I have admired this 1886 Queen Anne style mansion for more than 20 years in my husband’s hometown...
I was surprised to find it on the market during our recent visit. 8000sqft and ready for it? Only 450k. 3 finished stories, original silk wallpaper, untouched woodwork in pristine condition, pocket doors galore, 9 functional fireplaces, a carriage house, and gorgeous grounds. So many lovely original architectural goodies that I had to share!
Labor Day Weekend 2019 is almost here, and what's not to love? It's a chance to slow down and appreciate our "laborers". The kids are off of school, most adults have the long weekend to play, and it is the last "hurrah" before we charge into the cooler weather and slower pace of Fall. Labor Day Weekend, particularly in St Louis, is always full of amazing family-friendly activities. If you want to get out, hit the city, and do something other than enjoy the last weekend of pool season... the possibilities are endless. Need help planning your long holiday weekend? Besides a busy game weekend for the Cardinals versus the Reds and Giants, the Great Godfrey Corn Maze, and extended hours at the St. Louis Zoo, below are 5 of my favorite St. Louis Labor Day 2019 activities... Labor Day Parade September 2nd at 9AM Thousands of local union members will march through downtown St. Louis for the annual Labor Day Parade. An awesome way to kick off the weekend and show your pride /support our local workers. There will be local bands, drill teams, and a ton of action! The parade begins at 15th and Olive. It then makes its way down Tucker Street, past St. Louis City Hall and west on Market Street to 15th Street. Food and celebration follows at Chestnut and Market! More info: http://www.stlclc.org/2019-labor-day-parade-information/ The Japanese Festival at the Botanical Garden August 31- September 2 Each Labor Day weekend, the Missouri Botanical Garden hosts one of the largest and oldest Japanese Festivals in North America. In addition to taking in the beauty of the Botanical Gardens, visitors can enjoy Japanese music, art, dance, food, and entertainment including Origami demonstrations, a traditional tea ceremony, and live Sumo wrestling. Tickets to the festival are $16 for adults, $8 for members, and $5 for non- member children and and free for children Garden members. More info: http://events.missouribotanicalgarden.org/Japanese_Festival St. Louis Greek Festival in the Central West End August 30-September 2 Corner of Forest Park and Kingshighway If you love authentic Greek food, and who doesn't, than a visit to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is in order for you this weekend for their 102nd Annual festival. Enjoy music, dancing and some of the best Greek food you'll find anywhere. Be sure to utilize the free parking in the BJC Parking Garage. More Info: http://www.opastl.com/ Big Muddy Blues Festival on Laclede's Landing August 31, 2pm-11pm The 24th Annual Big Muddy Blues Festival is a free, outdoor music festival featuring local and nationally known Blues artists that hosts over 30,000 people annually. 50+ musicians perform on three outdoor stages set up throughout the cobble stoned streets of the Landing, 3 indoor stages,and two events at the National Blues Museum featuring tributes to Albert King and Tommy Bankhead. Dozens of local restaurants provide food and drink, and the music is the best around! Amazing way to support our local talent. More info:http://bigmuddybluesfestival.com Fall Art Fair at Queeny Park August 30-September 1 $5.00 admission Friday: 5pm - 9pm Saturday: 10am - 6pm. Sunday: 11am - 4pm. All within the climate-controlled comfort of the Greensfelder Recreation Center, and with more than 130 juried artists from 20+ states... the Art Fair at Queeny Park is one of the most reputable, longest-running art fairs in the bi-state region. More info:http://www.artfairatqueenypark.com/ Event flyer with a $1 coupon for admission: https://www.artfairatqueenypark.com/coupon.html
The St. Louis Muny, aka the oldest outdoor theater in the US, just announced their 2019 Summer lineup, #StLouis...
...and all I can say is YES, YES, YES!! ❤️ Fun fact: During their 101st season, the Muny will be the VERY first theater in the U.S. to produce the Tony, Olivier and Grammy Award-winning Best Musical Kinky Boots! Too fun. New subscriptions will go on sale in March 2019, and single tickets will be available beginning May 2019. More information can be found at https://muny.org/.
Rain, glorious rain brought lovely Fall temperatures to St. Louis over the last 24 hours. High of 66 today! As soon as the weather begins to turn, Casa de Nenonen goes into full-on Autumn mode. Apple season is underway and gorgeous produce has flooded local orchards and markets recently, inspiring a return of one of my favorite breakfast recipes. Harvest Oatmeal is simple and quick, yet delicious... this recipe is the perfect hearty start to a cooler September day!
🍁 Harvest Oatmeal 🍁
(serves 4)
1.5 cup apple cider 1/2 cup water 1 cup old fashioned oatmeal (not the quick cook) 1 large apple (or 2 small)- diced (I leave the skin on) 1/4 cup of pecans Teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice 1/2 Teaspoon of Cinnamon Tablespoon of Brown Sugar Dash of Salt Bring cider, salt, water, brown sugar, spices, and diced apples to a boil on high. Bring heat down to medium high and add oatmeal, stirring occasionally. Cook for 5 minutes, remove from heat, add pecans, stir, and let sit for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon or cinnamon sugar and serve. NOTE: Oatmeal will thicken as it cools, so if "watery" upon removing from heat, do not fret.
...which calls for my annual sweet surprise for the family. If you have never had a piece of peach pie from the Smokehouse at Annie Gunn's, you are missing OUT, St. Louis. It is stuffed with firm fresh peaches and is on the tart side as they don’t bog it down with too much sugar. They allow the peaches to speak for themselves.
This beauty was still warm and fresh out of the oven when I picked it up. 🍑💕
NITTY GRITTY:
Annie Gunn's and the Smokehouse Market 16806 Chesterfield Airport Road Chesterfield, MO 63005 636/532.3314 Web: http://www.anniegunns.com/
Each year when I wish this boy a very special birthday...
...I also ironically nod to my licensure! Thanks to his’s arrival, we outgrew our home and needed to make a move. I threw caution to the wind and decided to get my real estate license on a whim when I was 8 months pregnant.
Happy Sweet 16 to my youngest and here is to 16 wonderful years in an industry that I still love and adore as it has allowed me to “do it all”. 🚗💨1️⃣6️⃣
We took a little break from the frenzy of summer and snuck off to the beach for a few days of rest and relaxation with friends. A teeny tiny peek at the fun...
Taking advantage of the tiny window between my oldest's final day of high school and graduation... ... I stole a couple of hours from my work schedule to sneak off to Laumeier Sculpture Park with he and the pup. Few people know that the main grounds of Laumeier are surrounded by miles of gorgeous wooded trails with hidden art installations scattered throughout. Besides being a shady spot to escape for a workout on a warm day... the element of surprise is oh-too-fun. You never know what you will bump in to. It is like one big treasure hunt! The most intriguing spot on the Art Walk Trail for me?
Hands down, Pool Complex: Orchard Valley, 1983–85 by artist, MARY MISS (AMERICAN, BORN 1944). The NE edge of Laumeier Park contains the remaining artifacts of an old neighboring estate that was known as "Orchard Valley". The ultimate architectural graveyard!
Per the Henry Shaw Ozark Corridor website, this area was once a cow pasture and stock pond. In the early 19th century, the Hedenkamp Family built a sizable house and converted the existing natural spring pond into a stone and concrete swimming pool. An article titled "Old Pond Converted Into A Delightful Swimming Pool" was published in the August 4, 1934 edition of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat highlighted the project. I scoured the Internet for a photo of the pool during its heyday. While I found numerous references to soirees and events held there, no photos found. While the house is long gone, some foundation and the artifacts of the pool remain. During the early 1980's, artist Mary Miss built decking and trellises of treated lumber around the stone pool depression and remaining foundations to create her work titled Pool Complex: Orchard Valley.
Per the Laumeier website: Miss highlights the ruins of the estate while we explore her pavilions, platforms and staircases surrounding the pool. With the renewal of this dormant structure, and the purposefully evident aging of her own site work, the artist brings attention to the context of history and the continuum of time.
I can't begin to describe the feeling you get as you walk the pool and area. It is eerie and haunting. You truly feel lost in time and leave with the overwhelming longing for it to be filled back up. Maybe some day. 🙂
Reminder, St. Louis: if your summer is too busy to become a season ticket holder...
...single seat tickets are available for purchase at The Muny today for the 99th season! Nothing epitomizes summer in St. Louis more than an evening at the Muny. It has been a part of my life from day 1 and I am so happy to have passed the tradition down to my family.
This weekend is one of the city's most festive street parties...
...the 2017 Cinco de Mayo on Cherokee Street! With 15 years under their belt and drawing over 50,000 people annually, the festival is a true celebration of the culturally-rich Cherokee Street neighborhood. Complete with a parade, live entertainment, live art demos, margaritas /cervezas, local artists, vendors, and the most delicious and authentic Mexican cuisine in all of St. Louis...this annual fiesta is an amazing time!
NITTY GRITTY...
Saturday, May 6 from 11:00AM- 10:00 PM
DIRECTIONS...
From highways 40 or 44 exit at Jefferson and go South (Right). Continue South on Jefferson about 1-2 miles to Cherokee. To go towards the Festival Area make a right on Cherokee. The festival area starts at Iowa and Cherokee.
The FREE Twilight Tuesday concert series at the Missouri History Museum in Forest Park starts TOMORROW, St. Louis! Grab your lawn chairs, pack a picnic basket, and enjoy terrific music under the stars.
Per the Museum's website...
Parking is available in the Twin Lots just south of the Visitor Center in Forest Park. There is also ample street parking on Lindell and in Forest Park itself.
WELCOMED ITEMS:
• Picnic, snacks, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages (no glass bottles
• Blankets and lawn chairs
• Tables sized 36”x36” or smaller
• Dogs on leashes
PROHIBITED ITEMS:
• No illegal substances of any kind
• No barbecue grills (Revised Section Code 11.34.160)
• No tents
• No large umbrellas
• No unauthorized vendors allowed
• No unauthorized solicitations, sampling, giveaways, etc.
As I wish my youngest a happy 15th birthday today...
... I also celebrate 15 amazing years in St. Louis residential real estate with Coldwell Banker Gundaker. This little bundle caused us to outgrow our own home and I decided to "give real estate a try", or at least move us. One of the best decisions that I ever made... ❤
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
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
The International Festival of Nations is this weekend and the forecast is looking ideal to enjoy it! This super family-friendly event in Tower Grove Park is St. Louis’ best attended annual multicultural celebration. The festival offers amazing multi-cultural entertainment /activities, an international bazaar with unique gifts from around the world, and over 40 ethnic food booths to delight the palate. NITTY GRITTY... WHEN: Saturday (10am-7pm) and Sunday (10am-6pm) - August 27 and 28 WHERE: Tower Grove Park (directions and festival map HERE) FOR MORE INFO: http://www.festivalofnationsstl.org/
Last week, we recreated the morning of oldest's first day of Kindergarten as the boys ventured off to their first day of Senior and Freshman year. *sigh* I look back at posts like this, and can't believe that we are now here...
I know that I say this every year, but even though nothing beats the excitement of Spring Market in residential real estate, my summer hiatus from the blog felt too long. It is so nice to be back! Each year when the boys head back to school (and the bulk of my Spring transactions have successfully drawn to a close), I like to personally reflect on the Summer that has just passed, above and beyond my work fun.
While our family enjoyed our typical summer fun-in-the-sun adventures, if you follow me on Instagram, you saw a whole lot of this...
...intermingled with my typical summer posts, like this...
I never thought that the time would come, but my oldest has entered his Senior year which means a good percentage of our energy has shifted to pondering and exploring "What is next". The process, without doubt, leaves Steve and I with mixed emotions. Regardless, seven universities were visited, he has chosen his favorites, and now applications follow.
The tides seemed to have changed in Casa de Nenonen over Summer 2016. As we venture into an exciting year of transition for our family, I hold one of my favorite quotes close to my heart...
