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You came here for the cookbook giveaway, right? 😛 Let’s deal with that first. This is actually a Facebook giveaway; to enter, like or comment on the giveaway post (update: contest has ended). I’m planning to do more blog giveaways of the book eventually, but that’ll have to wait until I get back from Africa. The Facebook giveaway will end Monday evening (Feb. 6, ’17) when I pick a random winner.
Not familiar with my cookbook? Click here to visit the Cookbook page on my website for details, a preview, and a purchase button.
And now for some pictures! I was recently in Holmes County, Ohio, at Carlisle Printing to do some press checks, and I thought you guys might enjoy seeing some pictures! These were just taken with my phone, so please excuse the quality.
But first, the picture above was actually taken in Lancaster, PA, in Good’s Store (East Earl location). It’s always such a surreal experience for me to see my own books on a store shelf. Side trip here: when I was 10-12 years old and thinking about “what I want to be when I grow up,” I was fully convinced that I was going to go to college for a creative writing degree and become an author. I was a major bookworm with a vivid imagination, and I could think of nothing more fun than writing for a living. Later on as I got into horses, that dream changed, and I switched from wanting to go to college for a writing degree to wanting to go to France to apprentice with one of my favorite horse trainers. My mom wasn’t too fond of that idea. Then I decided that I wanted to operate a therapeutic riding ministry, so I thought going to school for a psychology/counselling degree would be an asset. When my OCD came along in the last two years of high school, I decided I was going to take a year’s break from school after graduation, then I started blogging…and the rest is history. I soon realized that I enjoyed working for myself, plus I could learn plenty from the school of hard knocks while saving money instead of paying school loans. Now I’m 21, and instead of graduating from college this year, I’m a published author with a self-employed full time job doing what I love: creating, writing, and ministering to people. Does it look way different than I thought it would ten years ago? Absolutely. But that, my friends, is how God works. I was quite a ways into the cookbook publishing process before I realized that God had brought me full circle to my original dream of writing. God has a sense of loving humor.
But enough bunny trails.
The picture you see above is only part of the paper being used to print a batch of my books. The stack in the foreground is about waist-high as a reference point.
And this, my friends, is the press! I was actually standing on the walkway on top to take this picture; the press itself is taller than I am. This press uses four colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, to create all the colors you see in my book!
In these two pictures, you see the specially lighted board where the big press sheets are checked for color accuracy. (That’s what I was there for.)Â Fine-tuned adjustments can then be made using the controls.
Below you see stacks of finished books beside the binding table. Due to the size of the book plus the fact that it has a hard cover, all of these books are spiraled by hand.
Finished books are packed in cardboard boxes for shipment:
Did you enjoy the tour? I always love visiting the printing company and taking in the blur of sights, smells, and sounds! They never fail to inspire me to create something, which can be good or bad, depending on how well I can resist the urge to jump into too many projects at once. 😛
Again, you can click here to check out details about my cookbook.
Lori Rainey says
First of all thanks for all of your yummy recipes!! Mixed with your humor!
I am enjoying the cookbook tremendously…especially when I see things from home (yes, Lancaster, actually Lititz 🙂 , PA) like Whoopie Pies (funny your book is beside one called whoopies in the photo!) and poppy seed chicken and peanut butter fingers …not often found elsewhere.
Praying here in WV for your trip!
(Been here 20 years now, but get home to PA often!)
Karla Cook says
I’m excited about your cookbook because I’ve been trying (and liking) some of your recipes the last few weeks. But I really enjoyed seeing the press check pictures. My husband and I work for a print shop and we have a 5-color press very similar to the one in your pictures. It is quite impressive! And yes, we hand bind spiral-bound books.
Thanks for sharing!
Briana Thomas says
Very neat! Where is your shop located?
Southern Gal says
I’m so happy for you. Can’t wait to purchase my own.
Stacey Kinnick says
How cool! What an accomplishment for you, and lucky for us! Can’t wait until I can afford one!
Kelly A says
Love your recipes & excited for the book!
Lisa Hartley says
Wow , so exciting to have your own book….Loved the trip through a printing Congratulations!!!
Cindy says
Thanks for the tour, Briana! I love love love my cookbook and am very thankful to have it. One of my favorites is still the detox eggnog. I had it this morning. 🙂 I’ll be praying for you while you’re in Africa and will be excited to hear about your trip!
Jill says
My own career path took some unexpected twists and turns. Thought I’d be in computer technology. Dropped out of that program because I hated math. Entered a two-year banking program (my high school job was at a bank). Had to take accounting 101. Discovered I LOVED it and it came easy. Got the BA in Accounting. But then a really great public service job with a local elected official opened up. And I discovered that I REALLY REALLY love serving my community in local government. Been in that line of work ever since and have never used my accounting degree.
They say “do what you love and the money will follow” but sometimes you just have to jump into life to find out what it is that you love!
Patricia says
Briana, I’m so glad for the path God has led you down. It’s amazing how He’s using you to bless people all over this country (hello from South Texas!) through this cookbook! I’m coming back to THM and I’m finding help in your cookbook. Your walk with the Lord has blessed me already 🙂
SHARON says
Your recipes make my life easier! Thanks so much!!! Sharon MacKenzie
Lisa Womble says
Love your cookbook! Everything is well done.
Praying for many blessings for you and your family.
Melissa George says
Wow! Thanks for sharing such cool pictures. My daughter has written a children’s book and wants to get it published. I think that she will really enjoy seeing your pictures. God is totally awesome! I love to look back and see the path that He has led me on.