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I traded our pre-June gloom for some perfect spring weather last week when I traveled to Chicago to visit my baby granddaughter (and her parents). We pushed the stroller around the neighborhood in the breezy sunshine every afternoon, admiring all the spring flowers in the area including the brilliant tulips in their front yard, shown above. Since I’ve been away from home, I gathered a few interesting houses from afar to share with you this week:

Where would you find a fifteen-bedroom, twenty-two bathroom home that has something even bigger to brag about? Where else but Zillow Gone Wild, of course. At 55,000 square feet, this is the largest home in Alabama. It boasts a stunning interior including a grand staircase reminiscent of Gone With the Wind, and the pièce de resistance — and its claim to fame — is the guitar-shaped driveway leading up to the front. Located in Shoal Creek, Alabama, this lyrical chateau can be yours for only $5,000,000.

Make sure you’re sitting down as we take a peek at this maximalist mansion outside of London as seen in Architectural Digest. Architect and designer Martin Brudnizki says that most visitors react confused and overwhelmed when they first enter his over-the-top home, “but by the end of the evening, they’re sprawling on the sofa.” The country manor in Sussex is a riotous blend of colors, a plethora of patterns, and a cacophony of furnishings, as evidenced in the drawing room shown above. Read all about it here. Better wear your shades just to be safe.

For a more soothing view, let’s journey to big sky country: Elbow Lake Ranch in Seeley Lake, Montana is a 297-acre parcel of land with over a mile of frontage on the Clearwater River, with lush meadows, open forests, prime fishing and more — all offered for sale for $4,950,000. Billed as “an invitation to experience the beauty and tranquility of Montana’s wilderness and all it has to offer.” Your well and RV hookups are in place; the rest is up to you!
Here’s your friendly reminder that Mother’s Day is next week! If you need inspiration on how to celebrate mom, check out these ideas from local organizations. And if you haven’t picked up this week’s issue yet, here’s your chance, from front to back. Whether you’re at home or far afield, enjoy your weekend!
Premier Events
Sat, Oct 03
9:00 AM
Santa Barbara
Fall Plant Sale and Master Gardener Workshop
Sat, Oct 03
7:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Clean Comedy at Carrillo Recreation Center
Sat, Nov 14
7:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Clean Comedy at Carrillo Recreation Center
Sat, Dec 05
7:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Clean Comedy at Carrillo Recreation Center
Fri, Oct 02
5:30 PM
Santa Barbara
Pet Blessing at Trinity Episcopal Church
Fri, Oct 02
8:00 PM
Santa Ynez
Comedian Ron White Performs at Chumash Casino Resort
Sat, Oct 03
9:00 AM
Goleta
Out of the Darkness Suicide Awareness Walk
Sat, Oct 03
10:00 AM
Santa Ynez
Chumash Intertribal Powwow Returns
Sat, Oct 03
10:00 AM
54th Santa Barbara Old -Time Fiddlers’ Festival
Sat, Oct 03
11:00 AM
Santa Barbara
OktoBEERfest at Dutch Garden Restaurant!
Sat, Oct 03
12:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Reclaim Your Radiance Fall 2026 Healing Arts Faire
Sat, Oct 03
12:00 PM
Santa Barbara
CWC Docs: “SURFILMUSIC” (2026)
Sat, Oct 03
2:00 PM
Santa Barbara Public Library
S.B Voting Rights and Election Protection Forum: How You Can Get Involved
Sat, Oct 03
4:00 PM
Santa Barbara
42nd “Sips & Ships” Wine Tasting & Yacht Tour Fundraiser
Sat, Oct 03 9:00 AM
Santa Barbara
Fall Plant Sale and Master Gardener Workshop
Sat, Oct 03 7:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Clean Comedy at Carrillo Recreation Center
Sat, Nov 14 7:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Clean Comedy at Carrillo Recreation Center
Sat, Dec 05 7:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Clean Comedy at Carrillo Recreation Center
Fri, Oct 02 5:30 PM
Santa Barbara
Pet Blessing at Trinity Episcopal Church
Fri, Oct 02 8:00 PM
Santa Ynez
Comedian Ron White Performs at Chumash Casino Resort
Sat, Oct 03 9:00 AM
Goleta
Out of the Darkness Suicide Awareness Walk
Sat, Oct 03 10:00 AM
Santa Ynez
Chumash Intertribal Powwow Returns
Sat, Oct 03 10:00 AM
54th Santa Barbara Old -Time Fiddlers’ Festival
Sat, Oct 03 11:00 AM
Santa Barbara
OktoBEERfest at Dutch Garden Restaurant!
Sat, Oct 03 12:00 PM
Santa Barbara
Reclaim Your Radiance Fall 2026 Healing Arts Faire
Sat, Oct 03 12:00 PM
Santa Barbara
CWC Docs: “SURFILMUSIC” (2026)
Sat, Oct 03 2:00 PM
Santa Barbara Public Library
S.B Voting Rights and Election Protection Forum: How You Can Get Involved
Sat, Oct 03 4:00 PM
Santa Barbara

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