Fay-Fay Go Away!

Boy, what a strange storm we have been having here. I was lucky enough to miss most of it. I was supposed to fly back from Boston 8/12, but after getting a Delta advisory Monday that said I could change no charge to avoid the storm, I came home last night. It was a bit of a bumpy last 30 minutes! We even had to detour and go around St. Petersburg then into Orlando. The ride home to Thurston House was even worse, with power outages, heavy rain & wind, tree branches down..... Well, this crazy storm seems to really be leaving us now. We have been experiencing the outer parts of it since yesterday, but the rain finally stopped and I think the sun wants to peak out. Joe & I know what we will be doing tomorrow, picking up the multitudes of branches and leaves that are everywhere! We are safe & sound though so that's what counts.

Lake Eola Park

Downtown Orlando is only 5 miles from Thurston House and makes for a nice place to explore. You can head down to Lake Eola Park and just stroll around. It makes for a nice, lazy day. There are swan boats to rent, interesting gazebo's to sit in, a playground for kids, a WWII Battle of the Bulge monument (look for my Dad's memorial brick, Corporal Albert H. Webber) and a spectacular fountain right in the middle of the lake. Every Sunday there is a great farmer's market too!

Back in Maitland...

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.

Spectacular Leu Gardens...

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!

More in the garden....

The rain and sun have made some of our plants very happy. Here is another shot of the unusual & plentiful ginger plants and also a shot of our bleeding heart vine.

Plan ahead for Antique Extravaganza's!

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!

Of course Renninger's is open every weekend too. There are many dealers who are set up there on a permanent basis.