Posts Tagged Pioneer woman

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

…I met in Washington DC have been so fun to tell people about.

Or brag about. Whichever way you prefer to look at it. My 12 year old son says, “It’s not bragging if it is true.” Okay, I will work on that with him. But regardless, I am still happy about seeing some of the people I did on my trip.

One of the speakers at our convention was Ree Drummond, better known as the Pioneer Woman. She was originally supposed to join us for lunch, but she had to leave early. Rumor on the street (or what I was told in the hallway) was that she had a book signing to get too.

I am posting this merely as proof she was there. I know, the picture is AWFUL and I have an AWFUL camera.

This picture really was taken a long ways away. I just cropped it, but it was already fuzzy. So technically I did not make it worse. But she was entertaining and personable and everyone enjoyed her thoroughly. And she looked pretty, not fuzzy, in person.

One of the pictures I have flashed on my phone to all that pass within 50 feet is this one. My perception of her from Biggest Loser was that she was a nice person. After having lunch with her, I can tell you I was exactly right. Now I not only think of her as merely a nice person, but I am also a fan. (I am a “fan” of several of my girlfriends too, so she is in good company.)

Alison was our lunch speaker and she did a fabulous job. She is passionate about motherhood and encouraging women to be the best they can be.

The women at the convention were in a tizzy about meeting Alison. Unfortunately, I have never watched Days of our Lives, but I know she has had a long successful career on the show. Despite her fame, she was sweet to everyone that approached her, signed a ton of autographs, and posed for ninety-million pictures.

I was privileged to sit with Alison and her husband and son during lunch and visit with them. It was a blessing to get to know them a little. Alison and her husband were very personable and genuine, and within 10 seconds I forgot about the fact she likely cannot walk down the street without being approached. 

I told my husband they seemed like the kind of couple we could have a blast with on a double date. It is unlikely our paths will cross again, and I am a little sad about that. I sincerely liked them both.

Our last speaker of the day can only be described as dynamic. I have heard many, many speakers in the last 14 years. Many were great, some passionate, several really funny, but few can be called dynamic. I typically do not go up to a speaker and ask for a picture with them. I can count on one hand the number of times I have done it.

After Rick Grandinetti spoke, I marched my little self right up to the front of the room. I may or may not have cut in line. I told him he was phenomenal and asked for my picture with him.

I have no idea how, but I had not heard of Rick until this convention. He was so inspiring, he has to be well known to everyone.

I love it when speakers are energetic, engaging and tell stories to make their points. He checked every box on my list. Rick founded Succeed Inside the Box and you can check out his website at http://succeedinsidethebox.com. I didn’t hang around to visit with him after the picture. As you can tell by my hair in the picture, it had been a very long day. And honestly, I had nothing else intelligent to say after the phenomenal comment.

So that wraps up the people of interest I was blessed to cross paths with in Washington DC. Thank you for being patient while I bragged. I mean, shared.   

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If you are a mother and would like to find out more about the American Mothers, Inc. convention I attended, you can check out their website at http://www.americanmothers.org.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

As promised, I am sharing a couple of my favorite cookbooks. There are a TON of great cookbooks available, but these just happen to be what I use most. I know everyone has their favorites, and what one may find fabulous, another will find complicated or dull.

I will start with my favorite. I have told my husband repeatedly, if the house ever catches fire, be sure to grab this cookbook. After the children, of course.

This was copyrighted in 1969. This is my most used, favorite and personal friend. It is all from-scratch recipes.

I have been given other – newer – Betty Crocker cookbooks, but they are not the same. These are recipes that Grandma would make. It even has a recipe for Divinity. I mean, come on, many people don’t even know what that is anymore. But those of you who do, I heard you scream, “Yes!”

A crockpot is a girl’s best friend. Next to diamonds. And a spa. And a gift card to Nordstrams. But other than that, definitely a crockpot. Put it on in the morning and forget about it. (Said in my best mafia/Al Pacino voice). I am always on the lookout for more crockpot recipes. So please, hook a girl up if you have some.

I found this one at the book fair at my kids' school a few years back. It has proven handy.

 This one is a recent find. I met the author at the American Mothers, Inc. national convention last April. She actually planned out 30 weeks of menus with all the recipes. And it isn’t an “open the can, pour it in” type of book either. I use it primarily as a resource for the times I lack creativity when planning my own menu. If I can find the author’s contact information I am happy to share. Don’t be shy, just ask.

I think it was $15. Inexpensive and money well-spent. And I love that it is spiral bound so it lies flat when opened. You don't have to arm wrestle it to use it.

She has ideas for seven days of the week, not just five. And every meal includes a dessert. Naughty woman. Clearly her metabolism is better than mine.

Since my cookbook is on loan, I completely stole this from PW's website. But I just had to get your mouth-watering to try this! I think she would understand.

 

My recipe box. More important than even Betty. Trade secrets from family and friends.