Halloween at Fairbanks House

Some fancy schmancy costumes...




















And scary.

And 007 and friends-like.

Statuary not to be left out.

Can't forget to abuse the staff.

Or to strip away our last bit of elegance. Happy Halloween. Hope you enjoyed it too.

Neutral Publix

Publix (for those of you in other parts of the country, that's our grocery store) always retains a neutral stance when it comes to the Big Game this weekend. On Saturday, half of the staff will be wearing Georgia shirts and the other half will be wearing Florida, but all week long, there will be alternating Bulldog and Gator balloons, displays, tents, etc (particularly in the beer section). Pretty smart.

Caged Love

I was always worried about this little lovebird because he didn't have a mate. He's got a nice spot in the sun and pleasant things to look at but life is so much better with a mate. And now, he's lucky in love. Congratulations buddy, we're happy for you.

We Voted Today

And I hope that you do soon too. The lines throughout our area have been steady since early voting began last week. More than 30% of those registered in our county had already voted by last Saturday, and there are predictions of 90-95% total turnout here. That would be outstanding. I hope that the numbers of those participating in the process are as high in your area.

Time for Another Gift Certificate

Where am I? Regular blog readers will have some inside knowledge. E-mail your answer to me by this Friday. All correct answers will be entered into a drawing on Saturday 11/1 for a $50 Fairbanks House gift certificate. Good luck!

Old Habits Are Hard to Break

I just can't keep away from the sunsets. Can you blame me?

Need a Cigar or a Guitar?

Then check out Mike and Sherri's Island Tobacco on Centre Street where all of your tobacco and music needs will be met (although you can't smoke your cigar at our place). We locals appreciate Mike and Sherri's dedication to the local music scene when it comes to supporting artists and their opportunities in the form of appearances, festivals, etc. Thanks guys.

Garage Art

Guess who these folks will be rooting for in the Georgia/ Florida football game next weekend?

Not Quite Sure What This Is

But it caught my eye anyway. A ghost inspired by Nightmare Before Christmas? If you'd like to see it in person, go down to Susi's on Centre Street.

I don't know if you've noticed a couple of new blog features (you have to scroll down a little bit to see them) but I've now linked to a couple of other blogs from other Select Registry inns in case you're traveling somewhere that we're not. And I found a fun little thingy called "This Day in History" so that we can all become a little bit better educated and entertained. I hope that you enjoy them.

For the Child Who Has Everything

Except parents with common sense... Only $599 drop-shipped, folks. Be the first in your neighborhood to have a pre-schooler who drives home in lieu of spending time on that messy playground.

Remember Fay?

The beach erosion is still on full display. I can't decide if it's good or bad that just before the storm we'd had a really big beach replenishment. I guess that it's good that we had all the extra sand as a buffer and bad that we lost some our new sand. Well, we didn't really lose it... we know right where it is but we're not motivated to wade out and scoop it back up.

Beautiful Day for a Car Show

It was an absolutely perfect day for the Amelia Cruizers' Car Show today and it was a good thing because they had well over 200 cars parked up and down Centre Street with hoods up, windows down and tops off. The alternative would not have allowed for such a nice show.


Here's one that got loose.


Here's my pick.


Here's a passenger a couple of weeks early for Halloween.


And here's their dedication to safety needs both large and small.

Big Sand Trap Behind You

This guy decided to make his own driving range on this nice grassy stretch at Main Beach. He's a little more confident than I am. I'd have taken out a few kids, some condo windows and a seagull. But I watched him hit a whole bucket straight up the "fairway" every time.

Skate Park

For about a year now, we've had a skate park for the kids over at Main Beach. It's in a great setting and it's fun to watch the helmeted board jockeys learning their craft. Heavy fund-raising went on for several years for this project with a great result.

Nice Day for Outdoor Dining

As is the whole month of October. It's one of my favorite months on the island. The average daily high is 80 degrees and the average night time low is 60. That's what I call perfect.

It's Fall at the Shops Too

There are some beautiful window and door displays all over town with some nice sales going on too. If you're looking for any other reasons to come to town this weekend, the annual Taste of Amelia restaurant sampler will be held Friday, the Amelia Cruizers Car Show will be in town on Saturday and our Romance Packages go on sale starting Wednesday. What are you waiting for?

Missed One

The tour guests all told me that they enjoyed our scarecrow in the tree so I didn't want to leave her out...

Pumpkin Tour

Today was the Pumpkin Tour of Inns. We had a great time featuring all kinds of pumpkin refreshments at the various B&B's in town.

As well as handing out about thirty coupons to each ticket holder. Guests got to trick-or-treat for coupons from inns, restaurants, tours, shops and attractions and some of them were quite generous.
Decorations ranged from high-end elegant to Halloweeny. And the weather was just perfect. Many will be back for the Cookie Tour in November. Mark your calendars; it'll be November 22nd. We've scheduled it just before Thanksgiving because it'll be before you get too busy with all of the other holiday activities and, with the seven recipes that you'll be collecting for holiday cookies, you'll have time for your baking inspiration to settle in in time for your guests. We're looking forward to it.

Little Weathervanes

The breeze is coming from the southwest - at least according to these guys.

Red Sky at Morning

Maybe the sailors will take warning but I thoroughly enjoyed the sunrise.

Meet Hamish

Hamish's person is Sarah, who owns the Celtic Charm - a fabulous Irish shop on Centre Street. If I'm not greeted by Hamish through the fence, it usually means that he and Sarah are out on their evening walk. It takes them quite awhile to complete their rounds because Hamish believes that all lizards must be obliterated and that there is a cat under every car.

Tis the Season

For Fall displays everywhere. Many of you may recognize this fence from the Easter Egg Cottage, now dressed up in autumn colors until it's time to change out for Christmas - although we'll see more pumpkins and turkeys as the season progresses. This house is always worth a walk-by and I'll be happy to give you directions when you're with us. A guaranteed (free) smile.

Pumpkin Time at the Farmers' Market

And it's just in time for the Pumpkin Tour next weekend. All seven of the bed and breakfasts on Amelia Island will be on tour next Saturday. In addition to featuring fall decorating and offering pumpkin-themed refreshments (we'll be sampling Bill's famous pumpkin pancakes), ticket-holders will be trick-or-treating for coupons to be used on a future visit. All of the inns will be giving coupons as well as restaurants, shops, activities such as Segway tours, carriage tours, bike and kayak tours, etc. We've got quite a collection still coming in. If you can't get to this tour, make sure that you get to our Cookie Tour in November.

Sounds on Centre

It was a beautiful evening for the free monthly concert on Centre Street tonight and there was a great turnout featuring....


...local dignitaries...


...Fairbanks House guests on babymoons...


...lots o' dancers...


...and the usual suspects. My walk took me two hours tonight because the whole island was in town enjoying the festivities. You can definitely feel like a rock star here; you need handlers to get through the crowd of acquaintances if you're going to make it back in time to help your husband finish cleaning up from Social Hour.