A Mini Summer Vacation

 

 

Would you believe out of all my 50 some years, I just stayed in my first Bed and Breakfast?  I recently returned from a trip to Chicago and a quaint little suburb named Geneva.  Several friends who I met online a few years back plus a couple of family members met up to enjoy some real life time together.  There are not enough words to say just how*much*fun we had together! :) :) :) :)  Nice, nice people.  Oh my!

 

We stayed at a B&B called Oscar Swan Country Inn, a little less than an hour west of Chicago.  It was love at first sight.

 

This “little” family home was built in around 1830 and has seven good sized bedrooms.  My first experience with a B&B was a good one, to say the least. It was perfect for a group of friends to gather in one of the large bedrooms at night before retiring.  We enjoyed a bit of wine and fruit, hummus, and other munchies. 

 

  There was such a feeling of elegance but comfort at the same time at Oscar Swan’s. 

 

 

 

 

There was much silver used along with beautiful, yummy dishes.  And thrown in with the formality were bird houses and pottery.

 

 

 

 

This solarium was where breakfast was served each morning.  It was presented with such beauty.  The dishes, the colors in the fruit, along with the silver and warm, satisfying eggs, bacon, muffins, sausage, quiches…..on and on….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is my daughter Emily and my sister in law Deb standing with me in front of the mailbox.

 

 

The grounds were quite a site.  We walked around and just took it all in for quite some time.

 

 

Donna and Lorrie

 

 

Here we are in a charming room they set up just for us one morning.  It was our last morning and we lingered for the longest time, not wanting the time to end.  All of it was just lovely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This lady in blue is Paula from Sweet Pea.  She has a delightful blog you should visit.  It is always a treat to spend time with her.  The other lady is Lorrie.  Love ‘em both!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some of you may remember my header last winter with a bicycle decorated for the holidays.  Here we are again with the summer look….fresh hydrangeas in the bike’s basket.

We are all gathered here in front of an ice cream shop.  On this particular night, ice cream was our supper!

 

 

Along with eating and chatting constantly we did a huge amount of shopping!  I do believe we hit every thrift store, antique store, garage sale and estate sale in Geneva and St. Charles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had one rainy day, but you better believe it didn’t stop us from finding good deals!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will save more of my antique finds for another day.  I do hope you enjoyed some pictures of my fun getaway!

 

Friends + Family

What could be better?