I blame Ree Drummond

My house may not be sparkling clean for our holiday visitors. My laundry is already piling up. All that baking I plan to get done before Christmas (so I should be starting on it right now)? Nope.

Because today is my birthday. 

Of course, that normally wouldn't cause too much disruption in the everyday routine. I would normally still be doing all my housework and chores and staying on task and focused. 

But, today my husband left me a present on the kitchen table before he left for work. Something I've been hankering for for awhile now....

The Pioneer Woman Cooks!

Yes, some ladies might be excited by jewelry...tickets to the Cayman Islands...but for me...my eyes light up when I see Ree!

 I like to think my husband was really just thinking of a gift he knew his lovely wife would adore. But he may have been thinking that he should get me my own copies before I get us banned from the only store around here for spending too much time in their book aisle wistfully studying these! 

Either way, I haven't gotten much done around here today besides intently reading every recipe and story...and those pictures! So today I blame my unproductive-ness on The Pioneer Woman! 

In just a few more minutes I'm going to get to work...

Do you have any of her books? If you do, what is your favorite recipe from it?