Merry Christmas Eve Day! I hope everyone can take time to reflect, take a deep breath and do something just for "you"! We are continuing our tradition of heading over the the Morse Museum in Winter Park to view the Tiffany collections this afternoon. They open this day free to the public every year, a thank you to all. Enjoy - whatever you find yourself doing! We'll end our day sitting on our beautiful Thurston House porch, enjoying time with guests.
We took a beautiful walk yesterday over to our local farmer's market. Got some Winter Park Honey bears and a great big lemon! I think I can make 10 lemon breads from that lemon! On the way back we visited neighbors who have a great hobby...driving their 1931 Model A. They were all spiffed up for their yearly Christmas gathering and were just heading out. Joe wanted to make you think this was his! It does fit nicely with the ambience of Thurston House, our Maitland bed & breakfast near Winter Park.
Eatonville, the oldest incorporated African American municipality (1887) in the US, is just down the street from us. We often head down their main street on our morning walks. This shot was taken last week. The beautiful brick sidewalks and many street lights glow with holiday decorations. Come stay at Thurston House bed & breakfast and take a stroll back in time.
We are blessed to be able to enjoy our beautiful Thurston House over this holiday weekend. A full house of guests from New Hampshire will keep things lively and busy. Have a wonderful holiday!
This historic house museum reflects the life of a middle class Victorian family during the early days of the city of Maitland. The home was originally built by Maitland resident and carpenter William Waterhouse in 1884.
The fall is coming and with it comes wonderful weather in Central Florida. Fall also brings a season of more outdoor activities, from art festivals to jazz strolls and even antique extravaganza's. If you are interested in any of these things or all of these things, call or e-mail Carole for information on the where and when. Also, the Thurston House bed & breakfast website does have a newsletter page where the latest list of coming events is posted. After fall the holiday season will be upon us with even more special events and beautiful seasonal decorating. Rooms in November and December go fast so book now. Another incentive to book now is the price increase planned for 10/1. Book before then and recieve the old price...HURRY!
Orlando's Jewish Community Center is located in Maitland just minutes from Thurston House. It has grown a lot since we have been here the past 17 years. It is the hub of Jewish life in Central Florida, providing social, cultural and fitness programs to the community. Everything from lectures, research library, classes for all ages, fitness programs, etc. is available here.
Leu Gardens is in the City of Orlando, and only 15 minutes drive from Thurston House. Roaming around their many acres of lake front park is the perfect way to while away a day. You can even escape the heat by taking the Historic Leu House tour. An interesting fact is when I worked in corporate life, my "other life" in Massachusetts, I worked for a Fortune 500 manufacturing company. Harry P. Leu was one of it's biggest distributors at that time. When you are in the house, his office desk has a copy of his industrial tools offerings, with Norton Company prominantly displayed...small world. There is always something new blooming at the gardens, from roses to camellia's and lots of butterfly loving plants...just beautiful!
Renninger's World Famous Antique & Collectors Extravaganza's are coming....PLAN AHEAD!!!! Each season Renninger's has only three HUGE extravanganza's. They run from Friday through Sunday and attract dealer's & buyer's from all over. The first one of the fall/winter season is 11/14-11/16. The following two are 1/16/09-1/18/09 and 2/20/09-2/22-09. These are some of the most popular months to be in central Florida so plan ahead! Mt. Dora, home to the extravaganza's, is less than a 30 minute drive from Thurston House. Accommodations are limited so book as soon as possible!
I was just finishing up today's yard duties and did a walk-around. Hiding in our natural area to the left of the incoming driveway are these beautiful ginger plants. We have had them for years, but they have traveled around the yard some to see which area they like it best. Looks like this is it! Come to Thurston House in Maitland and take a look...just a short drive north of downtown Orlando and right next to Winter Park! 
We have enjoyed guests from all over the world - 50 states, 21 countries and 3 territories! Of course they always want to know where we are from and how we got here. This is where I grew up - Holden, Massachusetts. It was a small town just north of Worcester, in the center of the state. It is now a bustling community of approx 20,000 residents! Quite a change from its' incorporation in 1741. When I lived there it was a quiet and wonderful place to grow up. In doing Thurston Family research I learned that a Thurston cousin is buried in the antique cemetery that is located right in the town square area that is depicted in these prints.....small world!
In my "other" life I worked at a Fortune 500 Company in Massachusetts - Norton Company. I was actually the 4th generation to work at this abrasives company. Their original products were ceramic jugs, crocks and that type of thing. This is one from my great-Grandfather, who also was employed by them. Ironically, this company started in 1885, the same year this house was completed! Come visit this Orlando area bed & breakfast - Thurston House - and check it our for yourselves!
Originally this city was called Fumecheliga (Musk Mellon Place) by the Seminole Indians. Established in 1838, Fort Maitland was a military fort built by the United States Army. It was built as a supply depot during the Second Seminole War. The fort was named after Captain William Seton Maitland, who was injured during the Battle of Wahoo Swamp (pictured here) and later died of his injuries. Ironically, he was never in this area!
