This summer has been a WHIRLWIND of travel, photography, meeting amazing people, and now getting to tell thier stories along with my own. This whole year has been a whirlwind, really, and it finally feels like it’s starting to settle down (as much as it can, given all that actually goes into being a functioning adult). I’m rather certain that one of the parts of adult life that no one ever tells you about is that the bags and dark circles under your eyes never really go away, it’s just a matter of how pronounced they are on any given day.

It’s Been a Hell of a Summer

Which is one of the many reasons that I am so specific about my skin care routine (thank you Maddie), it helps me keep up on self care, which is SO important, tells my body that it’s time to stop with the work mode and wind down at the end of the day, and then (helps) tell my brain that it’s time to start the morning. (Let’s be real though, it’s really the gallon or so of coffee that actually kick starts the day)

Since the end of June, I’ve been in sixteen states, more than thirty cities, and taken thousands of photos, which are now all in the process of being turned into first a series if blogs, and will ultimately become a coffee table book filled with awesome photography, people’s stories, recipes, and the memories and reflections from all those hours on the road and in the air.

The Southern Summer Road Trip was BAD ASS. So much more than I could have imagined, even in my wildest dreams, toss in a one day quick road trip to the Coast of Deleware and back again in the same day, a trip to Oregon and the beach house, bonfires with friends, and finally getting back into the swing of things here in Ohio.

It’s been a phenomenal summer.

Sixteen States. Countless Cups of Coffee. Meals Made and Shared. A Whole Lotta Music. Two Memorable Encounters with a Ghost. And HOURS Behind the Wheel.

It’s been a whole lot of fun, and a whole lot exhausting at the same time.

Figuring out how I want to tell the stories of the people that I’ve met with, the serendipitous meetings and conversations with some serious cool chefs and restauranteurs, it’s been an unforeseen challenge. Every time that I’ve started drafting out blog posts, I’ll get a fair way into it, decided that I hate it, and start back over from the beginning.

I *think* I’ve got it figured out. While I think that now, I suppose it remains to be seen if that’s really true or not.

I am blessed beyond measure to be able to do all of this, and I can’t wait to bring these stories to life for y’all.

So those of you that are still reading, I’m going to ask this favor of you.

Friends of yours (I’m including myself in that list, if you’ve read thus far) that write either blogs of thier own, or contribute to blogs, do them a favor, leave a comment on a post that speaks to you, share our posts to your social media accounts, we appreciate it faaaaaaaar more than you’ll ever know. (Unless you’re also a blogger, then you totally get it.)

This has been an amazing summer, and as it’s winding down I’m sitting down to write, so get ready to be inundated with posts, both from k.H.a. lifestyle photography, and from me here at Cook.Eat.Explore.

Want to work with me? Hello@cookeatexplore.com