Reason Number One: I never remember to take pictures of the food as I’m preparing it.
Reason Number Two: Even if I did remember, people would be like, “Um…what exactly are you preparing?”
Reason Number Three: I cook big.
Reason Number Four: The food still tastes okay, even if I forget to blog about it.
Reason Number Five: Case in point.
(Pictured above is Penne à la Betsy)
Reason Number Six: My kids love me just the way I am.
And finally, Reason Number Seven: I don’t really need to be a blogger like Pioneer Woman. She has done all the work for me already.
Note: I am not getting paid to promote this cookbook.
Though I wouldn’t mind at all if I were.
I don't know how she does it. I'm always thinking AFTER the fact that I should have taken pictures or blogged. She is like the Martha Stewart of the internet, but way funnier and down to earth 😉
I love your blog for exactly what it is: real.
I love knowing that someone else has a basket of stuff on their kitchen counter and that kid cups multiply by your sink just like mine.
I admire the fact that you know how to add words to your photos. (How do you do that?) I can't even get a picture to look right in my header!
Just letting you know how much I enjoy your blog! Have a great day.
Jenny: You can add words to your photos in Photoshop. I have the 6.0 (read: less expensive) version.
You're so funny and enjoyable. Thank you.
I don't know how she does it. But, I do know that the simple physics of everyday living says, the fact that she is doing it- means she ISN'T doing something else. I've homeschooled and it is Mom intensive. You simply cannot write a cookbook, produce another book for use as a movie script, make TV appearances, take part in a book tour, blog daily AND homeschool. AND all the while proclaim you don't have either a housekeeper or teaching help. There are not that many hours in a day even if you were very organized and type A. Something has to give, and the evidence suggests it isn't the stuff that other moms are fawning over. If something looks to good to be true, it probably is. The same is true of people. If it seems humanly impossible to accomplish all the things you claim to accomplish in a day- odds are is. Which always makes me wonder, why are homeschooling Moms falling over themselves for a woman who clearly isn't doing her most important job?
Let me clarify- I'm not trashing Ree's talents which are obviously many. I'm just saying, her version of "keeping it real" isn't entirely real. It is a carefully groomed version of the truth. When you compare your blogging and your life, you need to remember that and give yourself credit. You simply choose differnt priorities. If that's were not true, you'd have ads running along the margins of your blog. And you'd sponsor give-a-ways, knowing that they drive traffic and by default earnings. (After your reader enters, they click back multiple times to discover if they won.) Your blog is an act of love, and a way for a stay-at-home Mom to have a social life, in the snippets of time she has available. AKA socialability on your terms. Ree's is a business, it's unfair to compare the two.
You are hillarious! Ill tell you why I dont blog about my cooking. a) no one cares about my hamburger helper and b) I can't take pictures of food cooking in the microwave because the window is too dirty:D
I dont know who this pioneer character is….but, you are awesome, and your blog is awesome (and you should get some kind of cut for promoting her:))
Annonymous sounded a bit harsh. But, that usually means there is a element of truth to what they are saying.
How do I not know who this person is? I'm always surfing blog lists. The fact that I can't cook shouldn't have made me blind to someone super popular.
I LOVE your "lived in" kitchen! My kids are grown up and mine looks like yours, so I donot have any excuse. PW's meatloaf is now my families favourite. But that dish looks very yummy.
Signed
Theresa in ALberta
I signed back in- because, I was afraid my comment probably sounded harsh. (and Kristi confirmed that) I want to apologize for that, I didn't mean it the way it sounded. My point was simply- You would not call Nora Roberts, Dannielle Steele or Mary Higgins Clark stay-at-home Moms. They wouldn't pretend to be- they are career writers. It is a business. The same is true of Ree, only her business is internet based. I think lots of stay-at-home Moms and homeschooling parents lose sight of that fact. If you wouldn't compare the flowers you planted outside your front door with those of a professional landscaper, or your morning workout with that of a professional athlete, than it probably is unfair to compare your blog with Ree's.
I love your blog, you awesome and your blog can't help but reflect the love that lives in your home.
CL
Anonymous,
I probably shouldn't have even commented on your comment. I had no idea whom this Pioneer lady was.
I did find her site. And now I can sort of understand what you are saying. I agree with you that she is probably getting help. But, there isnt any shame in that. We all need help once in a while(especially working moms).
This book was on my CHRISTMAS list—
and I didn't get it….should I put it on my Mother's day list?
I still love to read your blog first! (and I do!)
Sincerely,
Donna
For Anonymous
Thanks for helping me feel more *normal*
I don't think your post was too harsh…it is just an opinion. I often feel quite inadequate in my homeschool career, and sometimes wonder how some women seem to be able to "do it all"…you are right in saying nobody could do all of this in one day.
I often think I should quit looking at other people's life and thinking I should be doing more. But I am drawn to the idea that maybe I could add just one creative or delicious thing to my family's life. THAT'S why I love to read other people's blogs. For the ideas and recipes.
I like to say to my kids to "shoot for the stars! You will probably never get there, but by setting your sights on such a high target, you will get further than if your target was on the ground."
I love *real* Not cleaned up for company or cameras kind of real. I always laugh when Minnesota Mom writes words like "open cupboard" on her pictures because I sigh and say, "See, she's a lot like me" and I love that!
Thank you Margaret for being real, and if you write a cookbook, I'll want one of those, too!
God bless you!
Donna (again)
I will say, CL and Kristi, that you both have been most cordial in your exchanges on this post and I thank you. I appreciate both points of view.
Also, Donna, you may laugh to hear that I had purchased this cookbook to give as a gift to SOMEONE ELSE but couldn't do it. Once I perused it I was HOOKED.
Eventually that person did get their gift. They just had to wait for me to order another copy. 🙂
Yeah! I think that is so hysterical that you kept the first copy.
Good for you!
It's going on my list…thanks for the review!
Sincerely, Donna
I think Ree Drummohas two kitchrns!
Pioneer Woman has nothin' on you, darlin'!
There is absolutely no harm in getting help. I have a cleaning woman. My reasoning is it does not make me a better wife and mother to clean my own toilets. That's what I tell my sweet hubby and bless his heart, he buys it.
There are moments when I want wish Ree would post a disclaimer. It's too easy when your a SAHM, esp a young SAHM to compare yourself with others and come up with unreasonable/unattainable expectations.
I've been told the reason Ree began her blog, was to model for young wives who might read her blog, unconditional love for your husband. It would seem that somewhere along it's winding path, that message became secondary.
I have quit reading "Pioneer Woman" because, I too love "real blogs". I don't believe that applies to PW the way it used to. Which left room for a new favorite on my self-limited list of ten blogs I allow myself to check each day and Minnesota Mom fit the bill just right.
I just got my PW cookbook on Friday. Last night I made the chicken pot pie, including using her pie crust recipe. So delicious and HUGE. I highly recommend it.
I love your blog as is – even with a messy kitchen. I come for your words, not your pics, anyway. God bless. Nikki
Margaret, it does make me feel better to see other homes looking a bit more like mine. : )
Now I guess I have to go downstairs and close my kitchen cabinet door, clean off my counters and do some laundry. (smile)
Oh, and make my daughter her favorite sandwich: peanut butter and jelly.
I really do love your blog, Margaret.
Sue
OK, I'm breaking my lenten fast because I didn't have time yesterday to check in!! (bad Jamie)
Anyway, I love anonymous and agree with her.
I do like Pioneer Woman's cooking and beautiful photography, but I think she kind of reminds me of….dare I say Kate Gosselin?
I hope and pray it doesn't get that bad though. She's fun and funny and I think Margaret, you wrote a great article here, loving ourselves, the way we are.
The power of fame and fortune…what it does to a person and does to others (pride, jealousy)Who wants that? I'll stick with my messy kitchen any day!
**this post was really funny by the way! We all love Pioneer Woman, famous or not, help or not, she is fun to peek at once in a while!
i agree with barb.
pioneer woman has nothing on you margaret.
and no pressure.
but can't WAIT to read the 3rd installment of your lenten reflections.
i often encounter people like this and i am really curious how you handled it.