Two Weddings and a Book Tour

We headed north on Thursday. It’s my first time driving north since making Alabama my home. It’s crazy how attached we get to this world, isn’t it, considering none of it is really home? I’m leaving “home” to go “home” and always the journey tugs and prods at my heart like a good chiropractic adjustment. Hurts so good, you know? The blue hills fading into low clouds in Tennessee. The wide, welcoming shoulders of the Shenandoah valley. The thickly forested folds of Pennsylvania mountains. Each leg of the journey stirs up the memories we’ve made along these miles, and reminds me of how this highway has tied together so many seasons of my gypsy life.

 

I was going to write the whole trip—un-interrupted writing time, me and my laptop, settin’ back in the passenger seat, nothing else to do—but I couldn’t. I just sat. I looked out the window. I talked to my man. I read. A bit. But was otherwise unproductive. The last hour of the two day trip I finally felt ready for a few words. I’m not sure what they will be, but like a pond settling down after a fish has jumped, the reflections are getting clearer, I’m beginning to see the world in words again.

 

I’ve been running myself ragged leading up to this trip. Determined that some things would be finished by the time we left. Determined I would purchase peace for myself by completing my to do list. I’m not saying that’s the right way to peace, I’m just saying that’s the route I took.  And by God’s grace, I finished the book. I packed the family. And we left by 5:05 Thursday morning. I didn’t leave the house immaculate. But I’m gonna let myself rest on this trip, because rest isn’t something you earn, it’s a gift.

So, why am I blogging if my goal (or gift, c’mon, Trina, lay down your task orientated vocabulary for once) is to rest on this trip? When debating whether I would blog or be on social media while on vacation, I realized that to pull the plug while I was away would not be a gift, but a punishment. I’m a social creature, a writer, and one who processes life through words and conversation. I adore blogging and sharing online. I decided if it didn’t interfere with being fully present with my family, and didn’t keep be from the rest I need after a demanding season, then I’m gonna write.

So, I didn’t write for the first 48 hours of this trip. But now, here’s a few words. Explanation for why you may or may not see me in this space for the next two weeks. If there is time to write, I’ll be here, because I love to write. If not, well, it’s cause I’m on vacation. 😉

Why we went north

(other than that it’s a lovely time of year to vacation AWAY from Alabama)

Special friends are getting married. A sister is a bridesmaid. We used these celebrations as a very good excuse to travel back to the state we called home for 20 years. And, because we’re multitaskers, we’ll also take the opportunity to sign papers on our NY home (yeah, we got renters!), visit as many friends as can stand us descending on them for food, fellowship, and a place to pitch our tent, and…

(drumroll, please)

We’re gonna pretend we’re on a book tour. ‘Cause that just sounds all fun and official, right? (can self-published authors go on book tours? We’re about to find out)

Before I left I ordered a case of Advanced Reader Copies of my newest book to give as gifts along the way. No, the book’s not out yet, because I have a few more bits of awesomeness to insert, but these ARC’s are a just-about-perfect version of the book and I couldn’t wait another week to share it. I have no idea if seeing pictures of people with the new book will torture you or delight you, but you can follow the hashtag #realfoodjourneybooktour on facebook and Instagram. I’m already so excited about how this book is inspiring people I love to make steady progress on their journey to more real food.

Take my sister-in-law—she just made her first batch of sauerkraut last week (with a cabbage she grew herself. Yeah!) I love how the book fits right into where she’s at on her journey—it contains six more sauerkraut/fermented veggie recipes so she can continue to explore her new found culinary interest. She’s also excited to try some new flavor combinations from the kefir soda section. It was just totally fun to share recipes and inspiration over the delicious pork and pineapple tacos she made us!

So, if you’re inspired by the idea that real food is a journey, not a destination, then go ahead and check out my Instagram feed. And if you wanna jump on the bandwagon and inspire others—share where you are on your real food journey with the hashtag I’ve chosen for the book–#myrealfoodjourney. You can post what you’re making for dinner, your favorite source for local, fresh food, an experiment that flopped or flew, that technique you’ve got down pat or the new thing you’re going to try next. Help spread the news that eating well isn’t a target we have to hit the first time, but an adventure we get to go on together!

My new book, Your Real Food Journey, will be available for purchase at the end of August, Lord willing.