Ree Drummond Reflects On Her Now Empty Nest

Author Barbara Kingsolver once said that parenting is the one job where “the better you are, the more surely you won’t be needed in the long run.” Parents know how bittersweet the success at helping their kids stand on their own two feet can be. Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond is coping with that right now. Her son, Todd Drummond, has just embarked on his freshman year at University of South Dakota where he plans to join the football team in the fall....

September 13, 2022 · 2 min · 323 words · Frank Guerrero

Savannah S Best Day Spas

After a day or two of walking Savannah’s cobblestone streets, indulge your tired muscles at one of its fine spas. You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money, just treat yourself to something special. And remember, you deserve it. Vanilla: A Downtown Day Spa Where: 1 East Broughton Street; www.vanilladayspa.com or (912) 232-0040. Atmosphere: You wouldn’t expect to find such a harmonious day spa on a busy downtown sidewalk....

September 13, 2022 · 2 min · 287 words · Thomas Mcgary

Take A Virtual Tour Of Frank Lloyd Wright S Hollyhock House

In recent weeks, so many of us have found new ways to entertain and enlighten ourselves as we stay safely at home amidst the coronavirus pandemic. We’ve taken virtual tours of Southern gardens, brushed up on cooking skills with online cooking classes, and we have even taken a trip to the Grand Canyon from our couch. Now, off to East Hollywood we go to take a virtual tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House (hat tip to House Beautiful for the intel)....

September 13, 2022 · 2 min · 257 words · Bertha Evans

Texas Researchers Use Okra To Remove Microplastics From Wastewater

Most Southerners think of okra as a vegetable for deep-frying, throwing into a pot of gumbo, or stewing with tomatoes. But thanks to a new study from researchers at Tarleton State University in Fort Worth, Texas, the small-but-mighty pods are now being seen in an entirely new light. Researchers discovered that food-grade plant extracts from okra have the power to remove microplastics from wastewater. Microplastics are typically removed from water using two processes....

September 13, 2022 · 2 min · 377 words · Debra Smith

The Difference Between The Kentucky Derby Hat And Fascinator

If the horse race is the headlining event that takes place at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, the proverbial parade of attendees’ haute headwear and feathery fascinators can claim the second most important affair of the day. As with the race itself, Derby fashion has a colorful history of its own. When Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr. (yes, the grandson of that Clark) hosted the first Derby in 1875, he had to transform the racetrack from a venue of ill repute to a posh place for high-society folks to gather....

September 13, 2022 · 4 min · 649 words · Maria Carrington

The One Story House Plan With All The Charm

Find the house plan that works for your lifestyle Looking to build your next dream home? Well, this single story cottage, house plan SL-2054 — The Loudon, designed by Bridgewater has it all for you. Allen Patterson Builders, long time members of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program, have been busy building variations of this plan in Habersham, a Southern Living inspired community in Beaufort, South Carolina. It was first built as the 2020 Southern Living Showcase Home with interior design by K....

September 13, 2022 · 3 min · 550 words · Lacy Crooks

Trisha Yearwood S Betty White Challenge Fundraiser Raises Nearly 40 000 For Rescue Pets

Trisha Yearwood celebrated Betty White’s 100th birthday by raising thousands of dollars in the late legend’s honor. The country singer took the viral #BettyWhiteChallenge to the next level by hosting a fundraiser on TalkShopLive on Monday, January 17—what would have been White’s centennial. The Golden Girls star died on December 31, just weeks before the milestone birthday. In light of her commitment to animals, fans came up with the grassroots challenge encouraging participants to donate funds to local animal rescue groups in White’s name....

September 13, 2022 · 2 min · 309 words · Diane Vanfleet

Why Is A Baker S Dozen 13

The story of the “baker’s dozen” has nothing to do with faulty mathematics (bakers have to be good at basic math) or with a disposition of generosity (bakers have to make a living too), but rather, the 13 items that comprise a “baker’s dozen” most likely started as a response to a law passed almost 1,000 years ago in England under the reign of King Henry III. Bread is not easily predictable—the time it takes to rise or the amount of air developed beneath the crust of a fresh loaf depends on conditions often uncontrollable to the baker (especially 900 years ago)....

September 13, 2022 · 2 min · 296 words · Karen Zulauf

Why You Should Substitute Coffee For Water In Chocolate Baking Mixes

Even the most skilled bakers resort to using boxed mixes from time to time. Hey, time is money, y’all! But what if we told you that you could elevate that old mix so far beyond the grocery store aisle that you’ll be calling yourself a Southern Mary Berry? According to Lifehacker, a simple hack is all that stands between you and the stress-free dessert of your dreams is a pot of coffee....

September 13, 2022 · 1 min · 156 words · Devin Larson

10 Things You Shouldn T Do In Your Dutch Oven

An enameled cast iron Dutch oven can be one of the most versatile pieces of cookware you own, ready to simmer stew, bake a loaf of artisan bread, or deep-fry chicken. And whether you spring for a classic piece from a venerable brand like Le Creuset or stalk the aisles of your local discount store for a more affordable version, these large lidded pots are likely to become the cooking vessel you reach for most frequently....

September 12, 2022 · 4 min · 841 words · Jose Dowst

12 Things Southern Living Editors Always Buy At Publix

It’s no secret that Southerners love Publix and Southern Living editors are no exception. The Lakeland, Florida-based grocery store chain is known for making shopping a pleasure. Anyone who has stepped foot inside one of their stores knows that the experience is just that. It’s not a store that you want to get in and out of quickly. In fact, browsing the aisles is an enjoyable, and some would say relaxing, way to spend a Sunday afternoon....

September 12, 2022 · 3 min · 499 words · Rose Partlow

Black Church Preservation Fund Gets 20 Million Donation

As the country celebrated the incredible legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, Lilly Endowment Inc., a philanthropic foundation supporting religious, educational, and charitable causes, honored the civil rights leader and minister with a $20 million donation to fund the preservation and assistance of Black churches. The foundation gave the money to the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund as seed funding for their Preserving Black Churches Project, a project which aims to “reimagine, redesign, and redeploy historic preservation to address the institutions’ needs and the cultural assets and stories they steward....

September 12, 2022 · 3 min · 432 words · Marie Privitera

Can You Eat Hot Dogs After Labor Day A Debate About Hot Dog Season

Hot dogs have never been shy about stirring up trouble. They’ve long sparked venomous debates on which toppings should be allowed between the bun, from the chili-cheese and slaw dogs beloved down South to the pickle-studded dogs of the Midwest. (Fun fact: Mustard is the most universally popular hot dog topping.) Now, there’s even talk about the proper time to consume the beloved meal-on-a-bun. Hot dog season technically kicks off Memorial Day weekend and goes through the summer until Labor Day weekend....

September 12, 2022 · 2 min · 319 words · Michelle Namdar

Erin Napier Shares Daughter Helen S Heart Warming Reaction To Her French Braid Fail

Erin Napier is talented at many things. But French braiding her daughters’ hair? Not so much. Fortunately, four-year-old Helen doesn’t seem to mind one bit. “I cannot French braid,” the Home Town host wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of her latest failed attempt at her daughter’s hair. “I have tried, and I have tried. I watched all the YouTube videos. I can paint and I can make pottery, but my hands are absolutely unable to braid my daughter’s hair....

September 12, 2022 · 2 min · 248 words · Willie Donelson

Eton Mess Is The Summer Dessert We Didn T Know We Needed

The warm days of summer have us dreaming of cool desserts. (Bonus points if those desserts are crowd-pleasing and easy to whip up too!) Beyond Southern-favorite pies and cobblers, there’s another traditional dessert we’ve been eyeing, and it’s just the ticket to satisfy a sweet tooth. It’s an Eton Mess, a dessert that comes to us from England, where it was popularized at Eton College. The institution served the dessert to celebrate an annual cricket game and also gave the dish its name....

September 12, 2022 · 2 min · 365 words · Randal Turley

How Long To Cook A Turkey A Pound By Pound Guide

When it comes to preparing the perfect Thanksgiving turkey, one size doesn’t fit all. And while recipes and “package directions” usually offer some general guidance, they don’t always cover all the important factors. But fear not—you’ve found the perfect guide for roasting your best turkey, no matter the size. Just check out our handy charts below, and pay special attention the following tips to guarantee your Thanksgiving feast is a delicious success....

September 12, 2022 · 4 min · 828 words · Theresa Dillingham

How To Clean A Burnt Sheet Pan

We expect a lot from our sheet pans. Whether we’re roasting up some veggies or cranking out holiday cookies, sheet pans are constantly in our kitchen rotation. It’s no wonder that these workhorses end up looking gross. Blame it on oil, high heat, and burnt-on residue (at some point we’ve all forgotten to set the timer for a batch of cookies!). No wonder that after months and years of use, sheet pans can build up some seriously baked-on stains....

September 12, 2022 · 4 min · 792 words · Carroll Johnson

How To Decorate Cookies With Royal Icing

You might be the designated pie baker in your family. Or the person who makes everyone’s favorite birthday cake. Maybe you’ve even stolen the show at a few highly competitive cookie exchanges. And yet, you can’t decorate cookies with royal icing to save your life. Don’t despair. You’re not alone. Royal icing has a way of frustrating the most experienced bakers. In my opinion, people who are good at crafts—particularly tiny, fiddly crafts like painting miniature doll furniture or embroidering tiny pillows—have a way with royal icing....

September 12, 2022 · 2 min · 364 words · Betty Waterbury

How To Store Mushrooms So They Won T Get Slimy

Mushrooms are a hearty and earthy addition to pastas. They are a great replacement for meat in many meatless main recipes. Mushrooms are also a welcome addition to stuffings and gravy on Thanksgiving. There are many varieties of this versatile ingredient, from morels to shiitakes, to the humble white button mushroom found in every grocery store produce section. No matter the variety you buy, if not stored properly, they all end up the same: slimy....

September 12, 2022 · 4 min · 658 words · Georgia Robinson

Iheartradio Announces New Graduation Speeches Podcast Series Featuring Tim Mcgraw Eli Manning And More

This year, due to the coronavirus crisis, graduation is going to look very different for millions of students across the country. But just because students won’t be walking the stage in a cap and gown doesn’t mean their academic achievements aren’t a momentous milestone worth celebrating. That’s why iHeartRadio decided to do something special for these upcoming grads: The free streaming platform has announced the launch of a new podcast series featuring celebrities giving graduation speeches in honor of this year’s graduates....

September 12, 2022 · 2 min · 314 words · Rebecca Davis