As I write this I’m just between two large family parties . . . one last week and one coming up (probably done by the time I post this). I thought I’d go over the process of what must happen for me to enjoy having 20 or 30 people come through the door.
To start off, I make up a menu. Then I make calls or send out emails. These two things are probably the hardest. Deciding what to make and figuring out a date that will work.So, about a week before the big event, I make up my grocery list, checking recipes and my pantry. I also check napkins, candles and figure out what I will do for centerpieces. Shopping for everything happens several days before. Next I make a list of what needs to be done and what day I will fit each little thing into. For example: Wednesday after my dentist appointment – make desserts and or appetizers and freeze. Thursday – laundry, figure out dishes, tablecloths, where to seat everyone and make placecards.
Friday – clean the house (never clean the house the day of – unless the queen is coming)
Saturday morning – peel potatoes cover with cold water. Prepare chicken breasts (refrigerate until ready to put in oven) Wash salads (unless people are bringing them), cut veggies, thaw desserts and or appetizers and finish final details on them.After lunch – set tables.
Finally, check list for what is left and put a time on each. You get the idea – bite size pieces! Not all in one day. Check the list and do everything you can as far ahead as possible – you still won’t be sitting and waiting for the doorbell to ring!Is this what it means to open my home? Taking the time to call, to plan and prepare a table? Does it involve “looking at my home through other eyes?” and taking some extra effort to finally tidy up a stack of mail and books on the phone desk and the extra pile on the dryer?
Whatever it means . . . when I hear the laughter coming from the tables,
see the deserts disappearing,
see a special uncle (what else could he be?) visiting with his oldest nephews,
Or cousins finding a special corner to catch up,
my heart is full . . . because in opening my home I’ve opened my heart.
Whatever it means . . . when I hear the laughter coming from the tables,
see the deserts disappearing,
see a special uncle (what else could he be?) visiting with his oldest nephews,
Or cousins finding a special corner to catch up,
my heart is full . . . because in opening my home I’ve opened my heart.
24 comments:
You do a wonderful job of hosting! Everyone feels so welcome and comfortable in your home - plus, it is so beautiful! Thank you so much for opening up both your home and your life to all of us.
Just beautiful! And I'm sure it was heartwarming for you to see your family members enjoying themselves in your home...fruits of your labor!
Open home...open heart...and everything looks so inviting over here.
Thanks for sharing...a little of what needs to happen before 'the doorbell rings'!
Opening our homes is wonderful, when we can do it orderly...like how you described..I love that.
And the last ingredient in case things don't go as expected, is a big heart filled with peace and smiles.
Your home looks so beautiful and I noticed they were wearing their jeans.
A home always looks it best when filled with love ones, regardless of how well it is decorated without family in friends it all comes to life with love and laughter!
I laughed out loud at "never clean the house the day of - unless the queen is coming". So true! If you leave too much for the day of, it becomes a nightmare race against time instead of a pleasant experience (been there, done that). Thanks for sharing pictures of your lovely home, and it was nice to see a few familiar faces too!
I had to laugh too at the comment about not cleaning the day of the party....impossible in my home where a golden retriever, long haired cat, and two rambunctious boys live!!! HA!
Anneliese, organization is your spiritual gift! (Oh, and maybe hospitality too!)
Absolutely beautiful.
Can you tell us the name of the china pattern(s)? There are two it seems. They are so lovely. If I knew the names I could google brand website pictures, because, I think I want to see every detail.
For those who, like me, do not and cannot do this now, this is very charming. I will visit this post again and again.
Thanks for posting the pictures.
Christmas haunts me.
Posts likes these haunt me too. The love and money I never had and still lack in my life.
I try to create such for my family but seriously lack.
Perhaps you can teach me what I have not been taught.
You clearly have money. If only I could create a Christmas on a meager budget that leaves people feeling the way your guests did. I doubt it. There has to be more, but what am I missing? I already know Jesus, but there is something missing.
To the first Anonymous - Thank you for your commnet. There are three kinds of china. One is Royal Albert - Dogwood pattern. My mother-in-law started me on it when I was still a teen ager and most of it came as gifts for wedding etc. The second one is our every day stoneware, called fruit checks by Galleria - I've had that one for maybe 15 years. It's the kind that you buy a 20 piece set in a box. The third one I borrowed from my Mom - it has a pine cones and branches pattern on it - and she brought it from Brazil over 40 years ago. There is a close up photo of a plate on the "Moving Mom" post in July.
You have a beautiful home! And I love how you decorate it for Christmas :)
To the Second Anonymous -
It is for some of the feeling that you express that I hesitate to publish a post like this. In fact, I almost want to delete this post now - but I wonder, can I really teach someone - because that is what my desire is. I can say, it's not about what you have, it's about what you do with it - but then you see, the home we've built up over a long time and you could think, "that is easy for you to say."
We almost lost all we had once or twice, when we went through hard times. We don't know what the future holds . . The Lord gives and the Lord takes. What I do want to do is make the best of what He gives and be content.
I remember living in a tiny old house on blocks... loving the feeling of making something old and dirty look as nice as possible.
I've re-read your coment several times and I have no idea where you live or what is happening in your life, but I want to encourage you to talk to Jesus about your feelings, give Him what you have and ask Him to use it to glorify Him. A little boy had five loaves and two fish, and when he gave it to Jesus, He multiplied it to feed thousands. God only only holds us accountable for what we do have.
You are right about another thing that I read between the lines... Mary certainly didn't go to all the fuss that we go to, but God provided each step of the way to bring hope to a needy world. I ask forviness where I have come across in a flaunting way.
Anneliese,
You have put such care into creating beauty . . .not from a heart of pride but rather a heart of serving. As long as I've known you I can remember your peaceful and welcoming home. From the time you have been married you have used what God has blessed you with to be hospitable .. .just like the Bible tells us to be. There are many people who have beautiful homes but never invite others in to rest and relax and sometimes just enjoy the company of others.
Your post today is a encouragement to bring out our best dishes .. even if the dishes are our everyday Corelle. ..a sprig of greenery beside the plate still tells the guests that they matter and you value them as children of God.
Thank you for posting this . ..we need encouragement to be servers in a world where we are taught to be served.
Anneliese! I really love your style :0)
Your home is so warm and inviting. It is good to consider how you want your guests to feel when they come through your doors. It looks as if you have been very thoughtful in this regard. Blessings on all your gatherings this Christmas...
wow! thank-you for sharing this. My heart was warmed and eyes got wet when I saw the table go from perfectly set to filled with the guests it was so lovingly prepared for. You have always been an example of hospitality and homemaking to me and now this continues via the internet! Thank-you sharing these words on opening your home, your heart. I think they will encourage me as I open my home this Christmas season, to see all the work and preparation as a gift to those who come, an expression of love. Thanks.
Anneliese...this was one of the most beautiful posts of the season...
You have a way of mixing what needs to be done with GRACE ~ and that makes everything holy.
Hospitality ~ a gift of the spirit ~
It is overflowing here ~ What a blessing you are to your family~
*Maria*
ps. This would be a wonderful post to submit to the Tablescapes Thursday site.
She updates on Wednesdays for the Thursday post.
Anneliese, I must agree with you that the most important aspect of opening our homes is making sure people feel "at home". I also agree that this feeling does not depend on what we do or do not have. Hospitality is a gift, and you obviously have received this gift & are putting it to good use.
May the Christ of Christmas be your joy & peace during this season.
Vange
Thank you for sharing this! I really wish you Mennonite women would write a book sharing your insights on Christian hospitality "for the rest of us". I looked at the pictures & thought that what a "home-sanctuary" should look like. Thanks for being an great Godly example for those of us who are still learning and growing.
First anon here. I hope you don't remove this post. It brings me joy.
Second anon: You may have or do something that simply shines, and maybe it can't be "posted" but I'm absolutely sure there is something.
I think it took courage for you to say what you did anon #2. I admire that.
I don't have anything like this beautiful home either, so I'm very glad I could see it and sit here smiling and looking it over. I'll admit envy. Oh yes. And admiration too for the talent it takes to make her home so beautiful.
I know how good it can feel to complete that and stand back and feel you have accomplished something for your friends and family. I also know just enough about blogging and desktop publishing to know it takes a lot of time and work to get this up here. For us.
This blog is unique. It takes me back to my childhood, and jolts memory and happiness for me.
You gave us something of yourself here anon #2, and so did Anneliese give of herself. I am grateful to you both.
To my third Anonymous - I am with you - still learning as I share. Hospitality is not a Mennonite thing, but I think that a lot of us have had Moms who had to make do with little. I've seen how my Mom was careful about every dollar she spent. She never threw out a piece of bread, saying, "there are too many hungry people in the world." Stale bread became French Toast, got put into meatballs etc.
Hospitality was not a word in my Mom's vocabulary, but a natural deed. Mostly she offered a clean home and a bowl of soup to guests.
I'm sure it was just as welcome as a decorated Christmas house... because like they say,it's the thought that counts.
And back to my First Anonymous - wow! Thank you for reminding us that not every gift can be posted and for your kind and encouraging words to the Second Anon.
If we can learn from each other here, I feel that my time is not wasted. If it's just show, then it is.
Anneliese....this post touched my heart in such wonderful ways, and thought to myself what an admirable gift you have....then i read your comments, and i could appreciate and identify each comment made, but feel lead to comment to anonymous#2 if i may.
my heart can so identify with what you are saying, and i hesitate to say i understand when i don't even know you.
i can relate to finances being squeezed tight, but some how i think that isn't really what the issue is, is it? you mentioned something missing, what could it be? i started to pray for you and this thought came to mind. you also mentioned that
you lacked love growing up, is that perhaps what is missing now?
i had lots of love growing up, but that doesn't mean i always know how to love.
gifts of organization, hospitality can't come with out the gift of being able to love...a genuine love...
i sense that what you desire the most is to love your family and the people in your life the way anneliese describes in this post.
for your heart to be filled.
well if that is your desire then that is what i will pray for you specifically. then all us "mennonite girls can cook" will pray for you. there is more behind these blogs that you read, and that is the love that all these women have for God.....and the love he has for us.
you mentioned that you already know Jesus and for that i am thankful, and in growing in our faith we come across times like this where we share from our hearts.
may i leave you with a gift......
please read the love chapter of 1 Corinthians 13, EVERYDAY until some of that truth of what love is starts to take root in your heart, and become so real in your life that you will leave this kinds of legacy for the ones you love....it is a journey my dear, living one tiny moment at a time....
Lord may your words of LOVE speak truth and healing into her life. that you love her just as she is and too much to leave her standing in this place of loneliness and despair.....in your name we pray.....AMEN
When I read these comments and hear the gentleness and truth and hope and care in the words I feel that this is a holy place. To be around you women is again so encouraging to this young mom.
And Anneliese, I loved the words about your mom and her natural way of hospitality.
I served soup and biscuits to a large group of extended family on Sunday. The food was simple, but looking at the people's faces it was clear that it was a special time. Even though the pot of potato soup cost pennies, and my mom had to bring most of the dishes since I didn't have enough, our basement suite was filled with joy and people left thanking me over and over!
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