As summer begins, I try to take advantage of all that our area offers. I call up a friend or two and try the many restaurants and events going on in the area. Here are this week’s offerings.

I took the opportunity to celebrate a friend’s birthday at breakfast the other day. Five of us tried the new Honey Jam which is located at 3000 Oak Grove Road in Downers Grove. They took over the old Bakers Square on Butterfield Road across from the Portillo’s. We were greeted warmly and although it was crowded, it only took a few minutes to seat us. I tried the Julian Benedict which was truly phenomenal. Our server was wonderful and gave us a Very Berry Waffle to share with the birthday girl. We actually were sitting next to Mr. Portillo who is the owner of this establishment. What a great guy! If you have something or someone to celebrate, I would recommend this new place.

Last Thursday night, I met a friend at Brio’s at 330 Yorktown Center in Lombard. We sat outside on their couches, had a glass of wine and enjoyed one of the first nights of summer. Our server suggested their $2.95 appetizer special that goes from 5-9pm. We both chose the quarter burger, I also had the eggplant and shrimp and my friend ordered the steak bruchetta. We were very surprised to find that we had misread the appetizer list and the quarter burger turned out to be a full sized burger quartered! It was way more than we expected. The service was wonderful, the ambiance is decadent and the appetizers were excellent.

Great Recipes To TRY If You Are Not Going Out

If you aren’t in the mood to go out, why not invite a few people over for lunch. It doesn’t have to be hard. The other day I was invited to a friend’s house for lunch and she had a wonderful salad that I have included below. She served it with iced tea, rolls and had a great cake that I will also include. Give it a try and let me know how you liked it.

Joanne’s Salad:
Mixed Greens
Thin Pear slices
Crumbled Blue Cheese
Walnut pieces
Cranberries
Grilled Chicken

She just tossed the hot chicken over the other cold ingredients, topped it with poppy seed dressing and served. Delicious.

Coconut Cake:
Prepared white cake mix
1 can of Coconut cream
Cool Whip
Coconut (bagged)

Simply prepare cake mix as directed. Poke holes in cake every 3 inches or so. Pour over the can of coconut cream, refrigerate. Prior to serving spread the cool whip over the cake and sprinkle coconut over entire cake. It looks as good as it takes. Perfect for a warm night’s lunch or dinner.

If you have an idea for my next blog, drop me an email at CarynKuhlman@att.net.

Finally we have some good weather. This weekend we will go into our garage and begin to pull out the stuff we need to open up our pool. This is always a dreaded weekend, as I am sure I will find many extra things that really don’t belong in the garage. Sweatshirts my kids dropped as they left in the car, roller skates and sleds that we don’t use anymore, pictures, area rugs and lamps that I use for staging my listings.  What to do with all this extra stuff???

Answer: Garage Sale!

Just like Antique Road show, not all treasures are worth something. So, if you are planning a garage sale, start with three boxes. Mark them as 1. Good Stuff we don’t need any more. 2. Garbage and 3. Free Stuff (things nobody in their right mind would buy, but maybe take.) If it looks like you have enough for a garage sale, here are some tips.

The keys to a good garage sale are:

Advertising: Local newspapers are the best. Most have a special section reserved for garage sales. Letting people know in advance that you are having a garage sale will get those early birds out and at your sale first thing. Make sure you advertise by listing a few key, anchor items that will draw attention to potential garage sellers. Examples would be a dresser or tools. Unless you have baby clothes, don’t waste your time with adult sizes, take those to a co-signment shop.   Note: before you put up signage, check with your town or village as to their rules for garage sales. Many places need permits.

Pricing: If people wanted to pay retail or close to retail, they wouldn’t stop at a garage sale! The idea is to get rid of the stuff you don’t want, so you can go out and buy more! lol. Have early bird specials like take $1.00 off if you buy five items. Make your pricing realistic, if not cheap.

Ask a neighbor: If you don’t have enough stuff of your own, why not ask a neighbor or two to join you. This way you will attract more buyers and have someone to talk with while you work.

Call 1-800-775-Vets: You can have the American Veterans of America pick up everything you have left over on the following day. It’s even tax deductable.

Be Friendly: I know that sounds obvious but each person who comes to your garage sale should be considered a guest. I always have a huge jug of ice cold lemonade and offer it free to all who are shopping.

Don’t forget to give me a call at 630.730.8027 and I will be sure to stop by. : )

Join the Best Looking Garden Challenge- Click on the picture to view a helpful video on how to start your vegetable garden

This year, I am planting a vegetable garden. I’m not a novice as I plant Tomatoes every year, but this year I am hoping to attempt more. I am blessed with a very large lot with amazing soil (at least for flowers) so I am excited to give a vegetable garden a try.

I would be interested in what you have planted in the past. I am planning on growing Tomatoes, lettuce, bell peppers, herbs, cucumbers and zucchinis as I use those weekly. Tomatoes need at least six to eight hours of sun a day to produce well — and full sun is best, especially in cooler, more northern climates like Lombard. Provide well-drained soil with a pH around 6.0 to 6.8. In our area,  plant in spring after frost danger is past.

Since I have always been competitive, how about a little contest? Send me a picture of the start of your vegetable garden and another at the peak of growing season and the one with the best looking garden will win a $25.00 Gift Certificate to Home Depot.  You can send them to Caryn.Kuhlman@cbexchange.com.  or give me a call at 630-730-8027 and I would be happy to stop by and take the picture for you. Good Luck and happy planting.

Oh, one other suggestion, I found a video that may help you with planting a vegetable garden. Starting a Vegetable Garden Video

]]> http://www.lombardareahomes.com/blog/may-the-best-garden-win.html/feed 0 http://www.lombardareahomes.com/blog/lombard-park-district-memorial-trees-and-bricks.html http://www.lombardareahomes.com/blog/lombard-park-district-memorial-trees-and-bricks.html#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 16:56:44 +0000 Caryn Kuhlman http://www.lombardareahomes.com/blog/?p=111 Lombard Park Distict Has Great Gifts

Each year around this time, I begin to receive invitations to Communions, Confirmations, Graduations and Weddings. This year I have already received three invitations to Eagle Scout Ceremonies.

If you have a special event coming up and are looking for an unusual gift, I have a suggestion. It’s from the Lombard Park District. They offer a memorial tree and personalized brick program.

You can have a tree planted in the honoree’s name for $150.00 – $200.00 depending on the size and type of tree. If you want something a bit less expensive, you could order a brick engraved with whatever you wish for as little as $75.00. When my mom, who was a forever gardener, passed away, some friends purchased a memorial brick in her name.

It sits below the Lilacia Park sign and each time I visit, I stop by to see it. What a very thoughtful gift.

I know we have had a few nice days recently. But if you are tempted to buy some annuals to plant outside, STOP. It’s just too soon to do it. The experienced gardener waits until at least Mother’s day to put those first beauties in the ground.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t begin to plan now. Take a walk around your house. Is it attractive and inviting? Are there wide open spots that could use a make over? This is the time to begin planning, not planting!

Many people find that annual flowers such as impatiens, geranium or snapdragon’s fill their need to have instant color. The term “Annual”, means that they complete their life cycle in one growing season. They grow, flower, produce seed and than die. Next year you will have to purchase them all over again.

I prefer perennials. Perennials come back year after year. And they come in fuller and more beautiful every year. Examples of these would be coneflowers, sedum, asters and salvia. Successful perennial gardens start with the soil. If you eliminate all the weeds prior to turning the soil, it will make your job much easier throughout the growing season and bring you years of color in your garden.

If you are looking to plant some perennials, give me a call, I just might share!

Now, I know I have told you all about the beautiful tulips and the fragrant lilacs at Lilacia Park located in my very own town, Lombard, Illinois. But sometimes, I forget the pure joy of just being a kid. This Easter, my son came home with a lovely young lady he goes to college with.

With only a few days to give her a taste of what our area has to offer, they took off for a day in downtown Chicago. They went to Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Oak Street Beach and strolled down Michigan Avenue.

[View with PicLens]

They decided to rediscover Lombard on the second day. It began at the Yorktown Mall for lunch, a movie at the AMC 18 Theater and on to Lilacia Park! In early April, the tulips and lilacs were not yet in bloom, but that didn’t stop them. They enjoyed the early spring weather and played with “Rastus” the mascot of Lilacia Park!

Dinner was at Greek Islands in Lombard where you are guaranteed a wonderful meal, entertaining servers and always an OPA as your flaming Saganaki is served! As you can see from these pictures, they had a great day!

Lombard is a great place to live and to play. What are you waiting for?

Lilac Days in Lombard from May 1 to May 16

The Lombard Park District’s Lilacia Park is an 8.5 acre horticultural showcase featuring 1200 lilacs and 25,000 tulips. If you have never strolled through the park when the lilacs are in bloom, you are missing a joyful experience. Bringing people for the first time is one of my favorite things to do. Whenever I am showing homes in the general Lombard area, I always pass by and show my clients the amazing beauty of the park.

The park was a memorial to Helen Plum by her husband Col. William Plum. They became enamored with lilacs while in Europe and brought two plants back home and there search around the world for new lilacs began.  In 1927 the land was gifted to the people of Lombard as a public park and Lilacia Park began.

From May 1st to the 16th, Lombard celebrates “Lilac Days”. There are special tours, dances, tournaments concerts in the park, special story times, auctions, of course walks through Lilacia Park and the highlight of the week is the Lilac Queen Coronation.

For the past ten years, Lombard has given its residents a chance to receive a free Lilac Bush. The aim of the program is an ongoing effort to have a lilac bush planted in every yard. The Village of Lombard is providing 400 lilac bushes to residents who bring their coupon to Lilacia Park on Saturday, May 8th on a first come, first served basis beginning at 8am.

Visit Lilacia Park in Lombard

Don’t yet live in Lombard? You can still have a lilac bush from the Lilac Bush Sale May 6-8th.

For the full schedule and a live Lilac Meter (it shows when they are in full bloom) please check out Lombard Park District – Lilac Time

Hope to see you there!

The Lombard Park District has great Children's Programs

The Lombard Park District invites everyone to its “Take Time for Tots Day” on Saturday, March 27, from 9-11:30 am at Sunset Knoll Recreation Center at 820 S. Finley Road in Lombard Illinois. Activities at the FREE event is for tots, preschoolers to age 8 and their families and will include Culvers build your own sundae bar, pony rides, arts and crafts, music, Operation Railroad and more.

Golf at Western Acres In Lombard

Lombard is a great place for kids and adults alike. It has a variety of activities for all ages. If your family likes to golf, our golf course, Western Acres can help you get involved by joining or forming your own golf league.

Trying to get into shape? The Lombard Park District offers personal training sessions so you can go at your own speed and find out the right way to improve your workout. Four sessions cost $138.00.

Perhaps you have always wanted to learn how to play the piano or even the drums? All you have to do is call the Lombard Park District and get started! Whatever your interest is, it’s only a phone call away. (630) 620-7322

Oh and if you are interested in real estate in the Lombard area, give Caryn Kuhlman a call.

Comfortable Lombard split level

Lombard has a wealth of home styles to choose from. If you want to live walking distance to Madison Meadows and be able to see the fireworks from your front lawn, check out the Magic Circle Subdivision. Mature trees grace the winding streets that hold 3 and 4 bedroom split levels and raised ranch style homes. Although the subdivision is within both District 45 and District 44 Schools, it is walking distance to Jackson Middle School, St. Pius X Grade School and Willowbrook High School.  Shopping for just about anything is within a five mile drive.

Farther south is the Butterfield East Subdivision. Here you will also find beautiful tree lined streets and a delightful mix of ranches, raised ranches, split levels and two story homes on nice large lots. They are in school district 44 and 87 and have their own park district. Located directly west of Finley Road they are just minutes away from I-88 and I-355 and shopping on Butterfield Road.

The downtown Lombard area has a wonderful selection of homes from historic beauties by the Helen Plum Library to newer homes that are within walking distance to the restaurants, shopping areas and train station.  Downtown is also home to the Saturday “Lombard Cruise Nights”. From June to August walk on over and listen to a live band while checking out the great old cruising cars. From 6pm – 10pm.

I would be delighted to show you these or other subdivisions in Lombard. If you are thinking about making a move, I hope you will consider Lombard and all it has to offer.

After living in Lombard for the past 18 years, I cannot imagine living anywhere else. There is so much to love about Lombard. We are located in a western suburb of Chicago with both O’Hare and Midway airports a quick thirty minute drive away. We are located near all major expressways and have a train station in town that will get you to the loop in an easy forty minutes.

In Lombard we have 3 grocery stores, a butcher shop, two bakeries, a downtown area, the Helen Plum Library, a new water park, the Yorktown Mall, the AMC 18 Theater, a roller rink, a bowling alley, a golf course, fitness centers, 5 hotels, 67 restaurants and 450 acres of parks that just received the coveted National Gold Medal for Parks and recreation.

We also have a vast array of affordable housing. From old and charming, up and coming to new construction, Lombard is a wonderful mix of styles and choices. With the median residential home running in the low $300’s and condo’s and townhomes running in the low $200’s, there is something for everyone.

If you are thinking about purchasing a home, give me a call and I will have you loving Lombard with the very first visit.