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Spring has officially sprung and down South, we are in full bloom. We have all spent a lot more time at home in the last year and many have picked up a few more house-centric hobbies like baking bread (and cakes, and cookies, and pies) or perhaps you hopped on the trend of going back in time and taking up Victorian era hobbies like pressing flowers or needle point. But if you’ve spent the time binge-reading articles by The Grumpy Gardner and the warm sunshine that spring brings (in between spring thundershowers of course) has you yearning to get your hands in the soil, we have some great news for you....

A Texas mom has discovered a whole new meaning to the word “birthday” now that she has delivered both her children on her birthday, five years apart. Ashlyn Macaluso of Plano, Texas, brought home her first bundle of joy, daughter Adriana, on December 14, 2016. Five years later on December 14, 2021, her son Nace was born. She delivered both children at Medical City Plano, which also happens to be the same hospital she was born in on December 14, 1995....

Our Mamas always taught us to offer homemade sweet tea and freshly baked cookies when guests come over. For us, pouring sweet tea from the store is simply not an option, even when we’re in a rush. Why? Homemade sweet tea always tastes better. Plus, you can customize it to your taste preference, and add additional flavors such as mint or lemons. You can even add refreshing, fruity flavors such as peach puree or raspberry syrup for the hot summer season....

Think about your daily routine: When you get into your car, where do you put your bag? If there’s no room for it on the passenger seat, you probably put your purse on the floor behind you—where it’s basically impossible to get to while you’re en route, not to mention, bound to fall over thanks to bumps in the road. You’re not alone in this struggle, but thankfully shoppers have found a solution: the Car Cache purse holder....

Few lunchmeats leave us with more questions than the classic bologna. It’s perfectly round, impossibly pink, and as synonymous with brown bag lunches as juice boxes. But for something so common, most Americans know very little about bologna’s origin. While we’re not going to get into the exact ingredients used to make the homogenous meat (mostly pork), we do want to explore another bologna mystery: why it’s pronounced “baloney” and not “bo-lo-nya....

My initiation into the world of cooking is somewhat of a mystery to me. It’s unclear whether I was taught to cook at an early age so I could quickly take over the responsibility of weeknight family dinners from my working parents, or if I had a natural curiosity that drew me to cookbooks and a learn-by-doing method. Some of my happiest childhood memories revolve around my Granny’s kitchen and her cooking....

For any home cook or baker, there is no sadder sight than a hopelessly stained, warped sheet pan—and still we hold onto it for as long as possible, roasting those veggies and baking those brown butter chocolate chip cookies out of sheer stubbornness and, in my case, a touch of laziness. It is certainly not as fun a purchase as a new Bundt pan (I’ll do just about anything for a sour cream pound cake), but it is easily my most used kitchenware item and should probably be treated as such....

When Gabby Tropea took in a stray tabby cat a few years ago, the Texas college student thought she was getting an ordinary feline companion. She never guessed how special the cat she named Boko would turn out to be. A year ago, Gabby left Boko at home for a moment so she could take her sister Isabelle to school. She didn’t realize that her sister had locked the door behind them, and Gabby didn’t bring her keys....

When temperatures start to rise in the South, people gear up for their favorite heat-resistant activities, such as locking the door shut to keep all the good air-conditioning inside, mixing up a pitcher of Arnold Palmers, and breaking out the old inflatable tubes. Because, in the South, “shootin’ the Hooch” doesn’t involve sipping on your great-uncle’s contraband moonshine. It’s tubing down the river—the Chattahoochee River, to be exact. Tubing down rivers has long been a beloved pastime of Southerners in the spring and summertime when families are looking for old-fashioned fun and everyone else is just looking for a way to cool down....

Southerners live overwhelmingly humid lives. From spring to fall, most of us are dealing with short sleeves and mild-to-blazing weather and the occasional thunderstorm. When winter descends, though, it can throw us into something of a tizzy. On the whole, we don’t cope well with cold or—perish the thought—impending snow. Admittedly, in the South, anything from 50 to 15 degrees can be considered cold (and don’t you dare tell us otherwise)....

Yes, we’ll admit it. Those grocery-aisle pouches advertising easy, pre-portioned, fully-cooked rice in minutes are tempting. But it’s time to ditch the microwavable stuff. While you should keep quick, microwavable rice in your pantry as a backup, we always prefer freshly-made rice. Homemade rice is a simple yet impressive addition to any meal. Serve it as a side to an elegant steak dinner or as the base of a hearty, whole-grain veggie bowl....

Chances are you already love dryer sheets. Honestly, what’s not to love? Just pop them in the dryer and poof! Out comes soft, sweet-smelling laundry with zero effort. In addition to making your clothes smell good, dryer sheets remove lint and pet hair, reduces wrinkles, and prevents static cling when used in your laundry drying cycle. But what if we told you that you’ve barely even begun to unlock their potential?...

One of the perks of working at Southern Living is that companies all over the South send us stuff to try. Some of it’s great. Some of it’s, well . . . we just appreciate the thought so much. But every now and then, we get something so delicious—like the best cookie delivery on the planet—that we memorize the packaging so we’ll be able to spot it in the mailroom....

Austin’s Circuit of The Americas (COTA) is debuting an all-new event to help Central Texans celebrate the holiday season in a safe and festive way. Introducing Peppermint Parkway, a one-mile drive-thru attraction, where attendees experience millions of holiday lights synchronized to holiday classics from the comfort of their own cars. “We’re determined to keep the magic of the holidays alive,” COTA Chairman Bobby Epstein said in a news release. “Friends and family can throw on their comfy pajamas, pile in the car, and experience our vibrant holiday event to create memories that will last a lifetime....

An afternoon walk turned into an agonizing three-day ordeal for a Texas family earlier this month. Sherry Noppe, 63, took her three-year-old black Labrador retriever, Max, for a walk on May 3. When Sherry, who had recently been diagnosed with dementia didn’t return to her home in Katy, her concerned husband and children contacted law enforcement. In no time, community members as well as search dog teams from Alpha Search and Recovery and volunteers on horseback from Texas EquuSearch were combing the area....

Between all the promenading and smooching, we imagine that wedding season in 19th century London took a toll on the lips of the “ton.” Yet somehow there was nary a chapped lip to be found amongst the cast of Bridgerton. That’s because the beauty team behind Netflix’s record-breaking hit relied on Dr. Pawpaw’s Original Balm to keep the cast’s lips looking healthy and kissable. “Dr. Pawpaw was a staple product in most of our cast bags, even the men,” he told Glamour....

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s been an indescribably difficult time for millions of Americans. Restaurant workers, in particular, have shouldered some of the hardest burdens as many are without work and struggling financially and mentally. In light of these recent hardships, Houston’s Underbelly Hospitality chef/owner Chris Shepherd (pictured above in 2015) and the Southern Smoke Foundation, a charitable relief organization for the restaurant industry that Shepherd co-founded, have provided much needed support to these men and women....

Is turkey bacon healthy? Yes! . . . kind of Turkey bacon has fewer calories and a lower fat content than traditional bacon. This is great for family and friends who are heart and health-conscious or are simply watching their cholesterol. But! Just like pork bacon, turkey bacon is high in saturated fat and sodium, so enjoy in moderation like all special treats. How to Cook Turkey Bacon: In the Oven...

Thirty minutes north of Dallas, you’ll find McKinney, Texas, a town oozing with charm. There’s plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment in the historic downtown area, and nature enthusiasts can find a moment of zen at the sprawling Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary too. History buffs will appreciate learning about McKinney’s pioneer past at Chestnut Square and the Collin County History Museum, while thespians can enjoy live performances through the McKinney Performing Arts Center....

Of all years to treat yourself to a doughnut, this one seems like a pretty good contender. And of all years to treat yourself to two dozen doughnuts, we’re going to go ahead and say it would be this one, too. Kale and collards will come, but for now, let there be Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Well, fellow sweet tooths, you’re in luck. The North Carolina born-and-based doughnut chain will be celebrating the new year by selling two Original Glazed dozens for only $12 on December 31 through January 3....