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You know, the most wonderful thing about social media and the internet is that everything you read there is true! Therefore, if someone you don’t know posts a question, and someone else you don’t know answers it, you can rest assured that the answer will be correct. Right? This naïve assumption is the basis for one of the most popular gardening myths making the digital rounds in recent years. It’s a “safe, natural weed killer” made by mixing vinegar, Epsom salts, and Dawn dishwashing liquid....

If there’s any state whose reputation precedes it, perhaps it’s Florida. And while you might think you know our beaches, theme parks and all the family fun that awaits around every corner here, there’s always another surprise in store in this state known for outdoor adventures, watery escapades and cool little beach towns you can enjoy all year long. As a longtime Floridian, I’m here to tell you, too, that you might not know the Sunshine State as well as you think....

Fox News stirred up a hornet’s nest recently when it published its list of “America’s most influential BBQ pitmasters and personalities.” Barbecue fans immediately took to Twitter and Facebook to decry the selection’s over-emphasis on Texas joints and barbecue competitions and—most glaringly—that the faces were all white. The controversy has even made it overseas, prompting a full-length feature in the BBC News Magazine. Those responses have done a good job of recommending a more diverse slate of 21st century influencers who should be recognized....

I’ve made my fair share of holiday hostess mistakes. It’s trial and error, folks, and I’m yet in the infancy of my hosting days. There is so much still to learn. Thankfully I have an understanding family who won’t let a truck-stop fragranced living room stand in the way of coming back for more next year. [See mistake #5.] Blunders aside, there are a few hostess tricks I call on to set the tone from the start, which can help any little missteps barely even register as a hiccup....

If there’s a better bonding experience than piling into a car with your closet friends and heading down the highway, we haven’t found it yet. Here’s what to bring along for the ride, from must-haves you’ll need for the journey to staples you’ll appreciate once you’ve reached your final destination. A Sing-Along-Worthy Playlist A silent drive? Sacrilege! Set the tone for your trip with a high-energy playlist of nostalgic favorites. (Don’t forget the AUX cord....

The coastal waters of our region are serving up some delicious shrimp this season. Regardless of whether you purchase shrimp– at the wharf, grocer, or a restaurant–don’t settle for anything less than Wild American Shrimp. More nutritious, tastier, and by far fresher than imported varieties, buying shrimp (or any fish and seafood) from local waters helps support the hundreds of coastal communities and generational fishing families that have withstood environmental catastrophes, disastrous weather conditions, and years of foreign competition....

For two decades, Dr. Roy Jones has diligently chipped away at the notion that more black men sit in South Carolina prisons than teach in the state’s schools. Approaching the issue one student at a time, his work with the Call Me MISTER program at Clemson University invests in individuals by fighting for the good others may not see. “There’s more to a great teacher than being the best and brightest,” says Jones....

Once you’ve had a bowl of really good chili, you finally understand why Texans have always seen it worth some bragging rights. President Lyndon B. Johnson even once said that, “Chili concocted outside of Texas is usually a weak, apologetic imitation of the real thing.” Enough said. Packed with brisket or ground beef, all the spices, and never a bean in sight (unless you’re into that sort of thing), Texas-style chili is simple in ingredients and flawless in execution, especially if you heed their warnings against the pinto bean....

A proper roasting pan is a versatile workhorse in the kitchen. Flavor-packed dinners fit all in one pan, and the spacious size allows you to cook meats evenly—a must for holiday turkeys and beyond. Today, shoppers can find deals weeks ahead of Black Friday as part of the early deals at Bed, Bath, & Beyond. At 50 percent off, the Our Table 6-Piece Stainless Steel Roaster Set feels like a steal, especially considering that it comes with a roaster, removable V-rack, two turkey lifters, bulb baster, and cleaning brush, which makes it ideal for cooking a variety of recipes....

Does your mouth water just looking at the above picture? Then you must have a bit of Elvis in your genetic makeup, friends. We’re in the same ooey-gooey boat. There’s no denying that the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, loved his fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, but little did we know how much he cherished the meal. In a new article from the Cheat Sheet, the editors pointed us towards a fascinating BBC Four documentary The Burger and The King, which chronicles all things food in relation to The King....

Between streaming Ben Napier’s Home Town: Ben’s Workshop on discovery+ and catching all the latest episodes of Home Town, our TVs are almost always set to watch on of our favorite design duos. As we watch the Napiers transform old homes and craft wonders out of wood in their home base of Laurel, Mississippi, we’re grateful for all the home renovation tips we’ve picked up along the way. Chief among them as of late?...

Southerners—and the world—are working together to halt the spread of the coronavirus pandemic by staying home, bravely battling on the frontlines in hospitals and medical clinics, or continuing their essential work. As we all adjust to the new reality created by the novel coronavirus, people are finding new ways to spread cheer and kindness around town and online, and new ways to connect with friends from a safe distance. While there are a lot of serious issues in the world, taking time to cheer yourself up is important, too....

Split ends are like uninvited guests that crash your party, unannounced and ready to hang for a while. One second, you’re enjoying shiny blowouts and bouncy curls; and the next, you’re coating your strands in smoothing oil to mask those pesky intruders. Have you ever held up your color-treated, or regularly heat-styled, hair to the sunlight about six to eight weeks post-trim? Yikes. We wish our cheekbones could catch the light as good as our split strands....

Millions of Christmas trees are sold in the U.S. annually to situate in stands, decorate for the holidays, and enjoy all season long. Growing these trees is serious business. One of the top Christmas tree-producing states in the country is North Carolina, a state responsible for an enormous number of Fraser fir trees each year. With all those trees, we can’t help but wonder: How long does it take a Christmas tree to grow?...

One of the hallmarks of any great home baked cake is a moist, tender crumb. We want our cakes to be memorable because they’re spectacular, not because they turned out disappointingly dry or dense. Baking doesn’t have to be hard, but it must always be thoughtful. These tips and hints are smart strategies for moist cakes. Use Your Ingredients Wisely Choose fresh leavening Because baking powder and baking soda last a long while, it’s easy for their expiration to sneak up on us, especially if we don’t bake often....

Love cooking steak at home but hate smoking up your kitchen? We’ve got the recipe for you. All you need is a great steak, a large cast-iron skillet, and some kitchen tongs. Any thick cut of steak can be pan-roasted—rib eye, filet mignon, T-bone, and strip steak are all great cuts for this method. (Save thinner cuts like skirt or flank steak for the grill.) Start with Room Temperature Steak Cold meat will immediately seize up in a hot pan, so it’s best to let the steak come to room temperature before you start to cook it....

Summer Squash These types of squash, such as zucchini, pattypan, and crookneck squash—have thin edible skin and flesh that contains lots of moisture. If you cut raw squash into cubes and flash freeze it, it will most likely be very mushy when you defrost and cook with it. Instead, blanch the squash to will help preserve its texture. Place cubes of raw squash in a pot of boiling water for one minute, then immediately drain the squash and transfer it to an ice water bath to cool it down quickly....

Every garden should have a fig tree. These iconic plants produce delicious fruit with flavors best experienced ripe from the tree. Unlike other fruits, figs ripen entirely on the branch, so planting your own allows you to harvest the freshest fruit. The common fig tree, thriving in warm climates, does not require pollination to bear new fruit. Depending on the variety, specific fig trees need pollinators, so check the type before planting your own to know its growing conditions....

Loropetalum are so easy to grow, you can practically plant them and forget them. But you won’t, because these shrubs with white, pink, creamy white, or reddish-purple blooms, also called Chinese fringe-flowers, are attractive and versatile. These natives of woodlands in Southeast Asia, China, and Japan, have rich green or purplish foliage plays beautifully against green, gold, or blue tones. Think golden Ligustrum, chocolate colored Colocasias, nandinas in shades of lemon and lime, hibiscus with maroon flowers, banana plants with dark red splashes on their green leaves, and more....

Why purchase a bouquet of flowers when you can pick your own? That is what Holly Vaughan’s husband, Bobby, asked himself over 10 years ago when he decided to plant a field of zinnias on their farm in Shorter, Alabama. “Rather than buy me flowers for Mother’s Day, he grew them so I could pick them myself. It became a gift that keeps on giving,” says Vaughan, who’s a floral designer in Birmingham....