The best part of a winter weekend? A big pot of chili or gumbo, cooked low and slow. For the Ramblin’ Man, February is the perfect time for a Sunday kind of stew.
Talking Trash
An eagle-eyed explorer becomes an amateur archaeologist when the winter-bare woods across North Carolina reveal piles of cast-off tools, kitchenware, and other glimpses into long-gone homesteads.
From Elizabeth Hudson: Life’s Rich Tapestry
Our editor in chief remembers her grandmother with a needle and thread in hand, creating moments of wonder and beauty stitch by stitch.
A Year in This House: The Family Table
A lifetime of meals and math homework, of plans and projects and endless conversations, turns a modest piece of furniture into a prized possession.
Away in a Menagerie
The gift of a friendly beast, whether hamster, gecko, or goldfish, can inspire holiday joy and wonder — so long as the critter doesn’t attempt a Christmas Eve escape.
From Elizabeth Hudson: Gift Boxes
In boxes from her attic, our editor in chief discovered a trove of treasured Christmas memories.
Birds of Paradise
Handcrafted decoys have evolved from a practical tool for hunting waterfowl into a prized art form. Yet for some collectors, their value lies in cherished memories of the Carolina coast.
From Elizabeth Hudson: Well Fed
Editor in Chief Elizabeth Hudson reminisces on special meals made with love.
Most Improved Sports Fan
Sometimes, when his house full of Tar Heel fanatics huddles up around the TV, the Ramblin’ Man gets to feeling a little sidelined. Hard as he tries, “tackle” and “net” conjure visions of mountain streams, even during football and basketball seasons.
