"Life itself is the proper binge." - Julia Child

Last night, I attended the Julia Soiree- a French dinner paying homage to all things Julia and benefiting the St. Louis Food Outreach. Chef Kelly Spencer, of The Social Affair, prepared a traditional French meal as the crowd mingled and enjoyed French wine and the Beurre (butter) Bar, featuring baguettes topped with butters infused with delicacies like gorgonzola, parsley and lemon, and a dark cocoa.

If you are unaware of the Food Outreach and the services they provide, it is the only St. Louis area organization whose SOLE mission is to provide nutritional support and enhance the quality of the life of men, women and children living with life-threatening diseases such as HIV/AIDS or Cancer. Founded in 1988, Food Outreach is proud to have served 3,500,000 meals to 10,000+ clients in its 21-year history. Over 600 volunteers and an impassioned staff of 10 full-time employees and 2 part-time employees cook, pack and distribute over 410,000 meals annually.

Food Outreach is an AMAZING local cause and it’s super easy to get involved. If willing to roll up your sleeves, there are several volunteer opportunities at the facility. In not, they also have SEVERAL phenomenal fundraisers per year like a trivia night, Tasteful Affair, and Is There a Doctor In The House. They are a wonderful time for an even better cause.

All Aboard...

The Gardenland Express, one of St. Louis’s most beloved holiday traditions, is back up and running at the Missouri Botanical Gardens through January 3, 2010. Locals who have never witnessed the Gardenland Express before often don't think of going to the MOBOT in the winter. That being said, there is an entire calender full of fun and festive winter events!

This particular flower and train show is one not to be missed...




The following price includes Regular Garden Admission

Adult admission (ages 13 and up): $13
St. Louis City / County residents: $9
Children (ages 3 to 12): $5

Garden members : Free
(Also free admission for members' children 3–12)


Dates and hours:

November 25–January 3, 2010
9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily ***

Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

***Christmas Day: Closed

Obviously, we are a match made in heaven...

... as my husband enjoys snooping around cool old abandoned farm houses as much as I do. =) This old stone farm house is located outside of Grafton, Illinois. Per the barn, it is circa 1870's. Per the look of it, it has a lot of stories to tell...

A service to be thankful for...

The big day is almost here! That being said, due to the magnitude of the meal, sometimes "stuff happens" and can overshadow the joys of the day. I know from experience... sometimes there is turkey trauma. Butterball is here to help!

Not sure what pan to use? Turkey not fully defrosted and the time is ticking? Questions about the safety of stuffing the cavity? Butterball's Turkey Talk line is open (8AM-8PM CST) and ready to answer your tough Thanksgiving turkey questions! 1.800.BUTTERBALL or 1.800.288.8372. You can also view their most frequently asked turkey questions HERE.

Been there, done that! Hopefully you don't need them, but if so... they are there to help.

Regardless, where ever you go and whatever you do this Thanksgiving weekend, have a safe and joyous holiday ... =)

163 Kendall Bluff Ct, #45 -Chesterfield

Most St. Louisans would NEVER expect to find this view in...
...Chesterfield?!

Nestled high upon the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River and smack in the middle of Parkway Central School District, the brand new Kendall Bluffs condominiums offer 2 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, a finished lower level, a 3 car garage, 10' ceilings, bay windows, and a 15X15 deck with a phenomenal view of the Missouri River!

Offered for $729,900 by Coldwell Banker Gundaker. The development's entrance is located off of Olive just east of Ladue. For more info or a showing, call my cell at 314-452-7675 or the listing office at 636-394-9300.

Weekend Happenings...

If looking for a good time for a GREAT cause this weekend, Saturday night is...

Zootini 2009 at the St. Louis Zoo

Hosted by the Young Zoo Friends in the Living World, to celebrate the Year of the Gorilla with a jungle theme... this cocktail party features live music, special Zootini-themed cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and live entertainment by CoCo Soul, Soul Alliance featuring CoCo Soul and DJ Andrew Mullins.

ATTIRE: "Upscale hip with a jungle splash" per the Zoo website.

BENEFITS: Zootini '09 helps celebrate the Year of the Gorilla, a worldwide effort by zoos and aquariums to bring attention to the current gorilla crisis. Proceeds from Zootini will benefit primates by supporting the Saint Louis Zoo's conservation efforts both at the Zoo and around the world.

ADMISSION: Ages 21-and-up only. Fee includes entrance to Zootini, (2) drink tickets and hors d'oeuvres.

• Register in advance:
  $35/Member
  $40/Non-member


• Purchase at the Door (space-permitting):
  $40/Member
  $45/Non-member

VIP: Includes valet parking, 7 p.m. pre-party with open bar and entertainment, (4) drink tickets, hors d'oeuvres and access to VIP lounge during event.

• Register in advance:
  $70/Member
  $75/Non-member


• Purchase at the Door (space-permitting):
  $75/Member
  $80/Non-member

Tickets may be purchased by phone at (314) 646-4771 or at the door until sell-out.
PARKING: Park on the North Lot and enter through The Living World.

More info HERE.

Attention Move-up buyers...

Tablescape Eye Candy...

With Thanksgiving right around the corner... ... I am keeping my eyes open for new and interesting ideas for my table this year.

95% of the time, we host Thanksgiving at our house. Both Steve and I love the day, as it's the PERFECT time to slow down, reflect, spend time together, and give thanks for friends, family, and the blessings in your life.

For me, setting an interesting table sets the stage and mood of the meal/day. I typically forgo the traditional decorating items to bring in natural elements at Thanksgiving, including leaves, pumpkins, gourds, apples, pine, pomegranates, wood, nuts, cranberries, and pine cones to emphasize the Harvest time.

Here's a peek at some of the inspirational photos that I found online. Who wouldn't LOVE to be sitting at one of these tables?! Click on the photo to be taken to the original source. Gorgeous...

Scenes from an afternoon in Brussels, Illinois...

On free days, our family often ventures out on little day trips. One of our favorite destinations is the Alton/Grafton area of Illinois to drive the Great River Road and take in the scenes and shops.

Over the weekend, we explored new territory per a recommendation of a friend (thank you, Justin). If looking for a fun adventure within an hour of St. Louis, I recommend taking the free ferry ride from Alton over to the quaint town of Brussels, Illinois...

The first known settler came to Brussels in 1822, while the town boundaries were actually created in 1876...

Brussels is known as the "village nestled between rivers", as it sits where the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers flow together. It is also the home to the Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge which is noted for its high population of bald eagles.

The town's most popular destination, however, is the Wittmond Hotel...

In 1847, Conrad Wittmond opened the Wittmond Trading Post... It continues to be the oldest continuously operated business in the village of Brussels...

These days, it is a restaurant and hotel and notoriously known for the family style lunch...

The meal starts with a relish tray just like Grandma used to make, complete with corn relish, spiced apples, apple sauce, pickled beets, rolls, orange marmalade, soup, and a homemade sausage that my husband raved over. All served in antique relish trays atop a vintage lace tablecloth...

The next course...

The grand finale was their famous Pecan Cobbler...

Needless to say, the Wittmond is NOT the place to dine if watching calories?! That being said, an interesting experience filled with guilty pleasures and a lot of history. For a family of four...

Pictures of Conrad Wittmond and his family still adorn the walls...

The kids had a somewhat difficult time concentrating on their meal, however, with this Wittmond looking on...

And this one...

The entire Wittmond Family...

The hotel's saloon is still open to patrons...

The Trading Post is still open as well, though it is more of an antique shop now...

My 10 year old checking out the antique coins and collectibles...

There is not much to Brussels, as it is a very small and rural community. The Wittmond is the main attraction, however, there are a few interesting buildings such as the Village Hall that caught our eye...

My kids particularly enjoyed the original town jail which still stands today, smack in the middle of the town. The history sheet indicates that the main purpose of the jail was to serve as a place to "sober up" the rowdy townies overnight...

It apparently held its last prisoner in the mid-1950's, at least until last weekend... =)

Fun adventure... the Nenonens will return! I highly recommend a trip to Brussels...

Dinner for a great cause...

Please consider dining or doing happy hour at your local Applebee's on Tuesday Night between 6-9. 15% of your bill goes to the Food Outreach of St. Louis. I'll be there!

All month of November, every time you donate a canned food item at one of 30 participating Applebee's, you can enter to win a party in your honor.

Click HERE to see the participating locations.

Party at "Papa D's Place"...

As I have said before on this blog, you never know what you are going to find when you pull up to a house?! It's this element of a Realtor's job that keeps it particularly fun and fresh. I was actually excited when a client emailed me this week to set an appointment to view this Chesterfield listing ...


It sits up high on a hill off of Schoettler Road across from Logan College. I pass it several times per week and have always been intrigued, as the front yard is a... ... putting green complete with 2 greens, 12 holes, a waterfall cascading into a pond, a sand trap, a bridge, a gazebo, and a wet bar!

Yes, I know. You don't see that every day?!

As we further explored the exterior, we found a once carefully planned and obviously loved party house now neglected under a pile of leaves...

Though it's difficult to tell with the amount of leaves covering the ground in my mobile uploads, the backyard boasts several multi-tiered decks, natural boulder landscaping, a gazebo, hot tub, and an outdoor shower...

Even in the Fall with the foliage off of the trees, the backyard is 100% private. I can imagine that when everything is in bloom and maintained, it could be gorgeous back here....

Apparently "Papa D" enjoyed jumping on the trampoline so much, he built it into his deck...

And yes, my client actually hopped on it and jumped, business suit and all?! Ha! Overall, the theme of this house was definitely "You don't see that every day?!"

Needless to say, it wasn't a match for my Buyer for several reasons. For the right Buyer, however, seeking a fun little wooded retreat... it could be restored to the playhouse that "Papa D" originally intended it to be.

This property sits on 1.3 wooded acres and is being offered by my company, Coldwell Banker Gundaker, for $489,000. Click HERE if you are curious to see photographs of the interior as well. Like the exterior, it is in need of TLC /updates.

A friend emailed this to me...

... and I had to share. Make sure your speakers are on. Just stunning.

America's White Table...

This display stands in the center of my kids' school in honor of Veteran's Day every year...

It gets me every time, I swear.

The display is based on this book and serves as a touching memorial to our military. Each class is read the book during the day, so the kids can grasp the significance of the display. The project brings a true understanding to young children the importance of Veteran's Day, regardless of your race, religion, or political affiliation. It also serves as an all day reminder of the significance of the day.

The table honors the men and women who served in America’s Armed Forces and every element symbolizes something different...

"We cover a small table with a white cloth to honor a soldier’s pure heart when he answers his country’s call to duty.

We place a lemon slice and grains of salt on a plate to show a captive soldier’s bitter fate and tears of families waiting for loved ones to return.

We push an empty chair to the table for the missing soldiers who are not here.

We lay a black napkin for the sorrow of captivity, and turn over a glass for the meal that won’t be eaten.

We place a white candle for peace and finally, a red rose in a vase tied with a red ribbon for the hope that all our missing will return someday. "

Happy Veteran's Day and thank you to those who risk their life to protect our freedom.

#55 Broadview Drive - Clayton...

I have always loved the Claverach Park subdivision in Clayton, as it's conveniently located near Big Bend and Clayton and is just a couple of blocks of Oak Knoll Park. This 84 year old 1.5 story stucco bungalow is currently being offered by Coldwell Banker Gundaker for $615,000. It has been on the market for 184 days. The original asking price was $800,000. It has undergone ELEVEN price reductions, and has been at the current price since 10/21. This is an amazing Buyer opportunity in one of the best public school districts in the state.

The property boasts 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, gorgeous woodwork, a private and wooded lot, a number of updates, and approved architectural plans for a 2 story expansion with a 3 car garage and new luxury Master Suite... For more information about this property or to request a showing, please email me at cdnandthecity@charter.net or call the CBG listing office at 314-993-8000.