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After picking out a tree, hanging all the keepsake ornaments, stringing up the lights, and remembering how to hang a wreath on the door, some families have one more Christmas tradition—hanging the mistletoe. When that pesky little plant dangles from doorways and arches, anyone who finds themselves under it may find themselves puckering up for a Christmas kiss. It’s one of those funny Christmas traditions that is endearing for young couples and awkward if you end up under the mistletoe with your best friend’s mama....

Seersucker, pecan pie, family silver, monograms, bow ties, mint juleps, pink lipstick, crystal. In the South, some things never go out of style. Add to that list: classic glass citrus juicers. While a juicer may not be as quintessentially Southern as, say, sterling julep cups or a Lodge cast iron skillet, they are a fixture in kitchens all across the South—and for good reason. They are iconic, beautifully made, and incredibly useful....

First, it has a reversible design that prevents dripping when closed, so you won’t have to worry about water spilling on the floors when you’re heading into a store, the car, or your front door. The upside-down umbrella also has a game-changing handle that resembles the letter C. You can thread your wrist through it, keeping both hands free to send a text on your phone and carry items. In addition to these smart features, it also has a double-layer canopy built to stand up to harsh winds and a 42-inch width when fully opened....

If you’re spending New Year’s Eve at home, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourselves. Baking a dozen cookies for one? Why not? Joining in on a virtual game night with loved ones from afar? We’re in it to win it, y’all. Having a dance party with roommates or building a fort with your grade schooler? Sign us up—and meet you in the living room. And of course, there will be movies....

The South is home to quite a few distinctive culinary delicacies. We’re known for our fried okra, our pulled pork sandwiches, and—of course—our cornbread. Whether you like it savory or sweet, full of mix-ins or plain-Jane, there are so many ways to enjoy Southern-style cornbread. We’ve made it gluten-free and loaded it with brown butter. We get creative with the leftovers, frying up cornbread pieces to make croutons or baking them into cornbread dressing....

This week, 36 Austin-area middle schoolers suited up for a free camp that teaches girls about construction. Camp NAWIC, facilitated by the Austin Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), provides a week of hands-on learning for young girls, encouraging them to make their mark in the male-dominated construction industry. “We wanted something that was going to be very hands-on, and a true learning opportunity,” Jolsna Thomas, president of sponsor Rosendin Foundation and co-chair for the camp network, told KXAN....

Want a break from the chaos and need a little creative me-time? Grab some markers, colored pencils, crayons, or even watercolors and start those creative juices flowing with some of these gorgeous coloring sheets. You’ll reach your Zen-zone in no time without breaking the piggy bank. We found several artists who are sharing their artwork in the form of coloring pages during this time of quarantine and social distancing. Charleston artist, Fer Caggiano, has loved art since her first box of crayons as a little girl growing up in Brazil....

It’s always been a joke that people end up like their mothers, but for many Southern women, there is no higher compliment. Whether through teaching us how to make favorite family recipes or showing us how to take on life with confidence and savvy, we are influenced by those who raise us, and that also goes for things as fanciful and fun as our hair. On the mane front, Southern women have been known for big hair, lots of hair spray, and constantly defying the hot, humid environment around them....

As soon as the temperature drops even just the slightest, we’re ready to pick out our Halloween costumes and pull out the candy corn. Whether you prefer a spook-tacular occasion or something more along the lines of Charlie Brown, there’s one question that collectively weighs on our minds as we get ready to carve our jack-o’-lantern each year: How long do carved pumpkins last? Pumpkin carving is the great fall tradition that lends itself well to the whole family....

If you’ve always thought of your dog’s age in terms of each year equaling about 7 in human years, you’re not completely off base. If you have a 3-year-old pooch, he is around 21 years in human equivalency (7x3=21). However, for a more accurate gauge of how old your dog really is, it can get more complicated. Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine studied doggie DNA and compared it how human DNA ages....

Devotees of Nespresso machines will tell you that the brand makes the closest thing to coffee shop espresso you can enjoy at home. It’s one of the best options for a simple, dressed up home-brewed coffee. But if you’ve owned your Nespresso machine for a while, eventually it might become a bit sluggish in the morning. There’s no need to check your warranty–this just means it’s time to clean your Nespresso machine....

Deadly storms tore through middle Tennessee last night leaving over a dozen people dead, many injured, and a great number of homes and businesses destroyed. Reports as of Tuesday morning indicate that the death toll was 22 including in Nashville and across middle Tennessee. Several communities were impacted by these treacherous storms and tornadoes including East Nashville, downtown Nashville, but also communities beyond the city limits in Benton, Davidson, Putnam, and Wilson counties as well....

While the brown bears at Katmai National Park in Alaska were busy battling it out in the annual Fat Bear Week tournament, one of their less Tennessee fearsome cousins was getting in the Halloween spirit. Jeff and Christy Mabe were visiting Gatlinburg recently when they came across a black bear snacking on a pumpkin on the side of the road. As a small crowd gathered, the couple took a video (below) of the animal doing its best to break through the hard skin of the giant gourd....

Vacations have certainly looked a little different this summer. Maybe you traded in a flight for a trip on the open road. Perhaps you planned a staycation and dreamed of future family getaways. However you’ve spent your time off, it’s hard not to reminisce over beloved haunts from past adventures. If any of those special memories include cruising through the back roads and interstates of Texas, you’ll be able to celebrate the work of Houston artist Jim Koehn....

People can make fun of us all they want about the unusual food combinations that Southerners grow up eating and never stop loving. A peanut butter-and-mayonnaise sandwich? Pass the chips. Pineapple-and-cheese casserole? We’ll take seconds. Salt on watermelon? Duh. However, the most classic combination barely needs an introduction: peanuts and Coca-Cola. These two very different items, in fact, are not just a snack and refreshment to be enjoyed separately at the same time, but a dynamic duo to be guzzled straight out of a cold glass bottle....

One day this summer, I watched a single lonely member of a marching band high-step through an empty parking lot in my Alabama hometown, practicing fora season in doubt. Hope dies hard in football country. It has been a summer of unease. But even with so much to worry about, so many serious things, I caught myself wondering what the South would be like without football as we know it....

In a world of robot mops and Alexa-operated devices, it’s easy to think that your home should clean itself. While that would be nice, we don’t live in that reality just yet. To give your kitchen or bathroom the deep cleaning that it needs, you’re going to have to put in some elbow grease. If you use a traditional string mop or a Swiffer for deep cleaning, it’s time to upgrade to a spin mop....

If you’re in the mood for a Georgia getaway, you can’t do much better than the city of Savannah. This coastal community has more charm than it knows what to do with, and a weekend here promises to recharge and refresh you—and provide you with as many memorable meals as you can handle. We’ve put together our perfect Savannah day with 10 of our favorite restaurants, shops, activities, sights, and sounds to enjoy around the city....

Chad Houser saysthat when he began pitching the idea of a restaurant staffed by former juvenile offenders, he was at times laughed out of the room. “People said things like, ‘Those kids don’t want to work; they just want a paycheck.’ Or, ‘Those kids have never been to a nice restaurant; they can’t cook your food.’ " But Houser, a chef who had volunteered in the juvenile department for years, knew that wasn’t true....

Who doesn’t want a bathroom that feels more like a personal spa? Just picture it: plush robes, heated floors, a deep soaking tub, and a top-of-the-line shower complete with wall jets and rainfall shower head. Having a calming, rejuvenating retreat in your own home is a luxury many of us dream of saving up for. But if a full bathroom renovation isn’t in your budget, there are some smaller but still impactful updates you can do that’ll make your bathroom more enjoyable while also increasing the value of your home....