Yesterday I spent a rainy day at a bookstore. While it’s a perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon I spent hours sitting in a seat waiting for one of my favorite bloggers, Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman, to speak and sign her 1st book The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl
I was thrilled that she was coming so close to home, and to an independent bookstore that I love, Chester County Book and Music Company. I waited to buy the book until I went to CCBMC so I could support them for having someone I really care about come to their store. Sure I spent probably 1/3 more than I would have if I bought it on Amazon, but sometimes it’s worth it to spend a little extra.
There were people that braved early morning icy roads to drive 4 or more hours, and stayed at the bookstore for hours while they waited. I came, got my number, staked out a seat, and then left for a bit to run errands. When I came back around 1pm the place was busy, and people were already sitting all the way in the back! I took the opportunity to read and leaf through her book. I LOVE the format, the photos, it’s all so different from what a typical cookbook looks like.
While I was waiting news that Ree was on QVC spread through the crowd, and those of us with smartphones were able to update those around us that she had sold out in minutes!
Finally 2:30, the appointed time for her appearance came, and everyone went silent every time there was a movement from the entrance we thought she would come through. When a gray haired gentleman finally came out to introduce her you could feel a swell in the energy in the room. After a brief, and funny introduction, Ree walked in to loud applause. Here’s a video of her speaking to the crowd prior to the Q&A:
She then took Q&A from the audience. There were some great questions. I asked her what advice would she give bloggers to stay motivated because you know my brain stopped working when she pointed at me. Her response was to just get up and do it every morning, even if you just write about your tube of toothpaste (funny I actually have a post coming up about toothpaste!), and to exercise. She made mention of that several times, and I couldn’t agree more. Since I’ve started blogging I have what I affectionately refer to as blogger’s butt and blogger’s belly.
Ree also sang a little for us, video below:
Ree was so sweet in person. She’s beautiful, and had a smile on her face the whole time. She didn’t even flinch when a 40 something gentleman asked her to sign his belly. She did it, and laughed and smiled the whole time. She couldn’t have been more gracious, funny, or down to Earth.
For those of you who couldn’t make it to a signing, and want your books signed check out this post on her blog where she offers to sign any book she is sent. Seriously the woman must have hands of steel!
I was thrilled to learn that her Black Heels to Tractor Wheels story will be published as well, I’m really looking forward to it, and hope she comes back to our area again.
I was slightly disappointed that she was out of t-shirts by the time she reached us, since we were her last stop, but I won’t hold her popularity against her. I will say I’d totally buy one, I think they are so gorgeous!
This is me and Ree. We’re like totally BFFs now, can’t you tell?
Kelly
More photos:
For more photos and musings from me at the signing, check out my whrrl of the event.
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