Lacey Chabert And Stuart Townsend Star In Christmas At Castle Hart

Be ready to be whisked across the pond to Ireland in Hallmark’s Christmas at Castle Hart starring Lacey Chabert and Stuart Townsend. No passport required. The brand-new flick, one of the 41 gifts we are getting thanks to the network’s massive Countdown to Christmas offerings this year, was filmed entirely on location in Ireland. Chabert plays Brooke Bennett, who is newly single and unemployed let’s her much more impulsive sister Margot convince her to go with her to Ireland to trace their family’s Irish roots....

December 11, 2022 · 3 min · 629 words · Mary Speidel

Nighttime Beauty Secrets We Learned From Our Mamas

Beauty sleep is a real thing y’all. Once you fall asleep your skin repairs and rejuvenates itself, so when you wake up in the morning your complexion is ready to take on the day—even if you still need that cup of coffee. Growing up our mamas always told us about the importance of a good night’s sleep and fostering a pre-bed beauty routine. They knew that these two things would result in a fresher, younger you....

December 11, 2022 · 3 min · 511 words · Dolores Robinson

Porch Diys

There’s no place we’d rather be, anytime, than posted up on a front porch somewhere. After all, there’s nothing more Southern than evenings spent out on a porch (drink in hand, preferably!). So it can’t hurt every now and then to take stock of your porch situation—is it as inviting as it could be? A weekend DIY could provide the little TLC a porch needs every once in a while. Here, five porch decorating ideas to get yours looking its best....

December 11, 2022 · 2 min · 357 words · Timothy Hook

The Magic Of 7 Up In A Cake

The editors at Southern Living magazine have been publishing delicious recipes for over 50 years. It stands to reason that, in all that time, some of those recipes would have risen above the others to be deemed the “best of the best.” The illustrious Hummingbird Cake is one such recipe, having enjoyed 40 years as the celebrated “most requested recipe of all time.” And while it may be hard to play on the same field with such a renowned recipe, Nanny’s Famous Coconut-Pineapple Cake is certainly a major contender....

December 11, 2022 · 2 min · 351 words · Crystal Blount

What Is A Fruiting Quince Tree And How Do I Plant It

Quince is the name given to the fruit of the Cydonia oblonga tree as well as the common name of the tree itself. It’s a small tree that can grow to 15-20 feet tall and wide. Quince is a hardy, low-maintenance plant that’s great for beginners because it thrives with little effort and is relatively hard to kill. The ornamental tree can take up to five years to produce its first fruits, and ten years to reach its full fruit production potential—however, its sweet yellow fruits are well worth the wait....

December 11, 2022 · 4 min · 732 words · Nathan Mccarty

15 Best Early Cast Iron Cookware Deals On Amazon In 2021

Just ask any Southern home chef and they’ll tell ya: Cast iron cookware is a must. That’s because the popular non-stick pick is versatile, durable, and cooks meals to perfection. If you’re the last in your friend group to get a cast iron pan or pot, now’s the time to buy. Right this second, you can save hundreds off best-selling cast iron skillets, griddles, Dutch ovens and more weeks before Black Friday....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 642 words · Courtney Bowen

6 Types Of Produce You Should Always Wash But Might Not Be

When it comes to washing produce, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. The CDC estimates that there are nearly 50 million cases of foodborne illnesses in the U.S. every year. While not all of those could have been prevented by the consumer, we can certainly be proactive in protecting our households against listeria, salmonella, and other related illnesses. We asked two food safety experts about the top types of produce that consumers are most likely to skip out on washing before consuming, plus how to properly wash them to keep your kitchen food safe....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 725 words · Eric Novak

A Thoughtful Renovation Turned An Outdated Cottage Into A Welcoming Mobile Bay Retreat

When Logan and Drew Mouron decided to turn their family’s annual Fourth of July trip to the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa near Fairhope, Alabama, into a monthlong Mobile Bay escape, they didn’t plan on returning as homeowners. For one thing, houses within walking distance of the landmark hotel rarely went up for sale. “It’s kind of unheard of,” says Logan, who grew up in nearby Mobile. But the owner of the waterfront cottage she booked via Vrbo, who turned out to be her childhood next-door neighbor, was looking to sell....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 832 words · Brooke Crawford

Ben And Jerry S Release Two New Seasonal Cookie Dough Chunks Flavors

The holiday season may still be a few months away, but that doesn’t mean we can’t start getting into the festive mood now. To help us embody that jolly spirit, Ben & Jerry’s has added two new seasonal flavors to their frozen cookie dough chunks line, gingerbread and cinnamon bun. The two new limited-edition releases bring the company’s cookie dough chunks collection to seven flavors total. The delectable rundown? Chocolate chocolate chip, peanut butter chocolate chip, vegan chocolate chip, chocolate chip, and Half Baked, inspired by the ice cream company’s beloved flavor, and the two seasonal newcomers....

December 10, 2022 · 2 min · 312 words · Ethel Bohler

Blake Shelton Themed Bars Opening In Nashville And Oklahoma

The dream you never knew you had has come true! Ryman Hospitality Properties, the fine folks behind Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, recently announced that they’re opening two new venues—one in Tennessee and one in Oklahoma—with the help of country star Blake Shelton. The future Ole Red Nashville and Ole Red Tishomingo (in Shelton’s Oklahoma hometown) will be a bar, music venue and event space all wrapped into one tall, handsome Shelton-themed package....

December 10, 2022 · 2 min · 317 words · Terri Wesson

Bojangles Celebrating Dale Earnhardt Jr S Nascar Hall Of Fame Induction With Free Dirty Rice

Bojangles is celebrating Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s impending induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame by giving away the racing legend’s favorite fixin’—Dirty Rice—for free! That’s right y’all. From Thursday, January 20, through Sunday, January 23, customers can cash in by placing an order through the all-new Bojangles App. Simply add an individual Dirty Rice to your cart and use the code “DALE” to receive the fan-favorite fixin’ for free. “We’re thrilled to honor Dale Jr....

December 10, 2022 · 1 min · 189 words · Harold Borgmeyer

Can You Freeze Buttermilk

We’ve all been there: You bought a quart of buttermilk to make our best-ever biscuits, and suddenly a week has gone by and you still have half of a carton left in the refrigerator. While there are tons of delicious and creative ways to use buttermilk (Herbed Buttermilk Ranch Dressing or Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake, anyone?), you can store it in your freezer with great results. Simply give the buttermilk a good shake and pour it into ice cube trays by the tablespoon....

December 10, 2022 · 2 min · 283 words · Thelma Reid

Chapel Hart Catapulted To Stardom After Viral America S Got Talent Performance

Chapel Hart is on top of the world. The country trio has been on a seemingly endless winning streak following a viral appearance on America’s Got Talent last week. After earning a Golden Buzzer with their Dolly Parton- inspired “You Can Have Him, Jolene,” the Mississippi natives shot to No. 1 on iTunes, heard from Parton herself, and received an invitation to make their Grand Ole Opry debut. “Y’all really tryna give ya girls a heart attack!...

December 10, 2022 · 2 min · 238 words · Bertha Velasquez

Churchill Downs Delays Kentucky Derby

At this point, this may not be a complete surprise, but Churchill Downs announced today that the 146th Kentucky Derby would now be on September 5, 2020. The original date was May 2, but as the coronavirus situation continues to grind our country to a halt, the latest reported information suggests that we may be dealing with this longer than a few weeks. Churchill Downs released a statement with details but did say that the new date was subject to approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission....

December 10, 2022 · 2 min · 322 words · Steve Ross

Elephant S Ear Plant Care

Elephant’s ears offer some of the boldest foliage you could ever want in a garden. Huge, heart-shaped leaves come in black, purple, emerald green, chartreuse, yellow, or a mix of colors. The mammoth leaves can be more than 3 feet long on plants that can grow higher than 6 feet tall. Even the stems deliver impressive colors. New breeding has resulted in hybrids that offer a wealth of choices in a range of colors, sizes, and habits....

December 10, 2022 · 2 min · 420 words · Kara Harris

Grain Free Foods Tied To Heart Disease In Dogs

Pets are family, which is why most of us go out of our way to treat them as such. But what if, in the interest of doing what’s best for our dogs, we’re accidentally harming them? Unfortunately, new research suggests that special dog foods could lead to poor cardiovascular health in your beloved pooch. Last month, a team of veterinarians at the University of California-Davis reported discovering a link between some popular grain-free, legume-rich dog diets and a type of nutritional deficiency and canine heart disease known as taurine-deficient dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a heart muscle disorder that can lead to congestive heart failure and death....

December 10, 2022 · 2 min · 245 words · Shirley Williams

How The Music Of Pat Monahan And Train Inspired A Hallmark Christmas Movie

We are used to having our Christmas movies full of music. Be it jingle bells or carols, holiday movies generally contain their fair share of traditional tunes like “Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer,” “Oh Christmas Tree,” and “Silent Night.” Sure, those are great. But this year, among the plethora of festive offerings from Hallmark’s 41 brand-new, original holiday movies, we are getting one inspired by the 2015 album Christmas in Tahoe, by the band Train....

December 10, 2022 · 5 min · 868 words · Desiree Gutierrez

How To Fry Catfish And Keep It Crisp

We’ve all had our share of soggy fried catfish. (And if you haven’t, lucky you.) While your filets may emerge from the frying pan perfectly crisp and golden brown, they can quickly turn lukewarm and lackluster before they hit the table. The trick to frying catfish—or anything else for that matter—is cooking it in batches, while keeping each finished batch hot. Whether you’re frying catfish for four or 40 people, it’s important to fry the fish in batches and not overcrowd the pan....

December 10, 2022 · 2 min · 273 words · Daniel Stuer

How To Grow A Crepe Myrtle From Cuttings Or Seed

Plant propagation is a great way to grow new plants from old favorites. With a few extra planters, good potting soil, water, and a little patience, this is a cost-effective way of multiplying plants for your own landscape or to share with others. Before getting started, it’s important to know that it is an infringement of copyright law to use asexual propagation or to grow from seed a trademarked or patented cultivar....

December 10, 2022 · 4 min · 799 words · Clara Luna

How To Make Hard Boiled Eggs Easier To Peel

I have a love-hate relationship with boiled eggs. They make an appearance in a few of my favorite Southern cuisines, like chicken pot pie, deviled eggs, and potato salad. Of course boiled eggs also serve as a protein-packed salad addition or even just a grab-and-go snack throughout the day. Cooking eggs is incredibly easy; simply pop them in boiling water and wait. However, the process of peeling hard-boiled eggs isn’t nearly as quick and effortless....

December 10, 2022 · 3 min · 545 words · Jill Williams