A teeny glimpse at Christmas morning...

When you living room is trashed and your heart is full... 

 ...it was the merriest of days! After college quarantine and several virus tests, we were blessed to have our little foursome safely under one roof this year. "All I want for Christmas is you", indeed.  So thankful!  Happy Holidays, friends.🎄❤️

Nenonen Project Time: Geometric Accent Wall

We have always allowed our boys creative-control of their own bedrooms, and our youngest has been busy this week. 

Give a teenage boy quarantine orders, creative freedom, and three weeks to kill before he leaves for college and what do you get? 

A fun bedroom makeover! I love the funky freestyle geometric wall design that Reed created. He was going for visually-interesting without being too loud.  I think he nailed it and managed powerful visual impact without the commitment of wallpaper or bold colors.  Now on to final touch-ups, new baseboards, area rug, and furnishings✨

Base Color:  "Simply White" (OC- 117) by Benjamin Moore
Top Color:    "On The Rocks" (SW-7671) by Sherwin Williams

While the bulk of our ongoing home projects can be found on my Instagram (in stories and highlights), see a few of our other Casa de Nenonen projects HERE.

Teeny glimpse at Father's Day...

I was speaking about my favorite “fathering” photo of Steve this morning, and then I looked over to see this...

Same 2, 18 years later, twinning. The fact is, boys love their mom, but they learn how to be a man from their dad. The best of what my boys have to offer the world, from their goofy sense of humor and giving nature to their infectious optimism, is a nod to my sweet hubby. 

Happy Father’s Day, Steve... you truly are the best of the best. I am blessed, the boys are blessed, thank you for all that you do. ❤️

In addition, to say that I have had the opportunity to work with phenomenal men, devoted husbands, and dedicated fathers via my clients is a total understatement. To each and every one of you, please have the amazing day that you deserve! Happy Father's Day, friends.

Under Contract and Goodbye High School!

Nothing says "Happy Friday" in Nenonen Quarantine like this...

and this...

An accepted contract on gorgeous Spyglass and my baby completed his last day of high school!  Whew, what a week!  I think it is safe to say that Spring 2020 has been an emotional rollercoaster for all, but in the wild ride, today was a definite peak!  As Reed is my real estate baby, it is all too appropriate?!  Ha ha.

A warm congratulations and thank you to the fabulous N duo for their friendship, business, and trust.  I look forward to your closing in a few short weeks.  Per my baby, my Reed, I am so proud of you.  While COVID-19 has robbed you of the typical graduation experience, it doesn't take from your incredible accomplishments.

I have been doing Back to School updates here on the blog for years.  I look forward to my post next August, as you venture off to Drake in Des Moines, Iowa!

Full heart, a terrific day.💓

Tuning in from Columbia...

I have admittedly been a little MIA this week, busy being a proud mama in Columbia...

Our youngest finished his Senior year wrestling season at the epic 2020 Missouri State Wrestling Championship after he qualified to compete among the best in Missouri. Exciting week, and the absolute COOLEST way to end his high school wrestling career. Bittersweet moment for his proud mom.❤️

18 Wonderful Years...

Fun fact: When my youngest blows out his candle each year...

...so does my real estate license! I passed the Missouri Realtors test while he was in utero, as with his arrival, we were outgrowing our starter home.  18 amazing years. ❤️

PS: thank you to Nathaniel Reid Bakery for such a delectable birthday celebration!

Fall Lawn Care "Do's and Don'ts" for the Midwest

Now that Fall is officially here, it's time to pay special attention outside to get your yard prepped for Winter. One of the most difficult aspects of being a novice home gardener is learning the rules of the what and when, as one little mistake can result in the loss of plants.  We have learned a lot from trial and error over 23 years of home ownership, which I have shared here on the blog from time to time.

As things get a tad more spooky around here, and we shift our own focus outside this week at Casa de Nenonen, I figured it is a great time to share my do's and don'ts for Fall. Let's face it, this is a busy time of year and daylight time is limited with the shorter days.  Focus your energy on what you can and should do now, and leave the Fall "don'ts" for when the warm weather returns to the Midwest.
.
Do's

Do aerate, fertilize, and seed your lawn.
As temperatures drop, grasses put their energy into developing roots. If you only aerate, fertilize, and seed your lawn ONCE during the year, Autumn is the time to do it in the

Midwest! It is your best shot at a lush yard throughout the rest of the year.

Steve and I actually hire a lawn service for our Fall care and it is WELL worth the money spent, approximately $175 for their Fall package. If you have bare patches in your lawn from dog play, as WE do, this is also a terrific time to request they overseed.
Tip: Learn from our mistake- it is easy to burn your lawn with fertilizer so apply with caution.

Do divide perennials.
It'a time to divide your perennials, particularly if they've become so crowded that they bloom less. This is also a fantastic time to split a large clump into smaller clumps to plant elsewhere. Generally, in Fall you can divide perennials that bloom in Spring or early Summer.

Do mow like crazy
Leaving leaves on the grass over winter can actually hinder Spring growth. Keep the lawn as clean as possible before the 1st snow. That is what teenagers are fabulous for, at least in our house where they appreciate a little more spending money. 

Do corrective pruning.
After the leaves fall from trees and bushes, branches that are broken or scrape against the house are easier to spot and get to. Make the cut where they meet a larger branch or the trunk. Reminder not to leave a stub, as it won't heal and leaves the plant vulnerable to disease.

Do plant.
Fall is the only time to plant spring-flowering bulbs! Sink the tulips, daffodils, and crocus NOW. You can plant bulbs until the ground is too frozen to dig. Fall is also a solid time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses. Although you can plant them until the ground is frozen, their chances for survival improve if you plant in early fall, giving them more time to develop roots. Remember to water generously if we don't have a rainy Fall.

Do control weeds.
Perennial lawn weeds such as dandelions and violets get their second wind once the weather cools and ironically are most susceptible to attack during this time. In our current house, we have been successful in keeping weeds at bay but fought a continuous violet infestation at our last house. Wage war NOW! If you pay special attention to your weeds in the Fall, they will be less of a burden in the Spring.

Do protect from deer
Got deer? Particularly if you live West of I-270 in St. Louis, I guarantee that you have had a tree trunk annihilated by the Fall scraping of the antlers. Bucks do this seasonally every year- we know this. Buy corrugated tubes and protect your young tree trunks. Just do it.

Don'ts

Don't shear spring flowering shrubs.
Shaping or lopping off length of Spring-flowering shrubs during the Fall removes the buds

that produce next year's flowers. YOU WILL REGRET THIS MISTAKE COME SPRING, I ASSURE YOU FROM EXPERIENCE. If you must control their size, cut off the longest branches at their base - you'll make them more compact and still enjoy flowers next spring.

Don't fertilize trees and shrubs.
Fertilizing stimulates tender new growth that won't have time to toughen up before winter. If your woody plants need fertilizer, wait until the Spring.

Don't cut back ornamental grasses and attractive perennials.
Wait until Spring growth starts before cutting back ornamental grasses and perennials that look decent in winter. Not only do they give you a little something to look at during the cold months, but their stems trap leaves and snow around the base of the plant, which protects the roots from freezing.

Mom Moment, Back to School.

I blinked and the next thing I know...

...my youngest is a Senior. ❤️

*sigh*

Snuck away to Innsbrook...

The final "back to school" countdown has started here in Casa de Nenonen, as our oldest prepares for his Junior year in college and our youngest ventures in to his Senior year in high school.  As a final "shebang", we slipped out in to the wilderness for a few days where the WiFi was spotty, but the memories were plentiful!   

A teeny-tiny peek at the fun...

The Chicago Skyline by boat...

Excuse me while my Realtor heart pitter-patters❤️...

After a day of touring Loyola University and DePaul University with our youngest, we took a spectacular sunset architectural boat tour of Chicago. The only thing better than the cityscape by foot, is by water!

If in Chicago, I HIGHLY recommend an evening tour of the city with Seadog Cruises.  It was not only informative, but a lovely ride on Lake Michigan and the Chicago River!

On a personal note, I feel like we just finished this emotional process with my oldest.  I can't believe that my baby's turn is up...

Sigh. 

Here he is. 17, at the fabulous Chicago Shedd Aquarium, 6 weeks from his Senior year.

A Realtor's perspective on college tours...

Our baby will be a Senior this coming school year, so we are in the midst of crazy "College Tour Summer".  Today we toured the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS.  Gotta love the dichotomy of the professor curb appeal, versus the student...

Oh dear.  College.

😳🙄🤣

That's a winner at the Enterprise Center... Let's Go Blues!

Look closely and you will catch the Nenonen Boys singing "Gloria" at the watch party! Ha ha.

Just For Fun: College Lease Funnyism

When your mom is a Realtor and asks to review the very 1st lease that you are about the sign... 

It is pretty safe to say that I don’t see THIS clause every day in my normal daily St. Louis real estate adventures?! 😳 It gave me a chuckle, I had to share.  Oh to be 20 again...

Back to school, 'tis the season!

If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you know that it has been hustle bustle, back to school week around here!  A welcomed return to routine and the slower pace of Fall, even though I will miss these faces.

Hello, Junior year in high school...

 Hello, Sophomore year in college...

The only one not-so-thrilled about this return to normalcy?

Needless to say, Miss Willow adores her gratuitous time with her boys.  So sad, isn't it? 💔

A long weekend in Innsbrook...

We grabbed an AirBnb and slipped outside of the city limits to a cozy little a-frame chalet in Innsbrook for a few days of summer “fun in the sun”, before the boys go back to school.  A quick peek at the fun...

If you have never been to Innsbrook and seek a little nature refuge, sites like AirBnb offer terrific weekend getaways without the commitment of buying in the gated community.  From  dozens of hiking trails, beaches, and lakes to plentiful community amenities like a pool, gym, golf course, and a restaurant... Innsbrook is the ultimate area HIDDEN GEM for nature lovers.

Thankful for you today and every day!

It is Thanksgiving and gratitude does not even begin to express how thankful I am for your business, support, and friendship.

I stumbled into this career almost 16 years ago, and the biggest reward? The wonderful people that I’ve had the opportunity to meet and help along the way. From the bottom of my heart, have a blessed Thanksgiving. While I may use this day as an excuse to express it, I am thankful for you every day. ❤️

Per Nenonen Thanksgiving, the day was wonderful from start to finish.  The Kirkwood Turkey Trot 10K to the Kirkwood Webster Turkday Game with dear friends to dinner gathered around our table.  Peek at the fun...

I hope that you had a blessed holiday also filled with mutual gratitude.💗

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!