Move over, Valentine's Day! Dairy Queen is celebrating St. Patrick's Day early this year with the release of its new Mint Brownie Blizzard Treat.

Dairy Queen announced this week that it will add the Mint Brownie Blizzard Treat to its menu for a limited time. The green-colored dessert consists of vanilla soft-serve, brownie pieces and a cool mint flavor that's sure to satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth.

This specialty blizzard will be joined by the Mint Chip Shake, which is returning after its big premiere last year. The shake is a mixture of milk, vanilla soft-serve, crème de menthe and chocolate chips, topped with whip cream.

Both of these items are available now through the month of March at participating locations.

For more information, read the full article on Best Products.

If you're eager for this hot weather to start tapering off, we've got good news, and we've got bad news.

The good news is today marks the official end of what is known as the "dog days of summer". The bad news is, unofficially, the South is still going to be hot as all get-out until at least late September. That might have you wondering why the "dog days of summer" end now, and what the popular expression even means. Well, we're with you on that, so we decided to find out.

The "dog days of summer" occur every year from July 3 to Aug. 11, according to the Farmers' Almanac. You might think that the expression was inspired by the fact temperatures are often so high during those days that the outdoors isn't even fit for a dog, but it actually has more to do with stars than pets.

Read more: Things Southerners say when it's really hot outside

The phrase is actually referring to a specific dog of sorts -- Sirius, which is known as the "Dog Star" of the "Canis Major, the Greater Dog" constellation. During the period between July 3 and Aug. 11, Sirius is the brightest star visible and occupies the same region of the sky as the sun. This led ancient Romans to believe Sirius was adding to the warmth of the sun, and thus the "dog days of summer" were born.

Of course, the star doesn't actually add any heat, which is why even when the "dog days of summer" end, the temperatures stay high in the South.

Sorry, y'all. Maybe the "official" start of fall will bring us some relief...but we wouldn't count on it.

For more information, visit the Farmers' Almanac website.

12 Hacks for Beating the Heat

Report recommends keeping thermostat above 78 degrees, and the South wants to speak to a manager

16 things all Southerners have done in August

What does "what in tarnation" mean?

The Dog Days of summer (go ahead and drag it out like you know you want to – Daawwwwg Days) are the hottest, stickiest, most intolerably sweltering days of the year. They start in July and technically continue on down through the middle of August, although in many Southern states it feels like they last past Labor Day.

Contrary to popular belief, Dog Days aren’t named because it’s too hot for your old hound dog to do much more than lie around in the shade. The name comes from The Dog Star – Sirius – which is the brightest star in the night sky. The time this star is first visible above the eastern horizon (called its heliacal rising) usually coincides with when the weather report starts including words like “scorching” and “unbearable.” Hence, the Dog Days of summer.

But it seems like this year even typically temperate places are seeing readings in the triple digits across the country and around the world. As Southerners, we’re pretty used to it, even though we complain about the heat and the durned humidity like all gitout. And we all have our little Dog Days hacks to stay cool. Maybe it’s time we shared a few with our friends in (usually) low temp places.

Wear cool, lightweight, loose clothing preferably made of cotton or linen.

These fabrics let the heat escape and they “breathe” which means that air and water can easily flow through them.

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Put an ice pack or even a cool, wet washcloth on your pulse points – your neck, the insides of your wrists and your temples.

And don’t forget the insides of your elbows, the backs of your knees and your ankles. Pro tip: Freeze a wet washcloth in the shape of a U for a DIY cooling towel. You can also fill a 2-liter plastic bottle partway with water, freeze it and sleep with it wrapped in a pillowcase or towel.

Go jump in a creek.

Or the ocean, a swimming pool, a baby pool or even a cold bath. Make like a kid again and run through the sprinkler. When you get wet, as the water evaporates and you dry off, your body will cool down.

Read more: You know you're a Southerner if you do these things during the summer

Complete outside tasks as early in the day as possible.

Remember, the hottest time of the day isn’t high noon. It’s around 3 in the afternoon.

Since the hottest part of the day is in the middle of the afternoon, that’s a great time to cool off in a matinee movie!

Escape the blinding, relentless sun and enjoy two hours of cool, dark bliss.

If you can’t take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

Or so they say, right? But since we still have to eat even in the summer, just use your pressure cooker or slow cooker to mitigate the heat from stove burners and ovens. Think about grilling out too – anything to keep the appliances off. It’s a great time to explore cold suppers too!

Read more: Southern Instant Pot recipes

Speaking of eating, this is a great time to stay hydrated by choosing foods with high water content.

Think watermelon, cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, strawberries, grapes, tomatoes and radishes. And for a really cool, summer treat, pop some watermelon that’s been scooped into balls and/or grapes in the freezer for a few hours and enjoy nature’s popsicle!

And contrary to what you might think, eating spicy peppers can keep you from getting too hot under the collar.

When we eat spicy foods, the capsaicin triggers a response that makes our bodies feel warmer which in turn makes us sweat. As the sweat evaporates, we cool back down. But on a super humid day when the sweat has no chance of doing anything but running in rivulets down our back, all bets are off.

Did you know that your ceiling fan should be rotating counterclockwise to keep you cool? That’s the direction that actually pushes air down. And if you’re using window fans, place one fan on the sunny side of the house so that it’s pulling the hot air from the room and place another on the shady side to draw the cool air in. With any luck, you can create a pleasant cross breeze. And to make the air a bit more refreshing, sit a bowl of ice in front of the fan that’s blowing into the room.

Hang wet sheets or towels in front of open windows.

As the breeze blows through and the water evaporates, your house will cool down.

Close the blinds and curtains to keep the direct sun out.

Aside from keeping things cooler, this easy trick will help you save energy and money by reducing how much your AC has to run. You can use that extra dough to go sit in a cool movie.

My mama used to say this to me when I was a kid and complained about being hot – Think cool thoughts. At the time, I thought it was just her way to stop my whining. But, as we all knew it would, it turns out that Mama was right! Thinking about cold things actually works by distracting you from dwelling on the heat.

The state’s capital is also home to its largest art museum, The Mississippi Museum of Art.

This story is presented by Visit Mississippi.

When you ask someone what they know about Mississippi, they’ll likely name three things: its Southern hospitality, the long list of authors hailing from the state and its rich music history. What many people may not know is that Mississippi is a haven for artists, as well.

Art has flourished in the Magnolia State for generations. Artists find inspiration in Mississippi’s history, people and landscape — the Mississippi River is a famous muse, after all. The medium and style birthed from Mississippi artists varies, and visitors to the state will discover its long legacy of visual arts. For those interested in exploring Mississippi’s remarkable arts scene, here are five cities you shouldn’t miss!

The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art celebrates the work of George Ohr, also known as “The Mad Potter of Biloxi.” (Visit Mississippi)

Located on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Biloxi is one of the state’s most artistic coastal towns. One of the top attractions is the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art, which celebrates the work of George Ohr, also known as “The Mad Potter of Biloxi.” Ohr worked his pottery magic from 1879 to 1910, using techniques that were ahead of his time. His unique pieces didn’t take the spotlight until half a century after his death.

After learning about Ohr and his work, visitors can sign up to take their own pottery class. It’s an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of molding clay, spinning the wheel and creating a piece of pottery from scratch.

Biloxi highlights another incredible artist, as well. The Exhibition of Southern Abstract Expressionist Dusti Bongé is available for viewing. One of the few female abstract expressionists — and Mississippi’s first — from the 1950s, Bongé represents one of the most significant eras in American art.

The Walter Anderson Museum of Art opened in 1991, giving visitors an inside look at the artist’s home, sketches, paintings, sculptures, block prints and more(Visit Mississippi)

The coastal town of Ocean Springs is known for investing in the arts. The Ocean Springs Art Association represents over 300 local artists in the community, and visitors can shop many of their works during the Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival, which is the largest fine arts festival in the state.

The town is also home to “The South’s Most Elusive Artist,” the talented Walter Anderson. The Walter Anderson Museum of Art opened in 1991, giving visitors an inside look at the artist’s home, sketches, paintings, sculptures, block prints and more. His famous portrayals of Gulf Coast plants and animals are just the beginning of what there is to discover. From the philosophic musings that line his walls to the same scenic skyline where he found inspiration, there’s magic around every corner.

Anderson was not the only famous artist in his family. His brother James was a painter and ceramicist, and his brother Peter founded Shearwater Pottery. The studio is still open today and is run by members of the Anderson family.

Each year, Oxford hosts the Double Decker Arts Festival. Artists and craftspeople from all over set up tents to showcase their work. (Visit Mississipi)

The college town is well known as the home of author William Faulkner, but it has a strong connection to the arts, as well. Take a stroll through Oxford Square, and you’ll find restaurants—such as Bottletree Bakery and City Grocery—filled with unique folk art, often depicting famous writers, artists and musicians. Also located on the Square, Southside Gallery is known for featuring works from locals and University of Mississippi students.

Each year, the town hosts the Double Decker Arts Festival. Artists and craftspeople from all over set up tents to showcase their work. Attendees can find everything from wall art to custom signs to metalwork and more.

Throughout the year, Oxford puts on a free monthly art crawl. Guests can start at any of the four featured locations, and the double-decker bus provides transportation to and from each stop. The exhibitions change each month, and visitors of age can enjoy a glass of wine while perusing the art on display.

The Mississippi Museum of Art is located in the state's capital.(Visit Mississippi)

The state’s capital is also home to its largest art museum, The Mississippi Museum of Art. Exhibits rotate but always feature fascinating works, such as a portrayal of the Great Migration by 12 different artists, using paint, sculpture, film and sound. The museum also offers classes through the Creative Healing Studio, a bi-weekly art therapy class for adults being treated for cancer or who have previously had a cancer diagnosis. Classes are held both in-person and over Zoom.

Jackson recently invested in covering the city with public art, introducing the Visit Jackson Art Pass. Visitors can take a look at the public art map, and if they check into at least 15 different locations, they’ll be able to take home a free JXN Icons poster. It’s a unique way to explore the cityscape and get connected with the local artist community.

Home to The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg is also making a name for itself in the art world. The Hattiesburg Alliance for Public Art has helped to increase the city’s large-scale public art collection to include over 40 installations. Even the utility boxes have undergone beautification efforts!

For those who enjoy hands-on projects, there’s nothing more fun than taking a glass blowing class at Mohawk Steel & Glass Co. It’s the only place in Mississippi that offers the experience. Bowls, ornaments, vases, paperweights—the team at Mohawk Steel & Glass Co. teaches attendees how to make them all, no prior experience needed.

The Angel Trees are a must-visit for any art fan.(Visit Mississippi)

Located in Bay St. Louis, The Angel Trees are the perfect example of turning tragedy into art—bringing renewed hope and inspiration to all who visit. Hurricane Katrina caused devastating destruction in 2005, and one Bay St. Louis resident had her life saved by clinging to the branch of an old oak tree. The tree didn’t survive the storm, but artist Dayle Lewis knew that it needed to be preserved. Using a chainsaw, he carved an angel into its branches. That was the first of the six Angel Trees that can be found around the city.

The city also lays claim to the Alice Moseley Folk Art and Antique Museum. Featuring over 80 of her works, as well as a variety of antiques, the museum is free to the public.

When it comes to art, Mississippi is worth exploring. You may even leave with a new favorite artist! Read even more about Mississippi’s art scene here.