Peek at my Day: Spooky Curb Appeal!

When witches are cackling and black cats are seen...

 The moon laughs and whispers “Tis soon Halloween!”

Spooky home invasion at Casa de Nenonen! ☠️

When witches go riding and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers...

... “Tis near Halloween”!

Prost!

Hello, Saturday! Heaven came in the form of Oktoberfest in gorgeous Hermann, Missouri today... 

Peek at my morning...

Hello, October!

Halloween Curb Appeal

Seeking a way to amp up your spooky curb appeal, Homeowners? 

Scare the “boo crew” that lands on your front porch with a little DIY Halloween front door magic!  Little touches make MAJOR impact in this quick project.  Happy Haunting!

Goodbye Petunias, Hello Pumpkins!

More Fall fun in Casa de Nenonen...

...in the spirit of Autumn. 🍂

Peek At My Morning: It is getting spooky, St. Louis!

October, hands down, is the most entertaining month of the year to be a Realtor! Period.  Here is a teeny peek at my spooktacular morning in Des Peres 👻... 

Hello, October!

"In the entire circle of the year, there are no days so delightful as those of a fine October."

~Alexander Smith

Boo at the Zoo is back TODAY, St. Louis!

Haunted Hallow, Sinister Swamp, and Master Weaver's Giant Spider Web...

I swear, I adore the St. Louis Zoo! Sport your costume and explore the Zoo after dark during the special Halloween evenings: Boo at the Zoo Nights! This non-scary, child-friendly Halloween experience is filled with laughs and adventure. Wander the park at night, hear silly stories by the campfire, enjoy live music, and more.

While all children under the age of 12 will receive a small treat bag upon exiting, Boo at the Zoo Nights is not a trick-or-treating experience. This event is the perfect way to enjoy the Halloween season without the scare or sugar-overload!

NITTY GRITTY:
Nightly, October 18-30, 2016
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

$6/member; $7/non-member; children under 2 are free
$1 discount for children 2 to 12 in costume

Parking is free - details on the website.

MORE INFO:
http://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/booatthezoonights/

Just For Fun: Halloween Light Show near Lindenwood Park

Locals- has anyone visited #6632 Bancroft Ave. in South City during the month of October?  Imagine being 8 years old again and walking up to this house to trick-or-treat...


YIKES!

Their incredibly impressive (and terrifying) Halloween light show is viral on YouTube. This is last year's show. Apparently, the lights run nightly during Halloween week and the Homeowner has yet to post what 2016 has in store. NOTE: The house is a stone's throw from Ted Drewes, so celebrate the scare with a pumpkin concrete.  The perfect October evening with the family, right?

If interested, see the Homeowner's past displays HERE.

Autumn Curb Appeal in St. Louis...

One of my absolute favorite aspects of having a Buyer-heavy Fall season is enjoying neighborhood autumnal sights! While many homes take the SPOOKtacular approach to October, other local Homeowners stick to the basics and keep it classic.  

How lovely are these porches that I encountered this week... 

Often times, less is more and the most simple changes pack the biggest visual punch! If you don't like to decorate-to-the-max, consider small seasonal changes to amp up your Fall curb appeal: a fresh autumn wreath, dress up your current established topiaries, yank your summer-tired urn plantings in lieu of a simple pumpkin, or replace your flower bed annuals with mums.  

Just for Fun: Hello October!

Things have gotten spooky in Casa de Nenonen this week!

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: October 16- 18, 2015

Boo at the Zoo Nights

Nightly, October 16-30, 2015
5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Explore the Zoo after dark during the special Halloween evenings: Boo at the Zoo Nights! This non-scary, kid-friendly Halloween experience is filled with laughs and adventure. Children are encouraged to wear costumes. Children 12-and-under will receive a treat bag upon exiting. Boo at the Zoo Nights is not a trick-or-treating experience.

$6/member; $7/non-member; children under 2 are free 
$1 discount for children 2 to 12 in costume

Parking is free - details on the website.

More info:  http://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/booatthezoonights/

9th Annual Harvest Festival at Laumeier Sculpture Park
Sunday October 18
11am-5pm

Hosted by Sauce Magazine and Laumeier Sculpture Park, the 2015 Harvest Festival celebrates the best Autumn has to offer: delicious eats from St. Louis area restaurants, a farmers’ market featuring fresh local produce, arts and craft wares, family activities, live Bluegrass music and all of Fall’s splendor in Laumeier’s beautiful outdoor setting.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for Laumeier Members, and children ages 10 and under free. Buy tickets at the door or online

Laumeier Sculpture Park
12580 Rott Road
St. Louis, MO 63127

More info:  http://harvestfeststl.com/


The Great Schlafly Pumpkin Festival
Saturday, October 17
12:00pm - 7:00pm

Calling all beer lovers!  Think county fair meets pig roast meets a trip to the pumpkin patch as Schlafly kicks off the Fall season and the return of their popular seasonal Pumpkin Ale.Complete with live music, local vendor booths, family-activities, amazing cuisine, and tastinsg of unique ciders and harvest-time beers... a great time is guaranteed.

Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood
7260 Southwest Avenue

More info: 
http://schlafly.com/events/calendar/2015/10/17/schlafly-great-pumpkin-festival/

Welcome October!

Our fresh front porch pumpkin topiary at Casa de Nenonen...

 ...is accented by brand new blooms on the hydrangea. 

Hello October. Only in St. Louis.

Just For Fun: The 2014 Trulia Housing "Scare Report"

This Fall, Trulia surveyed over 2,000 prospective buyers about what SCARES them during their October house hunt. Their findings!  Would you buy a house near a cemetery?

October Pinterest Fun

"Eat, drink, and be scary."

~Author Unknown

Halloween falls on a FRIDAY this year, so you better have a full "treat" bowl ready! Need a last minute costume idea or recipe? Check out my spooky October Pinsperation HERE!

St. Louis Weekend Happening: October 24-26

Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival 

October 25-26, 2014
10am-5pm

This festival is one NOT to miss!  In fact, Steve and I have taken the boys to this annual fall festival since they were babies.   Drawing almost 100,000 people per year and less than 30 minutes from St. Louis, escape to Kimmswick for casual day of Fall fun, including crafts, holiday shopping, pumpkin carving, live entertainment, food, drink, and more.

In addition, watch the Kimmswick Historical Society make fresh apple butter in front of your eyes and purchase a fresh jar.

Festival is FREE, though parking is $5.00


WEB: http://www.missourimarketplace.net/applebutterfestival.html 
FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/applebutterfestival 

Halloween in the Central West End 

October 25, 2014
11am-12am

Set in the vibrant cosmopolitan Central West End with a backdrop of tree-lined streets and stately turn of the century mansions, the annual CWE Halloween is the can’t miss celebration of the season. Festivities kick-off with family fun daytime activities and as the sun sets, the party continues with an adults only bash…the Adult Costume Contest and Party-legendary for its elaborate, complex and outrageous costumes.

CWE Halloween is open to the public and free to attend. Adults interested in participating in the Adult Costume Contest are required to pay a nominal entry fee

WEB:  http://www.thecwe.org/events/halloween-in-the-cwe-2/

Oktoberfest in Hermann 

October 25-26, 2014
Times and activities vary

Less than an hour from St. Louis, Hermann celebrates its German heritage with four weekends of German music, dancing and food, all set against a backdrop of glorious fall color. This is your last weekend to enjoy the fun!

HERE is the full weekend calender!

Lemp Mansion Halloween Bash

October 25, 2014
8pm-12:30am

The Lemp Mansion, one of the most haunted mansions in the country, is home to St. Louis’s favorite Halloween party. This is the place for people who like their Halloween as spooky and macabre as possible. Dress up in your most creative costume and mix with Lemp’s authentic ghosts and poltergeists for a rowdy bash filled with food, music and tasty adult beverages. The $55 admission price includes multiple buffets spread throughout the rooms of the house, live music by several top local bands, an open bar and costume contests with cash prizes.

$60/Advance; $65/ at Door
Reservations Required, 314-664-8024

3322 Demenil Place
St. Louis, MO 63118
(314) 664-8024

WEB:  http://www.lempmansion.com/bash.htm

St. Louis Weekend Happenings: October 3 - 5

The weekend forecast is amazing, St. Louis! Grab the family and enjoy one of the many family-friendly events going on in the Metro.

Food Truck Friday sponsored by Sauce Magazine

This is your last opportunity to enjoy the 4th season of Food Truck Friday in Tower Grove Park with music by Miss Jubilee. 

Friday, October 3 from 3:30 to 7

Tower Grove Park
4256 Magnolia Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63110

Truck lineup and more info can be found HERE.

Oktoberfest at Union Station

Munich on the Mississippi!  Oktoberfest at Union Station offers two stages featuring live performances showcasing German culture throughout the day and night. The main stage features live music by the likes of 20-piece Deutschmeister Brass Band and Uber Cool. While the German Cultural stage hosts live displays of various facets of Germany's rich culture like Dance Troupes, contests, choral performances, and more.

October 3, 2014 from 3pm -11pm
October 4, 2014 from 11am-11pm

1820 Market Street

Ticket and event information HERE.

Taste of Benton Park

Come enjoy the best of Benton Park at this street festival including music from Scandaleros and Jake's Leg and cuisine from Benton Park's finest, including Frazer's, Sidney Street Cafe, Jax Cafe, Blues City Deli, Mud House, Luvy Duvy's, Spare No Rib, Melt, Yemanja Brasil, Ernesto's, Peacemaker's, Choice, Capitalist Pig, Benton Park Cafe

October 4, 2014 from 10am - 6pm

S Jefferson Ave at Arsenal St
Saint Louis, MO 63104

More information HERE.

Grovefest 2014

The 9th annual Grovefest features a multitude of different street vendors, live music and all-around entertainment. Sponsor Urban Chestnut is also unveiling a special brew for the occasion, so make sure you start your October right with one of the biggest STL events of the year.

October 4, 2014 from 2pm-10pm

In the Grove Neighborhood on Manchester

More information HERE.

31st Annual Belleville Chili Cookoff

In Belleville, Illinois- just 20 minutes from the Arch- there will be more than 60 vendors selling various types of chili, desserts, kabobs, treats, and more! The live entertainment will consist of Smash Band, Permanent Groove, and Rat Rod Kings. On Saturday, there will be a Chili Chase 5K Run/ Walk and the 8th Annual Jr. Idol, singing contest.

October 4, 2014 from 11am - 10pm

More information HERE.

Welcome October...

Just for fun- A spooky scene ushers in October this morning at Casa de Nenonen, thanks to a little help from my boys!  Welcome October.

Halloween Recipe: Frightful Witch Finger Cookies

I agreed to bake 4 dozen Fall cookies for an event tomorrow. As tomorrow is the first day of October, I opted for several spooky recipes to help welcome the season. I have attached the recipe for one of my favorites, as it's the perfect recipe to pull the kids into the kitchen and the result is always a SCREAM...

Frightful Witch Finger Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2¾ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup almond slices
1 tube red decorating icing
1 tube green food coloring

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325°.

Beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla. Slowly beat in the flour, baking powder and salt. Add drops of green food coloring to dough until you achieve a nice deep green color. Divide the dough into four equal parts, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Take one quarter of the dough at a time from the refrigerator. Break off one heaping teaspoonful and roll it into a finger shape the diameter of a thin Crayola marker (they expand a lot in the oven).  Squeeze in around the middle of the finger to create a knuckle shape. Then, using a butter knife, make indents in several places to resemble a finger. Repeat with rest of dough.

Place cookies on a lightly greased baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes. Let cool.

Squeeze red decorating gel or icing onto the tip of each finger and gently press an almond sliver on top so the icing oozes out from underneath. Can serve once the icing sets!

"Pin it" here:  http://www.pinterest.com/pin/33214115977083099/