Merry Christmas Eve to all who celebrate Christmas!  I am sitting here writing to you from cozy and Christmasy northern Illinois.  I have a fire in the fireplace, the Christmas tree is lit, and the finest powdered sugar snow is falling outside.  It’s only been snowing for a short time; the grass is still bare, but the rooftops and paved surfaces are frosted white.

Today I have more photos to show you from our Twilight Tour at the Pabst Mansion.

I wish I was able to capture the entire vertical space of the grand staircase.  It is quite impressive to say the least.  It rises up 3 stories with a landing and multiple turns between each floor.  So, you go up about 8 stairs, turn right and go up some more stairs, then you reach a rectangular landing with doors that open to the outside along the left and a little balcony that oversees the foyer on the right, after walking along the landing you then turn and go up the last 8 or so stairs to get to the next floor.  At the very top of the staircase is a huge stained glass skylight that opens for ventilation on warm days.

The photo below was taken on the main floor looking up to the first two sets of stairs.

The photo below is taken standing on the first balcony and looking down to the foyer.

This was taken on the third floor, standing on that floor’s foyer.  You can see the doors or windows that open to the outside for warm weather ventilation.

And another from the third floor.

Today I’d also like to show you Elsbeth’s room.  She is the granddaughter whom Captain and Mrs. Pabst adopted.  Elsbeth had a huge bedroom on the second floor.  It faced the front of the house, and must have been a sunny room having southern and western facing windows.

Elsbeth’s portrait hangs above the fireplace.  She is the only child to be raised in the mansion.  This room is still going through renovation.

Elsbeth’s bathroom still has the original marble sink and tile.  Off the bathroom is a little dressing room with another gorgeous windowsill and built in closet.

I hope you enjoyed today’s Pabst Mansion tour of the Grand Staircase and Elsbeth’s Bedroom.  I still have lots more to show you, but…

I’ll say goodbye for today.  I know we all probably still have lots to do for Christmas.

Sending you a Christmas Eve blessing for everything wonderful on this magical day.

❤