Had a great time yesterday (6/13/09) as we headed to Lost Valley Lake Resort to meet a friend and take a tour of this 500 Acre resort. It took is an hour and a half (with pit stop) to get there. It's about a 75 mile trip from Manchester, with some highway and some pretty curving & rolling hills.
They have so much to do there, your kid's will never be bored, that's for sure. It's a time share type of resort, so you buy in, and then can come and stay when you want (make reservations!). Options include apartments, Tenting, Tepee's or buying into a condo. I hadn't been there for about 25 years and was pleasantly surprised at all they had to offer. Holidays can be crowded with about 6,000 people coming in to "party" & have fun, so if you go make those reservations early.

Our friend Chele (who lives there with her husband, Jerry) took us for a tour of the resort. We also had lunch at the Creekside Inn and Chele picked up the tab. What a nice, unexpected treat for us. We really enjoyed her company and had quite a few laughs. Prayers for her too, as she is fighting cancer. Another strong woman who keeps on, keeping on!

The Inn is run by Shiela, a fun and lively gal who seems to know what she's doing when running this cafe! Great simple food (served hot & fast), and good times were had by all. We all ordered different items and we all agreed, it was very tasty! Our complements to the cook! They also do some catering for parties (on site).

We've got to do more of these little side trips and enjoy what we have here in this great state of Missouri! Here's a Visual Tour for you to view soon, but I have a feeling you'll want to visit it in person yourself!

Click the picture to take the tour.

Happy April Fool's Day! Anyone catch you yet?

I have some great news for you if you live in Hazelwood, MO! They are having a contest to honor the homeowners that take exceptional care of their property. In addition, they will make an award for a mulit-family home. (and no, this is NOT an April Fools Day joke!)

You can read more about the Hazelwood Blue Ribbon Award contest by clicking the link. You have until Monday May 25th, 2009 to nominate a home or condo. Call the Commission at 314-731-0980; you can also volunteer to help choose the property that wins. Make that call now!

Winners win a Blue Ribbon Award plaque and a Blue Ribbon and an awards ceremony in their honor afterwards. We'll all be winners if you take the time to add flowers and plant trees too! It's a great way to "go green" too! Judging takes place on June 14th and June 28th so start planning your annual planting and spruce up now! Good Luck to you, and that's no joke either!

Hi Y'all!

I had a lovely day again at our MOBOT event of the Best of Missouri Market. If you read my writings at all, you know how much I enjoy this city attraction. There's always something "happening" at the Garden. This time it was the 16th Annual Market. They had over 130 vendors and artists showing and selling their wares.

This was my first time to attend this event and it was just great, as the weather co-operated with sunshine and a nice breeze! You'll see a bit of what was offered in my slideshow, but they had so much to see and buy, you'll just have to make some time in your busy schedule to come here and see it too!

There was fresh produce from Soulard Market, flowers and plants, herbs, nuts, candies, meats (mmmm, brats!), seasonings baked goods and of course our famous Missouri wines and Cheeses. So many tastings! Yum.

Artists brought their hand-crafted furniture, wooden birds, ironwork, sculptures, baskets, pottery and so much more! Most of the items there were unique and not the same old thing we see at the craft shows that are so popular here in St. Louis County.

I was there early as I'd been warned about the crowds being huge. They were and increased as the day wore on. I wore out from the walking and stopped near the fountain to rest and enjoy people watching. I just had the best time talking with folks and taking photos, which I hope you'll enjoy viewing. Add this event to the list of things you want to do here in St. Louis in October. Links to some of the artists/vendors can be seen in the following slideshow!

I just read in the West Newsmagazine, that Missourians now have an easier way to see where all the tax revenues are going! It's the Missouri Accountablity Portal (MAP). It's free to use and you can see how the state is spending our money.

You can check by category, vendor or contract. Missouri state employees' salaries will be searchable in a database beginning in 2008.

Check out the up-to-date information to see what's going on. Let's give Govenor Matt Blunt a hand for this site! Seems like a step forward to me. Enjoy!

HEY, MISSOURI!

Got a gripe, that's not been satisfied? Want to check out all the complaints that have surfaced by other Missourians? Check to see if any of these "bad guys" are migrating your way! We (Missourians) have a new web site for you to make checking things out a bit easier. KnowMO This site will provide easy access day or night. Fewer phone calls will allow the Attorney Generals staff to get more work done on other projects. If you need to call them though, call The Consumer Protection Hotline: 1-800-392-8222 on weekdays between 8 a.m. & 5 p.m. The information provided dates back to Jan.1, 2004 and all new complaints will be added.  Enjoy the site!