I can live for 2 months on a good compliment. — Mark Twain “Your hair looks great like that.” “You make the best apple pie!” Who doesn’t love hearing nice things? Compliments are important aspects of our daily interactions; they can help you start new relationships and strengthen existing ones. But do you know how … Read More
Author: tommyandnancyfields
Tuscumbia’s Helen Keller: An Enduring Legacy
Southerners searching for inspiration need look no further than the charming north Alabama town of Tuscumbia, site of Helen Keller’s birthplace and host of the annual celebration that honors her amazing life. Born in 1880 at a small clapboard house that still stands in Tuscumbia today, Helen Keller suffered a severe illness shortly after birth … Read More
Freezer Food Storage
Remembering to freeze foods before they go bad and learning to make big batches of your favorite freezer-friendly dishes to put up and enjoy later can help you slash your grocery budget and make meal time less stressful. The best place to start any good freezer plan is by learning a little about food safety. … Read More
Huntsville is Happening
We asked Chad Emerson, the executive director of Downtown Huntsville, what got the Rocket City’s downtown revitalization ramped up and how he and others are helping it grow leaps and bounds by building on its past and furthering its hope for the future. What initiated your interest in downtown revitalization? Chad: Downtown Huntsville has an amazing … Read More
Save vs. Splurge
You get what you pay for, right? Maybe. Sometimes, picking the pricier version is the smart spending choice. Other times, the bargain brand is just as effective. Check out our list of items that are worth the money, and those that you can skimp on or skip altogether to save some serious dough. SAVE Paper … Read More
Berry Bounty
Only a few miles from Montgomery, Barber Berry Farm in Millbrook is an 8-acre U-pick operation offering pesticide-free blackberries (thornless!), blueberries (multiple varieties) and muscadines (not ready ’til August). The farm grows hydroponic veggies too (tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers and more), but the berries are the real stars here and now is their time to shine. … Read More
Sun Safety for Skin
Ever been confused by skin care acronyms like UVA, UVB or SPF? Ever wonder which skin care product is actually screening, blocking and/or resisting? You’re not the only one! In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration mandated that sunscreen manufacturers must change the labeling on their products to prohibit the use of certain marketing terms … Read More
Green Beauty Queens
Spinach: We won’t debate how much wisdom may or may not be gleaned from cartoons, but this much is clear: Popeye had at least one thing right. Sure, he might have relied too heavily on his physical strength to solve problems, and he had questionable relationship skills evidenced by his inability to ever get very far … Read More
DIY Butter
Getting your hands on some butter is as easy popping in the grocery store. (And you are using butter, right? No more margarine!) But why buy what you can make? Homemade butter is creamier than the store-bought stuff and boasts a richer, more complex flavor; it’s not as difficult to make as you might think; … Read More
Xmas Tree Afterlife
The Christmas tree is one of the most iconic symbols of the holiday, the glowing centerpiece of our seasonal decorations and celebrations. Yet, almost as soon as the big day is over — sometimes as soon as 24 hours after — we strip them bare and put them out with the trash. Once honored, by … Read More










