Posts

In this week’s episode, Sid Evans talks to Mickey Guyton about her journey from struggling musician to being the first Black woman to perform solo on the ACM’s. Plus her grandmother’s cornbread and how she first met one of her heroes, Dolly Parton. ​To say Texas native Mickey Guyton is having a big 2020 would be an understatement. Written over a year ago, her song “Black Like Me” has gained a massive following, and the week of our interview, Mickey had just made history as the first Black woman to ever perform solo at the ACM Awards....

Assateague Island is mourning the loss of its oldest equine resident, a Chincoteague pony known as Wild Thing. The Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company announced last week that the 25-year-old wild pony had “joined the big herd in the sky.” “In 25 years he fathered many many foals… He was also a constant sight for many boat tours that traveled to his home territory to see the ponies,” the volunteer fire company wrote on Facebook....

This week, Chris Stapleton, Dwight Yoakam and Tyler Childers all got together for a good show—and a good cause. The country legends were all on hand for Kentucky Rising, a benefit concert designed to help raise funds for flood relief after historic rainfall caused a massive flash flood that devastated the eastern half of the state in July of this year. The three country stars, who all hail from the Bluegrass State, put on an incredible show, according to the Lexington Herald Leader, who had the good fortune of attending the concert....

Word came last week that the Southern barbecue world will soon be losing a classic. Johnny Harris Barbecue in Savannah, Georgia, which we profiled in our celebration of A Half Century of Barbecue and for their rare offering of barbecued lamb, will be closing its doors this Saturday, May 28th, ending a run that spanned more than 90 years. Johnny Harris started serving slow-cooked pork in 1924 in a combination barbecue joint and speakeasy on East Victory Drive....

You haven’t experienced the true beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains until you’ve witnessed a sunrise over Gatlinburg. This fall, Gatlinburg SkyLift Park is inviting guests to observe the most magical time of day with the Smoky Mountain Sunrise event. On Wednesdays through October 26, 2022, VIP ticket holders will be able to board the SkyLift before dawn, enjoy live music on the SkyDeck, and have a complimentary breakfast and coffee before watching a sunrise over the Smoky Mountains and the city of Gatlinburg....

If you’re hosting a bridal or baby shower for a loved one, you’ll want to make sure you have your event planning timeline nailed down so that every party detail goes smoothly. Beyond securing the perfect menu and décor, you’ll also want to make sure that you give out-of-town friends or family enough notice so that they can coordinate their travel plans and be there for the celebration. Whether you’ve never thrown a shower before or have thrown dozens over the years, these event planning experts are here to offer some key tips for shower hostesses to keep in mind when it comes to throwing a celebration everyone will enjoy....

I was born with a full head of curly hair. My mom and all of her sisters had pin-straight hair so she had no clue what to do with me. Of course my dad, who always kept his curly hair short, was no help either. Once I was old enough to start doing my own hair, I grabbed anything that smelled amazing and used it. It wasn’t until high school that I realized different products might actually help tame my curls....

New year, new you—and a new place to match? We’re thinking about how to update our spaces with the latest trends. Though our personal quarters are meant to reflect our own aesthetics, staying up to date on the most recent fads can also offer a breath of fresh air. So, what’s next for our homes? We asked 10 Southern designers for the trends that are poised to make it big in the new year....

The Caribbean is a perpetual feast for the senses, not least when it comes to the incredible and varied cuisine on offer across the region. We’ve rounded up the essential dish to try on ten of our favorite islands. Dig in! Barbados: Coucou and Flying Fish Given that this beautiful West Indies island is sometimes referred to as “The Land of the Flying Fish,” you shouldn’t leave town without trying this popular local seafood, found in the warm waters around Barbados and used to make the national dish, coucou and flying fish....

Fall is no-doubt a time for gathering with friends and family. Whether throwing a dinner party, watching the game, or celebrating Friendsgiving, hosting a group of any size, for any occasion, can seem like a daunting task. And especially so when you’re welcoming people into your home. But it doesn’t have to be! Fall in the South is one of the most spectacular times of the year, with cooling temps, football games and holidays, and all the seasonal produce....

The 18- by 17- inch board is ideal for cutting, chopping, and prepping ingredients for any meal. It’s also available in a small and medium size options if you’re looking for a more space-friendly option. A reversible design allows both sides to be used for prep or one can be used for serving. Grooves around the edge of the board were added to catch juice that may come from meat, fruits, or vegetables during the cutting process....

Mmmm inhale deeply. Roses are in full bloom right now. If you’re lucky enough to have some rose bushes in your yard or screened porch where your kitty hangs out, you may wonder if roses are toxic to your cat. Owners report they’ve occasionally caught a kitty licking or munching on their precious rose petals from time to time. Their sweet scent may attract cats over for a taste. Most often find out quickly that the flower is not that yummy, however, a few end up with a penchant for eating the roses....

Independence has never tasted so sweet! Starting today, Krispy Kreme is encouraging patriotic doughnut fans to celebrate the “land of the filled and home of the glazed” with its new Indoughpendence Day Doughnuts. The Fourth of July-themed treats are available for a limited time at participating shops across the U.S. The collection features four star-spangled doughnuts, which are also available in a limited-edition Patriotic Dozens Box. “July 4th will be different this year, but delicious, red, white and blue doughnuts in patriotic packaging are sure to help make it a happy holiday for you and your whole family,” Dave Skena, Chief Marketing Officer of Krispy Kreme, said in a news release....

Many people are surprised to learn that the biggest chimpanzee sanctuary in the world is located not in Africa, but in rural Louisiana. In the tiny unincorporated town of Keithville just South of Shreveport you’ll find Chimp Haven, a 200-acre sanctuary currently home to 300 chimpanzees. Since 1995, the nonprofit has served as a retirement community of sorts for aging chimpanzees once used by the government for medical research. The sanctuary allows chimpanzees to live the “Chimp Lives” they were deprived of previously, giving them room to explore, exercise, and live in large, social groups....

Don’t get crabby, but your summertime feasts may look a little different this year. That’s because Myrtle Beach is experiencing a crab leg shortage and customers, restaurants, and seafood sellers large and small are all feeling the pinch, according to Myrtle Beach Online. While we’re not suggesting we just cancel summer because that would be a little dramatic (…maybe?) it does mean that you might want to call the restaurant to ask if they are still stocking crab legs before you haul the family down to the buffet....

Steven King, Wes Craven, Jon Carpenter, and Alfred Hitchcock would all be hard pressed to surpass the horror stories being perpetrated in my neighborhood right now. Decapitated corpses, the hideous remains of once-beautiful crepe myrtles, populate our yards, testifying to unspeakable violence pursued simply for copycat pleasure. Yes, despite more than 20 years of pleas, remonstrances, instructions, and aggrieved condemnations from me, the crime continues: crepe murder. I spied the latest victim on my morning walk today....

Because a single day of incredible sales simply isn’t enough, Black Friday deals are followed up by even more markdowns on Cyber Monday. So if you missed out on shopping this weekend, don’t worry. There are thousands of price cuts waiting for you today. You can also save big on fashion and beauty favorites from Nordstrom and Kate Spade. At Nordstrom, you’ll find discounts on designer clothes, makeup, and skincare essentials (there are even a few home goods in the mix, too)....

We’ve long admired the sweet relationship between the stars of HGTV’s Home Town, Ben and Erin Napier. Are they just one of the all-time cutest couples ever or what? Indeed, the college sweethearts never cease to dazzle us with their home renovations in Laurel, Mississippi, but glimpses into their beautiful marriage is what amazes us the most—like finding out that Ben pens Erin a love note every morning. Yes, every single morning....

Ask a Southerner what her favorite condiments are and you will get a list that will more than likely include items such as Duke’s Mayonnaise, Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning, and Tabasco Sauce. Because, along with loving to add good taste and seasonings to our chicken salads and seafood dishes, we love to do it with regional products. Tabasco sauce, as well as a host of other favorite Southern hot sauces, has long been a go-to pantry staple when we want to shake an unexpected kick into macaroni and cheese, breakfast casseroles, and deviled eggs....

When fall finally hits the South, you can find us in the kitchen enjoying savory and sweet dishes full of seasonal spices and fresh produce. One thing we absolutely love to cook with in the fall is fresh pumpkin. Use this gourd in a variety of sweet treats: Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pumpkin-Spice Bundt Cake, and Pumpkin-Pecan Cheesecake. Pumpkin is also perfect for delicious, savory dishes: Pumpkin-and-Winter Squash Gratin and Peanut-Pumpkin Stew with Hominy....