I was in the tall grass of the pasture when it happened. I was peering into the dark water of the pond, trying to see if any bass and bream had survived last year’s heat and drought. I threw in a piece of bread and saw tiny minnows rise to it. It lifted my heart. That was when I found myself in the jaws of the flesh-eating Eutrombicula alfreddugesi—the vile chigger, who goes by the alias “red bug....
Officially, the team colors for the Alabama Crimson Tide are crimson (naturally) and white. On football game day in Tuscaloosa, however, it’s crimson and hounds-tooth—a tribute to Alabama legend Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who regularly sported a houndstooth hat back in the day. History, or at least the feeling of familiarity, permeates the Alabama tailgating scene. Fans stake out their regular spots on The Quad and surrounding fields near the stadium and reunite with their football family....
During a pit stop to refuel the car and ourselves, it’s fun to scan the aisles for available snacks and make our final selections as we work our way up to the cash register. Sometimes, we spy the huge jar. Bingo. We found the pickled eggs, a treat that delights or really, really doesn’t. For those of us on Team Pickled Egg, we know that it’s a hearty, tangy, bouncy, and somewhat peculiar snack that never fails to satisfy, and garner opinions, just what we need to fuel us through the next leg of our road trip....
We all wish we could wake up from the nightmare of this year and return to our pre-pandemic lives (now there’s an expression I never thought I’d use). But as with any tough period in life, the lessons of resilience can serve us well. As can margaritas with good friends and some belly laughs, as the runaway Netflix hit Sweet Magnolias has reminded us as of late—even if those gatherings for now are done through the screen of a digital device....
Who doesn’t dream of building their own little abode? Maybe a quaint hideaway in a sleepy beach town or a rustic cabin tucked away in the woods. No matter the location or aesthetic you’re after, the Southern Living House Plans collection is bound to have something up your alley. While the offerings are vast, it’s the tidy little Magnolia Cottage that has us giving all the heart eyes—what’s not to love about a one-story charmer with a smart layout and porches to spare?...
What do you stock up on before a big storm? Probably water, milk, bread, and eggs, right? The essentials. Grocery stores know what to expect when weather forecasts turn dicey and try to have plenty of the aforementioned staples on hand. But what if we told you that Walmart locations also stock up on a certain fruit-flavored pastry? Apparently, strawberry Pop-Tarts are a huge seller before and after big storms....
When it comes to reimagining your space, versatility is key—and what’s more versatile than a rug you can use both indoors and outdoors? Indoor/outdoor rugs are durable, easy to clean, and typically more affordable than natural fiber rugs you can only use indoors. In the case of Birch Lane’s collection of braided indoor/outdoor area rugs, they also come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit any space. Before we look at the wide assortment of positively reviewed indoor/outdoor rugs in Birch Lane’s collection, let’s get down to brass tacks about what exactly makes indoor/outdoor rugs a solid investment....
I certainly know that shelling out money on a craft latte every week is not economically sound. My dad taught me better when it comes to budgeting my money, and I bit the hard truth that artisanal coffeeshops were not in the cards for me. I started to think that lattes were for the put-together Sally Sues, the ones who leave their house early so that they can pull up to a Starbucks on a weekday morning and order their “usual....
Part of being a dad is having to put up with all the jokes your family makes about your hilariously bad dad jokes, quirky dad hobbies, and questionable dad fashion choices. Any one of those is enough to garner “total dad move” status and some teasing from the kids. Yet in some weird twist of fate, we found something that encompasses all three of those dad-specific things. So basically, you’re toast, Pops....
Easter may still be a month away, but one Florida neighborhood has more than enough Peter Cottontails to celebrate the holiday for years to come. In Azalea Park, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, bunnies abound—and it’s becoming a bit of a problem. Alicia Branoff, adoption and foster coordinator for Orlando Rabbit Care & Adoptions, said the neighborhood’s bunny invasion likely started back in November with someone dumping a couple of domestic rabbits....
Midway between Austin and Houston, you’ll find Brenham, Texas, a small town in Washington County where past meets present in a quaint yet thriving setting. Brenham’s downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is full of picturesque buildings that date to the 1860s. And the town is home to arguably the best ice cream in the country, Blue Bell Creameries. Stroll the historic streets for a bit of shopping and entertainment, or head out to nearby Chappell Hill historic charm and some time outdoors....
Bright orange and full of beta-carotene, sweet potatoes make a wonderfully tasty addition to any diet. Cubed in soups, added to salads, or simply by themselves, this complex carbohydrate is a great source of energy for your body. But there’s just one problem: If you cut into your sweet potato and see it seeping a milky white substance, you may change your mind about your meal. What Is That White Ooze on My Sweet Potatoes?...
Oysters tell stories. The narrative begins as each is pried open, shucked from its shell, and slid into a waiting mouth. There, you’ll taste hints of where it grew, how many times the farmer touched and tumbled it, the salinity of the water, food consumed, weather endured. All of it’s there, the story of the farmer, their life, their home, and the hours on the water tending their crop. Oyster trails, a new leg of culinary travel, invite visitors to learn about the deep history of these rural, coastal communities, see working oyster farms, and sample the briny bivalves at restaurants who support them....
There’s nothing like a good old fashioned holiday light display, and Christmas lights in Dallas and the Fort Worth area are home to some of the best in the nation. Whether you’re looking to rove around the city’s festive neighborhoods or take a magical motorcoach ride, these fabulous light exhibitions andDallas Christmas events are perfect for the whole family. Christmas Tour of Lights The Christmas Tour of Lights drive-through features more than half a million flashing lights – making it one of North Texas’ longest animated shows....
This is a safe space, so be honest when you answer this question: when was the last time you cleaned your spice jars? Even those of us who find the time to clean the exterior of the fridge once a week and the folks who wouldn’t dream of going to bed with a sink full of dishes may not think to wipe down the paprika after making a pot of dirty rice....
Wynonna Judd remembered her late mother on social media Sunday—her first Mother’s Day without her mom and longtime musical collaborator, Naomi Judd. “I miss her,” the singer wrote alongside an old family photo of herself and her younger sister, actress Ashley Judd, in Naomi’s arms. Naomi, one half of the Grammy-winning duo The Judds, died on April 30th after a prolonged battle with severe depression and anxiety. Her tragic and unexpected death came just one day before The Judds were set to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame....
Pumpkin pie and Thanksgiving go hand-in-hand. What’s a meal without a slice for dessert? There are so many great pumpkin pie recipes to try, one is bound to end up on the table in your Thanksgiving feast. But making a pumpkin pie can be tricky, even with an easy recipe, especially if you’ve never tried before. We are here to change that. We spoke with pastry chefs and baking experts who have made pies countless times....
Most of the time when we check up on Ree Drummond’s Instagram account, we’re used to seeing snapshots of perfect Oklahoma sunsets from her Pawhuska, Oklahoma, ranch, close-ups of delectable recipes, or adorable photos of her husband Ladd. Yesterday, however, the vistas were looking a little different than the flatlands of Oklahoma. As part of 24-hour takeover for the #sharethemicfoodandbev campaign, Asheville, North Carolina chef, Ashleigh Shanti, brought Drummond’s fans to the Blue Ridge Mountains as part of a program designed to elevate the voices of Black women in the food and beverage community....
A DJ in Asheville, North Carolina, spins beats so good even wild black bears come running. The Citizen Times reports that back in October, part-time DJ Jody Flemming was spinning for a livestream dance party when a black bear showed up at his front door. We can only assume he was hoping to shake what his mama gave him one last time before hibernation. In a viral video (below), the large bear can be seen appearing at Flemming’s storm door....
The Corolla Wild Horse Fund is once again pleading with visitors to follow the rules. Earlier this week, the non-profit organization that cares for the herd of wild horses that roam the Outer Banks shared a photo on Facebook showing several people standing atop a sand dune in close proximity to at least two of the animals. “Folks, this is not ok,” the fund pleads alongside the photo. “These people are too close to the horses and they’re damaging our dunes....
