Just one hour from San Antonio and two hours from Austin, you’ll find Kerrville, Texas, a charming small town spewing with history and Hill Country treasures. Situated along the Guadalupe River, Kerrville is perfect for those wanting to escape the big city for a quiet slice of paradise. Float down the river in a kayak or tube during warm months, or anchor yourself downtown for quaint shops, cafes, and plenty of nightlife....
As you approach downtown Laurel from I-59, the first thing that you see is a massive mural. On the broad side of a brick building, in old-timey type, it sends out a “Welcome!” and signals that you’ve found the historic district of this small Mississippi town. The message is so beautifully rendered, in warm colors with exquisite workmanship, that it tells you all you need to know: Somebody loves this place....
You already know Ree Drummond’s The Pioneer Woman Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma is the holy mecca of all things Ree. If you’ve visited the Food Network star’s general store, you likely grabbed a meal at “The Merc’s” restaurant, bakery, or walked over to Drummond’s local pizzeria, P-Town Pizza. Perhaps you even booked a night at Ladd and Ree’s swanky hotel, the 2018 debut, The Pioneer Woman Boarding House. In warmer months, we hope your itinerary revolves around stopping by Charlie’s Sweet Shop for a scoop of ice cream—chased with nostalgia and throwback candy....
Let me first say that an old-school teak-and-canvas beach chair is the very best kind there is, especially when it comes with a detachable footrest. But if you’re not in the market to shoulder the expense or sheer weight of those fabulously deep-seated perches (and who is, really?), the Tommy Bahama Beach Chair is the next best thing. My mom first discovered our family’s new favorite beach day accessory at Costco, from whence all good deals come—see: legendary $1....
Got ’em! Darius Rucker made a surprise appearance at Madame Tussauds Nashville to “spook” guests as they walked through the wax museum Wednesday. The crooner stood still amongst wax replicas of fellow country music icons Trisha Yearwood, Eric Church, and Jason Aldean and scared visitors by springing to life as they explored the attraction’s Ryman Auditorium exhibit. Each time Rucker surprised someone, he burst out in peals of infectious laughter....
Country music’s biggest stars turned out to wish pioneering songstress Loretta Lynn a happy 90th birthday today. Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Carole King, Martina McBride, and Tanya Tucker, were amongst the famous faces who participated in a video tribute (below) to the most awarded female country artist of all-time. Towards the end of the video, Parton sings a special rendition of “Happy Birthday,” adding a new line, “We will always love you,” just for Lynn....
Write this down: Southern ski resorts in the off-season make great getaways. For one thing, they aren’t crowded with, well, skiers. Also, they have a tendency to be gorgeous because of the mountain scenery. For instance, Beech Mountain, North Carolina, is notorious for incredible autumn views of the Tarheel State, as well as Virginia and Tennessee. It’s cool during the daytime, with serious fireplace weather at night, so you can finally wear all those sweaters you were dreaming about when it was 90 in the shade....
A Florida teenager has raised thousands of dollars for homeless veterans, special needs children, and first responders by selling and donating hand-carved American flags. Lorenzo Liberti, 15, found inspiration while serving meals at a food pantry with his church youth group last year. The tenth grader from Lakewood Ranch tells Southern Living that that’s where he met a homeless veteran who “made an impression” on him. It left him wondering how the country he loved could abandon its service men and women....
‘Tis the season to be jolly—not to be folly when celebrating the holidays. “Holidays seem to always bring out the best—and sometimes the worst—in peoples’ behavior. As we begin to head into the season in several years without a pandemic lockdown—fingers crossed— perhaps it’s time for a refresher on event and party etiquette,” says Edward Perotti, the owner of EP Events & Experiences, who has hosted events across the globe for more than 27 years....
If you were planning to don your Stetson hat and go see Alan Jackson sing “Small Town Southern Man” and “Five O’Clock Somewhere” this weekend, you’re going to need to make other arrangements. The country superstar has postponed his shows as he is “dealing with health issues”, according to social media posts from the venues in Pittsburgh and Atlantic City where he was supposed to be playing. Jackson announced last year that he has been living with a neurological condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease....
KraftHeinz and the FDA recently issued a recall of Kool-Aid Tropical Punch Mix sold in 82.5-ounce containers at Costco. The announcement, sent to Costco shoppers who recently purchased the product, cites the potential presence of foreign material, specifically small pieces of metal or glass as the cause for the recall. While Costco pulls the nostalgic drink mix off shelves, the members-only grocery retailer is encouraging shoppers who recently purchased the powder to check their pantries....
It’s not every day that a losing football team writes heartfelt letters to the rivals that thumped them. Yet, after Clemson bested Louisiana Tech, 48-20 on September 17, the Tigers received a box of handwritten notes tucked into Louisiana Tech envelopes. The letters weren’t thank you notes for their performance on the field, but instead were notes from the players on the Tech team intended for Clemson’s Bryan Bresee and his family....
Thickening up gumbo and other hearty stews seems easy and straightforward in theory, but could we ever say that to the lady stirring up a perfectly ratioed pot of butter and flour until her elbow feels like it’s going to fall off? In case the gumbo gods are listening, let’s say that’s a hard no. Roux might be the most important part of the entire stewing process, lest you be left with watery, flavorless sausage soup....
A favorite childhood snack is getting a decidedly grown-up makeover: Old Bay seafood seasoning is joining flavor forces with Goldfish crackers for a tangy, savory, and just-right spicy snack. Goldfish crackers have long been thought of as a go-to snack for toddlers and kids who need something to tide over their appetites lest they dissolve into hunger-fueled tantrums. (Are we speaking from experience here? Perhaps.) But Goldfish weren’t always thought of as kid eats....
Want to know the secret to a savory pot of collard greens or a slow-cooked potato soup? No, it isn’t a dash of hot pepper sauce or a sprinkling of crispy bacon, but the addition of collagen and fat-laden ham hock, that unassuming piece of the pig so essential to many dishes in the South. I know, it doesn’t sound or even look pretty, and you have to cook it a long, long while for the goodness and flavor of a ham hock to emerge....
You may think it’s best to save lobster tails for a weekend dinner party, but easy and quick preparations make it possible to serve any weeknight’s supper. While a bit more expensive, preparing frozen lobster is often easier than wrestling with whole live lobsters. Boiled, baked, broiled, or stirred into a pan of lobster mac and cheese (everything tastes good with mac and cheese, right?), Southerners love lobster as much as they love shrimp, crab, and other seafood....
As the Coronavirus pandemic totally redefines our normal routines, many are offering gestures of hope and solidarity in their community to help people band together—even when they are apart—during these uncertain times. And what could bring more happiness than Christmas? So far, Christmas lights have gone up all over the country to bring joy to neighborhoods and Hallmark has launched a Christmas movie marathon. Now, one school has riffed on the Santa Claus-inspired cheer and brought it to the remote learning environment....
If you’re like me and have been eyeing a Barefoot Dreams blanket for some time but haven’t been able to convince yourself to spend the $180, I have some good news to share: Sam’s Club is selling an almost identical one (some say it’s even better!) for just $29.99. The Crafted by Catherine Cozy Knit Throw is available in five animal prints including snow leopard, leopard gray, zebra ivory, zebra charcoal, and giraffe....
Whether you’ve long been a fan of Sean Brock’s cooking or only became acquainted with the man behind Husk when he ventured to a Charleston Waffle House with Anthony Bourdain on Parts Unknown, the luminary chef is one to watch. Which is why we’re watching Brock’s latest project, his newest and yet-to-be-named restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee. The eatery will be located at the Grand Hyatt Nashville—scheduled to open in fall of this year—which is situated on the 17-acre Nashville Yards mixed-use complex from developer Southwest Value Partners....
Mayonnaise is an incredibly versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Of course, it’s the star of the show for many sandwiches, including BLTs and chicken salad. Mayonnaise also serves as the base for most of your favorite cold salads, such as macaroni salad, potato salad, and broccoli salad. Not to mention, it’s the glue that holds deviled eggs together. But mayonnaise may be even more versatile than you thought. It can also add moisture to a variety of baked goods, as well as add great texture and flavor to many other dishes that might surprise you....
