I had a secret life at my B&B. While guests were milling about in our parlors, or strolling in the gardens, I was in a dark back room with the shades drawn ... writing.
Even though we had a thriving nine-room bed and breakfast, it was necessary for me to work on the side as a freelance writer. This definitely had its challenges as I would sometimes be called away mid-sentence to fix a guest's shower, which would lead to a chat in the parlor, a quick touch up of some paint, a check-in and ... oh where was I? Writing, right.
Still, if the interruptions weren't welcome, the extra income certainly was. Many innkeepers -- especially those with smaller inns -- find it necessary to have an extra source of income to augment what the inn is able to earn. I had a chance to interview Jan and Bruce Garrabrandt this week from The Artist's Inn & Gallery about this very topic. Like many of us, they get by with humor, grace and that most essential of all innkeeper skills: good juggling.
Speaking of skills, if one of the items on your New Year's resolutions list was, "learn something new," you might want to check out this list of five B&Bs I put together that all offer a variety of classes, from cooking to horseback riding.
In other news, a new year means a new season of awards. If you're an innkeeper be sure to send in a recipe to Bedandbreakfast.com's "Best Breakfast Tournament" (you must be one of their members), no later than January 31. If you're an inn-goer, check out the the winners of TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice awards for the top 25 B&Bs in the country. And don't forget, I'm always eager to here from either group with recommendations for great inns to cover right here on About.com! Just leave a note below.
Image Courtesy Cristian V., Flickr
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