Just For fun: Decking our halls.

The Nenonens made our annual pilgrimage to Meert's Tree Farm for a lovely Norway Spruce today. One of my favorite family traditions!  A teeny peek at the fun...

Learn more about the farm HERE at my previous post. 

See my other Hidden Gems HERE.

Hidden Gem: Meert's Cut-Your-Own Tree Farm in Festus

We always cut down our own Christmas tree...

I grew up with the tradition and it is now my most cherished December activity with my family. For the Nenonens, a visit to the tree farm officially kicks off the holiday season!

Over 17+ years of marriage, Steve and I have visited almost EVERY tree farm within a 2 hour radius of St. Louis, I kid you not. That being said, we have never found a farm that we felt compelled to revisit year after year. Often times, area farms boast WAY overpriced trees with little variety and overwhelming crowds. In addition, they are often located in remote rural areas with roads difficult to navigate in less than ideal weather.

In 2009, we found the perfect tree farm per the recommendation of a friend...

... and now return every year.   

Meert's Tree Farm and Nursery is located in Festus, approximately 1 hour outside of St. Louis off of Highway 55. It boasts a lovely setting, an excellent layout, timely shuttles to the fields, a cute little shop, holiday goodies like hot cocoa, custom wreaths and greenery, and excellent tree variety. 

I would say that the shaping of the trees is perhaps not as pristine as other area farms we have visited, which can equate to a slightly longer search for "the one". That being said, they offer far more types of trees to cut fresh than the traditional pine.  In fact, we found the perfect spruce for only $7/linear foot. It is full, lush, and smells AMAZING in our living room!  NOTE: if searching for a very LARGE tree- THIS IS THE PLACE!  Their fields made me dream of a room with vaulted ceilings.

A peek at the 2014 fun...

You can also see a fun little video of our day HERE.

The older the boys get (now in 7th and 10th grade), the more I grasp on tightly to our annual holiday traditions.  If seeking holiday fun, I highly recommend a visit to Meert's! Wonderful day, friendly people.

In addition, due to the Highway 55 location,  it only makes sense to hit Historic Kimmswick on the way home. We always stop and stroll through all of the adorable holiday shops in Kimmswick after lunch at the famous Blue Owl- home of the famous mile-high levee pie.

NITTY GRITTY:

Meert's Tree Farm and Nursery
4560 Dry Fork Rd, Festus, MO 63028  
636.931.3901

Open Daily from 9-4

Web: http://albesm.com/ 
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Meert-Tree-Farm/208775665860518

See my other "Hidden Gems" 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

Hidden Gem: Oprah (and Carrie) says...

... you must take a day trip just 25 minutes outside of St. Louis on Highway 55 to Historic Kimmswick for a piece of the Levee- High Caramel Apple Pecan Pie from the Blue Owl.

Every year, Steve and I gift the boys a new ornament for our Christmas tree.  Our favorite holiday shopping destination for the ornaments? 

The Christmas Haus of Kimmswick.  It is charming and epitomizes the warmth and magic of the holidays.  Anyone who has been to Kimmswick, knows that it is a cardinal sin to step foot anywhere near the city without a visit to the notorious Blue Owl Restaurant.  Period.

For us, it is always for a cup of the delicious white chicken chili (the recipe is HERE and it is amazing) and a piece of the Levee-high Apple Pie (recipe is HERE, though I don't have the kahunas to attempt it).

Not only did this indulgent treat make Oprah's Favorite Things List this year, it has also been touted by Food Network hard-hitters like Paula Deen.  This pie is not only as good as it looks... it is better.  Just be sure to bring a friend (or request a doggy bag), as 18 apples go into one pie!  2 of us couldn't even come close to finishing this piece... superb.

Weekend Happening: October 29-31

SO many fun events this weekend, for adults AND families! A quick overview of a few of my annual Halloween weekend favorites, in addition to the aforementioned Psycho with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra...

Halloween in the Central West End
The CWE is the epicenter of Halloween fun in St. Louis. Period. The freaks come out at night when the gorgeous tree-lined streets are shut down for one of the largest street parties of the year. Note: the evening event is ADULTS ONLY, as you are guaranteed interesting people watching. Huge costume contest, drinks, and food. Great time with friends!

October 30

Near Maryland and Euclid intersection

Children’s Parade and Costume contest- 11 A.M.
Adult ONLY Costume Contest and Party- 8 P.M.
Dog Parade and Costume Contest- 1 P.M.

For more info:
http://thecwe.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/2010pc23.jpg


2010 Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival
One of our annual family treks, the Apple Butter Festival is one NOT to miss! Drawing almost 100,000 people per year and less than 30 minutes from St. Louis, escape to Kimmswick for Fall Fun, including crafts, 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. Trust me, the BEST!

October 30th and 31st, 2010
10am-5pm

Festival is FREE, though parking is $5.00

For more info or directions:
http://www.missourimarketplace.net/applebutterfestival.html


24th Annual Lemp Mansion Halloween Bash
Celebrate Halloween at one of the most haunted houses in America! With a well-documented history of tragedy and despair, this once family home and thriving brewery has turned into one of the most spooktacular sites not only in town, but the country. Live bands, open bar, food, costume contest and more.

October 30 : 8 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.

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

$60 at the door

For more info:
314-664-8024
http://lempmansion.com/hauntedhouses.html


4th Annual Lights, Camera, Murder
Super fun evening of murder-mystery dinner theatre at the Chase benefiting the Foundation for Children with Cancer held. Wacky Halloween fun, all for a GREAT cause.

October 29 : 6:30 p.m.

The Tenderloin Room
232 N. Kingshighway Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108

For more info:
314-361-0900
http://www.childrenwithcancer.org/?page_id=607


Monster Mash Art Bash at Koken
The annual Halloween Art Show at the Koken Art Factory has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. This year's theme is "Monster Mash", and will feature live music, food, drink, and amazing Halloweenesque art in several different mediums.

October 29 : 7 p.m. - 1 a.m.

Koken Art Factory
2500 Ohio Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63104

$5.00 admission

For more info:
http://www.kokenartfactory.com/


Boo at the Zoo
This annual event at our fabulous St. Louis Zoo is IDEAL for those families with younger children. Complete with crafts, entertainment, and VERY child-friendly Halloween fun... wonderful time. Dress the kids in their costumes for a fun evening of strolling the Zoo after dark.

October 28 - 30, 2010 - 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

$4/member
$5/non-member
Children under 2 are free
$1 discount for children 2 to 12 in costume

Parking is free- South Lot only

For more info:
http://www.stlzoo.org/events/calendarofevents/booatthezoonights

Weekend Happenings...

If you have never enjoyed a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon in Kimmswick, MO ... you are missing out! Period.

Just 25 minutes South of St. Louis on Highway 55, teeny Kimmswick boasts dozens of adorable little gift shops, antique stores, and one of the most notoriously delicious restaurants in the Midwest!

Kimmswick is the PERFECT family-friendly day trip from St. Louis to enjoy a lazy afternoon of shopping and lunch.

This weekend, Kimmswick welcomes their 10th Annual Strawberry Festival. Though not as large as their Fall Apple Butter Festival (my family's favorite), the Strawberry Fest will still bring in close to 40,000 people to tiny Kimmswick this weekend.

Kimmswick shuts down the streets and it is strawberries, strawberries, everywhere... in addition to Music, Arts & Crafts, Food, Children’s Activity Area, Live Bluegrass Music, DJ, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, and Pony Rides.

Nitty Gritty:

June 5th and 6th from 10am till 5pm.

Festival entry is free, but parking is $5.00


Note: remember to stop by the Blue Owl for a piece of their Strawberry Sensation Cake =)...