Stillman Inn Blog

Like everyone else, we here at Bernadine's Stillman Inn in Galena Illinois, we are wondering where Summer went. We actually like the cooler evenings. Great for having a fire with the guests and making Smores!

Mom was here this week helping me make more Strawberry Jam and Truffles. We have added the molded chocolates to our "Gift Armoire".

Just made Brownies and a Strawberry Pie for this weekends guests. Hope they love it!

Picked what will probably be the last of the tomatoes, green beans and green onions this year.

Also pictured here is some Pasta from Galena's new Pasta Store downtown. They have everything, even Chocolate Pasta.

Mom and I picked up the "Spinach Basil Garlic Fettuccine". It's a beautiful color and apparently all we have to do is add a little bit of oil or pesto to it for a great taste.

I also liked the pasta shaped like sombreros. You cook them and fill them up as an appetizer. Check it out next time you are in Galena!

Come See Us Soon! 815 777-0557
Dave & Bernadine

Need a quick and beautiful cake for an event? Here's an idea our guests love.

Lavender Frosted Cake
Simply make two 8" round white cakes from a box mix (I know, but it is quicker)
Level them before stacking (important thing to do and you can find a leveler anywhere they have cake making supplies. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby)
Make your favorite frosting and add 2 teaspoons Lavender Extract (We get our extracts at www.kingarthurflour.com)
And add a touch of purple food coloring and mix well
Spread between layers and just on the top of the cake
Sprinkle with sparkly sprinkles and there you have it!

This weekend our guests will be delighting in our fabulous disappearing oatmeal cookies and a Pineapple upside down cake!

Plan your next visit to Bernadine's Stillman Inn in hitoric Galena and mention this Lavender Frosted Cake and receive a complimentary bottle of wine with your two night stay!

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!

This just in...Mom is in town for a visit - Yay!

Carol and Bernadine have been busy making and preserving "Corn Relish" and it is fabulous. Next they're making a strawberry pie for the weekend AND fudge!

More flooding on the Galena River. We had 14" of rain in the past 24 hours and the river has swelled further than we have seen in the 11 years we've been here. Photo ops everywhere! Pictures coming soon!

Did you know that "relish" is the French word for "salsa" which translates to "sauce". That was free!

These are some of the flowers from the Stillman Inn Gardens. Teddy Bear Sunflower and Zinnia's. They are really beautiful - come see!

815 777-0557 Dave & Berandine

Bernadine's Stillman Inn - Best Bed and Breakfast in Galena!

We asked a recent guest how he choose the Stillman Inn. He said he googled "Best Bed and Breakfast in Galena" and we came up! Awesome!

This weekend I canned fresh Strawberries and made a Strawberry pie for everyone to enjoy. It was eaten up immediately. We also had fresh baked apple/cream cheese strudels. They were fabulous.

Guests love our "love cakes" (heart shaped pancakes) so I made these individual strudels in the shape of hearts. Wala..."love strudels".

New addition to our gift shop is "Bernadine's Homemade Strawberry Jam".

Last week we served Chocolate Chip Cupcakes. Yummy.

Come and stay with us and enjoy the deserts. The pie was topped off with a clipping of mint from our new Kitchen Garden. Now that some wild animal has stopped nibbling at things everything is growing nicely! Come check it out! All sorts of fun things to see and smell in our garden. Ask for the tour!

Bring your friends and family and stay at the beautiful, romantic and historic Stillman Inn. Located across from Grant's home. Beautiful walk to main street. "Best Breakfast" and Best Innkeeper" awards.

Best Bed and Breakfast Lavender Cookies!

These cookies are good any time, any where but they are especially scrumptious with a hot cup of tea and conversation with a friend!

Lavender Cookies
Ingredients:
5/8 cup butter room temp
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg room temp
1 TBLS Lavender flowers from your garden or on line
1/12 cups all purpose flour
Optional Frosting: Mix a bit of water with some powdered sugar, sprinkle with sprinkles or lavender if you'd like.

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets
Cream together the butter and sugar. Beat the egg and blend into the butter and sugar. Mix in the laavender flowers and the flour. Roll some dough in your hand and flattend slightly. Place on cookie sheet
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. Remove cookies to a cooling rack. When cool, pour a bit of powdered sugar mix on each one and top off with sprinkles, decorative sugar and/or lavender flowers if desired
Enjoy! These are just great!