Posts

We know, we know, we wax poetic about biscuits like there’s no other type of bread in the world—but it’s because we love them. And we stand by the statements that we’ve made about the art of making homemade biscuits, but some days you don’t have time to wait for the dough to chill, much less the time to measure out flour and butter and the rest. Since biscuit cravings supersede our timetables, we took to the grocery store to test several different store-bought biscuits and compare them to each other....

These days, we’re all about embracing our inner homebody. We’ve watched and re-watched Sweet Magnolias on Netflix. We’ve taken more than a few quarantine cooking lessons with Joanna Gaines. We’ve danced the night away as we streamed some of our favorite Broadway musicals. We’ve even (almost) smelled the roses and virtually toured botanical gardens throughout the South. Based on the material you select, the bean bag chair will cost you between $257....

You’re a Southerner. There’s nary a Christmas cookie you haven’t baked nor a festive jack-o’-lantern you haven’t carved. And when Valentine’s Day rolls around, you can bet your last ounce of sweet tea that a cornucopia of heart-shaped treats are on the horizon. Another, also praising its virtues, shared a heartfelt (pun intended) anecdote: “Purchased this as a gift, of which I baked a cake in it and delivered it to friends for their anniversary (I reused this great idea from a friend who did it for us)....

Pawpaw, paw-paw, or paw paw? It doesn’t much matter how you spell it—it’s an easy tree to grow and a tasty fruit to eat. Pawpaws are the largest edible fruit trees native to North America, specifically in the temperate climes of the eastern parts of the United States, though you won’t often find them near the coasts. Pawpaw, paw-paw, and paw paw are all accepted spellings, while the scientifically minded among us know the pawpaw tree as Asimina triloba, a species in the plant family Annonaceae....

Ever wondered about the history of hydrangeas? They were first cultivated in Asia and have become popular plantings across the world. The genus now includes over 70 species of varying forms, shapes, and colors. Flowers have lots of different meanings and associated symbolism, and hydrangeas are generally considered to be associated with gratitude and heartfelt emotion. While we most often identify these familiar blooms as ‘hydrangeas’, they’re also known by other names....

Anthony Grant was 22 years old and working as a printer’s apprentice when, on April 22, 1942, he was drafted into the Army. “I was not scared, but I was nervous, because, in anticipation of what was going on,” he recalled to WAVY of the beginning months of World War II. “I realized that once I got in the Army, my life would change forever.” And change it did. From the beaches of Normandy to the mountains of Japan, Grant spent the next 21 years as an Army quartermaster, supplying troops on the frontlines of WWII and Korean War battlefields....

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate the people you love by gifting them chocolate, surprising them with a romantic dinner, and sharing words of endearment straight from the heart. While handwritten letters and a bouquet of flowers might impress most people, posting an adorable Instagram photo with a swoon-worthy caption is really the icing on the cake. We understand if your creativity has run dry from pouring out all of your feelings into a Hallmark card, so we gathered light-hearted, funny, and adorable captions to make this Valentine’s Day the best one yet....

In the South, biscuits and gravy go together like Dolly and her teased wig. Each can coexist separately, but have much more fun when lumped together. Figuratively, of course, since gravy when done correctly should be the opposite of lumpy. Though it seems simple and straightforward enough to do so, gravy can sense fear from across the kitchen. Pay attention to that roux, no matter what type of gravy you’re making....

It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of Hellmann’s or a Duke’s devotee, if you’re a Southerner, you understand the importance of mayo to a Southern sandwich. There are a few much-loved sandwiches from around the region that probably wouldn’t be as popular as they are today without the assistance of this classic condiment. We’ve gathered our favorites below, along with plenty of recipes in case you want to whip up a sandwich spread this season....

Come summertime in the South, the last thing anybody wants to do is turn on the oven. So, what’s a cobbler-lover to do between June and August? Fortunately, the brilliant minds at Blue Bell have made it both easy and refreshing to enjoy a blackberry cobbler in the summer—no sweaty baking (or cleanup) required. This week, the Texas-based creamery announced the return of its popular Southern Blackberry Cobbler ice cream to great fanfare....

When your mother looks fifteen years younger than she is, there comes a time when you realize you need to wise up—in my case, as soon as I crossed the threshold from college kid to real-life adult with a job and bills and other wrinkle-inducing responsibilities. And so I pulled out the No. 2 and started taking notes. From skincare staples like Beautycounter’s Plumping Facial Oil to age-reversing standouts like Goop’s Instant Facial, I’ve learned the power of a killer skincare routine that basically says, “Not today!...

Chip Gaines has a very good reason for not wanting you to stain your hardwood floors: natural flooring is in his blood. The king of demo day shared the origins of his deep-seated attachment to hardwood in the recent Discovery+ special “Breaking New Ground: Expanding the Silos.” During the episode, he and wife Joanna offer viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the recent expansion of Magnolia Market at the Silos, including the relocation of The Old Church....

There is no bigger sign that the holidays are fast-approaching than the selection of the Christmas tree for the U.S. Capitol. And when we say “bigger sign,” we mean it. This year’s tree is a whopping 78-foot tall Red Spruce from the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. Nicknamed “Ruby,” this is the first tree from N.C. to stand at the U.S. Capitol since 1998, according to North Carolina news outlet WRAL....

Just when we thought we couldn’t possibly love Matthew McConaughey any more than we already do… This afternoon, the proud Texan revealed that he is offering a once-in-a-lifetime sports experience in exchange for donations to the All-In Challenge, a celebrity fundraiser helping to feed those in need amid the coronavirus pandemic. For as little as $10, fans have the chance to watch a University of Texas game on the sidelines with the Minister of Culture himself....

Want to channel your inner Dolly Parton? Oh, only 365 days a year. Well, if you want to be more like the Queen of Country, you may want to start by ditching the whole New Year’s resolutions thing (yes, that’s us you hear, breathing a sigh of relief right along with you). For some, setting a New Year’s resolution can be an effective way to achieve your goals—whether that’s writing a book or dropping 50 pounds—but for many, the pressure of setting up resolutions come January 1st can set you up for disappointment....

A beloved, century-old summer retreat in the North Carolina mountains is getting a new lease on life with help from the visionary family behind Blackberry Farm. High Hampton, which sits on more than 1,400 beautiful acres near the Nantahala National Forest, has been an iconic Cashiers destination since 1922. Now, the brilliant minds who brought us Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain have teamed up with Arlington Family Offices and Daniel Communities to update the historic inn and grounds for a new generation....

Looking at Lisa Dye’s delicately crafted cake stands, you probably wouldn’t guess that her artistic journey started with breaking china. Once a hostess simply looking for bright, new focal points to add to her garden, Dye is now the owner and creative mind behind Highlands Cake Stand Co. With each cake stand she creates, Dye proves that even heirlooms as sacred as china sets can be upgraded and reincorporated into modern homes....

When cookies seem too casual, and layer cakes feel too fancy, dessert bars and brownies stand in the gap, delivering surprising flavors in portable packaging. For generations of bakers, these handheld treats have been the go-to choice for bridal showers, birthday parties, potlucks, or any celebratory gatherings. Why do we love them? Let us count the ways: You can make them ahead of time, bake and serve out of one pan, and transport them easily....

There is no need to convince anyone that people in the South are really, really opinionated about their food. For instance, a home cook will tell you there are just two ways to make a skillet of hot cornbread: her way and the wrong way, and the difference in the two ways usually involves a spoonful or two of sugar. A “discussion” on the proper way to season and smoke a pork butt (dry rub or basting, injections, lump charcoal or all wood) can become even more lively and heated than a political rally....

One Kentucky nurse is celebrating her retirement in style after winning $200,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket on her last day of work. The woman—who lives in Dana, Kentucky, and wishes to remain anonymous—worked as a nurse for 36 years and served on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the day of her retirement, she drove to a Double Kwik convenience store in Prestonburg, Kentucky and purchased a $10 Tree-Mendous Winnings scratch-off ticket....