This summer has presented its challenges for Ree Drummond and her family, as the известная Food Network star shared insights into a demanding period for her husband, Ladd, on their Oklahoma ranch.
In a candid post on her Pioneer Woman blog, Ree Drummond opened up about Ladd’s relentless work schedule and its impact. She described the summer as “busy, slightly rough,” emphasizing the “unrelenting grind, the exhaustion” that Ladd has faced. Ree clarified that these were her observations, as Ladd himself would likely downplay it, attributing it to the nature of his work and ranch life.
The intensity of the work led Ree to express concern about its sustainability. She recounted a moment of questioning whether they could continue at this pace, prompted by seeing Ladd’s physical exhaustion after a long day. “I don’t think we can do this anymore,” she admitted saying, highlighting the toll the ranch work was taking.
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Ree and Ladd Drummond, pictured at a public event, illustrating their strong partnership amidst life’s challenges.
Ree’s blog post, primarily a joyful recap of her daughter Paige’s recent engagement, also touched upon the family’s ability to find joy amidst трудности. She noted how witnessing Ladd celebrating Paige’s engagement provided a sense of relief and optimism, a reminder of life’s brighter moments even during tough times. “So to see him smiling and walking around and enjoying the celebration of his second child…well, it made me feel a little better about things,” she wrote, adding a hopeful “And summer will be over soon!”
Paige Drummond, 24, got engaged to David Andersen on August 4th. The engagement brought back memories of another significant family event, older daughter Alex’s wedding, which coincided with a serious health incident for Ladd.
Leading up to Alex’s wedding, Ladd was involved in a truck collision with his nephew Caleb while responding to a fire on their property. The accident resulted in Ladd breaking his neck in two places. Despite the severe injury, he was determined to attend Alex’s wedding, wearing a neck brace throughout the celebration. This past health scare underscores the physical risks inherent in ranch work and the Drummond family’s resilience in facing adversity.
These days, Ladd has welcomed support on the ranch from Paige, who returned full-time in January. Ree mentioned in a June interview with PEOPLE that having Paige back home has been “really great.”
While Paige has moved into her grandparents’ former house in town, Ree clarified that her return to the ranch is not necessarily permanent. “In terms of how long she’ll stay or whether it’ll be a period of her life or forever, we’re not really trying to predict,” Ree explained. She appreciates Paige’s presence and contribution to the ranch, highlighting that Paige is the first of their children to return and work full-time on the family business.
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A candid ranch photo of Ree and Ladd Drummond, capturing their everyday life and the partnership they share in their family business.
In a May Pioneer Woman blog post, Ree acknowledged the demanding nature of Paige’s work, noting she’s “getting banged up, scratched, bruised, and clobbered.” However, Ree emphasized Paige’s strength and capability, telling PEOPLE, “She’s very strong, not just physically, but she’s got a pretty strong heart and personality.” Ree admires Paige’s dedication to learning the ropes of ranch work, not just as Ladd’s daughter but as “one of the cowgirls.”
Ree Drummond’s recent updates provide a glimpse into the realities of ranch life and the Drummond family’s enduring spirit. While Ladd faces the ongoing demands of ranch work, the family finds joy in milestones like Paige’s engagement and strength in facing challenges together.