Hidden Gem: A new Eckert's in Manchester!

Hey, hey fellow West County friends...

A trip to Eckert's just got a lot easier for you!  My haul. 😊

At Manchester and 141, in the abandoned Office Depot, now sits an Eckert's seasonal pop-up market...

I apologize for the dark photos!  I stumbled up the store yesterday morning under stormy skies.  

While nothing beats a fun day trip to Eckert's mega store in Belleville or their fun farm in Millstadt, this location does carry the best of the best:  Fresh and juicy in-season peaches, fresh farm-grown veggies and fruit galore, ciders, homemade baked goods and pies, gift items, select meats and cheeses, and a selection of their lovely condiments from apple butter to salsa...

Nitty Gritty:

ST. LOUIS SEASONAL MARKET
79 NATIONALWAY SHOPPING CTR
MANCHESTER, MISSOURI  

Open 9-6 every day until late-August.


(618)233-0513

More Info: https://www.eckerts.com/st-louis-seasonal-market

→→→ See some of my other local "Hidden Gems" HERE.←←←

A weekend in Peoria, Illinois with our son and GORGEOUS historic architecture!

While visiting our oldest son at Bradley University this weekend, I developed a serious case of old house LOVE on historic Moss Avenue in Peoria, Illinois!

 I even spotted a Frank Lloyd Wright house, circa 1903!

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: September 16 - 18, 2016

Rain, rain go away... the weekend is here and it is time to PLAY!  There is a lot going on this weekend, St. Louis! If seeking fun and affordable family-friendly events, below are a handful of my local favorites happening this weekend...

Taste of St. Louis 2016
The 12th annual award-winning Taste of St. Louis is a celebration of the best food, art, music, and culture that our great city has to offer. Reel Big Fish and Jerrod Niemann play this year, while notable local chefs battle it out in high-pressure cooking competitions.   There is something for everyone at the event, as the array of activities and participants continues to grow each year. 300,000 patrons enjoyed Taste last year.


Friday, September 16 from 4:00pm - 10pm
Saturday, September 17 from 11am - 10pm
Sunday, September 18 from 11am - 7:00 pm

FREE Admission

Chesterfield Amphitheater in Central Park and Chesterfield Village

For more info:
http://tastestl.com/ or 314.534.2100

Event map and directions here: http://www.tastestl.com/map-and-rules/


44nd Annual Forest Park Balloon Glow and Race

The oldest and most well-attended free hot-air balloon event in the WORLD is this weekend! The Balloon Glow will be on Friday evening on Central Field (the site of the Race) and will be a walk through event only -- not a drive through event. The Balloon Race will take place on Central Field by the Jewel Box in Forest Park, on Saturday afternoon. The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is free, open to the public, and welcomes over 130,000 visitors every year.

September 16th and 17th 

Print/view the full 2016 program here: 
http://greatforestparkballoonrace.com/about/2016-program/

Forest Park- Central Field
5595 Grand Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63112

FREE Admission

For more info: 
http://greatforestparkballoonrace.com/  


Collinsville Italian Fest

For over 25 years, Collinsville IL has been celebrating the Italian culture and heritage that the city was built on. Dance, stomp grapes, Bocce, and "mangia bene" during their annual Italian Fest in downtown Collinsville, Illinois.  Plenty of parking is available throughout downtown Collinsville, but please note that the festival closes the streets from Morrison (IL-159) to Seminary.

September 16-17

Full weekend schedule here: http://www.italianfest.net/schedule.html 

FREE Admission

For more info:
http://www.italianfest.net/

Weekend Happenings: It's Strawberry Season, St. Louis!

Man oh man, Mother Nature is full steam ahead!

Thies Farm and Eckert's just announced that pick-your-own-strawberries is officially underway almost a month earlier than last year!   At Thies Maryland Heights location, pick-your-own is $1.50 per pound, while already-picked strawberries will be available for $2.50 per pint.  At Eckert's -Belleville, pick-your-own is $2.50/pound this year.

While I love both Eckert's and Thies Farm equally and visit BOTH regularly... Thies Farm is only 5 minutes from my office so super convenient.  If you have never been strawberry picking, the fruit straight off the vine is simply amazing.  It is a fun family adventure and delivers the best strawberries that you will ever taste, as they have never been refrigerated. 

Here is a teeny peek at our strawberry-picking adventure last year:

NITTY GRITTY:

Thies Farm (posts from our previous visits HERE):
3120 Maryland Heights Expressway
Maryland Heights, MO 63146
(314) 469-7559

http://www.thiesfarm.com/

Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm
Sunday 10am-4pm


Eckert's (posts from our previous visits HERE)
951 Green Mount Road
Belleville, IL 62220
(618) 233-0513

http://www.eckerts.com/index.htm

 8 am – 8 pm daily

Apple season is here!

A teeny peek at our annual family trek to Eckert's. This year we hit the Belleville location for Golden and Red Delicious time...


NITTY GRITTY:

Eckert's Web Site for Apple Season: http://www.eckerts.com/apple.htm

Eckert's Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/eckertfarms?ref=nf

Eckert's Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/eckertfarms

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...

Last call for apples...

We enjoyed one of the last apple picking days of the season at Eckert's- Grafton with friends...