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We learned about it in school, didn’t we? Presidents’ Day…it has to do with U.S. Presidents? Something about birthdays? Yes to all of the above. Let’s delve into our nation’s history and demystify this February holiday once and for all. Each year on the third Monday of February, we celebrate Presidents’ Day in the U.S. The holiday was established by Congress to recognize the birthday of our first President, George Washington, who was born in Virginia on February 22, 1732....

Camellias are aristocrats of the garden. They dazzle us with spectacular blooms of red, rose, pink, white, and bicolors backed by glossy, evergreen foliage. Some form compact mounds, but the majority grow upright into the shape and size of a small tree. Inevitably, many grow bigger than you want and you have to prune. But when is the best time? That depends on the species of camellia. Here in the South, two species (and their hybrids) make up probably 95% of camellias planted....

“Elbows off the table!” is still ringing in our ears even decades out from under your parent’s or grandparent’s roof. Not that we’d expect this favorite mealtime reminder (after chewing with your mouth closed, of course) ever to leave us. Keeping your elbows off the table during meals is one of the most arbitrary etiquette rules out there, and yet, it’s one of the earliest taught to little eaters. So why, of all the offensive acts one could commit while dining, is it so forcefully policed?...

Nothing takes the joy out of an evening of grilling juicy meats, tender vegetables, or succulent desserts like knowing you have to scrub the grill later. It’s a messy and labor-intensive process—and most traditional grill cleaners are toxic and stinky. So what if we told you that there was a cheap, non-toxic alternative that’s already sitting in your kitchen? Save your back and your Brillo pads—an ordinary onion can clean that nasty grill in minutes....

Disappearing for more than a month and then reemerging 150 pounds heavier isn’t usually a good thing… that is, unless you’re a horse. On the Outer Banks, the Corolla Wild Horse Fund is celebrating the miraculous return (and incredible weight gain!) of a wild stallion that was believed to have died weeks ago. The horse, named Topnotch, was last seen April 9 looking quite poorly, with his ribs showing and patches of hair loss....

Nearly 40 years after the premiere of cult classic movie A Christmas Story, the actor who stole the show as bright-eyed, bespectacled Ralphie has agreed to run it back and star in a sequel to the beloved holiday flick. A Christmas Story Story, which will premiere on HBO Max at an unspecified date, will return Peter Billingsley to his original role of Ralphie. Only now its 30 years later and he has a family of his own....

Have you ever looked at your home and felt like something was, well…off? Sure, the paint color is on-point, the furniture is proportionate with your room, and you have everything you need. Still, it feels like something is off. But, what? That’s exactly what inspired Stephanie Purzycki and Kaitlin Madden to launch The Finish in 2020. Both design enthusiasts in their own right—Purzycki is the owner of Drive Hospitality and Madden is the global editor in chief of Real Homes—they saw a gap in the market for dwellers who wanted sound design advice but didn’t have the budget to enlist a professional....

To see Alexis Simpson’s gorgeous three-bedroom Atlanta Home now, it’s hard to believe that the circa-1923 Druid Hills property actually sat on the market for more than a year. “The houses in Druid Hills are beautiful and have so much character,” says Simpson, cofounder of Establishment Home (a design firm and online home-goods retailer). “But most people have lived in them for so long that there’s an enormous amount of work that needs to be done....

Right now, we’re all looking for ways to get delicious meals on the table without spending too much time in the kitchen. Meal kits or delivery services, anyone? You betcha. To avoid going to grocery stores amid the coronavirus crisis, meal kits and subscription delivery services are proving to be a blessing during these trying times. But just because we’re cooking at home or ordering in meals (and perhaps jazzing them up with pantry staples) doesn’t mean we want to compromise on our Southern palates....

Affectionately known as “The Pass” to locals and devoted visitors, it’s common knowledge that Pass Christian is the place where problems, stress, and worries of the world come to pass. Incorporated in 1848, the tiny Coastal Mississippi town of fewer than 7,000 people has kept a low profile over the years, with nearby Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, and Ocean Springs getting most of the out-of-town draw. However, those who are in on Pass Christian’s secret are privy to miles of pristine white-sand coastline, beautiful historic architecture, and unbeatable small-town charm....

They’re back, y’all! The fan-favorite heart-shaped trays are back at Chick-fil-A for Valentine’s Day. Whether the way to that special someone’s heart is sweet or savory, it just became a whole lot easier to put a smile on their face. Chick-fil-A is offering their 30-count Chick-fil-A Nuggets, 10-count Chick n Minis, six-count Chocolate Chunk Cookies, and 12 Chocolate Fudge Brownie halves in the adorable silver and red trays. No Valentine? No problem!...

Who’s up for some birds, beer, and socially distanced fun? Well, dust off your binoculars, ready your hand sanitizer, and head on down to eastern Maryland for Delmarva Birding Weekends’ second annual “Oktobirdfest.” From Friday October 9 through Sunday October 11, birdwatchers are invited to experience the best fall birding the Delmarva Peninsula has to offer with a variety of guided excursions. Trips to Maryland shore towns like Ocean City and Berlin, as well as other scenic locations in Sussex County, Delaware, and Worcester County, Maryland, will run throughout the weekend....

A four-legged Hollywood star has died due to complications from complications of colic. Popcorn Deelites was one of many famous horses that portrayed Seabiscuit in the 2003 Oscar-nominated film. He died at the age of 24 after being retired at Old Friends Thoroughbred Farms since 2005. The average life expectancy for horses is 25 to 30 years. Old Friends announced his passing in a press release and via social media Thursday morning....

When you think of spring break in Florida, you probably picture crowded sands teeming with vacationers. That’s the modus operandi of many destinations once spring break arrives, but there are certain pockets of shoreline in the Sunshine State where you can find less-crowded beaches and lots of fun. One of these places is Jupiter, Florida, a laid-back destination with a classic old-beach-town atmosphere. There is as much fun to be had here as there is in spring-break standbys like Daytona Beach and Panama City, so let us introduce you....

Groundbreaking country music icon Loretta Lynn talks with host Sid Evans on Biscuits & Jam about cathead biscuits, her new album Still Woman Enough, and growing up in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. Get to Know Loretta Lynn Nominated for 18 Grammys over her career and inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988, Loretta Lynn is the most awarded female country artist of all time. Born and raised in Butcher Holler, Kentucky, and a songwriter since childhood, her hits like “Fist City” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough” have become anthems for every generation that’s followed....

Luke Combs has done it again! The country crooner, who is known for his generosity, stopped a concert on Friday night to reimburse two young fans. Bo Fenderson, 12, and his friend Tanner, held up a banner during Combs’ Middle of Somewhere tour stop in Bangor, Maine, explaining how hard they worked to earn money to pay for their own tickets to the show. “We made $100 bucks stacking 5 cords of wood, bought two Luke Combs tickets....

During the coronavirus pandemic, many celebrities have wowed us with their generosity, entertainment, and emotional support during these trying times. Perhaps one of the best of the bunch? None other than Uvalde, Texas native, Matthew McConaughey. Throughout these difficult weeks, he’s hosted virtual Bingo for a senior home in Texas and he’s shared a motivational message with his beloved UT students. And for us bored folks at home, he’s even launched a video series on Instagram dubbed “McConaughey Takes” sharing behind-the-scenes trivia from some of the films he’s starred in....

In my dream life, I don’t hastily hammer out emails and text messages or keep up with my dearest friends on Facebook. I sit at an elegant secretary desk next to a big window overlooking my well-tended cottage garden (let’s go ahead and give it a fountain and reflecting pool while we’re at it). I sip tea from a china cup (let’s say it’s Lady Carlyle) while writing thoughtful, witty, heart-felt letters on feminine, traditional stationery or maybe something floral (from Rifle Paper Co....

Once we discovered red carnations are the official flower of Mother’s Day we started to give these humble buds a closer look. We soon realized there are a few striking similarities between our Southern matriarchs and the grocery store flower that sometimes get a bad rap. Here are just a few of the not-so-subtle similarities between the two—what did we miss? Southern mamas are not to be underestimated. If you think carnations are just a cheesy filler, let mama at ’em and you’ll soon find out they can hold their own in the most elegant of holiday centerpieces....

Whether this wedding season will see you planning a ceremony or just attending a shower, the chances are pretty high that you’ll be using a wedding registry in some capacity over the next several months. While a well-thought-out registry includes items for the whole home, registering for the right kitchen items is key to ensuring you have everything you need to cook dinner for your new mother-in-law, bake a cake for your best friend’s birthday, and host a game-day gathering....