Bird watching at the B&B

This cute little guy is called a yellow rumped warbler. I saw him first last year in February and he has returned to the birdfeeder right outside my kitchen again this year. He is only 4 inches tall and not shy. The weather is 50 degrees today but an artic blast is predicted for next week. He may be on his way to Mexico by then.
We are blessed to have an abundance of birdlife here at our Tulsa bed and breakfast. Right now I see starlings, mournig doves, cardinals, sparrows and a downy woodpecker at the feeders. This morning I saw some juncos and a wren. We have robins, mockingbirds and blue jays in the neighborhood also. Occasionally, a bigger woodpecker, the red bellied woodpecker would visit. Last year my neighborhood had to cut down a big old dead tree and I think that it where that woodpecker lived. I have not seen that bird recently and I miss him. The red tailed hawk from the song "Oklahoma" can be seen flying overheard once in a while. They are more common around open fields. This time of year we start to see the Bald Eagle around the Arkansas River, just two miles from here. They like to fish in the waters coming off the Keystone Dam.
I keep my copy of the book "The Backyard Bird-Lover's Guide" and a pair of binoculars upstairs in the sunroom so guests can enjoy watching and identifying our littlest visitors, too. I would love for you to come for a visit and perhaps you might spy a new bird while you are here.

New Year Resolutions

Every year, like hundreds of others, I make a resolution to lose weight. I often succeed, but somehow that weight always finds me again. Of course, cooking scrumptious breakfasts every morning at our Tulsa bed and breakfast doesn't help. If there is a biscuit or two left over, I have to eat it. We can't waste food now, can we? There are starving children in Africa.
This year make a resolution that you will enjoy. Make the resolution to slow down, enjoy life and spend more time with the ones you love. A great way to spend some quality time with a loved one is to book a couple of nights at a B&B. Whether it is your spouse, your sister, your mother, your daughter or your best friend; there are many activites near the Inn at Woodward Park for you to enjoy. Shopping and restaurants are within walking distance; as well as two museums. The Philbrook Museum is renowned for it's beautiful gardens and art. The Tulsa Historical Museum has great history about the oil discovery days. It also has changing exhibits all the time. Right now there is a great exhibit about Tulsa in the 40s and some interesting artwork about the Tulsa Race Riot. The lovely Woodward Park is right across the street. With 40 acres of azaelas, redbud trees, dogwoods, roses, iris and squirrels; there is always something wonderful to see. Downtown Tulsa is just a few minutes away. Tulsa has the ballet, operas, musicals, concerts and festivals going on all the time. Of couse, just chilling out at the B&B is always an option. Watch a DVD in your room while snacking off a fruit and cheese tray or play a game of Scrabble or Yahtzee in the sunroom. We also have a certified, licensed massage therapist who can give you a hot stone massage right here at the Inn. So make that resolution and that reservation today.

To all a good night

Our goal at the Inn at Woodward Park is to provide each guest with a good night's experience. It starts at check-in. I give each guest a quick tour starting with the parlor pictured here. The parlor is open to guests except when our wonderful massage therapist, Cady Pryse, is giving one of her relaxing massages. The hot stone massage is heavenly.The parlor has a reading nook, a seating group centered around the fireplace and a pub table. Once a group of women on a girl's getaway sat in the parlor knitting, drinking wine and laughing till past their bedtime!
Breakfast is served in the dining room off the parlor. I am flexible about serving hours and ask the night before what time to have breakfast hot and ready.
Upstairs is another common area. I call it the sunroom. It is a favorite of guests. Windows are on 3 walls allowing lots of natural light into the room and beautiful views out each. Business travelers like to sit in this room with their laptops. Wi fi is available throughout the Inn, and outside on the covered side porch. The sunroom is furnished with vintage rattan furniture covered with bright colored fabric with monkeys on it. Guest also enjoy playing games on the two tables in this room. One family here for a wedding had a mahjong tournament going on between festivites. Jigsaw puzzles have been put together over family reunion weekends.
Each guestroom provides a relaxing night. Each bed has thick featherbed toppers and 4 pillows and feels like sleeping on a cloud. The Moroccan room has the Jacuzzi tub, where a couple can relax together before climbing in the bed and pulling the sheers closed around them. The Hollywood room has a deep tub that can be filled to the top with luxurious bubbles. A perfect place to soak away the stresses of the day before retiring to a bed covered with silk and faux fur. The Jazz room is a cozy place that will make you feel like you are back at Grandma's house.
I would like to invite you to our Tulsa bed and breakfast and experience your good night.

Celebrate

A Jew, a lesbian and a Baptist minister walk into the dining room. What sounds like the first line of a joke is a typical morning at our Tulsa bed and breakfast. I used to worry when I had a diverse group sitting down together at the table. I thought there would be akwardness or stoney silences. Now I have more faith in the goodness of human nature. Somehow, over a plate piled high with pancakes, people reach out to one another to share smiles, stories and laughter. Common ground is always found. It may be children, or parents, or pets, or sports. The most lively discussions, however, involve our differences. Think about it. Wouldn't it be a boring world if we were all exactly alike? Guests at the Inn at Woodward Park have come from all over the world and every state in the nation. Some of my favorite breakfast memories have been trying to convince the young man from London to eat biscuits and gravy, the Yiddish lesson from the Al Pacino look alike from Manhattan, the young lady from New Zealand calling herself a kiwi girl, the Canadians teasing us about freaking out over 6 inches of snow and many more. Breakfast at a B&B is always an experience and not just for the good food. This holiday season embrace your traditions, celebrate our differences and practice goodwill towards men. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannakah or Kwanzaa, I wish you peace, love and yummy breakfasts.

Tulsa Ballet presents the Nutcracker

The Nutcracker presented by the Tulsa Ballet runs from December 11 through the 23rd this year. This exciting Broadway production is great for the whole family. I took my boys, now in their late twenties, when they were in grade school. I thought they would get bored, but they were mesmerized and sat still in their seats for the whole thing. Now when they or I hear the haunting melodies from the Nutcracker it brings back wonderful memories.
This year's performance sounds spectacular with difficult choreography and stunning visuals with a nod to Tulsa's Art Deco heritage. 120 local children and dance students will play mice, toy soldiers and children at a party. The story is set in 1920 Paris and soloist Soo Youn Cho is making her debut in the lead role. One of the ballerina's in the 2nd company has parents that stay at our Tulsa bed and breakfast for all her performances.
An evening spent at the Tulsa PAC for the Nutcracker and the night spent at the Inn at Woodward Park with breakfast in bed the next morning would be a magical early Christmas gift.

O Christmas Tree

The Philbrook Museum of Art has it's Festival of Trees exhibit open now through December 12th. The museum is located 8 blocks south of our Tulsa bed and breakfast. The Philbrook is mentioned in the book "1001 Places to See Before You Die" and is a treat in itself. Built in 1926, this Italian Renaissance villa was built for the Waite Phillips family of the Phillips 66 oil company. It was donated to the city of Tulsa in 1938.
The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for the museum featuring over 100 one-of-a-kind trees decorated by local designers, students and other groups. The themes are everything from recycling to Lady GaGa. That I have to see. There are also gingerbread houses decorated by youth groups such as scouts.
If the gingerbread houses make you hungry, the LaVilla Restaurant in the museum is open for lunch. The beautiful gardens are lit for the holidays and Santa is stopping by on weekends for pictures.
The Philbrook is closed on Mondays, open the rest of the week 10-5, until 8 on Thursdays. General admission is $7.50 less for seniors and students. The Festival of Trees is an additional $8.50. Saturday, December the 12th is free Saturday, no admission fee.
Take a break from shopping, grab your favorite person and go take a look. It is a one-of-a kind experience.

The B&B Cats

We have two cats here at our Tulsa bed and breakfast. Pictured is Holly. She showed up as a stray weighing 4 pounds and nearly bald. Of course, I had to feed her and now she is a fat and happy. In fact, she has a little eating disorder. If there is no food in her bowl, she starts pulling her hair out. The vet suggested putting her on an antianxiety medication, but I opted on no kitty Xanax.

You may or may not see Holly on your visit to the Inn at Woodward Park. She is a little shy.

Not so with our other cat, Miss Kitty, the queen of the cats. Miss Kitty feels that everyone that enters the Inn wants to see her. She runs to the door whenever anyone new arrives and sits there waiting for her royal subjects to pet her. Miss Kitty is a silky Maine Coon that we adopted from the shelter a few years before we opened.

I realize some folks don't care for cats and some people are allergic. I do state that we have pets on the premesis on our website. We have hardwood floors and I vacumn and dust daily. The cats and guests are told the cats are not allowed in the guestrooms. I regret that we miss some business because of the cats, but I don't want anyone to be miserable during their stay.

Most people love having the cats around. They say they have cats and our pets make them feel more at home. Guest leave comments in the journals for the cats, take their pictures and one guest even drew Miss Kitty's portrait.

So come see us. Miss Kitty is waiting for you.