My sister-in-law Missy and I hosted an engagement dinner for our good family friend Haley on Saturday night. As it turned out, the date Haley planned to come home for the party coincided with Food Network being here, so we had the crew film all the festivities (and the food!) The episode will air in a couple of months, but I thought I’d give you just a few (brief!) peeks now.
I knew I’d be busy with filming and kids and husband and dogs, but I wanted to make sure Haley’s dinner was special since she’s so special to us. So my friend Talmadge (who helped me pull off a wedding reception for my sister Betsy back in 2004, less than a month after I gave birth to my fourth baby prematurely, but that’s another story for another time) swooped in and saved the day with some beautiful decorations.
The flowers were so pretty: everything from painted mason jars to small bottles in antique Coke bottle crates.
You’ve likely seen these all over Pinterst (here are several pins with instructions on how to make the jars.)
I love the way they turned out, and they added a nice country feel to the dinner.
One of my favorite things were all the crates. Talmadge bought some simple, plain wooden crates and stained them, then used them to hold flatware, napkins, and to hold platters and recipe-identifying chalkboards on the buffet.
The party favors were another of my favorite elements. These are candles that are handmade in Tulsa at a store called The Nest, and each guest (well, each couple!) got to take one home.
They were displayed right by the door so the guests wouldn’t miss ’em.
The scents were delicious, and I loved the symbolism of the flame of the candle…the love burning bright…and all that mushy stuff.
But probably my favorite aspect of the whole dinner were Missy’s cupcakes…which neither of us has a picture of because we were so busy cooking, serving, and visiting during the party that we completely forgot! She made Chocolate/Grand Marnier, Mango/Jalapeno, and Honey/Lavender flavors…and as delicious as they were, they were every bit as beautiful. Missy is amazing.
I’m sorry I don’t have any photos of the cupcakes! I’m trying to find one in a phone or a camera somewhere, and will post them when I do.
And I’ll let you know when this episode airs so you can see more details about the partay! (And the beautiful bride and groom-to-be!)
Ree Drummond is the founder of The Pioneer Woman and a lover of butter, basset hounds and life on the ranch! Ree started her blog in 2006, and now millions visit ThePioneerWoman.com every month for her trusted recipes and fun family stories. Here’s what she has been up to since it all began:
New York Times Bestselling Author
Ree has written two memoirs (Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, and Frontier Follies) plus nine bestselling cookbooks:
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl (2009)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier (2012)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays (2013)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime (2015)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! (2017)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier (2019)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Super Easy (2021)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinner’s Ready! (2023)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes (2025)
Food Network Host
Since 2011, Ree has been sharing simple, family-friendly recipes—and the occasional kitchen prank!—on her award-winning show The Pioneer Woman, filmed right on Drummond Ranch. Ree is also a regular judge on Food Network competitions, including Christmas Cookie Challenge.
Founder, The Pioneer Woman Collection
Ree has been creating and selling kitchen and home products at Walmart since 2015 and she’s involved in designing every piece and pattern. The line now includes best-selling appliances (you have to see the floral blender!), plus hundreds of pieces of cookware, tableware, and more. Ree doesn’t like to play favorites but the Agatha print has a special place in her heart.
Restaurant and Hotel Owner
Together with her husband Ladd, Ree has opened several bustling businesses in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, including The Pioneer Woman Mercantile—a bakery, restaurant, and general store that draws visitors from across the country (many come for the biscuits alone!), P-Town Pizza, Charlie’s Ice Cream Shop, and The Boarding House, a charming hotel with eight different rooms decorated by Ree and Ladd.
Media Personality
Ree appears regularly on national TV shows like Today, Good Morning America and more—all while managing to keep flour off her shirt.
Wife, Mom and…Grandma!
Ree’s kids (daughters Alex and Paige and sons Bryce and Todd) are all grown up, and as of December 2024, Ree is the proud grandma of the cutest baby ever, Sofia Scott, born to Alex and her husband Mauricio. Ree still cooks for Ladd (and the kids when they’re home), and she also looks after a few mischievous ranch dogs.
