Lots of great stuff made the list, but only a few things will be presented in our holiday gift guide 2011.

Made popular by the boys on Jersey Shore, this Italia track jacket is a must for today’s MTV teen. ($39.95, Soccer Shirts Plus)

Forget diluted whiskey and scotch.  Especially for us purchasing the good stuff.  Use these On the Rocks whiskey stones to keep your drink cool yet avoid dilution. ($20, Google Shopping)

Take pictures from anywhere with your GorillaPod.  End those awkward moments of asking others to take your picture.  Awesome tool. ($19.95, Joby)

Recently we made it out of the great state of North Dakota for a trip to Atlanta.  The one nice part about Atlanta was getting away from the cold weather.  While there, we spent tons of quality time just walking around in the brisk, but manageable February weather.  We were surprised at how lively Atlanta seemed in February.  The main reason why try to travel out of the midwest is to get our hands on some of the best culinary masterpieces in the country.  In Atlanta this meant trying Elizabeth on 37th.  It definitely did not disappoint.  We also wanted to check out some random things in ATL on the cheap.  For this we surveyed Atlanta daily deals for over a week before the trip.   We found a couple of good deals that we took advantage of.  It helped lower the cost of the trip.  Overall we say great work ATL!

As we begin to wonder when the unemployment we’re currently facing will end, we also have to examine whether or not we need fundamental restructuring of the rural economy.  North Dakota hopes that much of its future economic growth can come from natural resource expansion, particularly surrounding the Bakken Oil Fields.  However, what is left for the rest of rural North Dakota.  I have to believe the we need to expand more toward a decentralized high technology entrepreneurial society.  Our focus needs to be in bringing broadband to rural areas, while at the same time encouraging entrepreneurship and new businesses.  New businesses could appreciate the low cost of doing business in rural North Dakota, where geography/location had previously prevented development.  I would like to see our government take on this type of approach to improving employment and the business environment in the state.

Recently, I’ve been trying to find some essential home furniture by using the Ikea design inspiration website.  Seems like a worthwhile tool that offers some really nice design ideas on a budget.  I also like the idea of basing some of my thoughts on a rather cheap furniture store as opposed to somewhere that I am going to pay $8,000 for a piece.  I am not sure if everyone likes the type of style that Ikea offers, but for me it offers a good base to start my furniture shopping.  It is especially good for children’s bedrooms.

I’m not following the directions exactly, but I am going to try a rain garden this year.

As far as I can tell, a rain garden is a low spot that collects rainwater and runoff water.  The area contains plants that use the water.

Read more about the concept.

This AP article published by Minot Daily News states that North Dakotans have been spending money for things like motels, restaurant dining and other fun things…an indication that the economy here so far is doing relatively well.

State taxable sales are up 21 percent.

North Dakota, which has struggled with a declining population, has seen a turn-around.

According to this article, North Dakota has had a 3.6 percent increase in births.  It appears that several new young families have been drawn to the state by the oil boom.

Swine Flu, or the H1N1 virus reached North Dakota around Mother’s Day, according to this KX News article.  So far there have been four confirmed cases in the state. 

The North Dakota Department of Health has posted this page showing swine flu statistics and a map of where the cases have occured.

I knew that North Dakota was the first state in the nation to oust a governor, but I didn’t know that it was tried a second time.  Here is a very interesting bit of North Dakota history from 1934, from Time magazine.

Okay.  Maybe THIS is the place to go for North Dakota fun facts.

I’m sure the tourism department gets hard data for the facts it posts.  Who knew that the parking meter was invented in North Dakota?  Or that we apparently could be behind 216 billion crayons?