Dean & I have lived here since 1983 and we raised our family here. We love where we live! But, as our children flew the coop, we wondered, what do we do with this extra space? With Dean's background as a chef and Tina's hospitality, we decided to try our hands at a bed and breakfast. Starting out in 2010, we ended the year with one stay, and that was our neighbor ladies having a pajama party to encourage us to continue (you have our enduring thanks Hattie, Teresa and Elsie!). Well, the next year, we did quite a bit better and each year has seen an improvement, and now we have enjoyed 12 years of wonderful guests.

Times have changed and many houses have entered the vacation rental market. We have thought about it, but we prefer the bed and breakfast, personal approach. Although you have your separate space, the owners are on-site to answer any questions, assist with any needs and to provide you with a welcoming, safe space to enjoy your vacation. Personalized, great breakfasts are included with your stay, but if you would like us to prepare another meal for you as well, that can be arranged in advance with our resident chef, Dean, for an additional charge.

This is a beautiful place. On any given night, the sunset over the lake provides a soul-satisfying display. The sounds of frogs croaking in the lily pads and water birds singing away is a soothing serenade. Or, come inside and play games or do a puzzle at the kitchen table, while overlooking the lake.

Time really slows down here, giving people a chance to reconnect with each other and to recharge your souls. There is no substitute for wide open spaces and fresh air, and this area has both in abundance. Summer, Fall or Winter there are opportunities to get out and enjoy nature, whether it is at the lake or the local parks, a Farmer's Market or an Apple Orchard, or skiing or tubing over at Wilmot Mountain.

We have so many beautiful small towns to explore, each with its own charms and possibilities. Lake Geneva, WI is probably best known due to its well established reputation as a resort town and its downtown packed with shops and restaurants. But right here is Twin Lakes, WI, a well established resort town in its own right. There's a free public beach in downtown Twin Lakes on Lake Mary, and a couple of boat launches available on both Lake Mary and Lake Elizabeth. Waterski shows run on Wednesdays and Saturdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day at Lance Park on Lake Mary. Other local small towns with big character and their own festivals are Woodstock, McHenry, Crystal Lake, Wilmot, Harvard, Hebron and Huntley and Bristol.

Though we are located away from large cities, it is an easy commute by train to Chicago, or by car to Milwaukee, Madison or Rockford. The Fox Lake Metra train station is a 15 minute drive, and from there, the Metra takes you into Chicago for sporting events including Cubs & White Sox baseball, Bears football, Blackhawks and Wolves Hockey, and Chicago Bulls basketball. Many fantastic museums including the Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum of Natural History, Museum of Science and Industry and Chicago Botanic Gardens.

In addition to the lake and its attendant benefits, there is a park with a playground and hiking trails within about 4 blocks. Vail Resorts operates a ski hill and a snow tubing hill 5 miles down the road in the quaint little town of Wilmot, WI.

Agri-tourism is big in this area. There are three excellent farms within 5 miles, each offering unique opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Stade's Farm Market, Richardson's Adventure Farm and Von Bergen's Family Farm offer a wide variety of seasonal activities from a Tulip Festival to fresh pick your own berries and vegetables, to corn and sunflower mazes, to gift shops, to cut your own Christmas trees. A quick visit to each business's web site will let you know what is going on at the respective farms at any given time.

If the small town life is what you crave, then you don't have to travel at all. Richmond is a sweet, old town that most people know because of Anderson's Candy Shop and it is on the way to Lake Geneva. Richmond has had a bit of a renaissance lately as a serious foodie paradise. Paisano's Italian Restaurant, Seaside Prime, Doyle's Irish Pub, the Brat Haus, Broadway on Main and Olive Black Martini Bar, and the Richmond Cafe are all located in downtown Richmond and offer excellent food and, oftentimes, there is live entertainment on the weekends at one or more of these places. A little south of town is Dilar's Family Restaurant with great food and reasonable prices, and the Cubby Hole Cafe with breakfast and lunch items. Round that off with some sweet little boutiques, including Finery and Finishes, Harper G's, the Store, and My Honey Company and you have a unique and wonderful day's experience.