So, I'd like to be The Pioneer Woman when I grow up. When I first started this blog, I aimed to be like her, posting every day, often in multiple categories. She made it look so easy! But I quickly learned that's like chasing Wonder Woman in her fanTABulous invisible jet.
For example:
- She cooks and photographs each step to show us how it's done.
- She walks us through photography lessons and Photoshop.
- She shares daily life on a working cattle farm in Oklahoma.
- She homeschools her four children.
- She's writing her second cookbook.
- She's already written one cookbook, her autobiography, AND a children's book.
AND she has red hair. I mean, aren't we JUST alike?
(Minus my living in a city, having two cats and zero children, not being published, and getting my cows in patty shapes under plastic wrap... small details)
Oh, I forgot to mention, she's now a regular on the Food Network. I mean, it's like we're twins!
She also hosts fabulous giveaways and contests. Her last photography contest was a call for black and whites or sepias, one photo day for a week, and she chose roughly 50-60 finalists. Mine were not amoung those. Yes, there were about 30,000 entries, but still I checked her website each day with bated breath.
This was possibly not the biggest confidence builder on the same week I entered a writing contest...
But here they are, my babies, my losers.
Taken at an old mission outside of Tucson. This lovely lady was frying up homemade tortillas for us tourists.
Her husband (I think) brought us napkins.
And my favorite line. "It was a dark and stormy night" err... afternoon.
The winning photo is posted on her site, The Pioneer Woman.
And I love the winning photo. It's gorgeous and textured and emotional. But if you wanna tell me my babies are pretty too, that would be kind. I'm fragile, people, and perhaps a touch needy. Ha!
Okay, I love the stormy one! Maybe it's the writer in me, but that's just an awesome setting for a story.
Posted by: Kelly Hashway | 08/18/2011 at 12:11 PM
KELLY -- I thought that too!! Very Rebecca-esque.
Posted by: Girl Parker | 08/18/2011 at 01:55 PM
The old dude in the hat is my favorite. Love the texture of the trees in the background.
Posted by: Angi Hansen | 08/18/2011 at 05:07 PM
oh wow--nice photos! I remember that day in Tumacacori! Come on back down anytime...
Posted by: J and S in Tucson | 08/18/2011 at 09:47 PM
love them all, can't pick a fave.
Posted by: michelle | 08/19/2011 at 05:08 PM
my fav is the hands...lovingly making "round" tortilla's..she makes it look far too easy
Posted by: kp | 08/19/2011 at 09:05 PM
I actually love your babies. The woman rolling out tortillas - amazing, strong, beautiful, womynpower!
Her ?husband? - love the incongruity of his ancient face, that could be a thousand years old, with his Dodger cap and button-down shirt.
And I love, love the old ?mission? against the stormy sky.
We can't all be Pioneer Woman, but at least YOU have red hair. *sobbing*
Posted by: Beverly Diehl | 08/19/2011 at 09:19 PM
I like all the pictures, but the one of the aging arms rolling out tortillas is my favourite. It reminds me of my Grandmother I guess. You're doing an awesome job and don't have to be anybody else but the unique and amazing person you already are!
Posted by: Elizabeth Young | 08/20/2011 at 06:30 PM
ANGI -- I had to go back and NOTICE the trees. You're right! Seems like a good photographer would notice that. hhhahaha
J&S -- We had such a good time with you that day. Classic!! And we want to!! Believe me...
MICHELLE -- Awww, you're too nice.
KP -- Isn't that so true? I'd have lumps and trapezoids. She was so skilled. Thanks for leaving a comment!
BEVERLY -- hahahhaha -- Not from mother nature I don't. Not anymore anyway. I pay Joel the big bucks to keep turning back the clock.
ELIZABETH -- You are so super sweet! Thank you! I loved that grandma too. I had to focus quick as she was rolling, so I wish I had a perfect shot of both hands. Oh well, close enough. =)
Posted by: Girl Parker | 08/22/2011 at 02:56 PM
Lori, I love your black and whites! The one with the hands making the tortilla has so much feeling to it! It reminds me of times of yesteryear when everything was lovingly made by hand. Lovely! No matter what, you're a winner in my book! :)
Posted by: Bella | 08/22/2011 at 03:19 PM
BELLA -- You're a doll. I love that picture too... She made it look so easy, just throwing them together on an outdoor cook station. Definitely a ifetime of skill.
Posted by: Girl Parker | 08/23/2011 at 10:00 AM
Your photos are winners to me! (My favorite was the woman's hands with the rolling pin.) And yes, Ree sets the bar high for all of us -- but alas, my sister got the red hair...
Posted by: Kimby | 09/03/2011 at 05:21 PM
KIMBY -- Gracias for your kind words. That one is my favorite too. And I'll bet anything your sister hated her red hair for a good 20 years, like I did, right?
Posted by: Girl Parker | 09/06/2011 at 10:42 AM