The Pioneer Woman

If you have never read about or heard of the Pioneer Woman you have been deprived! You have to check her out! She has an amazing love story, great homeschooling advice, lots of ranch factoids and she is a great cook! Plus she is just an amazing writer, it is so much fun to read. She inspires me to write more, to try new recipes and to try to take better photo's, (plus beg for that fancy camera I want). She makes it sounds romantic to live in the middle of no where land. I have been reading her blog for at least a couple years. Maybe longer because I think I found it either while I was pregnant with Kaden or right after I had him and he is two and a half now. Before we moved I didn't know where she lived. Well just guess where she lives?? In Oklahoma! How funny. They live in the northern part of the state on a cattle ranch.

So onto my story this week. On Tuesday her cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, was released. She had her very first book signing in Tulsa that day. At the last minute I was telling Nathan about it and he said I should go. So we went up there on Tuesday. We were running a little behind, because I wanted to be early, but we got there just a few minutes after 7, which is when it started. The room was packed! I didn't expect it to be that crowded although I am happy it was, for her. So I pushed into the back door and stood with a crowd of other people straining to see her. When I got there she was doing a question and answer session so I got to hear her answering questions. Her kids were there and her husband and her brother. I could kind of get a glimpse every once in a while. As I stood in this crowd in the back I heard them saying the book was sold out! Bummer! I also heard that she had announced she would do another book signing on Friday. Yay!This one wasn't on the tour schedule so I am not sure if she just decided that on the spot after seeing the crowd or what. I am assuming that is what happened and how sweet of her to do another one! When the question and answer session was over she started signing books. I left because there was a Borders right up the road and I thought maybe they would have the book. I went in to look and as I did they announced on the speaker that her book was sold out! I guess a lot of people from the signing had the same idea I did...

So on Friday we went up to Tulsa again. This time I called the bookstore to see if they had her book and had them hold one for me. I wanted to be sure and have it this time, in case they sold out again. So we went to the bookstore and then went to the little shop in Downtown Tulsa where she was going to sign. I was there 30 mins early to get in line, and yes there was a line already. Meghan went in with me and looked around the shop for a little bit before it got too crowded. Ironically they had plenty of books to buy, but thats okay, I wanted to be sure. I was in line between two women that knew Ree, or at least knew of Ree. They lived in the town she lived in growing up. They both had kids around her age. So me and another woman there had fun listening to their stories. It helped to pass the time and was cool since they had interesting things to say about her.
By 3:45 it was my turn to get my book signed. Ree Drummond is just the prettiest lady! She is so nice and sweet and her husband is too. He was helping her with arranging things on the table and checking to make sure she was okay and giving her water. I didn't know really what to say to her other than I really love to read her blog. Since Meghan was there we talked about her being homeschooled a little and she told Meghan that she was beautiful. I took a couple pictures when it was almost my turn. :) I wanted to ask to take a picture with her or maybe one with Meghan and her but I didn't want to look like too much a stalker. I kind of felt like one. It's weird to know so much about someone and them not know you, and to follow someones life and then meet in person... So weird, but fun. So I know we were invited and all but I didn't want to push it and look crazy. Plus if you know me at all you know I am a little shy anyways, so that could explain why I didn't have anything intelligent to say. That's ok with me though. I am just happy I was able to go and meet her. I may never have that opportunity again.

Today I made my first recipe from the book. I made this one because I had everything you need for it. :) It's called eggs in a hole. I have never had it and was thinking it would just be like having toast and eggs but this is yummy! It's so simple but so good. It must be the butter! I can't wait to try more.

 The cookbook is so fun, just like her blog. There are lots of recipes but also lots of other things about her family and ranch life. Plus she still has all those step by step pictures we all love. I love lots of pictures! I suggest putting it on your Christmas wish list, or buy it for gifts for all your friend's, daughter's, mom and whoever you think would love it.

Look! the recipe I made today.