A True Story... Part Deux

I think that I have left you all with a more than adequate amount of suspense, so here is part two of our epic journey:

As mentioned previously, by the time my Big Kid and I had returned from our little lunch, the line had started to take shape. I called Kaye (the nice lady that watched my place in a non-existent line earlier in the day so that I could potty!) and told her that there was more than 10 people in line now. Five of those ten people was our little group! It seemed like no time at all until the line had outgrown the tape that was on the floor.

We sat and talked and watched the line. And then I decided that as it was nearing 4pm, it was time for Starbucks! My big kid and I took a journey down to the other end of the mall for our necessary poison of choice, Big kid: a hot chocolate, mine: a mocha frappuccino, MK's: some crazy concoction that I had to repeat the whole time I walked down there so as to not forget. We were caffeinated and happy. And that line it was a-growin!



Have you ever seen such a happy Big Kid? A 6 year old girl that had been waiting and sitting since 10 am and it was near 4 o'clock? Seriously! This is one amazing girl!



At 4:30, as promised, it was ticket time! Sure, there were jokes about some crazy lady and her daughter that showed up at 10 am to wait for a book signing that was not scheduled to start until 6 pm, tickets to not be handed out until just before. Jokes about how they should be sent to the back of the line that was now near 250 people long. Oh they joke. But let's see who's laughing now?



That would be us! This is my lovely group that was finally seated in proper chairs just in front of the podium where Ree would be in a few short hours! Front Row Baby!



See that girl? The Big Kid with the amazing smile on her face and still posing at nearly 5 o' clock? After 7 count them SEVEN hours, yes I said HOURS of waiting. Goodness, this girl really loves her some PW!



This is the Big Kid and her Golden Ticket. Ticket Number 1 or in this case 690020 (she still has it!). It was the consensus among the group that after such a long wait, the Big Kid would get her own ticket to get her book signed. It was also the consensus that she would get THE ticket! The very first one! And boy, oh boy, did that ever lift her spirits and make her heart sing in joy! She was ready! Ready to give Ree this (and those clips she was holding in the previous photo):



While we were waiting, Miles (the employee in charge of the tickets and set up) was overly astonished by the number of people that showed up (and continued to show up!). He had said that the employees were taking bets in the back and that the high bet was 250 people would attend. That was laughable since he had already given out nearly 350 tickets. He stopped giving out tickets and said that there was going to be a "will call" time at the end for those without tickets. I was sure glad that we didn't fall into that category! He had tried to joke that Ree's plane was delayed. We all put him in check rather quickly. Being a blogger, Ree had already posted that she was, in fact, in Portland, and not leaving her bathrobe or her hotel room until it was time to go to the book signing. These are just things that we know.

During his preparations, Miles said that he needed to set the microphone height and asked us if anyone had a clue as to how tall Ree was. About 20 people shouted, "Five Foot Nine!" Again, Miles was astonished. I guess he just didn't understand how this blogging thing really works. He asked if anyone was close to her height and MK suggested I go up there! ME! Set the Microphone stand height for Ree! WOW! Well I took my Five Foot Eight self up there. And then stood on my very highest tippy toes, as we all knew that Ree would NOT be wearing flats!



We continued to sit and wait, the Big Kid and I doing a count down. She took turns asking me and MK when it was going to be 6 o' clock. And 6 o' clock came and went. Miles announced that Ree was running late. He joked that her limo broke down and she would be arriving by helicopter. The Big Kid thought that was amazing, she got even more excited!

And then it happened! Cheers from the back of the crowd! She had come through the back entrance, throwing off everyone. Miles was waiting for her at the front entrance to Powell's and that is when this happened....



To Be Continued...

A True Story, part one

On Monday, April 19, 2010 my Big Kid and I embarked on a journey of epic proportions. We set out early in the morning (yes 9 am is early!) after my lovely Uncle arrived to watch Little Red and the Tank for me. As much as I wished that I could at least have taken Little Red (cuz Ree would LOVE her!), I knew in my heart that this was one journey that she was just not up to. The Big Kid and I loaded into the car equipped with snacks and activities to last all day, sweaters and coats in case it got cold, and our books to be signed. We were ready! Until the gas gauge laughed at me. So very rude. Almost ready. A stop for some much needed coffee and muffins. A stop to fill up the car with gas. We were ready!

We arrived at Powell's Bookstore in Beaverton (Oregon) at around 10 am. Nervous and excited, the big kid and I gathered our worldly possessions. After reading about the Seattle book signing (and how late into the night it went) I was certain that there would already be a line formed as the store opened at 9 am. We had no idea what to expect or where we would have to wait, but we didn't care. We were ready! But there was nobody but us. The store clerks had no idea what we were doing there so early or where to put us. One person said that the line would form at the information desk and to watch it and wait. But that was not going to work for us. After a little bit of discussion, we quickly sat at the desk assuring that we would be first in line.



People walked past us and stared. One woman came by and asked me if I knew anything about the Pioneer Woman book signing. I told her all the information that I had at the time (which wasn't much) and she gave me her phone number and asked me if I could call her when there were 10-15 people in line. I assured her that I would. We were waiting on MK to come and join us. But that wouldn't be for awhile, so the Big Kid and I stayed as occupied as we could for two people sitting on the floor unable to go anywhere.



The Big Kid decided that she wanted to draw a picture of Ree for Ree. The Big Kid likes things to be perfect. She took her time and made a masterpiece!



While we waited, and waited, we talked about which recipes were our favorites and what we thought it would be like to meet Ree. My Big Kid was so excited. So unfazed by the wait time. So patient and amazing and ready! She even missed school to go on this adventure with her mommy. Weeks before, when she heard that Pioneer Woman was coming to Portland she shrieked and squealed in delight. There was no way that she was going to miss that! We declared it a holiday!

Around 1 pm Miles came in. And he started putting up signs and making arrangements for the day. He moved our line, and started putting down tape to direct other people where to line up. He didn't use near enough tape! We also learned much more about the book signing at that point. The tickets would be handed out at 4:30. At which point we would be moved to the seating area. If you have the first tickets, you would get the first seats. (Lucky us! As we were first in line!) After a brief Q&A by Ree, ticket numbers would be called in groups of 10 to get their books signed. Seemed easy enough to me!

My Big Kid and I were lucky when MK arrived and gave us a little break, and a chance to go get something to eat. You can only last on muffins, crackers, dry cereal, and fruit for so long before you need real food! By the time we got back from eating our lunch the line was really starting to take shape. And another friend had arrived to wait with us! That Big Kid was more excited than ever!



Many people thought we were so looney for arriving at 10 am and waiting all day. But the way that I put it was, we could wait all day, 10 am to 6 pm was nothing. But 4 pm to 11 pm wasn't going to work for us. And I knew that the turn out was going to be a very, very large one!

To Be Continued...

Follow Through

It has been forever since I have posted anything new. And before I fill you in on our adventures (and boy have we had some adventures!), I will begin with a promise. When I started this here little blog, I promised you one of my fave, easy, inexpensive, and pretty fantastic pantry meals. And here it is!!

Chili Cornbread Bake

So simple, one skillet. Versatile. CHEAP! This meal honestly comes in at about five bucks. It is an easy, "Oh Crap! I didn't plan anything for dinner!" meal, provided that you remember to keep your pantry stocked.

I like to use a green bell pepper and some chopped onion. Now, if you have no idea how to chop an onion or a bell pepper, then you best be heading over here. Ree (yeah we are totally on a first name basis now, more on that later!) has some great tutorials on some basic stuff that we could all use a new perspective on.



Time to gather up our items! You will need the cored and diced bell pepper and about 1/2 cup diced onion. If you don't have these on hand, or don't like them, Don't Use Them! See how versatile this is already? You will also need 3/4 - 1 pound of ground beef (or turkey if you are funny that way), 1 - 15.5 oz can of chili beans (which is pinto beans in a sauce), 1 - 8.5 oz box of corn muffin mix (yeah that jiffy stuff! Remember when it was only 25 cents a box? Well it isn't anymore, but it is still pretty dang cheap.), 2 eggs, oh and 1/4 cup of water.



Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Grab your favorite trusty (maybe slightly rusty) cast iron skillet, look the other way and put a tablespoon of butter. Look back and add about a tablespoon of olive oil.



Heaven in a pan!

Toss in your veggies if using. If you aren't using them, then there isn't even really a need for the butter and oil step, Duh!



Cook these on up for about five minutes until they look all lovely and make your heart sing. And then take this:


What? You don't take silly pictures with your ground beef as the middle of a sunflower? No? Okay, moving on.

Throw your ground beef (or turkey if you are a sissy) into the skillet, add a little kosher salt and some freshly ground black pepper (because that's how I roll) and cook until browned and lovely. Remember to break apart as you are cooking, we like it smooth.



When its all good and cooked, add the beans. Stir and cook a few minutes to heat them all the way through.



Remove the skillet from the heat, or if you are lazy like me, just turn it off the heat and move quickly. Add 2 Tablespoons of the dry corn muffin mix to the bean/beef mixture and stir it around.



The muffin mix thickens the meat mixture and makes it look all sorts of lovely. See?




Dump the remaining corn muffin mix into a bowl, add the 2 eggs and 1/4 cup of water and mix to combine. Slowly, pour the muffin mix over the chili mixture in the skillet trying your best to cover it all. I know you can do it! And then add a twist or six of black pepper because it looks pretty that way! Oh and I love pepper. Pepper can do no wrong. It's true.



Bake in your (preheated) 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and firm to the touch. You know, like cornbread-ish.



Now, don't get me wrong this dish is amazingly simple and delicious all on it's own. I mean look at this (slightly blurry picture):



But my Big Kid likes to dress things up. It started with cheese, and evolved to include sour cream. And the Side O Beef? Well, he likes it with a good dose of Tapatio. And we all know that I generally take my advice from them.



Are you hungry now? Well not if you are my crazy Little Red. Then you balk in disgust and say, "NO LIKE!" in your most furious tone. And then you eat this:



Yup, Ramen noodles. If it wasn't for them, she very well might starve.

Happy Eating Homies!

Seriously.

Now you didn't really think that all I do with my time is coupon and grocery shop, did you? Oh. Well I don't. This is really what has been keeping me busy. This girl.



Ballet. It is her life's passion (for now). She once came to me crying. I stared bewildered at my Big Kid wondering what could have her in such a funk. She began to explain through the tears and sobs, "I am sad because when I am big like you, I wont be able to do ballet anymore." Seriously! She was that upset because she thought she would have to give up her passion. She is constantly talking about when she becomes one of the "big girls" that she will get Pointe Shoes too!

So last week, she had two ballet classes instead of one. Her regular day is Tuesday, but because there were Performance Awards they held an extra practice. (Performance Awards are a special thing. The ballet students practice and learn special dances that they perform in front of a judge that has been flown out from New York! Two of her dances she did with a partner and one solo.) So, on Tuesday night it was announced that there would be an extra class Wednesday. I was considering taking her (even though it was an extra $10) because she was rushing her dance a little and not listening to the music for her cues, but I didnt want to pressure her. I talked to the Side o Beef about her going on Wednesday night to get in some more practice. He said it was best not to make the Performance Awards too big of a deal and maybe just practice at home. I agreed, as that was part of the reason I didnt want to take her. So Wednesday came, and somehow she had gotten it in her mind that she was going. She cried when I told her that I didnt think she would be going. The girl cried because I wasnt going to "let" her go to ballet! I asked the SoB again and he said that now if we didnt let her go we were taking all the fun out of it. So off to Ballet we went, again. And she was excited and happy!



Saturday came quickly. We took Little Red and The Tank to Grandma's house, so as to not repeat last year's experience (it was miserable, lets just leave it at that). And we went to watch our girl. She did amazing! She remembered to listen to the music and not rush. She didnt kick too high. All the things we learned on Wednesday, were paying off! I have no photos of her performing as I was running the video camera (which I let at my Mother in Laws house). So here is a picture of my Big Kid getting her medal.



Yup, its Bronze. Last year she got Silver. And while I felt that she deserved a Silver again, she got Bronze With Distinction (which is like a bronze plus basically). She didnt care. She was just happy to have a medal and look it's a different color from what she got last year! "Maybe next year I can get the gold one!" Said my Big Kid with such excitement and amazement.



I mean, Seriously! Look at how proud that girl is! And she should be. She tried her best and did really well. She said herself after her performance that she did her best and was proud that she tried so hard. She is such an amazing Big Kid!

Mostly, she just loved watching everyone else getting their medals and certificates. She looked at them and watched with amazement and wonder. She cheered her little heart out for all of the ballerinas, big and small. Ballet is her Passion. Seriously!



Peace Out Homies!

Such is Life.

Things have been busy. Crazy busy! I have only just realized how long it has been since I have blogged. I have thought about it plenty. Mostly at night when I am listening to the SoB snore and I cannot sleep. I, also, cannot bring myself to leave my warm and cozy bed to go sit at a cold computer desk. I just can't win. Thus, all my witty things that I think of to write about disappear. Unlike the dishes and the laundry, those suckers just keep on piling up!

Well, I know you are all (all 13 of you!) wondering what I have been up to, and I am so glad that you have asked. Basically I have been couponing. Not really, but it sure feels like it. This coupon thing is a ton of work but also a ton of fun! I LOVE saving money. Honestly, I am spending the same $60 a week on groceries. But at the same time I am building my pantry! I used to just make my menu plan for the week, assuring that it would be within my budget, and buy what I needed for the week. I didn't have a lot of extra food on hand. Just what we needed to make it through...

Much to my Uncle's dismay! He is constantly inquiring, "If there was a disaster of some sort and you were unable to grocery shop, How long could you and your family survive?" My answer was always the same, "FOREVER, cuz we are going to your house!" But now, now! We could make it at our own house, for a little bit anyway. He was over for Fiesta Friday last week, and he almost teared up when I showed him my 25+ pounds of flour! What a proud moment!

This week he would be even more proud of me. Not only did I continue to build my supply, I also cleaned and organized my pantry (for the most part)! I haven't done that since we bought our house (ahem, in 2007). So while they may not be fully stocked (yet), and I don't have a fully stocked garage (yet), I am slowly making progress. And, really, that's all we can hope to do.




Peace Out Homies!