Monday, December 6, 2010

~MAKING MERRY~

Blondie and The Husband at the Annual Lake Geneva Christmas Parade.
On Saturday The Husband and I drove to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to meet fellow blogger Cindy, of Applestone Cottage, and her husband Dan for a weekend of holiday fun. And fun it was. This is the 2nd time we have met up, last year was in Galena, Illinois. We try to meet as halfway as possible as we live on the south side of Chicago and Cindy and Dan live in Northwest Wisconsin. And we try to pick small towns with shopping and ambiance. Lake Geneva was perfect and we even had the snow to make it more festive for the holiday shopping we planned to do. This is a picture of Cindy...look at her pretty smile.

Other than a few snow flurries during the week, we hadn't gotten much snow in Chicago, but Saturday morning we woke up to about 3 inches. I took this picture out the window of the restaurant that we met at. In the background you can see Lake Geneva. This time of year it is filled with holiday shoppers but in the summer it is a resort town with plenty of water sports and vacationers. I have been here a gazillion times at all times of the year and always have a ball. And we did Saturday, too.
Shopping was big on the agenda. Shop owners provided refreshments and holiday music filled the air. I don't remember the name of this shop, but I do remember my promise not to buy any more dishes. And they were all stunning. I really love this holiday set.
Look at this precious Santa face. There is something to be said for restraint.
Don't you love this old world Father Christmas? I believe he has a face somewhere behind his beard.
And this is a table runner Cindy is holding up that we both fell in love with. The store also had place mats, napkins tablecloths and aprons. Paradise.
We were offered peppermint hot chocolate while we browsed.
After shopping we met up with the guys at this place where they were enjoying their own refreshments. A trip to Lake Geneva wouldn't be complete without a stop in Hogs & Kisses.
At 5:00 p.m. we rushed out to catch the Annual Lake Geneva Christmas parade. Although it was only about 30 degrees and we couldn't see over every one's heads, it was so festive and fun. People lined the streets to see the holiday floats, the Fire Department and marching bands. There was even a dog parade. After the parade we had a wonderful, relaxing and WARM dinner at a place called Scuttlebutts. The food was outstanding. Afterward, we went back to our hotel and settled in for some nice conversation.

Hopefully, the next time we meet up it will be summer. And I know for sure we will visit each other again. I have learned that pretty much what you see in a person on a blog is what you get in person. Cindy is warm, generous and fun. Oh, I almost forgot, she gave me a gift bag filled with ornaments and holly and berries, and the cutest white pitcher. I am so sorry that I forgot to take a picture.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I am truly in the Christmas spirit now. Today I am meeting with my old pal, Earl the elf to get my Christmas tree. Now I need a few extra elves to help me decorate it! See you soon! :-)

80 comments:

Lynn said...

Looks like you had a great time Jane! I'm Lovin' that runner too, and know I'd enjoy Hogs & Kisses! Have fun with the tree:@)

Debbiedoos said...

I think that is so neat you and Cindy became friends. It sure does look fun Jane. Cute pics!

Kathy@ Gone North said...

Looks like a fun weekend!
And after I read your post on Galena, I put it on my "to do someday" list. Now I am adding Lake Geneva.
Lovely!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hi Jane,
You girls and your misters sure know how to have a good time! I'm not sure I could have restrained myself from buying those Santa plates!

Cindy is such a sweetie and so are you. I'm so glad that you are able to meet in person and spend time together.

hugs
Sissie

Kat said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time Jane! I love Christmas parades, and small towns are the best for Christmas shopping. Say hey to Earl the tree elf for me :) Kat

Suzann said...

Oh my!! I haven't been to Lake Geneva in forever!!
Hogs & Kisses - I had forgotten all about that place.
Thanks for the smiles and memories.
LOVE those dishes!!!

Deb said...

Such a fun weekend! Lake Geneva looks gorgeous & Hogs & Kisses (love that name) looks like a fantastic spot!

www.MaisonStGermain.com said...

It sounds like you had such a great time. Isn't it wonderful when you can become friends through blogging and then meet them in person? Glad you had so much fun:) We got snow here last night:)
~Debra XXX
Capers of the vintage vixens

The Charm of Home said...

that looks like serious fun! Love the stores you visited. So glad you could get together, how cool.
Sherry

The Decorative Dreamer said...

So glad yall had a great time. It looks so festive with the snow around, but burrrr, it looks cold too! We are finally getting some coldness around here, 28 degrees this morning! I hope you got some Christmas shopping done. Those dishes were too cute!

Michelle, All Home and Love said...

You have more willpower than I do because those dishes are gorgeous! I can understand "window shopping" though, all of us bloggers need 5 hutches to put all our goodies in. :)

Looks like a great time, fun pics!
~Michelle

Julie Marie said...

Hi Jane, how fun it all sounds!... and even more so with special friends... love that shop and those dishes are gorgeous, I am not sure I could have used the restraint you did! The lake looks so pretty in the background too... sounds like a place I would love to visit, and shop in... you and the husband look so happy in that photo...you are so pretty!... I remember your post from last year about the elf helping you find your tree... can't wait to see your post about him again!... happy tree~hunting and decorating!... xoxo Julie Marie

Anonymous said...

Loved this post, Jane! I so enjoy blog get togethers and stories about travels.

I did my Hermann post, too.

Leslie said...

wow.. what a great festive trip. It is awesome that you could meet up with a blogger friend to enjoy it.
The runner was great.. who bought it??

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

aww..that warmed my heart. How fun! And a shopping paradise indeed. Glad you had a nice weekend. Thanks for letting us come alone in the pictures!

Dana and Daisy said...

your hubby is handsome, Jane! And I have to ask, you promised WHAT??? No more WHAT??? YOu are kidding! lol!

Steve has new house fever. which is fine with me, but I said, well, I would need a bigger kitchen, with more room for dishes and I would need a formal dining room with a china cabinet and I would like room in the breakfast nook for a buffet.

A girl has to have her priorities you know! ha ha!

Designs on 47th Street said...

Oh what fun you must have had. I really enjoyed the pictures and also love that table runner. I thought you were going to post about Geneva, IL. I love to go there with my daughter!

Donna

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Good morning Jane...Your weekend looked and sounded to be so much fun! Lake Geneva would be a great destination in summer or winter! I had a similiar weekend meeting with some Ohio bloggers at the French Hen Farm for a great shopping experience! I am planning a post on it later today. Snow here over night! ~Hugs, Patti

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

What a great weekend! I need more of those...

LOVE the dishes closest to the right, with heart shaped top dish.

Lori E said...

I agree the bloggers I have met seem to have the same personalities as their blogs...and I follow the best.

vintch said...

this looks like such fun! and i love that the shop owners provided refreshments. what could be better than that? sounds like such a dream! your weekend sounds magical, thank you so much for sharing!

Denise said...

What a lovely outing, and great shopping. Have a great start to your week Jane :) Glad you're feeling the holiday spirit, can't wait to see your tree.
xxxx

Theresa said...

OH what a fun weekend Jane! I love meeting Bloggy Sisters! I agree that what you see is what you get! Love the pictures of you and HUBBY, Cindy and HUBBY and the festive parade watch! Have a blessed day! Stay warm my friend! HUGS!

Sonny G said...

Looks like ya'll had a wonderful weekend.. All of you are adorable~!

Sonny

Melanie said...

What a perfect weekend! (except for the snow) I know that you are use to that cold weather but I have to hand it to you for standing out in it for a parade. LOL!

Love the little shop too!

Pondside said...

What a great way to spend a December weekend! I'd have been right in there with you at that fantastic shop.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Oh Jane,
I look like such a dork in those pics.
But it was great fun, looking forward to summer!
Big Hugs,
Cindy

Charlene said...

Oh it looks like you & Cindy had a divine time!!!!! I would love to meet up with you somewhere & shop! And get to know you in person. Like you said, every blogger I have met in person is as wonderful as she is on her blog (well... excluding 2 come to think of it. hee hee that's still not bad odds!)

Looks like you guys had a great time shopping. I too adore Christmas dishes & decor. I have sooooooooooo many buckets of it all & vow each year to NOT buy anything else. Do I stick to that? NO! Of course not! Thanks for sharing & enjoy the holiday season. HUGS!
Charlene

Helen said...

YOU .... and CINDY together! What could be more fun? Nothing.

Unknown said...

Sounds like sooo much fun! I'm sure it put you in the Christmas spirit.

April said...

Now, that definitely sounds like a fun and unforgettable time to me! Hogs & Kisses...love that name! Being from Arkansas and a HUGE Hog (Razorback)fan, that's a name after my own heart!♥

Maggie said...

I remember reading about the last time you & Cindy got together, seems like you had another great weekend in each others company.
How could you leave those dishes and the Santa behind?
Maggie

Donna said...

How neat that you got to see Cindy! Lake Geneva is a wonderful spot that I got to spend a lot of time in as a child (grandparents lived close). You'll have to go in the summmer...it's so fun!!
Loved the dish set too...looks very much like "Hartstone" made here in Ohio. Looks like you had a great time shopping...I like your collective tastes! Hogs and Kisses looks like too much fun just from the name! Glad you had a good time!

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

How fun!!! And snow too!! We have finally gotten some cold weather down here...it has been in the 20's! SHUT UP!! I know!!

Can't wait to see what you and the elves accomplish!!

Lou Cinda

Maryrose said...

Hi Jane,
What an excellent post, it looks like a great trip and how fun to meet a blogland friend. It did look very cold though. How on earth did you resist those dishes, that looked like a great shop.
I am looking forward to the adventures of Earl the Elf.
Enjoy
Maryrose

Natalie @ Blossoming Visions said...

How fun is that!! I only wish to meet up with some fellow bloggers one of these days. That lake looks beautiful. What a way to start the Holiday festivities!

La said...

It looks like you had a wonderful weekend with friends. I really like that Santa plate.

I met up with some Ohio bloggers this past weekend, too.

Have a great week! La

Olive said...

I just saw that set of Santa dishes in a gift store locally and almost lost my mind but the price was way high. They will be half off after Christmas. Looks like you had much fun at lake Geneva. merry♥O

Marigene said...

Jane, looks like you had a fun time even with the frigid weather!

shannon i olson said...

what a fun trip, looks like a great place to visit. we have a holiday lights parade here, usually it is around -20 when it happens....which means I stay home! :)

Kerry said...

That sounds like a really fabulous time Jane. It's funny to hear you talking about snow as such a common thing...such a rarity where I live! Hogs and Kisses...the mind boggles!!

xinex said...

What fun you had again, Janie! I love that shop with all the dishes, my kind of store! We used to go to Lake Geneva a lot when we lived in Waukegan. It's been a while....Christine

raggygirlvintage said...

Looks like so much fun Jane, I love quaint little villages. I have my tree up and am enlisting the help of all my elves this evening, they just don't know it yet!!
Tracey

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Oooh, yes, I could do with a few elves....wait, I have my children!!!

:-)

Sarahx

Sarah said...

Jane, looks like a fun trip. I love the name, "Hogs and Kisses"!

FLOWERSHOPGURL said...

Hi Jane, How fun to meet up with Cindy and her husband. I love the pictures from the shop with the santa plates, too cute. I also love the "Hogs and Kisses" named restaurant. I hope your elf helps you find the perfect tree, I can't wait to see it all decorated.
Hugz,
Kim

Raine and Sage said...

I'd always wondered if it would be strange meeting up with a fellow blogger friends. Clearly not! What a fantastic thing to do, Lake Geneva looks beautiful. Cold, but so festive and I'd enjoy looking in the shops and eating there. Hogs & Kisses looks like it would have big steaks and warming food for that cold climate! What a great little adventure.

Sue said...

I'm so glad you had fun, although I would expect nothing less! That shop looks wonderful...how did you manage to be so good about buying dishes?

I think you are brave to do a parade at 30 degrees!

Signing Out said...

How fun, Jane! I love everything in the shop, especially those cute dishes. So, tell me, who ended up buying that adorable table runner...you or Cindy?

Jane
frugalfineliving.com

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

So glad you all had a great time. Thanks for sharing the great pictures!

Kathleen Grace said...

What a fun weekend! I'm so glad you had a good time. i need to stop by Applestone cottage and say hello now:>)

red ticking said...

i just love blondie... since i am one (well used to be!) so happy to have found your blog... xx

Debbie said...

Hi Jane...how wonderful you could meet up with a blogging friend(again). I think that is so special.
Looks like a fun filled time from here.
Is your tree all decorated, and ready to be shown to all of us?
LOVE that old world Father Christmas!
Debbie@lakehouse

Parisienne Farmgirl said...

Oh, looks like you had so much fun! You should have stopped by on the way!
LG is such a lovely town at Christmas!

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Sounds just like a wonderful fabulous time together! How fun, Jane!

Renee {Shabby, Chic and Charming} said...

Jealous! Looks like a fabulous time.

Anonymous said...

Good for you -- out there making memories with fellow bloggers. Looks like a wonderful time!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Isn't that always the way, Jane? You swear off dishes and then see the prettiest ones! : ) It sounds like you had a lot of fun meeting up with Cindy. I'll bet it was fun shopping together.

Rebecca said...

Hi Jane
What a simply wonderful time you had! I love Lake Geneva, haven't been there in awhile though. How nice to meet up with a fellow blogger and share Christmas joy!
Hopefully we can meet up sometime, I would love that.
Many Blessings
Rebecca

bj said...

Oh what fun this must have been.
Glad you hooked up with another blogger. Love it!!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

How fun, Jane! It looks like you two and your hubbies had a wonderful time! Love the store you showed us! It looks cold, though...brrr! It's going to be 19 tonight...in Georgia! What's wrong with this picture? Happy week!...hugs...Debbie

Sue said...

Janie, I'm so glad that you and Cindy had such a good time together, once again! You showed great restraint, girl! I love dishes. I love goodies and pretties. I love to buy!!!! LOL
Now get to work on your tree and have some fun and maybe a cup of eggnog while you're decorating it. And yeah, a little bit of rum added to it will be just fine!
♥ Sue

René said...

You are adorable! Looks like a fun filled day.

-Rene

Unknown said...

G'eve Jane ~
What a wonderful time you both had. It is such fun to meet with our friends ... & this time of year would be even more festive & fun.

Great pics, love the shop!

Have a lovely winters eve ~
TTFN ~ Marydon

Brenda Pruitt said...

I remember Earl from last year! How on earth did you show restraint with those red and white dishes facing you, I ask? I couldn't have done it. Cindy is smiling big cause she's got a baby granddaughter to hug this Christmas!
Brenda

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Hi Jane,looks like y'all had a great time. What a fun place to go AND meet up with friends! Looks like some good shopping, too. Linda

Tina said...

What a fabulous weekend, Jane! That is so great that you and Cindy are friends! The shopping looks fabulous, I love that Santa plate and all that snow! Thanks for sharing your fun weekend! Hugs ~ Tina xx

designchic said...

What a fun weekend. And meeting a blog friend sounds fantastic...thanks for sharing!!

Stacey said...

Looks like an awesome time! Love the pics too!

Mary said...

Yes, busy and busier as each day goes by!

Loved the story of your Lake Geneva visit - looks like you all had such fun!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Jane, I just read Cindy's post about this. I am so envious! What fun it sounds like y'all had, and oooo, you found some great shopping too! laurie

Lori said...

What a wonderful week-end Janie ~ sounds like it was all you hoped it would be. xo

Heaven's Walk said...

What fun, Janie! A perfect holiday weekend with a lot of holiday spirit! The photos of you with hubby are so sweet! Thanks for introducing us to Cindy, too!

I am so anxious to meet some of my blog-sisters this summer!

xoxo laurie

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Looks cold! I'm glad you had such a good time--I love the white plates you pictured. What a great thing for all of you to do! Jacqueline

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

Hi again Jane,

It's so lovely that you've met up with a fellow blogger (bloggee?!). I so wished I lived a bit nearer someone...anyone!! It would be brilliant to be able to chat face to face.

Lucky you!

Sarahx

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

How fun for you and Cindy girl...and of course for the guys that can sit and watch sports TV ha ha!! I loved seeing all those dishes and just like me you walked away Ha I have not bought one dish all of 2010 as I now have them stuffed under beds ha ha!! Blogland sure makes you want to buy them...Glad you 2 had a GREAT time once again...Did I tell you I use to live there...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Anonymous said...

What a fun trip for both you and Cindy. Thanks for sharing all the fun and photos.

Melissa Miller said...

You all look great! What a fun time!

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Hello Jane,
What a lovely blog you have! Thanks for stopping by my new blog & leaving a sweet comment. I'm just beginning, but am realizing how many nice & supportive folks there are in blogland. I enjoying reading a few of your recent posts. I'm going to the dollar store to get some plain bags for wrapping - great idea!!! - Susan

Shellbelle said...

Well, it looks as though you and Cindy had a blast again! How fun that you've been able to get together twice and that you're already looking forward to another visit.

That Santa plate is wonderful and you did show great restraint in not making the purchase. I'm trying to be good in that respect also and my bank account is making it very easy this year, lol.