Fun in the Sun

It's getting hot in Minnesota, over the weekend we had temperatures in the 90's! With all this hot weather I can't wait for pools and beaches to open. Check out all these pool toys, they'll be perfect this summer.

Memorial Day Savings!

This weekend only get $10 off $75, $20 off $100 or $30 off $150 at heartlandamerica.com. Click through this link to receive your discount today!! And have a Happy Memorial Day!

Down by the lake

This Sunday I will be heading to the beach with some friends and family to celebrate Memorial Day. In Minnesota, it's the kick off of summer and it's always nice to spend time with the ones closest to me.

The weatherman says its going to be a beautiful day. 84 degrees and lots of sunshine. We usually reserve a spot close to the water where we can set up our umbrellas and lawn chairs. The kids in the family swim in the water and play in the sand. My uncle Leon even brings his metal detector to see if he can find any treasure on the beach.

While the kids are playing, the adults grill plenty of burgers and hotdogs for everyone. Eventually we start a big game of volleyball, bringing out our family's competitive side. It's hysterical watching everyone old and young do their best to win the game.

As the night comes to a close I look back at all the fun we had and can't wait to do it all again next year.

Top 10 Gifts for Graduates!

The end of the school year is approaching and soon there will be graduation parties galore. Here's our top 10 list for the class of 2012.

1. HP Photosmart Printer

2. 14 Inch Neoprene Laptop Sleeve

  

3. Lingo 5-Language Translator

4. Dell 1.4GHz with DVD Player

5. 7 Inch Color E-Reader

6. Solarex Sun Lamp

7. Speaking Spanish-English Dictionary

8. Jaxx Pillow Sac

9. Earthstone Executive Chair

10. 9 Inch Dish Heater

Patio Party

This weekend is Memorial Day and I'm hosting a patio party. Just a few friends and family enjoying the weather on my patio, grilling some steaks and having a good time. It's one of my favorite things to do when it's nice out.

I bought about 10 steaks, some potatoes and sweet corn to grill, I just need to make sure I have enough propane in my tank to grill everything. I have this nifty Propane Gas Meter that tells me when I'm running low. It attaches right to the tank and indicates when it's low, I hate getting all prepared to grill and have people over and then realizing you've ran out of propane.

I also cant enjoy myself when the sun is beating down, making it uncomfortable to sit outside. I got this Solmar Umbrella that attaches directly to my patio table, blocking me and my guests from the scorching sun.

And an unfortunate thing about living in Minnesota is the awful mosquito. It seems like no matter how much bug spray you have on they do not go away. I've tried everything, and the only thing that really helps is my Mini Mosquito Patio Trap, the chemical free trap uses UV and carbon dioxide technologies to draw in mosquito's.

Once night falls and the mosquito's are taken care of we enjoy ourselves with a few cocktails, I keep my patio lit with these beautiful Vintage LED Lanterns. They have 12 super bright LED bulbs that last for up to 100,000 hours, it's truly amazing. Plus the vintage look is just so unique.

As my guests start to leave and I start to clean everything up, I always make sure that my grill is covered for the night. In case rain, hail or high winds, I want to keep it protected. My Cart-Style Grill Cover is weather resistant and highly durable.

My advice to you this holiday weekend is to be prepared when you're hosting, think of everything to make your guests comfortable. But most of all just have a Happy Memorial Day!

Fun things to do with mom

Mother's Day is Sunday and I have a great day planned with my mom. That got me to thinking, what does everyone else do with their mom on Mother's Day? There's so many exciting things to do around Minnesota, especially considering it's fishing opener and it's supposed to be beautiful outside.

I'm taking my mom to the Twins game. She's never been to Target Field and I can't wait to see her reaction, the stadium is just amazing. Since our seats are far away I'm bring my binoculars just to make sure mom gets to see Joe Mauer close up. It's supposed to be 70 degrees and sunny so I'm making sure we have our hats on and I have my sunglasses. I can't wait, hopefully the Twins can pull out a win.

My friend is going fishing with her mom. They're renting a pontoon for the day and just enjoying the weather. I told her to make sure she brings some good tackle because with all those boats on the lake I'm not sure how much fish she's going to catch.

My husbands mom works on Mother's Day, unfortunately, but all she wanted from him was to make sure her yard was looking nice when she got home. So he got some grass seed  and good sprinkler, he's just going to mow the lawn, they the seed and water the grass to make sure it's nice and fresh by the time she gets home.  

You don't need to do a whole lot with your mom on Mother's Day to make sure she knows she's appreciated. Take a walk with her, cook her some dinner, or just give her a nice piece of jewelry that she'll love. A little gift goes along way.

Happy Mother's Day from Heartland America to you!

Happy National Teachers Day!

 According to payscale.com, the average income for a teacher in the US is around $40,000/year.

And when you think of people in your life, other than your parents, who have encouraged you, pushed you to do better and help you become who you are, you think of your teachers.

So don't you want to show them they're appreciated?

I remember when I was back in school, National Teacher's Day wasn't even recognized. And unless my mom told me to bring a gift for my teacher, I would have never remembered. Some kids in my classes always remembered, and they'd give the teacher a typical gift... pens, pencils, even apples.

Spending a decent amount of money on your favorite teacher isn't unheard of. And maybe you don't have children who have teachers and you yourself don't have a teacher, but a friend or a family member of yours is a teacher. Make sure they know you don't take their work for granted.

Give the teacher in your life what they really want for National Teacher's Day...

Ipad Neoprene Sleeve $29.99

World's Greatest Teacher Statue $14.99

Mr. Coffee 12 Cup Coffee Maker $29.99

 

Boss 7 Inch Tablet $129.99

 Speaking Spanish/English Dictionary $49.99

DIY

This time of year it seems like everyone's fixing up their house and doing what they can to save money by doing it themselves. Heartland America has all the essentials tools to do-it-yourself. 

Here are the Top 10 DIY items on our list.

115 Piece Drill Bit Set

21.6V Cordless Drill Kit

174 Piece Driver & Bit Set with Cordless Drill

 

2 Piece Gravity Fed Spray Gun Kit

  SAE/Metric Dog Bone Wrench

 MXZ Pocket Saw & Wrench Kit

 160 Amp Arc Welder

 Roadmate S-Toe Boot

 10 Inch Miter Saw

20 Piece Stubby Wrench Set

Fishing for the Big One

If you come to Minnesota on May 12th you'll see boats on lakes, people on docks, and every bait store around will be packed with fishermen. It marks the day where fishermen can hunt for almost every kind of fish in our lakes. So while some of us are thinking about what to get mom for Mother's Day, a lot of us are wondering where to fish and what to bring with to make sure we get the big one.

If you're running from lake to lake, dock to dock this Pocket Fisherman is the perfect contraption.

 

Without the proper tackle, the fish will not bite.

If you're better at swamp or river fishing, you must get a good pair of waders.

Dry feet = a good comfortable day fishing.

While you're sitting in the sun all day, make sure you protect your eyes.

Those mornings fishing are awfully chilly, keep warm with a nice flannel shirt.