A crackling fire, snowy view of the countryside, and charming Jude Law appearing at your doorstep are what holiday dreams are made of (OK, maybe minus that last one for some folks). But if watching Cameron Diaz sip wine and dance around the cozy English cottage in the house-swapping film The Holiday gives you a […]
Every fall I anticipate the winter holidays with almost childlike joy. I look forward to familiar traditions with friends and family, eggnog in my coffee, and the sense that everyone is feeling a little lighter and more connected. At the same time, I feel anxious and annoyed by the manufactured sense of urgency around gift giving: the endless searching and second-guessing shaped by advertisers, retailers and cultural expectations.
Most Americans probably don’t realize that we have a very limited understanding of the first Thanksgiving, which took place in 1621 in Massachusetts. Indeed, few of our present-day traditions resemble what happened 400 years ago, and there’s only one original account of the feast.
What the First Thanksgiving Dinner Actually Looked Like Continue Reading »
Pecans, America’s only native major nut, have a storied history in the United States. Today, American trees produce hundreds of million of pounds of pecans — 80% of the world’s pecan crop. Most of that crop stays here. Pecans are used to produce pecan milk, butter and oil, but many of the nuts end up in pecan pies.
It’s impossible to tell the story of American ballet without giving credit to trailblazer Maria Tallchief, who would’ve celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this year. The legendary dancer leapt and twirled her way to international stardom during the mid-20th century and is widely considered America’s first prima ballerina. “A ballerina takes steps given to her
Say you win a radio sweepstakes giving you two tickets to a sold-out concert the upcoming weekend. You eagerly text your friend and ask if they’d like to join. Their response? “Maybe.”
When You’re Caught Between “Yes” and “No,” Here’s Why “Maybe” Isn’t the Way to Go Continue Reading »
Bunny the disabled sheep has always been a “daddy’s girl,” according to owner Jake Ratcliffe — so when he and his bride, Rosie, tied the knot a few months ago, there was no better fit for the role of ring bearer than their beloved fluffy ewe.
Artist Karen Bones, who lives in Fife, Scotland, spent years working as a freelance illustrator, moonlighting in local bars to help support herself. Then, after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she found herself with more time on her hands — and came across another artist’s work online that inspired her. That’s when she began the next chapter of her career: crafting intricate miniature sculptures of famous pubs and venues.
Scottish Artist Creates Intricate Miniature Sculptures of Famous Pubs and Venues Continue Reading »
It’s 2025, and many members of Gen Alpha are focused on creating fun new dances for TikTok — but ask someone over 30 to start tearing it up like the Radio City Rockettes? They’d instantly know what move you expect them to bust out: The high kick, of course, something the iconic dancers perform more
Henry Cole was blessed with a bevy of friends and acquaintances in Victorian England’s upper echelon. But the respected civil servant, inventor, and educator had a problem — he was too popular. Cole is credited with sending the first annual holiday letter in 1843, a practice that soon became customary in the United Kingdom. It
Holiday Card Etiquette: The Do’s and Don’ts of Writing Your Annual Greetings Continue Reading »
