmustacheever

With both talks wrapped up, we turned to the signing portion of the night – which is swiftly becoming our go-to part of these things. We get to talk to people, take funny photos, and have conversations like: “Did Katie Bower have her baby yet!” “Nope, not yet – we simply talked to her an hour ago!”

Amidst many familiar Richmond faces, we got to meet tons of new friends – like Hallie, who won our “trip to Richmond” giveaway last month. If any part of you wants to spew bile in her direction for winning, know this: she was sweet and bubbly and genuine and a thousand other pleasant words. She invited her mom along for a whirlwind weekend in RVA (Hallie was flown in from St. Louis and her mom was flown from Jacksonville). Sadly our hang out time clocked all of five minutes, but we later heard that they had a blast doing all sorts of RVA activities around town.

This woman gracefully accepted Sherry’s blurting compliment of “You look simply like Meryl Streep!” She said she gets it a lot and even has a Meryl reference on her license plate. So Sherry insisted that we get a photo so we can pretend that we truly met the star of classics like 1994’s The River Wild (arguably her best rafting-themed movie to date).

Along with a smattering of ceramic animal signing requests, we got funny invitations like this one, which was: “please sign a onesie for my baby.” Sherry opted to put a baby-sized hammer near the hand hole. Naturally.

And once again we enjoyed the kindness / craftiness / general awesomeness of our readers, who brought lively things like this Justin Timberlake bobblehead (there is something in the box, if you know what I am saying). It is an inside joke at their office, apparently – and they hoped to pass him along to us because, well, he’s small and ceramic. And check out the excellent sugar cookies that arrived sporting Burger’s likeness.

When Richmond wrapped up, we hit the hay and about 12 hours later on Friday afternoon we found ourselves flying over the fair city of Chicago!

In Chicago we crammed in a little journal activity before our West Elm event the following day. We in fact crashed a familiar home that you may know from a certain journal named Making It Lovely. There is a full House Crashing post to come, but let us simply say that it was incredibly cool to at last meet Nicole and her family, but incredibly nerve-wracking to photograph the same spaces that Nicole captures so beautifully herself. But we hope you folks enjoy seeing some distinct angles of a house that so many of you already know and enjoy.

Before our event the next afternoon at West Elm, we darted out to take a tourist-tastic photo in front of Chicago’s famous shiny bean. Sherry loves shiny things and we both have a fondness for a good bean, so it felt like a no-brainer.

Little did we know, while we were out squeezing in a sight or two, the line was already forming over in Lincoln Park. Christina takes the cake for most prepared. She drove overnight from St. Louis and camped out starting at 5:30am (for a 1pm start time). She retells her travels much more hilariously than we ever could on her journal. We were simply glad to know that after all that waiting she was not disappointed when she learned that we were not an iPhone or Harry Potter movie. Thanks again Christina!

The Chicago folks rocked our socks – both the West Elmers (or “Elmers” as we are learning they are called) and the readers. Even with a freak thunderstorm (a theme of our tour = weather events) thankfully most folks stayed dry and enjoyed toasty warm cocoa and cookies. There are too many good stories from the stop to cram in here, but we will share a few highlights. There was this bride who sent a virtual greeting from her hairdresser as she got ready for her wedding that day…

… and these sweet DIYed items, like a sparkly Burger portrait and a homemade horse puzzle (it was made by the fella in orange who is a high school shop teacher). Clara and I have already had some good times putting that horse together, btw.

And sadly this picture does not do this gift justice. It is a striking handbound book featuring all of Clara’s photo project – from Week 1 all the way up to Month 29! So thoughtful. #yessherrycried

And how’s this for a cute story? Before coming to the event this gentleman surprised his girlfriend with our book at the shiny bean and inside the front he wrote – wait for it – a proposal! Yep, these lovebirds got engaged that day and our little book got to be part of it! Then they came to our signing and told us their story. Remarkable.

Amongst many lively photos, there were ceramic animal milestones like reuniting with dearly departed Ramsey‘s twin.

And this group that requested a crazy picture. I think we achieved it, right?

And it is starting to become a tradition of sorts to get an “End of the Line” group picture, to celebrate the people who were über patient. We enjoy you folks!

The event wrapped up simply in time for us to race to O’Hare and catch a flight that would get us back to Richmond late on Saturday night. While we waited at the gate, I took care of a little business – writing Granny a postcard from each of our stops. To date we have sent her eight from each of our out of state events (she receives one every other day or so).

Sunday was a “rest day” that we begged our publisher to put into our schedule (did not want to be away from Clara & Burger for too long) but it turned into more of a catch up on laundry, cleaning, and grocery shopping day. But since Richmond was pleasant sufficient to be 70 degrees, we were sure to sneak in some quality Clara and Burger time since they’ve been holding down the fort (with the assist of my parents) while we were away. So there was some lively at the park and we went on a pleasant walk and even unpacked our suitcases simply in time to pack them again for the next day. Yup, Monday morning brought another early morning departure through Richmond International Airport. And this time we were putting the “International” part to use and heading to our stop in Toronto, Canada. Hello CN Tower! My, what a tall antenna you have.

We did not in fact make it up the tower (Sherry had been before and we are both somewhat heights-averse sufficient to agree on admiring it from below) but we did have lively with some moose friends (or enemies) in the gift shop. The mountie moose was much less aggressive, fyi. #lookatthatsmile

We also enjoyed some plain pleasures like this. Yup, I am still ten at heart, posing under a sign with my name.

Our Toronto hotel was fairly excellent (perhaps they are all remarkable and non-chain-y up there?). In fact it was so excellent that between it and a cool restaurant that we stumbled upon, we are in fact going to crash them in a future post for you folks (Hotel Crashing? Restaurant Crashing?). But since we know you enjoy a preview, here is the double-sided glass shower in the middle of the room. It in fact had blinds that you could close for more modest showering if you hoped to… #didweordidntwe

By evening it was raining (which did not surprise us at this point) and we hit up the Toronto West Elm for that night’s signing. The Canadians that we met (along with some Americans that drove up from NY) proved that friendliness and generosity do not simply live on this side of the border. Folks brought wonderful stuff like maple donuts (my GO-TO) and this striking worm watercolor for Clara. Cannot wait to see the look on her face when we give it to her this Sunday.

We even had our quite first FaceTime “guest” in Toronto (it is a lively surprise when a face on a phone starts smiling and talking to you out of nowhere). We took a picture holding the phone and had lively posting “together.” Good times.

Oh and Sherry met her Canadian twin. Perhaps not so much in the hair / height department, but in the blazer / striped shirt / skinny jeans area they are practically born from the same egg.

Speaking of born… this was perhaps our go-to photo of the night. This mom-to-be supplied the signs so that Sherry could assist squash any pregnancy rumors for good (and so she could announce her own exciting news).

And speaking of sherry’s blazer, she has been meaning to tell you folks that yes, it is the same one for every signing (and yes, it is from Target). Her philosophy is that it is like when someone wears the same jersey for every game. Her blazer gets to travel the country and she changes her earrings, shoes, and the shirt underneath. So there you have it. #mywifeisweirdbutiloveheranyway

A funny thing happened in Toronto where folks in line somehow received the instruction to outline their own message in the book in addition to the post-it that spells their name for us (the usual drill is that folks spell their name for us, but we write the dedication ourselves). This accidental self-imposed “tell us what you want us to say to you” method created a few awkward moments, but more frequently than not people had lively with it. Like Kaylee and Mike who suggested a Mad Lib style entry for Sherry to fill in. I believe someone also tricked us into inviting them for Christmas dinner and another couple had us proclaim them to be our BFFs for life.

When the event at last wound down (and the rain stopped!) we were sufficiently pooped for the day and could not muster the energy to go sit in a restaurant for dinner. Fortunately we had saved up our daily food allowance and our hotel had room service that included the $9 Canadian staple poutine (french fries + gravy + cheese). It was excellent. And I ate entirely too much of it. It was in fact only our second time ever getting room service, so it was a fairly memorable night – even if it was simply nine bucks worth of fries covered in cheesy gravy.

The West Elem signing was not our last stop in Toronto though. We’d been invited to do a short segment on Global TV’s The Morning Show with about 20 hours notice. I will admit I hadn’t heard of it being from the states, but it felt roughly the equivalent of Good Morning America or The Today Show. Let us simply say, equivalent sufficient that I required make-up and we both got skittish and clammy (kinda like how Burger gets around cats).

We have never done a big show like that LIVE so we were admittedly quite nervous that we’d screw it up and immediately be asked to leave their country. Add to that equation that the props we had shipped did not arrive as planned so we had to improvise with about 10 hours notice. The hurricanes that you see below were borrowed from West Elm the night before at the quite end of our signing and we scrambled to cobble together some filler with things from the grocery store (lemons, limes, pistachios, apples, etc). It was all assembled backstage moments before we went on…

So now that we have concluded our whirlwind week, we will leave you to enjoy your weekend. But wait. We still want to pucker up and say “thanks! we enjoy you!” one more time. Without you folks there would be no book. There would be no signings. And our names certainly would not be on that crazy list at the start of this post. So yeah. Rock on you lovely people. Words cannot express our gratitude (or how surreal this whole ride truly has been).

Anyway, we are wrapping up our biggest week of tour stops tomorrow in Dallas, TX which means we will have another update for you about our stops there as well as in Minneapolis and Houston in another week or two. We are having such a blast meeting you folks and have certainly done our darndest to keep the journal up and running while we are gone, so thanks again to everyone for bearing with us and saying such kind things and otherwise being a large part of making this all happen. #seriouslyarewedreaming #ifwearedontwakeusup

Psst- Some people have asked how they can get signed copies of our book if they do not live near a signing stop, and now an excellent local book store here in Richmond called Fountain Books is shipping them to anyone who’d like one, so here is that link for ya.