There are so many reasons to wish that Tuesday, November 2nd is behind us. Between the political ads and attention to voter details on the news. It's almost so 'over the top' that you might be thinking "to heck with it! I don't need to vote. It's not like the presidential spot is on the line and that's what is really important anyways." If this sounds like you, then I'd like to encourage you to reconsider. In Minnesota this year there are some very important spots up for re-election. The governor's seat is one. With Tim Pawlenty on his way out and the race between his replacements remaining very close it's a great time to voice your thoughts. In Elk River there are school issues on the ballots and in many districts there are issues regarding school district seats. If you aren't sure who... 10/24/2010

Great River Regional LibraryElk River Book SaleThis weekend marks the fall event for the Elk River library book sale. A forever popular event with loads and loads of books to choose from this event is great for the whole family.Not only do you get to walkaway with some great reading material, but you get to also get to celebrate in supporting the local library.Filling your bookshelves would be really easy with the terrific prices that they have on every title. Spending $10.00 couldn't be easier and more fun!The kids always love the Elk River Library book sale because they get to walk away with lots of new reading material (looking material for toddlers) and I always find something new and fun for myself as well. If you aren't sure that you want books to read... they also have cookbooks... 10/22/2010

  And, then there's Becks! Just north of Elk River on Highway 10! Filling our springs with seeds and garden plants and our summers with sweet corn and garden veggies... this is one family owned pumpkin patch that you won't want to miss! Leaving their pumpkins on the vine until you are ready to pick them it makes a truly authentic trip to the pumpkin patch!If that isn't your cup of tea... they have some ready picked too. We visited Becks this week and were thrilled to buy some fresh popcorn just and it is just waiting to be popped. Yum! In the meantime the boys are still talking about the lifesize corn mazes that entertained us. Having a haybale height maze for the kiddos to run through and a tall corn patch for adults and families it's great fun!     Becks is conveniently located right... 10/22/2010

Visiting Riverside Farms in Elk River isn't visiting just a pumpkin patch. Located just east of Elk River on Hwy 10 it's a fall "moment" that you just won't want to miss. From Mums to pumpkins Riverside Farms is the perfect place to buy all your fall decorating items. If you are looking for photo opportunities with the little ones Riverside Farms has a great patch to climb in. With a mountain of hay bales and field full of pumpkins small people and tall people can truly enjoy. And, once you have picked that perfect pumpkin... there is the wagoning it and weighing it. Our rule is that the kids can get any pumpkin they want as long as they can carry it. They have gourds and baking pumpkins and honey too.       Then, there are the ever favorites of my children including the cornpit and ju... 10/22/2010

If you have ever lived anywhere in the north, especially Minnesota, then you've probably enjoyed the beautiful fall colors and the peaking of the red, yellow, orange, purple and brown leaves! It's a season worth living as you hike through forests full of color or taking long Sunday afternoon drives. Nightly on the news they report the stately colors and where they are in full color all the way from the no rth country to Duluth down through Minneapolis and St Paul and then on to Red Wing, Stillwater, Rochester into the southern edges. This year was no exception and I hope that every Minnesotan was given the opportunity to at least walk to a window somewhere and drink in the color that fall so beautifully paints for us. Part of the reason that it's so important to enjoy the colors is tha... 10/15/2010

I just couldn't resist taking a timeout and posting a few great reasons why I've been overly busy the past week!In Minnesota they always say to "make hay while the sun shines" and, well, the sun has really been shining.Knowing full well that at any minute we could be locked within the confines of our houses due to cold, rain or snow... we have been taking full advantage of the sunshine and warm fall weather! Woodland Park Trails are a great place to see the beauty of the seasons all year round. We've been on the trails quite a bit the last few days enjoying the masterpieces being colored before our very eyes.Wildflowers are in full bloom everywhere there is a spot to grow!Purple, orange, yellow and red...The prettiness continues! Leafy leaves are everywhere! This next week instead of co... 10/10/2010

I love having toddlers. They make everything in life this really big deal.... even if it isn't. Though they are in the smaller ranges of age I like to give them the power to make decisions when it is appropriate because I feel that it'll help them later in life.  It certainly makes life adventurous and fun! Living in Elk River has it's benefits. Being a 'suburb' community there is a slight lean toward the 'country' lifestyle that floats around and we aren't just talking decor! Within 5 miles of the east and west corners of downtown Elk River you can run yourself right into the face of a cow - and that's no joke. In fact, there are several housing developments that touch the edges of farms. I've always thought it an interesting dynamic to our small community, but at the same time it's co... 10/07/2010

There are some important forums coming up for the ISD 728 that may impact you.  Regardless of your stance on any particular issue, these will be some good forums to attend to stay on top of the current proposals and candidates. All ISD 728 parents, guardians, students and stakeholders are encouraged to attend one or more of the upcoming forums relating to local public education:    * ISD 728 School Board Candidates Forum      7 p.m., Tuesday, October 5, 2010      Otsego Elementary School          Sponsored by the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce and the I-94 West Chamber of           Commerce  ISD 728 State Legislative Candidate Forum      7 p.m., Wednesday, October 6, 2010      Elk River High School        Sponsored by the ISD 728 Legislative Action Team, the Elk River Area and I-94 ... 10/03/2010

Yesterday we visited the Franconia Sculpture Park on our way back from our leaf hunt and I saw this house. Twisted and hanging in the air it reminded me of Dorothy and her dog Toto caught up in a tornado... But, really, it made me think of my friends and colleagues and clients that are in a financial whirlwind and even greater hardship. I think that sometimes we feel like we are hanging on by a thread... Is this how you feel?It's that 'make it' or 'break it' moment in life where everything could turn out all right or could go completely wrong. It's that minute where you feel like you are dangling all alone with no help in site. If you feel this way and know that you need help in your housing situation... it might be time to pick up the phone and call. Being CDPE certified (trained in s... 10/01/2010

I have received the call and my time is slotted...On October 28th I'm heading to the slammer.Going to JAIL for "good" and I'm gonna need your help (please!).This is my second year of helping the MDA (AKA Jerry's Kids) raise money to send children and adults suffering with muscular dystrophy. Not only will they be sending them to camp, but they'll be supplying them with flu shots!I would be honored if you would take time out to visit my donation site and support the MDA with a donation of ANY size! With your help I can make  my $1600 goal before my time runs out.  Please let me know if you have any questions about my quest to help this great organization - otherwise I look forward to any support that you can give in order to keep me out of the slammer!                   My MDA Lockup Sit... 09/30/2010

Continuing with one of my themes for the week I am posting market updates on different cities and counties that I do a lot of business in.  The last market update featured Big Lake, MN House Market and today I will be summarizing the Elk River, MN Home Market. To search for homes in Elk River, MN and the surrounding areas click here. Current Active Listings: 277 homes for sale in Elk River, MN.  This includes 27 homes under $100,000 in price in Elk River.  59 of the homes are in the $100,000-$150,000 price range. 49 homes are in the $150,000-$200,000 price range. Homes Pending Sales: This is the HOW ARE WE DOING STAT for the moment... Right now there are 32 sales pending in Elk River, MN.  Eight of those are under $100,000 and nine of those are in the $100,000-$150,000 price range.  The... 09/29/2010

Homecoming week for the Elk River Elks is always a BIG event.A whole week of fun for sure!It's starts with SPIRIT week at the school... some things never change do they?Then on Friday it's the Pepfest and the party begins. On Friday October 1st, 2010 School Street will be closed at 5pm in honor of the annual homecoming football parade!     Hope that you can take time out of your commute to stop and watch the funas the bands walk by... and the football team...   and the highschool class floats...I can assure you that rain or shine Friday night in Elk River will be a busy one!This year the kids get to battle out their homecoming game with the neighboring Big Lake High School Team.It's guaranteed to be a full stadium.Us, we will watch the parade. The boys are already talking about it. The ... 09/28/2010

If you are a single parent living in the Elk River area... this post is for you! (And, if you know someone who qualifies please pass this on to them) Every Saturday in October (2010) Living Waters Church is scheduling appts to winterize your car for FREE! They will: * change the oil (you bring the filter)* top off your anti-freeze and fluids* check lights* check air filters* check battery connections* check hoses and belts * and other issues that may arize. Don't delay... call today to set your car's winterizing at 763-241-8682 and get it on your calendar! This is a FREE community service event for single parents in the area to help make this season a little easier and brighter. I know that this is their 12th year changing oil in cars for single parents in the area and it's a joy for t... 09/28/2010

Just to preface this post... I took ALL photos of these mushrooms on my acreage in Elk River, Minnesota in the last 48 hours. For some reason we have been hit hard with mushrooms this year (2010). All varieties. All sizes. All shapes. They've been great fun to look at and I wanted to share them before the season is over. I have NO IDEA what the names are for any of the following mushrooms and I didn't post photos of all the varieties that we have growing... just my favorite ones right now. Enjoy!This is one of the unexpected's of living in the country. In the meantime... if you are looking to move into the area... I'll wait for you to call! Check out my Journey with my Chevy Traverse at Mom's Timeout TwinCitiesSelling Real Estate in Minnesota! If you are looking for professional real es... 09/27/2010

Going on a leaf hunt...Gonna find a big one...Where might it be?Up high? Down low?In the trees or on the ground?Hmmmmmm... Going on a leaf hunt...Gonna find a colorful one...Red or yellow, maybe brown?Is it flat?Is it rumpled?Hmmmmmmmm..... Going on a leaf hunt...Gonna find a special one...Will it be on the tree?Hmmmmmm....Reaching high.Reaching higher.Can you reach it for me?Yeah! I got it!   In the meantime... if you are looking to move into the area... I'll wait for you to call! Check out my Journey with my Chevy Traverse at Mom's Timeout TwinCitiesSelling Real Estate in Minnesota! If you are looking for professional real estate services I am only a ring away! I am looking forward to working with you. And, please feel free to share my name with anyone that you know who needs assista... 09/26/2010

A House For Hermit CrabBy: Eric Carle Though this book was written in 1987 it's a great tale from the ocean that has been very much fun to read to the boys and is an awesome book to add to my children's books on moving 'list.' Every family goes through growing pains and at points needs to consider moving from one home to another in effort to accomodate the changes. This is a book that I would highly recommend for families that are moving. This little crab needs to find a new home.... his old one is too small and he wants to move into something more appropriate. It's interesting to see how he searches for a larger shell and then continues on to make it his own. Not only does he make it his own, but when he outgrows his new shell he makes sure that he leaves it to a loving new owner. I th... 09/25/2010

This summer I had the privilage of buying some little white grape vines from a gentleman in Elk River that grows them! I wish that I had taken photos of his mini "orchard" hidden amongst the neigbhorhoods in town. His grapes were truly precious and inspired me to get going on this fun adventure all over again! I took my cuttings home and proceeded to plan and dream for a week on how I could make this beginnings of a vineyard in my own yard. We never despise small beginnings because you have to start somewhere. So, my first battle was where I wanted to plant my precious grapes...This took some doing. I needed them somewhere out of the way, but in the way enough that I would remember to water them. I finally decided on a place just outside our garden fence. I'm crossing my fingers and ho... 09/21/2010

  As you can see...the helicopter took the lead!My boys thought this was the besteven though we were close enough to the landing that they had to look through separated fingers in order to avoid sand getting in their eyes. We were kind of lucky to catch the landing of the helicopter as it was delayed due to and emergency call prior to our arrival. I've seen plenty of helicopters in my life, but there really was something to seeing the shadow of this machine lowering overhead and coming in for a landing. Amazing.I think that the whole crowd was as amazed and awed as my kids and I were.   I know that we were at the Elk River Fire Dept open house to see the FIRETRUCKS, but this was just way "cooler" in so many ways. Can't say that I've ever had the privilage of seeing the inside of a heli... 09/18/2010

Every year we see the sign sometime in September, and 2010 is no different!The good ol' Elk River fire department is opening their doors to the public once again. With loads of fun anticipated for guests young and old...this is one event you aren't going to want to miss. Mark the calendarfor Saturday, September 18th, 2010 and make your way to this family friendly event!!!!You can't miss the fun...it's right on Jackson.From 1-4pm there will be Fire Truck RidesPhotos with Fire DogPopcornKid's Activitiesand moreAt 7pm it's just $10.00 to sponsor the Elk River Fire Dept to get into the annual dance!This is a great way to support and learn about the Elk River Fire Deptartment and how they keep our city and homes safe from fire and destruction. We have a great force working for us and this i... 09/15/2010

There are those things in life that just make you feel like you are home.... the comforts and 'extras' that make the place you live more comfortable and friendly and peaceful and that haven that you need to have. For me one of those things is soup in the fall and winter. On those extra windy, cool and bitter dreary days. It just warms my heart all over if there is a pot of soup on the stove or waiting for me when I get home. It isn't just the 'yum' factor, but the 'feel good' factor of knowing that you are taken care of. Over the years I've tried to supplement my busy schedule with the alternative 'canned' soups, but they just don't hold the same hearty feel to them. Sure, they taste okay but it isn't the same as a good ol' pot simmering on the stove warming up the atmosphere. In the f... 09/13/2010