And no, its not to keep nosy neighbors at bay. Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lizzie Cullen Cox; Design: Olivia T.M. Brock We Southerners tend to pride ourselves on our signaturehospitality. Credit:Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Lizzie Cullen Cox; Design: Olivia T.M. Brock Come on over, we tell our friends and neighbors, and dont bring a thing but yourself! What is the point, after all, of having an elegant house if it cant be shared?...

Everything to know about how to clean your walls. But what is the plan for tackling wall cleaning? Still not sure where to start with wall mopping? Credit:Getty Images Becky Rapinchuk is a cleaning expert, author of four cleaning books, and founder ofClean Mama. What Is Wall Mopping? It might sound contrarymopping the wallsbut gone are the times when mops were used solely on floors. Warm water and castile soap work best, she says....

For anyone who has ever taken this tradition for granted, here’s its origin. The South is a region of long-held superstitions and traditions. Johnny Autry What Is The Meaning Of Black-Eyed Peas And Collard Greens? Credit:Johnny Autry As for collard greens, they’re green like money and will ensure you a financially prosperous new year. And isn’t that what we all want anyway? When black-eyed peas were added to the pilau, it became Hoppin' John....

Other than the fact that mama raised us right! Good manners dictate that every sneeze should be followed by some variation of “bless you.” Every sneeze whether wall-shaking nasal explosion or a dainty achoodeserves the courtesy. Credit: Debrocke/ClassicStock/Getty Images Unfortunately, the true origins of this nice but bizarre social convention are a bit murky. Other cultures thought that sneezing forced evil spirits out of the body, leaving others exposed to wandering spirits....

Save time and your fingers. Here’s how to peel hard-boiled eggs with a spoon. Deviled eggs are one of the greatest foods on the planet. Credit: Getty/antpkr The same can’t be said about making them, though. That’s because peeling the hard-boiled eggs can be a real pain. For a one-ingredient food,hard-boiled eggsare pretty finicky. So what are you supposed to do if you’re hankering for some egg salad? Below, we’ll give you simple steps and tips on how to peel an egg with a spoon....

A tradition you gotta know about. ), but according to the experts, white bread and barbecue have a long and distinguished history together. Barbecue pros generally agree that the white bread tradition began in Central Texas anddates back to the 19th century. Credit:Caitlin Bensel Barbecue is served with white bread because of how inexpensive [white bread] is. Mass-produced white bread was cheap and readily available, so it was easy to hand out with smoked meat....

A little patience results in the juiciest steak. Do You Really Need To Let Steak Rest? But how long should you let your steak sit out before its time to eat? Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox How long you rest a steak depends on its size. Why Tent Steak? You may wonder why resting steak is necessary if youve cooked your meat properly and are ready to eat. Credit:Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely...

This baker’s secret is a pantry staple in Southern kitchens. But its best kept secret? Dehydratedbuttermilkpowder makes for a great addition to all sorts of savory seasoning and herb mixes. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox What Is Buttermilk Powder? Dry buttermilk powder is essentially dried or dehydrated buttermilk. Buttermilk powder is a baker’s secret weapon. Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox Credit:Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Flowers aren’t just for looking pretty. The boom in gardening that started during the pandemic doesn’t show any signs of letting up. For example, did you know that it’s best to plant flowers amongst your veggies? Credit: NCAImages/Getty Images Growing flowers in your vegetable bed attracts native bees and other beneficial insects. Marigolds repel pests like cabbage worms and also attract beneficial insects. Chives and other alliums ward off deer as well as insect pests, and have pretty lavender flowers too....

Do the holidays set off your allergies? Learn why you might want to wash your Christmas tree to remove pollen, dust, and allergens. Trim the trunk and lower branches? Credit:Scharfsinn86 / Getty Images Put it in a stand and give it a good drink of water? Surebut don’t forget to wash your Christmas tree before bringing it indoors. This expert holiday tip may surprise you, but it makes sense. Use gloves while handling the tree....

Six reasons buying gift cards from the warehouse store is a smart choice. When it comes down to it, Costco is one of the best places to buy gift cards. “Our Costco sells a 4 pack of Coldstone ice cream cards that are $25 each. Costco Wholesale Honolulu. Priced at $70-80 usually. Plus, its something that will get used and Im not adding yet another toy to someones house. Exclusive Deals Sometimes Costco offers exclusive deals on gift cards that are not available elsewhere....

Five items you shouldn’t forget about. How could one possibly do that, you ask? The answer is simple: by not keeping your cleaning tools clean. Credit:Anna Puzatykh/Getty Images Get these items on your radar ASAP. Your immune system can thank us later. Toilet Brushes How often:Toilet brushes and wands should be cleaned after every use. Let that soak in. How to:For a traditional toilet brush, submerge in a solution of equal parts bleach and water....

Hint: You should be. In case you were wondering, yes,you really need to be cleaning your dishwasher. This helps it perform to the utmost of its ability, leaving your dishes cleaner and more sanitized. Credit: Group4 Studio / Getty Images For newer models, the filter is a cylinder-shaped part often located on the bottom of your dishwasher. For some older models, it’ll appear like a flat mesh plane on the bottom....