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| Me, Ree Drummond, and Older Daughter I did not dress like the PW on purpose. |
Ree Drummond, better known as The Pioneer Woman,
likes to describe herself, “an accidental country girl.” It’s
no accident, though, that her website and blog are highly successful, as are her books and Food Network cooking show. She
works hard, has an appealing way of looking at the world and a “voice” that's witty and sisterly. I’m a
longtime fan.
On Tuesday night, Ree signed her new cookbook, The PioneerWoman Cooks: A Year of Holidays at
the Blue Willow Bookshop in Houston. I wouldn't have missed the event for anything and went,
accompanied by Older Daughter. Both of us have successfully reproduced many
of the Pioneer Woman’s recipes.
There’s a lot of talk nowadays about independent bookstores closing.
Blue Willow thrives. It’s carved a niche for itself among young-adult authors
and readers but attracts marquee authors of all stripes. YA authors Ally Carter
and Jen Barnes will sign at Blue Willow this Saturday. Sue Monk Kidd will sign
her latest, The Invention of Wings, February 17.
The Pioneer Woman was scheduled to sign
from six p.m. on. A week before, I reserved copies of the new cookbook and places in line and was
told not to show up before 8:30. You read that right. The Pioneer Woman is one
popular lady.
At eight-forty-five, Older Daughter and I drove to Blue
Willow, collected our “will call” books and signing-group numbers, and were
told to report back in sixty to ninety minutes. You read that right. We could
have hung with the convivial crowd in the parking lot where a food truck dispensed
sustenance, but because the night was chilly and we’re caffeine hounds, we
drove to a nearby Starbucks.
The coffee shop crawled with Ree Drummond fans comparing
their signing-group numbers and exclaiming over the photographs and recipes in
the new book. At nine-fifty, the barista announced the place would close at ten,
and Older Daughter and I returned to the bookstore to find our number had just been
called. We hurried inside and got on line.
From that point on, things moved fast. As we approached the
signing table, a bookstore employee whisked away our coats and purses. Another
employee took Older Daughter’s cell phone to capture photos of us with Ree.
Since I’m a rabid
fan, you probably think I mentioned my favorite PW blog posts or recipes to Ree.
Nope.
You figure I told her how my family enjoyed her brownie
recipe, oven brisket, and meatballs.
Sadly, no.
I was tongue-tied. Struck dumb. You read that right. I couldn’t
think of a thing to say except, “Hi, I’m so glad you’re here.”
Poor Ree Drummond, who had already been signing books for
hours, coaxed conversation out of me. She asked if I liked the cold weather.
“Yes.”
She apologized for the long wait but pointed out that Old
Daughter and I got to spend quality time together.
“Yes,” I repeated.
I attest to the fact The Pioneer Woman is charming,
gracious, and can put the most awkward fan at ease.
The Blue Willow staffers made
sure all our books were signed, bundled us back into our coats, handed us our
purses, and returned Older Daughter’s cell phone with four shots of us and The
Pioneer Woman. What paragons of organization!
We exited the bookstore at ten-thirty. Ree Drummond had vowed
to remain until every book was signed, so Blue Willow must have stayed open into the wee hours of Wednesday.
Outside, the waiting fans were in good spirits. The Pioneer
Woman has that effect on people.
