Porch problem solving!

Another gorgeous sunny and dry day here in Central Florida. I believe there will be a lot of the world's problems solved today on our porch at 5pm!

How green are we?

This seems to be a question on everyone's mind these days. At Thurston House we have been doing everything we can to help our planet. We place tent cards on each bed stating that you can hang up your towels to be reused another day. It also states that if you want your bed remade with fresh sheets, leave this on the bed. If it is not left on the bed we will just make it, not change the sheets. This has been a tremendous help in saving energy by doing less laundry! We also use low energy light bulbs wherever we can, and have light sensors and timers throughout the property. Guest rooms have had individual thermostats for years but we recently added newer and much more efficient programable ones. Guests want and do get bottled water in each room, but some actually refill them from our refrigerator. It is filtered water. We do recycle too, with all newspapers, bottles and cans being taken weekly. If everyone can do their part and turn off lights and turn up the A/C, what a tremendous thing for us all!

Do you like movies?

FLORIDA FILM FESTIVAL - EAT IT UP! Just around the corner from us is the Enzian Theater, a great place to watch movies and enjoy food & drink in a comfortable setting. Starting this Friday they host the annual Florida Film Festival, running from March 28 through April 6th. Guest stars to appear this year are Anthony Bourdin, Jennifer Tilly and Mary Stuart Masterson. Thurston House is just minutes away from the Enzian so it is a perfect place to stay!

What else is there to do?.......

We are very fortunate to have a spectacular garden only 15 minutes away from us - Leu Gardens. This is just one of a group of many reciprocal gardens associated with the American Horticultural Society. Experience the largest camellia collection in the south, the largest formal rose garden in Florida, a butterfly garden and many other types of gardens spread throughout the over 50 acres.

Events are held throughout the year...date nights, movie nights, camellia shows and plant sales. Our favorite things to do is attend the jazz strolls, held Spring & Fall. The garden closes early to ready for the nights event. Three jazz bands set up in various corners of the gardens for your listening pleasure. Pack your picnic food & drink, grab your chairs and pick that special person to come with you...fabulous evening under the stars! This is a ticket only event and is usually sold out. The next one is the Spring Jazz Stroll and is held May 10....PLAN AHEAD!!! A stay at Thurston House would be a perfect end to this great evening.

If you can't make it to any of the annual events, just go to the garden any day. It is open most every day of the year. I had the pleasure of taking Joe's parents there recently. It was just perfect!

Another beautiful week!

Rollin's College - Nestled in the picturesque community of Winter Park on the shores of Lake Virginia, Rollins College captures the best of Florida's warmth and sunshine while offering the top-ranked education in the state. Founded in 1885, Rollins is Florida’s oldest recognized college. It's impossible to walk the tree-lined campus or step inside one of the handsome Spanish Mediterranean-style buildings without sensing the College's impressive history.

March 20th would have been Mr. Fred Roger's 80th birthday. The local claim to fame is that he attended Rollin's College. There is a special exhibit going on now in honor of this event. Also, next weekend, 3/28 & 3/29, will bring a class reunion group - 18 different class years at the same event.

Fabulous weather is planned again this week. Happy St. Pat's to all! I think a little corned beef is in our future today. All the local Irish joints will be hopping tonight. The closest to us is Fiddler's Green in Winter Park. Typical Irish fare is always available, from Fish & Chips to Irish Stew, to Bangers and Mash...you get the picture. They also feature local Irish bands sharing great music.

Coming up this weekend is Easter...rooms are still available so hurry to make a reservation. Many local restaurants are featuring wonderful menus for this special day.

Busy & Beautiful Weekend Here!

There is lots is going on in the yard right now, but the most spectacular thing is a beautiful tall iris. Our hairdresser, Donna, gave us many bulbs that we distributed all over the yard. This one just opened and seems to really love its' new home!

Those of you who have stayed here know how Joe loves his cars. The many car books in the back parlour are a BIG hint! Some of you have even had the pleasure in seeing his latest (and longest running) car project....his 1973 Porsche 914. He lately has been starting the return back to it's original color - yellow. He has finished painting the brake calipers and hopes to get more done soon. He has also repacked the front wheel bearings and put in new tie rod ends. After his honey-do list is done on Saturday the garage is where he can be found.

The weekend begins early!

Today is the day guests arrive to attend the Winter Park Sidewalk Arts Festival. It promises to be a perfect weekend for weather - warm & sunny all 3 days!



A new event in Maitland is the Maitland Community Farmers Market. This started just after the first of the year and has gotten bigger and better each week. When we walked around a couple of weeks ago we saw for sale everything from fresh corn on the cob (YUMMMMMM!), honey made in Winter Park, great breads and scones, fresh pasta...... This event is every Sunday from 8am-2pm. Don't miss it!

Reflecting again...15 years and more!

It's hard to believe we have been open for so long. Thurston House opened it's doors on September 15, 1992. Unfortunately, the first guests weren't for a couple weeks. Where were all the people who called during the renovations? It has been a journey for sure! When I first opened it was imperative to have a great brochure and to do a lot of print advertising. The Internet changed everything. I rarely if ever get calls for a brochure to be sent and 90% of reservations come through my Website as well as others I pay to be on. I usually do not talk to the guests besides e-mail until they arrive.

Well, we enjoy over 50% repeat business here and have had guests from 50 states, 21 countries and 3 territories. It has been very interesting to talk to these people and hear their views on life, work, and everything else. Our porch is a magical place where problems are solved and stress disolves away.

As a celebration of this momentous 15 year milestone I broke the bank and ordered my first Cloth & Clay mugs. They are considered the Cadillac of inn mugs. You can go to their website and see where there are inns who have these. Some travel around specifically to these inns to add to their collection...interesting!

Sometimes I wonder what Mr. Thurston would think of what we have accomplished here at his "beautiful orange grove near Maitland Florida"....the words from his Minneapolis obituary.

Another day, another dollar......as they say!

It is odd getting used to how dark it is in the morning now. It is almost 7am and very dark still. It is to be another wonderful and sunny day, with warmer temperatures - 70-ish. This month marks 15 years of Nancy working with me as a cleaner, and so much more. Many of you have enjoyed chatting with her, and comments are always made about how clean the rooms are!

The yard is beautiful right now with the camellia's still flowering, azaela's too, and the orange trees have just started blossoming.

Well, the businesswoman guest is already gone and the next breakfast is at 8am - Fresh Peaches, Pecan & Sausage Stuffed French Toast and Blueberry Muffins. Until next time!

The day continues.....

Well, last nights work is done and new guests have arrived early. They were anxious to get here and start the relaxing! Porch time is coming soon and most try to arrive by 5pm just for that. Most problems of the world have been resolved on our porch....more tomorrow!

Early Morning Reflections

Lost an hour this morning, something never good for an innkeeper. Thankfully I do a lot of advance work so in the morning I can have that all important "ME" time. A cup of early coffee and a little local news does wonders! Cool here in Maitland today....I know, those of you up north are laughing but it really did get cool. It was only 40 when I arrived in my kitchen before 7am. It will be a gorgeous day here in Central Florida, or as we call Maitland - "New England With Palm Trees". The oven is heating, early coffee is out for guests, the sun is creeping over the trees, the lake is shining and the birds are singing....AHHHHHHHHHH........ After yesterday's blustury winds the stillness is most welcome this morning. Today we greet one of our business travel regulars and a wonderful couple from Connecticut for their 6th stay with us. HELLO Charlene & Dave! Coming up later this week is one of the favorite events of the year - the Winter Park Arts Festival. This is a juried festival of amazing art held right on Park Avenue in Winter Park. Bookings are made here one year in advance, usually the same folks, so it is nice to greet old friends. Well, the oven is beeping so I am "ON". More later......