One of the great things about receiving all of your Lodge-related advice over the past year is this: There have been several times when a large number of you has weighed in on a detail that had never, ever even occurred to me before you raised the issue. Initially, your feedback came as a surprise and I found myself thinking to myself, “Really? I’ve never heard of such a thing!”
But then, upon further reflection, I realized that you were right.
The placement of the TV in the living room is a shining example.
This WAS where we initially put the TV. There was a mantle, a great big mantle, and to us, it was a no-brainer—PERFECT PLACE FOR A WICKED FLAT SCREEN, MAN!
I had no idea a beautiful fireplace constructed of native hill rock wasn’t the ideal place to hang a big black plastic square.
But thanks to many of you, I would soon come to know that truth.
While the photo’s not from the same angle, here’s where we are in the living room now. Notice the mantle? The TV’s gone.
I’ll go into more details later about the progress we’re making on the living room (and where the TV is now), thanks in no small part to your advice in the comments section of this post. I just wanted to give you a little peek into the ways your advice helps shape my decisions.
Now. If I can just get you to like the vase of plum blossoms I have in the kitchen, I’ll be home free.
Because I love them.
And if you don’t, I’ll cry big, salty tears.
Goodbye Forever,
Pioneer Woman
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.
