"The weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we’ve no place to go" … ahhh – you DO have places to go! A quick amenity search reveals over 2 dozen B&Bs have wood-burning fireplaces in the guestrooms! And for those who appreciate immediate gratification, over 60 B&B have gas fireplaces in the guestrooms.  Picture yourselves infront of a cracking fire in the great room, wine glass in hand or mug of hot cider - nearly 100 B&Bs can make this vision a reality. Let it snow - let it snow! [caption id="attachment_1313" align="aligncenter" width="263"] Tauschek's B&B Log Home in Plymouth marries the warmth of wood and stone in the comfy great room.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1317" align="alignright" width="270"] Just off Hwy 41-45 north of Milwaukee is Hubertus, home to the Cold Spring Inn. Close to the 'big city' yet an escape from the city.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_957" align="alignleft" width="300"] Toast your cares away![/caption]  

The first step to curing the 2013 strain of cabin fever is to leave your house. The second step is to head to a Wisconsin B&B Association member inn and, lo and behold, we've got real cabin B&Bs to choose from.  In Wisconsin, inns come in all shapes and sizes, which makes finding a unique place to stay a happy endeavor. You have your Victorian mansions, contemporary urban inns, working farms, and cabins. Yes, there are 18 member B&Bs whose architecture is true cabin, from the rough hewn logs to the big front porch to the roaring fire in the fireplace, like Grapevine Log Cabins B&B in Sparta and Tauschek's B&B Log Home in Plymouth.  There are also inns that have cabins, with Justin Trails B&B Resort in Sparta a fine example of that. And inns with the cousin to the cabin - the cottage - like Thorp House Inn & Cottages in Fish Creek. [caption id="attachment_1101" align="alignleft" width="300"] Stay at a quiant cottage at Thorp House Inn & Cottages in Fish Creek.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1100" align="alignright" width="270"] Relax on the porch at Tauschek's B&B Log Home in Plymouth.[/caption]

There are a few more unseasonably mild days in the weather forecast ... time yet to hang Christmas decorations outside without danger of frostbite!   If you’re in need of some fresh Christmas curb appeal ideas, here's another from one of  Wisconsin’s most stylish B&Bs.  Pedal'rs Inn - Wales, looks lovely each year by following the practice of sticking to one theme – that being the Norman Rockwell look – rather than mixing metaphors (no inflatables of Rudolph next to Victorian sleighs here).  Innkeeper Dee notes the wreaths, bows, and garland aren't the only green for the season; the lights are energy-sparing LED. [caption id="attachment_920" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Nostalgia beckons at the Pedal'rs Inn. Once inside, the tradition of heartfelt hospitality warms you - just like the fireplace in each bedchamber.[/caption]