Good Thing I Love Elgin

I moved here 4 1/2 years ago at the tail end of the housing boom, primarily and foremost because I loved Elgin. The well preserved charm of the city captured my heart and the city's revitalization as well as the swelling housing market had me convinced that I could have the best of both worlds....life in a charming place while making a financially sound investment.

I was convinced that once the good news about Elgin got out.....people would flock here, property values would rise to match the surrounding suburbs and my property value would swell with Elgin's good fortune.

The bubble burst and I had accepted that my property had most likely devalued somewhat but that would have happened anywhere and acceptance came easily.

Today I found out that due to sales of foreclosures in my area, my home has lost 1/3 of it's value. It has lost so much value that despite an excellent credit score and an ample income....I can't refinance.

I am in shock, but I need to console myself. I am happy here. I have never regretted moving here. I love my home, I love my neighbors, I love my community, I love the entire fox valley. I have never been happier in my life.

Perhaps instead of envying others who had made more financially sound investments, I can pity those who do not live here, and encourage any non-elginite reading this blog to come on out and see the world of opportunity Elgin now offers...not only in housing but in community spirit, heritage and history.

Estate Sailing

I love to do what I call Estate Sailing. The voyage begins every Saturday morning when I log into www.estatesales.net and look to see what is happening in the fox valley. I like estate sales in older neighborhoods in older homes as I like vintage things and my experience is that you find the best vintage stuff in a vintage home, or perhaps it just feels right. A bonus is that you get to go inside a vintage home and a love of vintage buildings are what I moved to Elgin for.

Today I went to one on Park St. over by Lords Park. It was a museum like offering of every thing a elderly couple collected all their lives. I scored with a nice dutch master print in a great frame and a cut glass bud vase....I got both for Five bucks. I went home with my shopping addiction quite satisfied.

Valentines Day Brunch

Today, Mike and I went for brunch at The Elgin Public House.

Now, I've been to many fancy brunch venues in my time but the food offerings at EPH put the fancy schmancy places to shame. For only 12.95 per person, we stuffed ourselves on some of the best breakfast food I've ever had. We didn't have enough room in our tummys to go on to the lunch offerings. Now Mike does not like scrambled eggs, but he's a good sport and he'll try anything once. He's had buffet style scrambled eggs before and has never liked them. He was pleasantly surprised to find the scrambled eggs at EPH, not only edible but fluffy and delicious.

They had Eggs Benedict, corned beef and sweet potato hash, a strata, a cheesy potato casserole, crunchy hash browns, french toast, Irish bangers, and more. Like I said, we never got to the lunch dishes but I did see that there was some kind of Tuscan chicken and Tilapia, mac and cheese and I think some kind of risotto.

There was also a salad bar and an excellent sweet table. For Valentines Day, they presented each lady guest with a sweet smelling rose.

The atmosphere was relaxed and fun and the owners and their staff make sure that everything is right and that you are having a great time.

I will never pay 20.00 for a mediocre brunch at a fancy restaurant again...not when there is Sunday brunch at Elgin Public House.

We Have It All Here In Elgin

One of the many things I LOVE about living in Elgin is that we have it all here. We have a taste of city, we have a taste of suburbia and for a short 5 minute drive, we have country.

We have alpacas and sheep. See what I found in my travels west

Icelandic sheep and a "watch Llama".