When you plant positive emotional seeds, you grow and reap the rewards. The end of 2020 is in sight, and I think it’s safe to say that, for most of...
Noteworthy
Preserve Your Summer Harvest for an Unexpected Winter Treat
As the long darkness of winter sets in, many of us dream of summer. As the long darkness of winter sets in, many of us dream of summer. But when...
Give Yourself the Gift of Travel
Set aside some time before or after the holidays to restore yourself. We can’t possibly discuss the holiday season without encouraging travel for...
5 Tips for Being a Great Dinner Guest
Impress your hosts by following these five easy guidelines. Over the years, I’ve shared strategies for hosting holiday parties, but the hardest part...
Use Your Vacation Days—Travel Keeps You Healthy
Travel is not a luxury—it’s essential for a healthy life. We can’t begin a travel column without recognizing that many of you reading this have left...
How Do Animals Stay Warm in Winter?
The few animals that stay in Minnesota and above ground in the winter all utilize tried-and-true elements to stay warm. As the season of cold starts...
Most of Minnesota’s Game Birds Can Be Traced Back to Big Island
The Big Island Game Farm brought Minnesota its most iconic game bird, the ring-necked pheasant. In 1915, Frank Blair, a conservationist with the...
What to Read: ‘Always the Last to Know’ by Kristan Higgins
Kristan Higgins's trademark blend of humor and heart is on excellent display in "Always the Last to Know". As the holidays approach and family...
Try This Thanksgiving Wine from Napa Valley’s Oldest Winery
Treat yourself and guests to Charles Krug’s sauvignon blanc, featuring all Napa fruit. Look no further for your Thanksgiving dinner wine...
Focusing on Yourself After Raising a Family
Writer and podcast host Natalie Webster spent her entire adult life raising other people. Now she's only got one focus - herself. Halloween is a...
Keep the Lights on While You Read This Month’s Book Pick
"The Sun Down Motel" by Simone St. James is perfect for people seeking a spooky read. This time of year, many readers find themselves reaching for...
Our Wine Expert Recommends a Bold Take on a Classic Pinot Noir
Juggarnaut Russian River couples rich berry flavor with a smoothness and delicate balance of oak. I’ve chosen a new producer, but a classic...
How to Keep Your Houseplants Healthy
Caring for houseplants is easier than you think. Surround yourself with nature, even when you’re indoors. Houseplants can have benefits beyond their...
What Happened to the Excelsior Amusement Park Carrousel?
The Excelsior Amusement park closed and, in July of 1974, many of the items were auctioned off to the public. The carrousel at the former Excelsior...
Amaro is the Perfect After-dinner Sipper for Autumn
You can try amaro a few different ways as it is good on the rocks, straight or just chilled. For September, I’ve chosen a classic liqueur that makes...
Need a New Use for Your Summer Tomato Harvest? How About Jam?
Use your late-summer harvest in a surprising way with this tomato jam recipe. Come September, home gardeners are looking for new ways to utilize...
Did You Know Lake Minnetonka Once Had Delivery Boats?
Delivery boats were both a reliable and direct way to deliver goods on Lake Minnetonka, as roads did not exist to all parts of the lake or were...
Recommended Reading: Isabel Allende’s Latest Novel is Her Most Personal Yet
Historical fiction for the dog days of summer. Isabel Allende has received impressive worldwide acclaim for her novels; she was inducted into the...
Try This Affordable Foray Into Welsh Whiskey
Welsh whiskey makes a perfect toast to the end of summer. For August, I’ve chosen a unique whiskey for you to try. We all know Scotch whiskey, but...
Witness One of Nature’s Most Astonishing Transformations
Splendor awaits when we bear witness to nature. In July, milkweed plants, with their rubbery leaves and unassuming sprays of flowers, offer a...
