Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – Live Updates and Coverage

The COVID-19 outbreak is real. If you are able to read this blog entry, you should also be able to access social media, newspapers and TV – plenty of information has been broadcasted and shared so there shouldn’t be any excuse for ignorance. Take the necessary precautions to help fight the spreading of the virus, and if your local community is being directly affected, the time has come to stay at home to avoid crowds and exposure. The best way to keep track of local news is to subscribe to your local newspaper and no, you don’t have to walk out of the house to buy the paper every day. Simply sign up for a digital subscription so you can keep a closer eye on what’s going on around you – it is going to get worse before it gets better.

If you are searching for reliable information, check the links below to keep yourself up-to-date to help fighting the COVID-19 outbreak.

PHOTO GALLERY – New York City

Buttermilk Pecan Pie

This old-fashioned recipe is always a hit and it doesn’t get any easier – 15 minutes to mix and pour and 55 minutes of impatiently waiting for this goldie goodie to bake. Let your pantry staples take the lead and surprise family and guests with this light-custardy delight.

CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY! WINNER

Christmas Giveaway!

Enter for a chance to win this makeup package! This is for U.S. residents only and to enter, you must follow Sugar Muffin on Facebook, like and share the giveaway post. The winner will be announced in the blog and all Sugar Muffin’s social media platforms. Continue reading for a detailed description of the prizes. Good luck!

Photo Gallery – Downtown Hickory & Hickory Christmas Parade

Forget Black Friday: All We Want is Wine, Cheese and Disney+ for the Holidays

With the holiday season just around the corner, Christmas shopping should be on the top of your to-do list. As gaming consoles, TVs, laptops, iPads and iPhones take over most of the listings for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you may be lucky to snatch the best deal on that amazing 4K smart TV you’ve been wanting for a long time. However, if you or your loved one already have all the new and shining tech devices, Black Friday and Cyber Monday might not be for you.

As you flip through booklets of ads, nothing looks really that exciting and gift cards are a thing of the past – where to find that unique gift? Monthly subscription boxes and streaming services are trending as some of most-wanted gifts for the holidays. From cheese to wine, coffee and Disney+ subscription plans, there are plenty of options to satisfy the taste of that special friend and your doggo. Depending on your budget, there are plenty of subscription plans to fit your needs (and your wallet): from a one-time purchase to a 12-month plan, subscription boxes and streaming video services are booming among consumers of all ages.

If you need help to navigate through the rough seas of ecommerce, check out my suggestions.

Warm Up For the Holidays – Trendiest Beauty Products You Need To Try ASAP

Brands are gearing up for the holiday shopping season with a multitude of new products. This year, retail giants are having an early start with a variety of new shopping services and exclusive cosmetics brands are aggressively launching the best of what we’ve seen so far for 2019.

Get ready for the holidays with these new skincare and makeup products (and everything in between); they will earn a spot on your vanity and help you look and feel your best. These products also make exceptional gifts to someone who knows how to flaunt their beauty swag.

Hold my PSL – A Serious Guide to Fuel your Pumpkin Spice Addiction

Love it or hate it, pumpkin spice is the flavor of the fall. The cozy and warm flavoring rarely involves actual pumpkin but that won’t stop this big lie to be one of America’s obsessions.

According to the chicagoist article, “The Dark And Murky History Of Pumpkin Spice”, the earliest reference of this popular blend can be traced back to 1936. Published by the Washington Post , the “Pumpkin Spice Cakes” recipe was a very “appropriate dessert for a family dinner “ and most likely, had actual pumpkin listed as an ingredient, just like any other pumpkin-ish type desserts from that time. The 1950s marks the end of the Dark Ages – the “Pumpkin Pie Spice” blend is  released nationwide by the big spice companies. Life was good in 1996: puffy vests, baggy corduroys and the very first pumpkin spice flavored coffee were introduced to mankind. 2003 was the turning point of human evolution as the culture-bearing upright-walking, Homo sapiens, evolved to a distinctively and unexpected scientific subspecies; the Homo pumpkinus-sapiens was recognized by a scientific community off Main Street, shortly after Starbucks introduced the PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) to primates.

So far this year, the pumpkin spice empire is worth a whopping $600 million. Are we ok with this? Absolutely. Do we have enough pumpkin spice products in life? No, we need more, but for now, let’s cherish the little we have.

Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding

Fried chicken, jambalaya, fried green tomatoes, hushpuppies, shrimp and grits, and po’boys are some of the South’s most iconic dishes, but banana pudding is unequivocally, the ultimate Southern obsession. This cool and creamy sweet treat is cheap, easy to make and will become a family favorite.

Paula Deen’s version of this classic, takes the basic banana pudding recipe up a notch (or two). Prepare your taste buds to something incredible; these essential ingredients will deliver an exciting and delightful taste of the South.