I thought I’d go into the weekend listing ten things I love today. Some things, I love on a superficial level. Others I love on a more primal level. Still others I love on a urological level. And some I love on a love level.
If any of that made any sense, which it didn’t.
And I love that it didn’t. (That’s eleven things!)
Here goes.
1 - The Snooze Button.
I am just leaving Cincinnati (after having a super fun cookbook signing last night!) and am flying to Chicago this morning (to have a super fun cookbook signing tonight!) Even though I didn’t need to leave for the airport until 7:30 am, I had set my alarm for 5:00 am so I could get up, drink coffee, read Psalms, and leisurely get dressed and re-pack the eleven tops I brought for a 2 1/2-day trip, because I have a hard time deciding what I’m going to wear ahead of time.
Instead—get ready for this—I hit the snooze button approximately every seven minutes for two full hours. Two hours.
And it was completely delicious.
2 - Toasted Coconut Flakes.
We need to talk. These things are epic. Absolutely delicious. Addictive. Irresistible! I first found them in the Tulsa airport, and I now can not travel without buying one or seven bags.
3 - Joel Stein.
He’s a columnist in Time Magazine, and he is the reason I buy Time Magazine.
He’s very, very, very funny.
4 - One Direction.
I’m really sorry, but I can’t deny it. I love the slow songs.
I’M A HARRY FAN!
Yep, Harry Styles and Joel Stein. Makes perfect sense.
5 - Charlie.
I haven’t shared this until now, but Charlie was very sick over the past month. It was scary, but a couple of amazing vets pulled him out of it and he’s doing so well now. And after taking care of him, giving him medicine, babying him, and calling him George for the past four weeks, I can now say that I love the old fella more than ever.
Charlie’s not a dog. He’s the door to my soul.
I realize that might scare my loved ones. But I have to be me.
6 - Cheese.
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Parmesan, Romano, Chevre, St. Andre, Gruyere, Swiss, Havarti, Gouda, Edam, Mozzarella, Brie, Camambert, Port Salut, Feta, Asiago, Cotija, Queso Blanco, Colby, Muenster, Blue, and all other cheeses that exist on this beautiful earth of ours.
7 - True Crime Podcasts.
It’s Serial’s fault, of course, but I have fallen into the world of true crime podcasts. And I can’t get up. I’m listening to one that is quite disturbing (one of you recommended it to me when I mentioned having listened to Serial a few weeks ago) and I’m actually amazed I left my house to go on this trip. It will get inside your head and mess with you and make you only want to watch Sesame Street for the rest of your life.
Though I never really did trust that Snuffleupagus…
8 - Marlboro Man.
He fills up my senses. Like a walk in a forest. Like the mountains in springtime. Like a walk in the rain. Like a storm in the desert. Like a sleepy blue ocean.
9 - John Denver.
Because he wrote “Annie’s Song,” which I played for my kids last week. At first one of them said, “WHAT is THIS?” Then they were all converts.
I love you, John. I miss you.
10 - You.
I just wanted to say thank you for the support you have shown me over the past several weeks (and ten years, for that matter!) Between my product line launching in September and my new cookbook launching two weeks ago, not to mention Alex leaving for college in August, I have appreciated more than ever the comfort of your being here and the kind words you offer.
Love you lots and thank you.
P-Widdy
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.
