My Friend, Ree

First of all, I am sorry I have neglected this blog for a few weeks. It's been a busy time of year yet again! I just have to say I cannot believe Thanksgiving is less than a week away and Christmas is just around the corner as well. Wow!

If you really know me, you know I ADORE Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman. I received her very first cookbook as a Christmas gift back in 2008. Little did I know that it would be the most used cookbook I have ever used. Seriously. It is literally falling apart because of the use of it!

Once we heard Ree was coming to NWA, we planned it right away. Of course we wanted to meet her. AGAIN! :)

 Russell and I got to Walmart at 8 a.m. last Saturday. We knew the line would be insane and once people started lining up, it would only get more crazy.

We were one of the very first people in line. Can I just tell you how excited we were? Oh my goodness, there is no way to describe it.

 I love, love love my husband. He is such a good sport for coming with me to these events. But I will let you know on a little secret. I think he enjoys it as much as I do. :)

 

 These ladies were THE first people in line and were so excited too. We had such fun laughing and visiting with them! We were all ecstatic together!

 Books! Her newest cookbook, "A Year of Holidays," is the best! Love the stories and pictures, along with the 140 recipes she shares!

After about an hour and a half, we knew we were halfway in with waiting in line. We did not expect her until 11. But at 9:45, Ree Drummond herself walked up to the line and said, "Hey guys! Thanks for coming! Great to see you!"

I. was. so. thrilled!!!!!! She was an hour and fifteen minutes early! Plus I realized within moments, we would get to meet her in person again. We first met her in April 2012. Surely she would remember us. Umm...maybe not. She has only "met" billions of fans around America. Of course she will remember me! HA!

 So close!!!

 OH MYLANTA! The moment we have been waiting for!

I told her we met her in Bartlesville, OK last year and she responded with, "I remember you guys!" I thought she was joking and she told me she was serious and she really did remember us. Yeah, we are officially friends. HA! I shared with her that we are expecting a baby and we talked a little about that. We also talked about the famous "egg in the hole" recipe from her first cookbook and the love we share for butter. She was just awesome.

Oh my gosh. HA!

"Excited" is not the right word to describe this moment. Since she signed a few books for us, we had a little more time with her to chat. It was probably a two minute conversation but it felt longer. She really is a true and genuine soul. So real. And that, my friends, is one of the many reasons I am such a huge fan. She has a Charlie book coming out next April called "Charlie and the new baby." You better believe it's on my list to get! :)

That's the long story about meeting Ree....for a second time. Will there be a third time? Hopefully!

 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1