Maggie Lacey

The first thing to do upon arriving in a new place is to get your bearings. Which way is north? Will the I-165 connector take me to Downtown Mobile or leave me wallowing in the swamps of the Causeway? What are the differences between across the Bay, down the Bay and over the Bay? These are important things to know!

Mobile has a rich culinary history, but the quintessential dishes can arguably be boiled down to just a few. Here are the recipes, foodstuffs and local products you need to know to claim the Bay area as home.

Blair Mattei tackles her first Thanksgiving as a newlywed with the help of her two sisters-in-law and the perfect combination of everyone’s family traditions and recipes.

The best gifts for every age and interest are found in locally owned shops on both sides of the Bay.

The long-standing Southern tradition of bringing comfort food to those we love continues generation after generation, oftentimes with the same tried and true recipes.

A father and daughter team open a new family-friendly pizza joint in Fairhope.

Three local small-business owners take a breather from the mayhem to try on the season’s chic cool weather looks.

A pilgrimage to a folk artist’s homestead studio reveals some of the wonder of his craft and personality.

Six close friends, former roommates and (rabid) Alabama football fans gather to kick off a new season in style.

Three local moms list their top five ingredients to throw in the grocery cart each and every visit, keeping a busy household happy and well-fed.