Behind The Butter

My Book Launch Party in Georgia

Last Thursday, I was humbled beyond belief to attend my own book launch party, hosted by Kay {of the lovely Church Cook blog} and Teri, of the legendary Miss Sophie’s Marketplace in the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum.

These ladies went up and BEYOND the call of duty in planning this party — it completely blew me away. The food….the music…the people….everything was absolutely perfect and I just feel so blessed by these incredible women.

Look who happened to fly in for the occasion! Yup, Adam took the red-eye from California in the day of the party! By this time, we had been apart for about two weeks, which was the longest we’ve ever been apart. With him by my side, I felt like everything was right in the world again. And, he stuck around after the party to travel to Atlanta with my dad and I for the signing there!

What a guy — I think I’ll keep him around.

The food at the party was INCREDIBLE.

The biggest hit? It’s hard to say but my personal favorite were these gingerbread sandwiches! Teri made the gingerbread recipe from my book and sandwiched the cookies together with my chocolate buttercream frosting {recipe also in the book}. In case you ever have wondered, chocolate and gingerbread go hand in hand! The combination was incredible.

Kay and Teri also made mini sliders with parsley aioli, pimento cheese biscuits stuffed with ham, chicken satay with Thai sweet chili sauce and mini crab cakes with yummy remoulade. There was also a huge fruit and charcuterie display — it was amazing!

Oh, and how could I forget the mini cupcakes! I seem to also have forgotten how many I consumed….

I also made and brought my pumpkin cheesecake bites! They seemed to be a hit! I love how easy and party-perfect that recipe is.

Kay is actually the church cook {hence her blog name!} at my parent’s church in Savannah, so lots of friends from church attended the event.

Kay and I “met” virtually about a year ago via Tasty Kitchen. Well, one thing led to another and we realized she knew my parents already from church — small world, huh? Kay is one of the kindest, most generous people that I’ve ever met. And a fabulous chef, to boot!

Her daughter, Anna, is an absolutely amazing photographer. I have a hard time remembering that she’s only seventeen {since I want to hang out with her all day long — yesterday we had lunch and went shopping and had a blast!}. I hope we get a chance to collaborate on cool fun projects in the future!

One of the most special aspects of the evening was the music! Kay’s son is in an extremely talented classical music trio and they played all evening for us.

There were over 90 guests at the party! I’ll be honest and tell you I was pretty nervous when Kay asked if I would speak, but hopefully I wasn’t too awkward since it was my first time speaking in a microphone at a podium.

I think it went okay except for when I tried to end my speech, froze completely, then spluttered “Okay, well, um, go eat!”

Go eat!

The rest of the evening went fabulously and Adam did a wonderful job as both the cute book seller and party photographer.

I tried to get him to wear a fanny pack to hold the change from the books, but that didn’t go over so well.

I left the party feeling so humbled and blessed.

It’s been great to be able to take the time to travel around with my mom for the past few weeks on the book tour, attend such a wonderful party thrown by great friends and spend time with my dad {and Adam!} in Atlanta last weekend.

Tomorrow I am heading to one final stop before going home to California — Indianapolis! I’m excited to explore a city that I’ve never been to, meet you guys at Big Hat Books tomorrow night at 6pm (!!!), and serve as a community leader at The Influence Conference this weekend.

So, um, go eat!

 

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  • Mila
    October 9, 2012 at 3:46 am

    LOL! if only news anchors had as equally fun sign-offs! 🙂

    I’m sure you did great! Props to your camera man 😉 these pics are great!

  • Sonal
    October 9, 2012 at 4:06 am

    The party looks awesome! Hahaha loved your ending line, i’m sure it made your speech sound very natural 🙂 So glad you had such a great tour!

  • Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
    October 9, 2012 at 4:40 am

    I’ve been reading your blog for a LONG time, and Adam does seem like a keeper!! 😉 Looks like a beautiful party was thrown for you–so sweet!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    October 9, 2012 at 4:52 am

    What an awesome event! That’s so nice of Kay and Teri to host, and super cute of Adam to fly in for it! I agree with Michelle above – he’s a keeper!! 😉

  • Molly @ RDexposed
    October 9, 2012 at 5:04 am

    Um, eating already. 🙂
    You two are so cute together. I shall continue to wait for a surprise post in the future….

  • Chelsea
    October 9, 2012 at 5:05 am

    You will love Indy – and Big Hat Books is in such a GREAT location (right next to the heavenly Broad Ripple Brew Pub 😉 ). Broad Ripple is full of small breweries, adorable locally owned restaurants, and awesome boutique shopping – you will fall in love. Bring your coat though, it’s getting chilly! Looking forward to meeting you tomorrow night! YAY!!

  • Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit
    October 9, 2012 at 5:35 am

    Congrats, that’s so awesome! The event looked gorgeous and you know, I’ve never wondered about chocolate and gingerbread… but now I’m sure curious!

  • Abby@ Totes Delish
    October 9, 2012 at 5:47 am

    What an amazing party! The food looks so good and the venue looks gorgeous as well! Love your necklace : )

  • Corrie Anne
    October 9, 2012 at 6:11 am

    What a sweet party! And even live classical music! I love it. So happy you got such a warm reception!

  • Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
    October 9, 2012 at 6:36 am

    Sounds like a wonderful party Jenna, congratulations!

  • Alexandra @ Alexandra in Moscow
    October 9, 2012 at 7:00 am

    How sweet of Adam! It looks like a great party! Congratulations on such a successful book tour!

  • Heather @ Heather's Dish
    October 9, 2012 at 7:00 am

    what a gorgeous party, and such a sweet story about Kay putting it together for you and Adam flying in. i would have burst into tears!

    • jenna
      October 9, 2012 at 9:25 am

      I pretty much did burst into tears!

  • Anne @ Baking Me
    October 9, 2012 at 7:21 am

    Sounds like a great party! Congratulations on your book, I can’t wait to read it!

  • Nicole
    October 9, 2012 at 7:24 am

    Wow, you should feel so proud of yourself! Such an amazing story always reading about your travels and all the love you’ve received.

  • Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats
    October 9, 2012 at 7:58 am

    I just found your blog (I know, where have I been?) and I’m in love. I cannot wait to get your hands on your book!

    • jenna
      October 9, 2012 at 9:25 am

      yay! Welcome 🙂

  • Nadine
    October 9, 2012 at 8:00 am

    When are you and Adam getting engaged? It’s so written in the stars already, and you are too perfect together. So, um, go eat…

    • MS
      October 9, 2012 at 9:18 am

      I was wondering the same thing! 😉

  • Katie @ peacebeme
    October 9, 2012 at 8:14 am

    Congrats to you, Jenna! I love your spirit of life!

  • Suzanne de Cornelia
    October 9, 2012 at 8:17 am

    ‘Um, go eat!’ lol, priceless! What a fabulous party! Your hair looks fantastic too!

  • Kristen
    October 9, 2012 at 8:23 am

    Where did u get your necklace? Love it!

    • jenna
      October 9, 2012 at 9:25 am

      Thank you! It was actually a birthday gift last summer from a friend…but I believe she got it from Nordstrom.

  • alexandra @ sweet betweens [blog]
    October 9, 2012 at 8:23 am

    I personally think that “so, um, go eat” is the *best* speech ending ever. C’mon – who doesn’t like to eat, right? 🙂 Congrats on another super successful book reading + signing. Have fun in Indy!

  • Linda @ My Foodgasm Journal
    October 9, 2012 at 8:55 am

    You look so gorgeous. Adam is so blessed to have you. Congrats!

  • Cata
    October 9, 2012 at 8:55 am

    You are an inspiration! I have been following your blog for months now, and it is amazing how much have you conquered in this time.
    Hugs from Costa Rica * waiting for my book to come. I ordered it from amazon but it takes like a month 🙁

  • Millie Snyder
    October 9, 2012 at 9:18 am

    CONGRATULATIONS! It sounds like the party was a success. I will be launching an updated version of my Lean and Luscious cook book in the upcoming months. It is nice to see other people doing what they love!

  • deva by definition
    October 9, 2012 at 9:21 am

    You look fabulous and you and your lovely gentleman make such a sweet couple! I am in the process of ordering your book now and can’t wait to read it :-).

  • rachel
    October 9, 2012 at 9:25 am

    these pictures of you look so pretty!

  • Averie @ Averie Cooks
    October 9, 2012 at 10:15 am

    Congrats on the fabulous event, Jenna! Everything looks gorgeous and the food looks so good. I just made your pumpkin whoopie pies and I loved them! Have fun in Indy and good luck with the last stop on the tour and the Influence Conf! What a week/weekend!

  • joelle (on a pink typewriter)
    October 9, 2012 at 10:20 am

    Looks like it was a wonderful celebration!

    Love your dress -where is it from?

  • Caroline L.
    October 9, 2012 at 10:44 am

    You are glowing. I am so happy I get to read your adventures… you have served as an inspiration for many years now – thank you for that!

    Adam is adorable – hang on to him! 🙂

    And goodness, all that food… glorious! Southern hospitality at its finest 🙂

  • Bonnie
    October 9, 2012 at 11:23 am

    So glad the book launch party (and all your other signings!) was such a success! 😀 Glad Adam could make it too. And I must say, every time I visit your blog I think the same thing: “Jenna is SO beautiful!” Love your style and you look so trim and fit – beautiful inside and out! Just had to let you know what I’ve been thinking. 😀

  • Life's a Bowl
    October 9, 2012 at 11:28 am

    Looks like another fabulous launch party! The food looks delic [never knew gingerbread + chocolate] and you look so happy!

    Too bad about the fanny pack haha! I went to an ’80’s themed party in college and found a fanny pack with a mini radio built into it, it was hilarious and fabulously fun 😛

  • Kristen @ notsodomesticated
    October 9, 2012 at 1:55 pm

    I am so happy for you that everything is going so well! Congratulations!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

  • Kristin Murdock
    October 9, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    Love it! Hope you come by Southern California again this fall for a book signing!!

  • Lia
    October 9, 2012 at 4:13 pm

    I love that ending! Go eat! Wish you were coming to Chicago! That would be a lot of fun to meet you in person, but you’d want to come before it got too cold here! I’m glad your tour is going well and that looks like just a wonderful event! Congrats again on all of this!

  • Kay
    October 9, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    You were a natural at the podium with a microphone, Jenna! I am so humbled and blessed to know you and your awesome family. Love you guys!

  • Glory/ Glorious Treats
    October 9, 2012 at 11:33 pm

    I just finished reading your book (5 minutes ago) and had to come right over to your blog (wanting to get to “know” you more, and see how things have shaped up for you in California). When I bought the book on-line a few weeks ago I had heard of your site, but to be fair I’ve never spent much time here. Now, I know that I will be spending LOTS of time here! I enjoyed the book so much and look forward to trying several of your recipes as well! Thank you for sharing a bit of your story with the world!

  • SarahD
    October 10, 2012 at 4:44 am

    Hi Jenna! It was great meeting you at the Taste of Atlanta book signing! And thanks for being so gracious when I nerdily asked for a picture with you! 🙂

  • Sarah Jane
    October 10, 2012 at 4:55 am

    Love the dress- where’s it from!? And it looks like your book tour is so much fun!!

    • jenna
      October 10, 2012 at 5:26 am

      It’s from the Theory outlet – its so comfy!

  • amy walters, aDESIGNdock
    October 10, 2012 at 6:43 am

    Aw, everything looks so lovely Jenna!

  • Eva
    October 10, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    In Indy, you must have breakfast at Patachou! It’s amazing!

    Their Napolese Pizzeria is also TDF

    For browsing/shopping/restaurants, you can’t go wrong with Mass Ave!

    • Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
      October 10, 2012 at 7:06 pm

      Patachou all the way! We loved that place when we visited.

  • Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
    October 10, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    I love the picture of Adam at the book table. Such a classic boyfriend shot. 🙂 I hope that the Influence conference is amazing – I would have loved to be there if I were back home in the States, but I guess I’ll have to wait for next year. Assuming there is a next year?! Keep up the great work Jenna!