Plan Ahead Hosting a party should be just as much fun as attending one, right? That often requires a little planning. Make as much of the meal ahead of time so you can enjoy the party, rather than being stuck in the kitchen. The best thing you can do is choose a freezer-friendly main dish, and prepare it ahead of party time. Most casseroles, baked pasta dishes, and slow cooker soups and stews freeze beautifully and feed a large crowd....
Tennessee feels like home," says Kimberly Williams-Paisley. But when she first moved to Franklin 16 years ago, the New York-born star had a little culture shock. “People drive by and actually stop their cars, roll down the windows, and have a conversation in the middle of the street here,” she says. “I remember thinking, ‘Why are we talking right now? Don’t we both have to go places?’ But now, I understand that this is just what we do in the South....
Silicone spatulas are an invaluable tool to have in the kitchen. These multifunctional little helpers make safely mixing ingredients in stainless steel pans, frosting a cake, and getting the last bit of peanut butter out of a jar easier. But poorly designed silicone spatulas can fall apart over time, and it can be difficult to wade through the sheer number of options available to buy online. The set comes in four different colors, and right now, the black and orange colors are on sale for up to 30 percent off, which drops the price of the orange set to just below $13....
Dinner and supper: Two simple words often used interchangeably to describe the general setting of the last meal of the day. But, the two terms couldn’t be more different, both in origin and meaning. Just as important, though, is the fact that whichever word takes precedence in your food lexicon may explain more about which side of the generational fence you straddle. First, let’s define both terms. Merriam-Webster establishes dinner as “the principal meal of the day....
The largest city in Tennessee’s Sumner County, with 58,000 residents, is located along the Cumberland River and Old Hickory Lake. It’s only 20 miles northeast of Nashville but has plenty of attractions to make it worth a visit as a day trip or an overnight destination on its own, from Historic Rock Castle to Hendersonville Memory Gardens, local boutiques, a homegrown brewery, tasty restaurants and more. Don’t miss the chance to stay in Spring Haven Mansion, a favorite of Taylor Swift’s....
Peanut butter is a popular flavor for pup treats and you may already give your pooch dog-safe peanut butter in a tongue-clucking hollowed out toy or bone. “So, it’s likely for you to assume that peanuts are safe for dogs to eat,” says Dr. Claudine Sievert, a veterinarian and veterinary consultant at CatPetClub. Can Dogs Eat Peanuts? Peanuts can be a healthy choice as they are rich in protein, vitamin B-6, healthy fats, vitamin E, and niacin stresses Dr....
Whether you prefer savory or slightly sweet cornbread, there’s no denying that this golden loaf goes well with almost any Southern dish—hearty stews, soups, barbecue, bowls of long-simmering peas, meatloaf, or even on its own slathered with butter or lightly drizzled with honey as a snack. For many, cornbread is a staple at Sunday dinner, and going without it likely will leaving you feeling like something is missing. But if you don’t always have time to bake a scrumptious loaf of cornbread when you want it, you may consider baking several batches at a time so you can enjoy it in another moment....
To know Cheerwine is to love Cheerwine. And if you love the refreshing soft drink, the Cheerwine Festival in its hometown of Salisbury, North Carolina, is one worth planning a trip around. After two years of Covid-related cancelations, the annual Cheerwine Festival is back. The popular festival is scheduled for May 21, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., with plenty of fun for fans of all ages. Originally founded in 1917 in Salisbury, Cheerwine has long been a Southern favorite, especially for residents of the Carolinas who can’t get enough of the cherry-flavored taste....
Walt Disney World Resort is fighting to save Florida’s dwindling manatee population. Most recently, Disney’s animal care experts assisted Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) with the release of a 680-pound manatee at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City—one of six manatees rehabilitated at the Orlando theme park over the last year. Plantaina is a young female manatee who was rescued as a baby near Fort Lauderdale. According to a news release, she was found abandoned at less than a week old....
For most of us, it’s second nature to poke a few holes in the skin of a potato before baking it. We learned early on that not doing so could result in scary consequences. A steamy, potato-ey explosion is not something anybody wants in their oven at dinner time. According to conventional wisdom, a few quick jabs to a potato with a fork allows steam to escape as it cooks. But culinarians are divided as to the necessity of the prick....
Dolly Parton is the gift that keeps on giving! And now, thanks to a new partnership between the singer and American Greetings, you can give the gift of Dolly to friends and loved ones on their birthday. Seriously! Parton announced the new personalized video “Birthday Time” e-cards on social media Tuesday and we’re already planning to send them to everyone we know. The cards feature Southern Living’s 2020 Southerner of the Year and her backup singers performing a personalized birthday-themed parody of her hit single “9 to 5....
One might argue that it’s the quality of the beach that makes a place the best beach town of them all, but Hilton Head Island proves something even more true: It’s the richness of the town that wins the day, and in this case, the hearts of its 40,000 locals. Let’s not dismiss Hilton Head’s superb beach bona fides, however: Tucked snugly against the water-riven coast of South Carolina, the foot-shaped island exposes 12 miles of broad, tawny sands to the Atlantic Ocean’s rolling swells....
If you’re looking for a classic, Southern house plan that doesn’t include stairs, then this house plan 2049 by C. Brandon Ingram is perfect. It comes in at 2,917 square feet and includes three true bedrooms and three and a half baths. A large kitchen opens up to a living room centered around a fireplace. Why We Love It The exterior is oh-so inviting, and the beauty of this design is in its traditional simplicity....
Sure, making cakes and cookies with the little ones is fun, but there’s an upside to decorating without them—no more neon colors and better-looking confections. Black icings or fondants often decorate more sophisticated cookies and cakes. You can delicately pipe different textures onto surfaces or solid bases. Everything from black-and-white cookies to an elegant tiered cake with black fondant and elegant gold leaf, these desserts add a level of prestige and artistry to any special occasion....
Polish ItRemove tarnish from even the most intricate pieces: Place silver on aluminum foil in your sink, sprinkle with baking soda, and pour boiling water over it. The tarnish will literally fall off. Rinse and pat dry to avoid water spots. If you prefer store-bought polish, be sure to apply in a circular motion, wash, and dry. Use ItSilver isn’t just for special occasions. Frequent use brings out that rich patina....
Fall is decorative squash season. It is also decorative gourd season. Those two sentences are not redundant, or mutually exclusive. And the reason is pumpkins. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, squash, gourds, and pumpkins are all part of the Cucurbitaceae family (try and say that five times fast). It’s a very large family of fruit (more on that later). If the entire Cucurbitaceae clan got together for a reunion, it would have more than 900 species RSVP-ing for the occasion....
Should you tip a flight attendant for good service? Turns out the answer is up for debate. While we’re all used to regularly tip the servers who bring us food at restaurant, serve us drinks at bars, or help carry bags in hotels, most of us would never think of tipping the men and women who perform those same services in the sky. Tipping flight attendants is not the norm, partially because flight attendants are paid a living wage, unlike restaurant servers....
If there is one thing about hydrangeas that scares people, it’s when and how to prune them. They fear that a wrong move can ruin these classic cottage-garden shrubs forever (don’t worry, that’s not really true—eventually your shrub will set new buds for the next season’s growth). So fear not, because we’re here with easy guidelines for pruning hydrangeas that will result in beautiful blooms every year in your summer garden....
Jennifer Garner wears many hats—actress, mother, producer, activist, wife—but the role she identifies with most is being a Garner girl, along with her mother, Patricia, and sisters, Melissa and Susannah. Like many Southern women, the actress, who stars alongside Al Pacino and Annette Bening in the upcoming film Danny Collins, grew up with Southern Living. It’s no surprise that Jen, as she is known at home, would want this shoot to be a family affair....
Kelly Clarkson is the gift that keeps on giving. From her duet with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to her goosebump-inducing Faith Hill cover, the “Kellyoke” segment of her NBC talk show continues to produce unforgettable musical moments. The latest performance to take our breath away occurred during Friday’s episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show. Accompanied by her band, Y’all, the American Idol alum delivered a powerful rendition of Chris Stapleton’s soulful single “You Should Probably Leave....
