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Lovebug on green leaf with green background

In honor of Valentine’s Day, let’s talk about love… lovebugs, that is!


A blue jay on a branch.

Bird of the Month: Blue Jay

February 28, 2023

Blue jays are easy to recognize by both their noisy call and bold blue feathers. Also known as jaybirds, blue jays are members of the crow family and native to the United States.

Bradford pear tree blooms

The Fishy Truth about Bradford Pear Trees

February 24, 2023

If you have Bradford pear trees on your property, you are quite familiar with the odor they release. How could such a beautiful tree smell like rotting fish? The odor isn’t the only thing that makes this tree undesirable.  

A woman holds up a bowl of Creamy Hamburger Potato Soup

The Food Factor: Creamy Hamburger Potato Soup

February 21, 2023

Creamy Hamburger Potato Soup is full of cheesy goodness. It’s the perfect soup to warm you up with a hearty amount of protein to keep you full and satisfied!

A Mole and a Vole.

Moles vs. Voles

February 17, 2023

Moles and voles are often confused with one another. They both can cause damage to your lawn and their names sound very similar. You can use the beginning letter of their name to help you remember the difference! 

closeup of a smoothie

How to Build a Healthy Smoothie

February 14, 2023

Smoothies can be a tasty and healthy on-the-go option. Check out these tips to make sure you build a nutrient-rich mixture that will keep your energy up.

Closeup of Parmesan Cilantro Corn

The Food Factor: Parmesan Cilantro Corn

February 7, 2023

Corn is one of the most versatile vegetables around, and it’s a staple item in my kitchen. Sometimes fresh corn is a must, but I usually use frozen or canned corn for convenience.

Yellow, purple, and blue pansies.

Landscape Checklist for February

February 3, 2023

The weather has been brutal lately. Cold and dreary one day, warm the next. Nevertheless, signs of spring are starting to pop up. Yellow daffodils have already started to bloom, providing everyone with a reminder that the cold weather will soon be moving out of the area. 

House Finch.

Bird of the Month: House Finch

January 31, 2023

We’re on month two of learning about the different types of birds in Mississippi. For February, we’re discussing the house finch.

A crape myrtle in the landscape

How to Prune Crape Myrtles

January 27, 2023

Crape myrtles are popular for their low-maintenance beauty, but they can benefit from some light pruning this time of year.

A bowl of cooked sausage and apples.

The Food Factor: Sweet ’n’ Savory Skillet

January 24, 2023

This one-pan Sweet 'n' Savory Skillet recipe is a satifying meal that does not require a lot of cleanup.

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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.

Blog content is created by a core team of communicators, including Susan Collins-Smith, Ellen Graves, Natasha Haynes, Qula Madkin, Michaela Parker, and Jonathan Parrish. 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