Thursday, August 4, 2011
Video Post: Axiom @ the Toast & Taste
Our entire Axiom team enjoyed the Toast & Taste at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum last night. Andrea loved it so much, she's sharing her favorites on today's Daily Axioms video post.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Beat the Heat (Online)
By @DaveSniadak
Here in Minnesota, it's been hot...really hot. In fact, we just wrapped up the 5th hottest July since the state began official record-keeping in 1873 (though some records date back to 1820). According to the NOAA, high temperatures at the Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport averaged 87.7 degrees for July; 10 days in the month were above 90 degrees; 25 days of 85+ in July alone. If you like it hot, we certainly dished out some sizzling helpings of Minnesota Nice.
However, not everyone appreciates the heat and humidity. Who is the most at risk? To paraphrase my favorite local weatherman: "The very young, very old and very furry".
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that more than 1,500 die from heat related causes in the United States every year. As Eli Jacks says in this post: "Heat can be a silent killer. It's a dangerous weather condition for which people should prepare."
2 great digital resources I have found that help me plan for the heat:
Of course, a few offline items that certainly help...water, sprinklers, pools, A/C, chilled beverages...and just common sense. As Minnesotans, we try not to complain about the heat, but when it's this hot, it's easy to forget that we live where we live. After all, 95 degrees with 90% humidity isn't too bad when you think about the alternative.
Here in Minnesota, it's been hot...really hot. In fact, we just wrapped up the 5th hottest July since the state began official record-keeping in 1873 (though some records date back to 1820). According to the NOAA, high temperatures at the Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport averaged 87.7 degrees for July; 10 days in the month were above 90 degrees; 25 days of 85+ in July alone. If you like it hot, we certainly dished out some sizzling helpings of Minnesota Nice.
However, not everyone appreciates the heat and humidity. Who is the most at risk? To paraphrase my favorite local weatherman: "The very young, very old and very furry".
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says that more than 1,500 die from heat related causes in the United States every year. As Eli Jacks says in this post: "Heat can be a silent killer. It's a dangerous weather condition for which people should prepare."
2 great digital resources I have found that help me plan for the heat:
- Fox 9 Weather App for Smart Phones - One of our local TV stations issued this free app for smart phones that offers up real-time radar, forecasts and weather warnings. Customize it to your city and know when weather is about to strike, anywhere you are.
- Wunderground.com - The Weather Underground website pulls info from nearly 2,000 weather stations across the country to deliver the latest weather info to your computer. Reliable and not cluttered with a ton of advertisements, this site gives you the data you need.
Of course, a few offline items that certainly help...water, sprinklers, pools, A/C, chilled beverages...and just common sense. As Minnesotans, we try not to complain about the heat, but when it's this hot, it's easy to forget that we live where we live. After all, 95 degrees with 90% humidity isn't too bad when you think about the alternative.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Axiom @ Toast and Taste
By Andrea
Every now and then the Axiom Team likes to let loose, have some fun and take the show on the road! Last night we got the crew out of the office and over to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for Toast & Taste in the Gardens.
It was an evening of luscious food from some of the top Twin Cities restaurants and sips of wine and beer from Minnesota and Wisconsin makers all set in the colorful and peaceful gardens of the Arboretum.
3 Toast and Tastes we are still talking about:
Birchwood Cafe: Chocolate Brownie! We loved the rich chocolate flavor in a perfect little bite to satisfy the chocolate craving.
Crave: Served up a mouth watering burger with Limousin beef, melted pepperjack cheese topped with BBQ pulled pork. Oh yea, a lot of meat and a lot of goodness!
Lift Bridge Brewing: Biscotti, a flavorful Belgian style ale, with just the right amount of bite.
Where will the Axiom team show up next....we'll just have to wait and see.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Garden Fling Takes Seattle By Storm
The following is a guest post from our own Shelly Gustafson, one of our gardening experts who recently attended a garden blog conference in Seattle.
This past weekend I had the immense pleasure to meet up in Seattle with a group of about 70 of the top garden bloggers from across North America (and a few from the UK!) at the annual Garden Bloggers Fling.
While "The Emerald City" has been having an interesting summer weather-wise, the sun decided to make an appearance just in time for our arrival. However, it was back to the usual on Monday with a strong downpour taking over – but even that couldn’t lesson our enjoyment of the beautiful Bloedel Reserve.
The agenda centered on visiting Seattle’s most famous public gardens (and some private ones too). Highlights included the breathtaking Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, The Dunn Gardens and the amazing Miller Horticultural Library. We also hit up some of the best garden stores and garden centers in the area including Ravenna Gardens in the U-District and Dragonfly Farms on Bainbridge Island.
The private gardens were amazing in their diversity featuring everything from a gravel garden to an “Urban Hillbilly Chic” concept that featured an abundance of handmade garden art.
All in all, it was a fun trip and a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Seattle’s best gardens with a group that was sure to appreciate their unique beauty.
Check out Shelly’s blog 29minutegardener.com (Urban Gardener) for more details on the trip and check out our Facebook Page for Shelly’s Photos and see the post on how renowned photographer David Perry’s tips improved her photographs!
This past weekend I had the immense pleasure to meet up in Seattle with a group of about 70 of the top garden bloggers from across North America (and a few from the UK!) at the annual Garden Bloggers Fling.
While "The Emerald City" has been having an interesting summer weather-wise, the sun decided to make an appearance just in time for our arrival. However, it was back to the usual on Monday with a strong downpour taking over – but even that couldn’t lesson our enjoyment of the beautiful Bloedel Reserve.
The agenda centered on visiting Seattle’s most famous public gardens (and some private ones too). Highlights included the breathtaking Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island, The Dunn Gardens and the amazing Miller Horticultural Library. We also hit up some of the best garden stores and garden centers in the area including Ravenna Gardens in the U-District and Dragonfly Farms on Bainbridge Island.
The private gardens were amazing in their diversity featuring everything from a gravel garden to an “Urban Hillbilly Chic” concept that featured an abundance of handmade garden art.
All in all, it was a fun trip and a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Seattle’s best gardens with a group that was sure to appreciate their unique beauty.
Check out Shelly’s blog 29minutegardener.com (Urban Gardener) for more details on the trip and check out our Facebook Page for Shelly’s Photos and see the post on how renowned photographer David Perry’s tips improved her photographs!
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