Pioneer Woman

On Friday night, I got the chance to meet one of my idols-- Ree Drummond, Pioneer Woman.  For those of you who aren't familiar with Ree, she is a blogger.  Her site is:   http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/   On her site, she chronicles her life as a ranch wife in Oklahoma.  She has four children and a bassett hound named Charlie.  She not only posts about her day-to-day life, but she also has a photography section, cooking section, homeschooling section, and a site called Tasty Kitchen where followers can post their own recipes. 

She published a cookbook last year:  "The Pioneer Woman Cooks".  Absolute must make recipes:  cinnamon rolls and Rib Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce.  In February her autobiographical "romance novel" came out.  It's called "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels"  She tells her story of being the ultimate city girl, going to school in Los Angeles and deciding to move to Chicago when she makes a temporary stop in her hometown in Oklahoma where she meets her "Marlboro Man", soon to be her husband.  She discusses falling in love with a cowboy and learning the ways of country ranch life.  After her book came out, she set up a book tour around the country, which is what brought her to Montana.  This occasion coincided with the annual CM Russell Art Sale. 

Before the book signing, she gave an hour long slide show presentation about her life and blogging.  I had seen her on TV before when she appeared on The View and The Today show.  She was so energetic funny.  At the end of her presentation she showed pictures of her bassett Charlie while singing "My Endless Love".  Very entertaining! 

After that had concluded we quickly lined up for the book signing.  Mom and I had bought VIP tickets which enabled us to get in the front section of the line.  Even so, we stood in line for an hour before reaching Ree.  It was such a blur talking to her.  I can hardly remember what was said to eachother.  There were a couple hundred people in line and it all goes by so fast.  She asked me when I was due and said I was "obviously very pregnant" whatever that meant!!  And asked where I was from and thanked me for coming in my "delicate state"  I know I thanked her for coming to Montana.  And I have no idea what else I said.  I think I was one of those gushing, idiot fans who never stops talking and makes a fool of themselves, but I don't remember!  I do remember how really nice she was.  It was obvious she was going to be there for hours signing books.

At the end of April she is coming out with a children's book about Charlie.  I will of course be getting that for baby!  And mom said she saw in the Tribune that they will be making a movie based on her novel.  I"m pretty sure I'm going to be one of "those people" who line up days before it opens in theaters, just like Harry Potter and Twilight fans!!  It was such a great opportunity to meet her and it's something I'll never forget!