Life In Minnesota

^^ That is Kuchen. Pronounced coo-ken, it means cake in German and holds special significance for our family. She’s the new baby at our house. Seven pounds of absolute sweetness. She’s a six-month-old Teddy Bear—half Shih Tzu, half Bichon. She just started puppy “kindergarten”, and we are working on introducing her to the world a bit more. In an...

If you know a millennial, have spent any time in a college classroom lately, or have strolled through a mall amongst teenagers and twentysomethings, chances are you’ve seen someone wearing a Love Your Melon beanie. The knit hats with their distinctive leather patch logo have exploded in popularity over the last few years, and with good reason: when you...

July is upon us here in the North Star State… and it’s bringing the heat! Minnesota is known for its temperature extremes-- cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. In the winter, we’ve devised what Minnesota is famous for: a plethora of ways to stay warm. This includes donning our flannel and stuffing ourselves full of Crock-Pot roasts and...

An old-fashioned street wagon selling hot, buttery popcorn… crafters and vendors displaying their wares… a bubbling fountain splashing delighted children as they dance around its edges. It all sounds so picturesque-- and well, that’s because it is! Welcome to the Riverwalk Market Fair in downtown Northfield! Billed as “The art of a summer Saturday,” The Riverwalk Market Fair is...

Minnesota is known for many things: its lakes, its agriculture, its “nice”. But two resources, in particular, seem to bring out the best in our state: its cultural community and its parks and recreation. And when those two things combine, magic happens. So when the Walker Art Center hooked arms with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, amazingness ensued. The...

Bonfires and moonlight swims. Cocktails on a patio and movies in the park. It’s summer in Minnesota and everyone is looking for ways to be outside for as long as possible every evening. One fun way to soak up every minute of the season is to kick up your heels at a good ol’ fashioned street dance. And there...

The heat, the hot dogs, the hoopla… the Fourth of July is coming! Arguably the quintessential summer celebration in Minnesota, the 4th is a great time to get together and practice some patriotism. It can be fun to host a gathering at home with slushies and sparklers and sprinklers. But sometimes it’s fun to...

France, yes. Napa Valley, yes. Italy, most likely. Argentina, probably. Minnesota? Well, the land of 10,000 lakes may not be the first thing that comes to mind when the world thinks about great wines. But I'll tell you what, Minnesota wineries and vineyards are pretty amazing, and they're bottling some really tasty vino. Here are 13 of the best wineries...

It takes a trusted canoe guide to lead a pack of Scouts through the Minnesota wilderness. One who is equipped with the knowledge and understanding of the great outdoors, can offer up safety techniques, and educate along the way. Meet Christina "Trina" Weisel, a recent University of Minnesota - Crookston graduate and trusted canoe guide. Originally from Alexandria, Minnesota, Trina...

I’m going to be completely transparent: As a mom of four, I figured I’d go to the zoo more often than I do. In fact, in the past ten years, I’ve only gone a few times and mostly as a field trip chaperone. But this year, in preparation for my husband’s first stay-at-home summer with the kids, I decided to...