5 Things To Do in Your Lake Zurich Area Garden This Weekend

Planting, Pruning and Planning Keep Your Garden Blooming

I’m really looking forward to Memorial Day weekend. We’ve planted pots of annuals, cleaned the outdoor furniture and polished up the grill. Well maintained gardens enhance our homes. If the weather cooperates with the first long weekend of summer, we’ll be doing a little work in our Long Grove yard. Here are five things that you can do in your Lake Zurich area garden this weekend:

1. Prune spring flowering shrubs: My lilacs have finished blooming so it’s time to prune. Prune your spring flowering shrubs and bushes shortly after blooming to ensure healthy blooms next year.

2. Feed and treat roses: I’m not very good with roses but I do have several Knock Out varieties. They bloom all season when I feed and treat them. I use Bayer 3 in 1 because it’s easy! One product fertilizes, controls insects (including nasty Japanese beetles!) and prevents disease.

3. Plant your tomatoes: Mmm, I can’t wait for the first home grown tomato! I’ll be stopping by Hawthorn Gardens in Hawthorn Woods. They have a big selection of tomato plants that have varying grow times. I’ll plant several varieties ranging from 52 to 80 days so I’ll have yummy tomatoes all season.

4. Bring your indoor plants outside: Tropicals love a summer vacation outdoors. Be sure to protect them from strong winds. Most articles that I read tell me to take them out gradually – an hour or two a day to start. That takes an awful lot of time so I don’t do it. Beware – If you don’t do this you risk losing some of them!

5. Visit the Chicago Botanic Garden: You’ve worked hard so take some time to enjoy one of our area treasures. Stroll through the Garden or take advantage of one of the scheduled events. This weekend the Garden hosts the Northshore Iris and Daylily Society show along with the Garden Chef Series.

The weekend won’t be all work for us! I’m already starting to plan my weekend barbeque menus, praying that the weather will be beautiful, and planning a trip to Chicago Botanic Garden.  I’m ready for summer!

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Nature and Life in Long Grove

Baby Robins Hatch and Fledge from My Long Grove Yard!

When can I fly?

Over the past few weeks I’ve heard from friends, clients and neighbors about how messy and disruptive the birds’ nests have become around their homes. A Buffalo Grove real estate listing client and a Palatine friend related how difficult it is to keep knocking the nests down. If you’re hoping that I’ll tell you how to discourage them, stop reading now! What I WILL do is show you how beautiful and fun it is to watch them and give you some tips to encourage birds to flock to your yard.

Robins have nested in the lights at both my front and back doors for the past several years. This year I was lucky enough to catch

Feeding my babies

 them in various stages of growth. It’s amazing how quickly they progress from featherless little creatures to the tiny birds that learn to fly with Mama Robin watching over them.

If you’d like to attract birds to your Long Grove area garden, here are a few tips:

1. FOOD: You can add feeders to your yard or feed them naturally with berries from shrubs and seeds from flowers. I have several feeders and use a “general” type of seed to attract different birds. My friend Sis and her husband Don have specific feeders for specific types of birds. Either way, you’ll attract enough birds to entertain you!
2. WATER: Provide a water source. It can be as simple as small dishes placed throughout the yard to elaborate, heated birdbaths. Whatever you use, it should slope gradually. Keep the water clean and free of debris.
3. SHELTER: Birds need a place to quickly escape from predators. Place feeders no more than 6 to 12 feet from shrubs or trees.

I know that it’s a little messy to have birds nesting in the convenient places around your home. I find it more than worth the clean-up to be able to witness the amazing transformation from tiny blue egg to fledglings. I hope that these cute pictures will make people think twice before removing the nests!

Starting to fly!

Later in the week I’ll be sharing a story and photos of the ducklings that hatched in my front yard. Maybe I’ll be a nature writer when I grow up!

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Gifts Galore at Within Reach in Long Grove

Unique Gifts and Friendly Atmosphere at Within Reach

What fun I had yesterday when I popped by Within Reach in Long Grove! My plan was to make a quick stop to purchase a onesie for my first grandchild (it’s a boy!) who will arrive in June. I ended up staying almost an hour looking at all the beautiful, unique items that owner, Marian, has on display. Gifts for baby, Mom, girlfriends and things for yourself and your home can be found at Within Reach.

Marian has done an artful job of displaying items in her store. There are unique, adorable baby gifts arranged pleasingly in several areas. From soft, cuddly blankets to organic booties, you’re sure to find the perfect baby gift. Soft goods not what you’re looking for? Choose from a vast array of photo frames and cute wall hangings for yourself or a gift.

I loved the selection of really stylin’ handbags. What girl doesn’t love a new purse? Within Reach also carries Willow Tree Angels and a line of sweet greeting cards. Home décor items that suit different styles can be found here. I found many items that will be perfect for my clients as real estate closing gifts. There’s so much to offer in this store that you’ll just have to stop by several times to see everything!

What really warmed my heart is the owner herself – Marian Ward. She’s delightful, fun and helpful. She remembers her customers. She recalled my friend who had stopped by to purchase a gift for my daughter’s baby shower and even had a cute story to tell about it. It showed how much she really appreciates her customers. She made me feel welcome and valued. That’s how I treat my clients and I really appreciate it when business owners convey that you are special and important.

Within Reach is located at 302 Old McHenry Road in Long Grove. Stop by, say “hi” to Marian, and tell her Terry sent you!

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Long Grove Chocolate Fest This Weekend

A Weekend of Chocolaty Delights and Entertainment  

One of my favorite things about Long Grove life is the festivals throughout the year. This weekend, April 29th through May 1st, Long Grove hosts its annual Chocolate Fest. Not only will the streets be filled with food vendors offering rich, chocolate confections, but there will be loads of entertainment as well.

Live entertainment will be provided throughout the weekend in six different areas. Performances include singing and dancing by professional groups along with the Kildeer Countryside Chorus and the Long Grove Performing Arts Academy. For a full schedule of events, click here.

The fun doesn’t stop there! Stop by the Chocolate Demo Tent where demonstrations will be given by Oh Fudge, Long Grove Confectionery, Sweet Whimsy and Sunset Foods. I wonder if they’ll be giving out samples?!

There’s something for everyone at the Long Grove Chocolate Fest. Eating, drinking, dancing, and entertainment. What a great way to spend a spring day!

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Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce Expo 2011

Lake Zurich Area Community Event March 19th

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce (LZACC) is hosting the 2011 Business and Community Expo on Saturday, March 19th from 10 am to 4 pm. Lake Zurich High School’s Tonelli Gym and Fieldhouse will be filled with 116 booths representing local businesses. There will also be entertainment and drawings for some great prizes.

As a Realtor in the Lake Zurich area this will be another great opportunity to meet other local business owners. I am committed to shopping locally and what better way to find out what’s available in the Lake Zurich area? Recently I became a member of the LZACC and have had a chance to interact with local business owners. We are committed to the success of our local economies and I urge you to lend your support.

Entertainment at the Expo will be provided by local choirs along with local businesses. Among the featured entertainers are the Lake Zurich High School Bare Voices and Chris Misik’s Voice Students. There will be storytelling by the Ela Theater Company and dancing by the Lake Zurich Park District Dance students. Stop by the performance areas and get a glimpse of the talent from our communities!

Many businesses are offering discounts and drawings for prizes during the Expo. Play Expo Bingo for a chance to win an iPad. Stop by the Avalon Salon & Day Spa booth where they’re offering $10 chair massages. Pop by the Sharp Auto Body booth and enter to win a free car detail. Pick up the day’s program which includes coupons for additional offers.

The Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce serves local communities of Lake Zurich, Long Grove, Hawthorn Woods, Deer Park, Kildeer and North Barrington. For a complete listing of members, visit their website  - you’ll find me there!

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2nd Annual Coldwell Banker Buffalo Grove Blood Drive

Give a Little – It Helps a Lot!

Please join us for Coldwell Banker Buffalo Grove’s 2nd Annual Blood Drive on February 11th from 12 noon to 6 pm. Last year’s event was quite a success and our goal is to beat last year’s donations. If you donated last year, thank you! If you’re planning to donate this year, try to make an appointment. That will save you time in the lines that we experienced at our first event.

Our drive is coordinated through Lifesource. Recently I read stories of donors  as well as recipient stories. They are inspiring and really drive home the importance of blood donations. Lifesource will again have a mobile unit onsite at our Coldwell Banker office located at 350 Half Day Road in Buffalo Grove. It’s a centralized location so we can make it easy for those in Buffalo Grove, Lake Zurich, Long Grove and surrounding areas to make a donation.

After your donation, stop back in our office and enjoy a few treats. In addition to the joy of giving, we have memories of last year’s fun with realtors and clients in the office after their donations. If you need more information, contact me. We hope to see you there!

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Should We Holiday Decorate Our Home For Sale?

Holiday Decorating When Your Home is on the Market

Real Estate for Sale Call Terry

Each year as we approach Thanksgiving, my seller clients ask “Should we take our home off the market for the holidays?” After I answer “no” (that’s another whole blog article!), the next question is “Should we decorate our house”? Relying on my 25 holiday seasons of showing and selling homes in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, my answer is yes. Here are a few simple tips that will allow your family to enjoy the holidays while still appealing to potential buyers.

1. Whether you call it minimalist or KISS (Keep it Simple Santa), less is more. If you usually have a 10’ fully decorated tree, perhaps this year you can try a smaller tree decorated with white lights and a few well-placed ornaments. If any size tree overpowers a room, this is the year for the table-top tree.
2. If you decorate outdoors, use a winter theme instead of a religious one. A simple wreath on the door and pots filled with greens create a sense of warmth at the front door. Leave the blow-up snowmen for next year at your new home!
3. Decorate your dining table for a holiday dinner. Winter whites, silvers and golds work really well. Complement this with a centerpiece of natural items such as pine cones and evergreen branches.
4. Use sensory staging to create a mood. Cinnamon or pine scents evoke a warm feeling in almost everyone. Burn a holiday scented candle for an hour or two before a showing and then extinguish. Never leave candles burning if you’re leaving for the showing.
5. Play soft, instrumental holiday music. Think Kenny G!
6. Keep your home well-lit and warm.

This past weekend, I showed 14 homes in Long Grove, Lake Zurich, Hawthorn Woods and Buffalo Grove to several different buyer clients. More than half of them were decorated for the holidays. Those that were moderately decorated, well-lit and smelling scrumptious caused the buyers to want to stay in the home longer. One of them may even be getting an offer in the next day or two!

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Long Grove Lights Up for the Holidays

Create a Holiday Tradition with a Visit to Long Grove

One of my favorite holiday memories is when my son, Craig, came home for a Christmas visit after Army basic training. He came through the door and said “It smells like Long Grove”. What he experienced was the smell of cinnamon, spices and evergreens and it reminded him of home. Our sense of smell is powerful and can bring fond memories to the forefront. You can experience the sights, smells and sounds of the holidays in historic Long Grove because it’s all decked out in its holiday best!

I walked through the village yesterday and saw thousands of lights and potted trees throughout the town. The shops are filled with special holiday treasures. Friendly, quaint Long Grove is ready to roll out the special holiday events and welcome visitors.

The season officially begins this Saturday with Long Grove’s traditional community tree lighting ceremony. The tree lighting ceremony will take place on November 20th at 3:30 pm in the Apple Haus square. Carolers will be strolling through the square and Santa will be there!

If tree lighting isn’t your cup of tea, there’s sure to be an event that suits you. Just a few are the Nutcracker Tea, Breakfast with Santa or the Victorian Dickens Dinner at Seasons of Long Grove. Visit the shops for that perfect, unique gift. Or just stroll through the town taking in the sights and sounds of the holidays. If you’re lucky there will be a light snow falling to reflect all the lights. As Craig proved, it’s a place where memories can be made!

For more information on Long Grove’s holiday events, visit their website or call the Visitors Center at 847-634-0888.

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Fun Holiday Events at Knupper Nursery in Palatine

Knupper Offers Holiday Events for the Whole Family!

Visions of greenery, berries and bows are filling my head! Those who know me know that I love to garden. That doesn’t stop just because the weather has gotten colder. Now I’ll put my efforts toward creating beautiful winter pots. I’ll be crafting them for the front of my Long Grove home and my Coldwell Banker office in Buffalo Grove. Knupper has everything that I need to do that along with some great holiday events that are fun for the whole family.

This weekend (Saturday & Sunday, November 13th and 14th), Santa will be stopping by for that first photo op with the kids. Why not take this opportunity to get that perfect picture before all of the craziness of the holiday season?

The Winter Container Garden Workshop takes place next weekend. When I first started making winter pots, I attended this workshop and it’s full of great information and a lot of fun. I loved the help that I got from the staff and seeing what others were creating. The fee is $45 and includes all the materials you need. The first workshop takes place on Friday, November 19th at 2pm.

The weekend of November 20th and 21st brings the Christmas Festival to Knupper. Santa’s reindeer will be there on the 20th from 1pm – 3pm. Children can pet and feed the live reindeer. Let’s not forget our pets. Pet pictures with Santa can be taken on November 21st from 1pm – 3pm. I love that they’re accepting donations for Save-A-Pet at that time.

These are just a few of the events that Knupper is offering for the holiday season. For a full list of holiday happenings, visit their website. Knupper is located at 1801 N. Rand Road in Palatine.

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Get Your Lake Zurich Home Ready for Winter

6 Winter Maintenance Things You Can Do in a Weekend

The trees are bare, the days are growing shorter and the weather is getting colder. Whether you live in Lake Zurich, Long Grove, Buffalo Grove or any other Chicago land area, now is the time to take a winter maintenance walk around your house. Improvements made now will not only help to prevent costly repairs but will also help to keep you safe and cozy during the long winter months ahead. Here’s a list of 6 easy things to do that can be accomplished in a weekend:

1. Check your smoke detectors and install fresh batteries. Make sure that your fire extinguishers are fully charged.
2. Have your furnace checked out to be sure it’s in good repair. Typically this service also includes a test for carbon monoxide leaks. Have a supply of filters on hand. A clean filter great improves the efficiency of your furnace.
3. If you have a fireplace, have your chimney cleaned. This will prevent dangerous creosote build-up and help to prevent a chimney fire.
4. Clean leaves from the gutters to prevent ice damming and leaks.
5. Drain your exterior hoses. Disconnect the water supply from the house and leave it on until all water is drained.
6. Check around your windows and doors for leaks. An easy way to do this is to hold a lighter around the frame. If it flickers, there’s a leak. Caulk the leaks around windows if you can. If not, there are plastic sealing kits available at Lowe’s, Home Depot or Menards. For a leak around the bottom of a door, install a new door sweep.

If you need a referral for service people to accomplish some of these tasks, give me a call. I have a list of reliable people that I would be happy to share with you. When you finish, surround yourself with people you love and celebrate with a warm drink!

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