The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels–A Love Story ***.*
by Ree Drummond
An Edible Book Review inspired by Jain at Food for Thought, a delicious blog for readers with an appetite for the written word.
Okay, so I’m a sucker for a little romance mixed with humor, so this was a great recipe for light reading for Valentine’s Day. A sweet, quick read and funny in true Ree-style for those who are familiar with The Pioneer Woman. While the story is sure to warm the cockles of your heart, there is also plenty of inspiration to warm your belly, with the recipes to be found and included in the back of the book.
From The Pioneer Woman:
“Back in 2007, I started writing the bodice-ripping saga of how I met and married my husband. What started out as a few paragraphs turned into a forty-plus chapter online serial, which concludes on our wedding day. The published version of Black Heels includes the complete online serial (with added material) as well as a whole new section, which documents our entire first year of marriage.”
It also provided me with inspiration to wrangle up a table for a little dish fun for this edible review~
I took my cue from the colors on the book jacket, lassoing and filling some mason jars with flowers, on a foundation of burlap. The bandana-inspired paisley bowls & plates are from Bed, Bath & Beyond.
“Read along as I recount the rip-roaring details of my unlikely romance with a chaps-wearing cowboy, from the early days of our courtship (complete with cows, horses, prairie fire, and passion) all the way through the first year of our marriage, which would be filled with more challenge and strife—and manure—than I ever could have expected.
This isn’t just my love story; it’s a universal tale of passion, romance, and all-encompassing love that sweeps us off our feet.”
“It’s the story of a cowboy.
And Wranglers.
And chaps.
And the girl who fell in love with them.”
“We lived life at entirely different paces. His day began before 5:30 am, and his work was backbreaking, sweaty, grueling. I worked so I’d have something to do during the daylight hours, so I’d have a place to wear my black pumps, and so I could fund a nightlife full of gourmet food and colorful drinks. For Marlboro Man, nightlife meant relaxation, an earned reward for a long day of labor. For me, nightlife meant an opportunity to wear something new and gloss my lips.”
“At times the differences concerned me, Could I ever be with a man who’d never, in his entire life, eaten sushi? Could I, a former vegetarian conceivably spend the rest of my life with a man who ate red meat at every meal?”
“My mind began to race, trying to figure out what it all meant. Do I need to learn how to whittle? Cook fried chicken? Ride a horse? Use a scythe?”
“And children? Oh. Lord.That means we might have children! What will we name them? Travis and Dolly? Oh my gosh. I have children in my future. I could see it plainly in front of me. They’ll be little redheaded children with green eyes just like mine, and they’ll have lots of freckles, too. I’ll have ten of them, maybe eleven. I’ll have to squat in the garden and give birth while picking my okra.”
“Does the world of agriculture have a different chart of wedding anniversary presents? Would the first anniversary be paper. . .or motor oil? Would the second be cotton or Weed Eater string?”
I rustled up some Cowgirl Food straight from the pages of the book. . .
Tagliarini Quattro Formaggi (Four Cheese Pasta)
Recipe here
“We shared each other’s histories while cooking in his kitchen in the country, me whipping out my arsenal of L.A. vegetarian delights with the same pride and enthusiasm that Marlboro Man shared his carnivorous ones.”
And more Cowgirl Food to fortify you~
Chicken Tortilla Soup, recipe here.
Thanks for your visit & to my hostesses, I’m joining:
LOL…sounds like a fun romp! Love the tablescape! The pasta and cheese recipe is one I will certainly try this week!
Chicken tortilla soup is a staple here in Texas. Seriously!
Love the tablescape. The rope lasso on the mason jars ~ clever, clever, clever!
Great review and wonderful offerings for the tummy. Thanks!
~ Sarah
Mary I LOVE your reviews! Your bandanna paisley print dishes are so cute! The four cheese pasta and tortilla soup looks delicious.
I always wonder how Pioneer Woman can do all she can — she must be one powerhouse of energy!
I just wrote a book review post and will link it here on your blog March 1. Thanks so much!
♥ Pat
I’m a sucker for tablescapes, now I guess I have to look through all of your posts because I’m in heaven :)
~One Big Mix
I love this review , beautiful , colorful, delicious…These bowls and plates are classy and cheerful at the same time !The tablescape is wonderful with all these flowers and COLORS ! I love, love the colors of the post ! Thanks Mary !
Can you believe that my husband is the one that clued me in on the Pioneer Woman? He found out about Ree’s blog and let me know about it. I wasn’t even a blogger then! I am loving your reviews, and especially your tables ;o)
I have read her love story on line and she is really clever and fun! What a romance. Your table is a great tribute to her and her wonderful blog. Hope she gets a chance to see it too. Loved all of the food and now I am starving! I would have a bowl of that Tortilla soup right now!
Cute cute table, the rope is adorable. MMMMMMM good!
Now I would love to read that book being that I’m married to a man who wears cowboys boots and I was raised in Europe.. Your table is a delight. I love the colors and the flowers wow, it just all looks great together. Wrapping the jars with rope is way cool! Loved this post.
I would love to read her book.
The table? It’s fantastic. I saw those great paisley dishes at BBB and coveted them. I just knew that they would set a fabulous table, and I was right. I love the napkins and the way you perched them on the bowls. Using all the rope was perfect. You always do such great tables.
how adorable is this… i debated about this book, but since i am not allowed to shop for 3 months i have it simmering on the back burner, i have to say seeing it thru your eyes is much more fun! i love all your country crisp colors, so fresh and clean for this time of year. the flowers are just a flood of vibrant color~
your food is scrumptious… love the colors there too, i am eating so bland these days… that soup would be perfect here today, cold, hail and stormy all week, i would love to slurp me down some pronto~
i can’t wait to shrink and shop!
Not only does this book look like a lot of fun, but your post is adorable. Love the paisley plates.
– The Tablescaper
What a fun ride through Ree Drummond’s book on your post. I have read most of her story on her blog and it is fun. Love the rope on the mason jars and the paisley plates and bowls. Joni
Beautiful table!! With flowers like that can spring be far away??? Sounds like a fun book.
Love the paisley dishes!
Fabulously creative table, Mary. Love those rope wrapped jars as vases.
Beautiful table! The paisley is wonderful. The mason jars as vases was a genius idea. The colors were just perfect!
You are so creative. I would never conceive an idea like that and I so enjoyed everything. Did you do the napkin rings too. I’m sure Ree Drummond would love to sit down at your table. I have her cookbook and hubby loves her food.
You have such a creative mind! Thank you for sharing a wonderful tablescape and story! I love your dishes and the mason jars used as vases. This is fabulous..the recipes sound yummie too! Blessings My Friend,
Well done!As always..cute cute cute..hope she sees this!
I absolutely LOVE this blog post! Your table is just beautiful, I love all of your dishes, and I’m going to use your idea of tying rope around Mason jars and using them as flower vases. I appreciated, as well, your write-up on the book. I’ve been clicking my way through the various links down the side and was able to marvel at your other book-related posts. I enjoyed them all, and particularly appreciated the warning about The Christmas Cookie Club as it sounded like it would be perfect for the holidays, but I see now how it really would not! I’ll be visiting again!
Love that table setting! Those paisiley dishes are great!
Wow, your chicken soup looks delicious! I bet 1 bowl can warm me from inside out! Yum…
Amy
http://utry.it
Wow! Your post is so creative! I love how you tied the book review, recipes, and tabelscape so exquisitely! (oh…also…I also love the photo of your two cute pups in the photo “Boating with Dogs”.)
Blessings & Aloha!
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and for your kind comment. Oh yes, It can be real hot and humid here :o) So good to hear that despite the sweltering summer temp (:o) you enjoyed your time in Savannah.
(Oh! one last thing…I had commented back on your Nov post about the Southern Living Big Book of Christmas…well…just had to let you know that I did purchase a copy of it :o) Thanks for sharing your reviews!
Delightful in every way and I find it unnecessary to say more than that!
A wonderful post, breathtaking photo’s as usual, full of colour and wonderful recipes. I follow the pioneer woman…one of my favourites..you’ve done a beautiful book review -A buzz of your creativity. x
Ree Drummond is an Oklahoma treasure, and I love seeing your tablescape review. The paisley dinnerware is quite appealing….I see a trip to BBnB in my immediate future. Thank you for sharing your darling design. Sincerely Yours, Cherry Kay
Love the tablescapes in this one Mary! The colors are beautiful color and I wil have to check out Ree’s book!!
I love it! I picked up on PW back in the early days when she was writing “Black Heels” and was posting about Homeschooling, Photography, Marlboro Man and just starting with food. I’ll have to make sure I pick up a copy soon! Your table setting and menu choices are fabulous!
Mary those dishes are just beautiful and this is such a colorful fun table! How did I miss this post? Both meals look great and totally different! Thanks so much for linking up to the Cook-Along:@)
I love Ree’s writing style. It’s as if you are sitting at the kitchen table having coffee with her.
Love those cute jars..:))
The pasta and soup both sound delicious. I’ve not made anything from her book or blog that wasn’t wonderful.
Very cute table setting.
Hi Mary, This is such a wonderful post! I’ve been scrolling up and down looking at the food and the TABLE!! I used the same flatware–thought it was perfect for the pioneers! But your dishes, the burlap runner, the flowers–absolutely perfect. I would love to dine at this table! Thank you for the pictures, ideas and recipes! Linda
Gorgeous table and quite a tribute to Pioneer Woman.
This table is lovely and the soup looks oh-so-yummy! This is a beautiful post.
Beth