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I’m finished.
(pictured above: Ice Cream Sandwiches)
(pictured below: Peanut Butter Cake with Chocolate Ganache)
Those of you who know me know that this cookbook project has been…intense. It’s been my life for the past year. It’s been overwhelming (as I shared in this post). Sometimes I didn’t know if I’d be able to finish or not.
(pictured below: Fudgy Chocolate Brownie Cake with Fudgy Mocha Frosting)
But God has been with me every step of the way. Through all the big decisions, the recipe flops, the cooking-until-10-pm-trying-to-finish-up-weekly-recipe-quota.
(pictured below: Grasshopper Pie, or Mock Mint Oreo Ice Cream Pie, or something else. Name subject to change.)
And this week, I finished. Between Thursday and Friday, I made the last 5 recipes for my cookbook. I prayed hard that they would all turn out so I could be done.
Do you believe in miracles? I do. Because every single recipe was good.
Rejoice with me, friends! This stage of the project is finished! It’s a huge weight off of my shoulders, but it also means that I will be having a phone call with my printer on Monday to discuss the next step of the process. I have a goal to get everything sent to the printer before I head up to Lancaster for a singing tour at the beginning of August…am I crazy? Guess I’ll find out soon enough… 😛
If you think about it, please pray that I will have wisdom and perseverance as I tackle this next unknown step in the process of this cookbook project. Thank you so much to all of you who have prayed for me and encouraged me through the process. Your support means so much!
About the pictures in this post – these are the last 5 recipes! Some of them may be appearing on the blog eventually, but some will be cookbook exclusives. Their names are subject to change between now and publication…lol.
(pictured below: Texas Sheet Cake)
You can find these recipes in my cookbook, Necessary Food.
I know your cookbook will be the standard all future THM cookbooks will be based on. Thank you for all your hard work. I really appreciate your blog and your commitment to good, ORGANIZED recipes, and great photos.
Haha, I’m not so sure about that, but thank you for the vote of confidence! 😉
I will hand it to you….. you have done good. Real good! ? In fact, even though I am not a THM’er, I would love to buy your cookbook. Perhaps even dip my toes into the THM world again. Huge congratulations !!
Thank you so much, Kendra! As a fellow blogger, I know you understand what’s involved. 😉
You are an inspiration! I’m so excited to get one of your cookbooks in my hands. I LOVE your recipes! Thanks for all of your hard work!
Hi Briana! *squeak!* I just wanted to congratulate you on your cookbook completion!
I have been a follower of your blog since the early days, ever since the legendary French Toast in a Bowl came out, and I have thought it just so cool how you’ve monetized your blog, cleaned up your photography, and improved your recipe graphics. My mother is a blogger (and author) and I have been watching her come along way, too, and your separate journeys are not so different, but are both interesting and inspiring.
I absolutely cannot wait to get your cookbook! I am definitely going to have it on pre-order. (And believe me when I say I almost wet my pants when I saw your recipe for Texas Sheet Cake. I love it THAT much.) 😀 Way to go!
Thank you so much, Olivia! It’s neat to hear from such a dedicated observer. 😉 I’ve really enjoyed the journey over these past couple of years, although it’s not without its frustrations as I go to put a cookbook together and get annoyed at some of the pictures I was taking just one year ago. Oh well, they’ll be in the book, and then someday I can look back and see them as an example of my life journey. I’d love to see your mom’s blog! Would you mind sharing the link?
OH man, that’s how I feel looking back over my old graphic art pieces! But at the same time, it’s encouraging to see how far you’ve come, right? 🙂 My mom’s blog is called TheSurvivalMom.com. Hope you like it!
I just took a look and your mom has some really interesting stuff over there! Thanks for sharing!
Glad I found your blog and I look forward to your cookbook–congratulations!
Just out of curiosity, will you be pulling the recipes off your website when the cookbook comes out? Just wondering as I’ve got some pinned on my pinterest board and have started directing some friends to your links. 🙂
Hi Amy! All the recipes will stay on my site. 🙂 The cookbook will be a handy tool so we can have a hard copy of everything in one spot – plus it will include a lot of recipes that won’t be posted on my website.
Sounds great! Thank you! One more question… Will it have color pictures?
Looking forward to it when it’s ready for purchase!
There will be color photos of most of the recipes.
So excited for you and for us too! Can’t wait to get your cookbook. Congratulations and thank you for all the hours you have poured into getting the recipes just right!
So excited for you that you’re done! Well, at least with the recipes. Can’t wait till your cookbook comes out!
Thank you, Jolita!
WOW! What an accomplishment. Your cookbook will be a testimony that with God’s help and hard work, you can make your dreams come true. You’re an inspiration! I’m looking so forward to buying it and trying all your amazing recipes. I’ll be praying for you, Briana! And your pictures are beautiful too!
Thank you so much, Laurie!
Where are you singing in Lancaster?
I’m singing with Laudate Mennonite Ensemble. 🙂 We’ll be giving a short tour and doing a recording. You can find our tour schedule here: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1148332968557640&id=187859717938308
I’m so excited for you and can’t wait for your cookbook! You are such a creative force in the kitchen! Thanks from all us THMers with a sweet tooth! May God continue to bless your life and endeavors!
Jenna
Thank you, Jenna!
Congratulations! An accomplishment of this magnitude deserves a huge pat on the back! Can’t wait to see the finished product…bet you can’t wait either! Good luck with this next phase!!
Thank you, Marcia!
Are you doing a preorder on this cookbook? It all looks delicious!
Yes, I will be doing a preorder to help fund the printing process. 🙂 I’m hoping to release it for preorder in September or somewhere thereabouts, then distribute in October, but those times could be subject to change.
Wow! Awesome! *applause* 😀
One question: will your cookbook be available in other forms beside a book?
Hi Patricia! That’s one of the details I still have to nail down with the printer. 🙂
Yay!!! so happy for you!! i am sure it is a huge relief to have it done!!! best of luck at the printer and PLEASE make the font bigger than the THM cookbook!!! i had to highlight the amounts (1/2tsp) because it is so small. that would be a great help!!! the last five recipes look amazingly delicious and can’t wait to try them!!! Have fun on your singing tour and can’t wait to get my copy!!! You are blessed!!!!
Thank you, Elaine – and thanks for the suggestion!
I for one am sooooo excited about your cookbook. I will be ordering a copy the second I can…LOL ??
Aw, thank you, Betty!
I have been like I little kid waiting for Christmas waiting for your cookbook. Your recipes are my go to for feeding my family and it will be so nice to have a bound book of them rather than printouts in every nook and cranny in my kitchen. God has been with you guiding you and giving you a shoulder to lean on through out this process and he will continue to be there for you through the rest of the process. Thank you so much for all your hard work.
Thank you for the encouragement, Shelly!
Oh Briana, I am so happy for you. What an accomplishment. Your family must be very proud of you. I know I am!
Aw, thank you, Laura!
I’m kind of disgruntled. I was SURE I would never need to buy another cookbook in my life because Pinterest has so many recipes to keep me occupied. However, your cookbook sounds like a deal breaker. Thanks for your hard work. I’m excited to see your finished book.
I have one question…do you plan what kind of recipe to try by what kind(S, E, or FP) of meal or snack you need at that time of the day? I would be taste testing like nobody’s business . Just a thought that popped into my head this AM.
Basically I make whatever I have the ingredients for at the time (and whatever sounds good). 🙂 I often get on a roll with a certain type of recipe (for example, I did a lot of cookie recipes one right after the other). Towards the end as I was whittling down my list, it became a matter of just finishing, so there has been a lot of heavy S taste testing going on (because I saved all the heavy recipes for last…lol). I made 3 cheesecakes in one week. Some of this stuff I’ve put in the freezer, but a lot of it we’ve just eaten. Now that I’m finished, I’m taking a break from making desserts for awhile!! Maybe I can actually lose some weight…
Hooray! Your cookbook will be in my library soon! Love everything I have tried of yours!! Thank you for giving God the glory and leaning on Him for guidance. He deserves every bit of our praise! ?
Aw, thank YOU, Lana!
I am so excited about the cookbook. I am getting back on the THM train after being off track for several months for many reasons. Thanks for all you share. Praying Ephesians 3:20 for you.
Thank you, Joy!
Where in Lancaster, Briana, because I want to attend your signing! Lancaster isn’t that far from me!
Hi Sally! You should be able to view our tour schedule on this page: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1148332968557640&id=187859717938308
Hello Briana,
I have been following you for awhile.( Lurking around in the background, i kinda feel like a stalker sometimes! ) All the recipes I have tried of yours have been SO good. Easy to follow, normal ingredients, tasty and plan approved. Yay! Thank you for taking so much time to be a blessing! Love the baking mix, smart girl!! So hoping to get my hands on a copy of your cookbook. Soon! So exciting! Congratulations- you go girl!!!
Mama to 9 in Canada
Thank you so much, Leslie!
So proud of you! Cheering you on! ❤️
Aw, thanks, Jen!
Wow! Good for you! I know you must feel a sense of accomplishment.
Can’t wait to order my copy.
Blessings….
Thank you, Teresa!
I’m so happy for you! Even though I just recently found your blog, I could tell that you’d been putting a lot of work into the cookbook! Does it feel like you can take time to breathe now?
Hi Wendy! I’m glad you found me! 😉 Yes, I definitely feel like I have more room to breathe – and I’ll have even more breathability once I get all these recipes and pictures formatted for the printer!
It’s exciting to watch you take the next step. Oh, my! I cannot wait (but probably for reasons slightly different than yours). Praying for you as you continue to walk by faith; your paths will be made straight.
Thank you so much, Elise!
I am so excited about your cookbook! Can’t wait to get one!
You and me both!
HI Briana yes I will pray. Just wondering if those of us on the other side of the world will be able to order your book? I have printed off a lot of your recipes from your site and I would love to have the new cookbook! I think God has really gifted you. You are a genius.
Thank you so much, Melanie! I am planning on having a couple of different ordering and shipping options, including some straight from my printer, so I don’t think that shipping overseas will be a problem. Your shipping costs will be higher than US shipping costs, but hopefully not outrageous. 🙂 I will do my best to make it available for everyone at an affordable price.
Yay. Praise the Lord. Thanks Briana.
This looks amazingly yummy!
Thank you, Linda!
Looking fwd to your cookbk. Love your recipes!
May God bless you richly as you bless the THM community.
Thank you, Naida!
The grasshopper pie looks delicious!
It tasted pretty good too. 😉 Wish I could share!
So looking forward to getting your cookbook.
I have enjoyed every recipe of yours that I have tried.
Prayers and good thoughts for the next step. Not only at the printer, but also on the singing tour.
Blessings to you!
Kerry
Thank you so much, Kerry!
Congrats on getting all of the recipes finished!! Will be praying for you!! 🙂
Thank you, Lisa; I really appreciate that!
Praise God! Briana, I’m rejoicing WITH you and FOR myself as I cannot wait to get my hot little hands on a copy!!!!
I’m so excited for you! Thank you for working so hard on this. I’m positive it will be a HUGE blessing to so many.
Thank you so much, Christa!
Congratulations, Briana! I am so proud of you. You are an inspiration. ( I am currently working on an embroidery book and feeling overwhelmed.) I will pray for you as you take these next steps. I would love to get the name of your publisher, as I have not found one yet.
Blessings, Beth
Hi Beth! Congratulations on your book! It’s definitely a lot of work to do a project like that, but I believe it will be worth it in the end; I’ve learned so much through the whole process, as I’m sure you have as well. I am self-publishing, and Carlisle Printing (in Holmes County, Ohio) is designing and printing for me. 🙂
So excited to see the final product! I know it will be great and I can’t wait to get my hands on your amazing recipes!! As a THM’er, THANK YOU for your hard work in putting this together!
THANK YOU for reading, Catherine!
I’m so excited for you (and the rest of us). I wish I had everyone of your recipes in a hard copy book; yes girlfriend, they are that delicious – even the Fun Bean Soup! I have probably printed for myself at least half of them. I have them in ring binders; I read recipes like other people read magazines/books. God bless you and He remains faithful to walk you through the next steps.
Thank you so much, Cheryl! That hard copy book will be coming very very soon, Lord willing!
Yay! Congratulations on finishing your cookbook so excited for you. ❤️I can’t wait!?
Aw, thank you, Robin! <3