While gingerbread cookies, snickerdoodle cookies and molasses cookies play a pivotal role in holiday baking, we all know that sugar cookies are must-have cookie in any true baker’s repertoire. They’re soft and chewy, can be decorated a million different ways, and are always a hit with kids and adults alike. Which means that you’ve got to get your sugar cookie recipes just right! No matter what diet you’re on—or what type of cookies you like—sugar cookies are highly versatile and can easily fit any dietary preferences or needs you have....

No matter your age, religion, or the relationship you had to your father, coping with his death is likely filled with complicated emotions and anguish. Grief may feel overwhelming as you not only miss his companionship and ponder his legacy, as well as think of all the memories you had shared, but also as you mourn all of the future events (like Father’s Day, birthdays, and mundane days) without him there....

Honor King’s lasting legacy by reading 55 of Martin Luther King Jr.’s best quotes—some you may have heard already and some you probably haven’t—but all of them are worth repeating and contemplating as we celebrate equality, faith, and the profound truths of his message. From MLK quotes about peaceful protests to more, here are 55 MLK quotes. MLK Quotes “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that....

This collection is full of delicious meals you can use over the next month before Easter sneaks up on us. And there are lots of seafood dishes in the mix so you’re not just making tuna fish, or grilled cheese sandwiches, or ordering cheese pizza every Friday night. Why Do We Celebrate Lent? Lent is an extremely important season to Christians. It is the 40 days leading up to Easter Sunday, commemorating the time Jesus spent wandering in the desert, which is also why many commit to giving up luxuries and fasting during this time....

Traditionally, we have been accustomed to orange and black as the go-to Halloween colors but there are actually quite a few others (like purple and green) that have snuck in and become the norm for our holiday traditions and decorations. We take a look at seven different colors, how they relate to Halloween and what they represent. Halloween Colors and Their Meaning 1. Black Black can be associated with many things—the night, elegance and mourning to name a few—which makes it the ideal Halloween color....

From liberty quotes that inspire us to stand up for what’s right, like fighting against racism in the U.S., to freedom quotes that encourage us to stick together, these 75 inspirational and funny 4th of July quotes are all about the red, white and blue. 4th of July Quotes “America is another name for opportunity.”— Ralph Waldo Emerson “Independence Day: freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die....

Karaoke is a favorite pastime for both tune-carrying professionals and tone-deaf folks around the world. Deciding to grab the microphone is the first and bravest step when it comes to partaking in karaoke, but choosing a song that stands the test of time can be tough. And while you might have your favorite sing-along track, it might not be the crowd-pleasing tune that everyone is eager to hear. Whether you’re a fan of ’80s rock, classic country, catchy pop, or Y2K R&B, there’s no shortage of karaoke jams to please any crowd....

At 9:37 a.m., Flight 77 crashed into the western side of The Pentagon, killing 64 people on board. And at 10:03 a.m., Flight 93 crashed in a field in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, killing all 44 on board. Through 9/11 images and pictures, we learn more about that fateful day and pause to remember those lost. For more 9/11 coverage, see: 9/11 FactsThe Most Powerful Quotes Remembering 9/11Children’s Book Series 9/11 Courage and Tributes Aims to Help Teach Kids About Sept....

What is shortening? Technically, shortening refers to any fat used in baking that is solid at room temperature, McKercher says, but the term “shortening” commonly refers to vegetable shortening, i.e., the product made by Crisco. Check out the back of a jar, and you’ll see that the first three ingredients are soybean oil, fully hydrogenated palm oil, and palm oil. In baked goods, shortening coats the flour to prevent the formation of gluten, the protein responsible for structure and crumb....

The singer, 33, has suffered from anxiety for years and used exercise as an outlet—a practice she ramped up when she was going through her divorce a couple of years back, as she revealed to Oprah Winfrey on CBS’ Adele One Night Only special on Nov. 14. “It was about the anxiety. I was still here but felt like my body was on a different planet," Adele revealed about why she decided to begin working out and lifting weights every day with a trainer....

Returning as judges for season 16 are Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara, as well as host Terry Crews. “AGT has been consistently the No. 1 show of the summer for many reasons: the relatability, the excitement, watching somebody like you and me who has a hope and a dream, and watching it come true, and watching their lives change forever,” Mandel told a small group of reporters during a conference call for the premiere....

A Smart Girl’s Guide: Body Image Book is self-described as exploring “how to love yourself, live life to the fullest, and celebrate all kinds of bodies” for kids aged 10 and up, serving as “a feel-good reminder that all bodies are worthy of love and respect.” In a world where Body Dysmorphic Disorder affects about one in 50 individuals—in which approximately 80 percent experience suicidal ideation and about a quarter attempt suicide—it’s a noble message to start instilling in kids at a young age....

“I was the only contestant performing from his room,” Noah told Parade.com by phone after the show. “It was nerve-wracking because I didn’t think it would be enough considering everybody else was performing with a band and stuff, so that was really scary to me. I’m just grateful that it worked out, you know?” And Noah did have some serious reservations that it wouldn’t because he was experiencing the worst sore throat of his entire life and didn’t know if he would be able to sing....

Since welcoming two twin boys, Malachi and Roman, earlier this year, Graham and her husband Justin Ervin have had their hands full. The wedded pair also share son Isaac, who was born in January 2020, making them officially outnumbered by their offspring. In a candid new Instagram photo, Graham, 35, gave an unfiltered look at what motherhood really looks like as she tried to juggle all three of her adorable kiddos....

McBryde has been nominated for three Grammys (and counting) and won two ACM Awards, a CMA Award and a CMT Award—plus she has a slew of nominations and a Platinum single to her name. The country crooner recently dropped her third album, Ashley McBryde Presents Welcome to Lindeville. Get to know the star and it will become crystal clear why Brooks and wife Trisha Yearwood are such big fans....

Indeed, Ashley is all those things. And she is also a person with a mental health disorder called schizoaffective disorder. “I have been in recovery since 2007,” she says, succinctly summing up the way she views her life post-diagnosis. She views her recovery journey as both an achievement and a path that she continues to follow. How she learned about her condition In 2007, Ashley was a university student in Atlanta when the stress began to pile on....

As has happened for over a century, countries around the globe recently came together to celebrate women and promote a gender-equal world. Dubbed International Women’s Day, it’s a special occasion not only to acknowledge women’s vast and significant contributions, but also to challenge ongoing inequities and plan for a future that provides women with opportunities, respect and stature equal to men. The theme for this year’s celebration was #ChooseToChallenge, with a focus on our individual responsibility to call out and challenge injustices....

My wife started a business 10 years ago and contributed to a regular IRA in the beginning. Three years ago, she incorporated the company and they don’t have a 401(k) yet. What’s her best option for retirement savings right now? —A Reader Dear Reader, This is an excellent question for every small business owner—whether firmly established or just starting out. That’s because, although contributing to an IRA is definitely a good idea, small business owners have several other options that can significantly increase the amount they can save in a tax-effective way....

What was once appealing in an open kitchen is now being regarded as a disadvantage by some families. It’s not always nice to look into the mess that gets made in the kitchen with cooking or to see dishes piled up for cleaning. And, more than anything, the general desire is to make the heart of the home cozier. Since the start of the pandemic, people have been longing for spaces to retreat to that have a warm and peaceful vibe....

The recent Hollywood Walk of Fame Star recipient took the stage last night during the 15th Academy of Country Music Honors awards show and surprised viewers with her own euphonious rendition of the song, which originally appeared on Twain’s Grammy-winning album, The Woman in Me. Shortly after the performance aired, the academy shared a clip of the mesmerizing TV moment via TikTok. “EVERYONE needs to know that @Avril Lavigne lights up the stage with her performance of ‘No One Needs To Know’ honoring @Shania Twain 💖,” the caption read....