What hospitality looks like

I love having people in my home. I enjoy playing the role of "hospitable hostess" and caring for others needs in basic ways. Last night we had a friend over for a little while. Andrew, one of our good friends from church, needed a place to wait out the storm before continuing on his journey home. We invited him to stay here for a little while to avoid driving straight into one of the several severe storms we had last night. But this little story isn't really about Andrew, it's about me and the lessons I am trying to learn.

You see, (or you actually don't, which is probably a good thing right now...) our house is a MESS. After a much-more-hectic-than-normal weekend, my house looked like IT had a tornado tear through it.

So I did what most contentious hostesses will do in those circumstances. Apologize. and apologize again. and act really flustered. 

Then I remembered. You see, I've been reading the Reluctant Entertainer's book. More specifically the chapter titled "Overcoming the Pitfalls of Perfectionism." :) And I remembered her advice - that when you make a big deal over things being not perfect, you can tend to take the joy out of the evening.

I told Andrew and Mark what I was supposed to be learning and we all had a good chuckle. I quit apologizing and we enjoyed our Sunday evening snack: Crackers and cheese, grapes and popcorn, oreos and pop. We laughed and visited and tracked the movement of the storms online. And when there was a big enough break in the storms, Andrew made a run for it - oreos and root beer in hand. :)

Like it says on my dining room wall:

I really should remember that - I worked hard enough getting that quote up there! :) 

So what does hospitality look like?
It certainly isn't a perfect house.
It isn't perfect food.
Hospitality is helping others weather the "storms" of life (literal or figurative).
It is offering a place for others to pause and refresh before continuing life's journey.

(And now I'm off to do some damage control around here!) :) 

Finished Object Friday

Happy Friday!! I hope everyone has had a good week - full of put-together pumpkin bread! :)  My pumpkin bread is all gone, so I guess I shouldn't complain much. It was quite tasty! :)

Whew. I don't know about you, but my last couple of weeks have been very busy!! I haven't had much spare time for crafting. I did want to share a project I finished a while back for my Dad.

I made this dishcloth with a Texas motif on our trip to Tennessee in August.

Do you see Texas? It shows up a little better in this picture:

It was a fun, quick little knit! I also finished that Entralac dishcloth, but I need to finish up the ends - weaving and trimming... :)

I really have wanted to knit more, it's just the problem of finding the time and energy. I also baked a cake Thursday night, and I will be decorating it soon.... :)  So, I guess it hasn't been the most inspiring FOF... but I'm looking forward to visiting you and seeing your projects! :)

Happy Linking!

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1. Fall Photo Shoot 2. Nikki (Little Boy's Blanket)

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This is what happens...

...when you bake late at night.

...when you're loaf pan is too small.

...when you don't divide the batter between two pans.

...when the loaf isn't completely cooked when you remove it from the oven and onto the cooling rack.

...when you put it back into the oven to cook and then again put it on the cooling rack.

...when you are cooking and talking at the same time - late at night.



oops.

but it was really funny - especially late at night! when you are chatting with your friend/sister-in-law! But at least it tasted good!!! yum!!

It's pumpkin bread! I was soo happy to find some canned pumpkin a couple of weeks ago. This is my second loaf of bread, and I'm excited to make pumpkin cookies soon too!

Sunday Blessing

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.

All you may need He will provide,
God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,
God will take care of you.

Refrain:

God will take care of you,

Through every day, over all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you.

God Will Take Care of You

by Civilla D. Martin

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I don't actually have any mums yet - or pansies. I'm ready for some more fall color! This picture is from last year. Maybe I'll find them soon! :) I hope you have a blessed Sunday!!

"Our State Fair"

"...is a great state fair...." Well, I'm not sure if our fair is a state fair, and it isn't very "great." In fact, it's become much smaller over the years. But a little while back our family (plus Lorie - who is an honorary member of the family...) :) visited our little local fair. We had a fun time just being together, seeing the animals and eating yummy (and oh, so healthy...) food! :)

First stop:

The cattle! More specifically - longhorns!!

I found Wilbur!
Charlotte must have been taking good care of him, because he was sleeping soundly! :)

We enjoyed the sea lion show (a couple of times...) They were so neat!

Look at the size of this guy's horns!!

We ran into some friends and enjoyed the petting zoo with them! :)

On our way out...
The girls:

and Mom and Dad (Mark opted to stay home. oh well.) :)

For some reason this song comes to mind.... and I don't even like this musical! :)