HOSPITALITY IS...ribbons, twine and string

Happy Wednesday! I hope you all are doing well and maybe some of you are enjoying a bit of spring-like weather. The sun has been shining a bit more here and it is glorious!

The word "hospitality" can be a bit intimidating, but last week we were challenged to anticipate company and offering a drink for friends who drop by. I have had so much fun getting e-mails from some of you and I am happy you have had fun with it. We have had a great time with it, too! We have had lots of lemonade and tea-sippin' going on around here.

Anyhoo, back to "hospitality". When I think of hospitality, I think of the root word "hospital". So, I looked it up...just for fun. I know we are all familiar with what a hospital is, but my old 1963 edition of Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines it as follows: "a charitable institution for the needy, aged, infirm, or young, an institution where the sick or injured are given medical or surgical care."

While we are most likely not giving medical or surgical care, our homes should be a haven for our families who in turn are able to offer care for those in need. Hospitality starts at birth, I think. It is the family who nurtures the babe, who cuddles, and takes care of their needs... that we are exercising what it means to be hospitable and if we aren't demonstrating it to our children...they will not know how to demonstrate it to their families and to those who need it.

I know there is a fine balance between doing everything for your family and doing everything for everybody else...but it is healthy for families to teach their children the joy in serving others.

SOOO, here is this week's HOSPITALITY challenge. Ready? Maybe you have some twine, string or ribbon. If not, maybe you can splurge and buy a springy color of ribbon. You can purchase a roll of thin ribbon at Michaels for less than 50 cents or use your coupon for a more spendy ribbon you may like better.

I love ribbon and twine and I don't think that guests ever tire of a little something sweet.

It is not complicated or time consuming. If anything, it will give your children something to do. Again, a very do-able project to help your children anticipate and enjoy serving others.

If you have overnight guests:

*Have your children gather a bit of greenery {weeds are fine!} from outside and then have them wrap a bow around a washcloth and tuck in a piece of greenery.

*A few cookies placed in a bag and tied with a ribbon.

*A carafe of water with a ribbon tied at the neck and a sprig of greenery.

*Have the children turn down the sheets before they go to bed. That will give the children something to do before they scamper off to bed.

*What about a letter telling them how much their visit means to you? Twine or ribbon can be tied around the envelope for that extra touch. Sweet Dreams will be sure to follow.





If you do not have overnight guests:

*Take a few minutes and ask your children who they would like to encourage. Let the children gather "bouquets" of flowers and tie it with a bow. Deliver them together.

*It is a good idea to make an extra batch of baked goods and place a few in a bag or into a leftover produce box, tie it up and let your children help deliver.




For family members:

*When a college student comes home, it is refreshing for them to come home to a CLEAN room.

*Make sure their sheets are fresh and that they have a clean fluffy towel! We all know college students do NOT send their sheets and towels through the wash once a week!

*Have the children pick out a little "treat" for family members. Once a week you can pick another family member to care for. This allows them to really think about others and to be sensitive to the needs around them. Have them put it in a little bag, tie it with a ribbon and place it under the recipients pillow. THEY WILL LOVE THIS!

*Ideas shared with: raising homemakers