Yes

Every gardening book I have has North Carolina included in the Southeast, so I think so.

The state was part of the Confederacy, so, oh my, yes. It's changing a bit with all the Yankees moving out of New England to get warm. I doubt The South will actually 'rise again' in the way it was originally meant. Southern Living is a beautiful magazine -- the pretty and delicious side of the past -- and the present.

The Mason-Dixon (sp?) line is between Pennsylvania and Maryland. I have always been under the impression that it was the dividing line between north and south, tho I"ve always thought that it was too far north to be the actual demarcation.

I agree with chisue for the reasons she mentions, though I believe the large influx of "Yankees" that has altered the landscape somewhat are from all over the US, not just New England and not just snowbirds/retirees. The influx of people from elsewhere has had an effect on politics and attitudes (insofar as there being more diversity). But with a few exceptions, like the parts of VA that are suburbs of DC, parts of the Triangle area of NC, parts of Florida and some other areas, people with attitudes and views you would think most typical of the Deep South of the past still have a visible presence in NC and in states from VA to Texas. Also too in adjacent states. It's not everyone, not by any means.

I sent my DD and DDIL that magazine even before DD moved to Texas. Great recipes, articles, decorating, and gardening ideas.

Sho-nuff. And South Dakota is considered "north". Ironic, isn't it?

I thought south dakota is considered in the mid-west?

I don't know...we spent a few days in central PA and we saw a number of confederate flags -- north of the Mason Dixon line.

North Carolina is, horticulturally speaking, in the Upper South. In Northern Alabama, I'm in the Middle South. Deep South is self explanatory. Rather than a political assignment, it is also a geographical designation.

I agree that Southern Living is a publication that has a wide reach. Some of my favorite recipes come from its pages. A thoughtful gift for your baby sister, and will help her explore her new territory.

There is not much to Mars Hill, but nearby Ashville is a very beautiful and interesting small city/large town.

Thank you everyone who answered! A kittle background: My father's family came from France in the 1800's thru Canada, crossed the border to The US and settled in Buffalo. Raised in Western NY, known for its' terrible winters.I remember once school closed for a whole week to get the streets plowed, then the big snow storm of 1977, the October Surprise storm which dropped so much snow so fast on trees that still had leaves and thousands of trees fell and closed many roads, then a few years ago nine feet of snow. My sister's husband was just sick of their winters, hated the snow, the cold and all the shoveling. Their son married and moved to Marshall NC, they visited and liked it so much they decided to buy a home near him after they both retired, and this year it all came true. I do apprecite the wisdom and anecdotes, I am just glad you think my gift is appropriate for a new- Southerner. My sister is a great cook, and loves gardening, so I am sure she will enjoy the magazine. Thanks, everyone, thanks ya'all.

Absolutely!

If you really want to get her a good magazine that is southern in content send her “Garden and Gun”. I subscribed as a joke when it first came out. My husband and I fight over who gets it first when it arrives. Great articles on food, gardening, travel within the south, and quirky southern culture.

it's well below the famous "Mason-Dixon Line".

Oh yes, it’s the south. And Southern Living is still fairly good. It went ‘south’ for a good while, but it has gotten a bit better lately imo with including a variety of gardening, recipes, travel in the south and sometimes a little beyond, and other fun stuff. I always go directly to Rick Bragg’s article inside the back page.

Ditto the Garden and Gun recommendation though. It’s a treasure.

This question reminded me of a dog club national board meeting many years ago. The issue being debated was "Is Virginia part of the South". Our national dog club is divided into 4 regional clubs, and for some reason, Virginia was in the Northeast! It actually was a rather heated argument, but in the end, Virginia ended up in its proper place as part of the South regional club.