This summer has presented its own unique set of challenges for Ree Drummond and her family. In a candid post on her popular Pioneer Woman blog, the beloved Food Network personality shared insights into the demanding summer her husband, Ladd, has experienced on their Oklahoma ranch.
“Ladd has had…a busy, slightly rough summer. I think I say this every year, but the work, the early mornings, the unrelenting grind, the exhaustion…it has been a little much,” Ree confessed to her readers. She playfully noted that these were her observations, as Ladd himself would likely downplay the difficulties, attributing it simply to “what he does and it’s part of life.”
However, the strain of the season became so palpable that Ree openly questioned the sustainability of their current 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 admitted, highlighting the genuine concern she felt for her husband’s well-being.
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Ree Drummond and Ladd Drummond. Ree Drummond/Instagram
Ree further elaborated on her worries, stating, “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 intended as a joyful recap of her daughter Paige’s surprise engagement, took a moment to acknowledge the less glamorous realities of ranch life and its impact on her family.
She poignantly described how the moments of joy, such as celebrating Paige’s engagement to David Andersen, provide a necessary counterbalance to the hardships. “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. 😂” she wrote, adding a touch of her characteristic humor. “And summer will be over soon!” offering a hopeful glimpse towards a less demanding season.
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Ree and Ladd Drummond. Ree Drummond/Instagram
Paige Drummond, 24, got engaged on August 4th, marking another happy occasion for the Drummond family. The engagement announcement comes a few years after Ladd’s serious health scare during their elder daughter Alex’s wedding preparations. Ladd was involved in a truck collision with his nephew Caleb while responding to a fire, resulting in a broken neck in two places. He had to wear a neck brace at Alex’s wedding, a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of ranch work.
Currently, Ladd receives significant support on the ranch from Paige, who returned full-time in January. Ree shared in a June interview with PEOPLE, “It’s really great to have her home.” Paige resides in the former home of Ree’s in-laws, Chuck (who passed away in 2022) and Nan (who passed in 2018), keeping a piece of family history alive.
While Paige’s long-term plans are still open, Ree cherishes having her daughter back on the ranch. “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.”
Ree had previously mentioned in a May blog post on The Pioneer Woman blog that Paige faces the physical challenges of ranch work head-on, “getting banged up, scratched, bruised, and clobbered.” Despite the demanding nature of the work, Ree proudly told PEOPLE about Paige’s resilience: “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 added with a laugh, underscoring Paige’s capable integration into the ranch workforce and providing Ladd with much-needed assistance during these demanding times.
