Ted Wight's St. Louis Style

6551 Pernod, Open Sunday, August 1 st 1-3 PM

This is a rare find in the Lindenwood Heights area- a fine home with 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths. Updated kitchen with granite countertops, new floor, appliances and lighting. Renovated sunroom/ breakfast room off of the kitchen.  Gracious Living Room with gas fireplace. Original art glass windows and unpainted wood trim.  New bathroom with dual vanities in the upper level. Three skylights are also on the second floor. New architectural windows.  This home has been updated with a focus on making it maintenance-free: newer systems, completely tuck pointed, aluminum-capped fascia, updated 200 Amp service, newer roof and much more.  A great home to entertain guests and family.  Wonderful stone patio surrounded by custom fencing- ideal for entertaining. Oversized 2 car garage. Close to Ted Drewes, Hampton Village, Lindenwood Park and even around the corner from everyone’s favorite- Trattoria Marcella!  Great schools are also close-by- St. Joan of Arc School and Union United Methodist Church’s Pre-school. 

$274,000  Listed by Ted Wight, Dielmann Sotheby's International Realty 314-725-0009 or Cell:  314-607-5555

 

Blueberry Crumb Cake

My sister-in-law turned me onto The Pioneer Woman blog a few months ago.  She has a perfect blog.  Her photography is amazing and it motivated me to buy a new camera.....I still need to read the manual so I can take pictures on some of the other modes than automatic.  Her recipes are simple and yummy.  Once I put in a kitchen that can be photographed....you may get more cooking out of me....though with two sons entering college soon....you may have to wait 5-6 years. Here is her recipe for Blueberry Crumb Cake.

Bamboo Control

I love bamboo, though it is not for the casual gardener.  It is tough, aggressive and unruly.  It can literally take over your yard and your neighbors.  The running forms of bamboo can not just be placed in the ground without proper barriers put in place.  Even with barriers, it is guaranteed to escape.  I use 18" metal roof flashing around my yellow-groove bamboo grove.  A lower form of running bamboo, that I planted a couple years ago, I thought would be contained by a concrete walkway.  Before I knew it, it was running up on the other side of the walk.  This local gardener has put together a nice tutorial on pruning bamboo rhizomes (runners)....which is supposed to be done this time of the year.  Read it HERE.

I Love This Pool!

This is the Tangga House in Singapore.  Don't you think the design of the pool is great!   See more pics @ the blog The Contemporist.

HGTV's My First Place....coming to St. Louis

HGTV's My First Place is looking for fun, high-energy people who are just starting the home-buying process and looking for their first place. Back for its eighth and ninth seasons, the series will once again follow homebuyers through all the trials and tribulations, stress and success of looking for, bidding on and buying their first place.

Candidates who are chosen for the show will also receive a surprise housewarming gift during the course of shooting. We will be taping in the Boston and San Francisco areas until fall 2010 and in the Austin and St. Louis areas through the end of 2010. Singles, couples and families who live within a one-hour drive from these cities are all encouraged to apply.

If you are interested....contact me, Ted Wight @ 314-607-5555 or tedwight@aol.com for more information.

Sweet Summer Luv-Luv Festival...Clarksville...BBQ....Yum!

Spread the Luv! Great barbecue in a beautiful setting along the Mississippi River in historic Clarksville, Mo. What better way to spend a weekend? And that's what we're offering Aug. 6-8 at Overlook Farm's First Annual Dr. Brownstone's Sweet Summer Luv Luv Festival and Barbecue Cook Off.   Come for the delicious competition featuring 10 professionals and 10 amateurs competing for cash and prizes. Stay for the live music all three days, the food demonstrations on Saturday by five of the country's leading chefs, and Overlook Farm's Executive Chef Tim Graninetti's (aka Dr. Brownstone) own award-winning barbecue dishes.   It all starts with a reception at 6:30 Friday Aug. 6, and ends with Overlook Farm's Sunday brunch. Want to learn more? Then follow this link: Click here for a full schedule of events.

Summer Inn Promotions This summer we're offering a collection of specials from discounted relaxing weeknight stays for $125 per night, weekend packages including a 3 Course Farm to Table Dinner for $199, and an exciting Kayaking Package from $199. Summer won't last forever, and either will these deals. Call 573-242-3838 or visit our web site to book a getaway at Overlook Farm.

An Evening @ Taste...by Niche

On Saturday night a group of friends rented out Taste by Niche for a birthday party.  I think we had eighteen people.  Of course the food was wonderful and the cocktails inventive and refreshing!

 

 

 

The Quest For Birch Island

My recent family vacation to Maine started with two poems that we had hanging in our farmhouse.  They were drafted and given to my great grandfather when he was there on a hunting/fishing trip in 1909. I knew that we wanted to go to Maine again this year and thought ....why don't we go to the same place our great grandfather went. On each poem the place of record was Birch Island, Maine.  I googled Birch Island and found it.  I also found a wonderful lodge to stay- Attean Lake Lodge.  The lodge brochure mentioned that people had been coming to the lodge since the late 1800s. I thought...this is it and my great grandfather must have stayed in the same lodge.  Well we arrived at the remote lake, located only minutes from the Canadian border, and arrived at our lodge.  That night at dinner we were speaking to one of the other guests and he told me that we were at the wrong Birch Island.  This Birch Island was on Attean Lake and our Birch Island was on Holeb Lake.  Oops...after so much work to get there.  Well it turned out that Birch Island on Holeb Lake was just the next lake over.  There are some hunting cottages on it, though not a lodge to stay.  The next morning I spoke with the owner of the lodge and he put us on course to see the other Birch Island.  We motor boated across our 7 mile lake....hiked 1.5 miles through the woods and arrived at the shore of Holeb Lake.  Our lodge hides two canoes in the woods for guest to use on this lake.  We pattled 5 miles and finally arrived at our destination....Birch Island!  Two construction guys greeted us at the shore.  We were the first people they had seen on the island in 3 weeks.  Birch Island on Holeb Lake used to be a fancy destination owned by an exclusive Boston country club for its guests.  My great grandfather lived in Kansas City and was in the cattle business.  He must have had a business associate that invited him.  Birch Island has seen better days and was a little run down...though enchanting.  Sorry for the long post....though look at the pictures and descriptions below for an illustration of our journey. (This is my last vacation post....sorry to my readers who are bored by this and want more local St. Louis posts.)

The poem below was printed on birch paper. My grandfather's last name was Forrest...thus the cute way of incorporating the last name into the poem.

 

Another poem....

 

Traveling to our destination....

And canoeing in Holeb Lake to Birch Island... being chased by storms periodically

 

And then Birch Island!....finally!

 

 

 

Out Houses

 

City-wide Open Studios

Don't miss the City-wide Open Studios event going on now.  Visit St. Louis' talented artist...where they create!  Find out everything HERE.

Each participating artist has a piece of work displayed at the Contemporary Art Museum

 

See the news story on Fox News about local artist- Jeff Kapfer.....HERE.

U City Sizzling Summer House Tour- This Sunday, July 25th 1-3 PM

This hot home located at 7449 Teasdale Ave. will be open this Sunday from 1-3 PM and many others in the area.  See the flyer below!

 

 

 

A Pink Refrigerator

A client of mine is buying a cute, mid-century ranch house in Glendale.  You should see the knotty-pine basement.  She just sent me a picture of the pink refrigerator that she procured from someone in Florida.  It has not been delivered yet.  I think she paid $300 for the fridge and it is costing $500 to ship it. I love it!  Check out this website.  

 

Louis Sullivan Film- This Thursday @ The Tivoli

Louis Sullivan: The Struggle for American Architecture 

7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 22

Tivoli Theatre, 6350 Delmar Blvd.

by director Mark Richard Smith, running time 97 min.

This compelling documentary examines the life and work of the great American architect Louis H. Sullivan (1856-1924), one of the original practitioners of the Prairie School of design and a key influence on Frank Lloyd Wright. Sullivan’s legacy is especially visible in his adopted home of Chicago, but his work is found throughout the U.S. and includes St. Louis’ Wainwright Building – one of the world’s first skyscrapers – and Union Trust Building. Sponsored by Tjaden Interiors.

Director Smith will accompany the film and hold a post-screening Q&A. The film was featured at the prestigious Full Frame Documentary Film Festival; it screens in St. Louis as part of Cinema St. Louis’ St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase.

Tickets are $10 each; $8 for students with valid and current photo ID and for Cinema St. Louis members with valid membership cards. Advance tickets are on sale at the Tivoli Theatre box office (5-10 p.m. Monday-Friday and 2-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday). No phone sales, but tickets can be purchased online at tickets.landmarktheatres.com. There is a $1 per-ticket service charge. Tickets purchased online are picked up at the Tivoli box-office window; purchasers need to bring the credit card that they used to purchase the tickets and the confirmation number. Online sales are limited to full-price tickets only.

Antique Wood Boat Show

The other day we had the treat of seeing a wooden boat show at Lake Keuka in New York. Each is a piece of artwork.

 

 

 

I even loved the antique motors

 

A Day at Lake Keuka, NY

My brother lives in Corning, NY and keeps a couple of sail boats at Lake Keuka, one of the Finger Lakes.  It is a natural lake that was formed by the glaciers and is crystal clear. We spent a couple of days sailing and eating lots of iced cream...in fact, I think I had iced cream every day for over a week.

(Teddy, my son, hardly took his airport-found "ray bans" off the whole trip.) 

(My other son- Nicholas....I promise I did not have him pose for this picture.)

Hotel Ste Germaine- Montreal

The other night we were in Montreal and stayed at the hip Hotel Ste Germaine.  A couple of years ago we stayed at one of their hotels in Toronto.  Notice how the shower has a glass wall to the main room....you just have to remember to close the blinds!

From Birch Island, Maine to Quebec City, Canada

Today we left Attean Lake Lodge after three days.  We had another 5 AM kayak tour, though still no moose. Tonight we are in Quebec City which is the most European city I have visited in North America.  It really is lovely and we are looking forward to dinner at a French bistro tonight.

A sign in Jackman, Maine....I don't think I want to stay at this hotel.

 

Although I never saw a moose....I saw these treats....I think they are called Canadian Lilies

 

Another interesting sign in Jackman, Maine

A Day of Sailing and Kayaking

A 5 AM in the morning, my brother and I got up to go look for moose.  We could not get the motor started in our boat so we went kayaking.  We saw two bald eagles, loons and a kingfisher, though no moose.  Tonight we are going to try again....the motor is working now!!!  My sons had a great day sailing and kayaking.

 

 

Here is where we are staying....Attean Lake Lodge on Birch Island. All guests have their own cabin.  It is fun....no electricity, just gas and oil laps....though we do have hot water! Don't be fooled...we are not roughing it....last night I had Osso Buco.

Jackman,Maine- The Alps of Maine

We are near the Canadian border in Maine.  They call this area the Swiss Alps of Maine.  I am still trying to see a moose.  We saw moose tracks yesterday!

Jul 12, 2010

I am in Maine for a few says on Birch Island. My great grandparents came here in 1909 and we decided to check it out. That dot in the water is a loon! My goal is to see a moose.

Warhol Museum

I am in Pittsburgh with my sons looking at University of Pittsburgh or commonly called Pitt. We went to the Warhol Museum last night. Great place and a must see next time you are in Pittsburgh.

   

 

7449 Teasdale Avenue, University City

This charming University City home is perfect and is on one of the most sought-after streets in the area.  Located close to everything and steps from Clayton.  The rooms are large and the house flows well. Plenty of light. The gracious Living Room has a wood-burning fireplace. Formal Dining Room.  Refinished wood floors throughout both levels. Three nice sized bedrooms. Bonus study/sun-rooms on both levels. Large built-in closets. Plantation shutters throughout the house. Deck off of the kitchen leading to a level and fenced backyard and a detached two-car garage.  This house has had many upgrades and improvements: new windows, newer boiler, central AC added, refinished hardwood floors, freshly painted, 200 AMP electrical box, new wiring on 1^st floor, new 1^st floor half bath, newer roof and newly added office area in the basement.  Very energy efficient home.  $349,000

Listed by Ted Wight, Dielmann Sotheby's Internation Realty, Cell- 314-607-5555  Office- 314-725-0009

 

 

 

 

Copia- Washington Ave....reopened!

It is very exciting to see Copia reopen after it burnt down a couple years ago.  This has always been a favorite in the past.  We had dinner there last Saturday.  Clumsy us had a big spill on the table and almost burnt the place down again.  I had the scallops over linguine and it was nice, though just not special.  The rest of the table was not inspired. Sometimes it takes a restaurant a few weeks to get in the groove.  The outdoor patio in back in large, though felt like a reception hall with an open ceiling.  Since when have I been a restaurant critic....I should stick to real estate.

 

Shiver

While down on Washington Avenue this weekend, we popped into a new bar....Shiver, 1130 Washington Avenue.  It was very cool.  It was empty when we went in...though it was earlier in the evening.  They have a vodka bar in a freezer....like Erney's on Manchester.

 

 

Pink Kitchen

The house with this cute pink kitchen is for sale in Rock Hill.  I never saw one of these cabinet-level GE refrigerator/freezers until last month....and looky here....another one!  Notice that the stove, counter-top and sink are one piece of stainless steel metal.  Someone needs to buy this house and preserve it!  As an added bonus...the floors are all cork and the bathroom has a fabulous original shower door!

 

 

VP Parade

Come see me in the VP Parade this morning downtown! I am on the Jaws float.

Colin Michael Shaw, Show Opening- This Sunday

"Clang...clang...clang...goes the Trolley" Again!

“Trolleys” Introduced for Downtown St. Louis

Tourists, Downtown Residents and Workforce Benefit

from Convenient and Fun, New Transit Service

 

Getting around Downtown St. Louis will be even more appealing and easy with the introduction of new trolleys, a MetroBus service. Residents, workers and tourists will be able to “jump on” to travel to all of the attractions, restaurants, hotels, stores, stadiums and office buildings in the Downtown area. The first trolleys will take to the streets on Thursday, July 1, 2010.

The route loops through downtown from the Civic Center MetroLink Station, traveling on 14^th Street, Spruce Street, Market Street, 4^th Street, Broadway, and Washington Avenue to the City Museum before returning on 14^th Street to the Civic Center.

The new downtown trolley service will operate from 5:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to midnight on Saturday. Service will reach each stop every 10 to 20 minutes. 

 More information on the Downtown Trolley, fares and schedules are available at www.metrostlouis.org.

Deck

Here is a picture of my deck from the other evening.  The canopy is from Target.  Look at the tablecloth....I love it.  My brother had someone make it from various colored bandannas for my parent's 50th anniversary party that took place at our farm a few years back.

North CWE House

I have driven by this house several times and have always loved the roof.  Someone needs to buy it....so close to the CWE, though an ignored area. Someday people will say...."Do you believe that houses used to go for under $100,000 in this area."  Probably it is lower than that $. Pendleton and Delmar.

 

Wei Hong Chinese Bakery

The yummiest find recently has been Wei Hong Bakery on Olive in University City.  It is located in a storefront next to the Wei Hong Restaurant....formerly the Fine Arts Theater (It was XXX).  They have these buns that are stuffed with BBQ Pork, Ham & Egg, Bacon & Onion, Hot dogs and much more!  They are perfect to cut in two and serve at a party. (Located at 7740 Olive Blvd.....they also have a location at 3175 S. Grand)

 

 

 

Pride 2010

Yesterday PRIDE in St. Louis was celebrated in Tower Grove Park after a fun parade down Grand Ave.  The highlight of the parade was the balloon procession!

Sonos

Here was my challenge....I needed speakers on my deck though my basement is finished and they can not run the wires.  It seems that my attic access was an issue also.  I tried the wireless speaker system, though it never seemed to work very well and was always staticy.  I had the Best Buy Geek Squad come over and they had a great solution.....Sonos.  I now have a portable speaker for the deck that runs off of my wireless internet system.  This is all tied into my regular stereo system and speakers. The cool thing is that I can have unlimited zones and play different music in each zone.  This all can be commanded through my iPhone. It is not cheap, though very cool.

GE 50's Wall Refrigerator/ Freezer

I saw something new yesterday that I never knew existed....the wall refrigerator.  It seems that GE produced them 1954 through 1960.  Well I saw one of these rare finds in a house in University City.

   

 

Cool Chair

Check out this chair.  It looks like a typical padded chair, though it is sculpted out of wood!  Find out more on this BLOG.

Coming Soon- Cheese-ology, Delmar Loop

Outdoor Pillows

I went by Restoration Hardware yesterday and bought some outdoor pillows that were half off.  I think I paid something like $13 a piece.  Hurry...they still have a nice selection.

6551 Pernod Ave., Open Sunday, June 20th 1-3 PM

Check out this charming Lindenwood Heights bungalow!  Updated and meticulously maintained.  4 bedrooms, 2 baths, granite counters, garage and much more.  Come and see it!  $279,000

Listed by Ted Wight, Dielmann Sothebys International Realty, 314-607-5555

   

 

Chill, Wydown Blvd., Clayton

It is Summer time and a new frozen yogurt place has popped up in Clayton on Wydown Boulevard.....just across from Manhattan Cafe Express.  Check it out!

 

 

Are Japanese Beetles Invading Your Garden?

Just this week a plague of Japanese Beetles descended on my garden and have been voraciously eating my plants.  They seem to like rose pedals and anything else that is pretty.  Last year I tried the traps, though I now understand that these may attract more to your yard unless all of your neighbors also have traps.  The other day I tried spraying the plants with soapy water....this did not work.  I then tried just knocking them into a container of soapy water.  This seems to work.  They are very clumsy and just drop in to drown in their soapy bath.  I just went out into my garden this morning and find that they are still sleepy in the morning and take the plunge more readily.  In the heat of the day, about half of your prey will fly off.

Let me know what works for you!

 

 

Leaves damaged by these annoying beetles.

Murphy Residence- U City

I recently came across this post in the local blog, Ecology of Absence.  This fine University City home has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.