Update and Pioneer Women

Yes, it's been a good couple of weeks since I've checked in here. I'll tell ya, sometimes life just gets in the way of blogging. That darn full-time job while trying to keep a semi-clean house, an occasional home cooked meal on the table, and clean clothes on our backs is what's getting in my way! All this stuff is also getting in the way of spending quality time with my girl, so I'm not ashamed to say that some of my standards have been lowered. The house isn't nearly as clean as it used to be, I find myself wearing those jeans a couple more times before throwing them in the laundry, and meals are a lot less complicated.

Actually, I've been using a lot of recipes from the Pioneer Women over the past year. I love how simple her recipes are and how she takes photos of each little step so you can't possibly miss a beat. Most of all I love how she writes her descriptions of the food as she's cooking and outlining her steps. She's so funny.

If you're also a fan of hers, you know that she's on a book tour right now for her first cookbook. Lucky for me that she was here in the Phoenix area last night and I was there! It was a mob scene and there must have been easily 400 or so people there, but I managed to elbow my way in for a few pictures during the question and answer session.

The crazy scene...


and here's Ree herself looking absolutely adorable (her sister-in-law Missy to the left)...


I caught her taking a pic of us...


Because of the massive crowd and needing to be home before midnight, I didn't get to meet her. Although, I did leave my cook book at the store for her to sign at the end of the night.

From listening to the question and answer session, I can tell you all that she is as sweet as can be and exactly what I had imagined from reading her blog. Also, if you haven't ordered her book yet, you should. It's a really pretty book full of photos and great looking recipes. Actually, I think I may cook through the book ala Julie and Julia. Anyone else up for the challenge? Maybe I can post ahead which recipe is up and do one of those link lists for everyone to post their outcomes...might be kind of fun.

On another note, Halloween was SO much fun this year and Lauren loved it! We went to a kids party during the day and trick-or-treating with her cousins in the evening. I'll post more later once I have a chance to do a couple of scrapbook layouts, but here she is in the super adorable costume made by Grandma...