By Alice Muschany Every job has its perks. Car dealers drive new cars. Jewelers drip in diamonds, and beauticians flaunt the latest hairstyles. My husband and I owned a Christmas tree farm, and every year, we claimed the most impressive…

By Gwen Cooper My heart was full after a morning of baking Christmas cookies with my grandmother. My spoon clinked around in one of her chic glass mugs as I stirred up some peppermint tea for the two of us.…

1. Environmental Considerations: Recently, there’s been a renewed interest in the sustainability of Christmas trees. Many people now opt for live potted trees they can plant after the holiday season, or artificial trees they can reuse for years, to reduce…

1. Support Local Shelters 2. Support Area Food Banks and Pantries 3. Spread Holiday Cheer with Random Acts of Kindness 4. Support Local Veterans 5. Sponsor a Family or Child 6. Give the Gift of Time These are just a…

By Erica Allen McGee My mother loved my husband, and she really loved the fact that her son-in-law is a published North Carolina author. She would always say how smart and full of ideas he was, bragging about him any…

By Janine Throssel As my silver sliver of a needle wove in and out of the tan fabric, I questioned my life choices. I clearly had a problem. I overcommit, overplan, and overestimate my time and ability to get things…

By Erika Hoffman On Facebook, I saw a post that read: Remember when charcuterie boards were called meat and cheese trays or snack trays? Or hors-d’oeuvres trays? Below the picture and the question, a gal named Karen commented: “When I…

By Tammy Darling Once upon a time, my home was immaculate. Everything had a designated spot, and that is where it stayed. If I got something out, I put it away immediately when I was done with it—no piles of…

By Christine Vernon Fall has always been my favorite time of year. It is a time to enjoy the cooler temperatures along the beach, the familiar aroma of pumpkin spice, and the approach of Halloween. But when you live on…

By Mina Beckett From a young age, art has been my refuge, the one place where I could escape into my own world. I can still vividly remember sitting on the floor at six or seven years old, surrounded by…

By Dianna Graveman I call it my “Summer of Bliss.” Two years ago, in 2022, life was pleasant and quiet. My then 33-year-old daughter was in cancer remission. My 93-year-old dad, while declining rapidly, could still be left alone for…

By Haley Brandon In recent years, the perception of women lifting weights has dramatically shifted. No longer seen as an activity exclusive to men or professional athletes, weightlifting has gained traction among women of all ages and backgrounds. This change…

Finding your dream home is one of the most exciting yet challenging decisions you’ll make. Whether you’re looking at lifestyle magazines for inspiration or scouring real estate websites, the process can feel overwhelming. But with the right approach, you can…

By Arlene Shovald Lassie didn’t quite seem like the right name for a German Shepherd, but that is what our son decided to call her. She was a six-week-old, mostly German Shepherd, that my husband acquired in a visit to…

By Dannye Chase Georgia was a literal rescue. Not a pudgy puppy raised in a foster home, not a stray dog fed by caring neighbors. Georgia was alone. My brother was the one to find her on a wintry Minnesota…