2009 Fall Colors

I have been looking at the Pantone 2009 Fall Color Report! The colors include Honey Yellow, Burnt Sienna, Warm Olive and Rapture Rose! Gorgeous colors to look forward to! I can't wait!

Monarch Butterflies In Minnesota

Today I have enjoyed a day of Monarch butterflies in Minnesota. Monarchs are the state butterfly of Minnesota and this is the time of the year where we all enjoy their flight!

Daydream

Do you ever daydream?

Lumberjack Days Stillwater Minnesota July 23rd-July 26th 2009

If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend I know just the place for you to be! Lumberjack Days in Stillwater, MN runs July 23rd-July 26 this year. Most of the festivities are held in Lowell Park adjacent to the beautiful St. Croix River in historic downtown Stillwater. The festivities include lumberjack shows, a parade, an authentic 1860's baseball game and fireworks. My personal favorite festivities are the concerts featuring the best in local and national acts performing in concert on the famous "Floating Stage" on the beautiful St. Croix River.

If you are looking for a fun, family event this weekend please check out Lumberjack Days!

Create A Tutorial Exchange Program With Evie's Tool Emporium - 1.5 mm 36 Piece Letter And Number Metal Stamping Set

Have you heard about the Create A Tutorial Exchange Program?

If you an artist, here is an opportunity for you to receive a free 1.5 mm 36 piece letter and number metal stamping set as well as drive traffic to your online website and your blog! I am offering this metal stamping set to an artist who would like to create a unique piece utilizing the stamping set. Then show us all how it was done by posting a tutorial on your blog. The stamping set will be free to the artist who is chosen to create the tutorial. All artists in the world are welcome to apply!

I will link your tutorial on Evie's Tool Emporium and here on the Evie's Tool Emporium blog. In return you will link your online website and your blog to me. The tutorial will also appear on the Totally Tutorials blog who is facilitating the Create A Tutorial Exchange Program. For further details please check out Totally Tutorials.

If you are interested in creating a unique piece with the 1.5 mm 36 piece letter and number metal stamping set please post a comment here with your URL. Otherwise please feel free to convo me at Evie's Tool Emporium. The ideal candidate will be an artist comfortable working with metal, clay, lost wax casting or the medium of your choice. The ideal candidate will also have a blog and have the ability to take nice photos. Then I will randomly choose an artist from those candidates.

Applications will be accepted through Thursday July 30th at midnight. I will contact the artist chosen for this tutorial on Saturday August 1st.

Bananas As A Preworkout Snack

I started to eat a banana as a preworkout snack this week before my daily swim. I have been thinking about my eating habits lately. I know I don't always eat what I should, so I did a little research on what to eat when. I found this great article from Experience Life that focuses on what we should eat before and after our workouts for optimal energy, recovery and health.

It's too early to say what benefits my banana as a preworkout snack will be but I will let you know in a month! It takes 30 days to create a good habit and I intend to enjoy my bananas!

The 3/50 Project

I recently heard about The 3/50 Project and it instantly intrigued me! I love to support local business. Whenever I can I use the small businesses in my community. I appreciate all the hard work that goes into small business ownership.

Every day owners sweep their front doorsteps, unlock the door, turn on the 'open' sign and greet us as we walk in the front door. I personally love to be greeted with a smile. Sometimes I take the time to browse through shops when I'm choosing a gift. Other times I'm in a hurry and I appreciate friendly, quick service when I drop off my dry cleaning. Throughout the day owners provide great customer service, put out new merchandise, cook great meals, and strive to be profitable. At the end of the day owners take one last look around their business, lock the door, turn off the 'open' sign and sigh deeply. They go home knowing that the routine will be repeated tomorrow!

Take a moment today to support the small business owners in your community! It gives them a purpose to open today! The 3/50 Project is a wonderful way to show your support!

The Colors Of Summer

I love the colors of summer! So bright and vibrant! COLOURlovers has over 40 summer inspired color palettes that are so beautiful! Enjoy!

Pearson's Candy Company Celebrates 100 Years

Pearson's Candy Company is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year! Pearson's is located in St. Paul, MN. on 7th Street where they have had their headquarters for 50 years. My all time favorite candy bar is the Nut Goodie Bar! If you have never enjoyed the creamy, chocolate and peanut treat I highly recommend it! Congratulations to Pearson's on your 100th anniversary!

Blowing Bubbles

Blowing bubbles is always so much fun! Take a break today to mix up the bubble solution and share the laughter the bubbles create with the ones you love!

Minneapolis Aquatennial July 17th-25th 2009

The Minneapolis Aquatennial 2009 is from July 17th-July 25th! It is the 70th anniversary of the Aquatennial where you can celebrate all the city of Minneapolis has to offer. There is truly something for everyone. There is a sandcastle competition, water ski show, torch light parade, block party, milk carton race and fireworks show. This is just the beginning of all the events you can attend.

Take a quick look at the schedule to see what fits into your social calendar! I guarantee you will have a wonderful time at the Minneapolis Aquatennial 2009!

Smith And Hawken Closing

Yesterday I received an e-mail from Smith & Hawken that they were closing. Through the years I have spent a lot of time browsing their brick and mortar store in Edina, Minnesota. When we wanted to buy a special anniversary gift for my parents 50th Anniversay the first website I checked was Smith & Hawken. We chose for their gift a plant a month for a year. The customer service was phenomenal! One of the plants came frozen in February. My mom called them and they made sure they received an additional plant later in the spring when it wasn't so cold here in Minnesota. I was so glad we purchased our gift from Smith & Hawken.

I was super impressed when I received their e-mail yesterday that they were closing. They took the time to thank their customers for the 30 wonderful years they have been in business. A very classy business decision to thank us for sharing garden love!

An article in the Marin Independent Journal hints that we may hear more from Hawken in the future!

Thank you Smith & Hawken for inviting me into your garden!

Benefits Of Water Exercise

There are so many benefits of water exercise! I spend a couple of hours a week in the water teaching aqua aerobics and I am certified through the Aquatic Exercise Association. I have been teaching for 12 years and I am constantly amazed at the benefits of exercising in the water.

As I prepare for my class I spend a little time researching information that I want to educate my clients about that day. It might be about the safety of working out in the water, or the benefits that walking backwards in the water will help lower back pain. I am amazed at the wealth of information about water exercise that is out there. There is always new research being done on how to best use the principles of water to get the most out of your time in the water.

I am lucky to teach in a pool where my clients can be in shallow or deep water. There is a comfort level to exercising in the water. Even if you are a non swimmer you can exercise in the water. In the shallow end where your feet touch the bottom you you have the stability of the bottom of the pool to guide you through your work out. In the deep end where your feet don't touch the bottom of the pool the buoyancy of the water will guide you through your work out.

Whether you are in the shallow or deep end the ability to move your body through increased range of motion feels so good on your joints. In the water you are constantly working against the hydrostatic pressure so your core is constantly engaging.

If you have been thinking about adding water exercise to your life do not delay! Call a club, rec center, community center, 'Y' or pool in your area. We would love to have you join us! If you have any questions please feel free to leave me a message here and I will get back to you. It is important to me to share the knowledge I have of the benefits of water exercise with everyone I know!

After class when my clients are gone I sit in the pool for a few minutes to relax. I recap the class that just passed and start planning for the next time I will be able to share the benefits of water exercise!

Minnesota Bike Trails

There are so many Minnesota bike trails to explore! If you live in the metro area or outstate there is a bike path waiting to be explored!

I feel very blessed to live in Minnesota where I have the opportunity to experience nature, be outside and get exercise all at the same time!

Jump on your bike today and explore all the Minnesota bike trails!

Enjoy The Ride

Take 3-1/2 minutes today to Enjoy The Ride!

Happy 4th Of July

Enjoy your day with your family and friends!

Soldering Irons

Evie's Tool Emporium is pleased to offer a couple of really cool soldering irons. Depending on what project you're working on we have the appropriate soldering iron for you!

30 Watt Soldering Iron

Summer Fete July 3rd, 2009 - Bloomington Minnesota

I love the 4th of July! In Bloomington, Minnesota we celebrate with Summer Fete on Friday July 3rd, 2009. Summer Fete is a day long event that begins at noon with a carnival. It ends at dusk with a fabulous fireworks display! Please bring your families and join us for a great celebration!