Whats it like to own a B&B, you ask?

Lately, on a forum I belong to, there's been a lot of talk about what it takes to own a B&B. There are a lot of folks who come to the forum looking for advice as they are thinking of opening a B&B. As several members of the forum would put it, "they all have rose colored glasses on". The Innkeepers on this forum always tell it like it is, they don't hold anyting back and you will always get the truth.... the WHOLE truth, and good solid advice. There is no way you can go into this business, unprepared, wearing those rose colored glasses after participating in this forum. While I didn't know about the exsistance of forum, I found it shortly after opening my B&B and it has been invaluable.

OK, so back to "What's it like to be an Innkeeper?" These same Innkeepers have compiled a 'list' of what its like. Some of the things on the list didn't really apply to me or my Innkeeping, so I have changed it to fit me. So whats it like??? Read on...

You'll almost always have a smile on your face, to welcome guests who are happily on vacation (even when exhausted, sick or worse).

You'll find it hard to maintain relationships because alone time will become a precious thing.

 Your sense of humor will degrade into the politically correct and socially acceptable as you have to watch your p’s and q’s all the time.

You'll say a whole lota more prayers in the privacy of the kitchen when dealing with  difficult people on a regular basis.

You'll gain a vast amount of weight, as in the freshman 15 as you can’t see beautiful food wasted, so whatever is left from afternoon refreshments you eat.

You will spend every waking hour marketing your inn.

 You will learn all social media, because you have to, not because you like it.

Your knees will get destroyed.

 You'll live in a constant state of sleep deprivation, indefinitely.

You'll have to ask your friends to plan everything around your schedule, which is in complete opposition with their availability, because you work every weekend, and every day.

You'll learn to have an answer for everything, as that is expected of you.

Your awareness of other people's lack of efficiency and common sense will increase and your tolerance of it will decrease. A GPS is not the best thing since sliced bread!

 You’ll soon feel like Dr Phil when guests pour out their lives traumas to you, without asking them.

 You will work longer hours than you ever imagined possible or thought legal.

 You will spend all your waking hours with your shoes on, ready to meet guest’s questions and needs.

Your shortest work days will be longer than most people's longest, and your longer work days, which make up about half of your working week, will be longer than the average person is awake in a day.

You seldom cook gourmet dinners at home. You will eat a bowl of cereal for dinner many nights.

 You will be the subject of guest intrusions. Opening closed doors to see what is behind them. Curious sticky beaks who want to see how innkeepers live. Officially, it will be as a test of character. In reality, it will be as a form of entertainment.

 You will meet and form strong bonds with types of people whom you'd previously never even have imagined sharing conversations with.

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  You will be stressed out many days. As nothing goes as planned and things break at the most inopportune time!

You will always be irreplaceable and will be expected to constantly give 110%, as each guest thinks they are the one and only.

You will be used to always using the last on a roll of toilet paper.

You will not be allowed to call in sick.

You will be used to saying the same thing every day for weeks and months on end, and saying it with a glimmer in your eye.

You will never be congratulated on your work. Very seldom thanked, even when you go the extra mile to make a guest feel extra special.

 You will be used to waking at the crack of dawn and having a guest show up after midnight without a call.

You  will also be working on your birthday, and you pray for nice guests who appreciate you, and show up for breakfast!

You will have to work many menial positions, even though you own the business.

The better the B&B is, the longer the work hours become, the more pressure you end up under.

 None of your friends or family will understand what is involved in your work and you will never be able to make them understand.

You will spend vast amounts of money on upgrading the business and making customers super comfortable and happy.

 You will find every cent you earn goes back into the B&B, for maintenance, renovations, and upkeep.

If you are the right type of person, you will thank the Lord every single day for the rest of your life for making the best decision you ever did to become an innkeeper. And you will fall in love with your job and never look back.

OK, so this is mostly the negatives that happens, My next post will be all the "positives" and "good things" about owning a B&B and being an Innkeeper! And after that??? well maybe.. all the "Funny" things that happen at a B&B! Stay Tuned!

LOL! I just had to share this one!

It's Done, It's Done!!!

INN-spiring Breakfasts.
I had no idea how much work this was going to end up being when I started over 3 years ago. I thought "Oh, just keep a file of the recipes you create, take a few pics...." you get the idea. WHEW! It's REALLY HARD to put a COOKBOOK together. You worry if you wrote down the right measurment, the right ingredient, put it in the right order, ect. You go back and you check, and check agian and then recheck yet again (you have to be somewhat of a chemist here!).

And then theres the 'reproducing' the product. It has to be reproducable so anyone following the recipe gets the same results. It's not something someone is going to read and lay down and walk away from. Its something that will be interacted with, reproduced, picked up  over and over again. Then there's the devotionals included. Are they encouraging? Are they uplifting? Are they going to mean anything??? These are all questions I have asked and asked.

 It also has to 'look' just right for the picture too. Even one wrong placed 'garnish' will make you throw out the picture and go back to the drawing board. Or... as I found out, even the color of the garnish, makes a difference. A strawberry might be the perfect garnish, BUT if its not red 'enough' its no good.

So finally, after editing, and editing again, and after having others go through and look for 'missed' things, we finally finished at about 12:30 AM! But we aren't done yet.... Yes it goes to the publisher today, but they have "professional" editors who will go through and edit.

My work still isn't done, there's all the marketing and selling that happens next. Yes, the publisher does most of that, but I am expected to do my part.

But am I excited? Nervous?  You bet I am. There's just something about not just seeing all your hard work finally come together and 'finished' product, But will it sell?  Will it be 'good enough' that someone... anyone... A STRANGER would want to pick it up and buy it? Will get good reviews?...  Will it get ANY reviews! LOL! That remains to be seen.

But, for now, the frantic hours in the kitchen are done, the late night edits are done. And I do have a freezer full from shoots, that I can pull out and use when needed. :)

There has also been lots of laughter while working on this cookbook. But, I'll save those stories for another post.

Do you love Orange??
This Orange French Toast with Orange Syrup is perfect for brightening anyones morning!
Look for this recipe in my upcoming "INNspiring Breakfasts" Cookbook!



Orange French Toast with Orange Syrup.



Easy Orange Coffee Rolls

Drizzled with an Orange Glaze, and candied orange peel, this is truly a delightful addition to any breakfast! This is so delicious and EASY to make! Not only do I serve this for breakfast with fruit, but it could also be used for brunch, or afternoon delight!



Easy Orange Coffee Rolls

The recipe is in my cookbook!

Vegie Strata! So GOOD!

Another addition to my Breakfast Cookbook. Veggies for Breakfast?? Yep! With this Veggie Strata, you will get all the veggies you love!
AND it's Soo pretty too! This is a great dish to take to a potluck! It will have everyone talking!!

Vegie Packed Strata

More pictures of my cookbook additions coming soon!