What I Saw on My Amelia Island Walk Today

Sweet Little Pocket Park

2011-06-12T13:10:00.000-07:00

Over the last couple of years, Fernandina has been putting in a few "pocket parks" - little vacant spits of land between buildings that have been a bit of an eyesore in the past but are now quite lovely. They've added grass, trees, benches and sometimes sculpture by local artists. This one on Centre Street is between Christmas On the River and Lemongrass, a new clothing and accessories store "radiating a vintage surf shop motif". (for those of you a bit familiar with the area, this shop has replaced Last Flight Out.) This little park is actually shaded most of the day so it's a great place to take a break from shopping... with an ice cream cone in hand. Nice job, Fernandina.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Flowering Baskets of Centre Street

2011-05-31T16:50:00.000-07:00

Most of the lovely flowering baskets on Centre Street have recently been updated with the change of season. This particular one outside of the Marina Seafood Restaurant caught my eye - and you can see why. Nothing says "summer" like blazing orange impatiens. I'm not sure how long they'll hang in there in that direct sun but they're certainly a welcome sight right now. Just beautiful.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

We remember.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Egret and Me

2011-05-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

This beautiful egret and I were the only ones out during my early morning walk. It's such a peaceful time: before Fernandina rises for work, before the tourists get up from their sleep-in and before any cars have hit the street. There's also no traffic on the water - or the docks - so the birds are still wallowing in their time to enjoy the river, as well. There are lots of early morning beachwalkers but in town, its just the egret and me.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Easter Egg Cottage in Spring

2011-05-11T17:05:00.000-07:00

From time to time, I like to check in on the Easter Egg Cottage (my name for it) to see what garden treats they have on display for the season. As expected, a glorious abundance of pastels is being featured for your eye-candy pleasure this Spring. A basket here, a birdcage there, a chair, a flowering basket, a shrub or a fence post topper; if there's a place for color, she's got it covered.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Big Fish - Little Girl

2011-05-07T18:29:00.000-07:00

I love to watch the little kids when they discover the koi "pond" in front of the Ship's Lantern on Centre Street. They get so excited that I've seen a few of them almost take a header straight into the moat. And, if truth be told, lots of the parents are pretty excited to see these big, friendly fish up so close too. One of the joys of being in a small town is that there are ample opportunities like this to remain innocent just a little bit longer.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Sounds on Centre - May Version

2011-05-06T18:13:00.000-07:00

What a crowd for Sounds on Centre tonight! Tonight, Big Vic and the Screaming Deacons played "sock hop" music for the First Friday Concert on Centre Street. Poodle skirts, bobby socks, cats-eye glasses and more were on display at this event sponsored by the Doo Wop Diner. For those of you who don't know, this street party takes place every first Friday of the month from March through October. As you can tell by the crowd, this free event is definitely worth putting on your calendar.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Pepper's - New Fernandina Mexican Restaurant

2011-05-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

Downtown Fernandina now has two Mexican restaurants: Pablo's, a guest favorite, and now Pepper's, a resstaurant that has relocated from the center of the island. Many of our guests will remember the old Bank of America building at the corner of Centre and Sixth, but this is what it looks like now. Local businessman, Don Shaw, bought the building a couple of years ago, put a good bit of money into bringing it in line with bricked look of the rest of Centre Street, and split it into two sections that now house some fine casual eateries. The General Store deli opened late last year, and now Peppers has opened featuring casual Mexican dining inside and out. We're grateful to all investors for their efforts and our guests are happy that they now have two more choices within a couple of blocks of Fairbanks House. And the neighborhood smells sooooo good. We now have nine restaurants within two blocks of the inn. Yum.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival 2011!

2011-05-04T19:12:00.000-07:00

What a perfect weekend it was for the 2011 Amelia Island Shrimp Festival! There was a threat of rain for the parade Thursday evening but it cleared up the instant that things got underway. After that it was blue skies, pirates, shrimp, art, music and 150,000 people

We always have a great crowd for Shrimpfest but this year we had five couples who had stayed with us before and five couples who used to live in Fernandina. We've always felt that Shrimpfest is Amelia Island's Homecoming, but this year the evidence was clear. And you're all welcome to join them next year.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

What a Perfect Amelia Island Weekend!

2011-02-21T19:38:00.000-08:00

A military elopement, a perfect sunset, a Fairbanks House favorite couple three-peat, a warm sunny farmers market, a "hot" chili cookoff, and another great girls' weekend. It just doesn't get any better than that.

Amelia Island Lights of Love

2011-02-12T16:47:00.000-08:00

It's Valentines weekend, time for the Amelia Island Lights of Love. For the past several years, when we've taken down the Christmas lights, we've left the red ones up just so we can have one more show for our island Valentines. When we started, I think that everyone thought that we hadn't taken down our Christmas decorations yet but now they're getting the hang of it and we have lots of folks driving by just like they did during the Christmas season. After all, who doesn't like a light show? Happy Valentines Day, everyone.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Pelican at Sunset in Fernandina Beach

2011-02-08T17:25:00.000-08:00

Ahhh...another perfect Fernandina Beach sunset. We were fixated on the horizon when a pelican flew right into the shot, perfectly on cue. We met a couple from Michigan on the docks tonight who had just moved to Amelia Island and were mesmerized by their first Fernandina sunset and were filling their entire memory card in their camera with photos of it. And they were practically weeping at the beauty. They asked if we'd ever seen anything like it, and we got to give them the happy news that the show goes on every evening here - no ticket required. We're lucky, lucky, lucky.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Anyone's Thoughts Turning to Gardening?

2011-02-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

With all of the snow and ice up north this week (month, year), I thought that you guys might want to see a little bit of edible greenery in the form of these nice raised beds at Lulu's at the Thompson House (formerly Lulu's Bra and Grill). So many of our restaurants in Fernandina are putting in chef's gardens these days and we're all the better off for it. Very fresh greens and produce year-round; we love it. When we lived up north I used to get through this time of year by drooling over the seed catalogs and planning out the vegetable and herb gardens. I grew several kinds of tomatoes, red/green/yellow peppers, zucchini, crookneck squash, Silver Queen corn, sunflowers, watermelon, cantaloupe, sugar peas, bush beans and about twenty different kinds of herbs. In fact, we bought almost nothing at the store. I've got a few herbs growing here, but I'm afraid that I've never been able to master growing fruits and vegetables in sand and blazing summer sun. Any suggestions? Who wants to put me back on the right track? Volunteers are welcome.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

8 North Clothing Company

2011-01-27T16:53:00.000-08:00

There's a new shop in Fernandina called 8 North Clothing Company. Located next to Pablo's on Second Street, they feature lots and lots of fun stuff including these cowboy boots that I spied through the front window. They opened at the end of the year and seem to be offering a unique variety for the area. They've got several items from their inventory pictured on their Facebook page if you want to check them out. We've seen several new stores come into town recently and our guests - and locals - are loving every minute of it.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Pubs of Fernandina - Indigo Alley

2011-01-26T16:29:00.000-08:00

Ahhh... Indigo Alley: speakeasy, wine bar, coffee house, hippie bar, jazz club. All of these monikers fit one of my favorite (if not THE) favorite pubs of Fernandina. Mike and Sherry Garbarini have done a fabulous job of creating a pub with a really great vibe. Just about every night, you can wander in for some great music by local musicians, easy conversation and a nice selection of beer and wine. There will be an occasional film or CD release party too, and it will always feel "just right". You can find their entertainment calendar for upcoming events here. If you're a musician or a cigar enthusiast, you'll find a small retail area inside to cover your cagar and guitar needs too. When you go, save a seat for me at the bar and have them pull me a Killian's Red.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Windows Across America Window Cleaning is Back!

2011-01-22T16:33:00.000-08:00

Our favorite window cleaner, Sean Allison, is back! Every year around this time Windows Across America - in the form of Sean - arrives on Amelia Island to clean all of our many, many windows (and our chandelier) inside and out. There is no window too high and no space to small for Sean to work his magic. He actually cleans the windows of most of the B&B's here and has been doing so for many years. Some of the local residents have also hired him for their Victorian houses, large and small, but you should check out his website to see some of the more unusual structures that he's worked on. He's been cleaning our windows for six or seven years now. He travels with the seasons, tries to stay warm and dry, and works a region for a couple of months. If anyone is interested, he tells me that he'll be in Florida through the middle of February - and we can give him an unqualified recommendation.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Pubs of Fernandina - O'Kane's Irish Pub

2011-01-19T18:23:00.000-08:00

Where can I get a drink in this town? Ahhh... the mantra of the weary - or worldly - traveler. Fear not; the pubs of Fernandina await. As I was thinking about all of the new things that have opened in our 12+ years here, I realized that we've got lots of great options to just kick back with friends or your significant other. O'Kane's is certainly a favorite and has been here for quite some time. It's not the oldest - that would be the Palace Saloon - but it's the second oldest in town. They've got a great selection of beers and a full liquor license if you're looking for a mixed drink.And if you're in the mood for pub food, I recommend the cream of potato soup. You can get is served in a French bread bowl so you can hear it land.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Amelia Island Artist Co-op

2011-01-06T17:23:00.000-08:00

Our Amelia Island artist co-op had added a nice new extension, complete with garden and grand entrance gates. If you haven't been by yet to see it, circle your calendar for this Saturday when they'll be a featured stop on the monthly Second Saturday Artrageous Artwalk. We have so many great and diverse artists here that you can find great art thoughout several galleries downtown.

While you're at it, you can circle your calendars for some other great upcoming events:

January 23-30 Restaurant Week
February 4-5 Amelia Blues Fest
February 18-19 Book Island Festival
February 24-27 Amelia Island Film Festival

See you soon?

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

January Blooms

2011-01-02T18:28:00.000-08:00

How are these for January blooms? A little Rudbekia, anyone? These plants really, really struggled to get established over our extremely dry summer but just a little bit of winter rain and mild temperatures seem to have done the trick. And, yes, those are Christmas lights - proof of timing.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The First Sunset of 2011

2011-01-01T16:37:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone. Let's make it a good one, shall we?

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Winter Baskets Abound

2010-12-30T16:31:00.000-08:00

The flowering baskets of Centre Street change with the seasons, and the winter baskets are currently featuring ornamental cabbage, capsia, a few pansies and a bright red bow. They'll all last through surprise freezes like last week's through the seasonal 70's that we'll be enjoying starting tomorrow. Okay, the bow might get changed out after Valentines Day but everything else will most likely be standing fast.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Christmas at the Fernandina Courthouse

2010-12-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

Our Fernandina (Nassau County) courthouse is so beautiful that it's always a treat to linger over the architectural details, but the extra touches of garland, wreaths and bows makes the lingering last longer.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

An Amelia Island Christmas Comes to a Close

2010-12-27T16:56:00.000-08:00

Bill and I, and our staff, Peg and Stephanie, would like to wish all of you a very happy holiday season and thank you all for supporting us throughout the years. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, hoping to see you all very soon. If you'd like to see the rest of the photos from our Fairbanks House Christmas celebration, you can go to our Facebook page (no need to be a member), and if you want to see the rest of the videos, you can check out our YouTube Channel.

Cheers!

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Christmas Breakfast at Fairbanks House

2010-12-26T17:49:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas breakfast was quite the feast. Even though some of our guests were still a bit sleepy, they were wide awake by the end of the meal. Bill's pumpkin pancakes are worth the price of admission alone. Come find out next year.

We Have the Best Christmas Guests on Amelia Island

2010-12-25T17:54:00.000-08:00

With holiday spriit like this, whou can doubt that Fairbanks House guests are the best Christmas guests on Amelia Island? Can't you just feel the happy? I don't know how we get so lucky every year but Father Christmas has smiled on us again. And those of you who closely follow my blog, you may think that I'm just running last year's photo, but we're lucky enough to have several returning guests from prior years. And... based on this group's chemistry, we're hoping for a full return next year. There will be a fuller report of the festivities tomorrow. Merry Christmas everyone.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

A Fallen Soldier Comes Home

2010-12-19T16:28:00.000-08:00

Last night, in a thick, thick fog, Fernandina honored one of its own, Spc. Kelly Mixon, recently killed in Afghanistan. A very large police motorcade brought him back to the island where locals lined the streets with candles, flashlights, iPhones and anything else that could put out a beam of light to honor his memory. May his family, and all of our other military families find peace, particularly at this time of year.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Florida House Inn Reopens

2010-12-12T17:29:00.000-08:00

We're all so pleased that the Florida House Inn reopened about a week and a half ago. They were locked up when I went by to say hello so I haven't had a chance to look around yet but I understand that the new owners have done quite a bit of maintenance to the building. It certainly looks good from the outside. I'm told that they'll be reopening the pub and restaurant as well. We wish them much success and thank them for their investment in the community. We hope to be sending our Fairbanks House guests down for drinks and music soon. They've certainly enjoyed it in the past.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Santa vs Peg Leg Pete

2010-12-11T17:08:00.000-08:00

Poor Santa. His tent was a little bit empty while the kids lined up to get their picture taken with Peg Leg Pete instead. I guess that the kids know that this was just one of Santa's helpers and that Peg Leg Pete is the real deal. Oh well; the big guy's pretty busy this time of year so I'm hoping that he didn't mind the rest.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Fernandina Christmas

2010-12-09T14:58:00.000-08:00

This just has to be one of the most magical real towns anywhere. Christmastime rolls around and Fernandina puts on the dog. We already have a storybook setting, but simple wreaths with red bows hung on beautiful street lamps make you just feel like you're in a Christmas movie. You might find one of Santa's helpers wandering around - sometimes with a pirate in tow - or a little brass band or a shopkeeper in antlers, but you'll always find a slower pace and lots of friendly smiles. We've always done just about all of our holiday shopping here on Centre Street because it's a joy to be in this atmosphere, instead of jockeying for a parking position.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Grinch and Max

2010-12-06T05:27:00.000-08:00

I got down to Centre Street too late to see the Pet Parade on Saturday but I did manage to see a few of the entrants making their way back home. I thought that the Grinch and Max were pretty special but they told me that they didn't win anything so I can only imagine what I missed. The annual Parade of Paws fundraiser for the Nassau Humane Society is always great fun and very well attended. While not restricted to dogs (in the early years there were rabbit and hamster entrants) they're the ones most accustomed to their daily walks, so the owners just strap on some antlers, scarves, tutus or bells... and off they go. I think that Max here (aka Lucy) was a great sport.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Christmas Racoon

2010-12-03T09:18:00.000-08:00

Each year, round about this time, Fairbanks House seems to get an abundance of visits from the Christmas raccoon. He shows up when the Christmas lights come on, climbs up the side of the front porch, finishes off all of the food from the cat bowls and then just enjoys the decorations. When I shoo him away, he doesn't go very far, and then comes right back up on the porch to enjoy the view. And who could blame him? There's actually a gang of three raccoons that follow the trail of the cat food bowls set out by neighbors for feral cats, but this seems to be the only one that stays for the show. We've always known that we're providing a community service by putting out such a nice light display, but I've never realized how broad the community reach is that we've achieved. Merry Christmas, Ricky.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Thanksgiving Weekend 2010

2010-11-29T15:41:00.000-08:00

I figure that Thanksgiving Weekend 2010 is just as good a time as any to get back to blogging. My goodness how time flies when you're decorating an entire house and three cottages for the holidays. Not to mention baking hundreds of cookies for our annual Holiday Cookie Tour of Inns. But we're all decorated now and our fabulous Thanksgiving guests have all checked out so I've got a little bit of time to put up some photos.

We had another great turnout of participants in the Black Friday Pajama Party at the shops on Centre Street so we snapped a few photos before they headed out for bargains. Diane, here, is sporting a lovely red and gold Christmassy flowing sheath (that I coveted).

The Christophers were back with us for the second Thanksgiving in a row (we're honored) and looked just as regal as last year in front of the tree.

And the Devlins are also looking spiffy. I'd say that they're returning from last year, but Cate only brought about 2/3 of herself back this year due to an excellent fitness regime. Way to go, Cate. We're already looking forward to next year with you. (Note to other guests: room #5 is taken for next Thanksgiving.)

First-timers Bridget and Paul tried to hide in their camouflage jammies but we found 'em.

Bill and Irene coordinate well with the living room, don't ya think?

And......ahhh.... our grand prize winners - for Fairbanks House AND the town... Lee and Vivienne. You haven't lived until you've served a little girl and her 6'4" sock monkey breakfast. Congratulations, guys. Everyone made it a blast.

But the night before, they were all quite handsome and beautiful before we headed out the door to dinner. Fine looking crowd, indeed.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. We hope that yours was great.

Florida-Georgia Weekend

2010-10-30T17:38:00.000-07:00

Now that the game is over and Florida won (in overtime), it's officially called the Florida-Georgia weekend. And it will be for the next year. If the outcome had been different, next year we'd be hosting the Georgia-Florida weekend. See how that works? Despite the two inflatable Bulldogs to one Gator across the street, the Dawgs just couldn't get it done today. Great comeback late in the game but, tomorrow morning, only the Gator will be standing in our neighbor's yard. Despite the fact that somebody has to lose, it's fun to watch this mixed marriage play out every year.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Sidewalk Art

2010-10-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

I've always loved the vibe created by sidewalk art. And it can be any kind of art, but there's something special about paintings. Art is good for the soul and a community that values feeding the soul through creativity always feels a little more special to me. And it evokes a nice, slow, dreamy pace to stop and smell the roses, have an ice cream cone and absorb what the artist puts into their work. In this case, the sidewalk is on Centre Street and the art is from La Torre's Gallery. Hmmmm.... surf and sand, languishing ladies or a Venetian canal.... what's my mood today?

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Pumpkins A'Plenty

2010-10-28T17:01:00.000-07:00

Tis the season, afterall. I'm really surprised to see such a plentiful display of pumpkins all over the island. There have been shortages for the last couple of years - and the prices have reflected that - so I'd gotten used to the idea that we'd all have to make due with scarecrows again. And I'm happy to see them back if for no other reason than our continued ability to make our special pumkin pancakes. Mmmmm.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

A Perfect Pint at the Dog Star Tavern

2010-10-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

We've been really busy at the inn lately with our fall projects but all of the stars lined up tonight and we were able to get out and enjoy a pint at the Dog Star Tavern on 2nd Street. Other than taking photos for the blog as I wandered by on my evening walk, I'd never actually been a patron before this evening and... I like it very much. Any bar that has exposed brick wins 90 points for character, alone, but it's a very comfortable pub throughout. No smoke, spacious but intimate, just the right lighting and a good selection of beer on tap. I settled for the Killer Whale Cream Ale. Yum. Top that off with an extraordinary dinner at 29 South (shrimp and grits with coffe and doughnuts sundae) and you've got your self an innkeepers' night out to remember. In fact, it would work really well for guests too. Cheers!

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Palace Saloon Pirate Preps for Halloween

2010-10-21T17:44:00.000-07:00

Even pirates need a costume for Halloween. And why not be a Gremlin? Nobody will know who you are...

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Vintage Find

2010-10-18T17:30:00.000-07:00

I picked up this sweet vintage cherub lamp along with his twin brother this evening at Eight Flags Antiques just a few blocks up the street. Perfect fit for an 1885 vintage house, don't you think? As a rule, I'm not particularly fond of Victorian decor throughout the inn because we like our guests to be very comfortable and lots of Victorian pieces seem to be more beautiful to gaze upon than sit upon. But we do like to keep a few things around that let you know that you're not in a hotel room, but a room where each piece has been carefully selected for the unique layout of the space. I've always found that to be part of the charm of staying at a bed and breakfast. It's rare for people to request that a hotel show them all of the other rooms... because they'll all look like the one that they stayed in. But it's a common request here. And we're happy to oblige... as long as the other guests have checked out. It's one thing to see the rooms online, but it's another experience entirely to walk through the rooms in person. We are frequently told that our photos don't come close to doing our place justice, and we're working on that, but it's still a treat to enjoy the details "up close and personal". Now, where to put these guys....

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Change of Seasons

2010-10-17T15:54:00.000-07:00

I feel just like this Christmas tree in the window at Christmas On the River: enjoying the current season but planning for the next. How else do you explain the fall harvest hanging off of a Christmas tree? I like it. I'm really, really enjoying our fabulous fall weather but, as the chair of the Holiday Cookie Tour of Inns, I'm fully immersed in plans for Christmas cookie baking, decorating, recipe collection, volunteer coordination, etc. The Tour is just a little over a month away so we're in high gear here. I'm about to start posting updates to our Association's Facebook page about the Tour so you may want to become a fan if you're not one already. Otherwise, I'll be in the kitchen. Hope to see you there, Satuday, November 20th. We'll be raising money for some of Amelia Island's animal shelters.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Putt Putt of Fernandina Beach

2010-10-16T17:32:00.000-07:00

We had a fine night out of old fashioned putt putt golf this week when B&B, hotel and restaurant people were invited to Putt Putt of Fernandina Beach for a fun putt and mingle. Bill and I were paired with Deborah and Byron from the Williams House against a foursome from Elizabeth Pointe Lodge. I'm proud to say that our team was smokin' and won the pairing... but went considerably downhill during the lightning round when pitted against the whole field. Seems that the restaurant folks are just coming to life when innkeepers are looking around for a nice soft place to stretch out. We did well enough to score some gift certificates for half-gallons of Publix Premium ice cream so we ended the evening as happy campers. Thanks for hosting us Aaron and Abby Bean and crew. Your fun oceanfront facility is probably one of the last of its kind anywhere. And our guests love it.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Amelia Island Fine Arts Festival

2010-10-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

The Amelia Island Fine Arts Festival wrapped up this afternoon under blue, blue skies and 82 degree temps - perfect weather by any definition. Lots of folks who'd been to the Jazz Festival got a double-dip of the arts scene when they had a chance to wander the booths displaying everything from ceramics and watercolors to fabulous sculptures like my favorite iridescent frog here. Even though folks are still a bit hesitant to open their wallets for things that don't fall into the "necessities" column, I saw a few who still recognize that sometimes the soul needs some artistic therapy too. Mark this weekend down on next year's calendar - you'll love it.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Fernandina General Store

2010-10-08T17:25:00.000-07:00

This is Joy, the manager of the Fernandina General Store that will be opening very soon in the old Bank of America building on Centre Street, two blocks from Fairbanks House. Just think of it as a downtown grocery with a deli in the back from which you can eat in or take out. When I stopped by I saw a nice wine display going in too. There are a couple of places in town for people to just pick up a bottle of wine but Joy tells me that the hours of the store will be 7am to 10pm seven days a week. Let me just say, YAY. That will work well for locals and visitors, alike. I'll let you know when it opens.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

P.S. Sorry to be off the airwaves for a bit now - we got unexpectedly very busy over the last week and a half. Again, let me just say, YAY.

Update 10/11/10 - The General Store is now open.

Amelia Island Jazz Festival

2010-10-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

The Amelia Island Jazz Festival started tonight, as it did last year, with a free performance at the First Friday Sounds on Centre concert. It was a "full house" in the street tonight and it was hard for me to even get through. The combination of great jazz, a beautiful 73 degree evening and the last concert of the season in the Sounds on Centre seemed to hit the spot. The party doesn't end tonight though. The Jazzfest will go on through next weekend and share double billing with the downtown Fine Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday next week. Way too many reasons to stay home in October. See you on Centre.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Tribe Has Spoken

2010-09-29T18:39:00.000-07:00

And you have not been voted off the island. In fact, the tiki torches here are inviting you to Lulu's at the Thompson House. Some of you probably remember this restaurant as Lulu's Bra and Grill. That version closed a couple of years ago and the folks that recently bought it decided to take things in a new direction and the reviews have been quite favorable. Many of our long-time guests still miss the "D-Cup" desserts, but they're enjoying the new version too.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Autumn Skies

2010-09-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

Make me happy.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Consignment Shops - We've Got 'em

2010-09-26T17:15:00.000-07:00

Consignment shopping is a favorite activity of our guests, and for good reason. We've got several really good ones on the island. They each have their own "character," as evidenced in the Buy-Gones "open" sign, but they all have great bargains. We had a guest last week overhear one of our ladies' groups that was headed out to do some consignment shopping and she'd never heard of it. She headed out the door and came back with four full bags of bargains. Several months ago I even made a Google map of the shops for our guests. But someone has done a better job than me so here's a more complete version. Just click on the map to enlarge and get the details. See you at the shops.

View Larger Map

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Roseate Spoonbill

2010-09-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

Time after time our guests will insist that they've seen Flamingos here and we have to (gently) explain to them that what they've actually seen is a Roseate Spoonbill, our brilliant pink wading bird. I'm told by the local boat captains that their "pinkness" is determined by the amount of shrimp that they eat; the more they eat, the pinker they get. The Wikipedia explanation indicates that they all turn pinker as they get older but I like the shrimp story better so I'm going with it. Whatever the reason, they sure are fun to watch.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Pumpkin Season

2010-09-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

Ah, yes, it's pumpkin season everywhere, including warm, sunny Florida. I love that our ice cream shop, Fantastic Fudge - the beacon of all who want to cool off - celebrates the icon of the season of sweaters and cooler nights. The clash of the seasons under one roof in a sort of cosmic arm-wrestling match. In the end, we find that co-existence is always possible when ice cream is involved.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Bright Red Peppers

2010-09-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

These beauties were in good company with all of the other fine treats at today's farmers' market. You can see an album with more shots here. It was a gorgeous day, and we're expecting lots more.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Orange Tree

2010-09-16T17:55:00.000-07:00

If this one up the street from us is any indication, it's going to be a good year for oranges, at least on Amelia Island. In fact, I've seen a several citrus trees around the area that look like they're going to try to make up for last winter. That would be delightful.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Good Life

2010-09-14T18:32:00.000-07:00

This is what all of our guests feel like when they come to Amelia Island. And that's why half of them move here. And if you can't move here, feel free to visit as often as you feel compelled to strike this island pose.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

P.S. Don't forget to check out our Facebook page every once in awhile. More "inn happenings" there.

Fernandina Shrimp

2010-09-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

They just show up everywhere.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Lovely Evening for Al Fresco Dining

2010-09-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

And most of the rest of them for the next few months will be, as well. Enjoy.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Hound Dog

2010-09-08T16:37:00.000-07:00

Elvis is in the house at Faces in Time photo studio and candy shop. Nostalgia reigns supreme among the old-time candy, collectibles and photo ops. Several of our guests have come back with fun "saloon girl" shots and chocolate in the corners of their mouths: two excellent vacation souvenirs.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Team Trivia Champs at Cafe Karibo

2010-09-07T18:52:00.000-07:00

Okay, we were actually #2 but we were rookies so it was a pretty good showing. And we had loads of fun. Every Tuesday evening, Cafe Karibo has team trivia. It's free to play and there are prizes to the top three teams. We took an early lead and never looked back... but we didn't know about the "Final Jeopardy" category where you could wager your points. So the team of six bet our team of three at the last minute, but we had a great time. My teammates Peg and Bill are holding our second place $20 "Karibo Bucks" certificate that we just may have to use next Tuesday... if we don't use it tomorrow night in the Petanque tournament.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

A Perfect Sunset to a Perfect Weekend

2010-09-05T17:28:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh.....

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Anchors Aweigh

2010-09-04T17:29:00.000-07:00

These three little girls seemed to have the situation under control as they got ready to storm the pirate ship by way of the anchor. There's no $75 theme park ticket required for Fernandina, but the kids seem to find a way to have just as much fun anyway. Based on the determination in their eyes, we may be looking at the winning 2020 America's Cup team. Set your course and forge ahead, ladies.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Labor Day Weekend on Amelia Island

2010-09-03T18:25:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous start to the Labor Day weekend. As they do every First Friday of the month, locals and tourists mingled at the Sounds on Centre concert - this month featuring the Instant Groove band - under perfect late summer cloudless skies. This was the second to the last of the series, wrapping up next month with the kick-off for the Jazz Festival. If anyone's got any energy left tomorrow, they can run in the 5K Turtle Trot (for the benefit of the sea turtles) or head out to the final Sun Splash reggae festival of the season. If it seems like our music is ending for the year, it's not; it's just that some of the current monthly events are being replaced with other regular events. We've still got the Fall Arts Festival and the Jazz Festival at the beginning of October, the Cruizers Car show, the Atlantic Coast Triathalon, the Petanque America Open, the Holiday Tour of Homes and - most importantly - the Holiday Cookie Tour of Inns. I'll be bringing you more information about these events in the coming weeks. Suffice it to say, the fall is a great time to be on the island.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

High Drama Sunset Clouds

2010-09-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

I arrived at the riverfront just a little too late tonight to catch a good shot of the setting sun - which is surprising because several of us who were looking skyward were running to get there because we could see what was shaping up - so I turned around to see this spectacular reflection in the clouds. Just one more reason to love this island.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Diary of Preston Plummer

2010-08-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the last night of filming on Amelia Island for the cast and crew of The Diary of Preston Plummer, an independent film that's been evolving on the island over the last three weeks - and it's ending with a party scene in the house next door. When the location manager told us that they would be busing in 40 - 60 college age individuals for the "party" scene, we got a little nervous. I have to say that they've been incredibly quiet and professional. I'm told that they film the scene in almost complete silence except for the two actors in dialogue at the time, and then the rest of the soundtrack is added later. I believe them. They've just arrived with a 300 watt bulb for us to put in our bathroom window to light the final scene that they'll be shooting because it will take place in our driveway... in the wee hours of the morning. Our bathroom is lit up like an airport but we're closing the door and going to bed. Rumer Willis and Trevor Morgan, we'll just have to meet you some other time. Gosh, I sure hope that none of the cats show up as photo bombs in the scene.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Lilliputian Huts Are Back

2010-08-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

We usually get a pretty good crop of mushrooms this time of year, but with all of the evening showers that we've been getting over the last week, there are some pretty impressive crops popping up. The conditions are just about perfect right now and I have to say that this is the best one that I've seen.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Shaggy Dog?

2010-08-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

This is either a Disney character or a friendly bear enjoying a nice ride through Fernandina. Either way, he seems to be enjoying the nice island breeze through his window. Maybe he's in town for the big Amelia Island Great Southern Tailgate Coo-Off this weekend. I've smelled a few bbq practice rounds wafting on the breeze this week. If you've got some flexibility in your schedule, this is going to be a geat event and you should try to attend. There are something like 40 - 50 teams signed up and lots of entertainment to accompany the cooking. Yum.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Oh I Love a Rainy Night

2010-08-23T16:48:00.000-07:00

We finally seem to be getting into our evening summer thunderstorm pattern. I'm trying to ignore the fact that we're two weeks from Labor Day and the "summer" is almost over and just be grateful for the rain that we're getting now. Everyone's lawns look pretty sad: so sad that the Florida Times Union did an article about it in the Sunday paper yesterday. We had a winter about which we will not speak that killed half of everyone's yards followed by a summer of uncharacteristic heat and drought. That combo has been working on killing the replacement landscape, including our new sod. Even if things are surviving, nothing is thriving. And there aren't as many blooms as we're used to either (but there are still plenty). Oh sure, it's hot and dry everywhere in the summertime but we don't usually get this many consecutive days over 90 around here. Lots of you have had so many days over 100 degrees this year that you'd be thrilled with 90's so we can put that in perspective too. We've been here for thirteen years and our thermometer has never registered 100 degrees. And, yes, it works. They're calling for 80's all this week so we'll enjoy the rain and the lower temperatures. I hope that you all get some of the same.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Beautiful Clouds

2010-08-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky. ~Rabindranath Tagore

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Fernandina Construction Boom

2010-08-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

In addition to several restaurants being added onto or spruced up, there are houses that are actually being built in the Historic District. This one right here, on Ash Street, seemed to go up overnight. It's always nice to see any sign of economic recovery, but it's particulary nice to see it close to home.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Our Neighborhood Red-Tailed Hawk

2010-08-19T16:40:00.000-07:00

We have a very large and very old oak tree out in front of Fairbanks House that was hit by lightning several years ago and was subsequently left with a naked limb. It's been like that for several years but doesn't seem to be showing signs of coming down anytime soon. So, by night, two owls take up residence and, by day, this red-tailed hawk moves in. Between the three birds of prey and the stray, feral and claimed cats that hang around the block, we're fairly rodent free around here. It couldn't have worked out better if we'd planned it. Just another green method of pest control.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Jazz Jam at Indigo Alley

2010-08-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

Bill and I dropped in to the Tuesday night jazz jam at Indigo Alley last night. It's a small place but there were quite a few musicians - including a great singer - that showed up, and they managed to sound as if they'd been playing together forever. Indigo Alley has music just about every night and it's a great place to have a few drinks and listen to some really, really good music, as well as enjoy some pretty good artwork by the locals. Mike and Sherry have really done a nice job with creating a laid back venue with some nice entertainment and some gosh darn good beer selections. And all of this is less than a 10 minute stroll from Fairbanks House. Just the way we like it.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Shops at Amelia Island Plantation

2010-08-16T17:17:00.000-07:00

We're really fortunate to have lots of good shopping on the island: in the Historic District, at the consignment shops and at the resorts. We frequently send our guests down to Amelia Island Plantation because they've got a nice collections of interesting shops, a spa and a good deli (and ice cream shop!). And it's a lovely, serene setting for shopping or getting a nice massage at the Spa. I can't tell you how many Chico's bags have been found in guest rooms after checkout but I can tell you that very few of them have been small.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Darts in Fernandina

2010-08-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

I know that I told you about the Dog Star Tavern last night but I neglected to show you the dart area, which I think is really cool. I just love the look of exposed brick in a bar. And there are lots of opportunities for that in Fernandina. The Dog Star has used it to its fullest advantage. Meet you down there for a beer and a game of baseball. (And you should bet me a lot because I don't remember how to play.)

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Dog Star Tavern

2010-08-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

The Dog Star Tavern is the newest addition to Fernandina's pub scene. Some of you may recognize the bar from its days as the Intercoastal Wine Shop. The wine shop is now just a wine shop (no bar, but still hosting tastings) and has moved next door to a smaller space. The Dog Star is open every night and frequently hosts bands or DJ's. And if you've been looking for a dartboard in town, you'll find two here. We wish them the best and appreciate the investment in the community. Located right next to Pablo's, it's sure to keep Second Street hopping.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Cafe Karibo Addition

2010-08-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

Cafe Karibo, one of our favorite Fernandina casual restaurants (and featured in our Romance Packages) has a little bit o' construction going on right now. I didn't get a chance to ask but by the looks of things, I'd say that they'll soon be taking advantage of all of that nice space that they have upstairs. To date, they've been seating on the patio, two dining rooms inside and a separate little patio behind their brewpub, Cafe Karibrew. They always serve great food at reasonable prices and there's always a demand for that here so I can understand why they'd want to expand. Talk about being nestled in the treetops... Best wishes Tim and Teresa. Save a red ale for me.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

P.S. The video saga of my Locks of Love haircut will be presented in several parts on our Facebook page, if you're interested. Part 1 is up now.

Locks of Love

2010-08-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

Today was the day... and Suzanne at Magna's did the deed for me. Good Neighbor Peg was my camera person and cheerleader and - if all goes well - there may be a video of the event coming. We shall see. But in the meantime, we'll be shipping the braid off to Locks of Love post haste. Thanks for the votes.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Fairbanks House Photo Shoot

2010-08-07T17:52:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks have been pretty interesting at the inn because we've had both a photo shoot and a video shoot so that we can share some updated images of the property with our guests. Some of the images on our website were shot in 1994. Since the house has looked pretty much the same since 1885, many of the views haven't changed. But the landscape, the decor and the amenities have all been continuously upgraded so we'd like our website to reflect our current offerings. That's all well and good but photographing and videoing 12 rooms, the public areas, pool and grounds is exhausting - and I wasn't even holding a camera. Lighting has to be just right, furniture has to be moved so as not to block the shot, the pesky August weeds have to come out of the garden, new gardens have to be coaxed along in the heat, all while running an inn. But then the professionals take over such as the most excellent Dave Hensley (pictured) who made things very easy for us and got just what we wanted. Thanks, Dave. We're anticipating our photos just like newlyweds awaiting their wedding photos. I'm sure that they'll be great. In the meantime, I'm ready to get back to walking and blogging.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Faces In Time Has Candy!

2010-08-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

Several of our "girls groups" have gone down to Faces In Time photography studio to have some old-time saloon-girl style photos taken for a fun souvenir from their time here Amelia Island. But I bet that we'll have a whole lot more going now that I've discovered that they sell candy there too. How can you possibly have more fun that playing dress-up and eating candy? In fact, if they add ice cream we may never see our ladies again. That's not true; we lure them back every evening at 5:00 for wine slush. Secret weapon.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

P.S. If I haven't blogged for a bit it's because I'm keeping up with our Facebook fans and posting some more photos over there. If you'd like to check in there to see what's going on you can click on the Facebook "badge" at the top left of the blog or click here. You don't have to become a fan or sign up for Facebook to look, only if you want to participate on the page or in some of the contests that we'll be running. But I won't be gone long... have no fear.

Fernandina Flower Baskets

2010-07-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

The Centre Street Basket program continues to thrive in Fernandina. Several local businesses have generously sponsored flower baskets up and down Centre Street with fabulous results. Sadly, there were some early thefts - most likely teens - but, undeterred, the businesses just replaced the originals with bigger and better displays. Coupled with the Shrimp Art project by Micah's Place, Centre Street is the prettiest that I've seen it in a long time.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Plumbago

2010-07-24T18:08:00.000-07:00

This bright beautiful shrub is quite prolific this time of year, choking off sidewalks. driveways, patios and porches. But when contained, it really brightens up the landscape. There are alot of purple flowers, but very few true blue, so it's a popular addition to many gardens on Amelia Island. I love it, but when we switched out our landscape to be more eco-friendly earlier this year, I was told that Plumbago isn't necessarily a good choice for the area so we pulled some of it out. I'm guessing that it's considered invasive because I've never seen a border guard capapble of containing it so it's best to leave it out to give the other plants a chance. But it is a pretty invader...

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Revolutionary War on Amelia Island

2010-07-22T17:55:00.000-07:00

Most of our guests just think of us as a quaint, charming, scenic, bucolic island with beautiful beaches, great restaurants, interesting shopping and natural wonders. And they're right. Except that we've got history too. We're the only place in the country that's been under the rule of eight flags, hence "The Isle of Eight Flags," so there were quite a few tussles, a few kerfuffles and several bruhahas that broke out throughout our formative years. There's still the occassional skirmish but we try to limit those to the ballfields, tennis courts and among the Shrimpfest pirates. It's a pretty interesting place if youre interested in knowing.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

P.S. Longtime blog readers (thank you) will have seen this sign before but they just painted it so I thought that it deserved another posting.

My 1000th Blog Post - Cut It or Keep It?

2010-07-18T18:02:00.000-07:00

I mean my hair! Of course I'm going to keep blogging! When I checked the totals on my Blogger dashboard, I noticed that I'd done 999 posts so I decided that the 1000th should be something different. This is what 1000 blog posts worth of hair looks like. I've had it cut a few times since I started blogging about three and a half years ago, but not much. I've given my hair to Locks of Love twice already and this will probably be the last time because I'm almost 53 and the grey is really starting to creep in. It's easy to pull back for cooking and other innkeeping purposes but it's getting kind of hot... so I'm tempted. So... do I tough it out and stay warm one more winter, or do I chop it off and give it to the kids now? What do you think? You can comment here, or click on the Facebook page link to the left and comment there.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Fernandina Beach

2010-07-17T17:38:00.000-07:00

I post so many photos of town that some of you my wonder if I've ever get to the beach. The answer is... not very much. The busy life of an innkeeper doesn't allow for too many beach days and I enjoy the ever-changing views in the Historic District so much that I rarely take my walks over there. But this is an island. And we do have 13 miles of pristine beaches (all open to the public). And it is just a couple of minutes across the island. So I do occasionally get over there to soak in the serene view. And it's always a thrill to see the ocean rise up from the horizon. We sure are lucky to have so much beauty on one little island.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Manatee!

2010-07-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

It's not at all unusual to see manatees around here in the warmer months but there have been a couple of very friendly ones hanging around the Fernandina Beach marina for the last week or so, making themselves quite at home - much to everyone's delight. The boaters have been obliging by hanging a hose over the side so that the manatees can get a good long freshwater drink. And the manatees oblige by rolling over exposing their bellies for a good long scratch. Most evenings this week I've seen small crowds of families with young kids taking turns giving belly rubs - to the manatees. That's a memory that will last a long, long time.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Chandlery Building

2010-07-14T17:16:00.000-07:00

For my money, the Chandlery building is one of our prettiest downtown Fernandina structures. The detail is just so beautiful. It was built after the fire of 1876, but the third floor wasn't added until 1901. Today, it houses two great stores: the Pineapple Patch ladies' shop (known for their Vera Bradley selection) and French Market Antiques, one of my favorites. With all of the fabulous architecture on Centre Street it's hard to choose a favorite but this one certainly ranks in the top three for me, even on a cloudy day.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Fernandina Town Cat in Repose

2010-07-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, the life of a cat in Fernandina. So many porches for naps, so many food bowls for lunch, so many lizards to chase, so many nice days to soak up the sun, so many restaurants with soft-hearted cooks, so many leashed dogs to taunt, and so many friendly faces to gaze upon you. Who needs nine lives when this one is so good?

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Amelia Island's Naked Cowboy?

2010-07-11T17:09:00.000-07:00

I don't know who this guy is, but with his silver-inlay sombrero and his Barbi pink electric guitar, I'm wondering if he has aspirations to be our Naked Cowboy. I'm thinking that the act wouldn't last too long here but - hey - thanks for trying, buddy. And, if that's your normal beach attire, I apologize.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Fernandina Sunsets

2010-07-10T18:09:00.000-07:00

Speak a thousand words...

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Centre Street Sandbox

2010-07-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

The folks at Southern Touch were putting a new window display in for the summer beachy time of year that we'll be enjoying for awhile now. It clearly will involve a beach scene so there are some very serious steps required where sand is dumped all over the floor. At least I hope that it's a beach scene. And I hope that she works there. Either way it looked fun. It's a great store and their window displays are always imaginative. Thanks for the smiles, Southern Touch.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Quarter Cup of Possum

2010-07-08T19:43:00.000-07:00

At least that's what this little guy looked like to me. I've never seen one this little. I'm sure that mom will show up sometime tonight to reclaim him/her. In the meantime, he was imprinting on the cats. Until we started caring for feral cats around here, I never knew of the apparent relationship between the species. They almost act as if they can't see one another. Possums will frequently eat out of the cat bowls right in front of them and the cats don't mind. I got nervous when I saw that Davey was going over to check him out but the little guy (let's say... Jimmy) just headed right at Davey as if they were long lost friends. Davey just settled into the sidewalk and Jimmy just sat down beside him until I came by and he retreated to the bushes. He'll probably keep watch over Jimmy until mom comes to get him sometime tonight. He's a good caregiver; we found that out when he babysat Billy.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Chefs' Gardens

2010-07-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

This time of year all of the local chefs' gardens are at their peak and the local diners are enjoying the results on their plates. Many restaurants have taken to putting in gardens to insure the freshest ingredients possible. This one at 29 South Eats enjoys an abundance of space so there's lots of room for tomatos, peppers and leafy greens. If the restaurant doesn't have a garden, you'll most likely see the chefs down at our Saturday morning farmers' market with the rest of the locals. Fresh, fresh, fresh.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Fifi's Fine Resale

2010-07-06T20:27:00.000-07:00

Jessica Miller, pictured here ( L) with one of her fine assistants, owns Fifi's Fine Resale, one of many of our great consignment shops on Amelia Island. She's always got a great collection of clothing, jewelry, shoes and handbags in house and is frequently running some pretty good promotions. The consignment shopping is so good around here that I've made a Google map to give to our guests who are on the hunt for great bargains. I made the map in the fall and I'll need to update it because there have been some new shops added since then. I spend most of my shopping time at Fifi's and Buy Gones but I'm told that the Purple Dove is a great resale shop too. It's technically a thrift shop but the clothes that are donated are quite nice because all of the proceeds go to Micah's Place, the county's domestic violence center. New To You is another great thrift shop. I could go on... but you get the point. Come shop!

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Fernandina Beach Fireworks

2010-07-04T18:58:00.000-07:00

Even with budget cuts and the threat of cloud cover, the fireworks display was great. An absolutely gorgeous summer evening accompanied the snappy new colors. Happy Independence Day everyone. And a special thanks to our military families: past, present and future.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Boomer Comes A-Calling

2010-07-03T19:39:00.000-07:00

Amelia Island Carriages has been a fixture all week at Fairbanks House with our honeymooners, elopers, anniversary couples and ladies' groups all enjoying different experiences on their tours, but the one thing that generally remains constant... is Boomer. Boomer has been entertaining our guests for almost six years now. He gets help from Jazz and other friends but he's been the main carriage horse for our guests for as long as "his mom," Cyndi, has been in Fernandina. He knows that he can expect treats from me any time that he sees me - or any time that he goes by the house - and I have to hide from him as I'm taking my walks through town or he'll try to bring the carriage tour to me so that he can get a treat. He's the largest horse in Nassau County and I help keep him that way. He will truly eat just about anything (except key lime pie) but I try to keep it healthy by giving him carrots or Spanish Moss. Most of our guests are surprised to see him eat the moss but horses actually love it, as long as you pick out the sticks first. I"m proud to be his buddy.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Silver Lining

2010-07-02T19:59:00.000-07:00

We got the rain that we needed over the last couple of days and then it moved out in time for the start of the Fernandina July 4th weekend festivities. Several concerts, a parade, some fireworks, two festivals and some tourists with a four-day weekend are grateful. This sunset tonight was a really great omen. And with daytime highs only in the low 80's we're looking forward to a really great weekend.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Boogie Fever

2010-07-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

These boogie boards were out of service today because we're finally getting the rain that we've been wishing for - for a couple of months now. Two days in a row - yahoo! We've been getting a half day of beach weather and a half day of rain. Good enough for fun and safe enough for the skin. But it's been in the 80's all week and will continue that way through the weekend. Again, I say yahoo!

Norman Rockwell Kind of Town

2010-06-27T17:46:00.000-07:00

When asked to describe our area to potential guests, the names "Norman Rockwell" and "Mayberry" frequently roll off of our tongues. And for good reason. Fernandina really is a charming place. We've owned the inn for thirteen years now and we've just heard that our 35th couple have bought here. (Welcome Lisa and Rob.) And I've just heard from a travel writer who covered us a few years ago who is also interested in buying here. And I know that some of you who read my blog (thank you) are considering the move because you e-mail me. (FYI, I'm not a realtor and I have no affiliation with any and I know nothing about the housing market.) We've got difficult tax, insurance and employment issues... but if you can get by those, it's a great place to live. You're all welcome to join us here, but if you don't want to make the move, then just come spend some time with us here at Fairbanks House. Part-time residents are welcome.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Fernandina Summer Cottage

2010-06-25T18:40:00.000-07:00

Many of the cottages in town here change their look with the seasons and this little house on Second Street is no exception. They've always got seasonal cushions, flowers, banners and plants all the way around and it makes me smile every time that I walk by. You can tell that it's summer just by the color of the cushions on the porch furniture. In case you still need a clue, the banners and colorful windsock ought to complete the thought for you. Thank you, cottage on Second Street. You add to our island vibe.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Babes in the Palace Saloon

2010-06-24T18:31:00.000-07:00

I spied some different kind of babes making their way into the Palace Saloon than you might normally find in there. Hope everyone got carded.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Shrimp - $5 Each

2010-06-23T17:48:00.000-07:00

That's what the sign says. You may have been expecting some mighty big or mighty tasty shrimp at that price but we seem to be in a different category, given that this sign is in the window at Amelia Island Paint and Hardware. So do you think that we're buying the stuffed shrimp below the sign or the small head to the right?

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Geranium Baskets of Le Clos

2010-06-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

I've always been a sucker for beautiful flower baskets but the ones outside of Le Clos this summer have me absolutely drooling with envy. The gorgeous red geraniums with a backdrop of ivy and creeping fig can just set the heart aflutter. The meals inside these walls do nothing to stop the palpitations as many of our guests will tell you. In fact, most of our guests know that if they'd like the sea bass in lemon buerre blanc, and warm chocolate cake for dessert, they just need to order the "Theresa Special". They'll ask if you want it "with or without escargot" because I don't like to be predictable.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

The Lost Weekend

2010-06-21T17:29:00.000-07:00

Or maybe I should say "last weekend". My blog has been dark since last week because my beloved blogging computer buckled under the weight of all of my blog photos and rebelled in a most convincing manor. The fabulous Innkeeper Bill who hasn't met a mechanical, electrical or electronic device that he can't fix managed to bring her back to life and put my blog back in business. In the meantime, we had a variety of interesting guests over the weekend so I've decided to share their happiness with you. And, when a potential guest asked me last week if "your bed and breakfast is only for women" I decided that I'd better get some shots of our happy guys here instead of just our fabulous ladies groups. But I'm not leaving out our ladies - we love 'em. So, I give you... happy honeymooners, happy guys at Social Hour, happy triathalon finishers, happy birthday girls and happy Tower-dwelling girls. And a happy innkeeper with a fixed computer.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island

Florida House Inn Sold?

2010-06-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

Rumor has it that the Florida House Inn is under contract and will reopen at some point after extensive renovations. That will be good to see. It broke the hearts of everyone on the island when it closed down in January. Unless you've owned a building from the 1800's, it's hard to fathom just how quickly decay can set in. Constant passionate maintenance is required just to keep up. Leaving a building that was constructed in 1857 unoccupied and untended for too long is not a good idea. We're happy that someone has chosen to make the commitment to bring this building back to the landmark status that it once enjoyed.

Fairbanks House- Amelia Island

Verbena

2010-06-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

Verbena is one of my favorite butterfly-friendly plants. It's drought tolerant, prolific, vivid and it grows well on Amelia Island. We've added some to the border in our new landscape at the front of the house as well as to the butterfly garden in the back. The butterflies are just starting to come out now so we expect to be getting quite a few winged visitors in the not too distant future. Happily, we're getting lots of the two-legged variety now too. Hopefully, we can introduce them to one another soon.

Fairbanks House - Amelia Island