Home is Where the Heart Is

Does the busy pace of life keep you from connecting with friends the way you'd like?  Or, are you waiting until your home has the much-needed updates before inviting guests over for coffee and dessert?  Well, if you're waiting for the perfect time to have a gathering, you may very well be wishing and waiting for quite some time.

Moms continually illustrate the fine art of balancing life's tasks with grace.  While preparing meals, driving to sporting events, and providing educational opportunities, we think of friends old and new and are abundantly thankful for social media sites that keep us connected.  However, cyberspace can't recreate laughing with friends, tasting their delicious, let-me-throw-it-together quesadilla meal or that much needed hug.

Keep in mind, no one's life, home or kids are perfect.  Inviting guests into your home isn't an advertisement for having it "all together."  Inviting new friends for a home gathering with the laundry basket overflowing or the dishwasher that needs unloading may very well cause that new friend to be a lasting one.  Undoubtedly, they're bound to feel an instant connection by your transparent reminder that we're all human and doing the best we can every day.  That common thread can be as soothing balm to our souls.

So, if you're hoping to connect and wanting a simple way to do it, here are some easy entertaining ideas:

• Choose YOUR best day and time and schedule the event on your calendar (even if it's an impromptu plan).
• Next use Facebook, Evites or e-mail to let your friends know about it.
• Rather than planning to make an entire meal, plan something simple.  Consider making smoothies or coffee and dessert.  Ask your guests to bring their favorite fruit, muffins or simple dessert to share.  For a fun, ongoing dinner theme, plan to host an International Cuisine gathering, where each guest brings a dish from a pre-determined country.  An example might be:  Greece.  Have guests sign up to bring a beverage, entree or dessert using a new or old Greek recipe.  Then, while everyone is enjoying Greek night, tentatively plan the following month's country.  You could even take turns hosting the dinner at each friend's home.
• You don't want anyone to see that room that collects everything or that corner that can will never be clean.  Closed doors marked private and flat bed sheets work can wonders in hiding those areas.
• Speaking of sheets, they also double quite nicely as table linens.
• A simple way to decorate: fresh flowers.  Buy a bouquet at the grocery store and add branches and greenery from your yard.  Divide the flowers into smaller bouquets and use household jars for vases.  Use the flowers as a centerpiece on your table, and place them in your entryway and powder room. 
• Balloons or a fresh wreath may may enable guests to find your home easily.
• If you cannot host a gathering in your home, consider planning a quick bite at a coffee shop or plan an evening at the pottery.  Don't rule out a Walmart or Target get-together.  With coffee or tea in hand, friends can shop together, while catching up.
• Last but not least, be yourself and enjoy yourself.  After all, that's what time with friends is all about! 

Hoping you're blessed with a zest for life, 
~tambrie