On August 23, 2025, I had one of those experiences that will stay with me forever. I was invited to do a book signing for The Modern Pioneer Pantry at the Barnes & Noble located in the San Pedro Crossing shopping center in San Antonio. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But the moment I walked in and saw the amazing display table that the manager, Anthony, had set up for me, it took my breath away!
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Table of Contents
- A Quick Glance: San Antonio Book Signing
- Meeting My Sweet Friends in San Antonio
- The Journey of Writing a Cookbook
- The Modern Pioneer Pantry
- Future Book Tour Stops
- Ready to Get Cooking
- The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
- Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List
- Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy
- Kitchen Academy Videos
- Shop for My Favorite Items
A Quick Glance: San Antonio Book Signing
- I signed copies of my second cookbook, The Modern Pioneer Pantry, at the Barnes & Noble located in the San Pedro Crossing shopping center in San Antonio on August 23, 2025.
- I enjoyed meeting my sweet friends and chatting with them about traditional foods, family memories, and creating my cookbook.
- You can cook with me through three videos that show you how to make recipes from The Modern Pioneer Pantry.
- Check The Modern Pioneer Pantry Book Tour section for my future book signing events.
Meeting My Sweet Friends in San Antonio
Within minutes of my arrival, the smiling faces of my sweet friends started walking into the bookstore, and my heart just about burst. So many wonderful ladies came out to visit, and a few good-natured husbands tagged along, too. We laughed, hugged, and even shared a few tears. It reminded me once again how food—and the traditions that go along with it—connect us in ways that go far beyond the kitchen.
We talked about love and life, about family, and about holding onto the recipes that remind us of those who came before us. That’s really what traditional foods are all about. They’re not just meals—they’re memories served on a plate.
The Journey of Writing a Cookbook
I also had fun sharing a little bit about what goes on behind the scenes when you write and publish a cookbook. It’s a long journey, and not without its challenges, but it’s a labor of love every step of the way. From testing recipes to writing them down clearly (and then testing them again!), to working with an editor and book designer—a photographer and food stylist—and professional recipe testers—it takes quite a crew of talented people to bring a book to completion!
Seeing The Modern Pioneer Pantry in people’s hands, signed with a personal note, brought it all full circle for me. I thought back to the countless hours in my kitchen, apron on, pots bubbling, and now here we were—celebrating those very recipes together in person.
I left the store that day with my heart full and a big smile on my face. Thank you to everyone who came out, and thank you to all of you—my sweet friends—for supporting me on this traditional foods journey. It means more to me than I can ever say, and I’m so grateful we get to walk this path together. 😊
Order YOUR COPY Now!
The Modern Pioneer Pantry
Simple ingredients, timeless techniques, and a well-stocked pantry. Discover over 100 nourishing recipes to preserve food and turn pantry staples into homemade meals. Build a wholesome, traditional pantry—just like a modern pioneer!
Future Book Tour Stops
Stop by and visit with me at my future book tour events, and be sure to pick up a few signed copies of The Modern Pioneer Pantry for your family and friends. They make wonderful birthday and Christmas presents for your favorite homecook!
My next book signing will be on Tuesday, September 10, from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm in Austin, TX at the Arboretum Barnes & Noble located at 10000 Research Blvd, Austin, TX 78759.
Ready to Get Cooking
If you have The Modern Pioneer Pantry, you can cook along with me in the following videos. And even if you don’t have my new cookbook, the good news is that my videos are free, and you can still join in the fun and cook along with me!
- Need an easy freezer-to-table recipe? Be sure to try one of our family favorites, Freezer Marinated Chicken Legs. (The recipe is part of my chapter on preserving through freezing.)
- For a refreshing beverage but one rich in probiotics, try Homemade Fermented Strawberry Soda. (The recipe is part of my chapter on preserving through fermenting.)
- If you are ready to dive in and try your hand at pressure canning, consider starting with a digital pressure canner. It makes the job a breeze! (You can learn how to make the pressure canning carrots recipe with other types of pressure canners in my chapter on preserving through pressure canning.)
Order YOUR COPY Now!
The Modern Pioneer Cookbook
Seasonal ingredients, traditional techniques, and nourishing recipes. Over 85 traditional, from-scratch recipes! Discover for yourself how you can use simple ingredients and traditional techniques to cook the modern pioneer way.
Start Your Traditional Foods Journey
Sharing my passion for traditional cooking goes beyond my YouTube cooking school—it also comes to life in the pages of my cookbooks. Both of my books, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook and The Modern Pioneer Pantry, are proudly published by Penguin Random House.
The first is filled with time-honored recipes to help you create a traditional foods kitchen, while the second is your complete guide to home food preservation. Order both books today to start or continue your traditional foods journey.
Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List
For an extensive list of the traditional foods you can make and purchase to stock your pantry, be sure to download my free 36-page Traditional Foods Pantry List. This comprehensive eBook is full of links to recipe videos, helpful articles, and more!
Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy
Are you looking for more traditional foods videos? If so, I invite you to join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy. Members of this optional paid YouTube community get access to exclusive videos and other members-only perks. Plus, your YouTube comments include a special members-only badge.
Kitchen Academy Videos
The Only Traditional Recipes You’ll Ever Need!
Focus on traditional recipes with real food. Don’t chase trends.
Let’s Talk Akkermansia: A Tiny Helper for Big Gut Health
Discover how Akkermansia muciniphila supports gut and immune health—and how traditional foods help this mighty microbe thrive.
How to Eat a Mediterranean Diet with a Keto Twist
Explore a Mediterranean-Keto twist with a full sample menu focused on healthy fats, quality proteins, and low-carb veggies.
Stay in Touch with Mary’s Nest
- Subscribe to My YouTube Channel for Traditional Foods Videos (Free) - When you subscribe, be sure to click on the notification bell that will let you know each time I upload a new video.
- Subscribe to Mary’s Traditional Foods Newsletter (Free) - Get a free 36-page eBook for signing up: How to Stock Your Essential Traditional Foods Four-Corners Pantry.
- Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy - For more detailed videos and exclusive members-only perks, join my YouTube membership community.
- Order The Modern Pioneer Cookbook - Get a hardcover book of Mary's nourishing recipes from a Traditional Foods Kitchen. This bestselling cookbook is published by Penguin Random House with their DK imprint.
- Order The Modern Pioneer Pantry - Get Mary's latest hardcover cookbook about preserving food and making delicious meals from your Four Corners Pantry. Mary's second cookbook is also published by Penguin Random House.
I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!
Shop for My Favorite Items
Favorite Kitchen Supplies
- Favorite Aprons
- Spice Grinder
- Countertop Burner (On my kitchen island in many recipe videos.)
- Handheld Vacuum Sealing System
- Vacuum Lids
- Whisk
- Silica Gel Packets (Helps keep moisture from building up in your mix)
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- 8-Quart Slow-Cooker
- Fat Separator (Clever kitchen device to help you decant bone broth)
- Flour Sack Towels
- pH Strips (Helps you check on the acidity of your vinegar)
Amazon Shop and Shopping Guide
- Visit Mary’s Nest Amazon Shop
- Visit my Shopping Guide page
Get up to 15% off for stocking your Traditional Foods Pantry and equipping your Modern Pioneer Kitchen, including discounts from US Wellness Meats, Farmhouse Teas, Lehman’s, Masontops, Cultures for Health, Survival Garden Seeds, Redmond Real Salt, Plan to Eat, and More!
