Many of you know that I grew up in Geneva, Illinois, due west of Chicago on the outskirts of the suburbs. The town has a Swedish history and features Good Templar Park where members of the International Organization of Good Templars would come to celebrate Midsummer, which is Swedish Day, or “Svenskarnas Dag” in Sweden….
The last time I took a fall leaf peeping trip was with my daughters when we headed to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. That’s the weekend my son’s wife gave birth to their daughter Charlotte. This year, hubby and I are headed to southern Indiana to catch the Covered Bridges Festival in Parke County. From there, we’ll…
Last weekend hubby and I took a mini vacation to a cottage getaway on the Illinois River. There’s a small resort by the name of Heritage Harbor that has plenty of charm, activities, and beautiful homes. It’s only an hour away from our house which makes it perfect for a quick trip. We stayed in…
Not too far from where I live is a community of small, newer homes that enjoy waterfront living. I previously shared a tour of adorable cottages at Heritage Harbor, and today there’s more to enjoy. I love this new community in Ottawa, Illinois where you can find unique and affordable riverfront homes. There are also…
When most people think of California, they think beaches, palm trees, L.A., and Hollywood. The word “cozy” probably doesn’t come to mind. But I definitely found the cozy side of California when visiting historic Ferndale. And since today is Cozy Living Saturday (the first Saturday of the month), I think now is the perfect time…
Happy Wednesday, friends! It’s time to head back (virtually) to historic Ferndale to see more of the town’s stunning historic homes. The first time I posted about our trip to Humboldt County, I shared a collection of the Victorian cottages. Today it’s time to see some of the other beautiful homes that grace the streets…
Who else is suffering gloomy spring weather right now? I’m raising both my hands! We haven’t had a pleasant spring so far but I’m not going to let it dampen my spirits. Instead, let’s pretend we’re overseas visiting the colorful gardens and homes of Spain. This little virtual tour is sure to put a smile…
One thing we miss living in America is the vast array of really old buildings and homes. Can you imagine living in a house that’s over 500 years old? I think about the lives and history of older homes here in the United States, but old houses in Europe have seen so much more. Today…
Let’s take a trip to the bucolic setting of the United Kingdom to explore a charming collection of English cottage homes. First up is an adorable dwelling located in Castle Combe, often referred to as the most beautiful village in England. It reminds me of a cottage that one of Beatrix Potter’s characters would live…
After the holidays I tend to dream of a cabin getaway where I can hole up for a couple of days with a book or stack of favorite magazines in hand. Just give me a little place where I can turn off the noise and activity while enjoying a bit of nature. You know, a…
Have you ever gone to a somewhat obscure place for vacation and found you enjoyed it so much more than the much-hyped tourist spots? That’s what happened this past weekend when hubby and I went to Grand Detour, Illinois, for a low-key fall getaway. I was immediately smitten by the charming town of about 450…
Most of the trees across the country are starting to peak with their fall color and it’s such a gorgeous scene. I love that God gives us this brilliant burst of color before the branches empty themselves of foliage. When I think of where I’d most like to travel during autumn, hands down it’s the…
In yesterday’s post I mentioned that I decided to tackle a new project and would share today what that’s all about. Call me crazy, but I decided to run another marathon – the Avenue of the Giants Marathon! In the first decade of this century, I ran a total of five marathons. I ran the…
Normally I save Thursdays for room tours, but today I have the honor of featuring a charming beach cottage that you can rent for vacation through VRBO. The home is located in Ocean View, Delaware and is just a short drive (or walk) to Bethany Beach. I love when readers reach out to me…
We’re back from our Wisconsin vacation and I’m excited to share some of the historic district homes in Madison. First, let me say what a beautiful, small city that Madison is. I was impressed with its cleanliness and aesthetic appeal of tree-lined streets. Not to mention, people were so friendly there. The first thing I…
Next week the family is going on a farm vacation to the rolling hills of Wisconsin. As I’m preparing for the trip, it occurred to me that I never shared our recent visit to Rock City Gardens in Georgia just south of Chattanooga. Have you ever been there? You’ll find manmade elements woven through the…
