You know pillows get dirty, and we’ve been told our washing machine is filthy, but what about our mattress? How often should it be cleaned and how does one go about cleaning it? We’re breaking it all down starting with how to deep clean a mattress (both pillow top and foam), plus when to know if your mattress needs to be replaced. Let’s tackle this dread-able chore together. How To Deep Clean a Mattress What We’ll Cover Here:...
After a two-year application process, the fate of a 148-year-old Florida Keys lighthouse is now in the hands of a non-profit community organization with plans for a massive preservation project. This week, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland approved a recommendation from the National Park Service that Friends of the Pool Inc. be granted ownership of Alligator Reef Lighthouse. Islamorada-based Friends of the Pool hosts an annual eight-mile swimming race to the lighthouse and back to fund collegiate scholarships....
According to a Priceonomics survey, the average number of bridesmaids in the United States falls somewhere between four and five. Perhaps that number sounds accurate to someone who lives in New York or Kansas, but for me, an Alabama resident with consecutive years on the wedding circuit, that number seems awfully low. Clearly, the survey did not take into account all the Southern weddings I’ve attended in which the bridesmaids numbered a baker’s dozen....
When baking, it’s always wise to start with a thicker frosting and thin it out as needed, but a thick frosting comes in handy in various baking projects and applications. To build a structurally-sound layer cake, you’ll want to use a thick, firmer buttercream between your cake layers, giving the cake height and keeping it level. When decorating cookies, a firm royal icing is crucial to piping elegant, clean designs and fine lines....
The best thing about being from a small town in the South is the comradery and connection between those who live there. It’s not a grocery store trip without running into a friend or family member, and walking around the neighborhood means plenty of waves and smiles exchanged. Hospitality has always gone a long way in the South, and some might even think we tend to go overboard. Rather, we intend to....
We all love Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager’s dynamic on-screen as co-hosts of TODAY with Hoda and Jenna, and while we assumed they were good friends when the camera wasn’t rolling, we didn’t realize the BFF status of their relationship. In fact, little did we know, but Bush Hager was actually going to serve as “best girl” at Kotb’s nuptials to fiancé Joel Schiffman, which unfortunately has been postponed in light of the coronavirus pandemic....
When Staff Sgt. John Stefanowicz earned his first Gold Medal at the 2020 Pan-American Wrestling Championships, his goal was to return to train for his next step: qualifying for the United States Greco-Roman Olympic team. That was March 9, 2020. Instead, he returned a world that began to shut down. Two days later, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. How does a wrestler—who competes in one of the most close-contact sports—train for the Olympics during a time of social distancing?...
In early March of 2020, Kimberly Schlapman was in the middle of a tour with her Grammy-winning band, Little Big Town, to promote their new album Nightfall, when coronavirus changed their plans. Since then, she’s been quarantined at home like everyone else, trying to make the most of these challenging times. But that doesn’t mean this singer hasn’t been busy. In an interview from her home in Nashville on our new podcast Biscuits & Jam, Kimberly talks about teaching her daughter to cook, spending quality time with family, and why food has the power to heal....
It may still be sweltering hot outside right now. You may be getting in those last pool days of the summer. But the folks at Krispy Kreme know that there is a legion of fans waiting for fall. Specifically, pumpkin spice fans are eagerly waiting in the wings for their favorite seasonal treat. Good news, pumpkin spice crew! Krispy Kreme is bringing in the season a month earlier than they did last year....
My great-grandmother, Altha Mease, passed away in the early 2000s – but part of her legacy is still in my kitchen. She was a small woman, but everyone who knew her would say that her stature did not impact her spitfire personality. Above all, she loved to cook for her family in the Henson Cove of North Carolina. From all the stories I’ve heard of her younger years, she was, indeed, a woman who knew how to feed her family....
Nutella lovers, rejoice! Nabisco has confirmed the launch of what might as well be a mini Nutella sandwich. That’s right y’all, Chocolate Hazelnut flavored Oreo cookies are headed to a grocery store near you. You might recall that the beloved cookie brand debuted a similar limited-edition variety in 2018. But, as Best Products points out, those had a Chocolate Hazelnut creme sandwiched between two Golden Oreos. This decadent new version will feature chocolate hazelnut flavored creme sandwiched between two Oreo cookies....
When Ernestine “Sugar Pie” Watkins-Montague turned 100 over the weekend, she had plenty of family on hand to celebrate her big day. Born on January 30, 1922, Sugar Pie witnessed first-hand many of America’s most defining moments in history, including the Great Depression, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement. Her granddaughter Brittanie Hinton said she grew up working on a farm and instilled her incredible work ethic in each of her 18 children....
If you’ve considered adding a deck, building a she shed, or a new addition to your house recently, you may have encountered an issue: Lumber is really expensive right now. The National Association of Home Builders reports that between April 2020 and April 2021, the “price per thousand board feet” increased by nearly 250% — from $350 to a whopping $1,200. The price increase didn’t stop there. In early May, price per thousand board feet soared to a record high of $1,515, according to Fortune....
It’s been a big week for Ben and Erin Napier’s adorable four-year-old daughter Helen. In addition to taking her first piano lesson, she became a big sister yet again, and this time to a sibling of the four-legged variety! That’s right, seven months after the passing of their dog Baker, the Home Town hosts are welcoming a new pup into the family. Erin announced her family’s latest addition in an Instagram post yesterday, writing “Our dog Baker passed last July and anytime Helen gets tired and emotional, oh she crushes us!...
Unexpected snow days in the South have spun our New Year cravings out of routine. I do not enjoy trekking across grocery store parking lots looking for fresh ingredients, nor do I seek to sacrifice my healthful, wholesome cooking resolutions for 2018 by relying on processed pantry and carb-heavy freezer foods. However, with only five primary ingredients (most of which I keep on hand or properly stowed in my freezer), five show-stopping spices and garnishes, and five(-ish) hours in the slow cooker, I managed to make a delicious meal to satisfy my entire snow week....
When a friend first told me about soaking salmon in milk, I was skeptical to say the least. Framed as a way to “get rid of fishiness,” the technique didn’t make sense in my mind. Why would milk have the power to do such a thing? Then, I remembered that Southern cooks have been soaking chicken in milk (namely, buttermilk) to make the best fried chicken for generations—and they know what they’re talking about....
A love of dogs translated into big money for one South Carolina resident. A woman was inside a Circle K in Marion when a Happy Pawlidays! scratch-off ticket caught her eye. She said couldn’t resist the cute pups pictured on the new holiday-themed game. And who could? “I love dogs,” she told South Carolina Education Lottery officials. The woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, bought one, scratched it, and was astonished....
Imagine overlooking a marina filled with fishing boats as you taste some of the freshest seafood in South Carolina. This dream is possible in the Palmetto State. Shrimp, oysters, and crabs are only a few of the Southern staples you’ll find when visiting these establishments.Standing the test of time and weathering a few storms, these eateries know best how to serve fresh foods and unique specials so tourists and locals will keep coming back....
Yellow Jacket Creek house plan tops our Southern Living house plan list these days because it is just the modern mountain house plan that we’ve always wanted. The three-story house has been designed around two key elements: taking advantage of mountain views and hosting as many people as possible. Why We Love It It’s a cabin house! So many of our mountain house dreams revolve around a rustic cabin perched atop a rolling meadow with endless views....
Austin, Texas, is a city that moves to its own groove. The Texas state capital has become known for its relaxed, laid-back vibe and vibrant live music scene, attracting droves of young professionals, retirees, and everything in between. Whether you’re shopping in South Congress or taking in the fine arts, paddleboarding, or touring the capitol, Austin promises endless days of fun. Among similarly sprawling Southern cities, Austin stands out for its widely popular outdoor activities....
