P-Dub T-Shirt Winners

I have enjoyed looking at the two cutie patootie Pioneer Woman t-shirts sitting on the back of a chair in my room, but it is time for them to go to a home where they can be worn and appreciated. They deserve the cuddling and attention that only someone that can actually fit into those swirly little designed sweethearts can give.

So, without further ado, the WINNERS are:

The Lumberjack's Wife

Melissa at Huckleberry Prairie

Woo Hoo, I hope you gals are just happy as a clam, happy as a pig in a poke and even as happy as a bug in a rug. Email me your mailing info to buckatwos at gmail dot com and I will pack up these little beauties and send them your way!

Thanks to everyone who entered, commented, or just stopped by. I appreciate each and every one of you!

The Park Wife

Double the Fun- Thanks PW

Have you entered to win the Pioneer Woman t-shirt I am giving away? Deadline to enter is Thursday night, that's tonight. I usually go to bed around 10:00 so as long as you have entered before I wake up Friday morning, your name is in the hat.

Here is the exciting part......I got ANOTHER Pioneer Woman shirt in the mail! And, the kicker, it is also a medium so it will be given away too! I am not a Vegas kind of girl or math guru, but I think that makes your odds much better.

Oh double the pleasure, double the fun!

It's better than playing double dutch with your friends in 5th grade or melting chocolate in a double boiler for chocolate covered strawberries resulting in a double chin, or double jeopardy (oh wait , let's not bring up the past). I could go on and on here. So, stop the insanity and hop over to the contest blog post and enter!



Thanks Ree for both of the shirts and thanks to all of my blog readers for coming back to my blog which could results in double vision after reading all the double negatives.

Going to eat a double cheeseburger,
The Park Wife

Lovin' Presents in the Mail - A Contest!

One of my favorite things about the holidays is receiving cards in the mail. From picture postcards to a Christmas letter, it is fun to catch up with friends and family that you do not see or hear from regularly. With electronic communications, people don't write letters much anymore. Emily Post would cringe if she knew that people did not send thank you notes anymore and that they even sometimes send a thank you note via email. Gasp!

(Note to self: Write thank you notes and mail them.)

I thought about doing a Christmas letter, but everything I thought to write was already on my blog. Whenever I am talking to my mom who lives 7 hours away about something that the Buckaroo's did, she says "I know, I saw it on your blog". So, I just sent a picture card, it will last on everyone's refrigerator for a month or so probably.

Anyway....back to the point. A few days before Christmas I went to the mailbox and there was a package. I love me a package in the mail, woo hoo. Then, I looked at the return address to see who it was from.

Oh Mercy, can you read that? Yep, it says Pioneer Woman. Uh huh. No, I have never won anything on her blog, actually I am incredibly unlucky, don't take me to a casino, not a good luck charm.

I tried hard not to rip the package open right there by the road. So, I ran back up to the house.

After I caught my breath (whew, resolution #1 again this year- get in shape), I calmly sat down and ripped the envelope open!

Look at that beauty. See, here is the story. Ree did not have the t-shirts at the Little Rock signing. That is where I went to meet her, read on her blog and/or mine about that eventful night at The Wal Marts. As a thank you for being her stalker best blog friend, I mean a regular visitor to her site, she sent me a t-shirt. Loving her kindness and generosity.

Here is the kicker, it is a medium. Um, no that is not going to fit to well. I could wear it, but they might be signing me up to work at Hooters (I am sorry Keenan, our preacher reads my blog).

So, I am going to re-gift it! I have o.k.'d this with P-dub's team member Nanci. It would be a shame for it to just sit on the back of a chair and look at it when someone could be wearing it!

So, here is the deal. You can enter a few ways, do all of them and you can get your name in the hat 4 times:

1- Leave me a comment telling me why you should get this awesome shirt.

For Arkansas residents, the No shirt, No Shoes, No Service reason is valid. The Park Wife is always trying to promote commerce. My contribution to spurring the economy and I don't even have to spend a trillion bazillion dollars.

2-Blog about the giveaway.

3-Become a friend of The Park Wife on Facebook.

4- Follow Me! If you already do, let me know, one more entry!

Feel free to hit ‘em all. The more the merrier! Let me know which ones you do!

Contest ends Friday, January 15 and I will post the winner soon after. Then, I will put it in a cute envelope and mail it so you will feel the rush I did when I received it in the mailbox.

If you do not wear a medium, still try to win. The shirt can be the traveling PW shirt that goes from home to home. Now, that is a fun idea. But, I am not going to tell one of you skinny things out there that you can not wear it if you win.

Now, on to 2010. I am going to try to keep up my blog a little better and I am hoping to get a spot on an interview panel for The Ranchelor, I love matchmaking! Oh, and I want world peace.

Craving Hooter's hot wings,

The Park Wife

The Power of Ree

I am going to get back to blogging about my life on a state park soon I promise. Actually, I had planned on posting pictures from our Civil War Weekend last weekend, but Pioneer Woman threw me for a loop!

After her posting about her book signing in Little Rock, all that sweet red head did was put a link to my post about my trip to meet her and KABOOM! My little blog was HOTTER than my hot park ranger pictures.

To all of my new followers, thanks for joining the chaos. And, I am thankful to all of you that have stopped by, all 8447 -- update: 9722-- you in the past 24 --update: 35 hours. My little blog did not know what to do, that is CRAZY!

Thanks to Ree, she has the Midas touch, and I am not talking mufflers.

So, for all of you that are first timers at The Park Wife, here is a quick glance at my life so that you will know what it is that I blog about.

***I reserve the right to change my mind and redirect my whole blog, I was thinking of taking up underwater basket weaving and telling the world of the interesting cricks (aka creeks) and ponds where I work on my masterpiece's. Then I remembered that masquito's love me and I don't love them.



I am the wife of a wonderful man that happens be to be a state park superintendent. He is an extraordinary man who walks with integrity and lives his life for the Lord. We have a wonderful love story, just like my "old internet friend" Ree. By the way, Ree and I are not old, just been meeting up on our blogs for what is considered a long time for bloggy world. I have not been invited to the ranch, maybe one day, but I think she is a little busy right now.

Anyway...like I was saying, I am married to a hunky ranger (he will kill me if he reads that, don't tell him). He is an extraordinary dad, I could not have asked for more.



I am the mom of two little buckaroos that I homeschool, no we are not wiccaans (yes, some people think that and many other stereotypes of homeschoolers). Actually, we are Christians who are trying to raise our boys to be hard working, honest, adventure seeking warriors who love the Lord. I do think that flying on a broomstick might be cool, but my hair would look like Weird Al Yankovic's everywhere I went. Just Eat It! (that song will be stuck in your head all day, sorry).

No need to debate private school vs public school vs homeschool here, I think we all need to get along and respect that we are all doing what we feel is best for our kids, enough said. Now, let's all be friends and sing cumbaya.



I grew up a Mississippi Belle. I learned to sparkle at an early age. I try to still adhere to the most basic belle rules, like do not chew gum in public, no velvet after February 14, no white shoes until after Easter, if you wear sandals your toenails must always be painted, how to make ther perfect sweet tea, even though I don't like tea, oh mercy me. And yes, one of our sons is named Big Buckaroo's grandmother's maiden name. Now, since living on a state park in a rural area, I have let some of the other belle rules slide, but not so much that I would end up on peopleofwalmart dot com.



I believe in community involvement and teaching our children that they can make a difference in our community, in people's lives, in the world. We just started a Farmer's Market. Four years ago I could not keep anything alive, I couldn't even grow a Chia pet.

Did you know there is a new Chiaobama, nothing says Go America like a chia pet of our President. You can choose between the "Happy" or "Determined" poses - for the amazingly low price of just $19.99 (three seed packs included!). I am not kidding about this.

ANYWAY.....I get off track sometimes. Now I am growing veggies to sell to the public. I have also helped to start a community library in our small town and have just held our first community dinner in the street (we blocked it off so cars nor horses and buggies would run over our food or kids, you know, the important stuff). It is fun to be able to tell your kids to go play in the street, watch them play with a huge group of kids, and visit with your neighbors.



I love the holidays! I want our holiday's to be like a Norman Rockwell painting, but usually end up like a Griswold Christmas Vacation. Every year as the holiday's approach, I forget the chaos of the year before and set about my Rockwellesque plans.




We are building a cabin in the mountains. As you are driving up to the cabin site, there is an old rock well, that, along with my idealist tendencies had us name our place Rockwell. Yep, an idealist through and through. I have followed the journey from clearing the land until the roof going on which is the point we are at now. Stick around and help me decorate the inside, no dead animals on the walls, I prefer my wildlife in the wild.

There is more wackiness to be found at The Park Wife. Thanks for joining me, Ree's old Internet friend (yes, I was very excited when she wrote that).

Ch Ch Chia,

The Park Wife

The Pioneer Woman Book Signing

As the time for The Pioneer Woman's book signing neared, I was back and forth on if I was going to go. The fact that I had to drive over 2 hours, miss one of the Buckaroo's soccer games, and no one else was willing to go that far on a "school night" with me, made me think twice. Bwaaahahaaaa, of course I was going. Ree (we are on a first name basis now, we bonded in the 2 minutes we talked) was my blog inspiration and I even tried once for her to be my best blog friend (more on that soon).

As soon as Big Buckaroo got home, I hopped in the car, turned on music that was not Veggie Tales and hit the road sistah. The traffic was horrendous, I do not miss that part of city life at all. But, I arrived at 6:20, it started at 6, and the line was HUGE, hundreds and hundreds of people.

Let me break down the night for you:

The Gals:
I told Big Buckaroo that I felt weird going by myself, he said you will meet someone in line and be fine. Since I am so introverted and uncomfortable in social situations, I was worried. I jest.

Anyway, as soon as I trekked all the way to the back of the store to find the end of the line, a very sweet young lady walked up behind me. I expressed my appreciation for not being last in line anymore and our friendship began. Thanks Beth for putting up with me the whole night!

When you are in line for 4 hours with people, you get to know them. These are my wonderful new PW stalker friends, I love some stalker camaraderie. There is a homeschool mom, a nurse, the gal who met her husband in the fabric section of Walmart and she does not even sew, an incredible photographer and her sweet daughter, and Beth, a nursing student.

We had a blast, we got a little rowdy and there were many strange looks from those around us. It was so much fun.

The post it notes:

Meet Romy, her name has been changed to protect her identity and for us to blurt out quotes like, "Um, I invented Post-Its". She walked around and gave everyone post it notes so that we could write what we wanted Ree to sign in our books. That would help expedite the process, it did help the 743 people in front of me go through faster.

Then, there were these clever notes along the way. I appreciate the humor and creativeness of those in front of us who thought to encourage us along. (This just in.... I found out that Julie from Eggs and Herbs knows the clever person who did this, her husband Richie!) As if we were going to give up after being there 3 hours, no way, we were invested by then. The gals got tired of me humming the Rocky theme every time we got closer, another hour and I would have broken into "I Will Survive".

Attention Walmart shoppers, there is a Wrangler special on aisle 4:

MM was not deterred as our rowdy group got closer to him. He is a real cowboy that is use to herds of mustangs and cattle racing toward him. Rattle, rattle, here come the cattle.

He was incredibly kind and has a gentle spirit. I contemplated a picture with him as I felt that it would have been disrespectful not only to Ree but to my husband to have a picture taken with just MM and myself. So, I wrangled Christy into getting into the picture. No harm/disrespect in two Christian homeschool moms flanking MM, right?

Meeting Ree:

It was finally my turn, Ree looked up and said hi. She then looked down at the post it note that I had written: To Stephanie, "The Park Wife" , my best blog friend. She looked up and said "Park Wife!" I forgot your live near here". I can not believe that she knew who I was even though I blog about my admiration and respect for her. O.K. you may be thinking, she was just being kind. Yea, I thought that too until she said, "you stopped blogging for a little while didn't you? Have you started back?" Gasp...choke..."um, yes, I got overwhelmed starting homeschooling, a farmers market, um, and my ironing got too piled up, but now I am back at it!"

I told her I was being funny when I wrote that message and she said, "I have no problem writing this, none at all".

Was I a little excited, ya think? I know, a little pathetic. Could my smile be any bigger?

Big Buckaroo, who knows hardly anything about blogging, asked me what all this Pioneer Woman admiration is about, why would I drive that far and stand in line that long. I thought on it for a while and for me, Ree is an example of someone who is like me, a homeschool mom thrown into a situation where you have to adapt and she has done so with creativity, wit and fun. She makes me think that although this season of my life is centered around raising/homeschooling our Buckaroos, that I can do something for myself that feeds my soul.

She is talented, has worked hard and she deserves every bit of what she is reaping right now. I am genuinely so happy for her and her success.

Grateful for Ree's kindness,

The Park Wife

I appreciate my old friend Ree (wait, we aren't old) linking my post, why don't you Follow Me, I know shameless. Come along and experience my life living on a state park!

Pioneer Woman Cooks!

If you have read my blog for a while, you know that I REALLY like The Pioneer Woman's blog. She was my blog inspiration and I even tried once for her to be my best blog friend, no luck, must be the other umpteen visitor's to her site that keeps her busy. I love how she writes (very witty and stream of consciousness), her extraordinarily beautiful photography and her down-to-earth personality that comes through on her blog. Plus, she is a homeschool mom!

Then, my friends, something happened. She posted a recipe on her blog that changed my world. Yes, that's right, I made her cinnamon rolls, followed by her lasagna, and then, oh mercy, her hot wangs (yes, I said wangs, you would too if you tasted these hot little chicks). I was hooked, her recipes are accompanied by numerous pictures that made it possible for even a Mississippi educated gal (no offensive Mississippi friends) to understand and actually cook successfully.

And, now....THIS!!!!!


Pioneer Woman Cooks will be released October 27 and is available for pre-order from:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Borders
Books-a-Million


In addition, she and the family are going on a Griswold-style Book Tour. Of course, I am hitting the road to go to the one closest to me. For all of you other PW followers/mutual bloggy friends, are you planning on going to a book signing? Check out her site for a list of locations.

If you have no idea what to make for dinner tonight or want to make something extra special for that hunky park ranger, I mean husband or main squeeze in your life, check out Ree's Tasty Kitchen website, it's FABULOUS!

Going to make Penne a la Betsy, scrumptious!
The Park Wife

The Pioneer Woman - Campaign for Best Friend Spot

The majority of the readers of my page come over from Pioneer Woman's site (thanks!). As many of you have read in a past blog, I really like her writing style and creativity. So, I was thinking, I know Pioneer Woman has an awesome husband, a wonderful sister and great friend Hyacinth, but the more I have read about her, I just know we could be best friends. We have so much in common. I have done a pictorial essay of why P-dub should consider me for the position of best friend, or at least best blog friend. (Okay, no eye rolling, you know you think she is awesome too and would like that coveted position)

Exhibit 1: This is a picture of a beautiful flower I took, it reminds me of PW's style in her close-up photography. However, mine is not as in focus and the composition is not quiet as good, but it is a pretty blue.

Exhibit 2: I tried to get artsy with this 169 year old Magnolia tree.

I like that is rugged and tuff, just like Marlboro Man's Wrangler's.

Exhibit 3: This is the livery stable we have at the Park. If PW and MM ever need to drive their cattle through our town, they will have somewhere to put LB and the other horses for the night. Very accommodating, that's what best friends do.

Exhibit 4: See, we have a horse also. Well, actually she is not ours but she lives in our pasture. Her name is Jill and she is a retired, award-winning Civil War Reenactor Horse (I did not make that up, you would not believe some of the crazy stuff I am learning at this historical Park).

Exhibit 5: We too are homeschool freaks. Here is littlest buckaroo, he just turned 2 so he really is not schooling yet, but we have to have something for him to do while his brother does his school work. He is tearing up that ABC puzzle.

Other similarities:

• I have 5 brothers, odds are one of them has some Mike tendencies.


• I have 2 boys just like PW, I do not have girls, but I teach the AWANA girls at church, certainly that should count for something.
  
• My husband is also HOT! and is a great daddy. See pictures in previous blogs. We also have a great love story.
  
• I lived in the big city and now, I don't. I am in what you call a rural area.


• We both wore white wedding dresses (no comments from the peanut gallery!)


• I went to a work conference once at a dude ranch, I really wanted to quit my job and be a cowgirl. Instead, I had a baby.... so I quit my job.
  
• I get about 300 comments a day on my blog, oh, I am sorry, I hit two zeros after the 3, my bad. Well, I do know since I now have a counter on my site that I am getting a good number of hits, so for the love of....PW, leave her best friend some comments. (Shameless, I know)
  

and, last but not least, evidently, there is no limit to what I will do to show PW how much we have in common. Last Exhibit:

We both have lots of free fertilizer for our vegetable garden!

In all seriousness, thanks to everyone for coming over and visiting my site, I am really enjoying getting to know all of you. Two weeks ago, I did not know this type of camaraderie existed, thanks for taking me in and making me feel like I belong.