Pioneer Woman visits Charlotte!

This time last year, Anne turned me on to the Pioneer Woman's Blog. Pioneer Woman's name is Ree Drummond...she is an amazing mother of 4 who does it all...home schools, cooks, photography and most importantly she's stylish:) Although I mainly read her photography posts, she does create some scrumptious recipes. Hence the reason we got to meet her! She created a yummy i cookbook, albeit highly caloric:), called "The Pioneer Woman Cooks" so she came to Joseph Beth Bookstore for a book signing.

She really was wonderful in person. She did a little group question and answer for about 10 minutes so we all got to know some answers to our questions like "how the heck do you do all this? How much help do you really have?" She was very funny and down to earth...just as her posts read...so maybe she really does write all those posts herself?

Here's the video...it's long probably worth skipping:)

We all had our index fingers on the shutter-release the whole time...for me it's a nervous habit...

Meet Dao's camera...it's cool...it's a D700

See what I mean?...here's Brooke...finger on the button

We had VIP tickets courtesy of Dao getting them as soon as they went on sale. Good thing...place was zoooooy! {photo courtesy of Dao}

Dao went first...she actually broke the ice for me. Here's the story...

Ree was on Charlotte Today on Friday (the morning of the signing). BB was on the show's set too because she was getting to know the ropes before she took the stage on Monday (more on that later). I let BB know that the Pioneer Woman was going to be there and she introduced herself. She gave her a heads up that her daughter-in-law (me) was going to be attending her book signing and to look out for me and my 4 friends (Anne, Dao, Brooke, and Trish). She told her I would be the one skipping out my 5 year anniversary to meet her.

So Dao said "Hey that's the girl who's missing her 5 year anniversary to meet you! You met her mother-in-law this morning!" Ree was all like "whaaaa....?" Then it clicked...and we had a brief connection...brief:)

Ree signing Dao's cover...

Anne discussing her sweating problem...Ree kept saying she was a nervous sweater and Anne wanted her to know she was in good company...I'm a nervous sweater too...I mean, now that it's cool and all:)

Here's nervous nelly...I mean me...she's just so amazingly talented you can't help but think you're not worthy? {photo courtesy of Brooke}

I must have had a stiff drink or something...I suddenly appear "worthy"? In Brooke's words I look like I'm all "dude, now that you and my mother-in-law are buddies, can I totally come to the ranch this summer?!.." and Ree is all like "whoa...ummmm...security?" {photo courtesy of Brooke}

Brooke...all giggles...sharing some inside joke

Trish...these 2 look like sisters...no?

Brooke and Trish...replaying the events...

We headed to M5 after our celebrity meeting with Ree. Shortly after we arrived Anne had to skip out temporarily to feed and comfort baby Eve. She was back in no time...this was her grand reentry...people around us thought she was someone famous because all 4 of us picked up our cameras and started shooting her:)

This is where I dropped my camera and broke it...it was heart stopping but I'm dealing with my loss in my own way and will get through this time soon enough...but just so you know my photos will be looking a little funny for the next 5-6 weeks while my good friend is undergoing major surgery....bare with...

So the Pioneer Woman is all about the wedges...for the occasion, I pulled out my absolute bestest...these beauties are the cats meow! But seriously...blisters are still bothering me...it's been a week...

Fun times "Pionettes"! Next stop...a photo "club" playdate:) {photo courtesy of Dao}