“Over time, I’ve slowly learned to accept the fact that I am technically considered a celebrity … if I am one, I don’t have a single clue what one is.”
I probably first heard about The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, by watching her on The Food Network. Back in 2011, someone told me I should read her book From High Heels to Tractor Wheels. I didn’t pick it up until 2014, but after reading it, I was hooked. The way she told the story of her meeting her husband was through the voice of a superb storyteller.
Along the way, I’ve bought her cookbooks, seen her at two book signings and introduced her show to my children. I have just a few degrees of separation from her – my cousin’s mother-in-law wrote for Ree’s blog for many years and calls her a friend. When I heard she was coming out with another book about ranch life, Frontier Follies, I immediately added it to my to-read pile. I would have pre-ordered it myself, but since it came out close to Christmas, I put it on my Christmas list and got it as a present from my children.
Frontier Follies is full of short chapters discussing just about every aspect of Ree’s life on the ranch. I learned how many cattle they actually have, that Ree does the dishes when she and Ladd argue and that they have a foster son. The book is divided into sections covering marriage, motherhood, family, country life and life during the pandemic. Written in Ree’s easy style, it feels like she’s sitting at your dining room table telling you her stories.
Frontier Follies is an easy read and could be read in a couple days or in short bits over many months. I laughed out loud many times and had to share some of the stories with whomever was sitting nearby. I do hope to get to Pawhuska someday and see her ranch.
What is your favorite aspect of The Pioneer Woman? Share in the comments.