My Sweetest Things

I have been a follower of Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman for a few years. My love of all things photography brought me to her lovely site where she shares tips  on photography basics such as lighting, equipment, and photoshop. She provides beautiful pictures with step by step instructions and has a great action set that has been very helpful in my photography.

Ree Drummond is not only talented in photography but is also quite the cook! She provides delicious simple dishes and photographs the entire process which is so very helpful. Don’t know the correct way to chop an onion? She will guide you through it. Need a marriage proposal? Make her chocolate sheet cake! She also started a new recipe site called Tasty Kitchen. On this site hundreds of fellow cooks share home tested recipes.

Ree is kind and witty and oh such a beauty! Inside and out. When I read she was publishing a cookbook The Pioneer Woman Cooks I ordered it right away and when I read she would be touring with her book, I marked my calendar! Lucky for me she came to Atlanta. I knew there would be a big crowd to meet her at the book signing so my awesome husband stopped at the Border’s Bookstore early in the morning and scored me a wristband. I arrived at 4pm for the 6pm signing and spotted several woman walking around the bookstore browsing through books while they held Ree’s Cookbook in their hand. I had a wonderful experience! Thanks to Ree for putting herself out here and sharing her world and experiences with all of us and to Betsy (Ree’s Sister) and Hyacinth (BFF) for being so gracious and kind.

See the word “Discussion” is crossed out? Turns out she has stayed out into the wee hours of the morning signing books in other cities, so the discussion was skipped and she started signing early.

The Event Rules…..”Due to the popularity of our Featured Author and the expected large turnout for this event”……..way to go Ree!

I was there early enough to watch the set up which included these blue arrows winding around bookshelves.

These lovelies were in the Orange A group which meant they were first in line and which also meant they were up at the crack of dawn to get their wristbands.

This kind spirited gentleman was writing our names on sticky notes. “She will sign the yellow page.” Okay. Thanks. Got it. At this point I also put sticky notes for Betsy and Hyacinth to sign on their recipe pages.

This sweet girl was sitting next to me doing homework while all this was happening around her!

I am officially in the “C” line! In line I met a wonderful gal named Joann. We chatted  and agreed to take each other’s photos since we were both solo.

She was very sweet and nice conversation helped pass some time.

Haha. Cause ya never know……

Yes Please.

Turning the corner in line and Hello Ree!

My turn! Of course I had to share with her my “I was bitten by a Police Horse in New Orleans a few weeks ago story” The edited version. See the look on her face? Real sympathy! She knows all about Horses after all!

Good Times!

That’s Hyacinth on the left and Betsy on the right. They also have delish recipes in the cookbook. They were both super sweet and looked mighty pretty and handed out T-Shirts and chatted with the crowd.

They both really keep it real and paid attention. That’s what life is all about. Sharing adventures. Sharing Stories.

Green wristbands were ready for the wait.

These empty boxes were stacked up on my way out the door. Congratulations Ree!

The line moved quickly, everyone was kind and I am thrilled I was able to be part of the experience!

My husband was working late….my son was in bed….so here is my T-Shirt shot!

It’s all good.

~Donna