Hospitality for the Rest of Us: Little Gatherings

In case you didn't know it, introverts, this is your thing. Seriously, I'm telling you, small intimate gatherings are the way to go. You get to talk to people and enjoy each other without the hoopla of a large social event.

These little gatherings can be as simple as milk and Oreo cookies or as elaborate as a ten course meal. It's your choice in regards to how much you want to do. The elaborate meals should probably utilize the LRH method so you're not in the kitchen the whole time.

One thing that I try to do when I have little gatherings is to use nice plates, even if it's Oreos and milk. When you use the nice plates, you automatically let people know that they're special and you put thought into the gathering. As I recently shared with someone "Our plates may be fancy, but we are not." I LOVE serving ordinary foods on fine china. I don't use the stuff often, but occasionally, I will pull it out for pizza delivery. It's just plates at the end of the day. But they're plates that say "This is outside the ordinary." But little gatherings are just as nice with paper plates. It's what you want to use. They aren't really the important part.

So you've got a menu, a guest or two, a place to sit. Now what? Well, you're going to have to push through that introvert hurdle and start a conversation, especially if you've invited a fellow introvert. I got lucky and added an extrovert to the family. She always does such a good job of breaking the ice and welcoming people and then because she's a tween, she disappears when the conversation is comfortable. I love that kid.

That's it. Little gatherings with just one or two people in your home for a snack or meal. Breaking bread together creates new bonds each time. It will probably be uncomfortable, especially if you've never done it before, but that will pass, probably while you're doing it. And you'll discover that once people become comfortable in your home, they'll enjoy themselves, too.

The key thing to remember is that you're asking someone to spend time with you. It doesn't matter the state of your home or the strength of your cooking skills. What matters is taking sometime to be with one another.

Little gatherings are great times to be yourself and to learn about other people. They can provide a little respite from the world. A little rest for the traveler. It doesn't have to be an every week or even every year kind of thing, but there will be people that you'll discover and you'll want to get to know them, so invite them over, have some cookies and milk.

Comments

Sweet Caroline by Kelda Poynot

First off, my copy of Sweet Caroline (aff link) is not a gifted review book, I spent my well earned Amazon No-Rush Rewards money on this book. Second of all, this is not my standard close door kind of romance. Third of all, this is a really fun read. Caroline is a hard working young lady that is doing all that she can to make ends meet and to get her graduate degree. Part of that work is renting out the room above her garage. When she answers the phone of an unknown number, believing it's a future tenant, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. The young man on the other end of that call, Hashim, is tall, dark, and mysterious in all the right ways. The story quickly moves from the girl next door falling for a stranger to a fight for their lives. And in true real life fashion, those fights aren't just with external enemies but the ones we carry within. It's an entertaining story of Caroline and Hashim, discovering their love for each other and ...

Loving Disagreement by Kathy Khang and Matt Mikalatos

If you're human, which I'm assuming you are if you found your way here, there will come a moment in your life when you're right and they're wrong and you're going to have to not win because the relationship is more important than your rightness It might be over where to go to dinner, which type of coat to wear for the weather, what ever it may be, you're going to find yourself there. Khang and Mikalatos have got together and written Loving Disagreement for that exact moment, especially if that exact moment isn't occurring with a loved one but with someone you encountered on the internet or maybe the break room at work, the where and who don't really matter because we can be loving towards anyone, even when we're not in relationship with the offending person. The book uses the concept of the fruit of the spirit to go through different ways to handle conflict. Khang and Mikalatos take turns writing the meat of each section but there's a quite enj...

Tasty Tuesday: Loaded Baked Potato Soup

I've had loaded baked potato soup on the menu most of the month of November, not really knowing when I was going to make it. Last night was the night. I started with this recipe from Betty Crocker as an idea but as I saw that it served 15 and looked at the various quantities while I cooked, some things changed, and wanted to share the final recipe here so you can enjoy it and I won't forget it. Loaded Baked Potato Soup serves 3 with seconds and a serving left over 1/2 package of bacon 1 small onion chopped 3 cups chicken broth (I use Better Than Boullion) 2 large baking potatoes, peeled, cubed 2 tbsp butter 2 heaping tbsp all-purpose flour 2 cups milk divided 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2teaspoon freshly ground pepper A generous helping of sour cream 4 oz sharp Cheddar cheese shredded (half a block) separated 2 sliced green onions separated In skillet, cook bacon over medium heat 6 to 7 minutes or until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon; set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons ...

Tina The Storyteller

Search This Blog