For now, as we spend our days and nights at home in wake of the coronavirus outbreak, we’re grateful for all of the virtual tour options that have sprouted up online. We’ve delighted in remotely visiting botanical gardens in the South, Frank Lloyd Wright home in East Hollywood, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, and National Parks across the country, to name a few of our favorite virtual experiences....
Star anise might be the most unappreciated, underused spice. If you have a jar of these dark brown, flower-shaped seed pods in your spice rack, chances are, you probably don’t know what the heck to do with them. Open the jar, take a sniff, and—if they’re still fresh—you’ll be reminded of black licorice. Many people compare star anise to anise seeds or fennel seeds, and while they have a similar aroma and flavor, star anise is stronger and sharper....
Bird injuries from running into windows are far too common. According to the Audubon Society of Texas, running headfirst into “building glass is the #2 human-related cause of death to birds in the United States, killing hundreds of millions of birds” and injuring millions more. This unfortunate statistic means there’s a good chance that someday you’re going to run into a bird that may need your help. Here’s what to do with an injured bird:...
My love affair with King’s Hawaiian rolls began at church. I don’t know why, but sometime during my childhood, Bethel United Methodist swapped the packing-peanut-flavored communion wafers for a King’s Hawaiian loaf. Maybe someone on the altar guild developed tastebuds, or our pastor decided it might bring more people to Jesus. Whatever the reason, paired with Welch’s grape juice, King’s Hawaiian bread made for one heck of a sacrament. Salvation, I learned, was sweet....
Whether you are a new plant parent stemming from working from home or have been tending to houseplants for years, we all are looking for ways to add a bit of pep and beauty into our spaces these days. But you may be overlooking one type of low-maintenance plants: cacti. That’s right, these prickly plants are well worth adding to your greenery collection and may be much easier to care for than you thought....
As I make my way across the South sampling barbecue, I spend a lot of time driving down winding two-lane backroads, for many of our best pit-cookers are found far off the beaten path. One of the great joys of such journeys is rounding a bend and spying the sign for a barbecue restaurant you’ve never heard of and hitting the brakes to give it a try. I’ve been putting in a lot of miles on Interstate highways, too, especially when I need to make the long haul from one state to another....
When a small Florida town sports an iconic name like “Christmas,” you can imagine why it draws throngs of visitors during December. Some people simply seek a “Christmas, FL” postmark on the envelopes of their holiday cards. Others want to check out the holiday festivities packing the town’s events calendar. But guess what? You don’t need to squeeze in all the small-town fun during December. Located in Orange County about 25 miles east of Orlando, this Central Florida town has a holiday mindset year-round, with an origin story to thank for its namesake....
A few years ago, my grandmother introduced my mom, sister, and me to the magic of the Scrub Daddy sponge. To this day, you’ll spot one of the smiling sponges in each of our kitchens. I always have one sitting on my kitchen sink, and one backup in the cabinet for when it’s time for it to be replaced because no other sponge gets the job done as good as a Scrub Daddy can....
The past month has been extremely challenging as we have all faced the grave danger of a global pandemic for the first time in most of our lifetimes. As most of us are staying home to flatten the curve of the spread of coronavirus, juggling working from home and homeschooling our children, and others are bravely reporting to duty as essential workers, stress and anxiety are extremely high. Couple that with grief as many Americans are now also dealing with the loss of loved ones to this terrible disease....
As your grandmother probably mentioned once or twice (or a dozen times), things aren’t what they used to be. That goes for manners, fashion and, as it turns out, dish soap. If you have ever run a load of dishes only for them to emerge from the wash cycle still dingy with food remnants loitering around and maybe even a cloudy film, you may have been tempted to scowl at your dishwasher....
These days, amidst quarantine living during the coronavirus pandemic, we’re even more grateful for the wonderful world of entertainment. On that note, between rewatching the Downton Abbey series for we’ve-lost-track-how-many times and streaming Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes’ and executive producer Garthe Neame’s new series Belgravia—a delicious drama and as ephemeral as cotton candy replete with social climbing, romance, war, ornate scenery and costumes accompanied by trenchant dialogue—for the first time, we have some news: The movie script for the Downtown Abbey sequel is scheduled to be completed this year....
Thank-you notes are a year-round tradition. Sometimes we’re writing notes of thanks for gifts —holiday gifts, birthday gifts, wedding gifts, or housewarming gifts — and other times, we’re writing notes to express gratitude for assistance or unexpected kindnesses. Still, other moments compel us to thank someone for being a friend. For all these great reasons, there are few occasions in which a thank you note is not appropriate. Alternatively, when a note is appreciated, several things remain to remember when writing....
Whether you’re using light or dark brown sugar, this pantry staple has deep caramel notes and a hint of bitterness from molasses—making it ideal for spice rubs and glazes, quick breads and muffins, and any dessert made with warming spices. Unlike white sugar, brown sugar gives baked goods a depth of flavor and depending on the recipe, can make them rich and chewy. (Like these amazing chocolate chip cookies.) And also unlike white sugar, a half-full box of brown sugar can turn rock hard when you’re not looking....
As the daughter of former President George W. Bush, Jenna Bush Hager grew up in various Texas towns and cities amid the tumble of politics and the glare of news cameras. When she looks back, she says it’s the tone her mother set at home that kept everyone centered. “My mom isn’t one for dispensing advice, really,” says Hager, who is cohost of NBC’s Today with Hoda & Jenna, as well as a former teacher, an Editor-at-Large for this magazine, and an author....
If you’re looking for a compact blooming shrub that packs a punch, check out our latest favorite, ‘Little Honey’ hydrangea. Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Little Honey’ produces bright honey-hued foliage and pretty white flowers that appear in summertime. According to the NC State Extension Service, “Little Honey Hydrangea is a dwarf cultivar with bright golden-yellow foliage in spring that matures to chartreuse in summer and is its best asset.” While we see lots of deep greens in the garden, this hydrangea brings a golden hue to the landscape....
Flower lovers, take note: A new day dawns in the world of color. Meet the Big Sky Series of coneflowers (Echinacea sp.), whose dazzling blooms mirror the loveliest shades of a summer day. From pale golden ‘Sunrise’ to vibrant ‘Sundown’; rich, rosy ‘Twilight’; and radiant ‘Harvest Moon,’ these plants offer a unique twist on a garden staple. “Purple coneflowers have been one of the top-10 selling perennials for years,” says Bobby Saul, an owner of ItSaul Plants in Atlanta....
Designed by Atlanta-based architect John Tee, the best-selling New Oxford house plan (SL-068) radiates curb appeal and Southern comfort. What’s not to love about it? The design blends Greek Revival influences with inviting country charm. A front porch with traditional white columns and bay windows invites passersby to sit and stay for a while. With a spacious 2,404-square-foot floor plan, this two-story home is fit for a family or retirees....
On March 16, 1991, a plane crash in California killed seven of Reba McEntire’s band members along with her tour manager and the aircraft’s pilot and co-pilot. Her life and music would never be the same. Now, in a recent interview for members of the media, McEntire recalled how important a role Kenny Rogers played in helping her begin to get back on her feet after that devastating event. “Kenny [Rogers] saved my sanity in ‘91 when he asked me to come do The Gambler movie,” said McEntire per Taste of Country....
Dahlonega, Georgia, is the perfect Christmas town thanks to a festive parade, a Hallmark-worthy tree-lighting ceremony, and an inviting downtown. But did you know it’s a dreamy spring oasis, too? Lavender lovers, take note: This June 15th, the Red Oak Lavender Farm will celebrate its 5th Annual Lavender Festival on their picturesque grounds. With 20 different varieties of lavender and 2,000 lavender plants, Red Oak is the largest lavender farm open to the public in the entire state....
Dolly Parton’s new Christmas movie is just two days away, and we’ve got a sneak peek at some of the magic to come! Almost four months after she was spotted filming Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas with Willie Nelson in Dollywood, NBC has shared an exclusive look at one of their scenes together. Though the details of Nelson’s role remain unknown, there is speculation that he appears in the two-hour holiday special as one of the “Three Wise Men....
