Home Story

HOMES HOLD STORIES OF THE PAST and progress. For older homes, those stories can be mysterious. If you own a story-filled house in the Lake Minnetonka area, you may be able to discover what your home has to tell you with the help of the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society (ELMHS).

The society’s archives hold thousands of local historical records, photographs and materials of special interest to those researching building and house history in the Lake Minnetonka area. The collection also includes photos taken in 1956, 1978, 2004 and 2018 of almost every home in Excelsior. Some of these photos have been scanned and uploaded to mncollections.org, which is shared by over 40 Minnesota historical societies.

Knowledgeable volunteers are available to retrieve materials and assist with research in the archives by appointment or remotely by email or phone. Scans, photocopies and more extensive research are available for a fee.

Those passionate about historical discovery are needed to assist visitors and work with the collections in the ELMHS archive. Volunteers are needed for scanning, cataloging, data entry, filing, conducting research and more. Training is provided.

PETS Adopt a Shelter Pet

What makes a house a home? In recent years, more pets have shared our homes and our lives. We love our pets. Can they love us? I believe so. Our pets are there to greet us when we get home no matter what kind of a day we have had at work or school, instinctively knowing if we are in need of their attention.

They read our emotions and can calm and reassure us by their presence or get excited with us if something wonderful has happened. Sometimes, their action is to hop onto our lap and other times it’s sitting right next to us just being our companion. Their only agenda is to be with us and brighten our day. Their unconditional love accepts us the way we are.

A home is a place to be yourself. We enjoy the attention of our pets, and they enjoy our attention, too. April 30 is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. There are many pets that need a loving home. Please consider letting a pet into your life. What makes a house a home? It’s a place to belong and to be shared with loved ones—humans and pets.

VIEW

Happy Landing

April is here, and it is time to feather our nests— storing away winter blankets, letting fresh air fill our homes and welcoming spring days ahead. Artist Catherine Lynch paints in a loose approach with oils that bring depth and tranquility to her work. These birds peacefully return to their perch each day, and I can’t see anything better myself. Home sweet home.

Title: Perched IX

Artist: Catherine Lynch

Scale: 48x48

Medium: Oil on canvas

Hollie Blanchard is a founder and art concierge with The Art Girls. View more at artgirlsmpls.com. Art Girls Minneapolis @artgirls_mpls

CREATE Natural Color

Contributor Kate Doubler shares her process for dying eggs with onion skins, a project she did with her family. “So much fun, and honestly, some of the most beautiful eggs we have ever created,” she says.

Onion Dyed Eggs

» white eggs (You can either blow out the eggs’ whites and yolks or boil them as-is and get very hardboiled eggs out of the process.)

» red onion skins (Keep them as big as possible.)

» 2 quarts water

» 2 Tbsp. white vinegar

» rubber bands

» cheesecloth

Peel the onion, and wrap each egg in onion skin, covering the entire egg. Wrap the covered egg in cheesecloth, and carefully secure it with a rubber band. Lower the wrapped egg into boiling water. Add 2 Tbsp. of vinegar to the water. Boil for 20 minutes. Remove the eggs, and let cool completely. Unwrap, and enjoy.

Kate Doubler of Deephaven is a mom of five, a nurse and online health influencer. Find more at realfoodrn.com.