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Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry was scrolling through Twitter when a story about a Nashville first responder stopped him in his tracks. In late January, the new home of firefighter Jeremy Taylor—a Titans season ticket holder and father to four children—was destroyed by a large fire. Fortunately, nobody was home at the time, but the family lost all their possessions in the blaze. “I saw the tweet and I was just touched by it, losing a home is such a tragic occurrence,” Henry told Titans Online....

Funeral potatoes, that warming casserole that comforts the grieving, are such an entrenched part of Southern culture that Walmart has started selling their own version of the traditional dish. In Pennsylvania Dutch families, though, when a tragedy strikes in their community, they opt for sweet instead of savory, specifically a sweet raisin pie. The idea makes sense, too, since a sugary treat can remind anyone who eats it that even in sorrow there is still some sweetness in the world....

The holidays are going to look very different for everyone this year. Smaller gatherings, outdoor dinners, and visits with Santa will probably be virtual this year. But one constant that never let us down? Hallmark Christmas movies running on our televisions 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But the titans of televised holiday cheer have changed things up a bit this year. It’s not just straight sugar (plum) coated rom coms anymore....

If you’ve been a fan of Southern Living for any length of time, chances are you’ve baked, eaten, or simply read about our Hummingbird Cake. The original Hummingbird Cake recipe, sent to us by Mrs. L.H. Wiggins of Greensboro, North Carolina, was first published in our February 1978 issue. Mrs. Wiggins, who worked at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro at the time she sent the recipe in, passed away in 1995 at the age of 81, but her cake recipe lives on as one of the most requested recipes from our entire recipe collection....

Wildlife officials came to the rescue of a young manatee that found himself stranded on the side of a dirt road after a storm passed through Crystal River, Florida, last week. So, how did a manatee end up on the side of the road? “Heavy rain and winds related to a passing cold front came through early that morning during a high tide, which likely flooded King’s Bay near the West Roy Thomas Road area giving the manatee access to the road,” FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute explained on Facebook....

Holly is a classic winter plant for Southern gardens. That’s thanks to its glossy, evergreen foliage; bright berries; and reliable garden interest in the depths of winter weather. One particular species of holly, from the genus Ilex, is fast becoming our favorite winter plant for Southern gardens. It’s winterberry (Ilex verticillata), and not only is its favorite season in the name, but it also provides an abundance of brightly colored berries....

There’s no denying the transformative power of white paint. Before covering a brick fireplace or exterior with a fresh coat of paint, consider the upkeep of maintaining this look. Chipped paint, dirt, and mildew do not help curb appeal. If you’re determined to give your brick a face-lift, try an alternative to all-over painting–whitewashing. Whitewashing adds instant character, and its perfectly imperfect patinaed look grows even more charming with age....

People love planting trees in their yards, but often forget how big many trees grow. Soon what began as a sweet, little yard ends up looking like the Black Forest. But not if you follow Grumpy’s advice and plant smaller trees for small spaces. Here are five excellent candidates that won’t swallow your property or your dog. Small Tree #1 – Japanese maple (above) Mature size: Extremely variable due to vast number of named selections; anywhere from 3 to 4 feet tall and wide to 25 feet tall and wide...

The Instant Pot is one kitchen appliance that has truly taken the world by storm. It constantly pops up in new recipe ideas, and when it goes on sale, it’s kind of a big deal. If you already have your own multi-tasking pressure cooker, you can still shop accessories that will take the device to the next level and make it even more versatile than it already is (yes, that’s possible)....

There’s a reason HomeGoods brands themselves as a “home decor store and more,” and our editors have learned not to put HomeGoods’ shopping potential in a box. While the home decor sections are a treasure trove of affordable quality catches, the “more” is full of delightful surprises as well. Southern Living’s staff have filled our homes with fun finds from this destination from our bedrooms to our kitchens and even our pantries....

Oyster stew isn’t all that pretty, but it sure is a beautiful sight to behold on some family Christmas tables. Why Christmas? These days it’s often a nod to family tradition, but for many of our grandparents and great-grandparents, both Christmas and fresh oysters came along only once each winter. That tradition of having oyster stew at Christmas is one we all look forward to year after year. Here’s how it started and tips for a proper stew....

This Adirondack chair is made out of plastic materials with a wood-like finish. It has all the benefits of thick, high-quality plastic, like being water-resistant and durable, while maintaining the look of a classic Adirondack chair. Available in six colors, it has wide armrests to balance a drink or a book and a deep, sloped seat that allows you to sit in a semi-reclined position. This ergonomic design helps to alleviate spinal pressure, according to the brand, letting you relax....

It turns out the oozy pile of cheesy goodness we’ve come to know down South as “ACP” started out its life on this earth in a very different form. For those of you unfamiliar with the regional delicacy, ACP is a Southern take on arroz con pollo, a beloved Latin American dish consisting of chicken cooked on a bed of vibrantly seasoned rice. Our ACP usually features grilled chicken, rice, and a generous slathering of melted cheese....

WI never understood how some people think you can have two soul mates. Isn’t one real soulmate hard enough to find? Two? Seems like someone’s flown over the cuckoo’s nest, if you know what I’m saying. Well. I’ve flown over the cuckoo’s nest. It’s me. When my mother—who notoriously looks 15 years younger than she is—introduced me to Chantecaille’s Future Skin Foundation, I knew it was love. The bouncy, oil-free gel foundation makes your skin still look like your skin…but, like, if your skin belonged to a supermodel, you know?...

Mark your calendars for this one, folks! Last week, Great American Family announced an original Christmas movie starring Jessica Lowndes, Paul Greene, and seven-time Grammy Award winner Gladys Knight. The film, Someday at Christmas, also reunites the “Empress of Soul” with former Motown chief and acclaimed writer-producer, Suzanne de Passe. The film’s synopsis teases a musical delight with a whole lot of soul. In Someday at Christmas, Holly Bose (Lowndes), a full-time sales clerk and part-time chorus girl, anxiously counts the number of auditions she has remaining before throwing in the towel on her five-year plan to become a Broadway star....

If you have ever considered learning to play piano, there is no better time than right now. GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning musician, singer, composer, and one of the South’s favorite sons, Harry Connick Jr. himself wants to teach you to play piano. Really. We are serious. The New Orleans native has created a virtual meeting place in the Metaverse, but don’t let that scare you off. As Connick Jr. told Southern Living, it isn’t all “those big virtual reality goggles or augmented reality....

Whether you’re the consummate hostess, have a large family, or live alone, it’s important to care for your hand towels. While you may be in a rhythm of washing bath towels and sheets once or twice a week, hand towels can often get forgotten—especially in secondary bathrooms—which can cause them to lose their fluffy softness and freshness over time. We asked Madeline Miller, product specialist at The Laundress, for her expert advice on all things hand towel care....

If you’ve been noticing a funky smell every time you open your kitchen cabinets to grab a dish, it might be time to look into what, exactly, is hiding in there. An old, musty smell in your cabinets can be caused by multiple issues, the biggest one being moisture. “Many things can cause a smell inside your cabinets, however, the main culprit is generally moisture,” explains Erin Laine, owner of Resurrect Wood Refinishing in Edgewood, Florida....

You’re never too old to learn something new, no matter how seemingly inconsequential it may be. However, any interesting tidbit concerning a fluffy, wonderfully doughy carb is never inconsequential to us. Never. Just ask the biscuit brigade that taught us that grating butter yields far more flaky biscuits, or the cast-iron savants who showed us the best way to eat leftover skillet cornbread is in a glass with buttermilk and honey....

Jekyll Island has long been a destination for travelers seeking quiet shores and relaxation on the Georgia coast. Jekyll, which is located on a barrier island and is the southernmost of Georgia’s famed Golden Isles, has a long history. It’s celebrating that history—and its 75th anniversary—this year with an invitation for visitors to come and experience the island’s sandy shores and natural beauty for themselves. The state of Georgia bought the island in 1947—75 years ago—and opened it up to the public, making Jekyll a state park and launching its journey toward becoming a beloved beach destination....