I was humbled and honored to get this email from a reader a few weeks ago. I asked if I could share it with you, and my friend said, yes!

I have been reading your blog for quite some time now, but just had to comment. I have always struggled with entertaining, feeling like things weren’t good enough, clean enough, whatever enough. Even hurt my sweet husband’s feelings a few times when he suggested having people over, because he feels (and rightly so) that we have a great house that he provided for me, and I should be proud to show it off. I couldn’t make him understand that it wasn’t our home, it was me… lacking self confidence. Anyway, fast forward several years. We have recently purchased a little place at a nearby lake… definitely a fixer up! We spent Memorial Day weekend there, and had 17 of our sons’ friends over to play and boat and swim!!! Without the fixing up part done yet! I could have never done this without having read your blog daily for about a year now…. you are truly a blessing to me and a giver of confidence!!!!! Thank you so much for your willingness to be real and your wonderful creativity! We will be hosting lots more informal get togethers, both at the lake and at home!!!

It’s really hard to explain “confidence” when you’ve never experienced it. But it sounds like my friend, Emily, is on her way to better living – with new experiences ahead. I’m so proud of her!

Does it really take confidence to entertain?

Yes.

You have to take your mind off of yourself.
You have to tell yourself that you can do it.
You have to tell yourself that things do not have to be perfect.
You have to put your mind on to others.
You have to let your surroundings not dominate your thoughts.
You have to think about relationships.
You have to realize that a gift is about to be given to you.
And remind yourself you are made in God’s perfect image. Ready to be loved and then to love others.

I wonder if we could just put our imperfections aside, pretend in our minds a welcome sign is hanging outside of our front door, and then just love on people.

Have you struggled with “confidence” when it comes to hospitality in your home? Would you be willing to share your story here at RE?

Susan Heid is featuring RE over at The Confident Mom today. Her site is full of excellent “Mom” resources, stories and information.

I love this quote by Susan: By using your unique gifts and strengths as a mom, you can create a home where your kids co-operate and your to-do list isn’t longer than your grocery receipt. It’s time to discover new satisfaction in your most important role ever and live the life God has for you and your family!

The last few days have been very exciting, to say the least – almost like a party! Thank you friends, for all of your comments over at Nesting Place.

Now on to this party.

No party is out of reach! Even a simple luncheon party for 4. I recently had a few ladies over for a yummy green salad. Perfect on a hot summers day.

Rotisserie Chicken
Salad greens
Red onion
Feta cheese
1 orange
Fresh raspberries
Your choice of toasted nuts
Add a light amount of your favorite dressing!

My original plan was to make my own muffins the night before, but I ran out of time! (Time is always the magical word, isn’t it?)

I had to give myself a pep talk and remind myself of what’s important: Less is more. Less time in the kitchen means more time with my guests, enjoying their company, creating deeper friendships, and forming stronger bonds. So it was okay that I bought already baked muffins from the store!

I also picked up a few desserts – only 79 cents each. All you need is a tasty bite for dessert, right?

The ladies who came were previous co-workers whom I’d worked with for over 25 years. We had a lot of catching up to do!

Simple times around the table are sometimes the beginning of beautiful friendships, or they’re a gift in nurturing what you already have.

When’s the last time you had friends over for lunch or to just be together? And what’s your favorite summer salad?

Summertime entertaining seems to be a more “go with the flow” kind of entertaining at our place. Like 2 nights ago when we texted our friends (we’d been hanging around our kids for too long) and asked if they wanted to come in to town for dinner. Very last minute.

A late dinner it was. I think we ate around 9, but isn’t that what summer is all about? Lazy days, long nights, hanging outside with friends eating good food, and trying to stay cool?

A little magic show was going on inside.

Very little thought went into my table setting. Simple tea light candles.

We cooked in the kitchen together.

I put my friend Steph to work with appetizer ingredients.

Have you had strawberry bruschetta? If not, you just have to try it! I’ve also used raspberries and it’s delicious. Of course I love raspberries and basil.

Roasted Strawberry Bruschetta
2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 loaf ciabatta bread (I bought mine at Costco)
1-2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup soft goat cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
salt and white pepper

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Slice the strawberries into a bowl and gently mix with the balsamic vinegar. Spread strawberries out on a baking sheet and bake for five minutes. Remove and let cool.

Cut the ciabatta into equal slices, coat with olive oil, and broil on each side until toasted and crisp.

Spread goat cheese on hot bread, top equally with the roasted berries and juice.

Head out to the herb garden and pick fresh basil; chop finely. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with basil.

Enjoy!

We’re nearing the end of our strawberry season, so I appreciated this recipe that used very little berries.

I think about hospitality as giving a gift to friends. They love it, it feels good to give out, and it takes your mind off of yourself. As my Commandment #1 says: Hospitality is not only a gift I give, but a gift I receive.

How’s your summer entertaining going? Do you tend to eat later in the evenings?

One of the things I really enjoyed, going to my friend Dottie’s house for lunch, was going from room to room and seeing the things (nick-nacks) that reminded me of my childhood. Dottie was my mother’s close friend, when I was growing up. When Dottie had reached out to me as a little girl, she’d invite me over to have sleepovers with her and it was always a blast. She’d even take me to work with her, and I’d sit and run the adding machine – for hours!

Dottie has always been a role-model of hospitality for me. Early on she’d send me cards in the mail for every occasion. Recently I’ve received a card from her when my Auntie passed away, a thank you after we had this lunch together, and a few cards in the mail “just because.”

“Just because” is good. Lunch together is even better.

So as I left her house, I asked if I could borrow a pair of scissors.

Along the driveway were these beautiful poppies. I cut a few, brought them home to a pitcher of water, and now they’re in the living room where I can remember the day.

And think of my friend, Dottie.

I’m glad we had lunch “just because.”

Do you have a friend in your life who has taught you about the gift of hospitality? When’s the last time you thanked that person?

Have I told you how much I love my center island? I’ve put it to really good use … almost every weekend! (nice and tidy when we first finished the kitchen …)

Even with impromptu meals, like this spaghetti feed a few weekends ago after the local Soccer CUP in town, we had a table-full of teens who came for dinner at 10 PM!

I set out a stack of plates.

Made sure the food was lined up.

And a place for the kids to sit.

The next morning my husband and I reflected on how the dining table was full, the back patio (lit with patio lights) had kids sitting on it, the guys were out by the fire.

The ladies were inside (serving, chatting, cleaning …)

Summertime is really a good time to have a lot of people into our home with different eating areas. Everyone had a place to mingle. To enjoy. And this night we filled those soccer players up with pasta!

I have to admit, since I have more space in my kitchen I’m more apt to do “impromptu” than I was before. Although you can’t let space or size stop you from creating memories. You have to get over the fact that certain situations aren’t perfect when practicing hospitality. That is what I’ve learned for sure. I am blessed now, but I don’t want to forget the few years where I struggled to make it work. It was a good lesson for me and one that I share often with others.

Are you good with impromptu, or do you let size, space, or even your cooking get in the way?

In a perfect world …

I’d wake up to classical music, my work-out would be over, I would have had 1 hour of inspirational time with God.

In a perfect world …

My children would be angels, my home would be clutter-free, paperwork would not exist. My dishes would be done, my counters would be clean, my floors would be swept.

In a perfect world …

The bathrooms would stay clean, the weeds would be pulled, the refrigerator and pantry would stay stocked, and money would never be an issue.

In a perfect world …

There’d be no yelling, we’d always be on time, our family would always be polite, loving and respectful toward one another.

In a perfect world …

I wouldn’t struggle with balance, patience, flexibility and humility. Or hurt feelings, hormones and sleep.

In a perfect world …

I’d be more accepting, compassionate, graceful, hospitable and loving.

My perfect world does not exist. But every morning I have a choice to do what I can to have purpose and passion, to be more teachable by listening and learning. To embrace the imperfect and relish the joyfulness of the day, by looking beyond my imperfections and the circumstances around me.

When I was a little girl, life seemed to be big, exciting and perfect. I remember being SO excited for my very first birthday party. But as an adult, that perfect life disappears quickly!

What is it about becoming childlike that brings simplicity back into our lives? Becoming like a child means I’m willing to grow; like a sponge I’m willing to soak up new things, manners, truths, and challenges. God is quite capable of leading us in the way we should go. And life will never be perfect. But it’s my job to listen and learn, becoming like a child with a teachable heart.

If you could wake up every morning knowing one thing could be perfect, what would you want that to be?

Isn’t it nice to have friends over for lunch, where you have no pressure in serving a whole lot of food?

There’s something about making a lunch for others that just has a different feel and touch than making a dinner. Last Friday I experienced this, having two friends over for lunch…. [Follow the rest of the story over at SC Johnson where I am guest blogging/partnering today ...]

I debated about writing this post. It could really help some hostesses who struggle with image, or it could come across as a bit … arrogant … sharing about my clothes when I hosted this particular dinner party!

But I’m going with the first thought. Because I know where my heart is and I want to share with others that it’s okay – that you don’t have to “look the part” like movie stars or Martha Stewart, when you host a dinner party.

Years ago, one tip I did learn, when it came down to the last hour of getting ready for the arrival of my guests, was to KNOW WHAT I WAS GOING TO WEAR. There’s nothing worse than knowing you’ve taken the time to invite the guests, plan the meal, set the table, maybe even clean the house (although not mandatory in my mind – sometimes it happens, sometimes not!) – and then you go to your closet and can’t think of what to wear.

1. Always try to lay your clothes out, or know in your mind what to wear.
2. Don’t over-dress if you know the night is going to be casual.
3. You don’t have to spend a lot of money. Buy a few dresses that work well for entertaining.
4. Don’t wear complicated jewelry or big scarves that will hang into the food. Keep it simple!
5. Make sure your shoes are comfortable for the evening.
6. Make sure that you feel beautiful, so your love drips over onto your guests.
7. If you are married, dress for your spouse. Wear something that he will love to look across the table and see you in.

In my case, I picked up this $12 dress at Wal-Mart. Yes, Wal-Mart. No, they are not paying me to talk about their store right now, but I fell in love with this dress and for $12, I just knew I’d get a lot of dinner parties out of it. (Oops, the bean dip was spilling here!)

Don’t worry about having to “look the part” Hollywood style when your guests come into your home.

Keep it simple, find some hostess outfits that fit your budget, and most of all, make sure your heart is right – that you are ready to put yourself aside and love on your guests.

Hospitality is not about you. It’s about the people coming to your home!

Even in a $12 dress.

Do you worry about what you’ll wear when hostessing a dinner party?

(Thanks Cousin Anni, for having fun with me and the camera! And for your amazing blog. Just take a peek at this post! Yummy, look at all those beans in that dip above! Recipe coming out in my new book … The Reluctant Entertainer!)

Back in 1997 when my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I wanted to give her a gift for her birthday that would mean a lot to her.

Because I knew she meant a lot to many people. She made a difference in many lives.

I drafted a letter and sent it out to around 100 friends, asking if they’d share with me their memories of my Mom.

I put together a Memory Book, rather quickly (I am not a scrap-booker!), and my sisters and I gave it to her early for her birthday, but barely in time. She died one hour before her birthday.

Thirteen years later, at this dinner party, I pulled the book out again to share with my relatives.

We smiled.

We teared up.

We read inspiration.

And it just brought back a lot of memories of Mom.

Pictures, cards, poems, songs, letters … I kept the writing in original form.

I’ve shared this idea with many of my friends: Don’t wait until it’s too late to put a book like this together! It’s a wonderful gift with so much sentiment. The book can reach back from childhood memories all the way to current times.

It’s a wonderful Mother’s Day gift idea!

My only regret was that we didn’t think of this a few years earlier!

But now we have this wonderful book (we put sheet protectors on each page) that we’ll pass down to our family members.

One thing is revealed very clearly. Our mother was a wonderful person who loved God, and her beauty radiated to those around her. You can see it on every page.

Have you thought of creating a book recognizing your Mother, or perhaps the gifts of a woman who means a lot to you?

One thing my Mother did very well was that she taught us girls how to cook and to be wise with using up the leftovers, and also freezing and canning. So I’ve tried to follow in her footsteps. Would you head over to SC Johnson this week, where I’m partnering with SCJ’s Home Economics page, and leave me a comment on this post? Make, Roll and Wrap: Freeze your own Burritos! Thank you. The winner of the Hip Hostess apron is Brenda, from A Farm Girl Dabbles. Congrats, Brenda!

I’ve always said I’m not an event planner, and I still feel that way. I don’t know how my friend Kimberly (Cordially Invited Event and Wedding Planning) does it – with such grace and ease! She’s a natural – I am not! But I did pull it together with great help from friends, for a very special night a few weeks ago.

When some of my husband’s cycling friends, Jeff and John, were preparing to do a bike ride from Canada down to Mexico, they decided to make it a benefit to support a vital cause for children, The Protectors.

This unique anti-bullying program helps create bully-free zones by bolstering the courage of bystanders and authority in what my husband calls the “Theater of Bullying.” The Protectors shows public and private schools that what’s really missing to combat adolescent bullying isn’t knowledge but courage: the ability to do the right thing when feeling fear at the same time.

Where did my job come in? Planning an event in about 2 weeks, to support The Protectors.

However you look at it, a small dinner party or a larger event, the goal for hospitality is to help people to relax, have a good time, and to feel warm and welcome. What made this example of hospitality unique is that The Protectors actually encourages people to be hospitable in a more powerful way toward those who are being picked on by others, especially physically and mentally challenged kids, the most bullied group of kids in most schools.

From The Protector’s standpoint, the goal was to help people become more aware of bullying; to encourage bystanders and authority to stand up for the targets of bullying!

Our friends got in on the cause with their band, Mercy. Amazing musicians. Thank you Lynda, Dave, and John!

We used an old dance hall in a quaint town.

I so appreciated how our kids (and friend, Jeff) helped out.

Chocolate dipped strawberries.

And yummy brownies.

Delegated lemon bars.

Easy juice on ice.

And cute couple serving drinks (yup, my nephew and niece!)

Tulip season and pretty ribbon.

Jeff viewing the map showing where The Protectors curriculum is being used across the world.

Collage of The Protector’s information.

The Protector’s curriculum was the first lesson that the Uganda orphans used when moving in to their new orphanage.

Great people.

Great support.

Great friends.

We really appreciated the Emcee (Senator Jason Atkinson) and his sense of humor.

It was just a magical night.

I know the secret of planning any party is to “plan ahead.” But what if you feel like you’re not cut out for the stress of “bringing it all together?” Dinner parties are much simpler, because you’re not worried about meeting the needs of 100 people and you don’t have as many details to sweat over. But very generous people came together to either donate or make this event take place. Thank you, friends!

I’m good for about one large event per year. And this was a great one. These two cyclists are riding across the West Coast to raise money for this great cause. If you want to join in on the fun married to a great cause, please email me or click on the links below!

What about you? Do you enjoy planning smaller, quaint parties, or are you a “big party girl?”

To learn more about The Protector’s go here.
To lear more about the band Mercy, go here, or to their Facebook page, here.
To follow Jeff’s blog, as they start their ride May 4th, go here.

My friend, Tara, has such a unique look at hospitality, from a military viewpoint, I asked her if I could share it here at RE!

I had clicked on one of your December posts about your friend not having her home ready for entertaining and I had to giggle- we have just moved back to Kyiv, Ukraine on another military assignment.

The embassy has provided our housing and it’s ridiculously huge. My husband’s office has not “bought into” the embassy furniture pool, however, so we got the little bit of old and shabby stuff that this office owns; there is a great deal of empty space still {our own crates are on the way, but we just found out they were sent west instead of east from California and were “swinging in a Chinese port” just last week (we have to wait another month)}.

This embassy also generously provides each newcomer with a hospitality kit which includes towels, sheets, dishes, some gadgets, etc. No baking dishes, though, and I’ll confess, it’s a little difficult to get by for 3 months without any!

I share all that because it is still possible to entertain others around shabby furniture when all we have are a few pots and the new frying pan I broke down and bought!

We’ve had missionary friends over who have told us the evening fellowship was like a “shade tree.” I can’t imagine missing out on knowing that God could provide a little refreshment through us for these heroes of mine! We’ve caught up with Ukrainian friends around frozen dinners (ahh!!!!)- but time is short; we only have 2 years here and although it sometimes feels like time is dragging just because of the cultural differences, it’s only 2 years with no time to waste.

I just wanted to write a quick note of appreciation for your classy way of encouraging others!

Thank you, Tara, for your inspiration!

Do you feel like your home, or your “things,” are too shabby to entertain or invite others in?

You can also read about her Taco Night. I’d say she is one classy girl!

(Don’t forget next week we’re linking up and sharing about “a leftover meal” here at RE! And if you have a minute, check out SC Johnson’s FAMILY site, and read about homemade jam!)

God sent His Son – they called Him Jesus,
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

The table is set. A beautiful Easter Sunday is about to begin …

Happy Easter Family and Friends!

(Song by Gloria and William Gaither)

Blog friends, don’t forget to link up this Wednesday here at RE to share an Easter memory!

Oh my goodness, I just have to share some photos with you of Ma(i)sonry. It’s one of the coolest places ever, a place I visited during my recent Napa Valley trip. The setting goes like this:

The setting is reminiscent of a home or a private club, framing a highly edited collection of furnishings and artwork. The furnishings, ranging from 16th century to mid-twentieth century, are paired with contemporary works crafted by today’s top designers. The collections of art on display include Napa Valley favorites, the best in the Bay Area as well as some of the most respected names worldwide, all of which will be available for purchase.

Talk about some of the most exquisite pieces and art.

And unique architecture and outside furniture.

Rustic inside.

And old.

Eclectic.

Can you just see these cool doors opening up to the outside?

And a dreamy old, long table that I would LOVE to have in my backyard.

Mm-m-m, can’t you just hear the sounds of friends in your backyard? Maybe the adults would sit here.

And imagine the spread of food and a beautiful, simple tablescape on this table?

And the kids might hang out here.

We’re a big pear family, so I’d love these sitting in my backyard.

I can think of the perfect place in my backyard for this peaceful water feature, since we have a flat piece of property.

I’d love to end the evening sitting around a fire, here.

You can see I enjoyed myself. No one else was in the backyard of this incredible place, so my husband and I walked around and dreamed …

Now back to reality. I love my home. I love the people who come to it.

But it’s still fun to dream …

Are a dreamer? Do you dream of dinner parties and all of the wonderful friends you’d invite?

(If you didn’t read the French Laundry’s Garden post, you might want to take a peek! It’s amazing and inspiring!)

Don’t forget that WED. this week is Home is … Day here at RE! Link up and share about a delicious scent in your home! Check out the side bar for the weekly post ideas. You can read more details at the end of this post.

Many times I’ve been inspired by comments that I get from readers. One friend was getting ready to speak about hospitality in her church, and she emailed me for advice. I loved her heart when she made this statement to me, and I could just visualize what a beautiful, thoughtful person she is!

When people come into my home, I want them to know that I have spent time preparing for them and that they are important enough to me that I would take time out of my day to do something to make them feel special.

Can’t you just imagine having dinner in her home?

But I really wanted her to share this with the women …

Unfortunately, not everyone has the time or money to take the extra step to make things special, or they may feel pressured that they have to do these extra things in order to entertain. Hospitality doesn’t have to be showy in any way.

I encouraged her to stay with the idea of keeping things simple: simple meal, even order out, just clean one bathroom and have the area you’ll be hanging out in picked up — that is enough.

My advice: Approach hospitality very simply!

Do you get overwhelmed when you think of the word “hospitality?”

(Top photo (and showing our yummy salads) is of me and my friend Ellen B from The Happy Wonderer blog. Ellen and her husband invited my husband and me out to dinner this last week at a fancy restaurant. It was as if we’d known each other for years, although it was our first time to meet! When you’re a hospitable person, you just know how to reach out … Thank you, Ellen B!)

Come back tomorrow for an amazing Kelly Anderson Art GIVEAWAY!

I love my home. Even when it’s dirty or turned upside down, home is still home.

Last week I was inspired by 3 things that made me even happier in my home.

Beauty
I took a favorite long white dish (thank you, Hoppi!)

Bought 4 primroses at the grocery store.

One of my favorite things is bringing a bit of Spring into my home.

Food
My neighbor Ellie did it again. She returned our plate full of yumminess (love the way she always lets us know what we are eating!)

One of may favorite things is having awesome neighbors who share.

A friend also brought a meal over and fed our family – easy … no returning the dishes.

Friendship
And then a card came in the mail. Just when I needed it. A hand-written card with a handwritten note of encouragement, from a friend … just because.

Sometimes I find myself dreaming about bigger things (trying not to get caught up in “If Only …”).

But then I remind myself that it’s the simple things in life that bring joy.

Have you reached out to a friend lately with food or a card, or even purchased flowers for yourself?

Fifteen years of history, I see as I’ve flipped through the index cards that I have rubber-banded together. I see names of couples and families, along with faces etched in my mind. The dates of when we had these families over, or even what I served, is not what’s gnawing at me. No, the “names” and memories are what’s staring at me …

What has happened to this couple? Why did they divorce? We used to have so much in common! Oh, the pain that their family has endured … as I think of one couple in particular who did divorce, and then a few years later they lost a child.

My mind then takes off and starts to contemplate relationships. We’re made for them, we’re to pursue them, we need them – but oh so often they can turn into a painful situations as things don’t turn out the way we expect. It’s true that differences, different paths, or even pride can get in the way of what was once a close-knit relationship. Sometimes they change because they’re no longer healthy. We all grow and mature and sometimes life takes us in different directions.

But there is still a memory. A strong feeling. A good feeling. A deep feeling of love. That is what hospitality is all about.

The great writer Henri Nouwen describes hospitality as “a central attitude of the minister who wants to make his own wounded condition available to others as a source of healing.”

Being real and opening up our homes and lives with others can actually help heal our guest’s hurts. That is just a beautiful thought!

Back to my index cards that I started on Day #1 of my marriage: A set of index cards on which I recorded the name, date and what I served for my guests. I did this in fear that I would serve the same thing twice to my guests – God forbid! But little did I know that almost 20 years later, as I flip through these cards, that they would have deeper meaning …

“We do not know where we will be two, ten or twenty years from now. What we can know, however, is that man suffers and that a sharing of suffering can make us move forward.” (Henri Nouwen)

Do you ever reminisce about couples or individuals you’ve dined with?

Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible. (3 John, The Message)

We never know what small, random act of kindness will touch a life. This verse was part of my morning quiet time today, on this beautiful Valentine’s Day.

I was inspired to love today. Not just to get.

Today my daughter and her friend went from door to door delivering leftover chocolate cake from our dinner party last night.

Last night, a beautiful Valentine’s Day birthday dinner

Lovely hostess gift for me – an array of gorgeous flowers

Leftover delectable, rich chocolate cake

Lesson taught to our children: give your life away (Abby’s brothers observed what she was up to!)

Love demonstrated by wrapping up and sharing our leftovers – chocolate cake

Specific targets: the widows in our neighborhood.

Modeling goodness for the lonely – it’s what our world needs more of.

Wouldn’t you agree?

Happy Valentine’s Day!

(Partial re-posting from last year.)

Every year, the week of Valentine’s Day, I get “the card.”

For years (5 or 6?) this beautiful homemade Valentine’s Day card would arrive at my door and I’d try to figure out who sent it.

Until about 2 years ago – I asked a friend and I was right. She was the sender!

Even though I know who it is now, the card still comes in the mail – with a simple Happy Valentine’s Day message.

This year … “Happy Heart Day!”

My friend started this, and I can only imagine how long her list must be by now, of friends that receive her cards – anonymously!

I’ll never say who it is, because I don’t want to ruin the surprise (for local peeps!) just in case you get one, too.

Doing things anonymously really does bring joy. It’s just not always about us, but about blessing others!

Don’t you just love this idea? And what are your plans to bless someone on Valentine’s Day?

(The winner of the Hip Hostess apron is Julie, from Less-than-Perfect Life of Bliss! Having fun choosing which PINK apron you want, Julie! ) And here’s a LAST MINUTE Valentine’s idea from The Robin’s Nest – here.

Our friends showed up at our front door with a large, heaping grocery bag.

Happy Kitchen Housewarming! they said.

I love surprises like this!

Inside the bag were ingredients like fresh ground beef, fresh pasta, ungrated parmesan cheese, pancetta, and red wine – along with a copy of the recipe using all of these food items to make Beef Bolognese Sauce!

Absolutley creative and thoughtful!

A few days later our family enjoyed a meal of Beef Bolognese Sauce with Pancetta and Red Wine. Utterly delicious.

Super duper yummy. (I added my frozen roasted tomatoes!)

And it created a memorable time in the kitchen for Paul and me making the meal together. (And it made me think of Julie and Julia!)

It was also a reminder for our family of good friends.

I’m not sure I’ve taken a Kitchen-Warming gift to anyone. But now that I’ve experienced the element of surprise and the fun involved, I’m going to keep this idea in mind.

Besides, I love taking surprise gifts to others.

When is the last time you thought of something creative to give to a friend?

(Thank you Stephen and Judy, for this gift!)

A couple of years ago I saved this note from a reader:

Help, I’ve opened my home too often at the expense of my family!

In our home, we really try to have intentional family time. Time when it is just our immediate family present. I get the “feeling” when our family needs to regroup. It’s almost like a longing in my heart – the need for connection between just my husband, myself and our children. I’ve shared this with my friends and they feel the same way. So when this happens (opportunities to keep inviting and inviting), I have no problem saying, “no!”

Obviously both sharing with friends and having alone time with family are healthy! We just need a balance.

I love this plaque that my cousin Terri got me for a Christmas gift this year, that is hanging on my dining room wall. It says it perfectly.

Do you feel like you always need guests around the table, and you can’t say no? Or do you believe in intentional family time like I’m describing?