Our Peaceful Pond Is One of My Favorite Spots on the Ranch
It's a place of calm for me.
I have to be honest: When the kids were young, I hated the pond near our house. It was a constant reminder of the dangers that country kids face (the same fear of drowning my mother-in-law, Nan, had for her three boys). But as my kids grew older, learned to swim, and could keep themselves safe, the pond became a place of calm for me. Because it’s directly east of our house, the sun rises over the pond each day—and this is the main view from our living room, where I have my morning coffee. On still mornings, the pink/orange/red sky is perfectly reflected in the water, so it looks like two separate sunrises.
It’s soul-centering! Once I grew to appreciate it, I realized there was so much to learn from living next to this pond. It was here that I taught my kids about the earth’s water cycle, pond creatures, and even drought—now they can gauge how dry the whole ranch is by how full the pond looks. Major memories happened here, too. The pond is where, in 2003, I told Ladd I was pregnant with Todd. It is also where Ladd told me his intentions to name our fourth baby Bull (thank God he forgot about that one!). While much has changed since then, I can always count on the sun rising here every morning.
Take a look back at some of my favorite photos of this peaceful place.
Bonding Time
Just when I thought the pond couldn’t get any more stunning!
Serene Scene
In winter, the pond freezes over. It’s magical!
Pup Central
Generations of dogs (including our sweet late Nell) have loved this spot.
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.
Ree Drummond Didn't Wear These Until She Met Ladd
You Have to See This Photo of a 'Ranch Rabbit'
Alex Reveals Her Favorite Detail from Her Wedding
Alex Is Officially Back in the Saddle!
