Entertain Gracefully

I can be a bit of a goof when it comes to entertaining, especially for more than a couple of hours. So when I was preparing for our first overnight guest in this house, I was, well, trying not to be goofy. I had to stifle the little voice inside me telling me that everything had to be just so. I had to just chill out, relax, enjoy the short visit, and attempt to be a graceful (by not tripping and falling on my face) and gracious (by making her feel at home and welcome) hostess.

I didn’t fall on my face and she repeatedly told us how cozy and warm our home was, so I think I succeeded.

At the last minute, the kids got their slobbery hands on my everyday table cloth. I like tablecloths. I like my table to be clothed. Who wants to serve dinner naked? Not me.

I was about to leave for the airport to pick up our guest and had little in the way of tablecloth backup. I dug into my craft box, pulled out the 2 1/2 yards of burlap that I found in the clearance section of Hobby Lobby for $4 and fully intended to use to make a burlap table runner. I didn’t have time to make a runner. I laid it out, it fit more perfectly than anything that has ever laid on my table and I left it. Creases and all. And it was beautiful. It even got complimented.

I made pizza. No photos. It got gobbled up too fast. I will someday have to share about our homemade pizza in more detail. It’s pretty simple, not very frugal, but awfully fabulous. And it’s not always about the dollars, but about the experience, and let’s face it – the tastiness.

We rented redbox movies.

We laughed.

We enjoyed our company in very simple ways and I think at the same time made her enjoy her time her just a little bit more by making it so cozy and simple and unhurried.

This morning, there would be no big breakfast slaved over that made the kitchen a mess. Just a picnic breakfast along the water. Bagels and beauty. Who could ask for more? I didn’t have to do dishes and I got to see the sun rise.

There was no being tourists at expensive attractions. Just a mid-day trip to the beach to play in the ocean. A plus because swimming in the ocean always makes the kids nap and that always makes for a relaxed mommy.

We had 24 hours to spend together. We didn’t want to fill it with anything more than simple, real, family moments. I think we did a good job. I am glad to have this experience under our belts and I look forward to the next time.