One of the traps social media foster is a false sense of familiarity.
If you follow a celebrity's tweets, Instagram photos and Facebook musings long enough, you might start to feel like you actually know her.
You might think of her as a friend or at least "a friend in your head," as talk-show host -- and friend in my head -- Wendy Williams coined the phenomenon. How you doin', Wendy?
You might, as my real-life friend Lisa Fischer and I did, even go so far as to send such a "friend" a wedding gift -- one single napkin, because it was all you could afford off her pricey registry (hi, Kim Kardashian from the Kris Humphries wedding! Thank you, or thank your assistant, for indulging us with that handwritten thank-you note!).
Or you might ask a star for emergency advice. And expect her to immediately answer.
Which is what I did last Sunday. Upon baking the Pumpkin Sheet Cake recipe of Food Network personality Pioneer Woman for the suggested time, I realized it wasn't done. And so I posted on her Facebook page.
Pumpkin Sheet Cake question: how can you tell me when it's done? Toothpick test? After 20 minutes, mine was still quite gloopy. Put it in for another 5 min. Same thing; though the edges seem done, the center is still mushy. Don't want to overcook!
There. She would answer me. After all, we're friends. I even know all her kids' names (Alex, Paige, Bryce, Todd) and dogs' names (Walter, Charlie).
But after two minutes, I felt stupid. For posting. And for posting with that "me" typo ("how can you tell me") -- so embarrassing.
Why would I think that this woman -- a popular blogger and television personality and author of best-selling cookbooks and children's books who home-schools her children and assists her cowboy husband with their massive Oklahoma cattle ranching operation (does this make me sound creepy?) -- has nothing better to do than answer my amateur kitchen questions? Maybe at least some other site user would take pity on me and save my cake.
Ree Drummond commented on your post.
Whew! Six minutes after posting, someone was attempting to rescue me!
Wait, Ree Drummond?! That's Pioneer Woman herself! Writing to me!
Jennifer, it should be totally set in the center!
I couldn't believe my eyes. But indeed she had responded, confirmed by Facebook friends who quickly "liked" the conversation and texts that were blowing up my phone ("You got a response from the Pioneer Woman! OMG!!! I'm dying!!!"). It seems all my friends think Pioneer Woman is a friend in their heads too.
I had to write her back. Without a typo. And with gratitude. And with humor. After all, she's really funny in addition to resourceful -- restoring a historic building in Pawhuska to turn into offices and a deli (OK, yes, this does make me sound creepy).
Thanks for the quick response! Mine took about 30 min total! Made it and the chocolate sheet cake for a potluck this week! Holy sheet, it smells good in here!
After hitting send, it occurred to me, what if she would find my wordplay offensive? Oh no, I upset my new friend! At least a few other readers of the site offered their "likes." But still no further response from Ree.
I was nervous. And I did whatever I always do when I'm nervous about a wisecrack I've made -- ugh! -- I make it again and -- shudder! -- hope it's funnier the second time.
I posted the photos of my finished cake with the caption "Sheet happened! Thanks again!"
At least my Facebook friends liked it, thumbs-upping my dorkiness.
Ree Drummond commented on your post.
Seriously? Ree posted again? Surely she was responding to accolades on the post from other fans ("She's the best!!!!!!!!!!" and "You are absolutely amazing! I have watched every single episode and I follow your blog. My family loves every one of your recipes that I have made. Thank you for sharing!!!! from Idaho!")
Jennifer, both cakes look AMAZING. ("Sheet happened." Ha.)
She not only answered me, she got me. My friend in my head just officially became my best friend in my head.
While later asking a Food Network public relations manager for a photo that could accompany this column, she asked if it would be possible to include the info for the forthcoming holiday special, Pioneer Woman: Cowboy Christmas, which will air at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Ree Drummond is throwing a holiday hoedown for local ranchers and their families. The menu is a fabulous seasonal spread, starring Sirloin Christmas Kebobs with Bell Peppers, Christmas Ham, Creamy Rosemary Potatoes, Bacon Green Bean Bundles and Cowboy Santa Cookies with salads and desserts, courtesy of the guests. This dinner and dance celebration is complete with gifts under a glorious Christmas tree, a roping contest with western-themed prizes, and a live band to get the party started. It is frontier-festive all the way!
Well, sure, now that we're best friends in my head.
I'd Ree-ly like you to email:
jchristman@arkansasonline.com
Spin Cycle is a weekly smirk pop culture.
Style on 11/30/2014