The day before my friend Bossy left, Marlboro Man had to wean some (very large) calves. Bossy’s daughter wanted to ride, of course…but Bossy herself was a little unsure.
So Marlboro Man did what he always does when someone’s unsure of whether or not they want to ride: He saddled her a horse and handed her the reins.
And gave her a lesson on what to do.
Just a mini-lesson, though. It was time to get going!
Bye, Bossy. I’ll be in the feed truck with Cowboy Tim if you need me.
What? We ran out of horses. And I wouldn’t want my dear guest to miss out.
I’m giving that way.
Plus, if I hadn’t ridden along with Cowboy Tim, I wouldn’t have been able to capture this shot of the sunrise in the little magnifying disc on his side-view mirror.
And I would have regretted that the rest of my life.
An hour later, we were all pulling into the pens with a bunch of pairs.
Bossy made it!
This was funny, though: while we were riding along in the feed truck, Cowboy Tim and I visited a bit. He told me about his shoulder (he just had surgery) and sipped his coffee (a huge travel cup of Mountain Dew) and I talked to him about the kids (when we’ll be starting school) and the dogs (how they’re taking over my life.) Then I told him how Bossy and I knew each other, that we both started blogging at about the same time and forged a special little friendship that has stood the test of time. Cowboy Tim mentioned how nice she seemed, then he turned to me and asked, “Is that a…is that a skirt she’s wearing?”
The answer was yes, it was a skirt she was wearing. But it was a casual kind of skirt, almost like a tunic, and it was over black leggings, which looked so much more comfortable than the too-snug jeans I had stuffed myself into that morning. And I explained all this to Cowboy Tim, who immediately swung open the door of his feed truck and said, “I’m gonna go give her a hard time.”
And that’s exactly what he did.
“Hey, darlin’,” Tim teased. “Is that a skirt you’re wearing?”
Bossy smiled and laughed. Because she knows enough about cowboys to know that if they tease you…that means you’re accepted.
In that respect, I’m the most exceedingly accepted individual that’s ever walked this ranch.
“I fink it looks nice,” my baby told her.
He’s such a sweet little precious munchkin of a love-child.
So are these girls.
It was so fun to get them together.
And so’s Old Yeller.
I can’t seem to stay away from his face.
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.
