A Dose of Hospitality

I have fallen in love with playing hostess. 

I used to be a "hostess" at a Chinese restaurant when I was 18...and I hated it.  There are only so many chances you get to please a Chinese boss. I ran out of chances quickly. I got yelled at for making the sweet tea the wrong way. When I tried to explain that yes, I did put sugar in the tea and no, I was not being rude -it didn't go over too well. Sweet Tea isn't even traditionally Chinese anyway! Why did they care? I guess because to have a Chinese Restaurant in Northeast Tennessee you have to draw people in with something you know they like to get them to try something different. The mounds of rice I had to vacuum off of the floor after toddlers toddled out of the restaurant got old very fast.  Let's just say I wasn't there long at all.

Now, years later...

I have discovered that having people over to our place for dinner, lunch, tea and coffee, and just to chat brings me so much joy. It is much different than working at a Chinese restaurant and I make the sweet tea the way I like it! If I could raid Target and Pampered Chef and get all of their kitchen gadgets and serving ware, I would! I have enjoyed getting by with what we have available to us right now, though and it has stretched me to be more creative.

I think the Italians have hospitality right! Actually, most of the world does. In America, it seems that life moves at a pace way too fast and the last thing we make time for is having people over for dinner. The act of hosting people for dinner creates opportunity to get to know people, become closer to them, and you get a great meal all at the same time!

I have become quickly addicted to all things Rachael Ray and as I try recipe after recipe I have found that sharing it with people makes it all the more exciting! There is just something so nice about opening your home to others and blessing them with free food and warm company.  I hope to become even better at being a hostess and I am eager to learn more cute and creative ideas.

My hope is to one day live closer to both my side of the family and Matt's side of the family so that I can host large and small family occasions. Matt and I have missed out on many family birthdays, anniversaries, Thanksgivings, Christmases.  I hope to make up for lost time one day!

Consider opening your home and being a hostess to those in need of a night off from the "norm". You will find so much joy in making yourself available.