Posts

Many of us have learned valuable lessons from classic children’s books, and Winnie the Pooh friendship quotes are some of the best. Their inspiring words that been engraved on cards, quoted in yearbooks, and shared all over social media. Why? Because they are simple, meaningful, and true. They’ve been gentle and honest reminders of childhood. They taught us how to be kind, lead with our hearts, and cherish relationships. To cherish the people we meet and love along our journeys....

Bubbles make everything better. Whether you’re enjoying your favorite cava, Prosecco, Champagne, or any other sparkling wine while toasting an anniversary or a big promotion, these light-and-airy drinks can make everything infinitely more special. When it comes to certain wines and spirits, a little knowledge can go a long way. It’s important to know the right way to serve a sparkling wine, the right glass to serve it in, and the proper way to hold your wine glass....

I can’t remember a Passover without brownies. I realize that might sound crazy. It’s a weeklong observance marked by unleavened eating after all. In my family, though, more than a few days without dessert sounds even crazier. That sweet tooth goes back generations; my great-grandmother couldn’t bare the idea of eight days without an after-dinner indulgence. Thanks to her chocolate cravings (a mere century ago), this Kosher-for-Passover confection has become a family staple....

This cast iron corn stick pan, from the iconic Tennessee-based brand, Lodge, is designed to make six golden cornbread sticks with crispy crusts all around the edges—and it’s on sale for $20. The heavy-duty cast iron offers expert heat retention to evenly bake the cornbread. It’s also pre-seasoned with vegetable oil, so the pan has a natural nonstick coating to ensure it gets the classic corn on the cob-like indents....

We all know that butter is the key to lots of iconic Southern dishes, from buttermilk biscuits, to flaky hand pies, to rich pound cakes, to skillet corn. Unlike shortening and oil, butter adds flavor as well as fat to sweet and savory recipes. (It can also help season food too, if you’re using salted butter.) There’s no doubt that butter is delicious as-is, but you can give it a deeper, more complex flavor by simply cooking it down it in a saucepan or skillet....

Say the word “fluffernutter” and depending on where a person was raised, the name could make someone swwon with fond childhood memories, or leave them scratching their head at what you might be talking about. The fluffernutter, also known as a peanut butter and marshmallow crème sandwich, has been a staple in New England lunchboxes and brown paper bags for decades, and it is still loved by kids of all ages....

Southern thrill-seekers will want to set their course for Sugar Mountain. Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster, North Carolina’s very first Alpine coaster, is set to open in the coming weeks and promises to be one of the coolest experiences the state has to offer. The highly anticipated ride navigates the rugged hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains through a series of loops and turns, offering scenic views of the surrounding countryside and nearby Sugar Mountain Ski Resort....

Can you imagine starting your day with Dolly Parton? While you probably can’t meet up with the legendary singer for breakfast, you can sip your morning cup of coffee from a mug that will make you feel close to the 76-year-old icon. Williams Sonoma recently collaborated with Parton on a set of mugs adorned with two of her famous quotes, and we dare you not to order a pair right now....

When was the last time you washed your coat? If you can’t remember, chances are it needs a good cleaning. Our coats don’t get nearly as much care as they deserve because the fabrics are intimidating. Down, wool, and leather simply don’t resemble the clothes we’re accustomed to putting in the washing machine. There’s no reason to run to the dry cleaner, though. With a little bit of know-how, you can save yourself a great deal of time and money by cleaning your own coat....

The sun is out, your summer wine is poured, and you’re ready to head to the porch. There’s just one problem: pests. It’s pretty hard to relax when you’ve got bugs crawling around your outdoor furniture. Mosquitoes, wasps, ants, cockroaches, spiders, and more can put a real damper on your porch party. To help you enjoy porch season, we turned to the experts. It turns out there are some pretty simple things you can to fix your pest problem....

At least 37 people have now been confirmed dead following catastrophic flooding in eastern Kentucky last week. Speaking with CNN, Governor Andy Beshear said that the number, which includes children, is expected to increase as rescuers work around the clock to reach areas where flooding washed away roads or left them under water. Hundreds of residents remained unaccounted for Wednesday. Towns and cities hit the hardest by torrential rains include Hazard, Jackson, Garrett, Salyersville, Booneville, Whitesburg, and Perry County....

For dads who aren’t afraid to make a big style statement, the fashion net is cast far and wide: Think mosquito-repellant hats that shrug off bugs and buoyant loafers that redefine business casual. But one California-based brand pulls that net even farther out to sea. Meet Coddies, the Fish Flip Flops that are exactly what your Southern dad needs for his beach/river/lake trip this summer. Coddies’ Original Fish Flip Flops are slide-on sandals that, you guessed it, look just like fish....

Amidst the coronavirus crisis, it’s safe to say that Dolly Parton has found herself with some new fans, and her old-timers have enjoyed a resurgence in their devotion. Since the coronavirus outbreak began in our country, the country music star has made nearly 100 of her songs from recent albums available once again for everyone to enjoy on streaming platforms. She’s launched a new bedtime stories video series in partnership with her Imagination Library....

No Southern breakfast is complete if a biscuit isn’t involved. And of course, no one makes them better than Mama. But if you don’t have time to head to Mama’s house or to make a batch from scratch—what is the next best option? Chick-fil-A. Yes, the Mecca of Southern fast food prepares fluffy, buttery, delicious, biscuits by hand every morning for you to fetch without slowing down the carpool run....

If you can’t imagine starting your day without a delicious cup of coffee, you’re not alone. According to the National Coffee Association, 62 percent of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee every day. That’s a lot of java! Whether you prefer french press coffee or a frothy cappuccino, one thing is certain: All mugs of coffee are not created equal. If you want your daily cup to taste fresh and delicious, the coffee you start with needs to be fresh and delicious, too....

I don’t bake a lot, but when I do, I bake brownies. (I’m like the ‘Most Interesting Man in the World,’ except I’m a woman and don’t have high-flying adventures, and would almost always rather have a brownie than a beer.) Brownies are my homemade baked good of choice. Unlike cookies, they are practically impossible to screw up. You can make them in a single bowl without having to get out the stand mixer....

One of the easiest (as well as beautiful) ways to tell that the holidays are indeed here is to see a large freshly made wreath hanging on any Southern front door. The sight of any Christmas wreath, whether it be hung on the front door, window, or elsewhere is like a special invitation to partake in all of the seasonal joy. No matter if you’re a gingham ribbon gal or prefer radiant red cranberries, there are ways to incorporate your Christmas vision into a handmade holiday wreath....

Gardening can be cruel. I know. Last fall, I gleefully paged through a pile of bulb catalogs, dreaming of a spring garden filled with drifts of daffodils and other gems. Here in Alabama’s USDA Zone 8A, spring is supposed to start in mid- to late February. But guess what? Much of December and the first half of January felt like April. Throwing the football outside in short sleeves on Christmas Day is a blast....

Sweet Magnolias fans know that the Netflix hit cooks up a lot more than drama and romance. Like any good Southern saga, down-home comfort food gets prime billing. In fact, it plays almost as big a role as Coach Cal’s chiseled features. The feel-good series, based on the books of the same name by Sherryl Woods, is set in the fictional South Carolina town of Serenity (AKA Covington, Georgia). In both the books and the show, chef Dana Sue is known for putting tasty new spins on traditional Southern dishes....

It’s always sad to see longstanding businesses shutter. It’s another thing entirely to see a beloved institution wiped clear off the face of the earth. That’s what happened Friday night when Carr’s Steakhouse and historic Carr’s Barn were leveled by the deadly Quad-State Tornadoes that swept the South and Midwest. Carr family restaurants have been a part of the fabric of Mayfield since the 1950s. In 2011, after decades of business for Carr’s Barn Café and Carr’s Barn BBQ from several generations of Carr family owners, the Carrs embarked on their biggest endeavor yet....