Wake-up Call for Overnighters at Your House

We are definitely in the season for house-guests! Fall parties, Thanksgiving gatherings and on into Christmas, people will be popping in and staying awhile. How can you make your home a haven for guests, and not pressure yourself as the holidays approach? Here are a few of my breakfast tips for guests who stay at the "Faith B&B":

Breakfasts for guests -- Laid back and relaxed is always the best tactic.

- I like to have fresh granola & a few other cereal choices on hand. As well as fresh juice & coffee. This is easy and allows for varied wake-up times for guests who might not be in our 'time zone' yet.

- No one expects hot food. But I do like to have a toaster available & on the ready for fresh toasted English muffins or cinnamon raisin toast. Cream cheese is an awesome combo with cinnamon raisin.

- If I'm feeling particularly rested I sometimes offer quick scrambled eggs in the microwave ... Quite tasty & quick.

- When it comes to hosting in the morning, the best tip of all is relax & let your guests eat as they are ready. Everyone has a different pace in the morning.

- Buffet-type stations always work the best. Cups, utensils, & everything should be set out for everyone so they can make themselves at home, making their morning ritual the way they like it. Don't pressure yourself to attempt being a short order cook.

--Coffee urns keep coffee hot, without burning. Single serving coffee makers are also a nice touch with a selection of teas, coffees, and flavored creamers.

Autumn is My Favorite Time of Year!

From Faith Ford's Fall Home Collection...

One of the reasons I love Fall, is that I can use all sorts of interesting natural elements in the house to make it feel toasty & inviting, yet still keeping things simple & elegantly stylish.

Instead of fresh cut flowers, I cut a few branches off my favorite colorful tree. Red, golden and deep purples are fabulous. I sometimes pluck off a few of the leaves, so it isn't too bushy and more artistic. Even bare branches can be beautiful!

If you arrange them in a clear vase. You can fill the bottom with unshelled nuts & a few baby pumpkins or gourds for harvest color. You obviously don't need to worry about water if you use simple branches, but if the branches have leaves, you need hydration to hold the leaves and their color longer. I like to use an old butter churn or old silver champagne chiller will add elegance. If you prefer rustic, old milk pails are great.

For traditional glass vases, I always use river pebbles in the bottom with water. If you are lucky enough to have a stream close by it will cost you nothing. Otherwise you can purchase small bags at places like Pier One or crafts stores. They work all year long to anchor fresh cut flowers.

Faith's side note clipper - I use pebbles in my powder room sink. Pebbles prevent splashes & look pretty, too. It adds a very zen element as well!

There are classic touches for Autumn decor around the home like Indian corn on the door. You put it in the same place you hang a wreath. This works for the mantle piece as well. I put out bowls of walnuts & oranges. Squash & gourds make great center pieces on coffee & side tables as well. You can move this theme into the Christmas season by moving to green and red apples.

Faith's Autumn Kitchen

To add holiday flavor to your morning toast, try mixing in pumpkin pie spice & raw fine ground brown sugar to softened butter. Transfer to a covered sugar bowl & leave it in the fridge for a simple surprise for drop by guests.