Most of the time, you’re in a rush when you use the microwave. Whether you’re boiling water for hot coffee or tea, defrosting a solid brick of frozen chicken, reheating cold pizza (actually, the oven is better for that job), cooking potatoes, or popping a bag of popcorn for a quick snack, time is usually limited. As soon as the timer goes off, you grab whatever is inside, slam the door shut, and move on with your life....
When you list plants that belong in a classic Southern garden, the gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) has to be in the top five. Beautiful evergreen leaves, snow-white blossoms, intoxicating fragrance, and the ability to withstand the Southern summer heat. What more could you ask for? Also known as cape jasmine, gardenias can bloom as early as spring and will continue to produce flowers throughout the summer and into fall. With showy blooms that open white and then fade to gold, gardenias are versatile as single shrubs, hedges, or make beautiful container gardens....
Are you looking for a way to add great flavor to your dishes without a heavy price tag or a high intake of calories? Look no further than that bulb of garlic in your hanging basket in the corner of the kitchen. When you roast garlic, it mellows out a bit, and is a little bit sweeter. But it still can pack a punch of deep flavor to boost just about any savory dish....
At first we planned to let our nails deal with a week or two of growth—never guessing the stay-at-home orders would extend beyond—but nearly three weeks in it’s clear it’s time to make a move and that’s straight to the bathroom for some acetone and cotton balls. (You didn’t think we were about to suggest you show up on your manicurist’s porch, now were you?) It’s time to take matters into our very own capable hands and that means removing our gel nail polish or taking off our acrylic nails at home....
Michael Jordan is just as comfortable on the ocean as he is on the court. The 59-year-old basketball legend recently competed in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in Morehead City, North Carolina, netting a 24-pound dolphinfish on Monday, June 13. The current first place catch dolphinfish catch belongs to Fin Print, who hauled in a 48.3 fish. “It kinda wore me out a little,” Jordan said in a brief interview....
Searching for treasure? You may want to set your sights on Wabasso Beach, Florida in Indian River County. This week, we were amazed to learn of some exciting developments in the fascinating world of treasure hunting about 20 minutes North of Vero Beach on Florida’s eastern coast. Admittedly, Jonah Martinez, who has been a beach-side fortune quester for 24 years has more practice than most of us, but his bounty is still pretty impressive: 22 silver coins that are nearly 300-years-old from the 1715 Treasure Fleet shipwreck, which was a group of 11 Spanish ships coming back from a Cuban trading voyage....
When freezing temperatures hit, it’s easy to assume that the South’s vibrant florals are long gone, withered away until winter ends. But you might want to think again. When temperatures drop, frost flowers—also known as ice flowers, ice fringes, ice filaments, and rabbit ice—come out to play. The rare “blooms” require freezing temperatures and a perfect storm of conditions to form, making them rather rare. But when they do appear, the incredible natural phenomenon is truly a sight to behold....
For those of us perpetually faced with the prospect of an almost-champion-but not-quite team, ritual trumps score. Pregame hope needs a spiked lubricant. Postgame hurt requires a whiskey soaked balm. It means The Grove, the ne plus ultra of tailgating tradition. So ingrained is this Saturday-afternoon custom that I still root for the Rebels, shouting “Hotty Toddy!” from the couch in our Brooklyn apartment or flying home to Oxford , Mississippi, to revel every couple of years....
The Instant Pot has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years thanks to its ability to cook everything from ribs to jambalaya in a snap. Although the electric pressure cooker isn’t exactly revolutionary (they’ve been around for decades), you’d be hard pressed to find a Southern kitchen that doesn’t have one sitting on the countertop today. So when the multi-tasking device goes on sale, we take note. Right now, you can get your hands on the coveted Instant Pot V3 Six Quart 6-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker at Walmart for just $59....
You could say what brought Jules Acree and her 1,480-square-foot duplex together was kismet. While just taking a stroll through a favorite Austin, Texas, neighborhood, Jules and her husband, Andrew, stumbled upon a new home that checked all of their boxes. “The builder was outside and gave us a tour,” she says. “We got really lucky with the timing.” They scooped up the place before it was listed, and she eagerly proceeded to give it her signature spin....
Mama might have known what she was doing when she never let things get out of control in the kitchen. Whether whipping up her famous fried chicken or smothered pork chops, she cleaned those prep bowls, wiped down those counters, and even managed to pour herself a glass of tea (or wine if the hour allowed) between tasks. As for many of us who sat at the counter watching her concise and tidy methods, well, we clearly learned nothing....
Most of us know Karo Syrup from the sugar coma-inducing delicacy known as classic pecan pie, typically made around the holidays or anytime a sweet tooth needs satisfying. In fact, pecan pie was once (and still is, in our opinion) so synonymous with Karo Light Corn Syrup that it was often referred to as a Karo Pie back in the day. The recipe even took center stage on the back of every bottle; a simple combination that turned out the perfect warm, gooey pecan pie every time....
Over the years, we’ve provided plenty of blueprints for building your dream home—from coastal cottages and rambling ranchers to modern farmhouses and mountain retreats. For (almost) any design you’ve ever imagined, there’s probably a Southern Living plan that checks every box on your wish list. Our collection includes over 1,000 different home designs created by the country’s top architects and designers. Each plan aims to bring the best of Southern living to life, whether it’s a wraparound porch for entertaining or a mother-in-law suite for housing multiple generations under one roof....
The word “legend” gets overused a lot, especially when talk turns to musicians. But Willie Nelson is the true embodiment of the word. The writer of such country standards as “Crazy,” “Hello, Walls,” and “Funny How Time Slips Away,” Nelson long ago distinguished himself as one of America’s great stylists, his Texas baritone blending country, blues, jazz, rock, and Latin into a form that might easily just be called “Willie’s music....
Storing leftovers in your refrigerator and freezer is always a good idea. Food is too precious and expensive to throw away just because you cooked too much. Many people don’t like to eat yesterday’s leavings because they don’t know how to properly reheat leftovers; if you aren’t careful when reheating, you can easily dry out that leftover piece of juicy prime rib or turn crispy fried chicken into a rubbery mess....
Hosting family and friends can be stressful, especially if they are staying more than a few days, so be prepared when company comes knocking on your door. Prep the guest room ahead of time to not only take some last-minute pressure off yourself but also make guests feel welcome as soon as they arrive. Avoid these five mistakes when housing out-of-towners, and earn the reputation of gracious hostess. Not preparing the guest room....
I find joy in unlikely places. For instance, I couldn’t stop talking about the happiness that came from deep cleaning my front load washing machine. Scrubbing my cabinets, windows, and doors on the regular is a source of pride (not a smudge on them) and badge of courage (and with two toddlers at that!). So it probably comes as no surprise that I’m also the type that has been cyber stalking a trash can for the past 8 years or so....
Tanya Tucker is a country legend and a new documentary aims to prove it. The Return of Tanya Tucker, due out this fall, chronicles the resurgence in Tucker’s career following the success of her 2019 album While I’m Livin’. That album was co-produced by Waylon Jennings’ son, Shooter, and singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, who also helped write the album, and is featured in the documentary preaching the gospel of the “Delta Dawn” singer....
Southerners love potato salad. We eat it year round, of course, but it steps into the spotlight in the summertime when we dish it up with our burgers, barbecue, and other backyard fare. We appreciate its popularity and portability, making it a go-to choice for picnics, cookouts, and potlucks. Yet, we’ve all heard cautionary tales where potato salad was blamed for outdoor meals with unhappy endings. So what’s the deal? How long can potato salad sit out?...
A quick search of #fridgegoals on Instagram will reveal a photo deluge of neatly arranged foods and beverages. These fridge fans live in a world of symmetrical storage and forward-facing labels. While refrigerator organization can certainly look and feel pleasant, you might be surprised to learn that proper storage not only helps you avoid waste, but makes your food last longer and taste better, too. When To Invest in Clear Containers Rachael Pack is the co-owner of Kinship Butcher and Sundry, a local and sustainable grocer in Atlanta....
