Once upon a time Ree and donnaboucher crossed paths on The Well Trained Mind message boards.
Ree became The Pioneer Woman when she started her blog and the girls on TWTM message boards crowned me Miz Booshay. Ree shortened that to Miz Boo. She has always only called me Miz Boo. Never Donna. I have always liked being Boo for three reasons, Yogi's friend Boo Boo "Attaway BooBoo", my baby nickname was Booba and "Hey Boo" from To Kill a Mockingbird.
Now Boo means 'girlfriend or boyfriend' as in My Boo. That's sweet too. So I like that nickname. Can you blame me?
So when Ree mentioned on TWTM that she was starting a 'little blog' I went over to visit and say 'hi'.
It was a little blog then. But right from the start I was in love with her photos. I asked about her camera and soon thereafter I got one for myself. Apparently Ree stopped by my blog a time or two and liked my pictures and when she redesigned her blog to add a photography section she surprised me with the request that I write for her. I was delighted and said yes. (I even get paid!)
Since then the girls and I went to the Ranch and met Ree and her family and Cyndi in person.
The photography section has run it's course and now I write for the Entertainment section when I can get it together.
Anyway, I thought I would tell you all of that because that is a question I get asked more than any other ...how did you meet The Pioneer Woman?
So each time Ree writes a new cookbook I get a friendly letter from an editor or secretary to see if I would like a copy. Signed. Unsigned.
This year I had a fun idea. I would ask Ree to sign a book for my sister Cindy. Cindy happily cooks many of Ree's recipes and does not have a signed book. She also lives in northern Wisconsin and Ree just can't seem to get here. (The lure of the country's best cheese and beer has not worked yet.) So while I was in Omaha Patrick texted me that a book came in the mail.
When I got home I realized it was "A Year of Holidays"!
I was so excited!! I took a picture and sent Cindy a picture of her special copy. (I could not wait to surprise her in person.) She was delighted! Later on that same day, another book arrived at my house....I opened it up to see this:
Ree noticed that I was asking for something for my sister...and she wanted me to have a copy too.
I think she is the sweet one.
Thank you ReeRee.
I'm glad we're friends and can't wait to start cooking.
So there you have it.
The rest of the story.
Or something like that.
Happy Hump Day.
No school tomorrow and Friday.
We can't wait to stay in our jammies!
Encourage one another,
Donna
So sweet....the Pioneer Woman is one classy lady.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your days off. We are heading to Rochester to help my sister move into her house. It will be fun to see her...they are so excited :).
Have a wonderful visit!! You are a good sister!
DeleteI remember when Ree's blog started too! I remember when we thought that 50 people entering her photo caption contests were a LOT of people. Back when I was WTMindy. :-) It has been SO fun to watch her rise to success!!
ReplyDeleteI think you were as active as I was on the WTM boards. The old boards were the very best!!!
DeleteAgree! And when did WTMindy become Chase and Shaun? I am sure there is a story there.
DeleteDi
How fun! And jammies all day....sounds pretty amazing to me! :)
ReplyDeleteI was just at the store and saw the Food Network magazine with Ree's pic on part of the cover. I really love that she is doing so well in her new ventures.
ReplyDeleteWho would have ever guessed what would come from those WTM boards. Someone should make a list of the friendships, careers, etc. that have come from there.
I only have Ree's first cookbook, and that because I inherited all of my mom's books. I will often go to her blog and the community blog on her site for recipes. A great resource.
I call Brennan "Boo" and love to drawl, "Hey, Boo!" to him. To Kill a Mockingbird is on our lit list this year, so we will be watching that great scene. Can't wait.
Hump day...I will be hearing the camel all day, thanks to football commercials.
Love,
Di
Love this!! Thank you for sharing the story!!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, jammies all day....sounds amazing to me, too. I would try a recipe from the new cookbook and watch a movie. : )
Sarah P. from Iowa
Thanks for this back-story -- I'm glad to know the rest of the story. What a sweet gift for you, Miz Boo.
ReplyDeleteBTW, my dear mom, back when I was a youngster, called me Sueboo ... and it stuck. She called me that for years :-)
oh, and I LOVE a good jammie day. Movies?
DeleteI like your story : )
ReplyDeleteLike your nickname!
LOVE your heart.
Cindy is a sweetie.
Sweet story with sweet people involved all around!!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the days off with comfy, cozy jammies.....sounds wonderful!
Mary Z
Even though I've never asked I always wondered how you two met. I started reading her blog in 2007 or 2008 (I'm getting old and can't remember) and found you through her. One of my favorite things on her blog was her "Name That Photo" contest. I was horrible at it, but loved seeing what everyone else came up with.
ReplyDeleteThat was such a sweet gesture of you and her.
I agree!!! So many clever readers!!!
DeleteJust had to chime in here to say that your contribution to the photography section of the Pioneer Woman blog was one of the main reasons I started reading Ree's blog to begin with. I'm still bummed that had to end!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Sorry Jennifer. But thanks :) feel free to ask me photo questions any time.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! I found Ree through you a long time ago before she became famous. You must have linked to her blog, way back when...
ReplyDeleteI have no extra money right now to order her book. So imagine my surprise when I found it at the library. I won't be able to write in it, like I did with my copy of her first book, but it will be fun to look at the pictures and read the recipes.
Enjoy your free days this week. We live on the border of Minnesota/Wisconsin so our girls have friends who had no school last Thursday and Friday but we took some time off when our exchange student from 10 years ago came back for a visit. Thanks for sharing how you became friends with The Pioneer Woman. I wondered how it all came to be, since it has been years since we walked in the same home school group. I feel blessed to get to see your family grow up and to read your honest and heartfelt writing. You truly have a gift, keep using it to encourage and lift those around you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tori!!
DeleteI love the background story of how you and Ree met. I always enjoyed your photography posts on The Pioneer Woman. You once posted a picture of Katie in front of Michael's Custard, and I thought: could you be a Wisconsin girl? So I had to click over to your blog and have been a follower ever since. Hi from one Wisconsin girl to another!
ReplyDeleteHi Katie!!! So glad to meet you! Thanks for reading my little blog :)
ReplyDeleteHi Donna. When I read that you met Ree and her family and Cyndi, I was curious who Cyndi is. Someone who works for Ree? Loved hearing the whole story. I miss your photography space on her blog and have to admit that I don't go there as often now that it is gone. I do admire her tremendously, though. What energy she must have! My family uses the "Hey, Boo" line too. You have a cool nickname.
ReplyDeleteDebbie Z.
Hi Debbie,
DeleteCyndi is Ree's friend Hiacynth. (sp) I know her as Cyndi from TWTM boards and I asked Ree if she could come over. Cyndi prayed special prayers for Emma when she went to India.
I found you via her Blog!
ReplyDeleteI am so blessed and inspired by your posts, pics, and wonderful words of wisdom!
Lots of Smiles to you!
I found you through the PW blog. I started reading it back in 2006 or so? I'm not sure how it was at that time -- but I too loved her photography and that was what drew me over here to you. I've loved both sites and yours has stayed on my Top Sites page for years now. Loved hearing this sweet story today. And thank you for inspiring others! xo, amanda
ReplyDeleteI love the story of how you two met! I too read PW's blog back in the early days, remember the give this photo a caption contests? Ha. I believe that is how I found your blog. All though I do not comment often, I truly adore your blog and you have some mad photography skills! Thanks so much for all you do!
ReplyDeleteKim L
Love that story! I found your blog from the photography section of PW. I started reading her blog when I was pregnant with my now-6-y.o. daughter. Time has really flown! I keep telling my husband that at some point he's going to have to fly us all up to you so you can do our family portraits. I adore how you seem to capture not only the light you're so fond of, but also the love between the people. Or maybe we could fly you down here? How does Florida sound to you? ;-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the back story. I too, started following you after reading you on PW. My back story would have many similarities to yours. I, too, recently got an email from Morgan but am still anxiously awaiting the arrival of my copy! Ree has a special gift for making friends, that is for sure. (And she is very, very generous!)
ReplyDeletearrrrg!!! I am not at all jealous that you have PW's new book before me, no really ;*( I remember you trip to the ranch with your girls. It looked like so much fun was had by all. I found you via PW
ReplyDeleteThat is such a sweet story from beginning to end! Thank you for giving me a smile, Donna. Regards-Jamie
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice story. It is always great too see women supporting each other. My kiddos and I are enjoying a 4 day weekend too. Tomorrow we will go on our annual Fall Nature walk (if it stays warm enough for the baby). We plan on collecting leaves to decorate the house, you've inspired me to bring along my camera, Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI remember her blog when she was just beginning. That's about the time I found it. She actually inspired me to start my own blog and I was introduced to yours when both of our blogs (yours and mine) were featured on someone's site. I can't remember who it was.
ReplyDeleteI have always heard that Ree is as kind in real life as she seems on the pages of her blog. And that's a great thing.