It’s summer time once again, which means it’s time to enjoy the fresh air and sun. Looking for a great outdoor activity to experience with family and friends? Kari Logan, C.E.L.’s Media Specialist, has the perfect answer: Bring the garden to the table!

Entertain loved ones and enjoy summer by hosting a homegrown garden party. This past Saturday Kari was on the local NBC affiliate KARE 11 and featured items from the General Store of Minnetonka. The creative items included patio lights, decorative napkins, lighted tree branches, shatter proof wine glasses, a fire pot, ant salt and pepper shakers, and a shish kabob style “FireWire” for grillin. What about the non-breakable plates? Well, let’s just say that host Belinda Jensen was determined to make them live up to their name!

Kari also showed some tasty summer treats – including roasted vegetables and herbs and an organic chocolate cake – from the Country Cake Cupboard & Café located in Long Lake, MN. Other featured items included a cold veggie pizza from the deli at Fresh Season’s Market in Minnetonka and potted plants and herbs from Otten Brothers Nursery in Long Lake.

“It was a pleasure to introduce KARE 11 viewers to products from The General Store of Minnetonka, Otten Brothers Nursery, Country Cake Cupboard and Café and Fresh Seasons Market,” said Kari. “As the ‘entertaining maven’ on KARE 11 News Saturday, I connected the garden with the table to create a homegrown garden party. From plants to food to patio décor, the businesses I featured have it all and they dish it up with impeccable customer service. As a company passionately committed to the betterment of business, family and the community, it is rewarding to bring great people and products together to create entertaining ideas for families and friends.”

Now that you’ve heard from Kari, how can you bring your favorite recipes from the garden to the table in your backyard?

Twin Cities media maven Kevyn Burger appeared on Fox 9’s The Morning Buzz on February 10th. She encouraged viewers to create a Valentine’s Day treasure hunt for their kids and featured great treasures from The General Store of Minnetonka as the reward at the end of the hunt. They have everything from retro toys to dresses for American Girl dolls to heart shaped cookies and fudge in their Café.

Valentine’s Day was big at my house growing up. My mom baked a heart shaped cake every year and I got to frost it and put sprinkles on the top. My sister and I always got a fun present like pink or red socks with hearts on them and of course, a famous Brach’s candy box.

It’s good to poor romance into Valentine’s Day, but it’s also nice to spend time showing your kids you love them. My Valentine’s Day memories from growing up are vivid in my mind and I have created those same memories for my daughter. Now a freshman in college, I had to put Valentine’s Day in a box this year and mail it to her. Hard to send the heart-shaped cake, so heart shaped cookies headed to Loyola University with of course, frosting and sprinkles! Next year I’ll stop at The General Store of Minnetonka on my way to the mailbox!

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Kari Logan