When it comes to West Texas small towns, artsy Marfa might win for most likely to draw curious travelers off the beaten path. With a rep as a cultural hub among urban elites and an Insta-perfect vignette of a lone (faux) Prada boutique set against a sparse desert backdrop, the destination has become a must-stop for many Lonestar State tourists. But Marfa isn’t the only desert gem in West Texas that’s attracting attention....
It’s hard to picture Naomi Judd going by any other name, but, as it turns out, the late country legend bore a different moniker until she was in her 30s. The singer was born Diana Ellen Judd on January 11, 1946, in Ashland, Kentucky. She took the last name of her first husband, Michael Ciminella, when they married in 1964. But she told Bob Millard, the author of the 1988 biography The Judds, that she didn’t think twice about changing her last name back to Judd when they divorced....
If wine ever took the stage at a pageant, it would probably win Miss Congeniality—much like a certain undercover FBI agent we know—wine is a forever fan favorite. There’s a variety for every palate under the sun because wine is more accessible than ever. You can buy it in a box, bag, or can. But just because your vino may have humble beginnings doesn’t mean you can throw all caution and etiquette to the wind once it’s out of its unconventional vessel and into your glass....
Ever wish you could just press a button and a cupcake would appear? Well, in a few Southern cities, that wish has come deliciously true. Sprinkles Cupcakes, a source of sweet swirled cupcakes as well as cookies, brownies, ice cream, and layer cakes, has created the ATM of our dreams, and it’s one that dispenses not money, but cupcakes. Sprinkles Cupcake ATMs were introduced in 2012 and, while full-service Sprinkles bakeries are a treat to visit, these ATMs provide access to their goodies all day, every day....
When I found my new favorite pair of sneakers earlier this year (which I now own in two colors), I wanted to wear them every time I left the house. The only problem was the no-show socks I had were not suitable for all-day wear. They always slid off my ankle, bunched in the shoe, and generally were not comfortable. BUY IT: from $11.89; amazon.com I can’t say that my expectations were very high considering my past experience with no-show socks, but I’m happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised after just one wear....
The National Tree Company 7-Foot Dunhill Fir Artificial Christmas Tree is “designed to look and feel lifelike,” according to the brand, and that comes down to the hinged branches that you’re able to arrange however you like. Because the tree is artificial, it actually has some extra benefits. For one, it’s hypoallergenic. It’s also designed with fire-resistant needles to keep worries at bay. With all of these features in mind, it’s no surprise that the Dunhill Fir model has almost 6,800 five-star ratings and more than 2,100 positive reviews....
Marriages have been broken over missing remotes. So what makes these remote control covers so great? First of all, and most importantly to our absent-minded souls, the bright colors (red, orange, and turquoise) and included wrist straps make losing your remote a thing of the past. When you’re done with a show, simply hang your remote on a hook for safekeeping or place it on a shelf, where the bright colors will make it easily stand out....
If your house is anything like mine, you probably have a host of tea towels lying around: One by the kitchen sink, another hanging in the powder room, and five more tucked away in a drawer, ready to rotate when the others need washing. But what actually makes a tea towel a tea towel, and why are they called tea towels in the first place? Here’s everything you need to know about this kitchen textile....
When a restaurant serves Vidalia onions, chances are the menu proudly refers to them by name. Diners in-the-know leap at the chance to order a dish made with these delightfully sweet onions. The uninitiated, however, may scratch their head and wonder what distinguishes Vidalia onions from varieties they’ve tasted in the past. To find out, we asked Chelsea Page, spokesperson of the Vidalia Onion Committee, to explain what a Vidalia onion is and how they come by the delicious flavor Southern chefs love incorporating into their recipes....
Every cocktail has its rightful place. Try to have a Derby party with a Mint Julep, or an Alabama beach day without a Bushwacker, or a rodeo without Texas Ranch Water. Southerners are serious about entertaining, and that includes the refreshments. You won’t find a Saturday in the South during football season without a Bloody Mary kicking off the festivities, especially if it’s an early game. Down here though, you’ll find Bloody Marias at the tailgate, too....
You see a tower of green ears of cornat the farmers’ market or grocery store and immediately get a craving for corn on the cob. So you grab an ear of corn and peel back a few husks to reveal the kernels inside. Are they white, yellow, or bi-color? And depending on what color it is, do you put the corn back in the pile? Like peaches, tomatoes and other prized produce, Southerners tend to have a lot of opinions about corn....
In May 2021, A wildlife sanctuary in Florida welcomed a dozen former circus elephants. The lucky pachyderms will live out the rest of their days in a new forest habitat at White Oak Conservation in Yulee, a refuge for rare species funded by philanthropists Mark and Kimbra Walter. The herd of female Asian elephants—ranging from 8 to 38 years old—traveled with Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey until they were retired in 2016....
Author Jan Karon is shy to admit that her fictional town of Mitford is based on Blowing Rock, North Carolina, but residents are convinced of the fact. Karon started writing her popular novels when she was living there, and many local attractions (along with the lush Blue Ridge scenery) make appearances in her heartwarming stories. “Mitford would simply like to be the pause that refreshes,” writes the author in At Home in Mitford, her 1994 novel and the first in a series of fourteen books set in the fictional town....
Peeling sweet potatoes, peaches, apples, and tomatoes, isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but once you learn a few tricks (like this one), it can be almost fun. No matter how you feel about peeling shrimp or hard-boiled eggs, at least the end result is a tasty snack. Peeling things in the kitchen just means good things coming, peeling things other places, though, can mean the exact opposite. One thing you really don’t want to peel is the paint in your house—or in the house you’re about to buy....
It’s no secret: Southern women love a good party, and not just as attendees. They love planning, hosting, and talking (read: gossiping) about parties. Not only are décor, menu items, and invitations important, but there’s always etiquette to remember. While we like to stick to the old-school rules for many party do’s and don’ts, etiquette has bent a bit to cater to the modern way of doing things. One party that old-fashioned etiquette sticklers might not know about yet?...
A man who has called Washington D.C. home for just shy of a century was recognized by the D.C. Council this week. On his 105th birthday Monday, Ward 4 Councilmember Janeese Lewis George presented Harry White with the ceremonial resolution honoring his extraordinary life, service to the country, and impact on the D.C. community. White was born in Sumter, South Carolina, in 1916 and moved to D.C. when he was 7 years old....
We can all admit to missing certain things amid the coronavirus pandemic. Weddings, vacations, birthday parties, eating at restaurants, etc. But, as social distancing and travel restrictions get closer to their third month, a surprising number of Americans have found themselves with a hankering for something truly unexpected: airplane snacks. Fortunately, Imperfect Foods is here to help. This week, the online surplus-stock grocery delivery company that aims to help eliminate food waste is delivering three-ounce snack packs of mixed cheeses, crackers, and dried cherries from JetBlue Airways for $2....
On the evening of December 10, 2021, an EF4 tornado with wind speeds up to 190 miles per hour ripped through Mayfield, Kentucky, leaving dozens of its 10,000 citizens dead and forever changing the footprint of this small town. Graves County Courthouse, built in 1888, was not only the center of community activities for many decades but was also the architectural gem of Mayfield with its redbrick facade and octagonal clock tower....
We love a simple pan of skillet cornbread, but sometimes it’s fun to mix things up a bit. Cornmeal pairs well with so many ingredients, making it a great blank canvas for experimentation. Here are three creative—and easy—ways to jazz up your favorite recipe. Add Sweet Potatoes and Spice Sweet potatoes add moisture, earthy flavor, and yes, sweetness to a pan of cornbread. But the surprise ingredient our Sweet Potato Cornbread is a pinch of pumpkin pie spice....
Once you find that special love and conversation turns to marriage, there’s that one little—ok, big!—highly anticipated step in between: getting engaged! Of course, just like your marriage, your engagement ring should stand the test of time. However, as years come and go, so do trends. Of course, you don’t have to stick with what fashion dictates, but knowing what’s cutting edge can guide your decision when it comes to choosing the perfect piece....
