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With decades spent in the limelight, it’s a small miracle that Dolly Parton has managed to keep her personal life so tightly under wraps. This week, on the International Women’s Day episode of The Kelleigh Bannen Show on Apple Music Country, the songstress revealed that it’s not a miracle at all—it’s the result of setting clear and intentional boundaries. Speaking with Bannen, Parton shared her longstanding reasons for keeping her relationship with husband Carl Dean private....

Why do people murder crepe myrtles? No, it’s not too much Neanderthal DNA. It’s that the variety of crepe myrtle they planted got way too big for their space. Thankfully gardeners and growers both saw the need for smaller, more compact crepe myrtles—or crape myrtles or crapemyrtles if you prefer—that didn’t need annual pruning. Growers created new selections of dwarf and semi-dwarf types that bloomed well, resisted disease, and were hardy....

There’s a new reason to be thankful this holiday season—Target is selling a full Thanksgiving feast for just $25. Whether you’re headed over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house or celebrating Friendsgiving at home, this meal deal has almost everything a group needs for a full Thanksgiving feast. There’s a 10-pound turkey, which is big enough for a crowd and hopefully will leave plenty of turkey for those all-imporant leftovers....

If you’re reading this article, chances are you love The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond. We’re guessing her name is frequently dropped in your household. We’re thinking her recipes are just as frequently dropped on your dining room table for dinner. Perhaps Saturday morning is even lovingly dubbed “Pioneer Woman” time, given how frequently you and your loved ones tune into her Food Network show. But have you ever stopped and wondered how Drummond got the nickname?...

After a full year of the pandemic and too few (if any) visits to the hair salon, it might be time to cut off all the hair that’s grown during quarantine. If you’re ready for a big chop, consider donating to an organization that creates wigs for those going through radiation or anyone suffering from hair loss. If you’re considering donating your hair to a charity, it’s important to know the rules before chopping it off....

Thanksgiving cactus is one of the most popular houseplants for holiday gift giving with exotic-looking flowers opening just in time for the festivities. Plants bloom from mid-November well into the New Year in shades of pink, rose, red, white, and yellow. Thanksgiving cactus is an easy to grow houseplant that, given the right conditions, can last a lifetime. Learn how to grow Thanksgiving cactus and encourage them to bloom for the holidays....

The tradition originated in Louisiana, where cooks would use portable butane and propane tanks to fuel a burner on which they could place a large pot to boil crawfish. Soon, they began using the same setup to heat oil in which to fry their turkeys, and presumably other foods as well. To make a Cajun fried turkey, you’ll need to emulate the flavors of the region. It is important to note that Cajun and Creole are different cuisines....

When the going gets tough, the tough take the steering wheel. The school bus steering wheel, that is. Such was the case for one inspiring Kentucky principal who jumped into action in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic to serve as surrogate school bus driver. But for Janet Throgmorton of Fancy Farm Elementary School in Fancy Farm, Kentucky, it wasn’t about garnering praise — it was just another day in the office....

Jenna Bush Hager recently brought her two daughters to see her old stomping grounds for the first time. Last week the Today co-host and her husband, Henry Hager, took nine-year-old Mila and seven-year-old Poppy inside the White House on a night Jenna described as “so magical.” On Today with Hoda & Jenna on Monday, the former first daughter explained how she and Henry prepared their girls to meet the current president and first lady, who greeted the Hager family....

Before the coronavirus pandemic, so many of us enjoyed treating ourselves after the work week week to a dinner out with friends, to playing a game of cards with loved ones at our local haunt or someone’s home, to seeing some of our favorite musicians in concert. With our leisure lives upended by the global health crisis, many are struggling to find joy after a long, stressful work day. For those so deserving of such joy in the medical field, a bit of fun during their time off can truly make a difference in returning to work with renewed spirits....

Since the publication of his memoir Greenlights, Matthew McConaughey’s life has been, well, an open book. From an oftentimes difficult childhood to the struggles of raising his own three children in the spotlight, the Oscar-winning Texan has given fans an unfiltered look at his epic 51 years of life. And, like any good Southern boy, McConaughey’s recollections focus a lot on tales of his tenacious mama, Kay. In fact, he finds a way to mention her in nearly every single interview he gives....

When it arrived in my mailbox two days later, I tried it on as soon as I opened the package and wanted to wear it immediately. The lightweight material comprised of 98% Polyester and 2% Spandex makes the dress ideal for wearing during the summer heat. Plus, the adjustable wrap skirt overlay that’s trimmed in ruffles creates a flattering fit—all for a bargain price of less than $30. BUY IT: $25....

Three yearsago, I watched my mother get transported back to the early 1950s. Her vehicle for this time travel was not a silver sports car but the Dentzel Carousel in Meridian, Mississippi; the power source was not gigawatts but a memory harnessed in a hand-carved horse, its legs forever frozen mid trot. As my then 72-year-old mom went round and round astride a tawny filly, she moved in and out of view, followed by her son on a spotted pony; her husband on a white steed; and three grandkids swapping turns on a lion, a tiger, and a giraffe....

1. Retinol Consider retinol (vitamin A) the antiaging MVP. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles by resurfacing skin. Encapsulated formulas provide a gentler process that’s ideal for sensitive skin. Try It: CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum, $20; ulta.com 2. Glycolic Acid The tiniest of the alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), glycolic acid is a go-to for even exfoliation. It boosts cell turnover, resulting in improved tone and texture as well as more radiant skin....

You love Chick-fil-A. You love their waffle fries. You love their biscuits. You love their frosted beverages. You love their friendly cow mascot. But if you’re being honest, what you really love is their sauce. Oh, how our stomachs growl and hearts swoon for that ever-glorious lineup of Chick-fil-A sauces. Well, we come bearing good news. As of today, Monday, October 26, participating Chick-fil-A restaurants will be selling a holiday boxed set of Chick-fil-A sauces, available for a limited-time only....

There comes a time in every adult’s life when having the answers to a host of age-old household questions at the ready becomes important. Whether it’s registering for wedding gifts or a mother-in-law who is set to visit—the exact reason doesn’t really matter—it’s good to be on your toes about matters of home improvement. You never know when someone is going to test your knowledge about how to clean wood floors, properly place a top sheet (upside down!...

The weeping willow (Salix babylonica), sometimes also called Babylon willow, is a polarizing plant. While some adore this unique-looking tree for its droopy charm, others believe that enjoying the sight of a weeping willow in your yard will never be worth the hassle. Outside of China, where it originates, the weeping willow has not had much success with being cultivated, aside from certain hybrid derivatives. The tree is easy to grow and fast to take root—able to propagate in many types of soil—but it is hard to keep alive....

Just because you’ve taken a gamble one or two times (or more) and come out on top, doesn’t mean you should continue to push your luck. We’ve covered the things you should never put in your fridge, your dryer, and so on, but it’s high time to heat up the discussion, don’t you agree? On this list of things you should never put in your oven, we’re sticking with the relatively common mistakes but forgoing the more obvious items like plastic—after all, we should all be aware of basic kitchen safety at this point....

When it comes to holiday decorating, Southerners go big. We start planning months in advance, and we tend to leave our decorations up a little longer than everyone else. That’s because we just hate to see the season end. If there’s a way to extend the holiday spirit a little longer, we’ll find it. While garlands, festive wreaths, and clusters of mistletoe can be found decking the halls, the tree is always the main attraction....

Buying upholstered furniture is not always easy. Sure, you can go into a store, pick out a sofa, and have it delivered. But will it fit your room? Is the floor sample fabric all that’s available? And don’t forget the kids–will the fabric and cushions hold up to their wear and tear? Selecting quality upholstery should be a deliberate process, much like purchasing a car or home computer. Once you analyze your needs and educate yourself, even nonexperts can separate quality furniture from the rest....