Family Life Blog Posts
March 16, 2024
The four-leaf clover has become associated with quite a few things, including St. Patrick’s Day, good luck, and 4-H! Who remembers trying to find a four-leaf clover as a child?
Clovers are weeds that usually have three leaves. Every now and then, a rare fourth leaf will be produced. The chances of finding a four-leaf clover are pretty slim. You’ve got about a 1 in 10,000 chance of finding a four-leaf clover, and if you do, it’s your lucky day!
Our favorite four-leaf clover is the 4-H clover emblem. The four Hs, each on one leaf, stand for head, heart, hands, and...
March 8, 2024
There’s nothing more annoying than getting something on your shirt and it leaves a stain. I know the feeling all too well.
December 15, 2023
When you think about the holidays, all the food, gifts, holiday décor, and gatherings with friends and family likely come to mind. What you may not think about is how much garbage we create during this season. Check out these tips that can help you recycle this holiday season.
November 13, 2023
If the gift-giving season is more stressful than cheerful for you, don’t panic. Get prepared! These tips can help you manage your spending this holiday season.
August 25, 2023
Fall is around the corner, but you don’t have to give up fresh produce from your garden.
August 14, 2023
Now that school is back in session for many of us, everyone is getting back into the swing of things.
May 11, 2023
Life can be overwhelming sometimes, and stress is a normal part of life. Too much unchecked stress can lead to physical and mental health challenges that must be addressed. Know the signs to watch for and learn what to do when you or someone you know needs help.
November 28, 2022
‘Tis the season for giving and receiving. But beware of scammers who want to steal your holiday joy and money – and maybe even your identity. Watch out for these common scams during the holidays.
November 17, 2022
The temperatures have dropped drastically in the last week. If you’ve taken out your space heater or you’re using your fireplace, it’s important to use some safety precautions.
Heaters and fireplaces are nice ways to help keep you comfortable during cold weather. However, you should also be aware that heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
So, make safety a priority and take precautions when you use any type of heating equipment. Whether you use a fireplace or an electric or...
November 8, 2022
With all the upcoming holiday get-togethers around the corner, it can be easy to move less, sit more, and gain weight. This year, join our Walk with Extension 12 Days of FITMAS Challenge, which emphasizes moving more and eating more vegetables.
October 31, 2022
The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, is most often associated with Thanksgiving. It is generally depicted with the fruits of harvest overflowing its horn-shaped form and serves as a reminder to be thankful and grateful. If you like do-it-yourself projects, making your own cornucopia is an easy project.
October 6, 2022
Fall is the perfect time to enjoy fire pits and camping trips! Firewood is a necessity for both activities, so it’s important to know how to properly collect and manage it. Be sure to get your firewood within 50 miles of where you will burn it whether that’s in your backyard or at a campground several miles from home.
August 30, 2022
Do you know what is safe and unsafe when it comes to using water that is under a boil-water alert? Here's what to do and not do if you are under a boil water notice.
August 18, 2022
As your child heads back to school this fall, you’ve made sure they have all the supplies, clothes, technology, and other items they need to be successful in the classroom. There’s just one thing missing from this list: Sleep. Consistent, quality sleep is just as important to a successful academic year as anything you can purchase.
August 9, 2022
Most children tend to go through picky eating phases. There are many things that could cause a child to be selective about what they eat. Some of these tips may help entice your picky eater.
July 1, 2022
We celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend, and I dread holidays that include fireworks celebrations. The noises that accompany those light-filled sky displays absolutely terrify my dogs. However, there are a few things you can do to ease your pets’ fear and keep them safe.
June 2, 2022
Canning is a precise process that must be done correctly to have a safe, edible product. Proper preparation ahead of time will make the entire process much easier. These steps will help you get started.
February 22, 2022
You never know when a weather emergency will happen and cause you to lose power. Whether it be from ice, tornadoes, or hurricanes, you could potentially find yourself without power for days. When severe weather hits, a generator is very beneficial to have handy. When using gas-powered generators, here are a few things to keep in mind:
February 17, 2022
You probably know how dangerous lead is, especially for children. Even low levels can have long term effects on a child’s development. The most important thing you can do is lessen your exposure or avoid lead exposure altogether.
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About Extension for Real Life
Extension for Real Life is a product of the MSU Extension Service’s Office of Agricultural Communications.
That’s a long way of saying we are professional communicators who get to talk about food, families, 4-H, flowers, and farming for a living. Pretty good gig, right?
The three main writers for the blog are Ellen Graves (Seamstress of Social Media Strategy), Susan Collins-Smith (Content Connector) and Keri Lewis (Captain Cat Herder). But we get by with a lot of help from our friends in Ag Comm and Extension!
You can reach us at 662-325-2262 or extreallife@msstate.edu