Why Pickapeppa Sauce Is An Entertaining Staple In The South And Beyond

Pickapeppa isn’t a phrase in a tongue twister. It’s the brand name of a bottled condiment sauce that’s affectionately nicknamed “Jamaican ketchup” in tribute to its versatility and popularity. Classic Pickapeppa is a thick, dark brown sauce with layers of Caribbean-influenced flavor. It’s a bit sweet with a mild tang, made from sugar cane vinegar, sugar, tomatoes, onions, raisins, sea salt, ginger, peppers, garlic, cloves, black pepper, thyme, mangoes, and orange peel....

December 18, 2022 · 2 min · 340 words · Henry Albano

Why We Love Amelia Island Florida And You Should Too

Looking for a summer escape? Plan a trip to Amelia Island, Florida. About 45 minutes north of Jacksonville, we love this Atlantic Coast gem and its 13 miles of beautiful, picturesque beaches. This barrier island offers plenty of things to see and places to stay, eat, and explore, making it an ideal destination for a family getaway. Book your stay at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, which recently landed a spot on our list of the top 10 best resorts in the South....

December 18, 2022 · 2 min · 300 words · Charles Poirier

You Can Hike To This Hidden Swimming Hole In Great Smoky Mountains National Park

With 522,419 acres of wilderness spread across two states, it would take the better part of a lifetime to experience every treasure Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer—especially when you factor in the crowds. With more than 14.1 million visitors in 2021, Great Smoky Mountains the most visited national park in the country. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t hidden gems still left to be explored. Our friends at Travel + Leisure recently highlighted Midnight Swimming Hole, a “mini oasis” in the North Carolina side of the park....

December 18, 2022 · 2 min · 227 words · Lucas Eckard

4 Bad Bugs To Watch For This Winter

Just because it’s cold and miserable outside doesn’t mean bugs are miserable too. Some live quite warm and happily inside your home during the winter, feasting on your indoor plants. Here’s a helpful roundup of four of the most common bugs, how to identify them and the damage they do, and how to kill them dead, dead, dead. And dead. Houseplant Enemy #1 — Aphids. These plump, little guys (above) are easy to spot because they huddle together like seals on a beach....

December 17, 2022 · 4 min · 738 words · Barbara Anderson

4 Ways To Board Up Windows For A Hurricane

If you live in a coastal area where hurricanes regularly occur, seriously consider investing in hurricane shutters. These permanent fixtures will save you time and money in the long run and are ultimately the sturdiest (and safest) option. But if you’re in a pinch, follow this guide to boarding up your windows. We’ll cover how to board windows both from the inside and the outside, how to install the coverings for different house types—vinyl, brick, and stucco—the best materials to use, and the tools you’ll need....

December 17, 2022 · 3 min · 451 words · Ruth Smith

An Editor S Review Of Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Mascara

If you’re into makeup, you’re likely familiar with Charlotte Tilbury. The brand, named after its founder, is famous for its Pillow Talk lipsticks that come in a variety of beautiful shades, but it also sells a mean mascara. The Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara came out back in the summer of 2020, but I didn’t get my hands on a tube of it until the brand shared a sample with me this winter....

December 17, 2022 · 2 min · 422 words · Mary Croes

Budget Vacation Orlando Beyond Disney

When you think of Orlando, you think of Mickey, Shamu, Harry, and Hermione. But on a $500 budget for the weekend, who can afford theme parks? Instead, Alisa and I explored unbranded Orlando—an area with history, culture, and even a bit of urban cool. Saturday We checked into The Courtyard at Lake Lucerne. Nestled in the busy downtown, its four buildings include an Art Deco suites hotel and a couple of meticulously restored Victorians....

December 17, 2022 · 3 min · 465 words · Numbers Thompson

Couple Married For 58 Years Died Side By Side In Tennessee Tornado

James and Donna Eaton were married for 58 years when a powerful tornado ripped through their home in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, just after midnight Tuesday morning. They were sleeping side by side on their mattress when it was thrown from their bed. Jimmy, as he was known, would have celebrated his 85th birthday on Wednesday. The couple’s home was in what authorities are calling the worst part of the damage....

December 17, 2022 · 2 min · 268 words · Christopher Hawkins

Crab Mac And Cheese Recipe By Chef Alex Guarnaschelli

Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli knows a thing or two about getting a delicious dinner on the table. But if you really want to wow your guests, bookmark this recipe: Crab Macaroni and Cheese. And while you may think succulent, tender crab is what makes this dish so dreamy, you’d only be partially correct. Chef Alex’s secret addition? Chardonnay wine. “I am always looking for simple ways to enhance classic recipes,” she tells Southern Living....

December 17, 2022 · 3 min · 547 words · John Platt

Gardenias A Fragrance That Captivates

Sultry as a summer evening and as intoxicating as an exotic perfume, the scent of gardenias settles like a memory onto your soul. The blossoms are just as enticing. Buds shaped like seashells unfurl into velvet soft flowers in the warmth and humidity of early evening. But it’s the fragrance that captivates. A Good Friend Gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides), or Cape jasmines, have been adorning the gardens of the South for generations....

December 17, 2022 · 4 min · 752 words · Martin Patterson

Georgia Couple Gives Extra Ticket To Sold Out Garth Brooks Concert To Uber Driver

Katie and Zack Watson traveled from their home in Columbus, Georgia, to see Garth Brooks play Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, on Saturday. Their original plan was to see the concert with a friend, but when she got sick, the couple was left with an extra ticket to the sold-out show. “Ana got sick on Monday, and she was not able to go with us,” Katie told WTVM 13. “We had this third ticket....

December 17, 2022 · 2 min · 296 words · Romona Laigle

Ginger Jars

They’re as ubiquitous in classic Southern decorating as a porch full of wicker or a wallpapered powder room. Ginger jars (a.k.a. those blue-and-white ceramic urns your mom displays on the dining room sideboard) have long been a part of our decorating vernacular in the South, but we were hardly the first folks to recognize their aesthetic appeal. Whether you’ve never heard of ginger jars or you grew up admiring your aunt’s collection, here are six quick little lessons about the history and origins of one of our favorite home accessories....

December 17, 2022 · 3 min · 485 words · Patricia Murrell

How To Choose A Lampshade

Lamps are among the longest-lasting household items. They are easy to repair or rewire, making them instant family heirlooms. You likely have one or two lamps you’ve inherited from generations gone by (or one or two you’ve picked up at an antique store). While lamps might last forever, their lampshades do not. Over time, shades might turn yellow, become damaged, or simply go out of style. No matter the reason, the real conundrum is understanding how to select a replacement....

December 17, 2022 · 3 min · 483 words · Robyn Kyle

How To Make A Water Bath For Cheesecake

Baking a cheesecake in a quick-and-easy water bath (sometimes called a bain marie) can be the secret to cheesecake success, ensuring the filling turns out smooth and creamy, well worth the extra step when the recipe calls for one. Some cheesecake fillings are a type of rich, eggy custard. The finished cheesecake might look substantial, but they’re actually delicate. The water bath protects the cheesecake from uneven oven heat while it bakes so that the filling can set up slowly and evenly with little risk of rubbery edges, dark top, or sunken center....

December 17, 2022 · 2 min · 375 words · Jonathan Doty

How To Style Bangs During Grow Out

It’s a fact of life: The sweet little forehead-grazing shelf of strands that you just had to have will one day reach an awkward adolescence. To be sure, you will find yourself ruing the day you ever uttered the words “baby bangs” in the presence of your stylist. Growing out bangs in stages is no easy feat. It takes patience. Sometimes it urges a bit of self-reflection (i.e. thou shall not make major hair changes during emotionally turbulent times)....

December 17, 2022 · 4 min · 697 words · Curtis Ross

New American Gardens Usps Forever Stamps Collection Features Biltmore Gardens

Amidst the coroanvirus quarantine, we’ve been grateful for a variety of online entertainment options from the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. For sure, we’ve enjoyed more than our fair share of Biltmore virtual tours, we’ve streamed a slew of movies featuring the historic property (check out our video below), and even kept tabs on the Biltmore Estate’s spring gardens with weekly “bloom reports” from the Biltmore’s Director of Horticulture, Parker Andes....

December 17, 2022 · 2 min · 340 words · Brian Edwards

Shop Early Black Friday Kitchen Deals On Lodge Le Creuset And More

The start of November brings cooler weather, gathering with loved ones, enjoying a delicious turkey day meal, and hunting for deals come Black Friday and Cyber Monday. What can be a time-consuming affair, leaving the comfort of home and queuing up in line for hours on end in the hopes of grabbing something on your list in-store is no guarantee, and cuts into time spent with family. An easier way to snag deals is by shopping early Black Friday deals online from the comfort of your home to not only get a wide variety of sales to choose from, but also allow for more quality time gathering over a delicious meal this Thanksgiving....

December 17, 2022 · 4 min · 848 words · Elizabeth Palomo

Southern Living 2020 Idea House Is Set In Asheville Nc

The 2020 Idea House Southern Living is excited to announce that our 2020 Idea House will be located in Asheville, North Carolina. The Team: We called on a Southern dream team to bring our mountain-house vision to life: Interior Designer Lauren Liess, Architect Beau Clowney, and Buchanan Construction. The Location and House: “Each Southern Living Idea House starts with a great location, and this year we’re headed to the mountains, just outside downtown Asheville, North Carolina,” said Sid Evans, Editor-in-Chief of Southern Living....

December 17, 2022 · 2 min · 234 words · Lauren Brown

Stingray Classica Giving Away Free Month To Classical Music Streaming Platform

As we weather the storm and remain at home amidst the coronavirus crisis, online entertainment has been a true salvation. But there are only so many feel-good movies and shows we can stream and Golden Girls episodes we can rewatch. Indeed, even the most dedicated of Blanche, Sophia, Rose, and Dorothy devotees among us need a break. Like us, perhaps you’ve recently been craving some more cultured experiences? Well, we just found out about Canada’s Stingray Classica, that shares performances of classical music, opera, ballet, jazz, and we can’t wait to register....

December 17, 2022 · 2 min · 355 words · Doug Mcgovern

The Best Way To Store Kitchen Towels

The kitchen towel is an indispensable part of cooking and cleaning in any busy kitchen. From drying hands to wiping spills and getting that little morsel of food from the side of a dish, one is always ready to use during any meal or prep time. You can usually find kitchen towels stacked deep in a drawer with their numbers and styles unknown. Most people are surprised to see what is actually in that towel area when it’s time to clean it out—if it ever comes time to clean it out....

December 17, 2022 · 3 min · 590 words · Edna Walker