Tag Archives: Idaho

Birthday Getaway

First things first…Happy Spring everyone!!

The Roosevelt Inn on Wallace in Coeur d’Alene.

Our room included the bell tower with beautiful views. The three windows on the right side of the building on the third floor were part of our room and then there was a flight of stairs to get up to the bell tower sitting area with telescope and great views of the area.

Welcome to The Roosevelt Inn,  a stunning Coeur d’Alene inn.  This grand brick building was the first permanent schoolhouse established in 1905. Now, experience historic elegance at The Roosevelt Inn a romantic and relaxing bed and breakfast located in the heart of beautiful downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

The above is the webpage write up for the Inn. The last time we spent the night at the Inn was for my 70th birthday and at that time they had ‘sold the Inn’. We found out that that sale fell through and they’ve had 7 subsequent sales that all fell through. This time, 4 years later, it is sold again and will be final by May. It is a relaxing environment and the rooms are nice but the elegance is waning  and stunning as a description is a stretch. We enjoyed our stay and the owners are welcoming.

On Tuesday morning we were able to order our breakfast as we wanted it and it was prepared well. The other breakfast items stocked in the breakfast room gave you a great variety to choose from.

We enjoyed our shopping stops in CDA. On Monday after we had a nice lunch in Rathdrum, we stopped at the Union Gospel Mission Thrift store, a couple vintage shops and a local grocery store called Pilgrim’s Market. Pilgrim’s Market is a lot like Whole Foods. Home Depot was our first stop after breakfast on Tuesday and where I chose a shorter hedge trimmer and new blower for yard work coming up soon. The new Sierra store was our second stop and we made some purchases there. Sierra is part of the HomeGoods, TJMaxx, Marshalls group. On to Costco where we got gasoline for $2.89 WOW! A used book store was our last stop in CDA before heading back across the state line to Washington. Sales tax is only 6% in CDA so when we are visiting we like to make any purchases that we need to take advantage of that. In Washington we stopped at another Union Gospel Mission Thrift store and found some good books, tools and a clothing item.

We made it back home before dark. It was a good overnight. Our weather range over the two days was decent enough to glorious.

Today is Friday and sometime later today our ‘Westside’ kids will all be here along with our Colville kids to start the beginning of a birthday weekend. Addy will be celebrated on Saturday and there will also be one more family celebration for my birthday. The fun just keeps rolling in.

Green Without Envy Hodgepodge

It’s time once again for Wednesday Hodgepodge.

Many shades of green were enjoyed by our family on St. Patrick’s Day. Greg and I enjoyed a St. Patrick’s day lunch in Rathdrum, Idaho on our way to Coeur d’Alene. We ate at the Westwood Brewery on Main Street. Friendly staff and good food. My Mocktail was on their March specials. More about our getaway coming soon. Addy’s Irish Dance Group performed again at one of the elementary schools in town.

Thank you Joyce From This Side of the Pond for our Wednesday Hodgepodge Questions! 

1. I write the Hodgepodge questions so they’ll post on Sunday, which sometimes throws me off in terms of what day it is. St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated on Monday, March 17th. Did you mark the day in some way? Wear green? Make a special meal? Watch or participate in a parade? 

On Monday, St. Patrick’s Day, we had an overnight getaway to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for my birthday. We stayed at an old converted School house B&B for the night. Last Thursday we enjoyed Corn Beef and Cabbage at the Senior Hub in Colville with entertainment from Addy’s Irish Dance Group.

2. Do you think luck plays a part in your life? Explain. 

No I do not. My life lies in the hands of a Sovereign God and His Providence. Piper defines this Providence as “Purposeful Sovereignty”. God accomplishes His will on our behalf.

3. Of the 15 green foods listed, which one is your favorite and how do you like it prepared?

Avocado is a favorite in any form; fresh out of the skin, on toast, chopped in salads, or fresh guacamole. Cucumbers are also a favorite.

Any on the list that are a hard no for you?

Nope

In general do you like fruits and veggies?

Yes

As a kid did you eat them willingly or did you hide peas in your napkin hoping your momma wouldn’t see? 

Many of these green items didn’t make it into my mom’s cooking when we were young. Cucumber and celery and pistachios and spinach were some common items in my mom’s cooking or snack foods. I didn’t meet the other green items until my college years and beyond!

Asparagus, avocado, broccoli, celery, cucumber, grape, green bean, kale, kiwi, lettuce, lime, 
pear, peas, pistachios, spinach

4. What’s something that makes you ‘turn green’? (with envy or with illness… whichever way you want to run with it)

It’s a mild green but I can be envious of those of you who have so many choices for good eateries in your own backyard. We joke around here in Colville about our slim pickins.

5. Did you spend a lot of time outdoors as a child? Doing what? Do you spend a lot of time outdoors now? Doing what? 

I did spend a lot of time outdoors as a child playing neighborhood games, jacks, going to the park, hide and seek, jump rope, tether ball. Nowadays winter finds us more housebound here. Later in Spring and Summer we start our yard work and we walk more.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This is the historical establishment we stayed at in Coeur d’Alene. More about our stay in a later post.

 

March is speeding along. Tomorrow is our granddaughter’s 8th birthday and we’ll be celebrating her with all our family this coming weekend. Tomorrow is also the first day of Spring!

Happy Spring, Hodgepodgers and all who find themselves here.

Rathdrum, Idaho

On the way to our getaway in Coeur d’Alene to celebrate my birthday we made a stop in Rathdrum for our lunch. While we were in The Westwood Brewery for our meal we read some interesting history which included this church that is the oldest brick church in Idaho. After lunch we drove by the church for a photoshoot.

Settled in 1861, the City of Rathdrum is located in the Pandhandle of Northern Idaho, 12 miles northwest of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and 25 miles east of Spokane, Washington.  In the late 1860’s, a pony express relay station was established in Rathdrum and in 1882, the first Northern Pacific rail line was laid allowing ore from the Silver Valley to be shipped by rail to the mills.

Rathdrum is one of the oldest towns in North Idaho. From the beginning, Rathdrum has been an important crossroads, the Indians referred to the area as the “Great Road of the Flatheads.” Hudson Bay and Pacific Fur trading companies traversed the Rathdrum Prairie in the early 1800’s, followed by the Jesuit missionaries in the 1840s. Originally named “Westwood” after Charles Wesley Wood, local pony express rider, rancher and land developer, the city became the County seat for Kootenai County in 1881. In 1908, electors voted the County seat to Coeur d’Alene. In the late 1800s, the city’s name was changed from Westwood to Rathdrum after Rathdroma, Ireland, the birthplace of a local businessman.

Present day Rathdrum is a thriving community of 6,500.  In spite of three major fires, the earliest in 1884 and the last in 1924, many historical buildings still stand including Saint Stanislaus Church, the oldest brick church in the state of Idaho.

I thought it was fun to have our St. Patrick’s Day meal in a town named after a town in Ireland.

The restaurant’s version of corned beef and cabbage with mashed potatoes, gravy and rye bread. Greg ordered the fish and chips. My mocktail was a March special. Blue Curacao with pineapple juice and sprite.

After lunch we drove a few miles to Coeur d’Alene stopping at UGM Thrift store before we checked into our Inn. More about our Inn in another post.

Tea in Coeur d’Alene

We are having a little getaway to our neighboring state of Idaho. We traveled on Monday morning and our first stop was at the Inland Café & Tea in Coeur d’Alene.

 

I enjoyed the High Tea. The scone was so fresh and warm and delicious.

My favorites of the little sandwich bites were the chicken salad and ham with pepper jelly.

I was able to choose my teacup from all of these and chose one with the daffodils.

Greg chose a hot sandwich for lunch. A turkey brie sandwich with a cup of the soup of the day.

We enjoyed and would recommend this spot in Coeur d’Alene for their fresh and good tasting food.

We left the cafe and shopped at a few spots before we checked into our hotel. After we checked in we tried Happy Hour at Bardenay Restaurant and Distillery close to our hotel. It was good and we enjoyed conversation with a couple who moved to Idaho from Alaska fourteen years ago.

Today we hope to walk along the Centennial Trail, shop, and enjoy two more new to us restaurants for lunch and dinner.

Grateful to God for all the abundance that we enjoy with peace and joy.

Happy 47th Anniversary to Us

For our 47th Anniversary which is today we drove to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho after church on Sunday for an overnight stay. We made dinner reservations on Sunday at Cedars Floating Restaurant. It was a good choice and we enjoyed our meal and time there.

When love is true, There is no ending. We hope to celebrate with you for years to come…

Tempura asparagus with balsamic and blue cheese crumbles. I love tempura veggies! Prime Rib for Dear, Scallops for me and then we shared with each other.

Complimentary Huckleberry Ice Cream.

We are going to do some shopping today in Idaho and then head on home. Coeur d’Alene is only 100 miles from Colville. It’s a great place for a getaway. Sales taxes are lower and gas prices are lower, too.

All of our Christmas decorations are up, the tree is trimmed, we had some snow in the early hours on Saturday so things are looking like a winter wonderland. I’ve been working on our Christmas letter so next up is addressing and mailing our Christmas Greeting for 2021.

Happy New Week to all of you!

Land That We Love Tour

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Our bags are packed. Our vehicle is loaded. Our house keepers are watching over our home. We are eastbound from the State of Washington. We’ll travel south in Washington, east to Idaho and make our first overnight stop in Helena, Montana. Hoping to add postcards along our journey. Time will tell how much time I have to blog and visit other bloggers. We’re naming our trip, “Land That We Love Tour”.

The Roosevelt Inn

For my birthday getaway we chose to stay at The Roosevelt Inn which is a Bed and Breakfast in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Welcome to The Roosevelt Inn,  a stunning Coeur d’Alene inn.  This grand brick building was the first permanent schoolhouse established in 1905. Now, experience historic elegance at The Roosevelt Inn a romantic and relaxing bed and breakfast located in the heart of beautiful downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

We chose The Principal’s Suite for this stay. When we checked in they delivered a welcome small portion of a very tasty bread pudding along with a fresh rose and water.

This elegant executive suite offers the best of both worlds; beautiful stylish accommodations with a separate sitting room.

We enjoyed our breakfast. Once upon a time they would have a large breakfast buffet along with choices for you to choose from the kitchen. Now because of you know what everything comes from the kitchen with no buffet service.

After we made our reservations we found out that the owners have sold the Inn and new ownership takes over in April. I don’t know what the new owners are like and how they will continue or modify the Inn so I’ll hold back on our recommendations. We did enjoy our stay.

Celebrating

We enjoyed my birthday meal at the Wolf Lodge Steak House in Coeur d’Alene.

If you are a fan of meat this is the place for you!

The restaurant was dark inside so the photos taken with our phones are a bit muddled.

My birthday started out earlier than usual since it was Spring Forward time of year! First thing in the morning I was greeted with the sweetest video of our grands singing happy birthday to me on a video. A wonderful way to start the day. On the way to church our daughter called with her sweet wishes. Our church service was so good with lots of laughter and then a more solemn time of Communion. After church we drove to Idaho and the texts and phone calls continued. Both our sons called with their wishes. Another call from my brother with his family singing happy birthday to me. Another dear friend called and then my college roommate from the University of Redlands called out of the blue. I’ve been overwhelmed with the many wonderful birthday greetings I have received through phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages. And now that I’m in this new decade I need to document all these things so I can remember.

Thank you to all my blogging friends, too, who have left such encouraging words on my birthday posts!

Coeur D’Alene Resort

When we checked into the resort we were informed that they had given us an upgrade to a room with a partial lake view. This was our partial view and we enjoyed it. Our room was on the 17th floor with only the Penthouse above us. Sunday was a beautiful day.

As the sun was setting…

We enjoyed our restaurant experience at Beverly’s on the 7th floor of the resort. We started with Calamari. I ordered a salad and French Onion Soup and Dear ordered the Rib-Eye and shared some of the meat with me.

 

This over the top ice cream surrounded by cotton candy arrived at our table with Happy Anniversary wishes.

After my dessert drink arrived our server informed us that our meal had been paid for by our children. They had called the restaurant ahead of time to arrange that. We were so surprised and grateful for their thoughtfulness. Brought tears to my eyes.

After dinner we got our coats and gloves on to go out and walk along the docks to enjoy the extensive Christmas lights that the Resort puts up. It was well below freezing so we kept walking with few pauses.

The following collages will give you an idea of what we saw.

The interior of the hotel was nicely decorated as well.

This could be a good alternative for a Santa photo in this year of no sitting on Santa’s lap.

On Tuesday morning we watched the sun come up or tried to see the sunrise but soon the fog rolled in and socked us in. These two shots of the water taxi and looking east toward Montana were the clearest shots of the morning.

The hotel staff and restaurant staff all wore masks. Overall our Anniversary was wonderful and it was refreshing to get a night away and to be served a delicious meal in a fine restaurant.

On our drive home we made a few stops at HomeGoods, Harbor Freight, and TJMaxx.

Thank you to everyone for all your kind Anniversary wishes.