Have I told you that I’m heading up to the airport today to pick up a friend who is my very first visitor since moving to Oregon? And that we’ve never met IRL (in real life) before? And that we’re totally going to Forks, WA to investigate the claims that vampires and werewolves exist?
No?
Well, now I have. That’s seriously how I’m spending today. I know, it’s awesome.
In the interest of full disclosure, I have decided to tell my friend, Kristan, the truth about what happens when I meet people who I may already be friends with, but I’m also a fan of, and therefore geeking out about meeting. In fact, I’m going to illustrate it for her.
(The fact that Kristan is already on a plane to get here, and therefore won’t be reading this until it’s already too late to turn back is a coincidence…really…)
I met the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, back in April. I’ve never met, or even talked to, Ree before; to be perfectly honest, I was only there for a friend who wanted to see Ree, but didn’t want to drive almost 4 hours alone. Ree was very kind, and treated each person with respect and interest, even after hours of signings.
As my friend and I stood in line, towards the end of the night, I got more and more nervous as we got closer to the front of the line. I mean, this is The Pioneer Woman. Love her or hate her, she’s “famous,” and I’m a freak around famous people.
You may recall that I got to meet one of my all-time favorite bloggers, Jen Yates (of Cake Wrecks and Epbot) last year. I was blessed to have the opportunity to spend dinner with Jen and her hubby John after her book signing that evening, and I was never really able to relax, so I knew I was in for an awkward meeting with Ree.
As I’m waiting, the next in line, I watched her greet the woman in front of me, and I was in awe at the fact that this woman was talking to Ree as though she were an old friend or neighbor, and I knew when I got up there, that this was never going to happen to me. I know myself well enough to know that I’ll never be one of those people at ease around someone well known, no matter who they are. I could feel my insides turning to jelly, and I swear to you, my voice was trying to crawl out of my face.
Finally, it was my turn, and there’s no other way to put this… I blew it. I totally froze and stood there smiling like a fool, and sort of fumbled my book into her lap, while shoving one of my cards in her face with a violently trembling hand.
Really, though, words don’t do justice to my utter lack of composure, so let’s illustrate, shall we?
There I am, with Ree Drummond. In case you’re not sure, I’m totally the hunched over giddy one with the giant smile and crazy eyes. Seriously, look at my eyes. o_O She can’t have known that I was making that face, or she certainly wouldn’t have been leaning closer like that.
This was how I felt the entire time I spoke with Ree…or rather, mumbled while she ever so kindly tried to pry sense out of me during the 2 minutes we had to chat.
What this picture doesn’t show is the violent trembling that I’m fighting, or the instantaneous sweat that began rolling down my back.
None of this is a joke or exaggeration. I am truly that inept at meeting new people, and particularly the famous. It doesn’t matter that I don’t really read her blog…I have zero composure.
Now, starting today, I’ll be spending the entire week meeting new people, because after Kristan and I finish our Twilight Tour, we’re headed to Seattle for BlogHer Food. Don’t be surprised if you don’t here from me for at least a week afterwards…my nerves will need that long to recover from meeting so many bloggers I admire, all in one place.
Send help. And valium.
I decided, since I ended up with a copy of Ree’s new cookbook that I’d whipp up a batch of her cherry limeade this past weekend. Cherry limeade has been my favorite drink, pretty much ever, since I was in college. I’ve sort of made it at home before, but I’ve never really put much effort into it. I usually just added a little grenadine to some sprite and left it at that. I know, right? Could I be more lazy? So when I saw PW’s recipe in her new cookbook, I didn’t waste time trying it.
The fact that it’s super easy helped…
I decided, though, that I wanted to tweak it so that it could be made individually, seeing as I don’t really have need for a whole batch of cherry limeade when I know all of one person in the state of Oregon, besides the kiddo.
Besides lemon-lime soda, all you need is sugar…
…fresh lime juice…
…and maraschino cherry juice (and the cherries, of course).
You’ll notice the sugar settled on the bottom of the glasses above. I swirled each glass for a minute to allow the sugar the dissolve. I did this before adding the soda, so that I wouldn’t have to risk making the soda go flat by stirring it. The acidity in the lime juice dissolves the sugar very quickly.
Now, all you gotta do is add the soda, the cherries, and some lime slices, and you’re good to go. I altered P-Dub’s recipe slightly by reducing the sugar and increasing the maraschino cherries/juice. Ree’s recipe was slightly too sweet for me, and not cherry-y enough, but that’s the great thing about this recipe – it’s easily tweaked to suit your taste. It only took about 10 minutes to make these (and most of that time was spent juicing and slicing limes), and they’re amazing! The kiddo said they’re better than any cherry limeade he’s ever had, including Sonic’s, so what more incentive do you need? Go. Make. Enjoy!
Cherry Limeade [Printable Version]
Ingredients
FOR A FULL BATCH
1 cup ( 8 ounces or ml) lime juice
3/4 cup sugar
1 16-ounce jar maraschino cherries and juice
1 2-liter lemon lime soda (I prefer Sierra Mist)
FOR A SINGLE SERVING
2 tablespoons (1 ounce or 30 ml) fresh squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons (1 ounce or 30 ml) maraschino cherry juice, plus a few cherries (as desired)
1 cup (8 ounces or ml) lemon lime soda
To make a full batch: Chill all of the ingredients thoroughly. In a large pitcher or jar, combine sugar, lime juice, and maraschino cherry juice. Swirl or stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add the soda. Garnish with the cherries and several lime slices, cut thin.
To make a single serving:Â Chill all of the ingredients thoroughly. In a 12 ounce or larger glass, combine sugar, lime juice, and maraschino cherry juice. Swirl or stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add the soda. Garnish with cherries and lime slices, cut thin.
Recipe adapted from The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier by Ree Drummond
Darla, I’d be all geeky and fangirly if I met you!
If the photo was a video, your eyes would keep growing larrrrger and larrrrrger.
The Pioneer Woman, as an icon, frightens me a bit to tell the truth. I find you and your cartoon much less scary, but don’t prove me wrong by giving folks too much of these crazy eyes when in Seattle;)
Those look fantastic and so easy! They will be perfect for a little get-together I’m having this weekend!
I totally have been on a cherry limeade kick lately. I even made it into pops.
I’d totally geek out, too.
You drank cherry limeade in college, without alcohol? Even today – six year out of university – I would definitely have to add some vodka to this drink. It’s calling out to me!
Ahhhh as if you met her! So awesome! This limeade sounds great. Yum!
That’s a lovely picture! I can completely relate to your sense of awe and awkwardness when meeting someone you admire. I’m sure many people would feel that way about meeting you.
Don’t worry, I am totally inept at meeting new people too, it’s a wonder I have any friends… I seriously just freeze and can’t say a word!! And I’m also seriously jealous about your Twilight Tour! I would so love to go there!! *Geeks outs*
Awww and we love you for sharing that with us, since we’ve all been there and totally relate! You look so happy and excited though, and immaculately pulled together.
I remember my first blogging event I went to, an opening, and I was so nervous my face was tomato red the whole time, sweating from places I didn’t know you could sweat from, and naturally there had to be newspaper photographers there too. They caught it all on camera. I look delirious.
And your Twilight tour sounds awesome! Photos please!
Hope you gals have a great time! Take lots of pictures of your tour and your conference. I’m sure there will be other blogers who will look at you the way you looked at Ree. I know I would
I love a homemade limeade.
I love cherry limeade! Yum!
I think your smile looks lovely…and if I ran to you and Kristin in Forks I would fall over and faint in a pile of ferns!!!! Have a wonderful trip!
I completely geek out when I meet people I admire, too! I managed to make it through meeting Jen Yates pretty well, mostly because her hubby made me laugh which calmed me down – but I was a total quivering mess when I met Angie of Bakerella fame. You don’t even want to know. It wasn’t pretty.
One of these days I ought to get around to having a good look through Ree’s website and maybe picking up one of her books. I keep hearing such nice things about her.
When I meet new people I don’t freeze up.. what happens is I lose all control of my mouth piece. I say things that are incredibly ridiculous and I can’t make it stop…which leaves me for days/weeks afterwards thinking “why did I SAY that?”. I think freezing up is better, because saying stupid things like your shirt is so flowy or I love your ankles is WAY weirder.
LOL I was the same way when I met Jenn at her book signing, she was so nice and I was all …… I know right, we are dorks. And I love cherry limeaide, but I have to drink the sugar free kind, so no home made for me:(
Wow! The look delicious! And the photos are amazing!
have an amazeballs time! can’t wait to read all the tweets about blogher….one day i will try to get some courage to attend some kind of blogging conference….as i still use the blogger template i kinda don’t take myself too seriously…kinda
OMG you met Ree Drummond!!! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! (she’s the reason I started blogging. And Sweetapolita is the reason I got a better camera) That’s something that sucks about being in Australia – you can’t (easily!) got to the book signings of your favourite bloggers
Have a great time at BlogHer Food!
THANK YOU Darla,
I am currently 23 weeks pregnant and the only thing I crave is cherry flavored drinks. I tried making my own batch of cherry limeade and tried to get it to single serving measurements, but it was wayyyy too strong and totally not enjoyable. I can’t wait to use this recipe. You have made this mommy to be Very happy.
my valium is on its way…..
I’d totally geek out, if i meet you!
you are invited!!!!!
LOVE your blog and the you write!!
Hahah you are so cute!
And the drinks look and sound incredibly yummy!
I hope you sure do have a great time this week meeting new people!
-Britney of Lemonwood and Honey
I think meeting people you already “know” from the internet always has the first bit of awkwardness because you almost feel like you’ve been spying on them. This post is so cute and true, I laughed out loud at the part under the photo of you and Ree. Good luck meeting lots of new people!
I’m so geeky, Darla. First I have to say, it was so nice to meet you!!! I wish we got to chat longer.
Second, I’m a total Ree fan and I’m sooo soooo glad I had a little wine before I met her on Saturday night. Hope you had fun in Seattle and I hope we keep in touch!!
Gosh- I know I’ve been over here before but now I’m totally stalking your blog, twitter, etc. But I’m telling you about it so that’s cool, right?
omgoodness, i am so excited that you guys did the twilight tour and SO sad that i missed out! i would die. i’m such a twilight nerd. i love it all. and have always been team edward.
sparkle on.
so glad i got to meet you!
I was glad to meet you,t oo! I hope we get a chance to hang out more next time!!
me too! so so excited that your hubby comes home this week!!!
It’s ok Darla. I commented on Kristan’s blog about sending her a baby gift and she emailed me back personally! I was so giddy, etc that I think seemed a little psycho to my fiance. Then I got a blog visit from Kelly at View Along the Way and she said she was impressed! Seriously, I could’ve fallen over right then.