New innkeeper at Blue Spruce B&B

Sandy Affonso didn’t get to ease in slowly to her new position as owner of the Blue Spruce Bed & Breakfast. Her first weekend in July was the busiest of the year — Sisters’ annual Quilt Show. She said the regulars who stayed there welcomed her and all went well.

Buying the only bed and breakfast in downtown Sisters was both a business and a family decision for Affonso.

“This will be perfect!” Affonso remembered thinking of her first look at the Blue Spruce.

Affonso’s 21-year-old daughter Lizzie recently finished a two-year transition program for the learning disabled after graduating from high school in Bend. Affonso wanted to find a situation that would provide the right balance of independent living and structure for her daughter. Lizzie has tasks in the kitchen including serving breakfast and can regularly be seen each morning on her bike headed to the Post Office with her dog Buddy in the basket.

“You’re the best mom in the world,” said Lizzie, who is obviously happy living in her own room at the Blue Spruce.

Affonso plans to keep much of the bed and breakfast the same. For example, the themed rooms such as the Western decorated Ponderosa Room are unchanged. However, Affonso plans to offer retreats, hold conferences and add spa weekends to the business.

Affonso has worked as a conflict mediator for many years. She recently closed her office in Sisters but will continue her mediation work at the Blue Spruce.

Affonso is familiar with the area. She lived in Bend for many years and still enjoys her cabin in Camp Sherman when she can get away.

Affonso said one factor in her decision was that she was buying a successful bed and breakfast. The Blue Spruce is already full every weekend through October and for the major events in 2006 such as the Quilt Show.

“It was nice and tidy and I could walk in and not have to do anything,” said Affonso.

She said original owners Bob and Vaunell Temple have “been real delightful to work with.”

She also appreciated knowing the Temples still live in the area and are willing to help with glitches. For example, one morning there was no hot water — but it was quickly fixed with a phone call.

“That made it fun — I knew I didn’t have to sink or swim,” Affonso said.

Affonso said all the popular breakfast recipes such as Lemon Souffle Pancakes came with the bed and breakfast. She even got baking lessons from Vaunell.

“We had a ball doing that!”

Affonso and her daughter are enthusiastic about the wonderful guests they’ve met in their first summer at the Blue Spruce.

“What I love about a B&B is the variety of people who come together and tell their stories and laugh,” said Affonso.

“It’s exciting as an innkeeper to see how many people come from all over the world,” she added.

“I love it — it’s a nice break from the conflict,” said Affonso of the contrast between her two professions. “Here my morning is filled with pleasantries. It reminds you that you truly have a choice.”

The Blue Spruce Bed & Breakfast has four rooms and is at 444 S. Spruce St. For information call 549-9644.