The Family Thanksgiving Traditions Our Editors Cherish

Like a Thanksgiving potluck, we all bring something different to the table when it comes to holiday traditions. When we think of Thanksgiving, we likely all think of turkey and dressing, but everyone’s minds’ eye paints a different picture based on the unique aspects of their own Turkey Day celebrations. For some, Thanksgiving means classic family casseroles and watching football, for others, it means a full day of indulging on new and old recipes and going around the table to express thanks....

December 20, 2022 · 7 min · 1309 words · Juan Liles

The Struggles Of Being Southern In The Fall

Don’t get us wrong. It’s a privilege and an honor to live full-time in a region that the rest of the country mainly visits at the cost of vacation days and retirement savings. But when the leaves change color and coffee orders turn from iced to hot elsewhere, we remain cloaked in humidity and feel left out in cardigan and pumpkin-spice latte jokes. Attempt to enjoy America’s autumnal wonders too soon down here, and you will turn into a perspiring mess in your boots and buffalo-plaid jacket....

December 20, 2022 · 3 min · 443 words · Josh Wood

This Eyelet Midi Dress From Amazon Is A Closet Staple

BUY IT: $40; amazon.com Reviewers say that this dress molds to the curves of your body regardless of your height or chest size. “This fit like it was tailored just for me,” one happy customer wrote. “Incredibly flattering, beautiful, and also comfortable.” Another commenter added: “This fit me better than I expected. It will be perfect to dress up or down. It’s like the [Little Black Dress] for summer.” What could be better than an elegant eyelet dress that’s perfect for both a casual day with friends and a formal evening event?...

December 20, 2022 · 1 min · 207 words · Robert Miller

This Is The Best Boxed Cornbread Mix

Cornbread is a dish that Southerners are willing to fight for. While we all have a specific recipe that we make time and time again, we can generally agree that the South has mastered cornbread–whether or not you believe we should add sugar to it. Homemade is always the way to go with this staple side, and it pairs well with just about any Southern dish you can get your hands on....

December 20, 2022 · 4 min · 759 words · David Wiley

Tiny Home Facts

Dreaming of ditching your nine to five, all that clutter that you’ve accumulated, and your mortgage? Chances are you’ve been watching one of the many reality TV shows about tiny house living. We are devoted small home lovers and builders but we aren’t sure that tiny houses are a permanent solution for many. It needs to be less than 500 square feet to be considered a true tiny house.It may not meet the building codes of its permanent home site making it illegal....

December 20, 2022 · 2 min · 328 words · Ruth Smith

Vintageclothing S 34 Floral Maxi Dress Comes In 44 Colors

Made with a rayon material that gives it that breathable feel, the $34 floral maxi is ideal for warm spring and summer days, whether you’re lounging at home or going out to brunch. The lightweight fabric doesn’t cling to your body, preventing overheating and sweating—two things that can be especially uncomfortable while you’re out and about. Buy It: Starting at $34; amazon.com The dress has a soft-but-stretchy cinched waist for a flattering fit, and the rope tie brings a boho touch that also adds some dimension to the dress, giving the wearer an hourglass shape shoppers love....

December 20, 2022 · 2 min · 238 words · Walter Babin

50 Thank You Note Messages What To Write In A Thank You Card

If we learned anything from our mothers, it’s that sending a thank you card is non-negotiable. It’s the polite way to recognize a friend, colleague, or family member’s thoughtfulness and to show you appreciate their support and warm wishes. With all of that to consider, it’s no wonder that you might hit a bit of writer’s block when you put pen to paper. Don’t fret. Sending a thank you card is simple....

December 19, 2022 · 5 min · 1008 words · Robert Whitehurst

6 Qualities That Define Southern Hospitality

Growing up in a small town in south Georgia—so small and bucolic, even finding it on the map is a challenge—I was raised to believe that hospitality isn’t a choice. It’s more of an institution in my household, where we abide by Southern rituals and customs beyond swinging on the front porch, sipping on sweet tea, and gathering together on Sunday for a sit-down potluck supper. While most would define Southern hospitality as being neighborly and welcoming family, friends, and, yes, even strangers into our homes, the catch-all term comes with myriad definitions....

December 19, 2022 · 4 min · 676 words · Frances Haith

Could Soup Be To Blame For The Alligator Snapping Turtle S Decline

The alligator snapping turtle could soon become a threatened species, and the Southern tradition of serving turtle soup could be to blame. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently proposed adding the alligator snapping turtle to the list of threatened species, citing a predicted 95% decline in their population over the next 50 years and possible extinction in as few as 30 years. According to a release from the Fish and Wildlife Service, the commercial harvest of alligator snapping turtles reached its peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s....

December 19, 2022 · 3 min · 428 words · Lolita Mitchell

Experts Agree This South Carolina Man S Way Of Telling If There S A Shark In The Water Is 100 Accurate

During a family vacation to Edisto Beach back in June 2018, Josh Rinder of Aiken shared a one-minute instructional video demonstrating his foolproof shark detection method. Four years later, Rinder’s trick still stands the test of time. Even the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy has put its weight behind the hack, calling it a “great trick to detect nearby sharks.” In the Facebook video (below), Rinder stands at the ocean with a big spoon....

December 19, 2022 · 2 min · 290 words · Jennifer Gordon

Follow This Spring Cleaning Calendar And Your House Will Be Sparkling In No Time

The unofficial start of spring in the South is March 1, though spring enthusiasts might argue it’s the day after Valentine’s. Along with all the sweet new sights and sounds of a fresh season comes that nagging feeling that something must be done with all the clutter before spring—officially—arrives. Just figuring out where to start can give one enough of an excuse to put it off for another day, week, or month....

December 19, 2022 · 3 min · 517 words · Tammie Bryant

Holiday Etiquette Tips All Southerners Should Know

Good manners and proper etiquette are always important but they’re especially crucial during the Christmas season. In-laws travel to town, Yuletide parties ensue, and there are countless opportunities to commit a major etiquette faux pas. Yikes. But, fear not! Southern Living Editor Betsy Cribb sat down to share some of her tried and true holi-do’s and holi-don’ts this season. To Monogram Or Not To Monogram There’s an old saying, “if it ain’t moving, monogram it....

December 19, 2022 · 3 min · 525 words · Jonathon Veit

How Often Should You Wash Your Pillows

You wash your sheets weekly, you clean your washing machine every three months, but those pillows on your bed? They’ve gone without a wash since—well, we better not say. Now is the time to finally start washing your pillows religiously. You truly don’t even want to know what might start lurking below the case otherwise. We’re breaking down everything you need to know about washing pillows to help simplify the process....

December 19, 2022 · 5 min · 1062 words · Melva Covington

How Often To Clean Every Surface In Your Bathroom

Bathrooms can be one of the dirtiest places in our homes, mainly because of what we have to do in them. Because bathrooms are usually damp, humid environments, they can harbor mold and mildew—this can potentially lead to illness. Plus, considering bathrooms are wet environments, they tend to hold smells longer than other rooms in your home. Cleaning every surface of your bathroom with the proper cleaning agents can kill bacteria and keep you healthier in the long run....

December 19, 2022 · 5 min · 912 words · Stephen Oboyle

Joshua Yajcaji Drives 530 Miles To Deliver N95 Masks To His Sister A Nurse At Cone Health S Green Valley Campus In High Point North Carolina

Now here’s an example of sibling love if we’ve ever seen one. Joshua Yajcaji drove 530 miles to deliver a package of coveted N95 masks to his older sister, an RN who volunteered to work at a North Carolina facility exclusively for COVID-19 patients. Knowing that his sister Alexis Schulman and her colleagues on the frontlines at Cone Health’s Green Valley Campus in High Point were low on protective gear, Yajcaji encouraged Vivint Solar, the panel company where he works, to give 395 N95 masks to the hospital....

December 19, 2022 · 2 min · 310 words · Charles Fitzgerald

Lauren Alaina Talks American Idol Southern Manners And Her Grandmother S Famous Recipe

In this week’s episode, Sid Evans talks to Lauren Alaina about her rise to fame on American Idol, how the church influenced her as a vocalist, and fulfilling her dad’s dream of playing the Grand Ole Opry. Plus, how she’s become the go-to artist for some of country music’s biggest duets! Episode 19: October 20, 2020 ​In 2011, Lauren Alaina took home second place on American Idol, and she hasn’t stopped writing, performing, or being in front of a camera since....

December 19, 2022 · 5 min · 863 words · Teresa Mcculler

Make Red White And Blue Deviled Eggs For The 4Th Of July

It’s pretty impossible to find a potluck, holiday gathering, dinner party, or luncheon in the South where deviled eggs aren’t on the menu. We have dozens of deviled egg recipes, but a particular patriotic version from MomDot caught our eye and we had to share. MomDot’s Red, White, and Blue Deviled Eggs are a festive treat for a Fourth of July celebration. And her recipe is a simple, classic one, but she dyes the eggs for a creative twist....

December 19, 2022 · 2 min · 300 words · Marissa Smith

Mississippi State Quarterback Will Rogers Escorts Elderly Alabama Staffer Out Of Stadium In Sweet Video

Will Rogers isn’t just a good quarterback, he’s a good person too. Hours after his team’s tough loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday night, the Mississippi State quarterback performed a true act of kindness. Rogers had cleaned up and was walking towards the team bus when he noticed an elderly member of the Bama event staff struggling to climb the exit ramp. So, the 21-year-old offered her a smile, his arm, and a personal escort out of the Tuscaloosa stadium....

December 19, 2022 · 1 min · 202 words · Billie Mcgill

Protect Your Garden From Invasive Hammerhead Worms

They stalk their prey with cool precision advancing on conveyor belts of slime. When they catch their hapless targets, they wrap around them like boa constrictors and secrete a sticky mucus that contains both a toxin to kill and an enzyme to dissolve. As victims turn into disgusting goo, victors “drink” them like a Slurpee and then glide off looking for their next meals. Meet your nightmare—hammerhead worms. These are not your father’s earthworms....

December 19, 2022 · 3 min · 614 words · Luis Valdez

These Stores Reward Customers For Recycling Old Jeans

The end of the coronavirus pandemic will mean different things for all of us. At the very least, emerging from isolation following a year spent in pajama pants will involve some sort of wardrobe reckoning—the rediscovery of “hard pants.” This reintroduction to jeans won’t be easy. Softer waistlines, altered lifestyles, and the arrival of warm weather all point to an impending pants purge. Knowing that we might need a little extra encouragement going into spring cleaning this year, Today highlighted some companies that offer rewards for recycling your old jeans....

December 19, 2022 · 2 min · 217 words · Judy Fanter