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.

Faith...How do start an organizing project?

The first rule of anything in regard to organization is:

Don't overload yourself with too much all at once.
Remember, it's a lifestyle. Organization is on-going and cut yourself some slack. You can get pretty overwhelmed if you attempt all the jobs that need doing at once. Here's what I do...

1. Get mentally and spiritually prepared by understanding that blessings cannot come to you if you are too full or too maxed out to receive them.
When you 'gift' items you no longer use, need, or things that are attached to old memories you'd rather not have any more, they can bless others who WILL use them and even LOVE them. If you think of giving treasures to someone, it's easier to do somehow.

2. Elimination is the biggest step toward organization.

It's not just about putting all the blue sweaters together and folding the white t-shirts alike. (Although that helps...) It's about making room in your life. This is really step one and two. Get rid of the clutter in your life, and it brings peace. It's a really simple concept. If I see something I want, I don't get it unless I make room for it by getting rid of, gifting, or eliminating something that's taking up space where the 'new thing can live'. When you get right down to it, you don't really need a lot. The more space you create, the more creative you can be in that space.

3. Creative Space-making helps you organize.

After you've given away some things, and you feel that wonderful joy of giving, consider making money on things that have been cluttering your life. Did you know that consignment and re-sale shops are a great way to make a few bucks on things you don't need? CDs and books that are falling out of your shelves can be sold to a used media shop, and make a little spending cash for you. People who are ebay geniuses can really create a nice business on the side by selling things that take up 'peaceful places' in your home. There are shops that will 'ebay' your things for you, too! (for a price)

Consignment stores for clothing, furniture, and of course classified ads are great ways to turn your "not-neededs" into money. (Do be careful however, about inviting strangers to your home. Do we still need to say that? Consider selling at a public place like an office or a storage unit with lots of people around. Don't deliver items to people you don't know either. Period.)

The ever popular yard sale is fun and lucrative if you do it with friends. Create a bonding time and make it a party! Take anything that's left-over directly to the charity and thrift stores and get a receipt for donation for tax purposes. Remember, if you could live without it for the yard sale...you can live without it.

Think about saving all that money for a special vacation or a 'me' day.

You've done it! You've begun...and that's the first step.

It's a lifestyle...and it's only just beginning!

faith ford