Can it really be April already!

Goodness times moves along when you are having fun.  It has been a busy season for us already and April is really filling up fast.  Much has to do with the fantastic weather we have been having here in Southern Illinois.  Many of your guests have been here to bike the Tunnel Hill Bike Trail, hike the State and National Parks like Garden of the Gods and of course take in some wine tasting along the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail or the Southern Illinois Wine Trail.

We of course have been busy with outside work.  After the mild winter, gardening has been a challenge.  We had weeds this year I have never seen before! They were everywhere.  Hopefully we have them under control and the four dump truck loads of mulch we spread will keep them at bay.  Lots of color in the lower garden with azaleas, iris and snowball bushes not to mention the beautiful shades of green on the trees.  Never fails to amaze me the greens of spring.  Now we are waiting on the opening of the pool.  Before you get too excited, let me explain.  Opening just means taking the cover off, cleaning the winter gunk out of the bottom and then working to clean the water and get the chemicals in balance.  It does not mean "last one in is a rotten egg"  or whatever your favorite pool saying might be.  Of course if you swim in that kind of water, you are most welcome to partake!!

Guests had a great time last week fishing in the pond.  Five good size bass went back to Breeze, IL and were most likely enjoyed that evening.  I have a promise of a return trip and possible fish fry.  We will keep you to that David.

So if your looking for a pleasant hide-away and need a break from your everyday life check out our website www.oakridgemanor.com or give us a call at 618 996-2237

Until next time,  Anna

Spring is on the way, hopefully!

Well the carpeting went well and after some trial and error we have the place back together. Our original plans didn't quite work but we are happy with the results. Had at first wanted to make the main floor common area the new breakfast room but it just didn't look right. Now the furniture from there really didn't look good in the room where we had our dining room furniture off the kitchen. Oh yes, Robert just loved moving this stuff around multiple times. So our private dining room furniture went into the real dining room which was the breakfast room for guests, are you following this. We kept the common room as it it was and the lovely bright former sun room that was our private dining room became the new breakfast room. So far all our guest have enjoyed the extra room. They love the view of the gardens and pool area and the light is fantastic in the morning. They do get to watch me in the kitchen getting breakfast but that is kind of fun. We are one big happy family now. Really it has worked out great so far.

The weather here in Southern Illinois is slowly improving. Guests have been enjoying the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and the Southern Illinois Wine Trail as well as the Tunnel Hill Bike Trail. A few have even ventured on to the parks like Garden of the Gods and Giant City State Park. March is looking pretty good but still have openings if your looking for a spring trip, come see us. 

Again come check out our new breakfast room and keep me company while I prepare  your Nut
Encrusted French Toast.  Until next time (I'll try not to be so long in getting another blog done), Anna

We're getting there!

We have had the wallpaper on the staircase replaced and repaired.  The main entrance, dining room, staircase and landings have been stripped of carpet.  Let me tell you doing those stair was no easy job.  Wrapped stairs all twenty- five of them are now carpet free.  So many little bits of carpet to go around all those spindles, two per step and of course all the spindles on both landings.  Whew, what a job removing it all.  Of course the real mess is the furniture we had to more from our two rooms as we are also getting new carpet in our private quarters.  Now you can see why we are closed for the month of January.  Excited to see how our planned room changes will look.  Old dining room will become our private dining area, our private dining area will become a new common area and the common area with fireplace will be our new breakfast room.  Our worst fear is we will get all the changes made and not like it.  Hopefully it will look as good as we think.  Not sure how many times I can get my fellow innkeeper to move all this furniture.  Hope everyone had a great holiday and a joyous New Year.  Look forward to seeing you in the coming months.   Remember February is the month of love and romance.  Think  champagne bubbler air tubs and fireplaces! Take care, Anna

Where does the time go?

Goodness it has been a very long time since I have posted a blog.  I'd like to say it is just because I have not done it but gosh we have had a busy year and especially busy October.  Business has been fantastic for us this year and for that we are most grateful. To you are repeat guests and to all our new guests that we have had the pleasure of meeting this year, a huge thank you.  Now November was slow but that could be because we took time off the travel to Cancun, Mexico, the Riviera Maya to be exact to celebrated our 40th anniversary as a "family vacation".  Yup, June 5th 1971 I married my best friend and love of my life.  We did have a wonderful time and it was a well needed rest.  Nothing like being with a 5 1/2 year old to keep you going. Here is picture of all of us on our last night in Mexico.  I was a fantastic trip and all had a terrific time.  So from our house to yours we'd like to thank all of our guest for a wonderful year and wish everyone a wonderful years end how ever you celebrate. 

We will be doing some heavy re-do's on the house cone January.  Mainly new carpet and some room changing  so will be closed for the month.  We are thinking of changing the dining area from the current location to the common area where you go out to the deck.  Thought we would mix it up alittle.  We will turn our dinning room into a common room.  Now this all sounds good right now but will have to see when we actually move things around.  That being said we are sorry if you had planned a January visit but it will be a bit messy around here.  Look for us to re-open in February with bright smiles and warm welcomes for everyone.  Again our best to you all in the coming year.  Anna

Great complement!!

Complements are great, even if they are about another Bed and Breakfast!  Had a lovely young couple stay with us last weekend.  Who says Twenty-somethings don't like Bed and Breakfasts?  John and Cara had nothing but great things to say about the "exceptional" stay they had at another Illinois Bed and Breakfast.  Everything about their stay was "exceptional" - the greeting they received on arrival, the lovely room to the fantastic breakfast and most importantly their wonderful hostess.  Of course as soon as they told us what part of the state they visited we knew where they had stayed.  Seems they had a gift certificate as a wedding present and used it for their first bed and breakfast stay ever.  They had such a wonderful time, that  they both agreed staying at B&B's was really an "Exceptional Way To Stay".  So the reason for their booking with us for their first anniversary.  Now I need to say thank you to our good friend at Inselhaus B&B, www.inselhausbb.com, Dorothee Gossel for showing this young couple such a great time. We tell all our guests to check out the Illinois Bed and Breaskfast Association (www.illinoisbnb.com) website to find quality inspected and recommended bed and breakfasts.  Until next time,  Anna

October Filling up Fast

We still have room on Oct 14-15 as well as on Oct 28-29.  The weekend of Oct 21-22 is now fully booked. The weather has been great this week and the first changes in the leaves are just starting.  We think that the color peak will be mid to late October.  The back roads to the wineries will be spectacular. Walks to the pond have been popular this month.

Still time to book for late October

The leaves appear to be turning late this year so there is still time to book for the last two weekends in October. We still have weekend openings for the Oct 21-22nd and Oct 28-29th.  Check your schedules and see if a quick getaway might work.  This is a great time for hiking or wine tasting.