Spit Flings & Other Things...

Yesterday was a super exciting day for us in the Portland, Oregon area. We were so lucky because everyone’s favorite blogging goddess, The Pioneer Woman (aka Ree Drummond) came to town!

PW was here to do a book signing and Q & A session for her amazing cookbook, The Pioneer Woman Cooks. If you haven’t had a chance to see or purchase her cookbook, I can’t recommend it enough! Just buy it! Seriously, it is probably the most special cookbook I have ever seen. It’s full of such wonderful recipes and family stories. It’s kind of like her blog in book form. I just love it!

Now, many of you know that PW often blogs about her adorable, little Basset Hound, Charlie. In fact, that’s how I really discovered Pioneer Woman’s blog when I started reading all her Charlie stories. Of course, her Charlie posts completely resonated with me since I am the owner of two equally adorable Basset Hounds myself.

When Ree announced her Spring mini-book tour, I was thrilled that she was making her way to the Pacific Northwest! She was signing at Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing in Beaverton. I had never been to this Powell’s before, so a couple days before the signing, I made a trip over there to find out how early we should line up and to get the scoop on the signing. They told me it was starting at 6:00 PM and that they were expecting a good-sized crowd.

So, the Wayneman and I decided to get there around 3:00 PM. We were cracking up because there was a lady that got in line at 10:00 AM! That’s die-hard devotion right there! Since Ree is a Basset lover like us, we brought our little Maggie along for the evening. In her stroller. Yes, her big dog stroller. Maggie LOVES going anywhere in her stroller, so she was a very good girl all evening.

When we got there, they had the evening’s instructions posted on the door.

Once inside, they had displays all set up for folks to purchase Ree’s book.

While we waited in line to get our seats, Maggie just chilled and napped. She’s real good in public that way.

Soon it was time to take our seats. There sure was a big crowd forming! I’m glad we got there early!

As you can see, the Wayneman was thrilled to be among this estrogen-filled crowd. At least there was one other guy nearby! I counted like six guys in this gigantic crowd. The Wayneman was a real trooper to come along.

Everything was all set up for Ree to speak and sign. I love that podium made to look like stacked books!

Since I had the stroller with Maggie, I moved to be out of the way, so I stood off to the side with my girl. As I waited, I got to chatting with the gals around me. We were all so excited! One of the girls named Katie even did a post on her wonderful blog, Littlefoote’s Lab about hanging with Maggie.

PW was running a little late because of traffic, but I don’t think anyone minded a bit! Maggie certainly didn’t mind waiting. A Basset Hound will take any opportunity they can get for a nap!

Pioneer Woman finally arrived and the crowd went crazy!

Sorry there’s a bit of camera-shake on these. It was hard trying to video, take pictures and check on Maggie at the same time.

Everyone was so excited to see Ree! She was just as lovely and cute in person as she is on her blog!

She continued on with the Q & A session answering any question anyone asked of her. It was so fun!

I had to break up her talk into a couple of videos since YouTube only allows videos to be 10 minutes long. Here’s the rest of the Q & A session.

The Powell’s dude made his introduction and Ree began her Q & A session. She treated us to one of her hilarious Ethel Merman impersonations at about the 2:50 mark. (Sorry again for the camera shake!)

Some people brought Ree roses from the Rose City...

As she sat down to begin signing books, everyone with tickets were called up in groups of 10 to meet the lady of the hour.

Ree said “that is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in my life!” When she saw Mag. She took a couple pictures of Maggie and I got a picture with PW!

It was nothing a nice nap couldn’t fix though. All that excitement can wear a Basset Hound out!

... but the Wayneman and I brought PW a Basset Hound named Maggie in a big dog stroller!

The look on Ree’s face when she saw Maggie was HILARIOUS! I guess it’s not everyday that you see a Basset Hound in a stroller at a book signing!

Ree was very gracious and took time with each person to make their visit special! After meeting PW, it was time to head home.

I think Maggie was secretly hoping she would meet Charlie last night. She was a little disappointed...

She signed my books so sweetly!

Thanks Ree for coming to our neck of the woods and for showing us all a great time last night! Pioneer Woman is just the best!