I’ve decided on the countertop materials for the Lodge kitchen, thanks in no small part to your thoughts, suggestions, and in some cases, warnings in our countertop discussion here last week. Considering everything from slate to Silestone, granite to galvanized steel, I finally zeroed in on a pairing of concrete and wood for the main island that’ll see most of the cooking, and some kind of natural stone slab for the baking area, since marble can lend itself well to that application.
To that end, my mother-in-law and I trudged to the big city—a place I’ve visited more in the past month than I have in the twelve years I’ve lived in the country—to search up and down for the right slab of natural stone, one that will not only look good in the warm, ranchy environment, but whose price wouldn’t make me cry.
I don’t want to cry anymore.
Isn’t that the title of a country music song?
Before I continue, here’s a little video of a granite/marble place we visited. When we went there, I had something specific in mind: White Carrera marble slab. You know it—it’s the classic white marble with grey flecks and striations throughout. Lacking any other creative ideas in my mind, I figured that’s what I’d go for. But I didn’t realize the trip to the marble place would turn up an entirely different option. Sometimes good things CAN happen when you go to the big city.
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(And for you nerds, here’s the HD version):
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The engineered marble, I think, is really pretty and interesting. And while I originally wanted to avoid man-made materials, there’s really no denying their durability and color consistency. Here are some of the different color schemes:
This is Breccia Aurora. I think it’s gorgeous and ethereal, and picks up the color of the cabinets in the kitchen. Most of the slabs we saw had more variation of color than this sample.
Here’s Napolean Brown.
This color is Rasotica, and is in the brown-green family. I think it’s really pretty, but probably a little on the dark side.
And oooh. Check this out. It’s called Macchia Vecchia—aren’t the colors great? I’m afraid it’s probably a little too much for the baking area of the kitchen, but I still love its wackiness.
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We wound up going with…this one:
I’m really happy about the selection. The colors are subtle and natural, and perfectly mimic the stone on both the fireplace and the wall near the baking area. It looks great with white, which is the color of the sink on that island, and because it’s made with recycled marble (presumably from reclaimed/rejected countertops), it’s eco-friendly. And while I’m not what one might call a devout “Green” disciple, these days I’m feeling better and better about re-using…and not just using, of which I also do plenty.
Anyway.
The best part? The price tag was much more palatable than a comparable slab of true marble or granite would have been.
Thanks for letting me share with you. Everything’s really ramping up in preparation of the deadline of Christmas, and I appreciate your being here throughout the chaos and the fun.
And the weird shopping videos.
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.
