This series of residential tours is inspired by my girlfriends Elizabeth Weintraub (of Sacramento) and Poppy Dinsey (of London, UK). The Weintraub Gallery features her favorite Land Park Homes in Sacramento (NY Times, About.com), while Poppy D (Zoomf) takes us on an eclectic tour of her neck of the woods in "A Walk Around Chester, England," and "A Walk Around London England."
In "Home Inspections" Elizabeth asks us, "Where Do You Draw The Line On Repair Requests?" If you haven't been acquainted with her blog, please make it your business to do so, for it is definitely a must read. E's blog also contains an outstanding kitchen remodeling series where we are taken on a delightful day by day, step by step, behind the scenes tour full of humor, angst, horror and praise while providing some excellent remodeling eye candy. It is by far one of the best on-line reads I have ever encountered. Truth be told, I just left there and I'm still giggling...
Poppy D has a "thoroughly British blog" and keeps the smile on my face with her delightfully humorous video entitled, "I may not be at Connect, but I have American candy!" What a neat introduction regarding some of her favorite foods and I enjoyed hearing her delightful accent! Now, when I read her blog and emails I enjoy the memory of her voice ringing in my ears and the words leap off the page with a British melody. We are so looking forward to your New York visit, my dear. Don't forget your cowboy hat!
You should also check out my friend Deborah Burroughs, an Agent/Loan Officer in Vista, CA who takes us on a delightful tour of things to do and places to see while showcasing the geological history of a local Volcano Plug. If you are into eye candy, like me, then you will enjoy visiting Deborah's blog for "Mt Calavera adds a bit of natural history and intrigue to the surroundings communities of Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista." See Part I and Part II of what is fast becoming one of my favorite Club Chaos Localism series.
Here is some eye candy from my turtle run in Jamaica Estates, Queens County, NY. I'm off to do another "historical post." Stay tuned for some eye candy from my turtle run around Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Any comments and contributions provided on ActiveRain.com (or other electronic or print media) does not establish an agency relationship with any third party. Blog posts are intended to be informational only. Please be advised that real estate practices vary in regions and from state to state and market to market. The information contained herein does not constitute legal advice. All parties in need of legal, accounting, tax, or real estate guidance are directed to consult with the licensed professional of their choice. Please seek specific guidance from a retained professional in the specific field(s) required to service your interests. I and/or team blog writers make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this web site and its associated sites inclusive of but not limited to ActiveRain Group Club Chaos ClubChaosAgents.com CyberMinions.net CTannStarr Outside Blog CTannStarr Localism Blog TannStarr.net UberMental.com
Carolyn, as always you are an incredible writer giving kudos to the other lovely ladies and you are among them. What a great photographer you are as well. The Jamaica Estates tour impresses me not only because of the homes but the mature greenery that surrounds them. Great stuff!! Keep it up and I look forward to the Grand Army Plaza post!
Hey Gary, thank you for your kind words and I am looking forward to reading your comments about my next presentation. :-)
I have always been fascinated by your area, but have never been there. I am really enjoying the street level, real life views you are giving us. Someday, I will visit!
I'm also taking your advice and checking out the other ladies' blogs. They sound terrific!
Elaine, thank you! I hope you enjoy their blogs as much as I do. I have never been to London or California, so we are playing tour tag, phone tag and blog tag. I am loving every single minute of it! Video tag may be in the works very, very soon... I've already started some footage but wont be able to edit it all until next week. YouTube is new to me... ;-)
C', thanks for the eye candy and links. Out of curiosity, about how old are these homes? Not only are the home designs appealing to look at, so is the landscaping. They seem to do so much with it given the confines of what seems to be small lots.
I've now done two turtle runs...with a digital camera in hand, thanks to you.
Sondra -- welcome to the turtle run club! Outstanding!!! (LOL) The homes range from 1 year to approximately 57 years old. There has been a lot of home improvement remodeling/renovations going on, so sometimes the brick facing may make some of them appear like new construction when in fact they are not. :-)
C- No doubt you will have it mastered by the first day of next week!
Oooo -- Elaine, wouldn't that be lovely? I shall have to devote more time to this. I've a lovely Sony Hi8 Digital Handycam that I refuse to replace or upgrade. It was my first digital video hand held and the newer models don't have the all of the ports like this one does. I can connect this baby to anything and work at any editing station. I will probably fire it back up around dinner time (after I settle the boys into a movie). Who knows what I shall cook up...
C', that is nice that they are making new homes "fit" into the existing character of the neighborhoods....or so it seems from the pictures.
HI C!
Those are great looking homes. They've got lots of curb appeal!
Have a great week!
Great houses Sister C- I love to "run" with you this way. I am not getting any real exercise however but I am having fun.
Sondra, for the most part people do have a pretty good idea on how to maintain the flavor of the neighborhood, but I have to say once in a while you get a real eye sore. When that happens, people start putting up privacy fencing and do some serious landscaping to block the view (LOL).
Thank you, Yvette, and enjoy your evening. Regards, C.
Hey Sister P, didn't you hear? Virtual jogging is IN. :-)
I've been out of shape since Stephen was born, but now that the little minion is 2.3 years old I have to get back to the basics if I expect to be around for as long as possible. My kids are crazy. If I don't work out I'll never be able to (a) keep up with them, (b) relieve my stress (translated: escape the house), (c) much less separate them when they go at it. Stephen is a tough little cookie. My entire household runs from him at least two, three, maybe four times a day. His hands are so fast he can smack you in the eye before you have a change to blink. Believe me when I say I am not joking about it. He's temporarily blinded us all. We've started carrying him with our arms extended to keep from tempting him... He thinks it is mad fun to hear people howling in pain. He even walks around singing "ouch" and "ow" when nothing is happening. PDD-NOS enhanced with a liberal topping of "the terrible twos" makes life very interesting, indeed. (LOL)
Caz, these are all so yummy! How much does something like #4 down go for? Dare I ask? The architecture is amazing and it's so green and lush. Thank you and I'm going to peek in at the posts you recommend!
Later in the rain~Deb
Hi Carolyn I headed over to Poppy's blog for a walk to cool down after the virtual run. I am ready for the showers now. LOL
Wow, Deb -- It just so happens #4 is where my girlfriend used to live before she moved to Columbia S.C. I shall have to ask "Grandma Audrey" (our nickname for the owner for adopting our kids) and will email you off forum with the answer. I love this house. Her late husband was a contractor and when he purchased the land there were only 11 homes in this part of Jamaica Estates. She has some really great shots of this and the other homes he constructed in the area. All you could see was a forest of trees... :-)
Haaaa! Paddy -- Too funny! I do hope you enjoyed your intercontinental virtual walk and run (ROTFL).
I'll take house #6, Jordan wants #3 -- kids! Actually I'm not picky, anything with a garage will do. :)
Thanks for the eye candy. Barbara
(LOL) Barbara, that's priceless! I have to say you guys have excellent taste! BTW, you are very welcome. :-)
ahhhh yes Eye Candy.
Hey Missy, ;-)
Hey there WAHM,
This is some more awesome eye candy. Where to next? I can hardly wait.
Don R.
Carolyn--spectacular homes! Absolutely gorgeous. I can only imagine what they're like on the inside. :) Can't wait to see Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. My mom's from Brooklyn, but she doesn't have any old photos from when she was growing up there. And thanks again, for all the nice things you said--you are soooo kind. :)
Carolyn, I love to see all the places you visit! I was in Forest Hills this weekend and enjoy Queens, it is so lively with so many people out and about. These homes are just stately, I absolutely love them!
Hi Don, a peek at some Brooklyn Brownstones with gorgeous views of the Manhattan skyline is next. :-)
Hey Deb, ask your Mom if she wants me to do any particular neighborhoods for her so she can see what's going on now. It would be my pleasure. :-)
Hi Carole, I am so pleased that you are enjoying the series. I'm having a lot of fun selecting some lovely views to share with you all.
C - you are better than Mr. Rogers at picturing the wonderful days in the neighborhood, and for giving the big them-them out.
C - that was me above, it appears the rain is acting up again and not crediting comments. I just noticed that three of my comments on different blogs showed up as anonymous. And, it is not asking me for the code word.
Hey Big Mike, Little Mike and I have been kicked off a few times this morning. I ghosted a few comments before I realized no one knew it was me. I had to go back and tell Laura plus a few others I was commenting. Oh well... such is life in the upgrade and tweaking process... BTW, thank you for your kind words. :-)
Hi Carolyn Check out the New York home page on Localism this morning. I found this blog there.
Sister C, thanks for the tour and eye candy, neat ThemThem to some fine AR friends as well...
Localism must be having issues, the same post authored by Rummy Dhanoa appears back to back as two separate entries. Hmm... Didn't know that could ever be possible. I feel so bad for the programmers and editors. That has got to be annoying someone somewhere. It certainly annoyed me until I started wondering what else might be happening in a bemused state of speculation... Lord knows I've been kicked off the server so many times this morning I actually went out and did two turtles runs to ease my frustration! I"M ADDICTED TO CC -- I need my AR fix! (LOL)
Hey Paddy Paddy, Cool! Thanks for the heads up!
Hey Duane, I do so enjoy sharing links to my favorite blogs with everyone while spreading some eye candy. Wait until you guys see the shots I took this morning. I ran after dropping off Stephen, then jogged again just before picking the little minion up from his Early Intervention program. (That boy loves going to school.)
I've got the Queens Museum of Art, the Vatican Pavilion, the World's Fair Time Capsule, and the Queens Theater (which is under renovation). I'm going to spend tomorrow at Shea Stadium and try to shoot the new stadium going up. I can see it from the Highway. Very cool!
C -- I am so flattered you feature some of my stuff. That is incredibly kind of you. I think in some ways I get blackballed by Active Rain because of my writing for About.com -- we're after the same advertisers you know -- About.com and Active Rain. But I am so touched you would even mention my stuff.
As for your new photos, I love them. If it wasn't so cold in New York, I'd think about moving there because homes with a sense of history and design are irresistibly appealing.
Beautiful architechture! Thanks for sharing your neighborhood views with the world. I've said it before, but this really expands what outsiders think of when they hear New York. We are used to thinking skyscrapers, not single family homes.
Elizabeth, I adore your blog and get a great kick out of reading your writing. (How could I not feature a fav?) I don't think you're being "blackballed," I just think there are a few "kinks" in the system. Do you know I just discovered I am a top neighbor in Brooklyn? That really fascinates me... I shall have to step up the pace and do a lot more Brooklyn features. :-)
Pam, there is so much variety within the 5 boroughs -- some of these homes are quite amazing! I love hanging out in the older neighborhoods. They provide such pleasant eye candy for a jog... :-)
C. I enjoyed the tour. Beautiful homes. Thanks for sharing.
Laura, I'm glad you enjoyed them and you are very welcome. :-)
Carolyn....stop making me want to move! How super gorgeous these homes are! They look like real nice family homes, the kinds of places you'd build a lot of happy memories. I can't imagine having that much space and greenery around me, so pretty. As always, thanks for sharing and thanks for linking back to me :-D
Poppy D, I adore your blog and love linking back to you. You are very welcome. BTW, we would love to have you anywhere in the USA, but I have to say that sharing you with the U.K. is mad fun! Maybe you can do both one day. ;-)
Hi, Carolyn - I love the tour idea! The tudor is without a doubt my favorite. We don't see too many of those up here and I certainly miss them. Great photo's!
Thank you, Jesse. :-)
I love all your pictures of the wonderful nooks and crannies in your neck of the woods. Here it is late at night and I need to be getting some sleep. Well...maybe one more comment then that's it for the night.
Hi Lizette, thank you for stopping by and taking a peek. I'm glad you enjoyed the presentation. Hope your sleep was sound and I am looking forward to chatting with you sometime later today. Phone-tag, you're it! ;-)