A Vision of Home

Do you have a dream for your home?

Do you have a vision for what takes place inside its four walls?

Do you have a passion for making home the best it can be?

This upcoming month, I am daring to challenge you to create the kind of home you've always longed for. I kept trying to put these posts off. For every manor of reasoning, I've tried to push these posts out of my mind. My blog header is outdated. I don't have a fancy button. I don't have pretty pictures to go with my posts. I'm not even living in my own house! I...I...I.... But still, this series has been nagging at my heart until finally I found my fingers on the keyboard typing what's been stirring inside of me.

God has put a vision of home inside of my heart that I just desire to share with you. He's been opening my heart to how I can create the kind of home the nurtures my family and I'd like to share with you all that I'm learning. I'm learning as well so please don't count me as an expert. I just want to share the things that I'm trying to create in my home with you. Let's go on this journey together and hopefully all of our families and loved ones will benefit.


So that dream for your home....do you have one?

Proverbs 29:18 says "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." KJV

Google defines "perish" as to "suffer complete ruin or destruction".

Sad.


Without a vision or a dream for our home, just imagine the destruction that can happen...or maybe already is happening. You have family members running in every conceivable direction, there is a lack of communicaion, you're harried, behind, unorganized, disconnect and overwhelmed. Home life isn't what you ever wanted it to be but did you ever have a plan in the first place of what you wanted that life to look like? I know I didn't.

Recently I've been challenged to take my family back. My family consists of my husband, myself and our 9 month old daughter. We have four dogs - one of which is a rambunxious puppy. We are in the biggest home renovation that one could imagine and we've actually been displaced from our home for over a year. We may not even be moved back in before Christmas. *sigh* The three of us share a bedroom at my inlaws house and as you can imagine, it's cramped. Life right now isn't what I'd ever imagined it would be but as we have had to strip down our life and get rid of the stuff I've come to experience family and home in a whole new way.


Because, home isn't about the stuff. It's about the people that live within your house that make home what it is. So join me as we take a few days to making our homes full of vision, peace and joy. See you tomorrow!

Spa Day

Over the weekend I had a chance to indulge in some spa treatments. No, I didn't get to go to a fancy salon but I was pampered and polished just the same. A woman from our church opened her home to the women of the church for a free Spa Day. There was the opportunity to use her inground swimming pool, the hot tub and to hike nature trails around her property. Unfortunatly, it rained so those options were out (unless you were really brave and no one was) so we spent the time indoors enjoying all of the indoor activities.

Wanda had her kitchen table set up as a hand treatment station. There were two paraffin wax warmers that gave you the most luxiourously soft hands. There were nail polishes, nail files, fingernail clippers, jewels for your nails and the list went on. I was so excited to paint my nails for the first time since Aubrey's delivery. (Literally, my polish was chipping off during my hospital stay.)

In the next room were two foot baths. She had them infront of the most plush chairs you could possibly imagine. I got to soak my feet and honestly, it's been awhile since they've felt this nice. There was another spot for face masks - complete with hairbands to hold back your hair from the mask. Wanda also had a large display of finger foods and all kinds of beverages. A lunch was served at 1 o'clock and later a devotion was shared. It was truly the most amazing day.

So why do I share this with you? Well, as I type, I have a green clay mask on my face hoping to draw out the impurities and give me some glowing skin in return. I share this post with you because truly, that spa day was such a treat for me. It got me thinking about how I can use my talents and gifts and opportunities to bless others. Wanda spent her day making sure that each woman was taking care of. She is a gentle woman who softly slipped about the house making sure utensils were sterilized, that drinks were poured and that everyone was having an amazing time. She used what she had to bless so many women from our church. As a new mom who rarely gets pampered and finds polished nails a luxury, that day was truly a gift. I'm left wondering how I can bless others.

I also got to thinking about my own body. How I'm caring for it, pampering it and treating it. A few years ago I worked in a nursing home. Every Thursday was my day off and every Thursday was my beauty day. I had the house to myself so I never felt silly in my green face mask. I always took time to polish my toes, give myself a manicure and treated myself well. When I look back at photos of that time, I always loved how I looked. These days, not so much. I'm on the bottom of my priority list and maybe sometimes, that's as it should be. I've got a baby to take care of you know. But I don't want to get lost in the shuffle. Years from now I don't want to look at myself and think how I've let myself go. Never.

So, I'm vowing to myself to make sure I take some time for me. I've begun eating right. I joined Weight Watchers five weeks ago and am right on target for my weightloss for an exclusive nursing mom. I've incorporated exercise into my life and yesterday I walked my first 5K. And now I'm starting to bring the beauty back to my life. As a mom, I've never missed a shower. Aubrey's always went in her swing and it's prime time for a nap for her. And, I've never not done my makeup or hair. I just wouldn't feel like me so I do take time for those things every day. But I want to make sure to keep my skin and nails nice. That may mean that the day gets started a little later while I wait for my clay mask to dry. And it may mean that I spend some money on quick drying nail polish but I want to make sure I take that time to pamper myself. I always feel a thousand times better when I do.

So all of this to say - where are you on your priority list? Where do you rank? If you find yourself at the bottom, take some time to think about how you can move yourself up. If you don't feel great about yourself, how can you make others feel great about themselves? Maybe you only have time to sit and think while you are driving to and from wherever you go - but take that drive to think. How can you treat yourself? Maybe it's a special coffee once a week at Starbucks. Or a new magazine and a bubble bath. Perhaps it's a good long walk by yourself - no one in tow. Or maybe it's a face mask and some nail polish. Whatever it is, do it. You'll feel so much better.

And if you have the resources to invite some women from your church into your home for a Spa Day, do it. You will bless some very happy souls.

Welcoming Them Home

A few little lights turned on for the ones you love.

Soft music playing in the background.

A sweet smelling aroma coming from a few of your favorite candles. "Home Sweet Home". Can any sentiment be more appropriate?

Something delicious from the oven.


A greeting by a friendly face.

Followed by a warm hug and a kiss.



It's the kind of welcome home that we all deserve.

How are you welcoming home those in your life?

Thoughts On Hospitality

This past weekend, my hubby and I traveled to the tip of Ontario for our first dog trial. We were so excited when our dog, Bee, took a third place rosette on the first day of competition and a second place rosette on the second and final day of the trial. It was a good weekend for us and we were pleasantly surprised because this was truly our first competition.

While away, I began to think about hospitality. We'd been staying in a number of hotels and other's homes lately as we have been doing quiet a bit of traveling. As we prepare to head away again next weekend for American Thanksgiving, I want to share with you some of the things that I was thinking about in regards to hospitality.


Provide a Wonderful Welcome

When I head to Pennsylvania to visit my family, we are always greeted with such a warm welcome. Sometimes my Dad is waiting at the backdoor for us as we pile out of the car. Or Mom jumps up from the couch to greet us. Whatever the welcome, it's always warm, filled with excitement and always appreciated by us after such a long drive. Mom usually has something for us to eat and Shane and I relax and unwind while catching up with my Mom and Dad.

Hospitality all begins when you greet your guests at the door. Greeting them with a warm welcome can be the best way to set the tone for the visit or occasion. You certainly cannot fight your personality so an uber enthusiastic greeting may not suit your style. But that doesn't mean that you cannot come to the door as your guest enters, offer a warm smile, a friendly handshake or hug and invite your company into your home.

Here are some other ways to welcome friends into your home:

- Write "Welcome" and your guests names on a chalkboard where your guests will see it.
- Take guests coats and hang in the closet or drape on a bed.
- Have drinks and snacks ready for your company. At bare minimum, have glasses and fresh water at the ready. Add orange, lemon, or lime slices to the water to add a special touch. Or simply throw on a pot of coffee.
- Make the house smell great. A wonderful aroma can truly by a wonderful welcome. Light some candles or try this homemade simmering potpourri that I often make. Here is the link to a past post.
- Offer guests a seat. Even if they refuse by saying they don't need to sit, grab them a chair anyways. Nine times out of ten they will sit down. [I totally made that statistic up, but I'm betting it's pretty accurate.] Make sure there is a seat for every guest as well - even if if is squishy beanbags on the floor for kids - or kids at heart.
- Soft background music is always a treat. Pop in a little instrumental tunes. Keep the volume low. You don't want guests competing to talk over the music.


Be Prepared - The Food

As I mentioned above, when we travel to Pennsylvania, Mom usually has some sort of dinner waiting for us. It can be anything from sandwich fixings, our favorite pizza or leftover dinner from that nights meal. Growing up, whenever we had friends spend the night, Mom always had a wonderful breakfast in the morning. Sometimes it was a breakfast casserole, homemade Danish puff or bacon and eggs. On many a Sunday morning, while growing up, Dad often went into town for the newspaper and also brought home sausage McMuffins from McDonalds. I still get excited when I am home and Dad has that breakfast waiting for us late risers.

The point? Have some delicious things waiting in the wings for your guests.

Here are some more thoughts on preparing food for your loved ones:

- It's holiday season and the time for visiting is upon us. Be prepared with a few go-to appetizers. One night this week, sit down with a few cookbooks or some of your favorite cooking websites (or blogs!) and write down the recipes to a few good appetizers.
Your goals?
1. Easy to prepare.
2. Easy ingredients - choose recipes with staples you usually buy.
3. Easy on the pallate - avoid anything to spicy, too fishy, or too exotic. Pickled pigs
feet? No way!
Write the recipes on a sheet of paper or individual recipe cards, shop for your ingredients and store everything together in a special box or bin in your pantry. Do the same for the cold ingredients in the fridge. This way, you know the ingredients are on hand and you won't be too tempted to use them.


Be Prepared - Keep It Clean

Surely if your house is a wreck, you are not going to want to have guests over. How can you begin to open your home if you are feeling pressure because the dishes are piled high to the ceiling, you can't see the dining room table because it's covered in craft projects and the living room looks like a tornado just hit. One of my favorite podcasters, Donna Otto, says that "hospitality is about expressing God's love and that entertaining is about impressing - showing off our 'stuff'". Remember this gals! We certainly don't want people to NOT come into our homes because we haven't finished the umpteenth millionth project that we want to complete. But keeping a tidy home - especially around the holidays - will allow us that freedom to welcome others into our homes.

Set some routines for yourself. Dishes after every meal, bathrooms cleaned on Monday, floors mopped on Tuesday. That kind of thing. When you leave a room, put away a few items that don't belong there. Take 15 minutes to tidy the house before bed. Stay on top of things! Doing so will make life sooo much easier for you. And you will find that you don't have to do that deep clean that can be so draining before having company.


Who Are You?/Where Is...?

Have you even been to someones home and didn't know the host? Perhaps you were at your husband's boss's house for a BBQ. Or were accompanying your best friend to her friends Pampered Chef party. Chances are, you've been to someone house that you didn't quiet know. Sounds bizarre but when I thought about it, I have been in that situation dozens of times. So, when you find that you have guests that you barely know in your home, here are some suggestions.

- Introduce yourself. Certainly this should go without saying but it often happens. It happened to me this past weekend! If someone is in your home, you should make every effort to let them know who you are. Ask them if there is anything that you can get them. Make them feel welcome. Even if it is totally out of your comfort zone. This is your role as host. Fake it 'til you make it.
- Here's a sort of "ice-breaker" that you can "play" with guests at your home. Perhaps written on place cards at the dinner table or just randomly, pose different questions that everyone goes around answering. For instance:
- Who would play you in the movie of your life?
- You just won $1 million dollars. How do you spend your winnings?
- What is your most embarrassing moment?
- What is the thing that most every guest needs to know when spending time at your home. Where the bathroom is! Don't be too shy in letting people know where the loo is. Also, have a couple extra rolls of toilet paper and some air freshener out in plain view.
- People usually need to know where the garbage is too. [Especially if you are hosting a party with food.] We keep our garbage under the sink but I'm thinking if we had a party I'd want it a bit more accessible so people knew where to stash their trash.


Okay, that's enough for today. I have a bunch more ideas for overnight guests that I will share with you soon. Stay tuned! [Sorry for the lack of photos - the library is booting me out!]

What are your best hospitality tips? I'd love to hear!

How to Spot Clean Your House Incase the Police Stop Over

Or company for that matter. The police? Yes. They stopped over today. Shane was the witness to a domestic abuse case. He was walking our dogs and saw a guy threatening his girlfriend. The police were called and Shane had to give a statement. But first, the police had to deal with the deadbeat guy so Shane was able to come home and warn me that the police would be on their way. Let me set the stage real quick for you.

Today is a provincial holiday here in Canada. It's Family Day. Most people are off of work. Grocery stores are closed. You are to spend time with your family. So, Shane and I just spent the day hanging together. I spent the majority of the day in my jammies. In fact, while he was walking our little Bee dog at around three, I was taking a shower. Then when he finally came home around four, I was there with wet hair in my living room trying to dry and style it....still in jammies. He mentioned that the police would be at our home in 10 minutes so he could give his statement. He promptly said "You're not going to wear that, are you?" I quickly changed.

Well, that 10 minutes quickly turned into a blitz to spruce up our home. (We had done a major deep clean over the weekend...the kind of deep clean that involves vaccuuming the curtains and sweeping under the couch) so there wasn't too to much to do. But we've been in this situation before. People want to stop over to view our home (this was shortly after we moved in) or want to come visit. Here's my 10 minute clean sweep.

First, you've got to narrow things down. Quick, where will you entertain? Your kitchen? Dining room? Living room? Pick your room. For us it's usually the Dining Room table. We can sit and have a coffee and talk. K, got your room figured out? K.

First things first. Get yourself ready. Do you need to change your clothes? How about a dab of makeup? Could a brush be run through your hair? Do it now and do it quick. Then, put on an apron. Your apron will keep your outfit clean as you quickly clean. Get yourself ready first so that if any other areas of your home don't get clean, you'll at least feel good about yourself.


There are three rooms you need to focus on.

1. Entertaining room (Dining room for me)
2. Entranceway
3. Bathroom


Then, grab your tools. You'll need:
- a laundry basket [to toss in any cluttery junk that you can't quickly put away]
- a garbage bag [to throw away any garbage you find]
- papertowels or a cleaning rag [to wipe up spills and grossness]
- an all-purpose spray [preferably a great smelling one. I have an organic brand that smells wonderful.]


Start in your Entranceway.

- Line up your shoes in a neat row. Or put them on shoe racks. Or whatever you do with your shoes, do it. We have a boot tray that holds three pairs of shoes. I like to keep it to that three, but it's not always the case. So I just line things up neatly.

- Hang it up. Hang up any coats, backpacks, purses or dog leashes that find themselves laying on the ground. Clutter that doesn't go there? Into the laundry basket it goes.

- Your entranceway is the first glimpse people have into your home. Tidy here quickly.


Race to the Bathroom.

- Take a quick inventory. Are there clothes and wet towels that shouldn't be there? Toss in your basket. Rid yourself of junk. Hairspray bottels, a curling iron, kids toys - toss!

- Spray your spray into the sink. Spray counter. Is your mirror smudged? Spray. Now wipe clean.

- Are there unmentionable yucks going on in your toilet? Swab it out and spray and wipe down the toilet seat. Toss your papertowels into the garbage.

- Speaking of the bathroom garbage. Toss the trash into your garbage can. No one wants to see any garbage in that can. Toss, toss, toss.

- Is the toilet paper running low? Put on a fresh roll. Even if you could just get by. Put on a new roll. You just never know how much your guests may use. You later can put your old roll back on for your family to use up.


Head to your Entertaining Area


- Toss your clutter into the basket. Make a pile of the magazines or books that you've yet put away.

- Throw away any pop cans into your garbage can and put any dirty dishes that have yet made it to the kitchen into your laundry basket.

- Fluff a pillow and toss a throw blanket on the arm of the couch.


Put your laundry basket in an unused room and shut the door. Close any and all doors of rooms you won't be entertaining in. Nice clean pallet.


Now, if you have a few moments, here is some more advice:

- Run a pitcher of cool water. Put it into the fridge. Be sure to offer your guest a glass. Water is far nicer when it comes from a pretty pitcher versus the tap or even the Brita....unless of course you have a pink Britta. :o)

- Put on a pot of coffee. It helps the house smell great as well - especially if you are serving French Vanilla or Hazelnut coffee.

- Still have time? Pull out your vaccuum and sweep the dickens up. Use your crevice tool to grab any cobwebs, dog hair fuzz balls or crunched up food crumbs. Forgo the broom - it's far too slow.

- Lots of dishes? Run a load of dishwater and toss in your dishes. It sort of looks like that's what you were doing when your company called to say they were coming over. Plus, you get rid of half of the dish mess as they sit in the sink to soak.

- Are you entertaining at night? Dim the light. Put on some candles. The dim light sort of just hides any mess and makes the atmosphere cozy. Turn on some soft music and you've really set a nice atmosphere.

- And lastly, prepare a little snack. Maybe a quick fruit salad. Some veggies and dip or Ranch dressing. How about crackers and cheese?


When the doorbell rings, hang up your apron a la '50's housewife, slap on a big smile and great your guests. Relax and enjoy your visit. Afterall, they are there to see you and not your cluttery mess.


Edited: K, a lot of you think I'm super woman. Oh how I wish I wore a little cape and red shortie shorts - but, haha, I'm soooo not. This is a sort of speed cleaning that requires you running and huffing and puffing and shakin' it like a salt shaker. Trust me, with a little prayer that your company is a bit late and with some lightening speed, it can be done.