Pioneer Woman Spring 2022

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love flowers. I have early memories of hearing words like “begonia,” “petunia” and “geranium” and associating them with the gorgeous blooms in my mom’s terra-cotta patio pots. When my parents let me choose a wallpaper for my room in sixth grade, I went straight for a white floral pattern on a soft taupe background; I’d give anything to find that wallpaper today! And in college, long before my own line of floral clothing was even a twinkle in my eye, I wore bright floral Adrienne Vittadini knit sets while my sorority sisters were rocking acid-wash Guess jeans and black leather jackets. A few years later, when Ladd and I were engaged and it came time to register for china, I was like…

Feature Photographer Ralph Smith @ralphsmithphoto Ralph recently moved back to Minnesota after 12 years in NYC. He shot many of the food stories for this issue, including “Ree’s Family Meals” (page 50), “Cowboys or Cowgirls” (page 62) and “Pretty Peas!” (page 64). Writer Maya Meredith @yungggarlic An avid cookbook collector, Maya loved interviewing experts for “The Return of the Recipe Card” (page 37). Read more of her writing in her Substack newsletter “The Kitchen Review of Books.” Florist Bobby Ware @thefleuriste Bobby is the lead florist at Oklahoma City’s The Fleuriste—and one of the people responsible for the incredible flowers at Alex Drummond’s wedding! Pick up some of his pro tips on page 31. Writer @monicamwillis Though Monica wrote many pieces in this issue, her favorite assignment was researching the work of Native…

What do you like most about having the kids be your film crew?—Keagan Schmidt, Hopkins, MN Getting to see them in a different light! I would never have had the opportunity to get to know my daughter Alex’s husband, Mauricio, as well as I did if not for him helping film my show. I also got to know my nephew Stuart as an older kid/young adult. At a time when college classes were out and the world was in such upheaval, it gave us an outlet and a constructive project that we got to work on together. And it fed them! It served a dual purpose. What type of birds do you usually see on the ranch?—Tara Augenstein, Rochester, NY Finches! I don’t currently have bird feeders on the ranch, but in years…

One night my daughter Alex and I met for dinner while I was visiting her in Texas, and we both wore our hair up in “chip clips”—at least that’s what I grew up calling them. I realize that just might be another Gen X term that I refuse to give up, much like “ponytail holder” (which is the only acceptable name for a circular elastic hair accessory). But no matter what you call these clips, I think we can all agree that they are pretty darn awesome when you want to quickly put your hair up and still look pulled together. Here’s a little tutorial, and some fun clips you can find online! What’s That? Everyone seems to have a different name for these clips! Here are your responses from a recent…

Updo Pull your hair back as if you were about to put it in a low ponytail. With one hand, twist your hair and pull it up against your head. Secure with a large clip so the ends of your hair fall over the top of the clip. Half-Up Brush your hair back behind your shoulders. Pull a small section of hair from both temples toward the back of your head. Secure together with a medium clip. Loose Bun Pull your hair back as if you were about to put it in a high or low ponytail. With one hand, twist your hair and coil it around itself. Fasten it at the end with a small clip.…

For centuries, Native Americans have used colorful glass beads to beautify all sorts of everyday items: moccasins, saddles, clothing. But the Indigenous artists working today are hardly stuck in the past. They’re making stunning jewelry that builds on designs passed down from their ancestors, and many have gained huge followings on Instagram and Etsy in the process. If you love this style of beaded jewelry, consider buying pieces directly from Native American artists. You’ll get the real deal, plus you’ll be helping to keep these artistic cultural traditions alive. Veronica Pipestem Veronica, who lives on Oklahoma’s Osage reservation, works as a museum archivist, so she’s all about creating jewelry that will stand the test of time. “Because of my preservation work, I’m picky about producing pieces that look delicate but are made…