Sunday, Sunday! Open Houses Hosted 1/9 By The Graves Team

We are starting our first open houses of 2011! From 12-2 Kathy and I will be in the Winslow Farms area hosting both a single family residence and condo.

2229 Sweetbriar is a move in ready ranch with neutral tones. The kitchen has lots of cabinetry and breakfast bar area. It is an open floor plan, master bedroom with its own full bath, and a sliding glass
door to a patio space. Click here for more information. Hosted By Amanda Chitwood

713 Moss Creek is a new listing, it is a neutral toned condo that offers a garden tub in the full bath plus walk in closet of the master suite, and double sided fireplace in the great room/breakfast nook area.
Hosted By Kathy Stallsmith

2:30-4:30 Kathy will be hosting 1922 Sussex Drive, a spacious tri-level in Sycamore Knolls. There is a large kitchen with eat in dining area and window looking to the woodsy backyard. There is a large family room or den with lots of windows and woodburning fireplace. A few of the bedrooms have exposed hardwood. Click here for more information.

Also 2:30-4:30 I will be hosting 125 State Road 446 (On the corner of E. 3rd and 446). This well maintained and updated 1.5 story over basement has a freshened interior of paint and new carpet, remodeled bath and freshly painted basement. It has .69 acres with it and a limestone outdoor grill.
Click here for more information.

Cheers,
Amanda Chitwood

B365 Thing To Do #3 Bloomington Farmers Market

For those who seek fresh produce grown locally and/or organically, Bloomington offers a Farmer's Market Saturday mornings, April thru Nov. It is currently located in Showers Plaza with a weekday location at the eastside Bloomingfoods grocery store.

The market has always had a special place in my heart. When I was little my Gramme and I used to go back when it was near the Monroe County Public Library. It was set up in a parking lot and we would wander through all the booths, walking while sucking on honey sticks and admiring black and red raspberries in green plastic containers. We took baskets with us to fill up on green beans, red potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupe, sweet corn and watermelon. There were also lots of mixed summer bouquets of sunflowers, dried floral arrangements and other natural crafts.

Once we got home, we sat on the swing in the breezeway and snapped green beans together into a cobalt blue mixing bowl for Saturday dinner. It was a big family event of my grandparents, parents, and my cousin and my aunt and uncle. We usually had grilled burgers, sweet corn, green beans, fried red potatoes and sometimes we got out the ice cream mixer and had homemade ice cream.

The vendors and crowd also made it a great Saturday morning stop. Betty Neal, a retired bus driver and great grandmother, sets up a booth and sells gladiolas, tomatoes and homemade tomato juice. She loves to talk about her flowers and has a beautiful clematis at her home, which looks like white stars have sprinkled onto her clothes line. At her home she has a produce stand with a coffee can for customers to put money in, and grab whatever produce they want.

There is definitely a buzz from all the people milling around the market. The market is a gathering spot for many locals, and a great place for inspiring chefs, gardeners and other artisans.

In addition to the produce and flowers, there are monthly arts and crafts fairs, music and fresh coffee and snacks to enjoy while strolling thru all the booths. It is a tradition to be enjoyed by all ages.

Cheers,
Amanda Chitwood

B365 #2 FARMBloomington

Bloomington has a great range of restaurant choices, especially non-chain specialties. A few Sundays ago a walked downtown to find something to eat. I wound up walking into FARMbloomington. The establishment is owned by Chef Daniel Orr. The historic location hosts a restaurant, market, bar and a music venue. Orr's whole menu and concept is to focus on local and fresh ingredients. His studies in Culinary Arts have lead him to create a menu of both island cuisine and Midwestern American favorites.

The decor in the restaurant is eclectic and Midwest Americana. Old quilts, antiques and quaint tables with white painted wooden chairs create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

I ordered the tomato and cheese pizza with pesto. The pizza was excellent and you could tell his pride and mission of using fresh ingredients. I ventured onto dessert and order the chocolate pave with pistachios. It was a flourless chocolate cake equal to the best piece of fudge you've ever tasted, plus the saltiness and crunch from the pistachios. I will definitely be back to further expand my culinary palette.

FarmBloomington

Cheers,
Amanda Chitwood

B365 #1 Oliver Winery

Well I'm a little delayed on my blogging but good things come to those who wait. I've been thinking about what I should make my first post. So I started thinking about New Years and toasting and bottles and Oliver Winery popped in my head.

Oliver Winery started in the 1960's with Indiana University law professor, William Oliver. His passion for wine took him from hobby winemaker to a more commercial setting.

His passion lead him to working with legislation to allow for the creation of small wineries in Indiana . The Indiana Small Winery Act passed in 1971 and Oliver Winery opened to the public in 1972.

Today, William's legacy is a beautiful landmark that locals and non-locals flock to every year for celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, engagements and fun weekend ideas. A couple years ago
I celebrated a birthday there by picnic on the covered patio overlooking the pond with ducks.

Their tasting room is a beautiful timberframe structure with large bar and retail store. They sell all of their wines, some even refrigerated and cheeses, crackers, gift boxes, etc.

The exterior is beautifully landscaped, there is a large pond, several garden ponds and natural stone structures. They have a wonderful website with videos and photos showcasing the Oliver's talents.

Here is my favorite.

Cheers,
Amanda Chitwood

New Website Design Posted

First of all I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! I was hoping to finish up the real estate website by the end of December but I kept thinking of information and links to the website to help clients find things on our website easier. I've created quick link buttons, I've now linked out blog, and will be expanding the buyer and seller section.

Please feel free to leave feedback about our site, and what information you would find useful. Having full control over our website allows us to change things constantly.

One of the posts I'm really looking forward to that I haven't done before is the B365. We will be posting 365 things to do in Bloomington. Obviously I should be blogging once a day but there may be some multiple posts. :)

Here's to a successful 2011!

Cheers,

Amanda Chitwood
The Graves Team

SOLD! 4 Bloomington Homes Ready for New Thanksgiving Company!

Nothing could be more exciting than starting new holiday traditions in a new home! This month we closed on four properties ranging from condos to single family residences.

2414 Rechter Road off of Covenanter (Near College Mall area) is a two story with new floor coverings and fresh paint. It has 5 Bedrooms, 2600+ sq. ft., built in 1979 with a large 2 car garage and .40 acre lot. This home listed for $259,900 and sold for $240,000 on 11/19. (92.3% list to sell price) This home was listed and sold by The Susan Graves Team.

9109 Greenridge Lane located at The Pointe is a 2 bedroom condo with nice oak cabinetry in the kitchen, open floor plan, 1400+ sq. ft. and has a fireplace in the living room. This condo listed for $119,900 and sold for $118,000 on 11/15. (98.4% list to sell price) This condo was listed and sold by The Susan Graves Team.

641 Bayberry located in Winslow Farms is a 3 bedroom condo with wood laminate floors on the main level. It has a master suite with walk in closet. It has 1,300+ sq. ft. and a poured concrete patio with lots of pine trees for privacy. This condo listed for $123,900 and sold for $120,000 on 11/15. (96.8% list to sell price) This condo was listed and sold by The Susan Graves Team.

3404 Oaklawn Circle is a condo in Oaklawn Park of Sare Road. This 2 bedroom unit offered 930 sq. ft. and appliances in the kitchen were included. This condo listed for $86,500 and sold for $83,600 on 11/19. (96.6 list to sell price) This condo was listed with Prudential Indiana Realty Group and was sold by The Susan Graves Team.

Thanksgiving break is coming up, what will you be doing?

Some of you may be early birding black friday? Taking the kiddos to the movies? Going on vacation and avoiding family drama? I like all of the above really. My son is now at the age where cartoons are sort of interesting if he's crashing cars in the living room or building and tearing down blocks at the same time.
So what do you do with a 16 month old? Well he likes messy things so maybe a hand print that looks like a turkey? Making a hat with colored construcion paper feathers? What are your thoughts? Here are some things I found: Paper Cup Turkeys

Teepees

Submitted by Amanda Cain