TaraCooks.com Finally Meets Pioneer Woman

Posted by on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

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When Pioneer Woman announced last year she was going to release a cookbook this year, I was beyond excited. I have been visiting www.thepioneerwoman.com regularly for about 3 years now and Pioneer Woman is one of the inspirations for this food blog. Later, when I found out Pioneer Woman would be on book tour, I kept my fingers crossed that Nashville would make the list of cities for her book signing. Meeting Pioneer Woman, aka Ree Drummond, has been on my “Bucket List” for a while, and I am happy to report that, as of tonight, I have another goal checked OFF my Bucket List. From now on there’s just cooking new recipes, and eating!

I was faced with a moral dilemma a few weeks ago when I realized that my sweet daughter, who had a solo, a duet, and 2 parts in the Christmas Pageant, would be performing on the same night as PW’s Nashville book signing – both events beginning at the same hour. I decided to attend the play, exit right after sweet daughter was finished, and speed 35+ miles to Nashville. I also called the book store ahead of time to be sure I could still get in line if I arrived 90 minutes after the signing began. The gentleman on the phone sounded puzzled at my question and said the whole event would be over in about an hour. I thought to myself, “Fella, you have NO idea WHO you have signing books tonight!” When my friend and I arrived at 8:30pm, Ree was just getting her autograph pen hot signing books, and there were at least 400 people ahead of us! Since we had a ticket for our place in line, and since we had a LONG wait ahead, we decided to dine in the bookstore’s cafe. We split a Chicken Avocado wrap (excellent), chatted for an hour, then perused the kid’s book section. Finally we realized the store clerk was no longer calling numbers to get in line. We then took the last place in line for meeting Ree and getting the books autographed.

A dear friend is one who endures just about anything for you.

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I got a little nervous as it was almost my turn, but was very excited to be meeting what seems like a friend I’ve known all my life.

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Here’s a basket of goodies – all recipes from TaraCooks.com of course – that I put together to give Ree.  Blackberry jelly, peach and cherry preserves, home made granola, and cheese dreams all filled the basket. I had some cowgirl fabric and used some red bandannas instead of bows to pretty up the old basket. I think it turned out very “western” and was glad to hand it off to Ree – so I didn’t have to lug it around the book store any more.

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Here’s Ree signing my book. I was actually very surprised that she was familiar with Taracooks.com. Ree commented that she has visited our blog before since I comment often on her blog.

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Ree is simply beautiful and took so much time with every loyal fan. I know she had to be drained from signing, talking, and meeting people for nearly 5 hours. But she never let it show.

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Here is Hyacinth, Ree’s good friend and Ree’s sister Betsy. Hyacinth home schools too and has a very handsome son named Matthew. Matthew works on the Drummond ranch during the summer. I think a lot of chicks would like to meet Matthew. Besty looks a lot like her sister and has the CUTEST toddler. Betsy I am so sorry about the nuts in the gift basket I gave your sister. If I’d known you were coming – I would have baked you a blueberry pie!IMG_0624

Here’s proof I met Pioneer Woman and it was definately worth the wait. It was nearing the midnight hour when we left. I only regret that Ree isn’t taking me to New York for her next book signing. Ya’ll come back to Nashville soon ladies! Next time, dinner’s on me :)IMG_0627

Filed in Uncategorized | 6 responses so far

6 Responses to “TaraCooks.com Finally Meets Pioneer Woman”

  1. Jason Bybeeon 09 Dec 2009 at 7:05 am 1

    Glad you got to meet her, even if it made for a late night!

  2. Karenon 09 Dec 2009 at 9:17 am 2

    Ree (The Pioneer Woman) knew of Tara’s website when we got up to the autographing table. Ree said, “Oh, I know your website Tara, I have visited it before!” How exciting to meet someone you think so highly of and for that person to remember you and your accomplishments!!!! So proud of you friend!!!!!

  3. Richardon 09 Dec 2009 at 11:47 am 3

    Tara, I am so glad that you were able to meet her. And she even had visited taracooks.com before. Awesome. She seems so down to earth and just like regular folks. Some day you’ll be doing book signings of your own!

  4. Katrinaon 09 Dec 2009 at 10:32 pm 4

    I am so glad it worked out for you to see Hope perform AND see the Pioneer Woman. Who says you can’t do it all?!!!

  5. Katrinaon 09 Dec 2009 at 10:33 pm 5

    I am so glad it worked out for you to see Hope perform AND the Pioneer Woman. Who says you can’t do it all?!!!

  6. Laura Bethon 09 Dec 2009 at 10:40 pm 6

    I think it is awesome that you were last in line!! How memorable! :) I had so much fun and felt a little guilty that I drug my sister-in-law with me. . . That’s awesome that she has been to your site before!!