Fall 2011 - It's here at the Stillman Inn located in Beautiful Galena, IL

There is just no denying it, we are into Fall and it is beautiful here!  Fall Festivals are beginning, we just had a civil war encampment event here down our hill and I'm taking what will most likely be the last pictures of this years gardens.  All that work....!

We've just spotted our second set of baby squirrels for the Spring/Summer.  They are just too cute and cause quite a bit of mischief around...not as bad as racoons though.  We've taken the bird feeders down and set them on the ground since the squirrels end up getting everything anyway.  Fun to watch our granddaughter try to say squirrel at 2 years old!

We'll start making pumpkin and apple pies, cheesecake, hot apple cider and by the way, a lot more people are have a smores fire these days here at the inn!  Yummy!

 I love the random sunflowers that come up around the garden, particularly under the bird feeder.  It's just a pleasant surprise that I didn't have to plant!

Once the sedum blooms you know it's time to get your warm clothes out!

Galena IL has two to three civil war encampments a year.  There was one this weekend across from Grant's home.  You can see it from the Inn.  As a matter of fact, I can hear the cannons going off right now. 

Civil war encampments are a great thing for families to do.  We used to go to them and was I happy when the guys told my son he couldn't use his phone or any other electronics while there.  He loved it.  He was usually a water boy during battle.

 They regularly go through formations that were typical in the civil war encampments.  Guests love to go down and ask questions, see how they make their food, look at antique artifacts from the time like uniforms, guns, old kettles, saddles, etc.

This is always my favorite.  When they set up the little log cabin as it would have been in the 1800's.  This particular weekend it was Set up especially nice with lots of knitting, quilts and sewing gadgets.  I love the simpler arts.  I won't say simpler life because it most certainly was  not simple or air conditioned for that matter!  There are a lot of artists in Galena that like to work with their hands especially in the area of fibers, mending and sewing, knitting, rug making...When I work on my projects I like to think what it would have been like for women in those days.  It's kind of a touch stone for me like doing a family tree is to others.

 By brother-in-law Donn is going to like this pic!

I had the rare opportunity of being able to leave the inn for a walk Saturday.  I sat in Grant Park trying to finish up a knitted scarf when the train came by.  Next to the train tack is a bike path.  Lots of people riding bikes!  And next to that is the Galena River.  I was able to watch several canoes and kayaks go by.  What a perfect day!

Then I walked to the farmers market.  Tried to find "Pink Lady" apples.  I've been trying to find them for pies because the description of them is so luscious.  I understand they are an Heirloom apple and hard to come by.  If you see any, send one this way!

Have a great Fall and stop on in!  The colors are going to be spectacular in the next couple of weeks.  Next weekend is Oktoberfest complete with wiener dog races and then the following weekend is our busiest weekend - Country Fair Weekend. 

Mention this Fall 2011 blog and receive a complimentary bottle of wine with your two night stay!

Bernadine & Dave