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The next time you’re whipping up Jambalaya or Black Beans with Coconut Lime Rice, do not let one of the most useful, cheap cleaning products go right down the drain. Rice water—the water leftover from rinsing rice before cooking—can be used to clean dishes, countertops, kitchen appliances, and make your sheets incredible soft. Rice water is easy to make. Simply soak a cup of uncooked rice in two cups of water and give it a swirl until the solution is milky....

If you’re a fan of A&E’s Duck Dynasty, or even just caught the show on TV a handful of times, you’re probably familiar with Sadie Robertson, the sweet, energetic daughter of Duck Commander CEO, Willie Robertson. Now married to Christian Huff, the 23-year-old no longer lives in her family’s home in West Monroe, Louisiana, but that’s still where her heart is—and where she and Huff headed during the coronavirus outbreak. On a recent segment on the TODAY show with Hoda & Jenna, the reality star gave viewers an amazing tour of the family’s sprawling mansion....

In many ways, Shirley MacLaine is still a hardworking young ballerina growing up in Arlington, Virginia. MacLaine, a lifelong dancer, started ballet when she was three years old in an effort to strengthen her weak ankles. She was just 16 when she landed a summer gig as a chorus girl in “Oklahoma!” on Broadway. She’s been a Hollywood heavy hitter ever since. More than 60 years after leaving her childhood home for the bright lights of New York City, MacLaine credits her career longevity to the lessons she learned as a dancer....

La Grange, Kentucky, an Oldham County town known as the “Kindness Capital of Kentucky,” is one of six small communities selected for a revitalization in HGTV’s new show, Home Town Kickstart. “Thousands of towns across America submitted applications and we are honored and proud that La Grange, the Kindness Capital of Kentucky, was selected,” The La Grange, Kentucky, Main Street organization announced on Facebook this week. Home Town Kickstart is a new renovation series that follows popular HGTV hosts as they breathe new life into communities in need of rejuvenation....

Looking to plant something new and easy to care for this season? Try string-of-pearls—a succulent named after our favorite piece of classic jewelry. We thought we’d seen every variety of succulents—aloe, hens and chicks, jade, echeveria, etc.—until we found this one. Once this vining succulent caught our eyes, we knew we had to plant a few. Characteristics Succulents are great easy-care choices for gardeners who are short on time and looking to grow something that’s both very green and very low-maintenance....

Dried herbs and spices are essential to any cook’s kitchen, but a few always have a permanent spot at the front of the spice rack. Let’s call them your “Starting Five.” For me, that is: whole black peppercorns (in my trusty grinder)ground cinnamon (for baked goods, oatmeal, and savory dishes)red pepper flakes (my go-to spice any time I need a hint of heat)chili powder (this mix of herbs and spices is an instant flavor booster in so many dishes)and the MVP (or MVS?...

Home is an oasis, a place for us to unwind and let go of any worries or frustration. After a long day at the office or a week of traveling, we crave its myriad comforts: The cable-knit blankets adorning couches, beckoning you to settle in and relax awhile; the Dutch oven sitting regally on the stovetop, ready to be put to use for a comforting dinner; that one favorite nook by the window where the sun casts its warm light each morning....

Kate Spade sales are the gifts that keep on giving. First, it had a surprise sale at the end of last year with savings up to 75 percent off. Then, right after the holidays, Kate Spade unveiled another huge sale, allowing shoppers to save an additional 65 percent off bags, shoes, jewelry, and apparel. Just when you thought the brand couldn’t possible lower prices even more, it’s done it again....

The masterminds behind Downton Abbey have confirmed that a sequel is indeed on the horizon, but don’t start toasting your crumpets yet—it’s going to be a while. “We’re having those conversations. We’re working on what the story is, and when we might be able to make it,” producer Gareth Neame told The Hollywood Reporter in November. “But it’s the same as the first time around: We have to try to get everyone back together again....

Decades after their critical service in World War II, the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black Women’s Army Corps (WAC) unit, are finally being recognized for their hard work, sacrifice, and essential role in motivating American troops. On March 14, President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that awards the women a Congressional Gold Medal “in recognition of their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and contributions to increase the morale of personnel stationed in the European theater of operations during World War II....

If garden flowers competed in a pageant for our hearts, hydrangeas would win the crown for many Southerners. The classic, elegant blooms — whether you prefer blue, pink, purple, or white — are perfect for being cut, displayed, and shared amongst family and friends. Any green-thumbed home gardener also knows that, despite seemingly simple upkeep, hydrangeas can be a bit finicky to care for in order to get the best, plumpest blooms....

Green thumbs, listen up. There’s a gardening glove you need to know about if you don’t already. They’re cushioned in all the right places, have touch screen-compatible fingertips, an adjustable wrist strap, and can be thrown in the wash after you’re finished playing in the dirt. We’re talking about Digz Washable Garden Gloves and we have a feeling they’re everything your landscape-loving hands have been begging for (SHOP: $20.62; amazon.com)....

This holiday season, it’s safe to say, we need a whole lot of hope, a whole lot of compassion, and a whole lot of Dolly Parton. Well, when it comes to getting an extra dose of cheer from the Smoky Mountain Songbird, we’re in luck, as the singer’s new Christmas Album, A Holly Dolly Christmas is out tomorrow, Friday, October 2. And little did we know, but we could have had this little nugget of good news for months before she formally announced the Christmas album in August....

It’s monkey bread season, indeed! When HGTV Home Town’s Erin Napier calls on us to whip up a batch of the sweet-and-sticky dessert, we step up to the skillet and listen. Who’s ready to follow along with her simple recipe? “It’s monkey bread season,” she wrote in an Instagram post back in 2020. “1 can of flaky canned biscuits quartered, coated in cinnamon sugar, 3 [tablespoons] of butter melted in cast iron, stir in 1/4 cup of cinnamon sugar and let it begin to melt, throw in the sugared biscuits, bake at 350° for 15, flip out onto a plate to let the butter glaze coat it all....

At some point, we’ll all need to face the uncomfortable task of burying a family member or friend. With so many unknowns, it can be challenging to determine how best to celebrate your loved one with the traditions associated with laying your loved one to rest. Should you get a “protective casket?” How can you plan a heartfelt service on a limited budget? Can you place items inside the casket? The list goes on and on....

Garth Brooks is opening a bar and restaurant called Friends in Low Places in Nashville, and the country crooner has a very clear vision for the buzzy establishment. “It’s a classic honky-tonk,” Brooks explained in a press conference Friday, per CMT. “It’s what I grew up in. It’s a bar along one wall, a bar along the other wall, and the rest is just space to dance or whatever you want to do....

Good news for those who have been itching to get outside and enjoy Gatlinburg’s fresh air and stunning mountain views. Following the state of Tennessee’s recent announcement that larger attractions will be allowed to open on the 22nd, Gatlinburg SkyLift Park has officially moved its opening date from the 29th to Friday, May 22nd—just in time for Memorial Day Weekend. “Our top priority is to protect the health and safety of our guests, employees, and community, and we have made changes to our operations to support this goal and follow the Tennessee Pledge to reopen businesses responsibly,” the park wrote on its website....

In the past year, many of us have come to a new level of appreciation for nature, and, yes, even hiking. Now, Texans’ have an especially exciting greenway to fulfill all of their hiking-and-biking dreams to look forward to thanks to the Great Springs Project, which is setting out to build a greenway of contiguous protected lands between Austin and San Antonio over the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone. This 100-mile project will include a network of hike-and-bike trails, connecting four of Texas’ Great Springs: Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, Comal Springs, and San Antonio Springs—all in an effort to address the limited access to outdoor sanctuaries in Texas and to mitigate the constant and growing threat of urbanization to Texas’ drinking and recreational water supplies....

It’s the end of an era for the Hallmark Channel. After 14 years and 29 projects with the feel-good network, Candace Cameron Bure announced this week that she is parting ways with Hallmark and taking her talents to GAC (Great American Channels). Bure has been Hallmark’s undisputed queen of Christmas since appearing in 2008’s Moonlight & Mistletoe. According to Variety, GAC Media signed a “megadeal” with the Full House star to develop, produce, and star in programming across GAC Family and GAC Living....

Challenge A small primary bedroom closet with limited space and sliding doors made access to clothes difficult. And to make matters worse, it also lacked organization. Solution A more organized layout offers double hanging space for the husband’s side of the closet and multiple shelves for storage. Baskets used for drawers are a convenient place to store sweaters, shirts, jeans, and other items that do not need to be hung. (Tip: Wicker baskets were chosen for aesthetic reasons; they give the space a more customized look....