The February 2025 Guide

It all started in 2012 when I made my first video and published it on YouTube. The video was all about decorating a Christmas tree. And while it hasn’t aged the best (watching that video now is painful), it was one of the first times I found something that helped me share my passion with others. That was the year that this adventure called Wyse Guide began!

When I started, I had no clear direction or goal for what was to come. I fervently hoped, prayed, and dreamt of transforming my passions (cooking, baking, gardening, decorating) into a successful career. Through trial and error, I learned it wasn’t easy, and I needed a lot of time to grow and learn how and what to share.

After those early years, I started opening up about my heritage, my family, and the farm we call home. In time, I began to find friends in you, those who saw what I was doing and chose to follow along. You made my recipes, came with me into the garden, preserved bushels of vegetables, and cheered on Wyse Guide.

In September 2022, a cookbook editor at Harvest contacted me, asking if I had ever thought of writing a cookbook. Ironically, I was in New York City and had shared in an Instagram story that I was in the city for a few days. The next day, an email popped into my inbox, and later that week, I was having coffee in the West Village with my future editor.

At first, the thought of putting together a cookbook made me hesitant. Would anyone actually want my recipes? Then, I reflected on the many messages and emails I had received asking if I would ever write a cookbook. You let me know you wanted one, and that’s why I knew I had to say yes.

Now, on March 4, my book will be out in the world for all to see!

I’ve learned that pre-orders are crucial in the book publishing process, and I’m so grateful to all of you who have taken the time to pre-order my book. These pre-orders serve as a signal to publishers, showing the demand for a book and potentially paving the way for a future book. Thank you again for your unwavering support!

How fun it would be if we could make this book a bestseller! (Surprise: We did make it a NY Times bestseller!)

To conclude, let me just say that this book is a love letter to you. With stories, recipes, and the people who have taught me everything I know, I hope it brings you into my life even more and is a tool for kitchen success that you’ll use for years to come!

In case you’re wondering, Kip is doing well this month! He had a brief episode of colitis, which meant I had some sleepless nights where I was constantly concerned he needed to be rushed outside to relieve himself. But after a few days and many prayers on my part, he returned to normal. As I write this, he’s currently drying off in front of a heater from his weekly bath. He spent the afternoon frolicking outdoors in this spring-like weather, so a bath was definitely needed to wash off the dirt!