We have all experienced something new in 2020. None of us have lived through a shut-down as extensive as this covid-19 experience. We can each think about what we’ve lost during this time OR we can think about positive lessons we’ve learned. Covid-19 has leveled the playing field. None of us had prior experience. It does not respect gender, income, occupation or living standards. We are all learning together. We can be divisive or find common ground. So many things in today’s world can divide us into opposing groups OR we can choose to find common ground. We were TOO BUSY. This virus has forced us to clear our schedule. Let’s count that as a positive. While, we might miss our regular chosen activities, there’s something calming about a simpler schedule. I think it’s a good time to evaluate what/when/how much we want to add back into our lives as regulations relax. We may find we didn’t miss some activities as much as we thought we would! Americans (Iowans in particular) are innovative. Appreciate and compliment the businesses and services that found new ways to serve and thrive in this era. Food delivery services are thriving, restaurants with drive-thru have people waiting to be served. (Dairy Zone, an Eastside Tradition is an example) Our local business owners have enormous hearts and generously give each other a hands-up. We’ve seen individual businesses giving others a shout-out and offering services together to give us a better value. How many “free meals” have you seen offered? Elder Corporation has sponsored many, in lieu of one big 60th Anniversary Celebration. How many “drive-by” parties have you participated in? We hosted one, and I must say, it was easy to organize, no clean-up and one Happy Birthday Girl! Zoom meetings have flourished – how fun is it to attend a business meeting in pajama pants! We’ve used it for church groups and I’ve heard lots of families using it as for social get-togethers. And on the low-tech end of the spectrum, simple things like jig-saw puzzles and board games are very entertaining and bring family members together. I think people are more apt to give grace and mercy in person than on social media – ahem….maybe spend less time on social media! Iowa Nice is a real thing! What are your observations? Would love to know what you’ve learned or how you’ve adapted to the “current normal”. And a real estate note – people are still buying, people are still selling. Call 515-979-2883, if you want to be one of them.
What a crazy situation we are in, a defining time in all our lives. Our kids will see life with this as a reference point – life before Covid 19 and life after. There will be stories to recount to kids, grandkids, in history books and biographies. How do you want to define it? Yes, there are people fighting over toilet paper and disinfectant wipes But it is also a chance to see Americans shine and rise above the ordinary. I was reading a 2016 letter from Warren Buffet to his shareholders. Referring to economy, he said ” For 240 years, it’s been a terrible mistake to bet against America, and now is no time to start”. I like this sentiment for this time in which we are in. For every doomsday prediction and story, we can find a story of “Iowa Nice”. We are also a very resourceful people, thinking of new ways to do business. Some things I’ve noted.
I came home yesterday to an Easter bunny wallhanging and towel by my back door from a neighbor. Another neighbor left us warm roast beef in a container on the front porch.
Zoom is allowing their platform to be used by nonprofits, so a group of us have been meeting several times a week for a visit and prayer time.
Board games are left out and played often. On our neighborhood FB page, one family offered to deliver from their board game library to others’ front step.
Let’s follow Warren Buffet’s quote, we won’t bet against Americans creativity and resilience. Share your stories of Americans (and Iowans in particular) sharing and caring and finding new ways to do what needs to be done.
Do you ever watch people and notice how many have an electronic device in front of them? Or observe a group of young people together, but individually on their phones? Have you joined the ‘one word’ movement? Each year, you adopt one word that is to dominate your choices, your way of living and shift your focus to one particular area. I’ve heard the word ‘Intentional’ in this context. Being intentional about your thoughts, your focus, your conversations. Well, I am going to challenge myself, and hopefully others to intentionally notice little details in our everyday life. Last weekend, I saw a vanity license plate on a car. It spelled BLONDE, but the fun twist – it was mounted upside down on the car! I followed (chased) the car till I could get a good photo. Then I posted it on Facebook. The owner saw the post and commented that she loves seeing people point, smile, take photos and that, in turn, makes her happy. Our family works in real estate sale, so I notice houses. Sometimes, I drive down a street that I’ve traveled often, and all of a sudden, I notice a house that I’ve NEVER noticed in the past. Then I wonder, how could I have missed that house all the times I’ve driven on this street? That’s what this is about – taking notice of the mundane, ordinary – appreciating them and elevating them by taking note, taking a photo, and/or simply appreciating them. Today, I stopped at a fun food establishment – Grateful Chef. It is located just south of the downtown area and makes ‘Grab-n-Go’ meals and freezer meals. This photo is of the salad I purchased for my lunch. Just look at the visual presentation – juicy red strawberries, fat blueberries, cherry tomatoes, seeds, lettuce and savory dressing. Now imagine the explosion of flavor, the contrast of the crisp lettuce, crunch of the nuts and seeds, soft texture of the fruit, the unexpected contrast of the sweetness with the savory. I appreciate the work that went into this salad, chopping the items, arranging them in a visually appealing presentation that said abundance, health and deliciousness! I plan to start Monday posts about Something-New-I-Noticed. I challenge you to see new things or old things in a new way and share with your world.
And if you’re noticing a house that is For Sale that you’d like info on – call the Eisenlauer Team.
As we end one year, our team meets to review the year ending and plan for the coming year. We assess our activities, our expenditures, goals met or goals missed. As part of the process, I do a bit of research to see what ‘experts’ are predicting for the new year. I’d like to share some of my findings.
Baby Boomers are holding up the inventory in the housing market, as they live longer, work longer and stay in their homes longer.
Millennials – will continue to be the largest age group of home buyers (37%)
Electronic signatures will be more common with other digitized changes will be coming.
New term – Hipsturbia. As urban areas increase in price, millennials will turn to suburbs and outlying communities.
New construction continues, but still a pent-up demand.
The real estate industry has more new, untrained & inexperienced agents. (The number of agents always increases when the market is strong). Your home is often the biggest purchase/sale/investment that you have. Hire an experienced Realtor – like the Eisenlauer Team.
What are your expectations for 2020? If it includes a real estate purchase/sale, please call us (515-979-2883). We are excited for the future and ready to help you and your friends and family. Linked to sources.
It’s the time of year when all your favorite products are “for a limited time” available in Pumpkin Spice flavors. Some of these things sound very appealing and others leave you scratching your head thinking “who thought this was a good idea?” There are even websites dedicated to this years best and worst Pumpkin Spice products. If you don’t appreciate pumpkin spice – it’s an annoying time of year. Advertising (and your friends) are pushing their latest new pumpkin spice food towards you. “Just try it, it’s SOOO good!” When I googled Pumpkin Spice products – it is worse than I thought. Really – who thought Pumpkin Spice Spam would be a hit? Or pumpkin spice hummus shake – Blehh! If you do like Pumpkin Spice – here’s a simple mix you can keep in your cupboard to spice all your favorite foods.
1/4 Cup ground cinnamon
2 Tablespoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground nutmeg
2 teaspons ground allspice
2 teaspoons ground cloves.
Whisk until they are mixed, store in a sealed jar. Adjust the amount of spices to suit your personal taste. What’s your favorite WORST Pumpkin Spice Product?And what’s your FAVORITE?
Summer is here and it seems to me the bugs have started early. I’m sure the wet spring we’ve had has contributed. What can you do to limit the bugs in your yard, especially mosquitoes?
Standing water is the breeding grounds. Empty pails, glasses, bird bath, toys, then turn them upside down.
If you have spots in your yard where water collects after a rain, resolve the problem with adding dirt and grade the dirt around the house to drain away. This will protect your basement also.
If you have a pond, adding aeration helps keep egg laying/hatching minimized.
Check your gutters to make sure they are draining properly without areas of standing water.
Swimming pools should be filtered, kept clean and covered to minimize the mosquito population.
Replace outdoor lights with yellow bug bulbs.
And if you do all these – it does not guarantee that mosquitoes will vacate your yard. After all, they do fly! What is your favorite home remedy?
A popular one used to be Avon SkinSoSoft. I’m not sure if this product is still availalable?
Bounce dryer sheets are supposed to repel mosquitos. It is suggested you rub them on your yourself and your clothing. Has anyone tried this?
Essential Oils – several oils are recommended to keep bugs at bay; Cinnamon, and /or lemon eucalyptus.
If does seem that some people are simply more susceptible or more appealing to mosquitoes and other annoying summer bugs. What’s your remedy? Would love to hear from you.
Have you been noticing more and more street art in Des Moines? I have and love it. The very first one I noticed was the side of an apartment building at the corner of Des Moines St. and Penn Ave . It’s funky and odd, bright colors, abstract and even a bit disgusting. Really, it has teeth falling out , snot and bugs! But it catches your eye and makes you wonder. Who painted it? Why these cartoonish people? Why on this building? This one was done by a local artist, Frank Hansen and is titled Sarah and Leland with Bees. The show, The Bachelor, came to town with Iowa native, Chris Soules. There was wall art created specifically for one episode. This mural has been the background for many photos shoots and has now been modified. An art organization, The Des Moines Walls Project has a goal of more public murals in the Des Moines Area. They would like to feature local history and culture of Des Moines. Their first one is on the side of Exile Brewery and has many local details, as well as biking and the beer making that Exile is known for. Some come quietly, artistically and with dignity. Here are a few of my favorites. The one on the side of a grocery store makes you do a double take. It’s so realistic, that you easily mistake the painting for a man standing against the building. And the woman with the butterflies – Love, Love, Love! Others come loudly, and with less dignity and artistic composition, but still catch your eye and attention. They do make you look and they do have a story to tell. This is art that is accessible to all. Enjoy. What/Where is your favorite street art?
Des Moines is gaining national recognition in surprising areas. We are already known for one of the best Art Festivals in the country. Even if you can’t afford the art, there are so many reasons to attend. There’s food, music, entertainment, and simply strolling and admiring the art. You also have the opportunity to speak to some of these renowned artists from all over the country. Amazing.
Well, there’s another art establishment that will be gaining notoriety. It’s the Mainframe Gallery, destined to be one of the largest art communities in the country.
It is now in its first phase with 65 artists’ studios and 5 non-profit offices. It has event rental space, a commercial kitchen and many common areas.
The financial structure is unique and interesting and allows for local artists to have a permanent studio space at an affordable price. It’s privately funded and is designed to be self-sustaining.
There is a wide variety of artistry in this community, each with it’s own space and hours of business. There are many established artists that will be familiar to locals – Brian Duffy, cartoonist; Bozz Prints, graphic illustrations with iconic Des Moines scenes; The Red Door Press, graphic illustrations using antique printing presses. Some other tenants are Bitty Buttons, children’s clothing; Capital Photography, photos reproduced on metal; Jen Lawler, jewelry and so much more.
The fun thing is that you can browse these artists’ studios and purchase their work on the First Friday of every month. Make sure to catch the educational demonstration by the Gaffers in the art of blowing glass on the lower level. The next open event will be April 5, from 5-8 pm. 900 Keo Way. Put it on your calendar and be prepared to be amazed.
Bacon Era is right now, right here in Des Moines, Iowa. Saturday February 16, all four levels of the Event Center. It’s Blue Ribbon Bacon Fest. Perhaps the largest collection of bacon related foods and activities that you will see in your lifetime. And there are still tickets available. As their website relates: This year’s theme, “Hello Piggy – East Meats West,” will pay homage to both the Year of the Pig on the Chinese Zodiac Calendar and the pork-filled relationship Iowans have built with the people of Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan since sending them 36 pigs almost 60 years ago. So many bacon questions.
Thick sliced or regular?
Fried or baked?
Breakfast, lunch or dinner?
Crisp or limp?
A few features of this year’s Blue Ribbon Bacon Fest –
Japan’s Bacon Queen will be a guest of honor. And a local Bacon Queen and King will be crowned.
Bacon Eating contest, both individual and group competition.
Bacon Duct Tape Bike giveaway
Super Piggio Kart Races
A lecture from the Bacon Professor – Iowa Bacon: Border to Border
Gangnam Style Dance Off
Bacon Costume Judging
Here are some “Did you Know” facts about Bacon-
Bacon dates back to 1500’s, making it one of the oldest processed foods.
The average American eats 18 pounds of bacon a year.
2 scrambled eggs have more calories than 4 slices of bacon.
Oscar Meyer began selling pre-sliced, packaged bacon in 1924.
Nearly 1/3 of the nations hogs grow up in Iowa.
What’s your favorite bacon fact? And what’s your favorite food involving bacon?
Bacon’s the best. Even the frying of bacon sounds like applause. Jim Gaffigan
The Midwest is often overlooked and under-rated. And maybe that adds to the reason why we are rated in so many Top Ten Lists – Des Moines is a hidden treasure. In fact, Kiplinger named Des Moines one of “12 Surprisingly Great Places to Retire in the Midwest” And for the younger age group – Lending Tree says we are #1 Most Popular city for Millennial Homebuyers. I’ll give you my Top Ten Reasons to buy your next home in Des Moines Iowa. I’d love to hear some of yours.
#10 Easy Commute.
We have an easy Rush (quarter) Hour. You can travel across town for jobs, shopping, entertainment and not get caught in legendary traffic jams.
It was recently named #9 in the most affordable state fairs in America. And the rest of the year – amazing events are held on this 445 acre site. They just hosted the 17th World Percheron Congress!
and other festivals including Celebrasion, the Latino Festival, the Italian Festival, the OctoberFest, The Foreign Food Fair – and on and on. Expedia named Des Moines in the Top 10 Most Artistic Medium-Sized Cities.
#6. Minor league sports
Des Moines was named #1 Minor League Sports Market in the nation by SportsBusinessDaily.com. We have the Iowa Cubs, Iowa Wolves, Des Moines Menace, Iowa Wild and the Barnstormers. You have something for every season.
#5. Election Buzz
We are the center of the universe every 4 years leading up to the presidential elections. The first in the nation caucus state. You can see every news celebrity and every politician in Des Moines!
#4. We are Foodies!
Yeah – we have some of the best and most innovative restaurants in the USA. Forget the franchise food – we have chefs with imagination and talent.
#3 Job market
Because we are centrally located in the USA – major companies are locating here. i.e. Facebook! We are in the cross-hairs of east/west traffic as well as north/south (I-35 & I-80) We are a headquarters for many large insurance companies, one of the largest magazine/book publisher. We were named #7 for Place Where Jobs will be in 2018 by Forbes. ZipRecruiter named us as the #8 Best City to Find Small Business Jobs. Livability named Des Moines one of “5 Up-and-Coming Tech Hotspots.
#2. Seasonal Weather
We have 4 seasons. As much as Iowans complain about the weather, it’s so good to see the cycle of growing things all around us. And if you don’t like today’s weather – no problem, it will be something different tomorrow.
#1 Farm to City.
We are close enough to our rural heritage to see cows in the pasture, taste prize winning tenderloins, enjoy the best dairy products, eat buttery sweet corn picked the day you eat it. So many reasons I did not mention. What are your top reasons for loving Des Moines? Leave a comment below!
We have all experienced something new in 2020. None of us have lived through a shut-down as extensive as this covid-19 experience. We can each think about what we’ve lost during this time OR we can think about positive lessons we’ve learned. Covid-19 has leveled the playing field. None of us had prior experience. It does not respect gender, income, occupation or living standards. We are all learning together. We can be divisive or find common ground. So many things in today’s world can divide us into opposing groups OR we can choose to find common ground. We were TOO BUSY. This virus has forced us to clear our schedule. Let’s count that as a positive. While, we might miss our regular chosen activities, there’s something calming about a simpler schedule. I think it’s a good time to evaluate what/when/how much we want to add back into our lives as regulations relax. We may find we didn’t miss some activities as much as we thought we would! Americans (Iowans in particular) are innovative. Appreciate and compliment the businesses and services that found new ways to serve and thrive in this era. Food delivery services are thriving, restaurants with drive-thru have people waiting to be served. (Dairy Zone, an Eastside Tradition is an example) Our local business owners have enormous hearts and generously give each other a hands-up. We’ve seen individual businesses giving others a shout-out and offering services together to give us a better value. How many “free meals” have you seen offered? Elder Corporation has sponsored many, in lieu of one big 60th Anniversary Celebration. How many “drive-by” parties have you participated in? We hosted one, and I must say, it was easy to organize, no clean-up and one Happy Birthday Girl! Zoom meetings have flourished – how fun is it to attend a business meeting in pajama pants! We’ve used it for church groups and I’ve heard lots of families using it as for social get-togethers. And on the low-tech end of the spectrum, simple things like jig-saw puzzles and board games are very entertaining and bring family members together. I think people are more apt to give grace and mercy in person than on social media – ahem….maybe spend less time on social media! Iowa Nice is a real thing! What are your observations? Would love to know what you’ve learned or how you’ve adapted to the “current normal”. And a real estate note – people are still buying, people are still selling. Call 515-979-2883, if you want to be one of them. 
What a crazy situation we are in, a defining time in all our lives. Our kids will see life with this as a reference point – life before Covid 19 and life after. There will be stories to recount to kids, grandkids, in history books and biographies. How do you want to define it? Yes, there are people fighting over toilet paper and disinfectant wipes But it is also a chance to see Americans shine and rise above the ordinary. I was reading a 2016 letter from Warren Buffet to his shareholders. Referring to economy, he said ” For 240 years, it’s been a terrible mistake to bet against America, and now is no time to start”. I like this sentiment for this time in which we are in. For every doomsday prediction and story, we can find a story of “Iowa Nice”. We are also a very resourceful people, thinking of new ways to do business. Some things I’ve noted.
Do you ever watch people and notice how many have an electronic device in front of them? Or observe a group of young people together, but individually on their phones? Have you joined the ‘one word’ movement? Each year, you adopt one word that is to dominate your choices, your way of living and shift your focus to one particular area. I’ve heard the word ‘Intentional’ in this context. Being intentional about your thoughts, your focus, your conversations. Well, I am going to challenge myself, and hopefully others to intentionally notice little details in our everyday life. 
Last weekend, I saw a vanity license plate on a car. It spelled BLONDE, but the fun twist – it was mounted upside down on the car! I followed (chased) the car till I could get a good photo. Then I posted it on Facebook. The owner saw the post and commented that she loves seeing people point, smile, take photos and that, in turn, makes her happy. Our family works in real estate sale, so I notice houses. Sometimes, I drive down a street that I’ve traveled often, and all of a sudden, I notice a house that I’ve NEVER noticed in the past. Then I wonder, how could I have missed that house all the times I’ve driven on this street? That’s what this is about – taking notice of the mundane, ordinary – appreciating them and elevating them by taking note, taking a photo, and/or simply appreciating them. 
Today, I stopped at a fun food establishment – Grateful Chef. It is located just south of the downtown area and makes ‘Grab-n-Go’ meals and freezer meals. This photo is of the salad I purchased for my lunch. Just look at the visual presentation – juicy red strawberries, fat blueberries, cherry tomatoes, seeds, lettuce and savory dressing. Now imagine the explosion of flavor, the contrast of the crisp lettuce, crunch of the nuts and seeds, soft texture of the fruit, the unexpected contrast of the sweetness with the savory. I appreciate the work that went into this salad, chopping the items, arranging them in a visually appealing presentation that said abundance, health and deliciousness! I plan to start Monday posts about Something-New-I-Noticed. I challenge you to see new things or old things in a new way and share with your world.
As we end one year, our team meets to review the year ending and plan for the coming year. We assess our activities, our expenditures, goals met or goals missed. As part of the process, I do a bit of research to see what ‘experts’ are predicting for the new year. I’d like to share some of my findings.
Summer is here and it seems to me the bugs have started early. I’m sure the wet spring we’ve had has contributed. What can you do to limit the bugs in your yard, especially mosquitoes?
The show, The Bachelor, came to town with Iowa native, Chris Soules. There was wall art created specifically for one episode. This mural has been the background for many photos shoots and has now been modified. 
An art organization, The Des Moines Walls Project has a goal of more public murals in the Des Moines Area. They would like to feature local history and culture of Des Moines. Their first one is on the side of Exile Brewery and has many local details, as well as biking and the beer making that Exile is known for. 
Some come quietly, artistically and with dignity. Here are a few of my favorites. The one on the side of a grocery store makes you do a double take. It’s so realistic, that you easily mistake the painting for a man standing against the building. And the woman with the butterflies – Love, Love, Love! 
They do make you look and they do have a story to tell. This is art that is accessible to all. Enjoy. What/Where is your favorite street art?
The show, The Bachelor, came to town with Iowa native, Chris Soules. There was wall art created specifically for one episode. This mural has been the background for many photos shoots and has now been modified. 
An art organization, The Des Moines Walls Project has a goal of more public murals in the Des Moines Area. They would like to feature local history and culture of Des Moines. Their first one is on the side of Exile Brewery and has many local details, as well as biking and the beer making that Exile is known for. 
Some come quietly, artistically and with dignity. Here are a few of my favorites. The one on the side of a grocery store makes you do a double take. It’s so realistic, that you easily mistake the painting for a man standing against the building. And the woman with the butterflies – Love, Love, Love! 
Others come loudly, and with less dignity and artistic composition, but still catch your eye and attention. 
They do make you look and they do have a story to tell. This is art that is accessible to all. Enjoy. What/Where is your favorite street art?
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