In my family, it’s ALL about the food. Whether we are celebrating the holidays with my mom’s side of the family or my dad’s, you’ll find everyone piled into the kitchen, doing their part. The years we gather with my dad’s crowd of more than 50, my ever-so-talented great-aunt Hope has stepped up to the plate when it comes to organizing the kitchen. After all, it’s a lot of mouths to feed!...
There’s nothing that exists in the repertoire of Southern cuisine that can ever compare to the power of the biscuit. The layers of buttery, flaky goodness are celebrated as the pinnacle of baking genius to the people who grew up eating them. Despite universal appreciation amongst Southerners, we can get quite passionate about how biscuits should be handled, and we’re not so keen to ever abandon grandma’s classic buttermilk recipe....
If paddling through a flooded limestone mine illuminated by the glow of underwater LED lights sounds like a dream come true, set your course to Red River Gorge, Kentucky, for the ultimate kayaking adventure. Located one hour from Lexington, Eco Tour company SUP Kentucky offers a variety of outdoor excursions, but their most popular is easily the “Red River Gorge Underground Cavern Glow,” which takes customers on a one-hour journey through an abandoned, 100-year-old mine complete with an underground waterfall....
Another day, another weird creature to haunt our dreams. This time, in Florida. Texas, the Sunshine State sees your hammerhead flatworms and raises you limbless amphibians that can grow up to five feet long. Florida Fish and Wildlife biologists reportedly captured a caecilian in the Tamiami Canal in Miami, the first discovery of its kind seen in the United States. Not to be confused with shrimp eels, Caecilians (pronounced “Sicilians”) are aquatic, limbless, noodle-like animals that have roamed the Earth since before the dinosaurs....
With summer coming to an end and fall just around the corner, it can only mean one thing: Labor Day sales are kicking off. If you’re in the market for kitchen, home, and outdoor essentials, you’ll want to start your online shopping at Wayfair and Birch Lane. Both stores have already launched major deals in honor of Labor Day, and we’ve been scouting out the very best of them. At Wayfair, you can take up to 70 percent off through September 7 on everything from outdoor furniture to small appliances....
I spend a lot of time at coffeeshops. When I moved to Birmingham, Alabama, I spent all of my early weekends hopping between cafés, determined to track down the city’s best cup of coffee; now, whenever I visit a new city, I make it my personal mission to go to a different coffeeshop each morning. A few well-worn couches, a cast of regulars, and a cup of coffee can really clue you into the personality of a place, sometimes more effectively than any official tour or landmark....
In the book Edna Lewis: At the Table with an American Original, chefs, food historians, writers, and others reflect on the life and work of the legendary Edna Lewis, often called the Julia Child of Southern cuisine. Here, Toni Tipton-Martin, author of the award-winning The Jemima Code shares how Lewis helped shape her career and the way we think about and cook Southern food today. It’s 2:30 a.m. on Friday, January 14, 1995, and Edna Lewis can’t sleep....
Any fan of Alton Brown is also a fan of his little black-and-white Boston terrier Abigail, A.K.A. Scabigail. Healthy and adored, it’s hard to imagine her as anything but the pampered pup she is. But as her nickname suggests, her life hasn’t always been easy. In fact, before she was a celebrity, the sweet dog was in pitiful shape. Abigail was one of 77 other dogs rescued by Atlanta Humane Society from a cruel and neglectful situation in Murray County, Georgia, in May 2018....
Stay toasty all winter long with the faux-translucent tights customers call a “winter essential” for their closets. The fuzzy interior wraps your legs in a warm polyester-cotton fleece and is blended with a hint of spandex, providing the tights with a soft stretch for a flattering shaping effect that’s comfortable enough to wear all day. The unique mix creates the illusion of traditional sheer tights, except this machine-washable pair won’t run or rip thanks to the thick material....
If your makeup bag needs a fall-ready flavor in a forever-favorite formula, Glossier has a limited-edition launch you need to know about. This month, Glossier came out with a new flavor in the ever-popular Balm Dotcom. It’s Wild Fig, and it joins the balm’s fan-favorite lineup that also includes original, rose, birthday, cherry, mint, coconut, mango, and berry flavors. Balm Dotcom made a splash when it hit the scene a few years ago—that’s thanks to its moisturizing finish, which isn’t too shiny or sticky....
Well, it turns out there’s actually two great ways to cook bacon while you’re camping. One works for morning people and/or those who saw The Revenant more than once; the other works for the rest of us. Whether you’re a skilled outdoors-type or you’re still getting used to the whole idea of sleeping outside, both of these techniques will make sure you have a hot breakfast in the morning ready to fuel you up for a weekend’s-worth of hiking, kayaking, or at least some quality hammock time....
In today’s world, the conversation can change from pleasant to uncomfortable on a dime. Although there are people who thrive on debate, there are just as many who prefer not to engage in conversation about controversial or personal subjects outside of their closest confidantes. This might be especially true in business settings or social situations. Since opting out of such conversations can be tricky, we asked Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert and founder of the The Protocol School of Texas, for her best tips on how to gracefully change the subject of conversation....
Butternut squash is one of my favorite cold weather vegetables, and roasting is one of the best ways to prepare it because it amplifies the natural sweetness of the squash. Tender cubes of roasted, caramelized squash are a comforting, go-with-anything vegetable side, and can be made with just three pantry staples: oil, salt, and pepper. Here’s how to do it: Peel it (or don’t) The only tricky thing about cooking butternut squash is cutting it, because of its curvy shape and thick skin....
Friends since the first grade, Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins—who wed in 2012—are one of the sweetest country couples around. And now, Akins is giving fans an insider glimpse into their beautiful proposal story. In a recent video posted on social media, TR’s wife and mama to the couple’s three girls read an excerpt from her new book, Live in Love: Growing Together Through Life’s Changes, recounting their engagement. “I lead Thomas Rhett up a big, winding staircase through the glass doors into the cigar room....
Congratulations are in order for a pair of South Carolina otters! Lowcountry Zoo at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet is celebrating the birth of five adorable otter pups—three girls and two boys—this week. According to a Facebook post, the proud parents welcomed the brood during the winter storm that impacted the area last week. “We have otter babies!” Brookgreen Gardens wrote alongside photos of the cute pups. “They will be with their mom for several weeks as they grow, bond and learn to swim before they are introduced to our exhibits....
Country music legend Reba McEntire revealed her “all-time favorite” quote in a recent interview with Hoda Kotb, and it’s one we should all take to heart. In a brief clip shared by Today, Kotb, who examines stories of personal triumph on her new podcast Making Space with Hoda Kotb, asked McEntire if there’s one single quote that guides her. “What you got to have in life is a funny bone, a backbone, and a wishbone,” the songstress replied....
And it’s no secret that the best time to shop for fantastic holiday deals is during the stretch of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You’ll find slashed prices across multiple categories: home, kitchen, fashion, beauty, and more, and it’s often an ideal time to invest in major upgrades or splurges like furniture you’ve been considering for far too long. Best Cyber Monday Living Room Deals For the living room, comfort is key....
Looking for colors to spice things up? Then go with citrus hues. That’s the approach Mary Leigh took for the third version of this living room. With a final nod to the cherished painting, she incorporated all sorts of mouth-watering shades–tangerine, lemon, lime, and coconut brown–making this space festive and fun. Even the same furniture pieces take on renewed looks when coupled with this tropical palette. Also, a mix of interesting textures insert their own flair....
As the sun floats on the horizon in Del Rio, Texas, this warm Friday evening, cars pour across the U.S.-Mexico border, clogging Hidalgo Street into the town of Ciudad Acuña. Street vendors stake out corners where they’ll sell fruit drinks and snacks. Shopkeepers stand in the doors of their establishments, beckoning shoppers to peruse shelves brimming with merchandise. Two mariachis, each sporting a bolero and cowboy boots, stroll casually among the revelers....
When it comes to finding the perfect home, many choose to build rather than renovate these days. The ability to customize every corner is truly a gift, as many renovators will attest. But with the benefits come inevitable moments of stress and self-doubt as homeowners face an overwhelming number of design decisions. We’ve been there! Though these choices can feel small, experts say it’s essential to be mindful during the process....
