Watch Try This Trick To Make Tomatoes Taste Better

One of the greatest pleasures of summer in the South is the abundance of ripe red tomatoes growing in our gardens or overflowing at farm stands and grocery stores. Many summertime picnic baskets have been filled with nothing more than perfectly ripe tomatoes, a loaf of white bread, and a new jar of Duke’s mayonnaise. However, tomatoes don’t tend to hit perfection until mid to late August and sometimes it’s hard to wait that long....

July 7, 2022 · 2 min · 404 words · Francoise Bloomfield

What Is A Trifle

Trifles are a classic Southern dessert, especially around the holidays. They’re a great way to use up day-old cake or fresh fruit before it goes bad. They are a choose-your-own-dessert adventure where exact proportions aren’t always needed and ingredients can be endlessly swapped to create new flavors. (Just don’t go too wild, you don’t want to end up with something like Rachel Green’s infamous Thanksgiving trifle.) What Is a Trifle? Trifles originated in 18th century Britain and were designed to use up leftovers and stale cake....

July 7, 2022 · 5 min · 925 words · Angela Tiedeman

Why Right Now Could Be An Important Time To Foster A Dog

As the world closes down in a bid to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, we are looking for ways to spread a little kindness around. When you’re watching out for your family, your neighbors, and your community, keep in mind our furry friends, too. During this time, animal shelters across the South and the rest of the United States are filling up as adoption events and shelter visits are canceled leaving pups in overcrowded conditions....

July 7, 2022 · 3 min · 434 words · Tony Grennan

Wonderbird Spirits Is The Mississippi Made Gin You Need To Try

The state is known for literary heavyweights, fried catfish, and the blues, but the three cofounders behind Wonderbird Spirits are now working to put Mississippi on the map for something else: gin. “One of the things that was very important to us in our shared vision was making something that came from this place,” says Thomas Alexander. Theirs is a field-to-bottle operation, with a base alcohol handmade from Delta-grown rice and infused with 10 microdistilled botanicals (two of which are grown on their property)....

July 7, 2022 · 2 min · 368 words · Judy Brown

Yes Disney World Is Technically Its Own City With Its Own Residents

If there’s one thing we can’t get enough of, it’s fun facts about Disney World. And luckily for us, The Most Magical Place on Earth is a certifiable treasure trove of interesting factoids, like their time-saving reason for banning over-the-sink mirrors in the bathrooms and why they paint trashcans a particular shade of green. But those things are small potatoes compared to the sizeable piece of knowledge Apartment Therapy recently bubbled up: The fact that Disney World is its own city with its own government....

July 7, 2022 · 3 min · 433 words · Nancy Thompson

At Home With Gregg Allman

Gregg Allman bends down and shoves a trowel into the ground. The famous hard-rocking musician, better known for digging grooves than digging holes, is planting impatiens. “I like anything with color,” says Gregg, whose newfound interest in gardening surprises no one more than him. A broad-rimmed hat shades his blond-going-gray ponytail. His gardening gloves don’t quite reach the queen-of-hearts tattoo on his left forearm. A sea breeze drifts through live oaks and carries the harmonies of chirping birds....

July 6, 2022 · 5 min · 981 words · Walter Johns

Can You Actually Eat Moldy Cheese

Cheese is undoubtedly one of the most versatile items you keep in the refrigerator. It’s delicious on its own and is easily the star ingredient in dishes like mac and cheese or broccoli-cheddar soup. As wonderful as it is, cheese does have a problem—a tendency to mold. If you’ve ever reached into the refrigerator only to discover your cheese has turned moldy, you’ve probably found yourself wondering if moldy cheese is safe to eat....

July 6, 2022 · 2 min · 425 words · April Moore

Crushed Aspirin Is My Mom S Medicine Cabinet Trick For Quickly Getting Rid Of A Blemish

Pimples just don’t get the memo. They don’t know how to read the room. They’re the uninvited guest at the party who didn’t even deign to bring a bottle of wine or a batch of cheese straws for the trouble. Pimples, sorry, are the absolute worst. Whether it be a regular pesky pustule or one of those world-shattering, under-the-surface cystic spots, waking up with a blemish can really kick the week off on a dumpy note....

July 6, 2022 · 3 min · 443 words · Deborah Miller

Escape To Brevard North Carolina For A Unique Mountain Getaway

“I got here in 1986 and thought I had landed in heaven,” says basket artist Joe Bruneau, who manages Brevard’s arts cooperative, Number 7 Arts. “It’s absolutely beautiful.” With pristine parklands and 250 waterfalls, Brevard and its surrounding Transylvania County beckon both outdoor adventurers and artists. Every summer, 500 promising young musicians are chosen for the annual Brevard Music Center Summer Institute & Festival, with some 80 concerts taking the stage from late June to early August....

July 6, 2022 · 3 min · 520 words · Brenda Reynolds

Fun Facts You Should Know About Peonies

We couldn’t love these gorgeous blooms any more than we already do, which is why we’re always looking forward to peony season. Think you know all there is to know about peonies? Test your knowledge with these fun facts. From their scientific classification to their blooming season, there are a few things that all peony enthusiasts should know, so read on: You’re bound learn a few things about these lovely plants in the process, and it might just inspire you to plant peonies in your own garden this year....

July 6, 2022 · 3 min · 610 words · Stephen Sangster

How To Feel Less Lonely During Coronavirus Pandemic

First things first: You’re not alone. During these exceedingly difficult times, try your best to find a sliver of comfort that you’re feeling the same way millions are as we face the coronavirus pandemic across the country. Second, yes, streaming movies and TV shows are fun, but that will only get you so far. To feel less lonely, it’s best to engage in activities that make you feel connected to others and/or make a positive impact on your own well-being and that of others....

July 6, 2022 · 8 min · 1549 words · Thomas Brown

How To Store Onions So They Last Longer

Onions are incredibly versatile. They can be pureed into soups, chopped up to add crunch to tacos or sandwiches, and add delicious flavor to just about anything. Because they can be used in so many dishes, it’s a great idea to buy them in bulk. That means fewer trips to the store and potential savings at checkout. Which brings us to another point: The other thing that makes onions a great candidate for buying in bulk is their long shelf life....

July 6, 2022 · 4 min · 643 words · Peggy Dalessio

Jerry Rice Shares Superbowl Ring With Make A Wish Kid

Last night’s Super Bowl was full of excitement, a true nail-biter to the end. It was a total thrill for Kansas City fans, for sure, to see their team win for the first time in fifty years. But there was also a pretty special moment that happened well before kickoff that you may have missed. Starkville, Mississippi native Jerry Rice is one of football’s greatest players of all time. In fact, that is precisely why Rice was on the field before the start of the game yesterday....

July 6, 2022 · 2 min · 341 words · Gayle Jones

Keith Urban And Nicole Kidman Celebrate 16Th Wedding Anniversary With Sweet Photo Tributes

Congratulations to Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban! The longtime love birds celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary on Saturday. “HAPPY SWEET 16 BABY,” Urban wrote on Instagram alongside a smiling selfie of the two of them. Kidman also took to social media to celebrate the milestone, sharing a rare photo of their 2006 nuptials in Australia “Sweet XVI,” the Oscar-winner captioned a photo of their candlelit ceremony. “Remember this like it was yesterday....

July 6, 2022 · 1 min · 181 words · Alfonso Fallon

Lacey Chabert Marks Six Months Without Sister Wendy In Beautiful Tribute

It’s been six months since Lacey Chabert’s older sister died unexpectedly and the Mississippi native took to social media to pause and pay tribute to Wendy. “I looked at the date and realized its been exactly six months without my beautiful sister. We all miss her so much,” her Instagram post began alongside a childhood photo of Wendy. It’s clear that Chabert’s pain is still raw, but it appears her daughter is helping her walk through the grief....

July 6, 2022 · 2 min · 340 words · Brenda Moore

Make Ahead Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a delicate balancing act. The base is a wobbly, oval-shaped halved egg white. On top, you have a small mountain of creamy egg yolk filling. Sprinkle on your choice of toppings and you’ve got something more akin to a small sculpture than a finger food. If you’re preparing and serving them at home, it’s no sweat to make a platter of deviled eggs lined up in neat rows, waiting to be devoured....

July 6, 2022 · 3 min · 633 words · Mark Francis

Matthew Mcconaughey Wants To Keep Austin Weird

While the coronavirus pandemic has sent people packing from most major cities, Austin is experiencing unprecedented growth. In fact, the influx of new residents sent housing prices soaring by more than 42% in just one year. Proud Texan and longtime Austin resident Matthew McConaughey has noticed the change around him. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar-winner said it doesn’t surprise him one bit. “I’ve been just waiting for the secret to get out,” McConaughey said....

July 6, 2022 · 2 min · 255 words · Gerald Davis

My Granny A Magic Pie And The Clothesline

My grandmother was my inspiration for cooking and all things domestic. She instilled in me the importance of cooking good food and the appreciation of simpler things like a clothesline full of laundry flapping in the breeze. On Mother’s Day, I certainly remember my mother and I joyfully recall one of my favorite memories of my grandmother. In the mid to late 1960s, my grandparents were finally able to afford a washing machine....

July 6, 2022 · 6 min · 1250 words · Stefan Depner

Our Texas Caviar Rice And Beans Recipe Starts With A Bag Of Microwavable Rice

Let’s talk about grocery store convenience items. Right up there with rotisserie chicken and pre-chopped onions is the hero of the grain aisle, the MVP of starches, the Hercules of a pulled-together plate. I’m talking about heat-and-eat rice, rice, baby, and the best way to use it is in our Texas Caviar Rice and Beans. I’ve been making this recipe since it hit our July 2013 issue. In that time, I’ve made it for countless weeknight dinners and even a few guests who, of course, request the recipe with a mouthful....

July 6, 2022 · 2 min · 334 words · Ethel Sugarman

Proper Etiquette For Tipping At A Bed And Breakfast

We’re obsessed with all things etiquette. Because etiquette practices change in ways big and small with the passing of the years, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the most recent iterations of accepted codes of conduct. One of our most recent etiquette questions broaches the topic of tipping at bed and breakfasts. Should you tip the proprietor? Tipping is customary to show gratitude for an excellent job at a particular task—especially a hospitality-based job....

July 6, 2022 · 3 min · 483 words · Jean Adams