Twenty-one. I like the second photo because it captures her in a natural moment and it's how I see her. I like the first photo because her smile lights up my world. Always has. Happy birthday, Alex! ❤️

I've got my mom glasses on, but that's okay 'cause I've got Paige by my side. The clock is ticking until she leaves for college. Just a little over six weeks. I'm measuring every single moment. Minutes have taken on a whole new meaning. At dinner last night, Alex asked me if I was ready for Paige to go. The two-man band in the restaurant's lounge was singing "You've Got a Friend" (the James Taylor version) and, well...a thousand tiny needles attacked my nose. I pulled it together but it was a close call. No more questions in public places, Alex! This stuff is hard, friends.

Did you know there's a brand new episode of The Pioneer Woman on Food Network nearly every Saturday morning? YOU DIDN'T?!?!?! WHAAAAAAT?!!?? 😱😱😱 Just kidding. I don't expect you to know these things about me. I'm just your local red-headed banana loather who can still put her ankles behind her head from her old ballet days, after all. Why would you be expected to keep tabs on my TV schedule? But now that you know, you should tune in! It starts at 10 am Eastern time, there are plenty of cowboys and dogs, and you'll get to gaze upon my dirty pickup in one out of every three episodes. And tomorrow, you'll get to see me make these treats!! There is absolutely zero excuse for them.💃🏼

Hotel bathroom ballet selfies on National Selfie Day. Regarding photos 2 and 3, I want to be @theballerina when I grow up (follow her on Instagram, I love her so, so much). The only reason I'm not launching into a full arabesque in this doorway is that I'm afraid my jeans would split, and that's a mom selfie my teenagers would never forgive. Or my back would split or something. Plus, I don't want to show off or anything. Oh, and if mom selfies, hotel bathroom selfies, or ballet selfies are not your cup of tea, I included a necklace selfie at the end. I'm a people pleaser; I like to provide a little something for everyone! Except banana-eating selfies. Ain't ever happenin'. Bye.

In public I call him Henry. Behind closed doors I call him Festus or Schlumpers, depending on how cute he is being at that moment, and whether he has stolen one of my socks. I mean one of Ladd's socks, because my socks are actually Ladd's socks. I love marriage.

This is like the movie Inception. I'm posting about The Merc, which is posting about The Boarding House. But the end result is fun! And now I want to watch Inception. ("There's the kick, Ariadne! You have to go now!!!!") I love movies.

I had the idea to take these two photos and create a nifty and funny GIF, so I downloaded a GIF app. It took several minutes to download. Then I uploaded the two photos to the app, created a GIF, and adjusted the speed so that it looked like the cow was wagging her tail really fast and looking sassy. It made me smile. I wanted it to make you smile. Then I went to save the GIF so that I could post it on Instagram, and found out the app wanted me to pay $9.99 a month for the rest of my life for the privilege of saving this one GIF. So I deleted the app and decided just to upload the two photos separately and ask you to manually swipe back and forth between them instead. Please do it really fast, though, so that the last twenty minutes of my life will not be in vain. Thank you for going on this journey with me.

Ladd with Alex. In his first days of fatherhood. ❤️ He loved our babies. (Still does.)

Father, father-in-law, husband. I love these three men and celebrate the mark they have made on my and my children's lives. Happy Father's Day! ❤️

I mean...

He carried a watermelon last Fourth of July. This year on the Fourth, he'll carry many more. Come to Pawhuska, America on July 4 for an all-day celebration complete with street vendors, delicious food, live music, fun activities, and a massive fireworks display at dusk courtesy of Ladd, his brother Tim, and the cowboys. We will have such a great time! In closing, I'm so glad watermelons exist. 🇺🇸 ❤️ 🍉

Is there anything sweeter than a gentle dog? Drummond Lodge tours have been going on this month, which means sweet ol' Walter is getting a constant stream of attention. Kids love the floppy fellow. (And the feeling is mutual.)

I can't tell if he wants me to come pet him...or if he's daring me to touch Ladd's boot. Or if he would like some scrambled eggs. This is the mystery of a Basset Hound stare.

P-Town Pizza.🍕I think we're gonna open next week if we can push ourselves over the finish line. In other news, this might not have been the best time to take a break from carbs...😱😱😱

I wish that grumpy ol' bear would quit being mean to that nice little seahorse.

I'm on the cover of the new issue of People this week, but I wanted to share this photo from the article itself, because on the cover it's just me, but in the article it's Ladd and me, which is how it should be. (Poet and didn't know it!) The story is about the projects we have going on in our hometown, and here's a fun fact: My beloved was poking my ribs while we were getting this photo taken (note the position of his hand) and I was trying to smile and maintain composure while also plotting my revenge. (Which came swiftly, I assure you.) Thank you to People for coming to Pawhuska, and thank you to the wonderful Kayt Jones for taking our photo! (And for putting up with us...) ❤️

I went to town early this morning to drop Bryce at football practice, and on my way back home I had to stop and snap a pic of The Pioneer Woman Mercantile sign. The morning light was so pretty and we weren't quite open yet, which was fortunate considering I was basically wearing my pajamas. 💃🏼 We are having so much fun at The Merc over the next month: Ladd and I opened the Drummond Lodge back up for free tours (you can take a picnic and make it a fun side trip), our little pizza joint is opening across the street in a week or two, and the shop at The Merc is getting in some pretty new things. Oh, and there are cupcakes. Lots and lots of cupcakes. 🤠

I had the darnedest time giving this recipe, which I cooked yesterday, a name. But to paraphrase Shakespeare (or, more accurately, Juliet): "What is in a name? That which we call a chicken dinner by any other words would taste as dang good!" I love paraphrasing. Here is the step-by-step recipe! It's kind of low-carb. Ish. http://thepioneerwoman.com/…/creamy-spinach-and-red-pepper…/