Oh, No ~Not Another Pumpkin Post!
(I promise it's the last one;)

First of all let me say a big


The calendar might say it's the first day of Fall, but the temps are saying otherwise! It's in the 80's here in Virginia, but that's okay, I'm still going to cozy up my nest so I can usher in the harvest season with open arms!

Now, about that pumpkin post. I promise this will be the last one! I just wanted to share with y'all a cute way to say "Happy Fall" to friends and neighbors. This idea is as "cute as pie," (pun instended;)



Hopefully, you are having better luck at finding pumpkin than I was. If not, this idea isn't going to work for you. After you have made your pumpkin treat don't discard the can, instead rinse it out. *Next, take tape and completely cover the rim so that any jagged edges are covered. We don't want any cut fingers, that's for sure! Now, wrap up your pumpkin goodies and place them inside container. Finish off by attaching ribbon, tag, and embellishments of your choice. What a perfect way to say Happy Fall to those you love!

I'm just now finishing up my Fall decorating so I will be back tomorrow to show a few pictures of my home all dressed up for the season!

Much love,
Susan P.

Oh, and for those of you that asked about the recipe ~ I got it from one of my all-time favorite bloggers ~ Aunt Ruthie at Sugar Pie Farmhouse. If you have never visited you must go, because you are in for a wonderful treat! Go when you have some time, because once you start reading you won't be able to stop! Here's the link to the recipe.

Gift Idea For House Guests

With Easter just around the corner I know a lot of you will be welcoming guests into your home. Here is a cute and inexpensive way to let your guests know that you are delighted they are visiting. I think they will be very pleased to know that you took the time to make a special "welcome" gift just for them!

All you have to do is take a hand towel and fold it in half lengthwise. The next step is to "roll" the towel very loosely until you are at the end. You then safety pin it in place and take the underside of the towel and "scrunch" it up so that it forms a solid bottom. Add some shredded paper, a pretty bow, a handwritten welcome note, and tuck a few sweet little gifts inside! The best part about this gift is that you can easily purchase everything at your local dollar store. If you are going to be the one who is the house guest I think you could easily incorporate this idea using some other goodies and it would make a darling hostess gift!

A Few Other Ideas

Get well: tissues, aspirin, cough drops, can of chicken soup, etc..

Kitchen Towel: spices, recipe cards, small kitchen gadgets, egg timer, etc. I think this would make perfect bridal shower gift, don't you?

Spa: lotion, eye mask, nail file, pretty nail polish, etc..

A Home That Says "Welcome"

As I was looking around my home today I noticed I had a lot of signs and pictures that convey the sentiment of "welcome." The slate below is found above our front door.





Here is our front yard sign that is made of slate. It also beckons you to "come on in, you're always welcome here."



This tea stained sampler is a favorite of mine. It can be found on the entry table of our home. It reads, "WELCOME, May our Home never be too small to hold all of our friends."



And finally, this sign can be found on our back porch. It reads, "Where friends meet, hearts warm."

Now, all this got me to thinking. (Y'all know me, I just can't help it;) By all "outward appearances" my home appears to be a most "welcoming" place to others. It conveys the message of "open doors" and "open hearts." But what I asked myself is, "what good are all these outward appearances of "welcome" when in reality it is not always practiced in my home? OUCH! Talk about being convicted.

I wanted to share with you a wonderful book I have been reading. It's title is, "A Life That Says Welcome," and it is by author Karen Ehman. Boy, after reading her book I knew that MOST ANY of my excuses for not practicing hospitality were just NOT going to "cut" it! Uh, oh! The gift of hospitality is one that I am to give freely, wholeheartedly, and lovingly to others. Going one step further, I have to admit that it is much easier to entertain friends and family than it is to entertain acquaintances or even strangers, but that is what we are asked to do. We need to get it out of our heads that everything has to be PERFECT before we will invite anybody over. If we are waiting for PERFECT, then we have a mighty, mighty long wait, don't we? Over the next few weeks I will be sharing with you some ideas that you can incorporate into sharing hospitality and opening your home to others. In the meantime, I have just one thing I would ask you to do. Pray about who the Lord would have you to invite into your home. Who is it that he wants to come to your home so that when they reach your front door the sign not only says welcome, but so does your heart!

The Gift Of A Meal

Girlfriends! What would we ever do without them? After a very long and tiring week of trips back and forth to the hospital the last thing I felt like doing was cooking. Hospital food is certainly less than appealing and when returning home late at night I didn't really have the energy to cook. That's where girlfriends come in! Girlfriends have that instinctive knowledge of when you are need of a home-cooked meal and a hug. They don't just "ask," they DO!! I was the beneficiary of one of those meals and honestly, words cannot describe how happy I was to see my girlfriend come to my door armed with a casserole in one hand and a hug from the other. Believe me when I tell you, such a seemingly small act can make such a big difference in a person's life. I want to encourage you, if you feel like someone you know could use a little "love from the oven," don't just think, DO!! You will be such a blessing to someone, I promise.

** One thing I always do when bringing a meal to someone is to bring it in containers that DON'T have to be returned. It is one less thing the recipient has to worry about;)

A Sweet Gift For Neighbors!

I wanted to remember my neighbors with a little something "sweet" for Valentine's Day and I thought this would be the perfect way to do it! I went to Karla Dornacher's site and downloaded these. They are the perfect little gift bag to tuck away a few sweets in. The front is To and From and the back is the bible verse that says, "Love is patient, love is kind, love never ends." To close it up I punched a whole in the top of the bag and tied with festive ribbon!

Housewarming Gift

Here is a picture of what Miss Bonnie gave as a housewarming gift! My almost daughter-in-love bought Miss Bonnie the new Martha baking cookbook for Christmas. Bonnie decided to make a recipe out of the cookbook and then she purchased this cake plate to display the cookies on! I have always loved the look of a cake plate on a kitchen counter and it can also be used to hold fruit, etc. if you remove the lid. It's not only pretty, it is also versatile!


The cookies she baked were called Cheesecake Thumbprints!

Spreading Christmas Joy To Our Neighbors
Mr. P and I have been truly blessed with wonderful neighbors. During this time of year we like to remember those special neighbors with a little gift. I always try to make something by hand to give as gifts. This is what we will be taking to our neighbors this year!



A loaf of freshly baked pumpkin cranberry bread will be wrapped up with a brand new tea towel and a pretty bow. Miss Bonnie and I also are making "cocoa for two" cones. We used festive paper and made the cone shape. We then added enough homemade cocoa for two at the bottom of the cone and on top of the cocoa we placed some marshmallows and then a layer of yummy chocolate chips. Another good thing to place in the basket would be a festive mug to go along with the hot cocoa! I will make a decorative tag to place on the cocoa with instructions as well as including the recipe for the bread. I was so happy to find these darling baskets at the dollar store! Now I have to get busy and start my baking!

"To Do" "Ta Da" Tuesday
Hospitality Basket
Over the last several weeks I have been talking a lot about hospitality. I got to thinking that wouldn't it be nice to have a special basket to carry items in when we are out "spreading hospitality!" I decided to go with an autumn theme and I will just change out the cloth and bow for the appropriate season. I think it will look so much nicer than bringing cookies or bread in a grocery sack! I can't emphasize enough, Dollar Stores, y'all!! You will be able to make your hospitality basket for just a few dollars. Now, go out and spread some hospitality!! There is someone just
waiting for you to "come a calling!"

A Wonderful Way To Say
"God Loves You!"
One of my favorite Christian authors is Karla Dornacher. She is not only a wonderful author but a wonderful illustrator as well. One of my
favorite books of hers is: Love In Every Room.

She had a wonderful idea on her website http://www.karladornacher.com/KD%20Pages/AppleBaggieTopper.html.



I decided to put apple cider mix into my baggies. All I did was put in the apple cider mix, add a few cinnamon sticks, and then put the label that I printed from Karla Dornacher's site onto the top of the baggie! Easy, easy! I thought this would be a wonderful little project that you could do with your children. They can help make some goodies to put in the baggie ie, apple cookies, apple bread, apple muffins, apple candy, etc.. and then they could help decide who they want to deliver the bags to and then help with the actual delivery! What a wonderful way to spread God's love this Fall season. Who in your life that you know could use a little blessing? What are you waiting for?

Sharing Hospitality Outside Of Your Home
Hospitality cannot only be practiced inside your home it should also be practiced outside as well. It only takes a little bit of effort to brighten someone's day and let them know you were thinking of them. It could be an elderly neighbor, a shut-in, a frazzled Mom who needs a lift, someone suffering from illness, someone who is lonely, etc... this list could go on forever. All that is required of you is a willing heart and loving hands! I have decided to take my elderly friend this cute fall tea towel (dollar store) and a loaf of the pumpkin cranberry bread. Inside the homemade card I have placed the recipe for the bread. I know more than anything though, it will be my visit that will make her the happiest. Only a few minutes and a little effort can make a HUGE difference in someone's life. Who do you know that you could share some hospitality with?

"To Do"
"Ta Da"
Tuesday
Home Blessings Basket
Do you know somebody who is moving into a new home? A wonderful way to say welcome is by putting together a "home blessings basket." The basket will hold different products that each have their own symbolism of good wishes for the new home owners! You will need the following items to put in your basket: bag of rice, load of bread (preferably homemade!) salt, sugar, candle, and sparkling grape juice. Other items can certainly be added if you would like. I added a pretty tea towel to this basket.


Included in the basket you will put a card that contains the symbols and their blessings. Try to be as creative as you can when making the card, remember every little detail counts and your recipient will be most appreciative!

SYMBOLS AND THE BLESSING
Rice: That there may always be food in your house.
Bread: That there may always be family and friends to share it with.
Salt: That there always be a little spice in your lives.
Sugar: That sweetness touch even the worst of your days.
Candles: That you may always find your way back home.
Sparkling Juice: That there may always be reason to celebrate!

Who do you know that is moving into a new home?

Preparation For Guests
1. A few days before their arrival open the guest closet and dresser drawers to give them a good airing out. Chances are if they are just used for guests they might be "musty" smelling. After a proper airing either make or purchase sachets to give the areas a gentle, delicate scent.

2. While you are in the closet put a few extra blankets and pillows up on the top shelf. These should have just been laundered and have that wonderful clean, fresh scent. Your guests will appreciate it on a chilly night:)

3. Go through the guest closet and make sure you arrange it so there is ample room for your guests to hang clothes. Find a designated spot in the room where your guests will be able to store their suitcase. Instead of using those old metal dry cleaning hangers invest in a few padded hangers. Your guests will be most appreciative.

4. When you talk to your guests prior to their arrival check to see if there are any allergies you need to take mind of, such as food or animal.

5. The day before the arrival strip the bed and wash all the bedding. Your guests will be most appreciative and will have a wonderful night's sleep.

6. On the day of the arrival it is nice to have a "welcome" sign of some sort to let your guests see how excited you are about their arrival. This can be done in many ways such as a homemade banner done by your children , a welcome on a wreath, etc. Get the children involved so they can share in the excitement of your guests visit.

7. An hour before they come bake some delicious cookies so that when they come in they are greeted with a wonderful aroma. It will make them so happy to know that you took the time to bake something in their honor!

8. Have soft music playing in the background, NOT a blaring T.V.!

9. Light a delicately scented candle and place in their guest room.

10. Place a beautiful bouquet of flowers on the dresser.

11. When they are ready to unpack show them their room and then you can explain what your routine is in the morning, etc..

12. Have a coffee pot either in the room or their powder room. Provide them with nice mugs and some good tea and coffee selections.

13. Have a basket that you have place bottled water and a snack such as crackers, chips, etc. Your guests might get the "munchies" at night!

14. Have interesting reading materials along with a good reading light. You also need an alarm clock, tissues, etc.

15. Have a stocked "amenities" basket filled with items from the dollar store such as toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, and maybe some "luxury" amenities as well!

16. Provide your guests with great towels. Don't skimp on this one!! Get the big thick cotton towels, they will love you for it. How about some fuzzy slippers, robe, etc...??

17. Provide a warm, cozy throw that they can use if they decide to take a "cat" nap!

18. Have a small dish of assorted mints or candy at their ready.

19. Provide them with a binder that you have put together. It should include a local map, pamphlets of points of interest in your area, restaurant guides, etc.. Be sure and provide a good writing pad and pencil with this so they can write down any information they might need to.

20. Last but not least, you have done all the preparation work so once your guests arrive it is time to relax and enjoy their wonderful company!!

Welcoming Guests Into Your Home
It really takes very little time and effort to add those extra special little touches to make your guests feel welcome and comfortable in your home. I think a wonderful way to add those extra special touches is by incorporating the five senses: touch, smell, hear, taste, and sight. If each one of these senses is engaged in a pleasant way then I believe your guests will have a most enjoyable stay! Following are some examples I use in my home when I welcome a guest. I light a delicately scented candle to greet them when they walk in their room. I place a beautiful bouquet of flowers on the dresser. I provide them with a guest amenities basket filled with items I bought from the Dollar Store, such as toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, and sometimes even some surprise luxury amenities! I have good reading material and a soft cozy throw they can snuggle up with to take a nap. Next to the bedside is a good reading lamp and alarm clock and tissues. I provide them with big cotton towels and warm fuzzy slippers. To stave off the munchies at night, I also provide a basket of snacks and bottled water!