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Sunday, November 22, 2009

We're Besties. I Can Feel It....
Tracy and I headed to the Mall of America (MOA) on Saturday to meet the one and only Ree Drummond, also known as the Pioneer Woman.

Never heard of her?
That's OK. Some people haven't.
But those that haven't--do us all a favor and head over to her corner of the internet. You'll be glad you did. You can check out her site here.


Tracy and I planned to be at the MOA at 10:00 a.m. as you needed a wrist band to get a place in line. So, off we went, cookbooks, cameras, and a goodie bag in tow. As we got in line we were surrounded by wonderful people (and not just because they now have my blog address--hi fun people from the line!). Being around them made the time we waited in line so worth it.







Note to those who may be going to a book signing in their area in the next few weeks--check ahead to see if there is a need for tickets or wristbands. We found out the day before just by checking the MOA website.


And you better be on your best behavior.
Those K-9 dogs mean serious business.




Anyway--it was a well oiled machine. Folks from Barnes and Noble went through the line asking us what they wanted Ree to write in our cookbooks. They wrote it on a post-it and it helped things go much easier. We hit the jackpot as we were up front, right next to the stairs!






There were a lot of folks there. Easily a couple hundred people, though it's hard to gauge at the MOA. Mix blogger fans in with the regular mall traffic and you'll have quite the crowd (this picture is deceiving, as I'm up on the 2nd level looking down to the left. I didn't even get the "middle" or the "far right.").

(That sounds really political, doesn't it? "Left" "middle" "Far right". ha!)




Ree, herself, was delightful. She was nervous, but just as sweet as can be. She answered some questions from us in the crowd (we wrote them down and they chose 10-12 questions) and then we got to go on stage one by one to sit with her. My question was chosen to be answered--I wanted to know besides the Marlboro Man Sandwich, what other recipe is the key to a good marriage.

Her answer: Lasagna!

Does she know the Big Guy? I think she might because she hit the nail on the head. He loves a mean lasagna and even said, "That looks GOOD" when looking at her cookbook!



Soon, it was my turn on the stage!

She had a chair right next to her where she asked us to sit and chat while she signed books. I had 3 cookbooks for her to sign. I gave her the goodie bag of stuff from Minnesota from both Tracy and I (wild rice, wine from a local vineyard, Nut Goodie candy bars, Salted Nut Roll candy bars, Caribou coffee beans, etc). She had bright eyes and a big smile on her face and said, "Oh my gosh! I can't believe it!" We enjoy her blog and cookbook so much, it was the least we could do.

She signed my books (including one for our 3-day online auction which will happen later this spring! Thanks, Ree!!), and I just kept thinking in my head, "Oh my word. It's Ree. PW. Right next to me!"

(note to self, work on when to use the flash on the camera....)


As we chatted while she signed my books I told her, "I have to confess, I'm a little star struck!" She smiled and calmly said, "Oh, please! Don't be! I'm nervous. I'm sweaty. Really, it's just me."

Yes. It is.
But you're THE Pioneer Woman.

All in all it was a great book signing and I had the best time!

Oh.

And Marlboro Man and two of the Punks were there too (he was super nice, and the boys were a little wide eyed. I mean hello? Mall with an amusement park inside? I would be too!).



One more thing.

Be sure to stop by Wednesday to see what happened on the way to the book signing (you can read about it here). Here's a clue...

10 comments:

Kim said...

I promised I would comment the next time I stopped by.

Hi! I'm the crazy 3-Day walker (2010 crew) that stopped you on your way up to meet her!

It was amazing wasn't it!?!?! I gave her a gift too.

I won a cookbook in her last givaway, and was considering asking her to autograph it so I could use it for a fundraiser. Great minds think alike I guess!

Kim said...

Oh, and I forgot to mention, her lasagna is the best thing ever. You might consider auctioning off not just a cookbook but a pan of her lasagna for your fundraiser.

LoveFeast Table said...

Wasn't it lovely to meet her? She is so gracious and lovely! What an inspiration!! -Chris Ann

Tracy Griffin - Artist said...

I just can't believe she hasn't mentioned you on her blog yet today. I mean, really!

Jason, as himself said...

This is all fine and good and exciting and I'm totally jealous...but I still love Bossy more.

Caren said...

Wow... I am so excited for you. Sounds like you have an awesome experience and... you got to meet Marlboro Man! Is he as good looking in person as in photos? Love his eyes. Wow..that was quite a day!!!!!!!!!!

Hula Girl at Heart said...

Fun!! I want to go to the signing in Nashville, but I don't think there's any way I can since I'm kind of still moving.

Pineapple Princess said...

Your recap is SUPER! Your pictures made me feel like I was right there with you!

I got lucky enough to meet her last night. If you have time, stop by some time. http://adoptbellagrace.blogspot.com/2009/11/p-dub-in-da-house.html

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Dorkys Ramos said...

Oh sounds like it you had a great time! I remember being in aww when I went to see Paula Deen at Borders a couple years ago. There was no book signing, but she was just the cutest thing. Best yet, her two sons popped in and surprised her on the spot!

Jennifer said...

Hi,

Stumbled on your site from PW's. Very jealous to hear you got to see her & get your books signed.

Somehow I just don't think she's going to make it to Camp Humphreys in South Korea.

Great blog!

Much love from an overseas Army wife,
Jennifer

www.ourjennericlife.com