CLOVER CLIFF RANCH BED & BREAKFAST RETREAT FOR ME AND MY HUNNY

PART OF MY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION WEEK has been to travel to the CLOVER CLIFF RANCH BED AND BREAKFAST outside of Elmdale, Kansas.  Looking at the time we will stay there as THERAPY FOR THE SOUL.  Our weary bodies and minds needed a break and here it was.  These images are off of their website.  I snagged them to share. 

On Wednesday, we journeyed to COUNCIL GROVE, Kansas for lunch at the HAY'S HOUSE.  I had a birthday HAMBARGER with French fries.  This was my bread and meat treat.  They serve up an old fashioned hamburger which I was craving.  I think if I eat something like this every once in awhile I can stay on the food program longer and then treat myself with a hardy burger.  This is the week that I am allowing myself to eat some MEAT and DESSERT.

Looked around in the Antique Store next to the restaurant and bought myself a sweet ring.  We visited another shoppe down the street in which we looked at architectural items.    

Drove over to the CLOVER CLIFF rolling into the parking lot in the afternoon to spend the night. We have stayed here over the years.  I think the first time was in 2018.  It is a fairy tale to me. Since it is my 70th birthday, I wanted to return to this relaxing atmosphere of this upscale Bed and Breakfast full of antiques in a mansion on the prairie with wide open spaces to admire.  

Unloaded the car and relaxed in our room.  Waiting for us for our supper was a cheese and fruit tray in the fridge which was ordered ahead of time by my Hunny.  4 different Cheeses🧀, 2 types of grapes🍇,🍓strawberries and 🫐blueberries, almonds with 🍫2 tiny chocolate bars and round candies.  We brought with us summer sausage and 3 types of crackers.  We've done this before so we dine in our bedroom away from the maddening crowd.  It was a simple meal, but delicious.

THEN the fun began.  WATER THERAPY.  Relaxed in the jetted tub with a colored light show as the tub's water rumbled.  Colored lights of red, blue, green, orange change in the water to add some interest to the Jacuzzi.  Since I like color, I liked the added feature.  I must have stayed in the tub an hour altogether.  First soaking in the tub for about 30 minutes without the bubbles then turning the rumbling jet streams on to the tune of 30 minutes.  It was very relaxing like a massage.  Can I get an AMEN?    

Fell asleep in the oversized bed in the LINCOLN SUITE.  Our favorite Bedroom at the B&B.  A loud wind storm blew in during the night with lightning and rain.  For an instant, I wondered if we should go downstairs for safety.  It wasn't tornadic, but it made me wonder because of the powerful wind hitting the windows.  We stayed in our room and I drifted back to sleep.  

Got up early to eat a gourmet Breakfast.  Pleasant.  We decided to drive over to COTTONWOOD FALLS afterwards to look at the historical houses and eat a salad at the GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL and GRILL.  Twas so hot out that walking was out of the question.  We were ready to return to our suite and have some Iced Tea. 

Walking around in this magnificent MANSION is relaxing and I adore the antiques.  Oh, so pretty.  So beautiful and stately.

Another night of sleeping in the LINCOLN SUITE before returning to small-town America to return to our reality of living in a small COTTAGE.  Breakfast will be served at 8:30 and I wonder what we will have.  Yesterday morning's meal was a miniature quiche, cherry pastry and an apple crisp with granola. Orange juice to drink.  What a nice time we have had.

I think I could live here.  grins.  The closest thing to a VACATION I CAN GET RIGHT NOW.

Inspired to decorate our tiny cottage.  Full of ideas to think about.  

Decorating our HOME inspires me that I can use some talent that God gave me to make a house a HOME.  TOO MUCH TIME as of late has been given to the political arena which bogs my mind, steals my energy and occupies my time.  Great political conversations I have had with my Husband, but I believe I'd rather turn this whirlwind of thought into a more productive world at HOME.  I can pray, but shouldn't worry.  Worry robs one of energy and gives a sense of doom.  God will deal with the details.

I believe I have better things to do 

instead of worrying especially for my birthday week,

~d

     

MUCH NEEDED HISTORIC MINI VACAY IN THE FLINT HILLS

DRIVING THE DISTANCE TO THE CROSS COUNTRY MEET WOULD MEAN THAT WE'D GET HOME SUPER LATE after it was over.  Decided to stay overnight at the lovely 1860s CLOVER CLIFF RANCH BED AND BREAKFAST.  It is a short distance from where the meet was. 

We went early enough in the day to stop for lunch in Council Grove at the TRAIL DAYS restaurant that is full of history and conversation.  I had a BISON BURGER with baked beans and a delicious Cherry Berry Iced Tea.  The McClintocks are very special people where the history flows with delicious homemade meals.  I sat at a small table taking in the ambience of the lovely house they remodeled many years ago.  Gosh, it is so nice to eat and relax.

THE CROSS COUNTRY MEET STARTED AT 4 AND OUR GRANDDAUGHTER WOULD RUN AT 5.  Bless her heart, she took FIRST place running Varsity.  League Champion!  What a thrill to see her run across the beautiful Flint Hills.  It was incredibly WINDY and then the temps began to fall where we needed jackets to stay warm.  I believe I got my walk in for the day as I am sore and stiff.  

OUR CHAMPION

 

Took off after the AWARDS CEREMONY and drove to the Bed and Breakfast ready to collapse on the bed.  I was almost too tired to take a bath when we got there.  I wanted to watch the new television series MATLOCK with Kathy Bates.  I made myself stay awake then soaked in the deep tub getting out ready for sleep.  In the morning I took a hot shower so I could shampoo my hair.  After being at the Flint Hills event, my hair was dirty with a Kansas dusty residue.  Refreshed and ready for more adventure in Kansas on our mini-vacay.

We stayed in the Lincoln Honeymoon Suite.  A gorgeous room indeed.  

We had a delicious breakfast at Clover Cliff in the enclosed, wrap around veranda.  The house is a masterpiece of comfort and beauty.  Looking out of the window, the scenery was pleasant and oh so beautiful.  I could just park myself and stay put. 

After our wonderful and peaceful time at Clover Cliff, we drove over to Council Grove where Hubby got his chicken fried steak at the 1857 HAY's HOUSE.  His favorite dish.  

The Hay's House is the oldest restaurant west of the Mississippi.  I had an old fashioned hamburger.  🍔After I ate the whole thing, I critiqued my meal on how I could have cut calories to save face.

If I had taken the beef patty out of the bun and ate it with the toppings of lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, I would have cut close to 128 calories not eating the bun.  I had a few French fries with ketch-up.  I was alright with the amount I ate.  I drank water.  A bonus.  NO DESSERT.  

Next door was a Antique Shoppe.  Went in and oohed and awed.  Very nice shoppe.  Clean and spacious.  I spied a amber colored Madrid Pattern dinner plate for $2.  I thought they had made a mistake, but hadn't.  As I looked about, I found a 8, 4 piece place settings of the same pattern with dinner plate, bowl, cup and saucer for $30.  About 94 cents a piece.  Woot woot.  Again, I thought they had made a mistake.  SOLD.  Hubby found an antique artist easel.  We were very happy with our purchases.

Drove over to another Antique store where we spied an old kitchen sink that could be an addition in our COTTAGE KITCHEN for an old farmhouse look.  Took measurements and pictures.  Needed to come home first and take more measurements before buying the sink with a drain side.  As we drove HOME, I said I think we found our sink!  The price was right.  Probably 1920ish 42" wide Antique American Standard White Cast Iron Enameled Farmhouse Kitchen Sink with left drain board.  20 " deep.  Makes my heart swoon.💗  

The route HOME is very hilly with a multitude of curves.  With it being windy, I had to drive with caution.  

Picked up the mail from the post office and came home to measure the space in the kitchen to see if it would work for the old sink.  Yep, it did.  Hubby phoned the shop and told them we'd come back to pick up the sink.  Hurray.  When we get ready to style the Kitchen, the Kitchen Sink will be ready to go.

A prosperous mini-vacay where I saw lots of history and loved it.  Looking out at the Kansas scenery was a treat.  Beautiful landscape of tall butterscotch colored grass and we took it all in.  Now that I am HOME, I can rest.

Recall.
Drove across the Flint Hills.
Drove to Council Grove for lunch.
Cross Country Meet.
Drove to Clover Cliff Ranch Bed and Breakfast.
Spent the night.
Breakfast.
Drove to Council Grove.
Lunch at the Hay's House.
Antique Mall.
Antique Shoppe.
Drove across the Flint Hills.
Mail pick up.
Home to rest.
Unload our spoils and overnight bags.

Over the last two days, I have seen a great deal of Kansas's beautiful landscape to admire and enjoy plus historic buildings.  Oh, to stay for a long time.  
~d