Southerners know when our presence is not the present. Invited to a party and the host says to not bring a thing? We’ve all been thereand many times, we’ve even shot a “Just bring yourself!” Credit: Robbie Caponetto; Styling: Kathleen Varner; Hair, Makeup, and Wardrobe: Celine Russell/Zenobia text to a friend when hosting. How Much Should You Spend on a Host Gift? This depends on the host and party! This way, you’ve got the option to tailor your investment to the party theme or host....

It’s nothing to be scared ofwell, most of the time. Have you ever stepped foot into a bathroom and noticed something strange? Something slimy and growing in thebathroom sinkor along the shower that comes off as…pink? Credit: Getty/Eshma Here’s what causes pink mold and how to get rid of it. What Is Pink Mold? Is Pink Mold Dangerous? Spotting the pink slime around the house doesnt mean you and your family are in danger....

Anyone know what a gill of water is? “Bake in a very slow oven.” “Butter the size of a walnut.” Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox “Enough flour to make a stiff dough.” Why Are Old Recipes So Vague? “Measurements werent standardized untilThe Fannie Farmer Cookbookat the turn of the 20th century. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox Recipes were in peoples heads, not on paper,” Byrn explains. “Put 3/4 lb....

Your summer just got a whole lot more comfortable. You’ve probably noticed the air recirculation button among the various bells and whistles on your car’s dashboard. You might even push it from time to time, but do you actually know what it does? Credit: Tsuji / Getty How Does the Air Recirculation Button Work? And the longer it’s on, the cooler your car gets. However, you should avoid using the air recirculation function during the winter....

Don’t get wax paper and parchment paper mixed up. Wax paper and parchment paper might look similar, but they serve very different purposes in the kitchen. But wax paper is not heat resistant. Credit: Julia Sudnitskaya The wax will melt at high temperatures, and the paper itself can catch on fire. Here are the other ways to use wax paper and when it’s best to stick with parchment paper. If you are cooking with heat, the bottom line is you need touse parchment paper....

Don’t let those Pinterest-worthy dream kitchens cloud your judgement. In a beautifully designed and styled kitchen like the one above, it’s easy to see why. From an appearance perspective, having open shelves allows your kitchen toshowcase more personalitythan wall-to-wall monotone cabinets. Credit:Alexandra Rowley Plants, bowls, cookbooks, mugsyou name itare shown off, adding color and texture to the space. Here are the top reasons to consider open shelving in your kitchen....

The origins of this sweet-and-sour treat extend deep in the South. Read on to learn more about Koolickles, including what they are and what they taste like. Adrian Milleris a soul food scholar, food historian, and James Beard Award-winning author. Credit: Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox What Is A Koolickle? What Does A Koolickle Taste Like? Dipping a pickle in Kool-Aid creates a tangy, sweet, and sour flavor....

What Is A Black-Eyed Susan Cocktail? The drink is garnished with fresh orange slices and candy red maraschino cherries. Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker and shake until it’s too cold to handle. Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox The bright yellow black-eyed Susan flowers decorating each winning horse. Thus, the black-eyed Susan cocktail was born. Vodka and rum are the original spirits featured in a black-eyed Susan cocktail....

Christmas spider tales are many, but all center on good fortune. I counted myself lucky that I didnt accidentally pick it up along with my pile of whites. Once Christmas Eve arrives, the tree is bare as the family doesnt have enough money to buy decorations. Credit:Liliya Krueger/Getty Another version focuses on two mothers, one a spider and the other a peasant woman. The story surrounds a poor woodcutter and his children who are cold and hungry one Christmas Eve night....

If a recipe calls for a clove of garlic, double-check you’re not using the whole head. In the Western world, we typically buy and usegarlicin the form of bulbs. Scapes have a strong flavor, similar to Appalachian ramps. Credit:Getty Images A garlic bulb, or head, consists of ten to twelveclovescovered in a thin, papery shell. Very few recipes call for an entire bulb, unless youre roasting it for dishes like Duchess potatoes....

This curiously named house style originated out of necessitybut now is considered a modern amenity. One such example in the South is a less common house punch in: the dogtrot house. This unique architectural style came to be for a very good reason. Credit: Photo: Helen Norman Where Did Dogtrot Houses Come From? What Does A Traditional Dogtrot House Look Like? Dogtrot houses were rarely more than one story, occasionally built with a partial second-floor attic or bedroom....

Patrick Dunneis the owner ofLucullus Antiquesin New Orleans, Louisiana. What Is A Finger Bowl? Why Were Finger Bowls Used? Credit: Courtesy of 1stDibs.com Therefore, people had a legitimate need to wash their hands before and after meals. When Did Individual Finger Bowls Become Common? Around the rise of the Victorian times, forks and napkins were common on the tables of the masses. One such rule was the use of the individual finger bowl....

Similar to a ham bone, ham hocks deliver bigger, bolder flavor. But it does, and it is well worth your time and effort. What Is A Ham Hock? Credit:Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster In other words, the joint connects the pig’s leg to the foot. Is Ham Hock Similar To A Ham Bone? A ham bone can be meatier than a ham hock. Credit: dirkr / Getty Images...