Cookbook Winner!!

Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting on your fave recipes! And for those that have not tried any of Ree's delicious recipes, you need to get on over to her blog (thepioneerwoman.com)!
I toyed with the idea of giving the book to someone who had the same fave recipe as me, but in order to do that, I would have had to given a sealed envelope to a trusted person containing this information.But I didn't think of this until tonight. But, just so you know, so far my 2 fave PW recipes are the Marlboro Man Sandwich and Hot Crash Potatos (the latter not technically a PW recipe, but is from her blog and everytime I make them people RAVE!!!)

But before I announce the winner of the cookbook, I am going to RAK 2 other posters with fun kitchen gear:Sugar and Spice from Hawaii - cause she loves Hot Crashed Potatos and A Girl and 3 boys 'cause I kinda diss'd her hometown of Torrance (although I didn't mean to!). If you 2 chicks would get your mailing info to me - - I will send out a really fun kitchen gadget this week!

So.....on to the winner.........and the magic number is 29! Standby while I go count comments. Ok. I am back - our winner is: DALAYNEY'S DOODLES!Mailing info should be sent to: skhsimmons@gmail.com . Thanks again, I hope you stop back by for future ramblings and giveaways!

The Big Pioneer Woman Cookbook Giveaway!!

In late 2009, the cookbook I had been waiting for was finally available:

And Ree Drummond - The Pioneer Woman - went on a book signing tour!

I relentlessly stalked her blog, waiting for updates on her book signing stops. Really, who WOULDN'T want to make a stop in San Diego?

But alas, my city did not make the cut.

HOWEVER, she did have a stop scheduled for Torrance California. Really? Torrance?? Over San Diego?? I don't care where you are from - - San Diego trumps any spot in Los Angeles for any kind of stop-over!

But then.......the planets came into alignment and the angels sang ("aaaaahhhhhh.....")....my niece had a cheer competition that coincided with the book signing within a 15 minute drive of Torrance California on November, 22 2009!

We left San Diego at the crack of dawn to attend the cheer competition, after the awards ceremony we all piled into my mom's car (including my niece's unsuspecting friends who thought they were only coming along to watch the competition...MUUUHAAAAAHAHA!) and drove to the Border's Book Store in Torrance, California for a book signing that was to begin at 5pm.

We were among the lucky to be allowed to wait in line for 3 hours, and I am not being sarcastic - - so many people were turned away, I was so excited knowing that I would get a signed copy of the cookbook from the woman who made me a Goddess in the eyes of my husband by using her recipes!

I didn't mind, heck we were in my favorite place, a book store, I could pull books off the shelves and read them to my hearts content.

However, the half hour I spent in front of the book section containing the books about planes sucked.

I am so sorry for anyone out there who shares their life with someone obsessed and interested in all of the technical aspects of planes. No offense intended, but BLECH! Really, I can usually find something interesting in any printed form - - but this section - - NOTHING!

A side note about the other people in line: really, REALLY?? you couldn't walk 2 feet or even attempt to toss your trash into the available recepticles, but instead chose to leave your half eaten croissants and half full coffee cups among the shelves of new books?? That was just nasty! Who raised you? I threw away trash all along the line leading up to Ree.I hate litterbugs!

We got bored in lineSo we just kept taking pictures and it was then I noticed how greasy my bangs were at the end of the day. Fabulous! "Hi Ree! Love your recipes! I just squeeze the grease out of my bangs to cook!"

Well, my sister swears they were not that bad....

She's a LIAR!

We finally got our chance to meet Ree. She really is a cutie-patootie in real life.

And she really is funny - as evidenced by this photo:

She is also quite profound - apparantly - as evidenced by this photo:

What you really need to know is that she is just how you imagine her to be from reading her blog!

Thank you, Ree!!

I bought 2 copies of PW's cookbook this night - one for myself, and one for......WHO?? She was so gracious when signing her cookbooks, here is how she inscribed my books:

Notice the 2nd one??
So there you go. I pondered gifting this to a relative or friend, but really, if you don't know who PW is? Can you really appreciate this??

So I have decided to instead gift it to a stranger. A fan of PW. Someone who will be thrilled to have a signed copy and appreciate it! Someone who loves butter!!

All you have to do is leave a comment on this post naming your fave PW recipe.

I will choose a winner on next Wednesday, April 14th -International posters are okay, too! I am not going to ask that you follow my blog, but I hope this post will make you aware of my blog and decide to check back now and again!

Checking in from the Happiest Place on Earth

I know you are probably thinking I am talking about my scrap room, but I am actually at Disneyland this weekend for our grandson's birthday. Today California Adventure, tomorrow The Magic Kingdom!



I have so much blogging to catch up on - - the first 3 months of 2010 have been crazy busy, so be prepared for a flurry of posts!



Today I have a post up on the Helmar USA Design Team Blog - I created some garden stakes in anticipation of planting some veggies. I use the Helmar Acrylic Sealer - which gives a nice antiqued/vintage look and also offers some protection from the elements. You can check out my project here: Garden Stakes



Challenge #67 (School Days) is up at "A True Friend" - - if your pet went to school, what would his/her fave subject be - the DT has come up with some great, creative and funny layouts! Check it out here: A True Friend Challenge #67 And be sure to come back to ATF as we have some sponsors set up to provide some amazing prizes for our challenge participants!



I was asked to be on the Design Team at Treasured Scrapbooking to finish out the term for a DT Member who had to resign - I am over the moon about this - - Erin and I have very similar tastes and I adore her kits! Come check me out!


Thanks so much for stopping by!

Shelly (aka Reel Girl)