Friday, September 25, 2009

All Eyes Shall Weep At Your Departure...

Please click on all pictures to see the details!



It is a bittersweet moment to temporarily close another beautiful chapter in our lives. Together, my husband and I shared a summer of wonderful discovery, taking a time machine back to the old days of Main St. U.S.A. The last month of summer, after accomplishing much in our professional and personal lives, we embarked on a time travel experience that dropped us off in our own backyard. About 30 minutes away, in spite of late afternoon traffic, time stands still. Magical garden shops that whisper fairy tales



and inspire the artist, writer and home decorator in me to dream and create,



bring out the whimsical dreamer in me that I simply cannot deny. From Shabby Chic shops that sparkle and boast an array of crowns, glitter and silly animal creations







to little tea salons where patrons don Victorian hats for the afternoon and slowly pour tea from original, locally made teapots



Stillwater calls us back every weekend to enjoy endless hours of antique shopping and book hunting in some of the most beautiful and well-stocked vintage book stores we have seen in a long time.





From historical home tours to the numerous bed and breakfast establishments that dot the little city









Stillwater has left an unforgettable impression in our minds that calls us back. And even though summer is over and the morning glory sheds its last tear of early morning dew, our imaginations await us at the dawn of a new adventure on the banks of the St. Croix river.



A la prochaine!

38 comments:

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Thank you for taking me on a tour. It was a beautiful day for this visit. The pictures are so very good and I felt I was there! You live in a very nice neighborhood! Have a grand day! Cathy

The Victorian Parlor said...

What an amazingly beautiful way to start my morning! I am sitting here with a cup of tea and Vivaldi playing in the background:).
This post touches on so many of the things that I love! The shops are lovely, the tea room sounds fabulous, and the bookstore-I could spend hours in there! As for the houses-they are gorgeous!!!

Thanks for taking me along to this beautiful little town!

Blessings,

Kim

Barb said...

Good morning Anita,

Thank you for an outstanding tour. If I lived that close to such a wonderful gem, I think I would be visiting weekly too!

Beautiful pic's! You captured the soul of a lovely little town.

Hugs,
Barb

Woolytales Miniatures said...

I am so glad, my dear Anita, to know that you have these beautiful places to stroll. I believe that you deeply appreciate and enjoy each moment....

deb famularo said...

Wow, I wanna go! Especially to that adorable store with THE crown! What a beautiful little town, definitely a "happy" place to be in. How lucky that it is so close to you! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! lots of love, deb

Unknown said...

Thank you Anita for strolling down Main Street and taking us all along with you. I love the shops and the gingerbread on those gorgeous homes. No more Morning Glories, but we have the snowy nights to look forward to with a fire in the fireplace and a good book to snuggle up with.

Happy Pink Saturday. Karen

Chemin des Muguets said...

Anita,

My what an utterly charming town! I could spend days, or perhaps a lifetime in such a place. Thank you for sharing, and happy weekend.

Marjorie

Bunnym said...

I have been meaning to take a little side trip to do just the same..unwind, relax and just take in all that is offered. And now, you have encouraged me to do so...thanks!


tootles,
bunny

Marie said...

Lovely tour- that velveteen rabbit and the historic homes are just wonderful.

LiLi M. said...

Bonjour Anita,
(C'est bonsoir ici),

I just love this beautiful place and googled where to locate this, I got 4 Stillwaters, but I think it has to be Stillwater Minnesota right? Oh, these beautiful buildings all with their even more beautiful and large gardens, I'm thrilled. You know I love these historic places. And to shop here, I can imagine that you come here again and again.
I think I'm going to plan a trip through the United States after our retirement, only little less than 20 years to go :-(. Thanks for taking me, I loved every minute of this little trip.
Bon weekend, bisous LiLi

Fete et Fleur said...

Lovely place to visit! I remember years ago . . . the quaint little towns we went to while visiting you both. It was a magical time.

Hugs!
Nancy

Rosemary said...

Hi Anita,
Looks amazing!! My kinds of places.
I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Mine is full of baby Jake and flea markets.
Just bought a great piece of furniture today. Will share on the blog soon.
Rosemary

Anonymous said...

Good afternoon Anita, What an absolutely lovely little town. I can see why your hubby and you cherish your time there. The houses are all so beautiful. Thank you for all of your dear comments you leave my blog and for stearing me over to your friends blog. I enjoyed my visit there and will go back time and time again. Anita you have a way of writing that has brought that town alive for me. Thank you! I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

Presépio no Canal said...

My Dear Anita : )

How beautiful stroll you have done! The vintage stores, the victorian homes, the old bookstores,...oh, God! You know, I love it!
I will stay there hours and hours avec plaisir :)
Enjoy, dear Anita :) and thank you so much to show us such magnificent places :)
Have a wonderful week end :)
Beautiful fotos :)

Jorgelina said...

Hi Anita!
Lovely tour.
The houses are all so beautiful.
Happy weekend.

Kirsten Steen said...

Oh you had me at the morning glory! How I do love them! What a perfectly lovely tour. Thanks for this and hoping you are enjoying a spectacular weekend. We are having quite the indian summer here so it is gorgeous! Bon weekend!
Kirsten

Tristan Robin said...

Looks like a town I would very much love to visit! - or move to LOL.

your morning glory photo is exquisite!

à la parisienne said...

Quelles belles photos! I especially love the style of the pale yellow house.
My husband and I love to visit towns that have preserved their historic homes and buildings. I know that we would just love Stillwater.
Bon week-end!

Unknown said...

To me, it's like walking through your soul. A very good TRUE story. Easy to identify with. I totally understand dear Anita...beauty deep and meaningful.

Bonnie said...

Hi Anita! Good morning!

At long last, pictures of your fave new little town.

Victorians are my absolute favorite style of architecture. I just seem to have an affinity for them and am always attracted to them. Sometimes I feel as if I am living in the wrong time but then the Victorians didn't have a lot of modern day accoutrements so I'm happy here in 2009! Ha!

You should consider setting up a tour of this gorgeous little "Mayberry." I would be the first to sign up!

Hope you are having a lovely day,

Bonnie

Bonnie said...

PS - and I loved the picture of the rabbit. Besides tea pots, I collect rabbits and it looks like she - or is it a he - would be right at home with me!

B.

Rattus Scribus said...

Anita,
Stillwater is indeed a lovely place (closer to the way I think humans were meant to live), and if you and I had known about it when we first moved into the area, we might be living there today.

My favorite picture is the fairy rabbit. I think his (or is it her) wings must get tired holding up that bulk, but hey, who ever heard of slim rabbit. That just wouldn't be right.

Anita, your little travelogue freshens the magic for me. I love your world. Glad I get to be in it.
Love, Rattus

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

Magical,That was this post.I loved it from the start.Inside the shops and the Victorian houses are to die for.The morning glory was so sweet.A very beautiful post Anita...XXOO Marie Antionette

Crystal Rose Cottage said...

Hello Anita...What a lovely tour that was! Isn't it nice to have a place so close to your home that truly takes you away? Love your blog background and music! Cute pic of you in front of one of the Victorian's! ~Hugs,Patti

Marina Capano said...

Hi!! just beautiful post!
such a cute houses!

xoxo

Unknown said...

Ah Madame, What a wonderful trip. My Dh and I love Stillwater, but haven't been there for several years.

Your pictures and descriptions are fantastic and make me want to go back there as soon as possible.

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Bonjour ma belle!

Oh what a beautiful place it must be! Such lovely photos of timeless treasures mon amie. What fun it would be to sit & sip tea in a Victorian hat with you!

I love the sign "One shoe can change your life." How true!

Bisous ma chere, Sherry

savvycityfarmer said...

it does look magical ...I can see it clealy in my minds' eye.

always fun sharing it with the one you love!

missn' you

RobinfromCA said...

Just beautiful. I love all of the photos you shared and your beautiful way of expressing yourself through your writing. I feel as though I had a connection to Stillwater too because I could feel nostalgia in your words. And, my favorite of your blog headers is back!

Robin

LiLi M. said...

Good morning Anita! Thanks for your visit! I too remember our first encounter vividly. You are THE person to wear a crown Anita, because your style and elegance are royal! I am so happy that we met, your comments make my day, something I can use, as I have to be in the dentist chair in an hour, again :-(. Have a great day, bisous, LiLi

KeKe said...

Oh Hello Anita!!
it's so good to be back and so refreshing to your posts! Your day trip looks like it was wonderful!!

Libby Buttons said...

Tis sweet tis true. Like a fairytale land!
smiLes
DarLie
aka LiBBy BuTTons

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

What a glorious post! Being in Wisconsin, it felt like some of the towns I know. I am thinking of you and send you blessings and wishes.

Unknown said...

Stillwater looks like a lovely place to visit! Thank you for the beautiful photos! I enjoyed the tour very much!

~TattingChic ♥

RobinfromCA said...

Hi Anita!
I just left a little message (and award if you want) for you over on my blog.
Robin

Jessi Nagy said...

hey doll,
beautiful post.
i lived in mpls for 8 years. i LOVED stillwater!!!
Jessica Lange lives there. smart lady. thanks for a wonderful post.
oxoxo,
Jessi

Renee said...

Now that was like a total break for me. I loved this little trip.

Love Renee xoxo

Tracie~MyPetiteMaison said...

This is a beautiful tour, Anita. Thank you for taking me along. I love the house with the dog in front of it, your photo looks like a picture postcard so perfect... even the doggie is posing! Just stopping by your place to see what I missed while I was away and as always, it's enchanting.
Happy week!
xo~Tracie