Comments on: Sharing your Home Overnight!

By: Anna

Anna — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:30:31 +0000

Your visit to Barb's place remiminded me of a B&B we visited many years ago in Leavenworth WA. I think? it was called The Farm? though I am fuzzy on that.
We had a wonderful time. So wonderful in fact that we extended our visit from 1 night to 3. (thankfully the owner was able to accomodate).
The great room had a huge stone fireplace, the stones hand gathered by the owners. Such a wonderful bunch of guests, too. My husband played 18 holes with a new friend/guest there.
My son had never seen real live chickens, and the hostess invited him to gather eggs with her for our breakfast. He was enthralled.
I know this was a B&B, but we really felt like we were in the home of a close friend.
Our hostess was always available to share stories about how the farm was built, to chit chat with guests, and though I don't exactly remember the breakfasts, I do remember them being very good, and served at a big table with lively conversation. How a simple country breakfast turns into a 2 hour gab fest with strangers is beyond me, but it was wonderful. Our son was only 5, and the only child there. He was the hit of the party. We 'ran into' a guest/new friend in town, and ended up wandering/shopping all day together. She spoiled my son rotten!!!
Amazingly, we stayed in touch through the years. I live in WA, she lives in upstate NewYork. We've never gotten together again in person, but talk occasionally and write letters. Now it's e-mail more than letters. She sent my son a gift certificate to an Auto Supply store as a high school graduation gift, knowing he was getting a "new to him" truck for graduation.
I realize this is WAAAY off topic, but I just had to share.
I/We truly felt at home.
I often have overnight college students, but it's never a planned thing. Just kind of late, bring out pillows and blankets, and they crash on the floor. Since I have a teeny tiny house, I often step over and between sleeping bodies in the morning to get my coffee fix. I don't serve breakfast either, though I do set out cereal, fruit and everyone knows where the toaster is.
I love your casual entertaining style.
I don't entertain adults very often, why is that?

By: whimzie

whimzie — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:55:08 +0000

This is timely because we have guests coming in a few weeks and we won't even get our furniture for our new house until the middle of next week. I was stressing about having everything put away and ready for guests but they're coming to see us…not our stuff! I think if I'm relaxed, they're more likely to feel comfortable and at home.

By: gmacd76

gmacd76 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:40:35 +0000

My husband and I enjoy having out-of-town guests. My family all live in another state, so we frequently have people over for extended visits. I find that I get a bit exhausted after four or five days. Anything longer than that, I tend to run out of hostess-steam.

By: Laryssa Herbert

Laryssa Herbert — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:23:11 +0000

We are actually having my 89 year old Grandmother come to live with us. I think that counts as an overnight guest! It's been A LOT of work getting ready for her, but she's worth it. We are all excited for her to be part of a real family again, she's been alone for so long.

By: Rosy

Rosy — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:54:28 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Sandy, this touched me. I actually posted something in my blog about the Best Strawberry Bread that you posted a while back, I tried the recipe and love it. I hope I haven't done the wrong thing by not asking you first, it dawned on me maybe I should've. Hope you don't mind me telling you after I've posted it. Come and have a lookie.

By: The Hip Hostess

The Hip Hostess — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:02:38 +0000

Recently moved, right on the shore of Lake Michigan so we have had tons of overnight guests. We're lucky enough to have plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms for all.I love the bonding that naturally occurs when everyone is under one roof.

By: Gina

Gina — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:54:52 +0000

We love, love, love overnight guests! It seems like right now it's usually family but next week we'll welcome a teenager into our house for a few weeks. That's the longest stay we've ever had....we don't really have a guest room and so the kids (and sometimes even us get shuffled around!)

our home always feels more cozy when we welcome others into it.

Thanks for a great post!

By: Donnetta

Donnetta — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:03:01 +0000

We enjoy out of town guests, but it causes us to be a bit more creative. We don't have a specific guest room, and until just very recently our children had loft beds requiring a ladder climb to reach the top.

We have utilized air mattresses, sleeping bags and when we had our tent trailer even set that up in our driveway for guests to have their own area.

This post was a good reminder and encouragement that it's not about what we have to offer... but that we offer. Thanks!

By: Suzann @ Lavender and Roses

Suzann @ Lavender and Roses — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:31:43 +0000

For the first time ever I recently shared my home for a dear friend who came to stay overnight. I surely hope that she felt comfortable and wonderful. I tried.

By: John and Debi

John and Debi — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:30:22 +0000

We have 4 kids and recently hosted a family with 4 kids in our basement. I stocked the basement bar area with blueberry muffins, yogurt parfaits, cereals, milk and OJ. They ate when they felt like it and cleaned up their own mess. It was easier on all of us!!!! We took our other meals together upstairs. I also typed up a little schedule for them so they weren't sitting around wondering "what's next"? They had errands to run and it helped them to know what to expect and how to plan. We had a lovely time.

By: Renee Nay

Renee Nay — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:15:33 +0000

This would be a great topics for near future. How to make a cozy bed and also about homemaking on the cleaning front.

So glad everyone had a great time!

Renee
WAHM of four
rbrown7997@yahoo.com

By: Barb

Barb — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:11:47 +0000

Old photos are a wonderful idea, Jackie!!!

By: Jackie

Jackie — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 12:53:21 +0000

Thanks for the fun post. Because we live a distance from family and friends, we do have overnight guests at our home often. One little thing I like to do is find a magazine or book that reflects what my guests like and have it available by their bedside. It was always a fun thing to "shop the library" for books on art, decorating or various hobbies that I knew they liked. Our guests always enjoyed this surprise. Some guests enjoy a partially worked puzzle that they can complete. Take time to think about them before they arrive and add something personal to the room if you can. (such as some old pictures of them) Just have fun as you think of them and they will notice. Smiles….Jackie

By: Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:56:37 +0000

Ah – yes, this past week I experienced hospitality from the simple to the grand…all wonderfully warm and inviting (and one stay that definitely was not..should I make a blog post of it?

By: Lynne in NC

Lynne in NC — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:53:17 +0000

Yes! we do enjoy having overnight guests. This post is very timely.
This past weekend my dear friend and her family visited our home. There are nine in their family and we had a marvelous time. They have several dietary issues in their family and we were able to accomodate them, too.
We had delicious conversations along with good food.
It was an enjoyable time for all of us.
Sandy -- thanks for encouraging me to step out of my comfort zone. Your blog is a blessing to me.
Peace.

By: The Real Me!

The Real Me! — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:37:28 +0000

Loved this post.
Within the last year we finished a little "cottage" in our backyard. It houses my parents who visit between Nov.- March but since then we've had other friends stay in it and next week I am meeting a new blogging friend and her family who are going to stay in it. It's just a one room little cottage with a bathroom and a little kitchenette but it's clean and cozy and it gives them their own space.
I also love to cook for them if they allow it. I know some people don't want to put us out but I have to cook for my family anyway so it's fun to have the company as well. It's been a real blessing having that to offer and I can't wait to see who sleeps in there next.
Hugs to you.
Kim

By: Sandy Toes

Sandy Toes — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:25:49 +0000

I had to laugh...
We have had out of town guests 5 out of the 6 weeks on summer...so YES I do!

It's crazy...loud...but it's worth it...

My favorite time is when you have a house full of guests...one week over 10 people. I get up early and make breakfast with a simple "spread"...they all come rolling in and different times...I love it!

It makes life sweeter!
sandy toe