A Golden Lamb Christmas

Each year we visit The Golden Lamb in Lebanon, Ohio

the last Sunday before Christmas Day. It's always a treat and a

 delight for all our senses!

Spending some time with Santa here is always a joy!

I have been a neglectful blogger of late and one reason

in particular has been a sad one.

We lost my precious mother just before Thanksgiving this year.

It was sudden and so quick and we are just coming up for air.

Still, we have so many sweet memories to hold on to and cherish.

We know that she would never wish us to let sadness take away

all our holiday joy. She was adamant about that in her last days.

We will be honoring her in every way this Christmas season and know

 she is with my father and all our other relatives and friends who are watching 

over us.

This photo was from our visit in 2013. 

We love you Mom.

Merry Christmas to you all and may the season bring

you much joy.

Love,

Susie Q

A Golden Lamb Christmas

On Sunday our family went to The Golden Lamb

in Lebanon, Ohio for brunch. It is such a

 beautiful place at any time of year but

simply glows at Christmas time!

The Golden Lamb is recognized as the oldest continuously operating business

 in the State of Ohio. On December 23, 1803, 

Jonas Seaman spent $4 for a license to operate a

 "house of Public Entertainment". The Golden Lamb got

 its name due to the fact that many early pioneers could not read, 

so giving a business a name that could be easily drawn and

 recognized, such as the Black Horse or Golden Lamb, was a necessity.

What fun to meet the most charming Santa!

I had the Vanilla Bean Pancakes with bacon...so good! 

Light and fluffy and tasty!

One of the upstairs private dining rooms, the Henry Clay Room.

Another of the private dining rooms, the Clement Vallandigham Room

This is The Dickens Room!

The great English novelist Charles Dickens visited The Golden Lamb

 during his first trip to America in 1842. Although not quite 30 years-old

 when he arrived in the U.S. that January, he had already 

written Oliver Twist, The Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby

 and number of his other great works. 

Around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 1842,

 after spending 5 hours traveling the 30 miles from Cincinnati

 on a stagecoach, he dined and stayed here at the inn.

Grace was especially interested in this as she

 is presently reading "A Christmas Carol"!

Many famous people have stayed at the inn over the years...

From Ulysses S. Grant, Warren Harding, John Quincy

Adams, Samuel Clemens and Harriet Beecher Stowe...

...to Barbara Bush, George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan.

Lebanon is a wonderful small town filled with antique and gift shops.

It is also the home to many beautiful old homes. 

I love to come here, and dine at the Golden Lamb,

several times a year. It is always a treat!

Hoping your holiday plans are going well and that you

are taking time to enjoy all that sweet things the Christmas season brings!

Warmly,

Susie Q

Friends Drop By...

...and good times ensue!

My good blog friend, the always delightful and beautiful,  Kari was back

 in the area (You can read about her last visit here) so we decided

to spend some time in charming Lebanon, Ohio.

We met the sweet, and oh so pretty, Joan and her very lovely sister June

 and had a great time!

Kari & Joan on the balcony of The Golden Lamb.

Joan's pretty sister June, Joan, Kari and I had lunch at The Golden Lamb and talked, laughed

and talked some more. It was such a lovely afternoon! If you ever have a chance

to spend time with blog friends, do not think about it! DO it! I am so blessed to

have met a few and count them all as dear friends.

I hope your September has been sweet so far! Love to you all...

Sunday in Lebanon

What perfect Fall weather we enjoyed this weekend! Sunday was children's Sabbath at church and the service is always so special on this day. After church we headed down to one of my favorite Ohio towns.

Just 20 minutes from our home lies Lebanon, Ohio.

Shopping has become an art form here in Lebanon, boasting over 80 specialty shops offering one-of-a-kind antiques, furniture, fine art, jewelry, collectables, distinctive clothing and much more. There are several nice restaurants and a wonderful town museum here in this small, old, oh so beautiful town.

Two movies were shot here in Lebanon. In 1979, Harper Valley PTA, starring Barbara Eden,was filmed here and, in 1994, Milk Money with Melanie Griffith and Ed Harris used this charming town as it's backdrop.

The Golden Lamb Inn is located in Lebanon. It is recognized as Ohio's oldest inn and was established in 1803. This inn has been visited by 12 presidents and notables like authors Mark Twain and Charles Dickens. You can still stay at the inn today. The rooms are plain, quaint but filled with charm and rich with history. The restaurant serves a wonderful lunch and dinner and has a wonderful Sunday family style turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It was here that Bill, Grace, Mom and I dined today. The servers are friendly and the food so good. I had a cup of creamy chicken and rice soup as an appetizer and oooh. So good! Just perfect for a cool Fall day.

This is one of my favorites shops here in Lebanon. The William and Mary is such a delightful place to spend a little time and pick up a treat or two...or five. *smile*

Isn't this witch as cute as she can be? Mom and I both fell in love with her. She looked so happy there in her spot by the front window watching the cars roll by.

And oh the antiquing you will find in Lebanon...shop after shop all filled with old treasures.

Today we spent an hour walking up and down the aisles of the Broadway Antique Mall.

I hope your week will bring you lots to smile about. Enjoy every moment of this glorious season...

May the beauty that is Autumn bring color and joy into your life. Many blessings!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q