31 Days in October: Blogging My Camp Kitchen Journey

October has always been my favorite month for blogging. For the past two years I joined The Nester and about a thousand other bloggers for a month-long challenge: 31 posts in 31 days. The first year I chronicled my preparations for a Christmas craft fair and documented each project as it came together.

The following year I focused on making a home that reflects who you are and shared ideas to help readers personalize their spaces. That series felt meaningful and practical, and it was a joy to connect with others working to make their homes more welcoming.

This year I had planned to return to the craft fair theme and create 31 days of Christmas ornaments for you. But life took an unexpected turn when I needed to head to the camp kitchen, and suddenly making ornaments was the farthest thing from my mind.

Even so, I decided not to skip the 31-day challenge. Instead, I’ll use October to document this unexpected journey in the camp kitchen. I’m inviting you to come along as I navigate recipes, logistics, and the daily realities of cooking in a busy, communal space.

I don’t have a rigid plan or pre-written posts. What you’ll see will be close to real time—raw, honest, and practical. Expect a mix of recipes, photos of the kitchen setup and supplies, notes on timing and batch cooking, and the occasional misadventure that inevitably comes with a new, intense gig. My goal is to share helpful ideas and honest glimpses into what a month of sustained cooking looks like.

This project will likely include:

• Simple, adaptable recipes suitable for group meals and busy schedules
• Tips for organizing a camp kitchen, supplies that save time, and small equipment essentials
• Photos that show the workspace, storage solutions, and plating ideas
• Stories about problem-solving, time management, and lessons learned on the fly

Realistically, the posts will be short and focused; I can’t promise a photo every single day because this cooking role is all-consuming. But blogging will be one of my daily comforts—an opportunity to reflect and share moments that might help others who cook for groups, plan events, or simply love seasonal meals.

I’ll be honest: if the pressure of writing every day turns this from fun into stress, I may miss a day or two. I hope you’ll understand if that happens—this challenge is meant to be enjoyable, not compulsive.

Would you like to follow along? I’d love your company. Share your own kitchen tips in the comments, tell me what recipes you’d like to see, or just drop in to say hello. Your encouragement will make this month of real-time cooking even more rewarding.

Thank you for joining me. Put your apron on—we’re going to be cooking up a storm, learning as we go, and enjoying the small victories that come from good food and teamwork. See you soon with the first post from the camp kitchen.