Visitors/Guests/Company

Visitors/Guests/Company.... no matter what your term is for entertaining and hostessing family and friends in your home, I feel it is such an honor.  For family and friends to want to come spend time with you and be in your home, to me is some of my happiest moments.  But then.... I do love to host and entertain!

I also like to visit others in their homes and am always touched at all the small things they do to make your stay feel as comfortable as possible.  My Grandma was the absolute BEST at this!  And of course.... there is just no place like home... as in your Momma's house or the house you grew up in.  Whether I am in a bed, on the couch, a blow up mattress... or on a pallet on the floor like in my childhood days... it just feels cozy and sweet... and let me tell you... I have slept on some lumpy couches, and airbeds that deflated in the night... they all make funny stories and lasting sweet memories later.  The main thing is.... that you are spending time with those you love... in their space.  And then when the visit is over.... there is just no place like your own bed!  Joe and I have had the pleasure and privledge to travel all over the world, we have slept in many beds in many places... and no matter how much fun we had or how comfy the beds are that we have been sleeping in... we both LOVE coming home and crawling into our own bed again.

As I have said in many past blog postings... Joe and I are still new residents here in Kansas... we moved here in Oct... we had a few visitors over the fall/winter holidays, but mostly we traveled home for the holidays... but now that summer has come, we have many family and friends who are traveling out to see our new home all through the summer to visit and catch up with each other's lives.  It's a very busy time, but also a very rewarding time spent with precious people in our lives.

I especially like knowing their likes and dislikes, so that I can have their special treats on hand when they arrive.  I like preparing their bedrooms with water at their bedside, fresh flowers in their rooms or a scented candle burning.  While I work to prepare their room(s)... I smile the whole time in anticipation of their arrival and all the fun we will have just 'visiting'!  I like making them feel as comfortable as possible... just like Grandma did.... and hoping they have such a fun relaxing time, they can't wait to come visit again!

Visitors/Guests/Company usually mean... late nights of talking and reliving memories of the past... cooking/grilling together and chatting all the while... going out to unusual or special places to see and/or dine... getting into comfy jammies before bedtime and curling up on the couch with coffee or tea and just spending time together giggling and enjoying long long talks of the most intimate kind.  Hugging each and everyone before they finally depart for bed and feeling sooooo grateful I had the opportunity to hug them again!

After Visitors/Guests/Company depart for home and the tasks of stripping, washing and remaking the beds, cleaning the bathrooms and such begin... I still smile the whole time I'm doing these chores because as I do them I am reliving every single moment of their stay.  And then... I collapse with a cup of tea, a big sigh and relax for a bit as life moves on... and I await the specialness of the next time I a blessed to be a hostess once again!

Welcome mat is out... door is open.... do stop by and sit a spell!  :  )