Meeting Bakerella

On the 14th of this month there was No School.

I was thrilled that I didn't have to take my girls out of school to meet her...

the One & Only

Bakerella!

We were absolutely delighted when she announced here that she would be coming to Salt Lake City on her book signing tour. I had pre-ordered her book... you know on that day... and YES it is worth it!

It's an amazing book- even if you don't bake- it's worth buying just for the photos.

Here is a copy of the photo of the four of us.

It's the photo of us that she put up on her blog post about Salt Lake City.

I was stunned that she chose our photo to go up- the girls & I have been walking on cloud nine ever since.

We got to Williams Sonoma an hour early.

Ready with our book- we would have bought three... but then- no job = one book.
We picked up our number- #36 then looked around the shop for a bit.

I realized just after we arrived- that my camera card was in the computer at home. Oh my gosh, I nearly had a heart attack. These photos are all taken with my IPhone.

Bakerella - or Angie- her real name, was absolutely delightful.

She was darling & sweet & has a bit of a southern accent. Her mom came with her & she is the one who took that great shot of us all.

I asked her if she has been able to quit her day job. She said- no. I am so thrilled to see such a talented blogger go big, even if she hasn't been able to quit her full time job yet. She is so talented she absolutely deserves the book deal & every bit of recognition she is getting & more.

I found her blog just after I started mine over three years ago & it's a family favorite.

It was an absolute thrill to get see her success- buy her book- meet her in person & have her sign it!

After the book signing we topped off our special day with lunch here at Elizabeth's bakery & tea shop just north of Trolley Square in the big city.

It's a delightful little bakery/tea shop with true English originals.

A friend of mine- who seved a mission in England says it's the real deal.

Authentic as it gets here in Utah.

We had a (top left to right) a bacon cheese puff, cheese & onion pie, cucumber sandwich & blueberry tart.

We sat among these lovely pillows & just as we were being served the owner came over & told the girls they were so lovely that the looked like they belonged in the tea shop!

We finished off lunch with scones, English butter & jam.

It was such a GREAt day.

I still can't believe our picture is on her blog!

Thank you to all of you who left messages here yesterday to tell me about the photo- I was so thrilled to see you recognized us.

book review: the tipping point

Last night my book club met & reviewed our latest selection

The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell

Let me first start off by saying-

1. I really love my book club
2. I have never considered myself a "reader."

3. I almost never see members of my book club- except for at book club.

4. Our book club- is a truly- a free to express your opinion place to be where I feel everyone contributes & no one person pushes their view too much. I like that.

5. Membership has been a stretch for me & a privilege.

I am reading now- not loads of books- come on if you read this blog you know I'm just a little busy most of the time- but still I am reading books I would never pick up on my own & loving it!

I found this book to be very interesting.

from the back cover:
"The tipping point is that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold- tips- and spreads like wildfire. Just as a single sick person can start an epidemic of the flu, so too can a small but precisely targeted push cause a fashion trend, the popularity of anew product , or a drop in the crime rate."

The Tipping Point made my mind stretch- brought up ideas I had never thought up before & others I instinctively thought were true already. There are some controversial subjects- nature vs. nurture- which is more "sticky" or affective- and others. Although I thought the main point of the book dragged on at times- it was a very interesting read. I read it on the way to & from Megan's house in the airplane- I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I were not in an isolated situation with nothing else to do? I do feel like I learned a lot from this book and it made me think... why do we buy into the things we do? Do we really want something... or is it just a marketing trend set up by those trying to sell us? Are my children truly influenced by family or is peer pressure taking over? Is the atmosphere of my home influencing our family for good?

All great questions.

I sincerely recommend The Tipping Point.

If you read it- or have read it- let me know what you think!

*do you belong to a book club?

*are you a reader?

pioneer woman

Today has been a crazy day full of so much excitement!

For weeks now we have been planning on going to the book signing at the King's English of

the one & only

Ree Drummond

aka: Pioneer Woman!!!!

Wende, Kristy, Hailey & I left early from our town to wait in line.

Wende had preordered her book, but it wasn't in yet. I had read on a different blog that The Woman's book signing in Denver had been a crazy mad house... so this morning I got up & started scanning the web for copies just to make sure we would all have one for tonight. I drove all over the valley & got six books---- feewww!

Soon after the signing had started even The King's English had sold out! I swear people were coming in in hoards to buy the book.

Hailey is a huge fan & never misses a day of Pioneer life on the Pioneer Woman.

She even wants to marry a cowboy!

Wooo hOOO I hope she does too.

We left our town for downtown by 4:15 & got in line by 5:15. We were so lucky to get a great spot being there a couple hours early... the book store started handing out tickets & we were in the group of the second signing. 20 tickets for each letter of the alphabet, just to handle the crowd and to make sure those waiting the longest got to get into signing first- we got B tickets- not too shabby! We immediately started making friends with people around us & had a great time visiting. We talked for hours to a darling mother with two darling daughters behind us & the two ladies in front of us who had driven up from Vegas - the group in front of them had flown in from Oregon- wow.

Before the book signing she was going to speak to the packed audience.
We were so lucky to have seats in the fourth row.

Book sellers have been so surprised at the popularity of bloggers. Everywhere I have been today sellers have mentioned how surprisingly popular her book is. they have no idea how loyal bloggers are to their daily reads. Nor how amazing Ree Drummand's cooking is! I saw on a local TV show she was on today that the book has only been out a week & it is already in it's 5th printing!


Finally she came in - we had been there a good couple of hours by now... and she did NOT dissapoint. She was absolutely delightful & modest & beautiful & she brought her sister in law Missy with her & I loved it. She took questions & guess what- I got in the first one! I asked her what's the name of your beautiful children?- it was pretty great- heck, it was a thrill!

After the Q & A we waited again, this time the crowd was getting a little CRAzY ... hello- excuse me... what's your letter- you know... to get into the signing...? P's & Q's were standing at the front of the line- ummm No.

Don't worry
The King's English was great- even though they are a small store-- absolutely darling by the way-- they did a great job handling the crowd considering how small of an area we were in-and- finally

WE MaDE it!!!

I don't have photos of her with wende & kristy... I'm sure they will post them soon. There seriously wasn't enough room to get up there & get a shot. But here she is with Hailey- who was so excited & so nervous she was worried she would either puke or pee.

Luckily neither happened.

Next she signed a book for megan- I wish she could've been with us- but hey Ree, can I call you Ree? Megan is busy down in your neck of the woods with a new baby.

She signed a book to her & I showed her photos of Charlie, because hey- I'm a grandma now & I waited all night to have you sign my book & I am going to show you pictures of my grand baby- don't make me go postal. She, of course, thought he was cute & said that Charlie is her very favorite boy's name.

Next it was my turn.
Now Hailey & I are thinking we are gonna get all Julie & Julia & make every recipe in the book. I'll have to post about that if we do...

Let me tell you- this is one wonderful cookbook. It's done in true Pioneer Woman style- loads of pictures - step by step instructions- stories & photos mixed in. She's great her book is fabulous.

If you have not gotten your copy yet-

put it on your Christmas list!

You will be glad you did.

What a great night

thanks for going with me gals & making it so much fun, especially you hay! and thanks sweetie for coming home early from work, driving ballet, doing homework, making your own dinner...

I love you.

recipe for disaster

what do you get when you add:

1. two weeks of company

2. child left for college- I'm missing him.

3. tough lesson at church on Sunday

4. hurt feelings (long story)

5. cramps

6. tons of work to be done: canning tomatoes- I'm sick to death of them & I haven't even really started-

7. and this book...
BAWLING- bawling-bawling.

I've been pretty much having crying fits all week. I finished this book last Saturday. Cried my eyes out many times. Almost quit many times... but I am glad I stuck with it. My book club met last night & I am relieved it's over. I am proud of myself for finishing it but it was such a tough emotional read for me. I guess everything else hasn't helped either...

what a week- I hope the weekend is better!

Have you read this book?

Did you cry your eyes out?

Do you ever have one of those weeks?

peace

My book club met last week to discuss this book:

The Anatomy Of Peace

resolving the heart of conflict

by the Arbinger Institute

This is one of the main reasons why I have not blogged consistently this past week. This book although not a page turner... was very interesting to me. Reading it has caused me to think deeply into myself. What justifications do I make in my life for what I do/don't do that I should do/not do?

It was difficult to read only because I don't embrace change or criticism.
(laughing here after writing this past sentence)
Not that it was pushing either... I just clearly needed to read & take in some of the concepts. I am not a deep thinker. I am a simple minded person. I'm not ashamed of this, but embrace it because sometimes I think the deep thinkers just get them selves into deep do do. But, this book was really good. It made me think & think & not blog. It is potentially life changing. Potentially- Old habits die hard, but I would like to think I have been changed for the better reading this book.
If you would like to read an excerpt- click here-

*Have you read this book?
*what did you think of it- of the excerpt?

what to do after swimming all day?

Dad is at a meeting-

sisters don't come home for 5 more days-

jack is out with friends...

So we,

sit on the porch & light sparklers, of course- 4 boxes-

while eating bing cherry cobbler & ice cream

... after mom reads her new favorite cookbook.

lucky for him-

we saved our last three to do together!
I love SUmMer

I can't believe it... I'm a reader!

Since Christmas I have read THRee books!

This is huge for me- I've never really been a big reader. I think it all started in second grade when I was put in the lower reading group. I'm sure there was no "low" reading group... but I knew I wasn't in the smart kid reading group & it really stuck with me. I took a class at BYU, I don't even remember which class now, where we learned about how putting kids into learning class distinctions can sometimes determine their success. Something in me clicked- I thought- that's me... I am not a reader because I thought I wasn't a reader. I distinctly remember thinking at 8 years old- so I'm not a good reader- oh well.

It stuck.

Well, not forever.

A dear friend invited me to be in her book club a couple of years ago. I said no for a year, then after trent got in school, I was done with some big commitments, etc. I thought- what the heck? It would be good for me to branch out. And it has been. For the past 2 going on 3 years, I have read quite a few books. I am proud to say that this month I even read a book... just for fun!In January we met & mapped out our books for the year.

First, for February-

The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

wow- very emotional, powerful memoir

Has anyone out there read this?

It was really hard to read & put down at the same time.

Jeanette Walls tells the true story from a child's view (her view) of growing up in extreme poverty. It's truly amazing & thought provoking. Our discussion last month was one I DID not want to miss- and I didn't. Great discussion book.

Next, I read this-

The Persian Pickle Club, by Sandra Dallas

Great fun read.

Janae recommended it & even though it took me the first two chapters to really get with it, I loved it! It was full of twists & turns... really surprised me.

It's about a group of women quilters, in the time of the depression & how their friendship gets them through some difficult situations. I highly recommend it for a fun, quick read.

Lastly, I just finished my club's March read last night-

Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card

This book is an award winning classic. If you haven't read it & consider yourself a reader... you really should. It's the first in a series of science fiction thrillers, written for teens. I loved it. It's hard to put down & full of strong life lessons. I am looking forward to the discussion.

Are you a reader?

It's never too late to start!

game day

Yesterday Brett & Jack went to their first of many big football games of the season- it was a great one too. Last spring brett bought two season tickets to BYU football. Talk about excited! I think I was just as excited they were going as they were to be going...

After the events of this past summer I feel consumed with wanting to live a more purpose filled life. I feel like buying these tickets back then was inspiration. We are huge fans- Brett & Jack going to the games together- the year before he leaves for college= great times/great timing. Why not use this time- this time on this earth to do what we really want to do & what we really need to do. A couple of weeks ago while reading Jill- I was inspired to buy this book. I've mentioned before. I'm on my second time reading it (this time with a highlighter) this is one reason why:

"Acquiring some understanding of why we do things is often a prerequisite to change. This is especially true when talking about repetitive patterns of behavior that do not serve us well. This is what Socrates meant when he said, 'The unexamined life is not worth living.' That more of us do not take his advice is testimony to the hard work and potential embarrassment that self-examination implies." I only wish that we would've bought the tickets when Brian was here. But hey- Brett will have opportunity to do with him things alone when jack is away and he will use it...
So- what did I do yesterday, besides the obvious work below? I went on an errand to pick up something I ordered at the mall. On my way I realized I had ran out & didn't have any make-up on... even though I am severely fashion challenged (I have been trying to look more presentable therefore feel more put together) I decided to take a risk & do something completely out of my comfort zone. I walked up to the make up counter & asked the lady at lancome to do my make-up. It may sound silly to you but this was huge for me. guess what? it was fun, I tried something new- I liked it- it was different & ya- I did it.
This week I had a meaningful conversation with my lovely sister who is visiting, threw a birthday party, canned produce from my own garden & my neighbors garden, worked on a service project, read a book, played games with my kids, spent quality time with my sweet heart, created with friends, read a book with my son, sent a package & a letter, cried, laughed, went out to lunch, ate dessert, went for 3 walks, told several people I love them...
LIFE- I'M LIVING IT

January Book Group At My House

My book group met last night at my house.

Every January each member comes with three choices- all non bloggers, what in the world? The choices are presented while each member rates them 1-3, 3 being something you really want to read. It's a tough process but we narrowed it down to 11 choices & two of mine were picked! AMAZING. I have gone from a non- reader to a reader in 2007.

my three choices were:

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman- not picked. I love this book & I want to read it again anyway.

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In the Night Time- by Mark Haddon. Thanks for the recommendation Amanda :). I read it, loved it, now we are all reading it! (warning: it has quite a bit of bad language but very much worth reading!)

Two From Galilee- by Marjorie Holmes. Perfect for December, which is when we are reading it & discussing it at my house!

I am really excited for all of the books this year! Joining a book group was a real stretch for me last year. I am surprised how much I have liked it. I really only know one of the members, so it has been fun to get to know a great group of women & learn a lot through reading some fantastic books. Happy Reading 2008.

Book Review September 07

Night by Elie Wiesel, was this month's book choice for my book club.

What can I say... the comment on the front cover is very appropriate.

"A slim volume of terrifying power." - the New York Times

Night is a true story about Elie, a boy who survived the holocaust.

I make it a habit of never watching or reading anything too serious.

(that's not true, I read the paper almost cover to cover everyday)

This was a huge step for me & I have truly been enlightened/frightened. Mr. Wiesel is an amazing man who has done the world a service by writing this book- which by-the-way won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986.

I strongly believe the famous quote (which I hope not to ruin) that goes something like this-

Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it.

That is why I checked this book out of the library and did my best to read at least most of it.

In the world we live in today it is easy to fantasize or avoid difficult issues & believe that evil people don't exist- but they do. Most definitely do.

I read most of the book skipping the parts I just couldn't handle, read the end & the very moving Noble Peace speech at the end. I do highly recommend it because I feel that now & then we need to be reminded of our responsibility as members of the human race & occupants of this earth. We all know events like the ones in this book occur even today in this world. We cannot ever forget how blessed we are to have freedom & that yes, freedom is not free.

*Have you ever read this book, will you?

Book Review

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan was my book club's choice for July. I have to say that I really thought it was a great read. It's a story of a woman in the 40's whose husband is a drunk. He spends most of his meager earnings on booze while his wife raises their 10 children by the skin of her teeth winning the contests of the day. "The Prize Winner"is a true story of courage, strength, love & ingenuity. I found it to be very uplifting and fun to read. It is written by one of the children & I found it remarkable how much love & respect the kids have for their remarkable mother. I checked this copy out of the library & found that their were many copies. It sounds depressing but truly is delightful. Evelyn Ryan- the mother has the remarkable ability to look on the bright side of life & teaches her children to do the same. (I had actually seen a story about the book on The Today Show-one of my favorite shows that I haven't seen since school got out- as much as I love certain TV I don't watch hardly any in the summer- so I was thrilled when this book was chosen.) If you are looking for something to read, check it out. It's easy reading & I had a hard time putting it down.

Children's Book Review

I LOVE THESE BOOKS! I saw the top one How To Behave & Why by Munro Leaf in an upscale children's store then went home & looked it up on Amazon. I was thrilled that there are three more. The only one I didn't buy was Reading Is Fun. (I am really regretting that I didn't get that one too)

Maybe some of you will recognize these books. I read they were popular years back & have been reintroduced just recently. I bought all three from Barnes & Noble online (I have a member's card) they were $32 including shipping. Great Deal!

Last night Trent & I read How To Behave & Why just before bed. He was mesmerized. The language is frank & honest yet light & delightful. The drawings of little stick people are charming & at one point Trent pointed at one of the drawings & said- hey that's me. The first page starts out..."This is really a book about how to have the most fun in living, and it doesn't matter whether you are a boy or a girl, a man or a woman - the rules are all the same." It goes on and lists four rules "I have to be HONEST, FAIR, STRONG, & WISE." Then explains each word and how they help you to truly behave and be happy.

I know we will be reading these for years to come, even to our grand kids. Check them out for the children in your life, you will be glad you did.