Baked Eggs with Bacon

Ingredients

• 12 eggs
• 12 slices of cooked bacon
• 1 can sliced pineapple, cut each in half
• 6 teaspoons of melted butter
• 1/4 lb blue cheese, crumbled
• 3 tablespoons chives, chopped
• 12 English muffins
• Cooking Spray
• Assorted sliced fruit

Preparation

In a 12 cup non-stick muffin pan, spray with cooking spray. Place in each cup 1/2 teaspoon of melted butter. Place on top of butter half slice of pineapple. Wrap around inside rim of muffin cup 1 slice of bacon. Break in 1 egg in each cup and top with crumbled cheese and chives. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Remove carefully and place on buttered English muffin.

**Recipe courtesy of The Captain's Inn

Meet Your Innkeepers: Captain's Inn

Innside Story with Captain's Barry & Tamara,

owners of the Captains Inn.

1) What was your first experience ever staying in a bed & breakfast?

Tamara: We've actually never stayed in a bed & breakfast. Maybe we will get lucky and someone will invited us! For most of our lives, we've lived and stayed on a boat.

2) What did you do before you were a b&b owner?

Tamara: For the past 25 years we have been running and managing some of the finest mega-yachts in the charter yacht industry as a Captain and Chef team. We have entertained aboard these yachts heads of state, movie stars, and the rich and not-so-famous. As a charter yacht chef I've prepared simple and romantic gourmet dinners for two as well as sit-down parties for sixty and catered weddings and social events. From this experience, I've published two cookbooks; Megayacht Cooking and the Ship's Bounty. Captain Barry was also an artist and has owned galleries throughout the world including a gallery on a cruise ship. We both love to share our food and art with all of our friends and guests.

3) What made you decide to want to own a b&b?

Tamara: Because we loved entertaining our guests on our yachts we decided to build the bed and breakfast for our retirement. We found the bed and breakfast business extremely similar to our past experience and we are very happy with our decision.

4) What is your favorite part about owning a b&b?

Tamara: The lifestyle and the wonderful people we meet.

5) What is your least favorite thing?

Tamara: Personally, nothing comes to mind, we love what we do.


6) How did you decide on your room themes and décor?

Tamara:That question is easy. Since we are Captains and lived most of our lives on the sea the nautical theme was natural. Since we lived in the South Pacific and the tropical theme of our grounds came naturally.


7) Tell me one thing you love about Mount Dora.
Tamara: Re-discovering the joy of boating and fishing on aboard the Mount Dorable, the Captains’ Inn boat.


8) Describe your favorite breakfast creation at your b&b.

Tamara: Erin Moran (Joanie on the old TV series "Happy Days") taught me her favorite version of Eggs Benedict. This recipe has been a favorite of mine and my guests since April of 1982.


9) Will you let me post the recipe?

Tamara: Yes!


10) Tell me one unique thing that most people don't know about you.

Tamara: Captain Barry cuts and sets precious Australian Opals directly from the mines of Australia where his brother worked as a miner. He currently is offering through the Mount Dora Center for the Arts a lapidary opal cutting course in his studio at the Captain's Inn. For me, I've published two cookbooks, Megayacht Cooking and Ship's Bounty and I'm currently working on my 3rd cookbook, B&B Cooking.

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Fundraiser Made A Splash

With palm trees swaying and steel drum island music playing, not even a little afternoon summer rain could dampen the spirits of everyone at the Lei Breast Cancer to Rest event this weekend. Vivas Las Chicas hosted a fun and festive poolside luau at the Grandview Bed & Breakfast featuring Hawaiian inspired cuisine, music, dancing and a silent auction.

With over 75 people in attendance and tremendous support from local businesses and the community for fantastic auction items, the Chicas raised $6000 toward their cause. Monies raised will go towards the Breast Cancer 3 Day, a 60 mile walk benefiting the Susan G. Komen For The Cure Grant and National Philanthropist Trust Project working towards advancement in breast cancer research, education, treatment and prevention.

A BIG thank you is owed to Mel & Andy at the Grandview Bed & Breakfast for hosting such a fun event for a worthy cause and also for creating a reason for Mount Dora Lodging establishments to be full on a summer weekend!

Take a look at the event photo gallery to see who was there!


--Rachelle

Meet Your Innkeepers: Tremain Street Cottages

Innside Story with Brian & Rachelle,

Innkeepers of the Tremain Street Cottages

1) What was your first experience ever staying at a bed & breakfast?

Rachelle: I'm actually drinking coffee this morning from their clay mug. It was The Wayside Inn located in Ellicott City, Maryland. We were up north for a wedding and stopped here on our way home for a little R&R.

Brian: I fist stayed in a B&B near Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains in S. California.


2) What did you do before you were a B&B owner?

Brian: I owned and operated several insurance agencies and also was and still am a real estate investor.

Rachelle: I worked in marketing & public relations for several companies and then became a Realtor and mortgage loan officer during the real estate boom.


3) What made you decide to become an innkeeper?

Rachelle: Working in mortgage lending was very stressful. I used to really look forward to Saturdays when I could stay in my pajamas all day, catch up on laundry and make a big breakfast. I actually enjoy cleaning, it is sort of a stress reliever for me. Kind of weird, I know. I think it's because I make my own cleaning supplies so it's a little like aroma therapy. When we stayed at The Wayside Inn, the atmosphere was so relaxed. As we were having breakfast with the innkeepers a light bulb went off over my head and I thought, "Everyday could be Saturday!" So, I traded in my banker suits for jeans, flip flops and laundry and never looked back.

Brian: Living in the traffic jam that has become Orlando made it simple to jump on this opportunity when it arose. I was born in a small town much like Mount Dora and have fond memories of it.


4) What is your favorite part about having a bed & breakfast?

Rachelle: Well, we're not really a "bed & breakfast." We're more of a "Bed & Bed." Our cottages are individual little suites with their own kitchens, bathrooms and living area. On the weekends, we send our guests one block downtown to 5th Avenue Cafe for brunch. So, I guess my favorite part is the freedom and having a flexible schedule to pursue my other interests and hobbies such as acting.

Brian: We meet very interesting traveling folks on a regular basis. The freedom and lifestyle it provides are fantastic.


5) What is your least favorite thing to do as an innkeeper?

Rachelle: I guess I have to agree with Margie at the Heron Cay on this one. It's something that every self-employed person has to deal with, not just B&B owners. Paperwork! I hate filing. In fact, I have about a month's worth of paper stacked in one of my office chairs that I need to sort through and file. I guess I could just turn on some good music and try to make it fun.

Brian: My least favorite thing is the constant maintenance required for older buildings. There always seems to be a rush to fix something before a new guest arrives. And I don't do cartwheels come IRS tax time.


6) How did you decide on your room themes and decor?

Rachelle: Each cottage is really different. When we bought them, nothing had really been changed in about 10 years so there was a lot of cosmetic work that needed to be done. Our Rendezvous Cottage was planned around two pieces of tile mosaic furniture that we found at Madison Rose Quilts. They had a yellow and black french toile theme that we decorated the room around. Brian loves boating, so he really planned our Nantucket Cottage. What's funny, is I thought I would LOVE redecorating the cottages. But it's amazing how many small little details there are to pay attention to. After we decorated two cottages ourselves, we were burned out and hired a decorator to help us with matching linens, window treatments and paint colors what was left to be done.

Brian: I love telling folks that I picked the paint colors in the Rendezvous Cottage, they never believe me though it is true. We sort of let the cottages speak to us and slowly themes began to emerge based on furnishings that were already there or furnishings that we found to fit certain spots.


7) Tell me one thing you love about Mount Dora.

Rachelle: I love being able to walk everywhere. I think we naturally have what a lot of developers are trying to artificially create. An authentic town feel. The first time I was able to walk everywhere for all of my errands ... going to the post office, getting a pair of shoes re-heeled, buying toothpaste and shampoo, meeting a friend for lunch, getting an iced latte to go .. all in one morning, all by foot. It's really simple, I know. But it is a neat feeling. And it's especially appreciated today with our higher gas prices.

Brian: The social life we enjoy is wonderful. At any given time we might be at a neighbors house for dinner or sitting on some front porch drinking a glass of wine. Folks here have a sense of community that is very different than most other places I have lived.


8) Describe your favorite breakfast creation at your B&B.

Rachelle: Well, since were a "Bed & Bed," I don't cook. I joke with people and tell them that I burn toast, and that's why we don't do breakfast. But, during the holidays I usually bake up a storm for all of our neighbors and friends. During the fall, it's anything pumpkin. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread and pumpkin cheesecake. I just love the spices. I do really love the Historic Inn's Sweet Potato Pancakes. We send our guests to the 5th Avenue Cafe for brunch and my favorite breakfast there changes with my mood. Most times, it's the basic Breakfast Creation.

Brian: We are lucky in that we don't have to make breakfast for our guests, they get to enjoy weekend brunches at the 5th Ave. Cafe. We very often join them. My favorite breakfast dish at the 5th Ave. Cafe has to be the eggs Florentine.


9) Can we post the recipe?

Rachelle: Well, that depends on Leigh at the 5th Avenue Cafe. She does have a few recipes posted on her website at 5th Ave Cafe. I suppose I'll share some of my favorite pumpkin recipes this fall.

10) Tell us one unique thing that most people don't know about you?

Rachelle: I used to be on a Show Team for clogging when I was younger. Now you'll only see me clog when I do my "happy dance" whenever something exciting happens. Also, you might recognize me in a few commercials or the movies Robodoc or Halloween H30.

Brian: I am a competitive ballroom dancer. That's actually how Rachelle and I met ... through ballroom dancing.

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Lei Breast Cancer To Rest

When you hear the phrase Viva Las Chicas and Luau in the same sentence ... you think of a big party, right? Well that is exactly what's happening! A big party for an even bigger cause.

Viva Las Chicas states their mission as being a breast cancer awareness, education, and support group born out of the desire of a few to touch the lives of many. This weekend, in conjunction with the Grandview Bed & Breakfast, they will be hosting a Luau to Lei Breast Cancer To Rest.

All proceeds from this event will go to the 2008 Breast Cancer 3 Day which is a 60 mile walk over 3 days benefiting Women for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust for Breast Cancer Research. Viva Las Chicas has participated in these Breast Cancer events since 2002.
Meet some of the "chicas" here at Why We Walk.
It's not too late! Tickets are still available, so come join our Luau this weekend and celebrate life! There will be a buffet, dancing, music, a silent auction and, of course, everyone gets leied!

Just visit http://www.leibreastcancertorest.com/ for more information.


--Rachelle

Old Glory

Susie Brown, Mayor Melissa DeMarco, Betty Cook

I assumed our town was decked out in the traditional Americana red, white & blue decor for the upcoming 4th of July celebration. However, it seems, there is an often overlooked holiday preceding Independence Day. And that, my friends, is Flag Day.

Parading their patriotism around Mount Dora with warm smiles and stars and stripes galore, Innkeeper Betty Cook (Award Winning Magnolia Inn), and shopkeeper, Susie Brown (Noni Home & Bath), handed out 500 miniature American flags to visitors and downtown businesses to raise awareness and celebrate flag day.

One of the many things I love about Mount Dora is the way the people here volunteer random acts of kindness just like Betty & Susie. And also the way the town loves a reason to celebrate
life through street parties, festivals and holidays. All holidays ... including Flag Day!

For a little more history on this holiday, it was established in 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson officially named June 14th as Flag Day to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States. It was on this day, June 14th, in 1777 that the Continental Congress adopted the stars and stripes design.

For more history and etiquette of the American flag, click here: Flag of the United States

--Rachelle

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Meet Your Innkeepers: Heron Cay

Innside Story with Randy & Margie,

Innkeepers of the Heron Cay Bed & Breakfast

1) What was your first experience ever staying in a bed & breakfast?

Margie: Austria


2) What did you do before you were an Innkeeper?

Margie: Real Estate Sales


3) What made you decide to want to own a B&B?

Margie: After the kids left, we were empty nesters with a large house to sell. We rented rooms until it was sold ... and here we are 11 years later.


4) What is your favorite part about owning a B&B?

Margie: Meeting the great people that come to stay with us.


5) What is your least favorite thing to do as an innkeeper?

Margie: As with any business owner, the Paperwork!


6) Tell me one thing you love about Mount Dora.

Margie: We love the topography and hills. It's not really like Florida at all. Also, the small town feel.


7) Describe your favorite breakfast creation at your B&B.

Margie: It's called, "Mom's Eggs." It is a fry pan full of fried/steamed eggs cooked over meat, sausage and other delicious breakfast ingredients served as a whole pan slid onto a platter.


8) Sounds like what Brian calls his "Bri Bri Breakfast." May I post the recipe?

Margie: Yes.

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