Category Archives: Pioneer Woman

Just give me a home, where the buffalo roam…

A few weekends ago, the Senator and I woke up at dark thirty and headed North to the Tallgrass Prairie in Osage County for a little adventure. About this time each year, the Nature Conservancy rounds up the “Bison” who live on the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve to get an accurate head count, provide them with vaccinations and tag any newborns who were born during the year. In order to keep the numbers manageable for the land, some are then sold at auction (think bison burgers) and others donated to Native American tribes up North who also herd these animals on their land. The fate of each individual bison is based on their sex and age when they are rounded up annually and their tag is scanned as they go through the chute.

It was a very high tech operation, but it’s not a very pleasant process to watch. And, they give you that disclaimer right up front! The first bison I watched come through the chute had lost his horn and there was a lot of blood. I don’t have a picture of that.

If you noticed I swapped out the word buffalo for bison there’s a reason for that! The animals who roam the great plains of North America are technically called “Bison,” while the term “buffalo” refers to the Water Buffalo found in Southeast Asia. I’m not sure I knew that distinction, but then, this road trip was already a learning adventure! The folks at the Nature Conservancy shared so much information with us about the Tallgrass Prairie and their efforts to restore the land and its inhabitants back to the original factory conditions, it felt like we earned college credit.

It was fascinating to watch the process. It was also windy and cold up on the prairie but not for the bison. They are equipped with the thickest of coats.

A huge shout out to the folks at the Nature Conservancy for sharing their admirable work with the public and to my dad, for arranging our educational field trip. Ending the day in Pawhuska truly iced the cake. Especially when you befriend a cute dog at the local watering hole.

If you’re looking for a fun activity in northern Oklahoma, not far from the Pioneer Woman’s Mercantile and Pawhuska, take a drive through the tall grass prairie where you might catch a glimpse of the American Bison who reside there.

Famous Friends

When your oldest and dearest friend gets inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, you have no choice but to get all dressed up and go watch!

Such a well deserved accolade for my famous BFF. Despite being a celebrity and constantly in the public eye, she is oh, so humble. I am honestly surprised (but thrilled) she accepted the recognition. All of Oklahoma, but especially the town of Pawhuska, are proud and honored to call you friend!

Friendsgiving

There is nothing quite like getting to spend time with your oldest and dearest friends. The kind of friends you have known forever, literally since birth, but don’t necessarily get to see as much as you’d like in person because you live a couple hundred miles apart….or, one of them is kinda famous.

Thank goodness for modern technology and social media that keep us all connected, but nothing can take the place of special face to face friend time. Even if it was in front of a camera….

Yep. Last week, I filmed a little “Friendsgiving” episode for The Pioneer Woman’s show on the Food Network, up on her ranch. I’m not sure how much filming took place, because the three of us just laughed, talked and reminisced about old stories while the cameras were rolling. (I am sure the crew was thoroughly entertained!)

The three of us have all known and loved each other since birth and that is just what happens when we get together. I’m sure our parents (who have also known each other forever) are so proud!

I love this pic of Beccus and Ree. I think the crew might have been a little frustrated with us…or not. Or, maybe they just needed a little of the champagne cocktail…..

Nonetheless, we attempted to help our BFF cook a meal in front of those cameras while catching up on each other’s lives behind the scenes.

This was my dish, a roasted Kale-Brussel Sprout salad. It was delish!

Ree knew not to entrust me with anything too complex or that contained raw meat…she knows me so well! Haha.

We also had some pretty hors douvres and a champagne cocktail that was very festive and perfect for a holiday gathering.

Ree handed me that loaded cracker (pictured above) which I so glamorously fumbled with in front of the cameras….so, I did what any polite girl would do and hid it behind the cutting board. Shhh don’t tell. Totally akward trying to talk and laugh among friends with goat cheese and paprika stuck in your teeth….just saying!

I love this pic of Beccus. We met up the night before for dinner in Bartlesville and stopped by the new PW Mercantile on our way to the ranch.

I can’t wait for this hot spot in Pawhuska to open!

We also dropped in on the warehouse where all the merchandise is being stored until it can move into the Merc. Such an exciting time for this town and my BFF.