It’s lucky Moses and the Israelites didn’t own houses in the suburbs. Why? Because when manna fell from heaven, they’d probably take a cue from their neighbors and rake it to the curb. To a gardener, December’s fallen leaves and pine needles are just like manna. Each leaf and needle contains a larder of organic matter–absolutely the best material for loosening clay or improving the water- and nutrient-holding capacity of sand....
Dolly Parton is turning 77 this year and the Grand Ole Opry is helping her celebrate. The legendary Nashville institution is taking over the Ryman Auditorium for the month of January for “Opry at the Ryman” and will hold two extra special shows just days after her actual birthday on January 21 to celebrate the birth of the Smoky Mountain Songbird. While Dolly herself won’t be there, the Opry has a lot of fun planned for fans....
In Nashville, hot chicken is a self-policing thing—places that fake the fire don’t tend to stay in business very long. Locals can instantly tell when someone is chasing dollars over deliciousness, and word spreads fast (whether positive or negative), especially online—see Facebook groups like the Fraternal Order of Hot Chicken. It’s safe to say that Music City’s Hattie B’s has been thoroughly vetted by residents and visitors alike. One constant in reviews of the restaurant is, well, its consistency....
Chick-fil-A is a Southern staple. We’ve loved and lost the Carrot-and-Raisin Salad, and are still a little sour about the removal of our beloved Lemon Pie. But one item on Chick-fil-A’s menu that has our hearts fully—and won’t change—is the restaurant’s iconic fried chicken fillets. Known best when sandwiched on a bun with a couple of pickles, Chick-fil-A’s classic chicken sandwich is the one we crave on Sundays (and promptly pick up on Mondays)....
When oil baron Henry Flagler’s railway extension connecting Miami to Key West opened in 1912 it was heralded as the “eighth wonder of the world.” At the time, the seven-mile bridge that stretched between Florida’s Middle and Lower Keys was one of the longest in existence. But time, technology, and weather inevitably took their toll. According to Smithsonian Magazine, by 1982 nearly all of it had been replaced by a series of modern bridges known collectively as Highway One....
For years now, Andrew Walker has been a staple on our televisions, winning our hearts in 21 Hallmark movies so far. But ahead of the premiere of his latest, My Family Christmas Tree, Walker spoke with Southern Living and let us in on a little of his behind-the-scenes mechanics of how he creates a unique character for each film. My Family Christmas Tree centers around Vanessa, played by Aimee Teegarden, who is preparing to spend yet another Christmas at home with her dog since she has no family to visit....
Fans clad in variations of orange and regalia, purple and gold, and lots and lots of tiger stripes filled the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to capacity Monday night buzzing with excitement for the College Football National Championship. The anticipation of the ultimate contest of the best of the best in college football was palatable inside the Dome. Fans of both LSU and Clemson filed to their seats and then obeyed the command on the loudspeaker to “please stand for the singing of our National Anthem....
I can honestly say I never thought I would look forward to mopping my floors, but here I am admitting that I do in fact enjoy every second. All thanks to my new Swiffer WetJet. I’ve found that the Swiffer WetJet is easy, simple, and fast to use offering nearly instant satisfaction when my shiny floors are revealed in just minutes. The only prep work needed is to attach the cleaning pad to the mop head and you’re all set....
Rabbits are smart and social. They can be litter trained, learn their names, and may even come to you when called. They also love to play with toys and enjoy companionship from either their humans or bunny-mates. My co-worker has two bunnies, Poppy and Jack. Jack knows his name and when they hear fingers snap, they both come running (or rather hopping). They know dinner is served or a treat is coming....
Houseplants are one of the most affordable and beautiful ways to take your interior design up a notch. Orchids. Succulents. Corn plants. The list goes on and on. But did you know that some houseplants can be a real splurge? Behold: The philodendron pink princess, which as Apartment Therapy recently reported can get $100 or more just for its cuttings (the part of the plant that you use to re-plant and grow your own)....
“But suddenly with a mighty roar, Harvey’s knocking on the door,” read a poem in the October 26, 2017, issue of the Port Aransas South Jetty, the Texas Town’s local newspaper, just two months after a hurricane struck Mustang Island’s 18-mile coastline. “What sticks and stones I don’t blow down, I’ll make sure all else will drown.” Hurricane Harvey made landfall around 10 p.m. on August 25, 2017, and brought destruction unseen on Texas’ Gulf Coast since Carla hit in 1961....
Y’all, it’s October. Can you feel that first hint of crispness in the air? Get out those chunky sweaters, slouchy booties, and let’s get comfy. Fall is my favorite season as it brings football, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and provides the perfect conditions for curling up in my favorite reading nook, with a great book and a warm and cozy cup of tea. I am always on the hunt for a new tea to try and I’ve rounded up several that I will be sipping this season as well as a few to get me into the holly, jolly, holiday spirit a little early....
My little brother’s beard has turned gray, and his clothes hang on him like a scarecrow’s hang on crossed broom handles. From a distance, there in the rising dust of the garden, he looks like he stepped out of an old family photograph, like my uncles, like my grandfather, men who knew the secrets of the dirt. He reaches down and pinches a false bloom off a squash. I do not know how he knows it is false....
The second-oldest operating lighthouse in America is in danger. Threatened by severe storms, rising sea levels, and centuries of wear and tear, the National Park Service is trying to figure out what to do with the 200-year-old Ocracoke Lighthouse. The iconic white lighthouse, which was battered by Hurricanes Matthew, Florence, and Dorian, currently sits just two feet above sea level with the water table just inches below the surface. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, water levels on North Carolina’s remote Ocracoke Island have risen nine inches since 1977 and could rise another two feet in the next 30 years....
When he started sketching an initial concept for our Kentucky Idea House (which was drawn on a napkin, in fact), Atlanta architect Brandon Ingram of C. Brandon Ingram Design envisioned a cottage that would evolve with a family through many stages of life. From this design came our “forever home,” a 5,545-square-foot property that was built to serve a family’s needs today and for years to come. We wanted to create a smart layout that accommodated aging in place as well as housing multiple generations under one roof....
St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, has come up with a personalized way to keep congregants engaged during the coronavirus pandemic. St. Alban’s “mostly older” congregation tops out at around 80 people in the wintertime. The priest in charge, Rev. Gigi Conner, describes it “a small church with a big heart.” Recognizing that the majority of their members aren’t necessarily “Internet people,” Conner and a few helpers have been putting “Church-to-Go” bags together so members can hold their own church services at home while observing social distancing guidelines—no Zoom account required....
By now you’ve probably seen the viral video of the “security guard” joining the University of Tennessee dance team during Saturday night’s game against Kentucky at Neyland Stadium. If not, we highly recommend you take the time to watch. Trust us, you won’t regret it. This week, as the video raked in millions of views from every corner of the internet, people kept asking the same question: who is he? Meet Michael Galyean....
Whether you know and love Joanna Gaines from the Magnolia Journal, HGTV’s Fixer Upper, or even Homebody: A Guide to Creating Spaces You Never Want to Leave, there’s no doubt the Waco, Texas, resident is a certified supermom. The mother of five somehow manages to run a business empire with her husband, Chip, while prioritizing family time above all else. Southern Living’s Editor at Large, Jenna Bush Hager, recently sat down with Joanna Gaines to talk about raising a family, focusing on a career, and being a mom in today’s hectic world....
Every Southern cook has his or her favorite tools and appliances, and many swear by high-end brands for their beloved cast iron skillets and casserole dishes. But one of the cheapest kitchen accessories all cooks agree on? Aluminum foil. We’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge it as one of the hardest working tools in our arsenal. And if you use aluminum foil as often as we do, you have probably noticed that one side of the foil is shinier than the other....
Whether it’s a single mom receiving an outpouring of birthday gifts for her son or a country star fulfilling the wish list of a kindergarten teacher, social media can do amazing work in spreading good news. In this case, it’s how I came across The Golden Scoop, a Kansas-City area ice cream shop with a purpose (other than serving delicious desserts, that is). “We provide innovative, and meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities, and delicious ice cream and coffee to the Kansas City community,” says Amber Schreiber, President and CEO....
