#44 He Takes Me to Meet the Pioneer Woman

A little over a year ago, I was browsing the remainder bin at Barnes and Noble. There were books that had been left over from special events and book signings that were slightly, but not greatly, discounted in price. I fell upon a cookbook that was so awesome I had to have it, even though it was only slightly, and not greatly, discounted in price.

Me and cookbooks just aren't like that. I love to cook, but to find a cookbook that I absolutely have to have, well, I just never thought that was me.

Apparently it is.

The recipes literally had step by step pictures of the process, no matter how simple or difficult. Whether it was salt and peppering a steak or mixing together ingredients, it was pictured.

Glory hallelujah! Something that might actually show me if I was making a recipe correctly. Something that would keep me from second guessing myself until the final product had already arrived and there was no turning back.

That day I learned who the Pioneer Woman was. And my life was changed forever.

Not only did Pioneer Woman have this awesome book that I had instantly fallen in love with, but she also had a blog, something that I had been attempting, but fallen short on.

So daily I began to read her blog, and weekly something or other of Pioneer Woman's creation graced my breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert table.

Hubby heard about Pioneer Woman, often.

Within a nanosecond of her second book's pre-order listing, my copy was ordered on amazon.com (another thing my life would not be the same without). Her book tour was listed on her blog and I looked it over instantly hoping she would be at my local Barnes and Noble. Sadly, there were no visits scheduled to New Jersey and the signing in NYC was on the Tuesday night her book came out. Our home in New Jersey is about an hour away from NYC on a good day. The thought of driving into the city, on a school night, bounced back and forth in my mind until I gave the matter a finalized, "No".

I can't remember when hubby heard about it. But, when he did he gave me a finalized, "We're going".

I'm pretty sure I blacked out after that and didn't wake up until two days before the event.

I know, I have issues.

Don't tell me though, I'm in denial.

I'm not sure the last time I was so excited. I was so excited I couldn't sleep.

Seriously, I'm not sure what is wrong with me.

I did this ridiculous thing though. My first thought was, 'I should bring my camera. I can get a picture with her and it will be awesome,'.

And then, when it came time for me to run out the door I forgot my camera.

But, it gets worse.

I remembered that I forgot my camera upon getting into my car. Yet then, I did this too cool for school thing and thought, 'Nah, I don't need a picture with her. Plus, if I really want one, I've got my camera phone,'.

That's how I ended up with this:

Well, at least those books on top of that shelf came out clear.

Nevertheless, I left the bookstore thrilled, filled with inspiration, and

........more in love with my hubby than ever.