Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple. Cast-iron skillets are staples in a Southern kitchen that must be treated with care. This means learning how to season a cast-iron skillet properly. Credit: Getty Images It’s important to take the necessary steps to care for yourcast-iron skillet. Bring back its luster and protect it from rusting by preserving, protect its oily sheen and non-stick powers. Cast-iron and carbon steel pans require this treatment....

Whether youre prepping for a basic lunch or a formal bash, heres what you better know. As kids, our sole dinner responsibility was setting the table while Mama finished the meal. Where should the water glass go? Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Rachael Burrow How many forks are appropriate? What is the point of a charger plate? Paige Minearis a stylist, blogger, and founder ofThe Pink Clutch. Credit: Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller...

We promise it’s easy and there’s more than one way. Whatever the reason, it’s crucial that you shred themand we can help. Whether forpotato latkesorhash brown casserole, shredding potatoes from scratch can easily become quite a bit of work. Credit:Getty Images/ksushachmeister it’s possible for you to shred potatoes using a food processor, mandoline, or abox grater. Whichever method you choose, you’ll need to wash and dry the potatoes before you peel them....

These tips will help you shrink a shirton purpose. However, sometimes a shirt is a size too big and would fit better after shrinking. The tag should indicate whether or not this is the case. Credit:Getty Images If your shirt has been pre-shrunk, it wont be as susceptible to more shrinking. Determine Fabric bang out Different fabrics will shrink based on how much water their fibers can absorb. Excessive heat can also damage synthetic fabrics....

There are many ways tocook a holiday ham. But there’s another cooking method you’ve just got to try with your ham: the smoker. If you’re thinking about smoking a ham, replicate this method with your own smoker at home. Credit: Southern Living What Kind Of Ham Should You Smoke? Bolus recommends smoking a pre-cooked ham. “Think about the ham youget for the holidays. It’s been lightly smoked, and we’re gonna smoke it some more....

No tricks, just the truth. Making greatguacamoleat home requires some advance planning, or luck. That’s because the secret ingredient in guacamole is time. You need avocados at the just the right not-too-firm, not-too-soft stage of ripeness. But if you’re not, you need another course of action. Keep the bag tightly closed so the gas doesn’t escape. How To Soften An Avocado After It Has Been Cut It happens to the best of us....

Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Diving in on a baking project? Don’t forget to soften the butter first! Softened butter is used in a variety of recipes, fromyellow cakeandpound caketo your favorite cookies andbuttercream frosting. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox What’s the best way to soften butter? When it comes to how to soften butter quickly, there are a few methods to try. Keep reading to find the best way to soften better for your next recipe....

Found your honey has gone hard? Here’s how to rescue it. But what happens when you reach for the honey, only to find it hardened into the container? Credit:Getty Images Why Does Honey Harden? Honey naturally hardens over time in a process called crystallization. How To Soften Honey There are several methods you could use to de-crystalize your hardened honey. Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Karin Olsen; Food Styling: Kellie Gerber Kelley...

Steve Bender For vibrant summer color, few flowering plants can compete with thecrepe myrtle(Lagerstroemia indica). Just look around your neighborhood. Nearly every street in the South is lined with these blooming trees from July through September. Credit:Steve Bender But even the best preparation doesnt prevent some common crepe myrtle issues that can arise. Read on for the problems we hear most about and how to fix them. Fungal growth takes place from spring through early fall....

Simplify spring lawn establishment and reap the benefits of dormant seeding in cool-season lawns. Dormant seeding works well for establishing lawn on bare soil and overseeding thin lawns. It is only used for cool season turfgrasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescues. Credit:Getty Images Preparing Your Lawn For Winter Seeding Good seed-to-soil contact is necessary for optimal germination. Prepare the lawn in fall, before snow falls or winter rain arrives....

If you tap on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Put on your walking shoes and prepare for a day of blue skies and palm-shaded sidewalks. Put all your cares away. Credit: Courtesy of The Southernmost House Key West is a worry-free zone. Trade your worries for a slice ofKey lime pieon a stick. Sugar-white sands and salty waves are the ideal supplements to energize your morning routine. Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez...

Playing tourist in my North Carolina hometown. The road that ribbons through the foothills rises and twists like the tail of a cat. As the elevation increases, the temperature drops about 5 degrees for every 1,000 feet. Credit:Cameron Reynolds The sweeping skyline narrows and then gives way to theBlue Ridge MountainsIm almost home. I grew up in Boone, North Carolina. I moved away decades ago, but it will always be the homeplace that beckons and recalibrates me....

This South Carolina gem has something for everyone, whether you’re looking for fresh seafood or outdoor adventure. All you need is sunscreen and a solid plan for an unforgettable trip. Plan Your Trip