A sandhill crane was recorded showing an alligator who’s boss at a Florida golf course last month. David Scot Schultz filmed the wild encounter at Eagle Creek Golf Course in Orlando on March 24. He told Storyful he watched the alligator walk across the 18th fairway and head toward a pond. “The sandhill crane was following the alligator across the fairway, which I didn’t think was a good idea,” Schultz said....
You’ll often hear us singing the praises of a simple sheet pan supper, and for good reason. On our busiest days, the sheet pan supper has been there for us. Tossing all of our ingredients on a sheet tray and popping it in the oven is one of our favorite strategies for getting a great dinner on the table—minimal effort required. When it comes to a weeknight dinner, our oven is our best friend....
I was born in Vardaman, Mississippi, the self-proclaimed “Sweet Potato Capital of the World.” Since my previous home state of North Carolina produces far more sweet potatoes—about as much as Mississippi and the other top-producing states of California and Louisiana combined—it seems that Vardaman should consider relinquishing this title. They maintain, however, that what they lack in quantity, they make up for in quality. In fact, one Vardaman farmer reported that visiting farmers from North Carolina took Mason jars of his soil back to North Carolina State University in an attempt to decipher the secret to the silky sweet taste and the smoother, tighter skin of Vardaman-grown sweet potatoes....
It’s 6 p.m. and your pup has been giving you side-eye for the past five minutes. He knows it’s time for supper, and he’s giving you a not-so-subtle reminder. No matter what time doggie breakfast or dinner is at your house, feeding your dog at the same time every day provides security and the predictability of a routine. What’s more, a regular feeding schedule helps to house train puppies since they usually have to go outside within 15 minutes of eating....
For most American families, social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic meant that Easter looked a lot different this year. Sadly, annual gatherings and cherished traditions had to be put on hold to slow the spread of the deadly virus. But, thanks to a small-town postal worker, one family from Wylie, Texas, was able to keep the Easter magic alive while staying safe. According to WFAA, it all started with a homeschool assignment....
Each part of a well-designed landscape has its function. The front yard reflects how you present yourself to friends, neighbors, and passersby. It should guide guests to the entry. It should also anchor the house to blend well with the natural landscape. The backyard–whether it contains a child’s play area, a lush perennial border, a treasured collection of plants, beautiful garden accessories, or simply a comfortable sitting area—should be your private space....
Just over the Cooper River from downtown Charleston’s rainbow-hued homes and centuries-old churches, the town of Mount Pleasant embraces the Holy City’s easygoing low country lifestyle—but with all the convenient amenities you’d expect of a suburb (looking at you, Trader Joe’s). Even so, the state’s largest town has its own distinct personality, with seafood dives, historic neighborhoods, and pedestrian-friendly routes that make the most of its position on the coast. Here’s how to spend a weekend in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina....
Amidst the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve all been cooking at home way more than we’re used to during normal times. We may have even hosted a virtual dinner party or two. At this point, we’ve gotten our hands on as many cooking tutorials and quarantine cooking tips from Joanna Gaines, Ree Drummond, and Ina Garten as possible. Now, we’re looking outward to some of our beloved Southern brands to help keep things fresh in the kitchen....
Chick-fil-A is headed back to the grocery store with bottled salad dressings that will let you bring their flavors home, no drive-thru line necessary. If you took one of Chick-fil-A’s virtual cooking courses, you know that their salads are an underrated part of their menu. While admittedly most folks are more likely to hit up the Chick-fil-A drive thru for a classic chicken sandwich or a Crunchwrap, the chain’s salads have always been a great option when you’re in the mood for something a little lighter....
This homemade potato salad recipe is a Southern staple for the perfect easy potato salad. Make this classic potato salad yours by adding chopped pickles for extra crunch or garnishing with fresh dill or parsley for a bite of freshness. No matter what you do, if you follow this recipe, you’ll have a side that goes with just about anything (but maybe you’ll want to fire up the grill!) Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds potatoes, cubed...
Turns out, the Smoky Mountain Songbird has a knack for restoring homes, too. In a recent piece, Wide Open Country took a dive into 12 Things You Didn’t Know About Dolly Parton, and we were surprised to learn a curious piece of intel about the singer’s childhood home. “Raised in a small cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Parton wanted to honor her upbringing by fixing her childhood home up to look exactly like it did when she was a child....
Right now, we face an unprecedented health crisis as so many of our nation’s citizens battle coronavirus. Across the South, we’ve been moved by inspirational examples of people helping their communities however they can. One recent charitable initiative that has us feeling grateful? The Dollywood theme park has stepped up in a big way to help the city of Pigeon Forge and beyond. First, around two-and-a-half weeks ago, the park presented the Sevier County Food Ministries with a check for more than $16,000 to help them as demand for food assistance rose amidst the coronavirus crisis....
Alright, dearest readers. It’s officially September. We’ve been waiting for a while very patiently, but we’re allowed to think about Christmas decorations now, right? We’re nodding our heads. And we’re especially exciting thanks to this incredible find that made it onto our radar from HouseBeautiful.com: Puelo International’s Pre-Lit Artificial Palm Tree with 175 UL-Listed Lights, available on HomeDepot.com for $88.67. Per Home Depot’s description, “With lush leaves, this tree looks ready to sway in the gentle breeze as the waves of the ocean roll in the background....
Supplies: Measuring tapeCalculatorBlank sheet of paperPencilPainter’s tapeLaser levelerTwo paints in your choice of colors (base paint and stripe paint)Mixing glazeMixing pailPaint roller Steps: Using a measuring tape, measure the height and width of each wall. If you have decorative molding, make sure you measure only the wallspace between moldings. It is helpful to then draw a diagram of your room (with measurements) on a blank piece of paper to use as a worksheet for Step 2....
Charcuterie and its many spinoffs are undoubtedly the star of any party. A board instantly elevates an afternoon gathering with friends and puts that fancy spin on a dinner party. The name alone implies sophistication. So what is charcuterie, exactly? If you’re envisioning a cheese board, that’s not quite it. Rather, the word refers to salty, fatty, and sometimes spicy cured meats. We’re used to seeing them beautifully arranged on boards next to nibbles and decadent cheeses....
Cheese is one of the most versatile ingredients in countless recipes. It’s the star of the show for everything from pizzas and grilled cheese sandwiches to baked pasta, nachos, and charcuterie boards. And chances are, you love to keep your favorite type of cheese on hand, whether it’s Cheddar, pepper Jack, Parmesan, or mozzarella. But what’s the proper way to store it? Below, find expert tips and tricks on how to store cheese properly so it will stay fresh and delicious....
In 2020, sourdough and banana bread recipes were some of the most googled recipes of the year. If you’ve decided to jump on the bandwagon to check out the sourdough craze yourself, you’ll need to know how to store sourdough starter. To find the answers, we went to the person who wrote the book. Literally. Carroll Pellegrinelli, author of Starter Sourdough: The Step by Step Guide to Sourdough Starters, Baking Loaves, Baguettes, Pancakes, and More, shared her best tips for storing sourdough....
Amidst these dark times during the coronavirus pandemic, kindness shines brightly. Many of us seek ways to give back to those in need but aren’t sure how. Now, Walmart and Nextdoor, the neighborhood hub for connecting members of a community, have come up with a great way for individuals to help. The two companies have launched their “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program, an initiative to make it easier for people to help their neighbors get essential items like food and medication during the coronavirus crisis....
During the holidays, refrigerator space is as valuable as Nashville real estate. This means if you’re baking your holiday pies in advance, there might not be enough room to store them next to all your other groceries. Luckily, not all pies have to be refrigerated. In fact, some varieties will taste better if you store them at room temperature. So, how do you know the difference? You went through a great deal of trouble to bake those fabulous pies, and you want to make sure you’re presenting them at their very best....
A rare phenomenon lit up the skies above eastern North Carolina this week. A dazzling rainbow cloud, known officially as cloud iridescence, reportedly hovered over the Outer Banks for at least two days. Cloud iridescence occurs when small water droplets or small ice crystals scatter the sun’s light through a process called diffraction. Light bends around the edges of the crystals creating a rainbow effect. Sightings of the feather-like formation stretched from Point Harbor to Beaufort....
