This summer has presented its share of difficulties for Ree Drummond and her family. In a recent heartfelt post on her popular Pioneer Woman blog, the beloved Food Network star shared insights into the demanding season her husband, Ladd Drummond, has faced on their Oklahoma ranch.
“Ladd has had…a busy, slightly rough summer. I think I say this ever [sic] year, but the work, the early mornings, the unrelenting grind, the exhaustion…it has been a little much,” Ree confessed in her blog. She humorously noted that these were her observations, as Ladd himself would likely downplay it, simply stating it’s “what he does and it’s part of life.”
The relentless demands of ranch work this summer have taken such a toll that Ree even admitted to questioning their capacity to continue at this pace. “A couple of weeks ago, after watching him limp inside, covered in dust and blood after a particularly long day, I actually said the words, ‘I don’t think we can do this anymore.’ It was partly in jest, but also maybe a little bit not,” she revealed, highlighting the genuine concern she felt for Ladd’s well-being.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(756×210:758×212)/ree-ladd-drummond-instagram2-081224-778ec065e36b4958bd0114a1adbfaedf.jpg)
Ree and Ladd Drummond. Ree Drummond/Instagram
Ree further elaborated on her worries, saying, “How much harder can you work, how much longer can you do this, are you okay, is what I was really thinking.” Her blog post, which was primarily a joyful recap of her daughter Paige’s surprise engagement, offered a glimpse into the realities of ranch life and the Drummond family’s ability to find joy amidst hardship.
She reflected on how these moments of celebration help balance the tougher times. “So to see him smiling and walking around and enjoying the celebration of his second child and the man she’s gonna marry…well, it made me feel a little better about things. 😂” Ree wrote, adding with a touch of optimism, “And summer will be over soon!”
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(734×222:736×224)/ree-ladd-drummond-instagram-081224-2597bc5be20a42ccadc580cb04cacc6f.jpg)
Ree and Ladd Drummond. Ree Drummond/Instagram
The engagement of Paige, 24, to her boyfriend David Andersen on August 4th, marked a significant family event. Interestingly, the last Drummond family wedding celebration also coincided with a challenging time for Ladd. During the lead-up to their eldest daughter Alex’s wedding, Ladd was involved in a serious truck collision with his nephew, Caleb, while responding to a fire on their property. This accident resulted in Ladd breaking his neck in two places and required him to wear a neck brace at Alex’s wedding.
Adding a positive dynamic to the ranch, Paige has returned to work full-time since January. Ree shared in a June interview with PEOPLE, “It’s really great to have her home.” While Paige isn’t living at the main family home, she resides in the former residence of Ree’s in-laws in town. “She is actually living in town,” Ree clarified, “in the house that was my in-laws’ house. So it’s kind of nice that we still have that house, hadn’t sold it and so she’s moved in and made it her own.” Ladd’s father Chuck (Pa-Pa) passed away in 2022, and his mother Nan in 2018.
Ree emphasized that Paige’s return to the ranch might not be 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 or think about it too far in advance,” Ree explained. “I love that she’s here. She’s the first of our kids to really come back and work on the ranch full time.”
In a May blog post on The Pioneer Woman website, Ree humorously mentioned Paige enduring the hardships of ranch work, “getting banged up, scratched, bruised, and clobbered.” Despite the demanding nature of the work, Ree proudly told PEOPLE that Paige is more than capable. “She’s very strong, not just physically, but she’s got a pretty strong heart and personality, so it’s fun to watch her kind of jump in and learn the ropes — not as Ladd’s kid, but as one of the cowboys basically. Cowgirls, I should say,” she laughed, highlighting Paige’s integration into the ranch workforce.
