1. Sear the pork chops first. Giving the pork chops a quick sear in the skillet before adding to the crock-pot isn't just for the color. It helps trap in some juices and gives it a nice almost caramelized crust which adds tons of flavor. 2. Don...
Connie Francis passed away at 87, closing the chapter on a life lived fully, loudly, and often, defiantly. Her voice, instantly recognizable on hits like "Stupid Cupid" and "Where the Boys Are," was just one facet of a woman whose journey epitomized ...
Hey friends! Happy Monday from right here in beautiful Western North Carolina! Mondays can sometimes feel like trying to push a boulder uphill, especially when you're still dreaming of the weekend's mountain adventures. Start lifting your mood right ...
Get ready for a celestial spectacle! This Thursday, July 10, 2025, marks the arrival of the first full moon of the astronomical summer, often known as the Thunder Moon or Buck Moon. If you're in Western North Carolina, you're in luck – this magnifice...
A student holds a small, strange-looking device that looks like a speaker aimed at a flickering flame. He flips a switch, a deep, rumbling sound fills the air, and poof—the fire vanishes as if snuffed out by an invisible hand.It seems like something ...
The world often tells us vacations are for couples, families, or groups of friends. But what if your soul is craving something different? What if you're yearning for an adventure that's solely yours – a "bravecation" where you step outside your comfo...
Extreme heat isn't just uncomfortable; it places immense strain on your body's ability to cool itself. When sweating isn't enough, your core temperature rises, leading to potentially dangerous conditions like heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and the mos...
Endangered Species Day, observed on May 16, 2025, is a day to raise awareness of endangered and threatened species and the vital work being done to protect them. Being a part of the conservation tale of the bog turtle, one of the most endangered and ...
Some musicians' songs have the sensation of a dialogue with a witty, witty, and brutally honest friend. Without a doubt, Jill Sobule was one of them. It just hits you differently when you learn that she died in a house fire in Woodbury, Minnesota, on...
The past wasn't just about "cool" fashion choices; it was also filled with awesome music and everyday objects that people used, relied on, and couldn't imagine living without. But to your modern eyes? They might look like alien artifacts, weird ...
Ready to rally the troops? Here are some Friendcation activity ideas adaptable to your corner of Western NC, tailored for different vibes and age groups, all designed for a 2-to-5-day getaway within about 50 miles of your home base:The Energetic Expl...
1. Sear the pork chops first. Giving the pork chops a quick sear in the skillet before adding to the crock-pot isn't just for the color. It helps trap in some juices and gives it a nice almost caramelized crust which adds tons of flavor. 2. Don...
Monday Spoonful of Positive Quotes! "Here's to a productive Monday & Strong Coffee!" "My coffee machine is the most beautiful person in the world to me." "Sometimes I stay up so late that I have my morning coffee before I go to bed." "Seven...
Spoonful of Positive: Sunday Thoughts! Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s I had a lot of messages about Love & Peace. Yes, we were in Vietnam, reminded on evening news, having a brother serving there ... a paratrooper, my parents not knowing...
Spring Into New Snack Recipes! Lime Avocado Hummus Recipe Ingredients1 teaspoon whole peppercorns1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and pitted1/2 cup fresh parsley sprigs1/2 cup olive ...
Now, when we think of springtime, usually a crockpot doesn't come to mind. Hey, it's easy, yummy and healthy! Giving you time to get out and enjoy Spring! Springtime Crockpot Minestrone INGREDIENTS 1 sweet onion, diced3 garlic cloves, min...
Kids and learning online, What? So many times parents worry about the time their kids spend online. PBS offers a safe environment where kids can learn while playing entertaining games! Clifford the Big Red Dog is an interactive game that ...
Once you get the hang of container gardening you might find yourself growing more and more pots each year. Here are some of our best tips for successful container gardens. Don't Skimp on DrainageWhile this may sound like an odd first tip,...
Spring It On! Hey, Healthy can be tasty! Strawberry Oatmeal Bars are a healthier fruit dessert made with fresh strawberries, whole grain butter crumb topping, and a lightly sweetened vanilla glaze. This healthier oatmeal bars recipe is a favori...
Spring is just around the corner! Time to get some yummy, easy, healthy recipes together! Grilled Salmon with Greek Salad You can whip up this light and refreshing dish in just 20 minutes. It doesn't get easier than that! Grilled salmon pairs perfect...
We, the People, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what's in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty ...
The "Prince of Darkness," John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne, died on July 22, 2025. He died at the age of 76, and for many, it marks the end of a colorful, chaotic, and absolutely unique time in music hist...
Connie Francis passed away at 87, closing the chapter on a life lived fully, loudly, and often, defiantly. Her voice, instantly recognizable on hits like "Stupid Cupid" and "Where the Boys Are," was j...
Hey friends! Happy Monday from right here in beautiful Western North Carolina! Mondays can sometimes feel like trying to push a boulder uphill, especially when you're still dreaming of the weekend's m...
There's a certain magic to a Southern summer night. You know the one: where the air hangs heavy and warm, cicadas hum their twilight song, and then, slowly, one by one, tiny lights begin to wink on. F...
Get ready for a celestial spectacle! This Thursday, July 10, 2025, marks the arrival of the first full moon of the astronomical summer, often known as the Thunder Moon or Buck Moon. If you're in Weste...