Dear Sandy:  Our family life can be so helter-skelter.  Is there anything you do to help keep your family “together” not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually?

On Sunday our family gathered in the living room to talk about business.

Not work-related business but family business.

We came to do business with our leader. Yes, my husband led the discussion but the One who led the spirit of the half-hour discussion was God.

I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer …

I looked around our cozy living room, as I often do, and found myself dreaming and gazing at things I’d like to change, like a color on the wall. How foolish of me to get my mind off-track like that.  But it’s true – we invite many people into our home for dinner parties, and I do have an eye for decorating. Then my attention was diverted back to our business. Our business was discussion of John 15 (verses taken from The Message).

Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you.

As we’ve been working on outdoor projects, gardening, mowing, blowing, wheel barrowing loads and loads of decomposed granite, putting up a new inexpensive greenhouse, cleaning the pool, picking strawberries, making jam, and cleaning our garage – and planning our kitchen remodel as well – I realized that the face-lift jobs and constant chores that need to be done around our house are just peripheral. There’s always a project and there’s always a job to do.

Yes, they need to be done and I will say that we always find ourselves prioritizing and rallying up the troops, and pitching in as a family to get these projects done.

I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant.

What really will make our family stronger–and we only have a few years left–is what happened in our living room. It’s not how our house looks on the outside, or even the inside. It’s not about my updated wall-color or new flower arrangement, or what the neighbors will think of my front porch.  It’s not about what I’ll be cooking for the next dinner party or frugal meal planning for my family. It’s not even how our family looks when you peek into our front window.

If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love.

We were not able to attend church on Sunday. But the discussion about God and the deciphering of Scriptures brought peace to my mind. The fact that my children can think for themselves and can contribute to the discussion, I appreciate. They can call things bluff as they see through legalism – because they’ve encountered the real and true. They do know God’s Word, even though they sometimes live imperfect lives.

The lessons they are learning, even as I write this, are about experiencing God’s grace and that is a beautiful thing.

The house duties can wait, the dream kitchen will happen in due time. Our garden is growing and eventually we’ll be harvesting it.  Eventually our kitchen will get done. But if I don’t focus today – on living for Him, and making my home in Him, then my efforts are in vain.

We talk about change – and change I do believe in. We live in this world and we want to make it a better place. But where do we start?

For me, it starts in my home. In the living room or around the dinner table, together as a family – discussing and living life.

I call this Harmonious Living!

It’s good for the family; it’s good for the soul.

And it’s good for reviving and giving freedom to families once torn apart.

©2009, Sandy Coughlin

Dear Sandy … There’s a family with a long-term health need near us right now that I’d like to help out with a meal or two, but I don’t know how many other people have been bringing them meals already, if any.  I’m also not a great cook. Can you give me any practical insights on showing love with food to those in need?

Hospitality isn’t just about fun and partying. A truly hospitable attitude touches the whole range of life experiences and emotions. And some of those life experiences and emotions come through challenging times: loss of a loved one, birth of a child, a sickness or surgery, to name a few.

I initially didn’t realize the impact one source of hospitality would have on others – it began with a seed that was planted years ago after the birth of my children.

Back in the early 90’s, the meals ministry through our church was comprised of volunteers who would arrange for meals to be brought to the home of a family after the birth of a child or another challenging event.  My family was truly blessed by this act of love because after the birth of each of my children and after I had a major surgery, the meals came a-rolling in.

I, in turn, started a similar ministry through a church that we attended just a few years later. But, as the years have gone by, I’ve come to realize the ministry of sharing meals does not have to be limited to a church group. I was reminded of this last week when one of my close friends had surgery.

It’s not just church friends we should look out for!

In this case, I’d call the family first and ask if someone is in charge, or if they’ve already been receiving meals.  If not – feel free to jump in and organize the meal-taking process.

Tips to make sharing of meals EASY:

• Determine who needs the meal, then call and ask if they’d like to be a recipient. If yes, collect names of their closest friends, neighbors, or family members.
• Arrange the date of the first meal with the family, and determine how long they’ll be receiving meals (I usually do 2 weeks for a surgery, and sometimes 3 weeks for a new birth).
• Inquire if there are any food allergies in the family and what time of the day they would like the meal delivered.
• Make up a calendar for a 2-3 week period, and start making phone calls.
• Schedule meals for every other day. Every day is too much food.
• Don’t worry about asking individuals what they plan on bringing. This question puts pressure on the cook to decide right away (and she may feel locked in). It doesn’t really matter if the recipient gets 3 meals of chicken in a row. The family is usually so thankful for whatever food is brought to them and the every-other-day schedule helps with variety.
• It’s very helpful to deliver your meals in containers that do not need to be returned, or in Ziploc bags!
• Ask cooks to deliver their meals by a certain time (I usually say 5:30) unless an alternative time is arranged.
• Complete the calendar for the time period, with full names and home/cell phone numbers recorded.
• Email or mail the schedule to the recipient and let them know they should call if any changes need to be made.

Once the schedule has been mailed, I walk away from the job. As in, mission accomplished – the family is on their way to being blessed and there’s really nothing more I need to do.

I never baby-sit the schedule. I just let it flow and happen on its own, partly because I don’t have the time. Yes, occasionally someone forgets, but that’s happened maybe twice in all of my years of participating.

This is what I call having a hospitable spirit — seeing a need and jumping in to help ease the pain of others. Who’d ever guess we could bless other bodies and souls in such a simple, yet meaningful way?

If I hadn’t been the recipient of this beautiful act of love years ago, I would have never understood how nourishing it is – to the body and soul.

And who knows the lives you’ll touch?

©2009, Sandy Coughlin

When I think of hosting in our home, the first thing that comes to mind is all the cleaning I’ll have to do.  Sometimes it’s hard to get beyond that issue, so that I just end up dropping the idea of having people over.  How can I change my attitude about cleaning so that it doesn’t hinder hospitality in our house?

Last week we had friends over for a dinner, and I didn’t clean my house!  It was an internal war inside – do I vacuum, dust and clean - or just let it go?

I’ll admit it.  Sometimes I can be pretty lazy when it comes to deep-cleaning my house. A quick pick-up is definitely easier and quicker!

But what will my guests think?

Will they even notice?

Perfectionism

Recently a friend shared her struggles with me, admitting that her house having to be perfect was the main reason she hadn’t had anyone over in months. It’s a shame, too, because she has a cute apartment within walking distance of her church.

She’s afraid to have people over because most of her friends are neat-freaks, and she’s afraid her place won’t meet their standards.

Prioritize

When it comes to hospitality, we often lose our focus as life gets hurried and complicated. We dash around doing things that really don’t matter (like cleaning the house before the guests arrive!), and then our perspective shifts. We get so caught up in our present circumstances, trying to make things so perfect, that we can’t see beyond our difficulties.

Over the years I’ve learned to ask myself this:  Would I rather continue on with what had already been a peaceful day – or kick it up a notch, running around crazily trying to make everything look just right?  I won’t even mention what kind of mood that puts the whole family in.

I’ve learned to prioritize what the important aspects of entertaining are (obviously getting the food on the table in a timely manner), and I’ve decided that a happy family and a relaxed hostess are way more important to me than having things perfect.

Perspective

We had such a great time with our guests, but it’s so easy to get our perspective out of balance. At one point I found myself looking down at the un-vacuumed carpet. For a split second I was embarrassed. Then I looked up into the faces of those around our table and my perspective shifted back into place.

It’s not about the crumbs on the floor or the disorganized piles around the house.  It’s not even that I am lazy when it comes to house cleaning. I definitely don’t fall into the mold of being a neat freak!  I just tend to have a very busy, hectic schedule at times and I’m trying to prioritize what really matters.

I’d rather keep strong friendships going than give them up for a clean house.

Does your house have to be perfectly clean before you’ll invite others in?

©2009, Sandy Coughlin

Recently I’ve heard from several readers saying that their heart’s desire is to entertain, but their husbands just do not enjoy it. Some don’t like kids, and some just don’t enjoy people in general.

Dear Sandy,
I love having people over but my husband really does not. Or rather he is okay with having ‘adults only’ over but finds other people’s children very challenging to be around. We have three children of our own but we seem to raise our children differently than a lot of people. Anyway I wish my husband would be more accepting of the differences but he isn’t. He just does not enjoy having ‘families’ over.

Not on the same page
A pang goes through my heart when I read comments like these. I feel for the woman with the desire to practice hospitality, and I also know that the husband is really missing out! Even C.S. Lewis did not have a love or desire to be around children. And he knew it. But he forced himself to be around them more, and thus came to understand and enjoy them.

Take your eyes off yourself
We have friends who have never had children, yet we have witnessed them being so giving and loving to many children, including our own. They make a point to ask questions, interact with them, and even play with them. Our friends have taken their eyes off of themselves, even if it isn’t easy for them, and have chosen to invest in others. And our kids love the dialogue that takes place with those friends.

Go to a restaurant
You can try doing something a little different. Head out to a restaurant for a meal or just dessert and get to know a couple without the kids around. Once a husband gets to know the adults, maybe he’ll be more open to having the kids over to visit too.

Kids out of control
It’s also true that people don’t always manage their kids well, so that makes it hard to have them over. But if you can forge a friendship with another couple with similar child-raising priorities, there might be a better chance that your husband will engage with the whole family.

Play with the kids
Encourage your husband to play for brief periods with the kids that you have in to play with your own.  Playing is such an icebreaker, as you can have fun without a deep discussion. For example, my husband Paul will play badminton with the kids, or soccer in the street, or even swim with them. He’s been known to turn every light off in the house and play nerf guns, or even hide-and-go-seek. If your husband is quieter, perhaps he’d enjoy playing cards or a board game with your children and one or two of their friends.

3 question rule
There is always the “3 question” rule that helps with entertaining children. Have 3 questions ready to ask your guests. In this case, use 3 questions that revolve around the child’s life, which could be questions like what positions they play in sports, or what kind of music they like to play, or what attracts them to a certain hobby.

• What was your favorite vacation ever?
• What makes you happy?
• What makes you sad?

Are you ruining it for him?
My last thought: if the problem for the guy has nothing to do with kids, and he just plain ol’ doesn’t want to entertain, you might want to revisit your ways of doing things.

I used to be more of a perfectionist, thus causing undo stress at the last minute, wanting things to look a certain way.

I’d bring the “perfectionism” problem onto my family and really squelch any fun or excitement that might be there for hospitality, because I’d be yelling out orders regarding what to do, or what wasn’t done.

That alone was enough to ruin it for my guy!

What does the guy want? My view is that he wants things simple: good food, great conversation, and relaxation.

©2009, Sandy Coughlin

In March we begin work that will yield something great in just a few quick months!

It’s about delicious food being grown with our own hands – which we will be sharing with others.

The increasing number of gardeners in the United States stands for something. It says that people are interested in organic. People are tired of paying the prices and they want to know where their produce is coming from! The lost art of gardening is returning! I can also tell by the number of emails and comments from people who are inquiring, that more and more people are growing gardens again, but they want help with the basics.

Dear Sandy…
This is the year I’ve decided to get into gardening.  I want to use homegrown produce while I’m entertaining, but the costs are so high! What are some general tips that you could give me?

This is the month in which gardeners start itching to get out into their yards. And for my husband and me, it all boils down to 3 simple key points that can make or break our attempts! But before I share the simplicity of these three, keep these points in mind, if you are a new gardener.

Write out a very simple garden plan for the year!
Where do you want your beds, what existing beds do you plan on changing over to vegetables, how much money can you spend?  What would you like to serve to your guests?  Start small – only pick a few items to grow the first year!

How do I know what kind of vegetables to grow?
Decide what vegetables you think taste better homegrown than store-bought.  What can save you money, or come close to saving you money by growing rather than buying?  For example, I do not think it’s worth the time and money to grow garlic or onions!

Start with produce that is very easy to grow – like zucchini, tomatoes, strawberries or green beans. If you’re new to gardening, don’t grow corn! Unless you have a huge garden space, you can probably buy corn pretty inexpensively at the local grower’s market! Two foods that grow well in containers are tomatoes and strawberries, if you do not have a yard or much space for a garden.

Buy starts! 
Unless you are a seasoned gardener, or you have a greenhouse and can daily take care of the plants, you won’t want to mess with seeds. Buy starts and keep it simple! You want to have success!

3 simple key points:

Water, sunshine and the soil are the 3 key components to a successful garden.

Water
Watering has to be either very frequent or very deep. But we all know that water is essential. Many people are enthusiastic in the beginning of gardening season, and then they start traveling or get busy with summer plans, and the garden gets “2nd” attention.  If you plan to leave town – hire your neighbor kid to water! 

Don’t worry about a drip system if you’re just starting out.  Grab a hose, a timer and an inexpensive sprinkler and you’re in business. Water 10 minutes in the morning, and in the hottest weather you’ll want to water twice (again in the evening). Keep the water flowing! 

Even more important, mulch helps keep the process simple!  It reduces the amount of weeds in the beds and helps retain the water. Mulch with partially decomposed straw, shredded bark, or newspaper (you don’t want to use straight straw, because it will sprout).

Sunshine
Surprisingly, a lot of vegetables don’t need as much as you think.  For example, regardless of what you have read, zucchini doesn’t need a lot of sunshine.  If you want to grow the largest zucchini in your state, well, then yes! Pour on the sunshine!  But to grow the kind of zucchini that we like, which is the smaller, under grown type (which we think tastes the best), you don’t have to have full-time sun!

Soil
Soil is the most important aspect of gardening that you have control over. Depending on the zone you live in, soil can vary widely.  We call our southern Oregon clay soil “gumbo,” and it’s very hard to amend.  There are 2 simple methods.  Bring in new soil, or use what you have and amend the existing soil with compost, where you amend every time you plant.

The better your soil – the more likely you will succeed

We are enthusiastic about gardening not only for the organic veggies that we produce, but for the benefits that come from sharing, inviting, eating and connecting with friends – many times centered on a meal with many of the entrees produced from our garden!

In this increasingly virtual world, many of us city-folk are getting back into gardening.  The earthy, authentic approach that I have shared is literally a connection that many do now realize.  Beds that were once flowers are now being converted over to vegetables.  It’s a beautiful thing – I think God would be pleased!

We grow and produce. We invite and we share. We eat and we commune. It’s as simple as that. A garden pot on your back patio or a garden space in your back yard – there’s just something about sharing the results with friends over a cozy meal.

Feel free to Ask Sandy … on her blog, www.reluctantentertainer.com, where you’ll find more about this subject and other entertaining dilemmas.

©2009, Sandy Coughlin

Last month many of us made New Year’s goals (lose weight, exercise regularly be happy, save money, get organized, eat healthier), because quite honestly, we jumped at the opportunity for a fresh start. 

We love new. We want discipline. We want to wipe the slate clean–especially in the areas in which we know we’ve fallen short.

When a reader wrote me this question, it made me think that many women have experienced these exact feelings.  Because we women know how to give, and give, and give… until our hearts are burned out, especially when it comes to practicing hospitality.

Dear Sandy …

I’ve entertained for years.  No one else in our group of friends or community really does it! Oh, people say we should get together for dinner… “Let’s go out to eat…,” but no one opens up their homes for the real deal. I think I have adopted this really sad thought process that goes like this, “Well if no one else is going to make the effort why should I?”

Is there such a thing as a burned out hospitable heart?

Now my heart is hurting, after reading her heartfelt question. Yes, there is such a thing as a burned out hospitable heart.  And this question makes me think of the more painful resolutions that women might have made over a month ago, ones like these–that hit you to the core!

• Stop procrastinating
• Make new or more friends
• Live instead of existing
• Be more confident
• Make a difference
• Be a better friend
• Live passionately
• Be more social
• Worry less

The recurring theme of these resolutions include people–and fear!

It’s all good
We’ve had the parties–dinners, barbeques, birthday celebrations, showers and going-away parties. We know we are to live, share, give and to feed others. That is what hospitality is all about! That is what living is all about! You plan the menu, use your creativity for setting a perfect table, think of the perfect guest list, you have every detail figured out from party-favors down to the relaxation by the fire at the end of the evening.

And then it’s over
And then something happens–BAM!  Life around you changes, you live in a painful “empty nest” world or you’ve hit rock bottom. Your hormones have gone haywire, and more painfully–you might be dealing with some “trust” issues with family or friends. Life is just exhausting and you have no energy. You’ve been betrayed or a relationship sours.

It’s over!  And as quickly as love grew in your heart to reach out to those around you, the love has ended.  Your heart is wounded–you are finished.  You have nothing more to give or offer.

It’s okay to take time off
I’ve always believed in seasons of practicing hospitality.  It’s tough to give of yourself when you’re going through a rough patch, or have little kids under your feet, or your marriage is failing or you’ve lost a love one. Giving to others needs to come in a season of our lives when our spirit is right.

There was a season where my husband and I lost 3 of our parents. It was painful and exhausting. I’ve also taken the pressure off of myself when I had my babies, or when life has just been stressful in general–I’ve given in simpler ways to others. I’ve not put expectations on myself and overcomplicated what should be enjoyable!  I’ve loved it when my friends waited on me during these seasons of life!

Get back the love
Intimacy with one another often means leaving our comfort zones!  It also means practicing forgiveness for our hurts. When we feel hurt inside, do we just assume that it’s “ok” to feel this way, or do we check it out first?  I read recently that 90% of anger in our hearts stems from frustrated plans or bruised egos.

It tells us that it’s okay to be ticked off, and then it tells us that we don’t have to forgive (because that person really doesn’t deserve it, right?) 

Don’t make Problem Soup
Did you know that God says He will never give us more than we can bear? I think at times we make what my husband and I call Problem Soup out of situations – as in we read in too much, or we let fear consume us, or we mumble-jumble too many issues together–making one big pot of Problem Soup.

Forgive and move on
Forgiving and moving on from past hurts has one cure:  Grace. It’s beautiful and it’s free. It’s refreshing and it overflows to those around us, including our guests. It covers up our pain and it’s something that we can never get enough of! Maybe the damaged relationship will no longer be the same, but neither does it need to be filled with animosity.

Start small
Think of one act of kindness to do for another person. If you don’t want to invite someone into your home, ask someone to join you in a safe place. Forge a new relationship. Start over again! We are to share with God’s people who are in need!

Bring people in
You don’t have to do it all. Remember the power of delegation when having guests over for dinner. Bring people in to help you out–to contribute. By doing it all yourself, you might be taking away another person’s blessing!

Heart transplant
Relationships don’t just happen. They have to be nurtured and loved and protected. We want to be loved.  We want more from each other.  We need healing and grace. 

We long for soul connection.  It is possible to open your heart again to hospitality.

This Valentine’s month, I challenge you to have a heart-transplant if this is something you struggle with. 

How about embracing a brand new couple? Or encouraging a lonely single friend? With love and not expecting anything in return, see if by your giving out you get something in return?

It might be the most fruitful Valentine’s month you’ve ever had!

Feel free to Ask Sandy … on her blog, www.reluctantentertainer.com, and read more about this subject and other entertaining dilemmas.

©2009, Sandy Coughlin

Is Constantly Being Late a Fact of Life?

I remember all too well how I used to rush around to get somewhere on time.  There was always something distracting me from my mission – dishes, morning routines, feeding the older kids and nursing the baby,  phone calls, waiting for naptime to finish – as my mind was darting around, multi-tasking to get in the car and on the road … on time!

Do I have everything?
Do I have the dish that was delegated to me?
Is everybody in the car?
What’s the time we’re supposed to be there? 

Shoot, we’re late – again!

Sound familiar?  It does to me, because more than enough times I’ve found myself in this situation.  And even as my kids are older now, I still struggle with getting to places on time.  I do have to say that I’ve worked much harder on being prompt, because as a hostess, I do not appreciate it when my guests are late (or really late!)

Do people just not care?  Do they miscalculate?  Or just lose track of time?  A while back, a reader from my blog brought up very good questions about this subject!

Dear Sandy,
What is the deal with people always being late to things? I am not an overly scheduled person by any means, but I do value punctuality. Is it a generational thing? Or is it a young mom thing? I am 30 and have 2 little ones. I go to a mom group, play dates, a Bible study. I have parties at my own home, lunch dates, etc.   In every situation, whether hosted by me or not, with all different people (although specifically moms with little ones), people are consistently late to things – like by a 1/2 hour or more. I just don’t get it and I think it is really rude and hard to plan things when everyone always shows up when they want.

I’m right with my friend on this one, although I do think it’s a fact of life.  And I do think it’s harder for moms to get to certain places on time, depending on how many kids and how much she is stretched! 

It can be really irritating for a hostess who’s trying hard because it does feel like people are disregarding your efforts when they won’t arrive on time.  So what is kosher, when it comes to arriving on time? 

When do you draw the line of being “late” or being “rude?”

• Open houses:  The term “open house” suggests a drop-in situation, which means come anytime between the times stated on the invitation.
• Brunch, Lunch, Dinner or Potluck:  Anytime that hot food is served, you need to try to be punctual with your arrival time!  Especially if you are bringing one of the main dishes!
• Sit-down Dinner Party:  If I know I’m headed to a sit-down dinner party, I aim for perfect timing.  I think you can have a 10-minute leeway period, but I always call the hostess if I’m later than 10.
• Meetings, church doings, large group situations, or large family events:  Again if hot food is being served, it’s best to arrive on time!
• Casual invite, play date or birthday party:  I personally feel you have more room to be lenient with your time, but only up to 15 minutes difference.  Usually the party can start, or play can begin, without everyone showing up exactly on time.
• Some people will never try to arrive anywhere on time, frankly because some people just can’t get their lives organized enough to be on time anywhere.  Maybe it’s because they have issues inside that disorder their lives.  And if I know there are issues, once again I try to extend grace.
   

How can we improve? 

• Count backwards with your time.  If you need to be ready by 9:45, tell yourself you have to stop what you are doing and jump in the shower by 8:45.  Give yourself a deadline!
• Set your clock back! Try setting your clocks and watches back 10 minutes (this doesn’t work with me, but I know people who do it!)
• Overestimate your time!  If you have to leave by 10:45 to reach your destination, tell yourself you have to be in the car by 10:30.
• Prepare the night before. Gets your ducks in a row!

I have been there.  I’ve definitely been late more than enough times – some of those times embarrassingly so.  But I’ve also improved – I’ve worked hard to be considerate of whatever generous invitation I’ve received – and to be appreciative of the hostess.

Are you a fashionably late inhabitant?

Rigidity can steal our joy.  And as the hostess on the other end, if I can’t be gracious with those around me, am I really extending myself to others in a way that God would find pleasing? 

Feel free to Ask Sandy… on her blog:
www.reluctantentertainer.com, 
as she takes this subject to a new level - What if “you” are the hostess and your guests are always late?

©2009, Sandy Coughlin

The holidays are approaching—quickly!

When it comes to “wrapping up,” I’m not talking about wrapping up the gifts. I’m talking about how to end a holiday party (or even a dinner party) on time! 

I mean, how do you send your guests out the door in a time frame that works for you?

Is it ok to end a party when your guests are having a good time?

After I held a Fall Neighborhood Luncheon in October, a couple of my readers asked me these questions:

Sandy, I want to know how you were able to wrap things up at 1:30—i.e. encourage guests to leave graciously. This is sometimes a problem for me, although a good problem, as it means that people are still having a good time!

And …

How did you “wrap things up?” We had a family over for an impromptu casual dinner not too long ago and they stayed until 11:00 (on a school night too)! We even started putting the kids to bed and that didn’t work…

What’s worked for my family and me for many years is simple. Because we’ve all had guests or family members who won’t leave, we don’t want to feel “caught” or “stuck” and let our graciousness fly out the door. So I’ve come up with these tips to help “wrap up the party” – with grace and style!

• When you’re holding a party, think ahead to the time when you’d like the party to end.
• Be flexible—don’t be married to that time, because you may be having such a good time extending out the party.
• If you have to be done by a certain time, let your guests know ahead of time. Most guests would be sensitive to the host’s needs.
• After the last course is served, and conversation is winding down, stand up and head into the kitchen (you can even start on the dishes).
• If the night is getting later than you had planned, go put your slippers on! 
• Feel free to explain that you have to get up early —start moving toward the door.

Obviously, the sign of a great party is when the guests don’t want to leave. 

When I think about all of the entertaining we’ve done, I can’t think of a time when our guests weren’t sensitive to our family’s needs if we needed to wind it down by a certain time.

And my husband’s quick-witted humor always comes out as our friends leave, when he says, “Come back when you can’t stay as long!”

It’s been said in our home, as we’re saying good bye to our guests, for 18 years now!

This holiday season, when we’re “given to hospitality,” enjoying the spirit of the holiday with friends and family, and rejoicing in the birth of our Savior, let’s not be so quick to get to the next event, or fall into bed exhausted from cramming too much in to our schedules, that we lose our grace. 

Let’s be sensitive to each other’s needs, keeping our style and our grace, as we open our homes and extend hospitality to others.

This is a season of anticipating joys to come!
Feel free to Ask Sandy … by discussing these topics and more on Sandy’s blog, www.reluctantentertainer.com

©2008, Sandy Coughlin