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Sun shining through red maple tree branches

In the fall, I love driving down the road to see beautiful trees changing color as they prepare to drop their leaves for the winter. My favorite trees, however, are magnificent, fiery red maple trees. Their color stands so boldly against the yellow and brown background of the other fall colors.


Red and Yellow Poinsettias

Plants Perfect for the Holidays

November 17, 2023

If you’re like me, you’re starting to think about your holiday plans. How will I decorate for Thanksgiving and Christmas? What will I gift my friends and family during this festive season? Plants make perfect gifts and add a nice touch to your holiday decor.

A woman standing at a kitchen counter smiles at the camera.

Dining with Diabetes: Can It Help You?

November 14, 2023

Have you have been diagnosed with diabetes? Do you live with or care for someone with diabetes? Or do you just want to learn how to eat healthier? If you answered yes to any of these questions, MSU Extension’s Dining with Diabetes program is for you.

a closeup of a person taking $20 dollar bills out of a wallet

5 Tips to Manage Holiday Spending

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.

A woman stands in front of the stove with a bowl of Catfish Gumbo.

The Food Factor: Catfish Gumbo

November 8, 2023

Catfish doesn’t have to be fried to be delicious! Enjoy it simmered in this tasty gumbo to get the protein, vitamins, and minerals without the added fat from frying.

Red-Headed WoodPecker

Bird of the Month: Red-Headed Woodpecker

November 3, 2023

Many birds aren’t as easy to identify as red-headed woodpeckers. With their bright red head and neck feathers and loud pecking noise, they surely know how to make their presence known!

A person putting mulch on a flower bed.

November Landscape Checklist

November 1, 2023

We’ve almost made it to the end of the year. Isn’t that hard to believe? As we start to wrap up the year, take some time to think back on all you’ve accomplished in your yard and landscape.

A redbird sits on a platform bird feeder full of black oil sunflower seeds.

How to Choose a Bird Feeder

October 27, 2023

Want your feathered friends to have a supplemental source of food this winter? Set out a bird feeder for them. There are many types of bird feeders, but they are not all created equal. Check out the common types of feeders and decide which ones will work best in your yard.

Canned vegetables.

Canned vs. Fresh vs. Frozen Produce

October 26, 2023

When buying produce, there are several different routes you can choose––you can buy fresh, frozen, or canned.

Four jack-o-lantern pumpkins

How to Dispose of Halloween Pumpkins

October 20, 2023

Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. I love having pumpkin carving parties with friends. Pair the night with apple cider and a bonfire, and it’s my ideal day!

A bowl of peachy green beans sits on the kitchen counter with a woman holding a serving size in a separate bowl.

The Food Factor: Peachy Green Beans

October 17, 2023

Peachy Green Beans can be made with frozen and canned produce if you’d like to give it a try in the fall or winter.

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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