North Orlando – Manatees again!

Yesterday I took my 3rd trip in the last two months up to Blue Springs Park in Orange City. It was a pretty cool day so I knew there would be at least a few. 52 was the count yesterday. Lots of people were around to view this spectacular place. The manatees come into the springs when the ocean gets too cold. They come in via the St. John’s River. One manatee we saw had a monitoring system attached to him. “Bock” was grown in captivity and was just released into the spring last week. He was huge, weighing in at 1,000 lbs! 

"Bock" the manatee
“Bock” the manatee
John, Carol, Carole & Joe
John, Carol, Carole & Joe

Blue Springs Park is a wonderfully historic place, and it is only 30 minutes north from Thurston House…well worth the ride!

North Orlando – Bed & Breakfast “SPECIAL” Recipe

I was going to blog something else today, but I received a call last night from a friend of over 50 (yikes!) years. His Mom just passed away from a massive stroke. She was a tough old Swede and went out fighting for sure. They were our next door neighbors in Massachusetts for many years. Anyway, I often make her recipe for omelet and will do so this morning for my Thurston House guests – lucky them!

Stina’s Omelet

4 eggs, 3/4C flour, 2C milk or 1/2+1/2, various meats, various veggies, shredded cheese

Spray a 10″ cast iron pan with PAM. Sprinkle a variety of cubed meat and/or veggies on the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle shredded cheese over, to taste. Whisk the eggs, then the flour; whisk until well blended. Add the milk and whisk until blended. Pour over the other mix. wire-wisk-mini-wisk-kitchen-wisk-graphic-11Bake 400 degrees for 30 minutes, or until puffed and slightly browned. Best right out of the oven. ENJOY! I better get going in the kitchen now….

A nice visit and a new porch mascot……


We had a very nice visit with friends Bob & Sadie Friday night. This happily retired couple live in Utah and were visiting their Disney timeshare. Lots of catching up to do! Recently a new mascott has been added to our porch – Baby-Beek! When the wind is just right, Baby Beek flaps it’s wings and sparkles with wacky motion…very cute! Come to Thurston House to see for yourselves!