As the winter solstice approaches and the days are darkest, we crave warm and cozy. As we flit from office holiday potlucks to last-minute happy hours with friends, we crave sustenance. And as we’re wrapping up another year filled with shopping, parties, family and, let’s face it, a fair amount of stress, we crave comfort.

As Swifties try to imagine what the upcoming holidays will look like for the families of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, we’re got visions of cookie baking dancing in our heads.

This week we cover some of the trends we spotted at the famed High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina, including my personal favorite – upholstery to the floor!

Some of the best and most comforting dishes take a long time to cook. With time more precious than ever during the holiday season, meals can add an extra level of pressure. But smart hosts know that a make-ahead plan, with a slow-cooker assist, can be the key to a memorable, relaxing meal.

Recently, I wrote about the worst food I ever had (pizzaburgers in the Cincinnati Public Schools) and asked people on social media for their worst foods ever.

Pancakes are the superstar of the breakfast table — at least my breakfast table. A little sweet, a little eggy, a little salty and a touch buttery, they combine all the flavors people love in the morning (well, it’s missing bacon, but you can serve that on the side). And, with this week’s recipe, Butter-Toasted Oat Pancakes, you can also add toasty and nutty to the list.

Volcanoes are a part of life for Hawaii residents. We live on the flanks, feeling earthquakes beneath our feet, smelling vog, and experiencing the effects of eruptions. It’s important to keep up awareness of the types of volcanic activity and associated hazards possible in Hawaii nei. During January 2024, join us at a Volcano Awareness Month program to learn something new about the volcanoes in our backyard!

Grow your own burn ointment by adding aloe vera to your indoor plant collection. This succulent has been used for centuries to treat superficial burns, cuts, sunburn and more.

It’s been quite a year for interior design. As houses are swept off the market in minutes after listing and new homeowners tackle what they want their home to be like, 2023 was marked with white, clean designs along with minimalism, shiplap and fast furniture. The design world has shifted gears for 2024, ushering in an era of quartz, vintage furniture, wallpaper, cozy and divided interiors and bold colors and design. Sharon McCormick of Sharon McCormick Designs shared some tips on what’s hot and what’s not for the new year.

By now you have probably heard of hygge. The Danish term for cozy, contentment. While hygge can be incorporated into the home and one’s lifestyle throughout the year the holidays is certainly the perfect time of the year to infuse some hygge.

Potlucks, cocktail parties, family gatherings and happy hours all require noshes and nibbles as well as libations. Now’s the time to make a plan.

When hunger strikes, but culinary inspiration doesn’t, it’s easy to find yourself staring into the bright light of an open refrigerator. We’ve all done it, hoping that some idea or ingredient will jump out and prompt us to whip up something delicious.