Merry Christmas Eve Eve, everyone! Because I’ve been so busy this year and wound up totally blowing my Plan Ahead streak I’d been on for the past several Christmases, I actually had to…gulp…go shopping today in the big city. It was fun to be out among the English, but only for the first five minutes. After that, I got so antsy, I started second guessing people for whom I had to buy gifts: “My mother-in-law doesn’t really need anything,” I’d tell myself. “Pesky Tim isn’t big on gifts—I’ll scratch him off the list,” was another doozie. And my favorite? “Christmas is, like, sooooo commercial now. I think I’ll start a new tradition of NO gifts this year!”
This is the emotional chaos that ensues whenever I go out among the English. I try not to let it happen too often.
Before I left, I checked in on progress at the Lodge. Whew! We’ve got 24 hours to go, and it’s a busy, busy place.
The Lodge was a flurry of activity: electricians installing light fixtures, plumbers hooking up sinks to the drain pipes, carpenters installing door hardware, and the cabinet guys installing the butcher block.
Thank you to those of you who enlightened me to the fact that uh…duh…der…doy…my CABINET GUY was the perfect resource for butcher block. Duh. Doy. Der.
Yeah! It turns out, a cabinet guy who builds WOOD cabinets is actually pretty perfectly set up to make WOOD countertop.
It’s really amazing how these things work out.
After mulling over whether to use maple…or walnut…or oak…or blah blah blah for the butcher block, guess what I decided on?
Good ol’ HICKORY. Don’t ask me why—I just thought it would be ranchy.
I need to oil it with something before I use it Christmas morning. What’s the best oil to use? Mineral? Linseed?
Bueller? Bueller?
Here’s Von, one of the capable workmen, holding up our steerhead. I’m thinking of mounting it on the hood.
Two concerns, though: First, I think it’s a little small for the space it’s on. Second, a skull in an eating/cooking area? Does this gross anyone out? I don’t really have a problem with the idea myself, but then again, I’m married to a man who inserts the entire length of his arm into the rectal region of cows. So I may not be the best one to make the call.
Here’s the smallest bedroom at the Lodge. It’s where my brother, Doug, will stay when he comes to visit. He’s, like, 6’5″ and I’d just like to look at him and say, “Here, Doug—here’s your bedroom. It’s the smallest.”
It’s a sibling rivalry thing.
Here’s Terry, of Terry and Jerry fame. Jerry, Terry’s father, had THE GALL to leave for Colorado today so he could VISIT HIS DAUGHTER FOR CHRISTMAS.
I let it be known that Jerry DID NOT clear this trip with me, and that I’m very hurt by his sudden disappearance.
And okay, I’m a total punk compared to Jerry. But still. he should have sought my written permission to leave town. I’m his home improvement parole officer, in a sense.
I tried to tell Terry this, but he gave me a series of blank stares. I hate it when Terry does that.
Here’s the view from inside the pantry. I was hiding from Terry when I snapped this photo.
Are you ready? Don’t laugh. Back when I said I was looking for carved wooden animal heads, I received some extremely helpful information. As a result, I found two carved wooden deer head and they are GUH-ORGEOUS. I am completely smitten by them.
I thought the two deer would look pretty hanging out over these floating shelves, where tomorrow I’ll be stacking whatever white dishes I can get my hands on.
I think the deer head are sort of Lodgey…without being LODGEY. Are you feelin’ it?
I’m feelin’ it.
But if you hate them, I understand.
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.
