Before expounding on what I love to do, I need to say that I figured out how to get rid of the items listed in the previous entry. I was looking at "My Subscriptions" and found where I could edit or delete them. With only one click, they were GONE!! Did I just hear a "hallelujah!"?
Today, I did what I love to do the most. It's right up there with finding bargains, eating cheesecake (unfortunately, cheesecake isn't a bargain), yard saling, picnics, beautiful dishes and canning. It's what gives me energy and sets my heart in motion. I hosted company. I can have a stressful week and as soon as I invited a table full of guests (8 plus me), I get energized, excited, and ready to tackle the world. Strange, I know! Most people look at me as if I've lost my mind. However, hospitality is my gift and I thank God that I have a place of my own where I can exercise it.
I get asked lots of questions some of which are "what do you do with the men?" and "who prays?" If I host families, I always invite two so the men will have company and as far as praying, we sing a prayer song. I have learned that if you, as a hostess, are comfortable with who you are, your guests will comfortable too. To break the ice, I usually tell them (if this is their first time to my place-- wouldn't want to over-do a joke) that my husband cannot be here; he works for the CIA and I have no clue where he is so, we'll eat without him. Hey, they laugh, and that's the point!
Planning the menu is a total exhilaration for me. I get the greatest thrill out of the challenge of seeing what creative, delicious menu I can come up with while using the least amount of money. I like to plan the menu around the food color so that their plates look attractive. However, I've also learned that people don't care nearly as much about WHAT you serve as they care that you invited them. Because I've been made to feel uncomfortable when other hostess do it, I make a habit to not apologize if the food doesn't turn out the way I intended it to. I remember once when I had Sunday guests, my biscuits were pretty much flat! I was so embarrassed, but I bit my tongue. What is y'alls opinion? Am I on the wrong track here?
Dishes! Now that, if I'd let it, would be my absolute weakness. I say "would" because I don't let myself. I cannot see spending money on more and more dishes when I can only use so many at a time anyway. But, I love to look at dishes, to touch them, to dream of what foods I would serve in/on them.... When my parents built their new house, mom knew she'd never be able to take all of her dishes along so she gave me quite a few of her glass/crystal dishes. Along with those, I have serving dishes, serving plates, and four sets of creamers and sugars that belonged to either my mom or grandmas. I even have a serving bowl that belonged to my great-grandma Hannah Wagler. She gave it to my grandma (her daughter-in-law) and I purchased it at my grandparents sale. I get the greatest thrill in using them.
My goal is to host each family in our church for a meal and I almost have it accomplished. I have gotten to know them in a new way; many Sundays we are still sitting at the table at 3:00. I really enjoy the getting-to-know-them part; I guess that's what happens when you don't have a husband to initiate the "well, we men can be excused to the living room where there are more comfortable seats...."
Sometime I'll share some of my favorite recipes. I love recipes! Each year for my birthday, my nephew and nieces give me a subscription to Taste of Home, one of my favorite magazines. I have a dream of someday publishing my own entertaining book complete with recipes and other ideas for hospitality/entertaining. That probably won't happen until I'm 80, however, in the meantime, I'll dream!
God has given us different gifts. I'm curious, what is your gift and how do you exercise it? May your week be blessed as you serve HIM right where He's called you!
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