After what felt like an eternity, we’re absolutely thrilled to finally share the full recap of our whirlwind first book tour stop in Cincinnati! We know many of you have been eagerly anticipating this post since we returned, and we apologize for the delay. Between sifting through an overwhelming number of photos and battling the urge to overshare every single detail, this comprehensive, picture-packed post truly took on a life of its own. But rest assured, it’s worth the wait. Our inaugural book tour experience in Cincinnati was, in a word, spectacular – a delightful kind of crazy, a vibrant blur of incredible, once-in-a-lifetime moments crammed into a mere 36 hours. It was an experience that exceeded all our expectations and left us buzzing with excitement for what’s to come.
While we won’t be diving into such granular detail for every single tour stop over the coming months – because, let’s be honest, that would be a full-time job! – we do plan on checking in every week or two with updates. This approach strikes a good balance between sharing our extraordinary book tour journey and continuing to bring you all the DIY content you’ve come to love. After all, sharing our travel adventures has always been a beloved part of our blog’s narrative. This first stop, however, was particularly novel and utterly exhilarating, making it impossible to keep our excitement to ourselves. Unlike the serene, firmly shut mouths you might spot in our Instagram photo from the flight on Friday, our verbal enthusiasm for Cincinnati is boundless!
Embarking on the Cincinnati Adventure: Travel and First-Night Experiences
Our journey began around noon on Friday, as we waved goodbye to Richmond and set off for Cincinnati, affectionately known by some readers as “The Nasty ‘Nati” (though we quickly discovered there’s absolutely nothing nasty about this charming city!). Our route took us through Philadelphia, a brief layover before landing in the Queen City. This trip marked a significant milestone for us: our very first night away from our daughter, Clara, and our beloved dog, Burger, who stayed comfortably with my parents. It was undeniably an adjustment, a moment filled with a mix of anticipation and a touch of parental apprehension. However, the experience proved to be far less daunting than we had imagined. Many 2.5-year-olds in our circle had already enjoyed sleepovers with grandparents or other family members, so we reasoned it was high time we “ripped off that band-aid.” And, to our immense relief, Clara handled it like a champion!
Unexpected Delays and a Special House Crashing
Our flight experienced an unexpected delay, putting us behind schedule by about 90 minutes. This wouldn’t typically be a major issue, but we had a special “House Crashing” scheduled for that afternoon – a cherished tradition where we visit a reader’s home to gather inspiration and share their unique DIY stories. The delay meant our gracious hosts had to wait patiently at our hotel for over an hour, which made us feel terrible! Yet, they were absolute gems, true sports about the entire situation. Despite losing all natural light by the time we finally arrived, their house was nothing short of gorgeous. We still managed to capture a plethora of fantastic shots, which we can’t wait to share with you in a dedicated photo tour in a week or two. (We’re currently juggling a few other secret House Crashings that are yet to be written up!) For now, here’s a sneak peek, a lovely little snippet to whet your appetite.
Note: To all the wonderful individuals who extended invitations for a house crash, please know that we genuinely wish we could have visited each and every one of you! Your enthusiasm and hospitality are truly heartwarming.
Savoring Cincinnati’s Culinary Delights
Despite the day’s travel delays, we were determined to immerse ourselves in Cincinnati’s local culture on Friday night. Our culinary tour included two iconic staples: Skyline Chili and Graeter’s ice cream. Locals had kindly warned us that Skyline Chili might be an acquired taste, but I, for one, was thoroughly smitten with my “three way” – a hearty concoction of chili, spaghetti, and a generous mountain of cheese. Sherry opted for chili on a potato, equally delicious, especially after she, in true Sherry fashion, generously doused it with a gallon of hot sauce, declaring her undying love for it. Next, we indulged at Graeter’s, renowned for its massive chunks of soft chocolate chips embedded in creamy ice cream. Sherry devoured a giant scoop of the popular black raspberry chip, while I enjoyed a cookie dough chip on a cone. It was an absolute treat, even if the crisp 45-degree outdoor temperature made the experience uniquely refreshing.
The Heart of the Book Tour: Books By The Banks Festival
The real excitement truly kicked off on Saturday morning at The Books By The Banks Festival. The moment we saw stacks upon stacks of a book that we had actually authored for the first time ever was utterly mind-blowing. Before this event, we had only ever seen one copy, so the sheer volume of boxes filled with our books beneath the table was an almost surreal sight. It’s safe to say there were some tingling sensations, a wave of disbelief and immense pride washing over us. Sherry even claimed her nose went numb from the sheer excitement, which might be the only plausible excuse for the series of wonderfully dorky photos we spontaneously took. This included our “Home Alone” inspired pic, which we shared here, and the “Where’s Waldo” rendition seen below – moments that perfectly captured our giddy, slightly overwhelmed state.
Presentation Nerves and Technical Troubles
The festival doors swung open at 10 AM, giving us a precious 45 minutes to warm up our book-signing hands before being whisked away for our 11 o’clock presentation. Our presentation itself was a last-minute affair; we had only written it about three days prior and practiced it perhaps three times in total. We’re both firm believers in not over-practicing, as it tends to make things sound stiff and overly scripted. Nevertheless, suddenly finding ourselves in front of such a large and eager audience was undeniably intimidating. The picture below captures just half of the room; my attempt to photograph the other half unfortunately resulted in a blurry mess, a testament to my jittery hands and rising nerves.
To add to the pre-presentation jitters, we encountered some technical difficulties with the slide remote not cooperating – nothing quite boosts your confidence like a rocky start! However, the feedback we received indicated that we weren’t terrible, which was a huge relief. A massive thank you goes out to Emily for snapping this fantastic Instagram picture that miraculously makes us look like we know exactly what we’re doing. Keeping it real, though: both of us were nervously bouncing our knees under the table the entire time. #tablecloththankfulness indeed!
Connecting with Our Amazing Readers
Speaking of other people’s pictures, we had an absolute blast taking photos with all of you who stopped by our book signing table after the presentation. Please know that there’s absolutely no need to be shy about asking for a photo! In fact, we’re perfectly fine if you just hold up your camera and confidently say, “Snap snap, yo.” (A huge shoutout to Laura for capturing the wonderful moment below.)
And feel free to lean into our inherent weirdness by making requests for how we should pose! Annie, for example, suggested we emulate the “see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil” trio (though I’m still not sure why I opted for “coy geisha hands”). Natasha, a true fan, requested her favorite: the iconic “what’s going on?” hands pose. These playful interactions truly made the day memorable and allowed us to connect with our readers on a fun, personal level.
Another important heads-up for anyone planning to attend a future tour stop: if you bring your child, prepare for Sherry to go into full-time fawning mode. Seriously. The younger the child, the more intense the adoration will be, especially at stops like this where Clara isn’t with us. Consider yourselves warned!
Meeting Fellow Creatives and the Tour “Yearbook”
The festival also presented us with the fantastic opportunity to finally meet the incredibly talented Dana Miller from HouseTweaking! (Spoiler alert: she’s actually one of the ten amazing guest bloggers featured in our book!). This particular picture sparked quite a bit of amusement after Katie Bower playfully questioned the whereabouts of my other hand. Oddly enough, I believe it was resting on Dana’s husband’s back – I apparently have quite the wingspan! If you’re curious about Dana’s perspective on the event, she penned a wonderful recap here, complete with invaluable tips on who to bring, when to arrive, what to wear, and even how to make friends while waiting in line.
Inspired by numerous suggestions from you, our fantastic readers, we decided to transform a blank dummy copy of our book into a tour “yearbook.” With its blank pages inside, it became the perfect canvas for memories. We invited everyone to sign it, and the response was heartwarming! We collected not only signatures but also incredibly sweet notes and even some awesome drawings from kids. Heck, a few adults even got in on the artistic action, mostly thanks to Sherry egging them on. Allison drew a charming portrait of Burger, Bill sketched a magnificent castle (at Sherry’s enthusiastic suggestion), and then Mike attempted to outdo everyone with a technicolor unicorn – another brilliant Sherry idea. The yearbook is already a treasured memento of our journey and the wonderful people we’ve met.
Perhaps the most shrill, excitable Sherry-moment of the entire day occurred when someone brought a ceramic animal specifically for her to sign. How unbelievably awesome is that?! I’m pretty sure that particular experience instantly rocketed to the top of $herdog’s life list. It was a truly unique and touching gesture that perfectly encapsulated the joyous atmosphere of the event.
Overwhelming Kindness and Unexpected Gifts
If it isn’t abundantly clear by now, Saturday was an absolutely incredible day, brimming with genuinely wonderful people. We simply could not get over how exceptionally kind everyone was. Seriously. Every single person we met was so pleasant and joyful, even after enduring long drives, patiently waiting in line, and even after discovering that we had completely sold out of books. (Our publisher, anticipating an earlier-than-usual event, only had a finite amount ready. For those who didn’t get a book, we happily signed bookplates and took photos, ensuring everyone left with a piece of the experience.) Some incredibly sweet folks even brought us gifts! GIFTS, people! Who are we to deserve such profound niceness? Is this just the enchanting way Midwesterners operate? We’re still pondering that question. A heartfelt thank you for the beautiful glass bird, the delightful print for Clara, and the unique Kentucky horseshoe and grass seed, guys! Your generosity was truly touching.
One thing is unequivocally certain: Cincinnati has set the bar extraordinarily high – really, really, *really* high. We can only hope that attendees at all our subsequent tour stops are as understanding, kind, and, dare I say, gosh-darn adorable. Yes, I, a grown man, just used the term “gosh-darn adorable.” You all were absolutely amazing for making the drive, surviving the wait, and showing such complete understanding when our book supply ran dry. Of course, no one wishes for things to run more smoothly than the hosts, our publisher, and Sherry and I (we’d have 1,000 books at each event with no line if humanly possible!). But it’s profoundly gratifying when folks are all laughing and having fun together in line. #giddy&grateful is an understatement!
Laura, one of our thoughtful readers, even presented me with a bottle of their favorite local soda – Kentucky’s Ale 8 One ginger ale. However, since it was Aquatober – my personal month-long commitment to only drinking water – I tucked it carefully into my bag, eagerly anticipating its enjoyment on November 1st. Sadly, the vigilant TSA official at the airport thwarted my plan. Drat! Please forgive me, Laura, for not having the chance to savor your thoughtful present! #confiscated
The sweetest moment of the entire day undoubtedly goes to Riley, a precious little girl who spotted a Charley Harper book at another author’s table. Her immediate thought: “Clara would like this.” And with that, she gave it to us to bring home to our daughter. Sherry, quite predictably, cried. As in, she was actively wiping tears from her eyes as the next folks in line approached us (she’s still mortified, but I assured her it was incredibly cute). And Clara? She absolutely adores the book from “her friend Riley.” It’s a treasured reminder of the genuine connections forged on this tour.
Festival Exploration and Star Encounters
Things began to slow down for us in the late afternoon. We were originally scheduled to be there only until 1 PM, but since the earliest flight home wasn’t until 6 PM, we decided to stay longer, continuing to meet people and sign bookplates right up until the festival concluded at 4 PM. On our way out, we managed to sneak in a bit of time to enjoy the tail-end of the festival ourselves. For instance, we snapped this delightful picture with Clara’s favorite bear couple – the beloved Berenstain Bears – to show her when we got home. Berenstain Bears for the win!
And speaking of meeting celebrities, we had an exciting chance to meet Bob and Cortney Novogratz! They were at a nearby table, signing copies of their new book, Home by Novogratz. With both our presentations wrapping up, our interaction was, regrettably, a rushed exchange of signed books before they had to dash off to catch a flight home to their seven children. However, we did manage to squeeze in a quick picture, which started off like this (Sherry likes to joke that her default setting is “creepy”)…
… and ultimately ended like this, a much more composed and equally delightful shot:
Both Bob and Cortney were incredibly kind, and their book is absolutely fantastic. We’re particularly enamored with all the budget breakdowns included within its pages; it perfectly correlates with their show, making it fascinating to see the actual costs associated with various items and projects. And seriously, how mind-boggling is it to see an HGTV star holding *our* book? Bananas!
In addition to securing a signed copy of the Novogratz book, we also managed to get signatures from Gillian Flynn, the brilliant author of Gone Girl, and Tad Hills, the talented creator of some of Clara’s favorite books. It truly was one of those crazy, whirlwind days, so packed with extraordinary experiences that you almost don’t believe it actually happened until you look back at the pictures and relive every magical moment.
The Journey Home and Lasting Impressions
But before we could fully absorb all the wacky and wonderful things we had just experienced, it was time to make our way to the airport for our flights home. Speaking of wacky, I suppose a long day filled with meeting amazing people and skipping lunch to keep up with signing duties equals a dose of hyperactive airport hijinks. Fatigue often manifests in strange ways, and for us, it was a sudden burst of childlike energy in the terminal!
As much as we expected to be utterly exhausted, we were still incredibly energized by the overwhelming love and positive vibes we had encountered throughout the day. We even managed to squeeze in some fun in the kids’ play area before boarding our real (and notably less giant) plane home. It was a perfect way to decompress and embrace the lingering joy of the festival.
We finally landed in Richmond shortly after 10 PM, just over 36 hours since our departure the morning before. While we were still riding high on that Ohio-induced wave of excitement, we were definitely eager to get home, snuggle our beloved Burger, and catch a few winks before waking up Clara with some major hugs the next morning. She was already happily snoozing when we quietly slipped back into the house, completely unaware of the whirlwind adventure her parents had just completed.
Looking Ahead: Gratitude and Future Book Tour Stops
A profound thank you once again to everyone who took time out of their Saturday to come down and be a part of our first book tour event. Your presence and enthusiasm filled us with immense excitement for our next leg of the tour – Manhattan, Wilton CT, and Ridgewood NJ on November 1st & 2nd – and for all the stops beyond that too. But most of all, we’re incredibly psyched (and still a tiny bit anxious, in the best possible way) that this book, our labor of love, is finally in the hands of people besides ourselves and our publisher. That, perhaps, is the craziest and most heartwarming part of this entire journey. Two hundred of our “babies” are now out there in circulation, being read and, we sincerely hope, being enjoyed. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, to all of you for making this incredible dream a reality. #whowouldathought indeed!