Tag Archives: Tips and advice

Turn Your Master Bedroom Into a Sanctuary

Since we spend about a third of our lives sleeping, we should place high importance on the look and feel of the master bedroom. Follow these tips to transform one of the most important rooms of your home into a relaxing sanctuary.

What to Bring In

Neutral Colors — Light, neutral hues like creams, taupes, grays and blues provide a tranquil atmosphere. Use soft, coordinating colors for your bedding and walls.
Soft Lighting — Overhead lighting can sometimes be harsh or too concentrated. Create a soothing mood with soft, balanced lighting throughout the room. Add lamps to brighten dark corners and illuminate each side of the bed.
Window Treatments — A sense of privacy is essential to any sanctuary. Window treatments offer coverage from the outside world and can be a beautiful design element. If outside lighting disrupts your sleep, consider blackout curtains.

What to Take Out

Outdated Bedding — A relaxing bedroom begins with a comfortable bed. Most experts recommend replacing your mattress every eight years. Pillows should be replaced every two to three years or every six months if you have asthma or allergies.
Excess Furniture — Get back to basics by paring down your bedroom to just the essentials. Most people require little more than a bed frame, a couple of matching nightstands and a dresser or chest of drawers. Anything more can quickly become clutter.
Unnecessary Electronics — From more sleep to better family relationships, there are numerous benefits of having a technology-free bedroom. Reserve your master bedroom for rest and relaxation, and keep electronics out.

Make over your master bedroom into a serene space you look forward to at the end of a long day. These tips can help you get started.

Landscaping Tips for Added Security

In 2014, just over 1.7 million individuals fell victim to burglary according to the FBI. Sometimes deadbolts and alarm systems just aren’t enough to deter thieves. But there are outdoor security measures you can take to prevent property loss at the hands of a burglar. Here are 10 ways you can help protect your home with a well-planned landscape design:

Use plant deterrents. Thorny shrubs and bushes like holly or roses help thwart would-be burglars.
Prune vegetation regularly. Unkempt hedges provide hiding spots where perpetrators can lurk.
Trim the trees. Leave sufficient distance between tree branches and the roof or second-story windows to limit intruder access.
Leave a clear line of sight to windows or doors. Blocking these views leaves your home more vulnerable to break-ins.
Invest in accent lights. Illuminate your yard to eliminate potential hiding spots.
Install additional lighting. Don’t just rely on the porch light. Consider adding motion-sensitive lighting to help ward off possible intruders.
Put gravel beneath ground-floor windows. Burglars rely on silence; stepping on gravel can be a startling repellent.
Protect the back door. Many thieves try this less obvious point of entry first.
Replace solid privacy fences. Solid fencing helps intruders go undetected. Partial privacy fencing is a more secure option.
Lock all gates. It seems obvious, but it’s still worth a mention. Keep front and back gates locked at all times.

While pleasing to look at, landscaping does more than enhance your home’s outdoor aesthetic. Consider whether your current setup promotes security or makes your home appealing to thieves. Use these landscaping security tips to help prevent your home from becoming the target of a burglary.

Garage Organization Ideas for Under $50

By: Jan Soults Walker

If clutter trumps cars in your garage, get organized (and make room for your vehicles) with these smart garage storage solutions, each costing less than $50.

Bikes, Skates, and Other Wheels

Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades – wheeled belongings can get underfoot and land you on your assets or bang up the car. Protect your paint job (not to mention your backside) with these wily storage solutions for your garage.

Hoist bicycles to the rafters with a rope-and-pulley system (starting around $40) that makes it easy to raise the bike and lock safely in place. When you’re ready to ride, release the lock and lower your bike to the garage floor. You’ll need an hour or two and basic tools to secure the pair of pulleys to ceiling joists and thread the ropes. (Similar hoists are available for kayaks or small boats; starting around $25.)

Avoid unintentional skateboard “tricks” with a specially designed wall rack that makes it easy for kids to hang up helmets and skateboards together; starting around $20. Secure this one to wall joists in less than an hour.

Keep scooters and bikes out of the way with tool hooks installed on a length of 1-by-6-inch lumber. You’ll pay $3 for each pair of vinyl-coated screw-in tool hooks and $1 per foot for lumber. You’ll need only an hour or two to secure the lumber to wall joists and screw the hooks into place along the board.

Sporting Goods

Active pursuits require a lot of gear that ends up in the garage. These organizers help tidy up all those sports balls, rackets, bats, gloves, clubs, fishing rods, and other outdoor fun-related goodies.

Bring together balls and bats on a convenient wire rack equipped with hangers that hold gloves too; starting around $35.

To keep your garage organization from going downhill, stash two pairs of snow skis, poles, and boots in one handy steel ski rack; $45. Securing this rack to wall studs helps it hold the weight of the equipment. If you can’t position it on studs, use wall anchors for a secure installation. You can do the task with or without anchors in an hour or two.

Make a port for your fishing rods by suspending two wire shelves from your garage ceiling about 5 feet apart, then threading the rods through the openings. Use shelves left over from a project or purchase a 4-foot-by-16-inch vinyl-coated wire shelf for less than $9, and saw it in half crosswise (or clip with bolt cutters) to make two 2-foot shelves. Snip additional wires where you need wider slots to accept pole handles or reels.

Tools

With a little imagination, you won’t need specially designed storage to organize your tools.

Conveniently hang wrenches and bungee cords using an ordinary vinyl-coated wire tie-and-belt rack, available at big box stores; $8.

Metal tools cling to a magnetized rail, keeping items in view and easy to retrieve; starting around $30. Simply screw the rail to wall studs to safely hold the weight of the tools (it’s an idea you may be drawn to.)

Cushion and protect tools by padding your toolbox drawers with a soft, non-slip liner. The open-weave design keeps moisture away and prevents tools from rolling around. Enough material to line eight average-size drawers is $15. Just cut the liner to length to fit and slip it into the drawer.

Organize small items – such as pencils, box cutters, and tape measures – by stashing them in electrical junction boxes; about $2 each (free if you have spares). Purchase a variety of sizes and shapes and secure them to studs or pegboard.

Yard and Garden Gear

Rakes, ladders, clippers, shovels, and sprays – a host of supplies keep your yard and garden looking lush and well-cared-for, but your garage? Not so much. Keep your garden and landscaping tools organized with these novel storage solutions.

Transform an old cabinet into a nifty garage storage unit on wheels. Hunt down an old four-drawer filing cabinet for a few dollars at a garage sale. Remove the drawers, turn it on its backside, and use a couple afternoons to apply paint and pegboard sides. Less than $25.

Hold heavy tools, long-handled implements, ladders, and more. Long steel rails with extruded holes mount high on the garage wall and secure to studs. Arrange a series of hooks and pegs on the rail to hang big tools. Two 48-inch rails sell for $22.

Secure a wooden pallet to wall studs to create a pocket for holding long-handled garden tools. To find free wooden pallets, check with local businesses as well as online classifieds, such as Craigslist. Cost: Free.

Keep bottles of fertilizers, repellants, and lubricants upright and easy to retrieve. A can rack ($15) prevents cans and bottles from tumbling off shelves.

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Roseville, MN

Nestled between the Mississippi and the Minnesota Rivers, Roseville was first home to the Dakota and Ojibway. Because of its prime location between two rivers, the Dakota believed “it was immediately over the center of the earth and beneath the center of heaven.” Today, it still remains a central location as it is one of two Twin Cities suburbs that is adjacent to both Saint Paul and Minneapolis. With a ten-minute commute to either downtown area, it offers residents a mix of suburban and urban lifestyles.

Additionally, Roseville offers an abundance of recreational activities including shopping, skating and a variety of outdoor activities. For example, playing a round of Golf at Cedarholm Golf Course or Midland Hills Country Club is a popular activity for a sunny afternoon.

Or, with the mega mall Rosedale Center as well as six other shopping centers it’s easy to shop ’til you drop! Fun Fact: the first Target was built in Roseville in 1962. How awesome is that?! But if shopping isn’t your thing, lucky for you the AMC Rosedale 14 is adjacent to the Rosedale Center. There, it’s easy to sit back and relax with an icy cold drink and hot buttery popcorn while you check out the latest Hollywood flicks.

On the other hand, bibliophiles – aka book lovers – will delight in the Ramsey County Library- Roseville. Impressively, it is the largest library in Ramsey County and busiest library in Minnesota. With more than 340,000 volumes in its collection, nearly three times that of any other branch in the county, it is no wonder why!

Another popular attraction is The Roseville Skating Center, which is sure to accommodate all your skating needs both on and off the ice. It features an indoor arena, banquet center as well as an outdoor skate park for skateboarding and inline skating. The Roseville Ice Arena is a year-round ice arena used for hockey, figure skating, skating lessons and general public skating. Included in the Roseville Skating Center is the John Rose Minnesota Oval. The Oval, an outdoor ice rink features a 400 meter speed skating track that surrounds an infield ice area used for hockey or bandy.

Roseville offers nature lovers the beautiful Harriet Alexander Nature Center, a beautiful place for your next reception or special event as well as 34 other spectacular parks.

With a staggering 19 K-12 public schools and 7 private schools there certainly no shortage of options for parents when it comes to finding a nearby school. While Roseville is divided between two school districts, Mounds View School District 621 and Roseville Area School District 623, they are both consistently ranked among the best in the state.

In terms of restaurants, Roseville certainly isn’t lacking. Two of our favorites are La Casita and Grumpy’s Bar and Grill. La Casita serves authentic Mexican food made with only the freshest ingredients. Be sure to check out the Twin Cities’ best frozen margarita or the happy hour appetizer bar with free chili con Queso, bean dip and salsa (with a minimum $4.95 purchase).

Grumpy’s Bar & Grill is another spot not to pass up. It features a dining room, patio and separate bar. Plus they offer everything from bingo to karaoke so it is sure to please your entire crew.

Moving on, more than half the homes in Roseville are single family homes at moderate prices, making this an ideal spot for younger families. Additionally, Roseville boasts that their taxes are consistently among the lowest in the Twin Cities area.

Overall, Roseville provides a unique blend of suburban and urban lifestyles to its residents. It encompasses both vibrant residential and retail areas, making it an ideal place to raise a family or start a business. Additionally, the safe neighborhoods, spectacular parks, friendly business environment and prime location make this Ramsey County suburb hard not to love.

Neighborhood Schools	Faith Communities
Concordia Academy (Private HS)	Advent Lutheran Church
King of Kings Lutheran School (K-8)	Bethany Baptist Church
North Heights Christian Academy (K-8)	Calvary Baptist Church
St. Rose of Lima Catholic School (pre-K-8)	Christ Temple Apostolic Church
Mounds View School District 621	Centennial United Methodist Church
Roseville Area School District 623	Church of Christ Roseville
	Corpus Christi Catholic Church
Public Parks	enCompassChurch
Acorn Park	Galilee Lutheran Church
Central Park Dale East	Grace Church of Roseville
Lexington Park	King of Kings Lutheran Church
Reservoir Woods Off Leash Dog Park	Lutheran Church of the Resurrection
Tamarack Park	North Como Presbyterian Church
Villa Park	North Heights Lutheran Church
	Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
Local Restaurants	Rose Hill Alliance
The Good Earth	Real Life Church
Grumpy’s Bar & Grill	Roseville Baptist Church
Maverick’s Real Roast Beef Restaurant	Roseville Covenant Church
Snuffy’s Malt Shop	Roseville Lutheran Church
Aurelio’s Pizza	St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church
Digby’s	St. Michael’s Lutheran Church
J. Arthur’s Coffee	Saint Rose of Lima
D’Amico and Sons	Vietnamese Buddhist Association

5 Hacks to Make Your Studio Apartment Look Bigger

Do you live in a loft? studio apartment? Do you see yourself living there for a while, or do you just like that style and can’t see yourself leaving it? Well, we totally understand, and we’ve got tips for you to make every square footage of that room count. Here are five hacks to make your studio apartment look bigger than it actually is:

1. Lighten up the floors

Yep, that’s right. Make your floors a lighter color. Paint them, or if you’re renting the place and your lease won’t allow it, then a wide bright rug will do the trick just fine, as well.

2. Clear it up

By this we mean, clear, see-through furniture is your best choice. Side tables with see-through legs. All these help into making it seem there is less space, or clutter. Try it out and tell us what you think!

3. Two-for-One

To some people this idea never seems like fun, but then again some people love the efficiency of it. Think of buying one furniture that doubles into something else. For example, your side table could also double as a bar. These not only save you space, but also keeps you and almost forces you to keep the space less cluttered and more organized.

4. The walls are your friends

Well, it might sound silly but they are! They become extra space you can occupy. For example, hang your necklaces, towels, etc. Have that become another space that you can use. Here’s a tip: make sure everything has at least 5-8 inches of space between each other. The trick is to never make it seem like it’s cluttered.

5. Higher Up

Ok, so now we’ve used up your walls, floor, and even doubled-up some furniture use. Now, look up. Yes, the ceilings. No, we’re not hanging anything from there today (although we recommend you do—some interior decorators suggest hanging plants gives it a sense of more space to a room), but we will be painting it. If you are lucky enough to have a high ceiling, then feel free to paint it! We suggest you do the same color as your floor to lighten up the place even more.

Well reader, here is where we end our post. Hopefully, you’ve find it informative! Feel free to tell us if you’ve tried any of this and it’s worked! Or, if you’d like to add some more tips, feel free to do so in the comments below!

Find the original article here.

Autumn House Maintenance Tips

Each season your home will face changes in temperature, weather conditions, aging and the abuse of human habitation. If you want to keep all of this from hurting your home, you will need to do a little work to prepare it for the autumn and winter seasons ahead. This will help you keep costly repairs at bay with a little bit of useful seasonal maintenance. Regardless of where you live, the following tips will give you a few ideas of work to do before the weather gets too cold:

Check your downspouts and gutters

Your roof is one place that is often forgotten during maintenance in most cases, so you would do well to remind yourself that proper inspections from time to time are necessary if you want to make sure everything is in working order. Clear any leaves and dirt on top of it and from its gutters, and check the downspouts for any loose or jammed pieces that may be obstructing the flow of water. Check the flashing around the chimney as well as any openings on the roof, such as skylights, for leaks.

Check the grounds of the property

Before you have the first snow or fallen leaves cover everything, you will need to check the walkways for any cracks as well as any loose materials. Fix them while you can, before the moist and slippery weather becomes a problem further down the line. If you don’t fix such issues now, you may even have a further deterioration of your walkways when frozen water expands inside the cracks over time.

Changing air filters

If you happen to have a central air conditioning system, you will need to change the air filter on a regular basis. If you have a window unit, you will have to remove the window or place a waterproof cover over it to prevent any damage. Change the filters in your stove vents, clothes dryers and the vents themselves for your central AC. Make sure you check the condition of your room fans if you happen to have any. Clean air filters will be a big deal during the cooler autumn months ahead. This will also ensure you have less allergens floating around the house, upping the productivity of your AC units as long as you keep them rotating when needed.

Fixing your plumbing

Before the temperatures lower, you will need to check for any leaks in your bathrooms, kitchens, basement and any other areas through which the main pipes pass. You will need to winterize any of them that happen to be in risk areas to avoid frozen pipes and bursts. Give them proper insulation if they don’t already have it, and you should be safe for the coming winter.

Westminster kitchen and bathroom plumbing services can offer an array of services at a competitive price.

6 Halloween Safety Tips for Pets

Break out your masks and monsters! Its Halloween, and time to be scared! While being afraid at Halloween is actually a lot of fun for humans, it can be an especially stressful for pets. Between the combination of strangers, costumes, and continual door bell ringing it is no wonder that this is a terrifying time for our furry friends. Read on for tips and tricks on how to avoid a real scare and keep your pet safe this Halloween.

1). No Human Treats for Pets

While candy and other chocolates can be a tasty treat for humans, these sweets can be extremely harmful for pets. Besides chocolate, watch out for gum and sugarless candy sweetened with xylitol which can be lethal for Fido. In the event that your pet does eat something dangerous, immediately call your vet or the Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435).

The next day, or after trick or treaters leave, be sure to check for stray wrappers or other bits of candy they may have dropped. You don’t want Rover to find these before you do.

Instead, why not spoil your dog and make these homemade peanut butter, bacon & pumpkin dog treats? They are super easy to make and we promise your dog will love you for it.

2). Keep an Eye out For Decorations

In a home with pets, it goes without saying that Jack-o’- lanterns lit with candles are a bad idea. Curious creatures can easily knock them over and cause a fire. Instead, opt for artificial or battery powered lights for your decorating needs.

Similarly, decorations are not chew toys. Prevent pets from chewing on cords by keeping cords off the floor and out of reach. If chewed, Fido could suffer from cuts, burns or life threatening shocks. Better yet, try to keep your decorations outside to prevent problems before they happen.

3). Be Careful with Costumes

According to the Humane Society of the United States, an estimated half of pet owners dress their pets in costumes for Halloween. Pumpkins and ladybugs are the perennial favorites.

While pet costumes may be hilarious, it is important to keep your pet’s best interest at heart. Do the right thing and double check that your pet can comfortably breath, walk, eat and go to the bathroom. In addition to what your pet is wearing, be aware of how long your pet is dressed up. Oftentimes, these costumes are made from irritating fabric that can become uncomfortable or tight over long periods of time.Not to mention, it is important to be wary of small parts can be torn off and gobbled up. Just the thought of Rover chewing off and ingesting part of his costume is downright terrifying.

4). Keep Pets indoors

Before nightfall, take your pets indoors. While pets are always safest indoors at night, this is especially true on Halloween in order to avoid pranksters who may want to harm pets.

5). Keep pet in secure place

Even the best behaved pets can become anxious or worked up during the Halloween commotion. Reduce stress for pets by putting them in a separate area with their favorite bed and toys well before trick or treaters arrive. This way they will have a safe haven where they can feel secure, comfortable, relaxed while being tucked away from any hazards.

Similarly, even if you are just having friends over for a Halloween party, keep your pets away from the festivities in their safe room. Even familiar people may become scary as masks and costumes change how people look and smell to a pet.

6) Make sure ID tags are on

Unfortunately, it is possible that your pet may accidentally run out the door or get lost amidst all the Halloween excitement. Should anything happen, you want to make sure Fluffy is safely returned to you. Pet owners, please double check that your furry friends are wearing their tags. Wouldn’t you rather be safe than sorry?

Lastly, while it may be the spookiest night of the year, remember to have fun! If you don’t have a timid dog or a scaredy cat get them involved too so all the family can participate and have a tail wagging good time. Happy “Howloween” from RNR Realty!

Festive Fall Colors: Fantastic Foliage Drives

Each fall we can look forward to deciduous trees, or trees that lose their leaves seasonally to provide us with a dazzling display as the leaves change colors. Ranging from deep ambers to blazing reds, the vibrant display of colors never falls short of sensational. Luckily, we don’t have to travel far to see this striking phenomenon as it occurs from coast to coast. Because we don’t want you to miss out on this breathtaking event, we have mapped out the top ten fall foliage drives in the US. Who knows, maybe these scenic destinations may inspire your next road trip. So what are you waiting for? Hop in the car and go enjoy Mother Nature’s stunning colors! Find the full story including where to stay along the way and what to do here.

1. Aspen, Colorado

2. The Catskills, New York

3. The Berkshires, Massachusetts

4. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

5. Green Mountain Byway, Vermont

6. Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, New Mexico

7. Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina & Tennessee

8. Upper Peninsula, Michigan

9. Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

10. Glacier National Park, Montana

Obviously these are just a few of the countless breathtaking fall foliage drives that our country has to offer. Again, for the entire list of the top 10 foliage drives visit fodors.com. If we missed one of your favorites, we would love to know! Give us your feedback in the comments section below!

Robbinsdale

Located just 15 minutes outside of Minneapolis, Robbinsdale has a small town feel with the convenience of a big city. Nestled in the northwest corner of Hennepin County, this city offers a variety of single-family homes, plenty of green space and two area lakes. While the city may be small, the spirit of this community is evident to anyone who passes through.

As you stroll along the downtown sidewalks, the height of the buildings allows you to peer inside shop windows while the street is just narrow enough for you to say hello to the person passing by on the other side. Overall, the close layout reinforces the tight-knit vibe of this community.

Speaking of a small town vibe, the city is able to maintain its charm by being selective about which businesses they allow downtown. For instance, Hackenmueller Meats is an old-time meat market that has served the residents of Robbinsdale with choice cut meats for more than 120 years. Known for their specialty sausages, this hometown business has built a reputation as one of the premier butcher shops in the metro area.

Likewise, the mural found in Robbinsdale Plaza adds a splash of color to this historic downtown. However, the city has plans to update this mural with a design by local artist, Shawn McCann, at the beginning of September.

Hungry? Well, you won’t find any chain restaurants in this historic district. Luckily, Robbinsdale offers a variety of unique restaurants including Pig Ate My Pizza, a pig-themed pizza pie shop and Nonna Rosa’s, a classic Italian restaurant with some famous fans (we ran into the mayor of Robbinsdale, Regan Murphy, enjoying a late lunch). However, if you are seeking a more upscale experience you may want to give Travail a whirl. While the menu is written on a simple chalkboard, the culinary experience to be had is quite the opposite. At the restaurant, which was recently named one of Bon Appetit’s nominees for America’s Best New Restaurant, you can embark on a culinary adventure while sampling a ten-course tasting menu. Though Travail may be on the pricier side, they do offer date nights on Wednesdays and Thursdays with the tasting menu at a reduced price.

The citizens here are so passionate about their local fare that they even started “The Birdtown Club.” On the first Friday of each month, residents meet at one of Robbinsdale’s bars or restaurants as a way to connect and reinforce their love for the city.

If you are in search of something more leisurely, you should check out one of the 14 parks in the city, including Lakeview Terrace Park. This sunny park adjacent to Crystal Lake lends itself to a variety of recreational activities with its baseball diamond, tennis courts, playground, numerous walking paths and opportunities for boating and swimming.

Additionally, the schools in Robbinsdale are known to be both dynamic and diverse. Both Robbinsdale Armstrong and Robbinsdale Cooper high schools repeatedly earn national acclaim for academic excellence. They offer one of the largest AP programs in the state, in addition to boasting a state and nationally recognized orchestra program.

If an unexpected accident happens, look no further than North Memorial Medical Center. Featuring a Level I Trauma Center as well as cancer treatment, heart and stroke care, orthopedics, and women and children’s services, you are sure to be in good hands. Accordingly, they have won numerous awards including the Patient Safety Excellence Award for five consecutive years. Moreover, North Memorial Medical Center was the only hospital in Minnesota to receive Healthgrades’ recognition as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2014.

For those looking to become a part of the community, the housing market in Robbinsdale offers a variety of options. From charming historic homes, town homes and newer two-story homes, this town suits a wide variety of styles and budgets. Even more, it is evident that Robbinsdale is a place were many choose to plant their roots as 72% of the 14,000 who live there are homeowners. Overall, Robbinsdale is a city that prides itself on their high quality of life and works hard to promote relationships among its residents that last a lifetime. If you are looking for small town charm with big city convenience, Robbinsdale is the place for you.

Neighborhood Resources

NEIGHBORHOOD Schools	Faith Communities
Lakeview Elementary School	Elim Lutheran Church
Robbinsdale Middle School	Faith Evangelical Free Church
Sacred Heart Elementary School (Private)	Faith-Lilac Way Lutheran Church
Spanish Immersion School (K-5)	Olivet United Methodist Church
	Peace Lutheran Church
	Pentecost Church
	Redeemer Luthern Church
	Robbinsdale United Church of Christ
	Sacred Heart Catholic Church


Public Parks	Local Restaurants
Grazier Park	Athen’s Cafe
Hollingsworth Park	Birdtown Cafe
Humphrey Park	Canton Garden Restaurant
Kelly Park	Eagles Nest
Lakeland Office Park	First Crack Cafe
Lakeview Terrace Park	Lodge of Robbinsdale
Lee Park	Mai Thai Restaurant
Lions Park	Nonna Rosa’s
Manor Park	Pig Ate My Pizza
Mielke Park	St. Petersburg Restaurant
Parkview Park	Travail Kitchen and Amusements
Robbinsdale Park	Wuollet Bakery
Sanborn Park
Sochacki Park
Sunset Park
Triangle Park

9 Ways to Take in the Last Bit of Summer

Sigh. So its Labor Day and you may be asking yourself where has the summer gone? Rather than mourn the loss of sunny days out on the lake and ice cold drinks on rooftop bars, why not enjoy the times we have had.

Below are 9 ways for you to enjoys yourself this Labor Day and take in the last bit of summer. Find the full article here.

1). Head out to the Farmers Market and grab fresh produce (specifically tomatoes) while you can. Try making this awesome salsa recipe that will knock your socks off.

2). Eat watermelon. And lots of it. Bonus points if you have a seed spitting competition with your friends.

3). Get outside and garden. Yes summer may be winding down, but your plants still need a little TLC. While you are at it, check out our earlier post on landscaping tips for homeowners.

4). Go for a long run or walk around the lake and feel the breeze in your hair.

5). Grill out with your family and friends and use this awesome BBQ sauce recipe from Down Home With the Neely’s.

6). Enjoy a frozen treat. Yes you can enjoy them all year round, but when the temps are high a frozen treat tastes oh so much better. If you are stuck on where to go, check out our earlier blog on the Best Ice Cream in the Twin Cities.

7). Stargazing and try to point out constellations. But if the only one you know is the Big Dipper, download this handy app to help you out.

8) Have a campfire and make s’mores. If you want your campfire to get crazy check out 39 Life Changing Ways to Make S’mores Better.

9) Take advantage of the weather and participate in watersports. Whether it be tubing, swimming, waterskiing or paddle boarding- go do it!

Neighborhood Schools

Faith Communities

Public Parks

Local Restaurants