Hosting overnight guests for Thanksgiving

Photo by SlowMama

Make waffles ahead of time and freeze for easy breakfast.  Photo by Lakehouselyn.

Easy to make vegetable tray for mid afternoon snacking. Photo by Lakehouselyn.

Always my favorite is the make your own sandwich.  Offer baskets of breads, rolls, condiments along with sliced tomatoes or lettuce. Photo by Lakehouselyn.

I bought this welcome basket from a local repurpose shop I love called Angeluslife. Photo by Lakehouselyn.

My basket was used at one time for collecting fresh cranberries in upper Wisconsin.  I love things with a history. Photo by Lakehouselyn.

Thanksgiving is around the corner. You might be hosting an overnight guest or two.

I love when we have family and friends staying with us but I will admit it takes a lot of organization and planning ahead.  I have had as many as 16 for  overnight stays. Long ago I began writing down tips I found helpful in making sure the overnights were as stress free as possible for our guests and my husband and myself.  The key is even if things don't go as you planned, just flow with it and enjoy having everyone together. 

First on the checklist is to make sure you have enough linens, linens and more linens.  Don't forget the towels, blankets and pillows. 

Make the guest room as inviting as possible .  Provide guests with a carafe of fresh water on their nightstand, recent magazines, a small basket of chocolates, cookies or trail mix, and a selection of small toiletries..shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sewing kit, toothbrush and toothpaste, and deodorant.   

Our lake house has its share of large screen flat screens, dvr's, and sling boxes.  and of course  Wifi.  I have learned the past couple of years to keep a notebook containing Wifi passwords , and instructions on how to turn on and off our latest technology.  When we bought the lake house 20 years ago, we had a silly notion we would keep the house simple.  That rule has obviously been forgotten and we have caught it up with the times...and way beyond!  

Everyone doesn't have to spend every minute together.  If someone prefers to grab a book , turn on the fireplace, find a comfy spot on the couch with a favorite mug of coffee, let them indulge.   If our guests want to watch a movie or check their email, they can check out the how-to in the notebook.  

Keep an outlet or two free so our guests can charge their electronics.  

Set out coffee supplies and easy breakfast choices like fruit, cereals, muffins, oatmeal the night before so early risers can feel at home and help themselves.  

Make room for guests clothing and suitcases and provide them with extra hangers.

I keep a large basket filled with menus from local restaurants,, coffee shops, as well as stores, shops and seasonal activities going on in the area for everyone to browse through. (see above photo)

Have a great weekend:)

Weekend Antiquing

Recently, my daughter and I tried our hand at weekend antiquing at the Randolph Street Market.  We both love having pieces in our homes that have a history or story behind them. And we are learning the art of distressed painting through our favorite Midwest shop, Angelus.

In addition to home decor pieces, the Randolph Street fair was also host to entertainment and food trucks. How do you top enjoying iced coffee and fresh baked pineapple muffins and people watching on a beautiful Saturday afternoon with your best friend?  Next time we will go prepared with a pull cart, bubble wrap or newspaper to wrap our purchases that are breakable and polish up our negotiation skills. Our great "finds" have found special places in our homes and we are already looking forward to next year's event!

~Check out the RandolphStreetMarket for the holidays November 22-23 and December 13-14~

Plumber's Hall - 1340 West Washington Street,  Chicago.  Free onsite parking and free gift wrapping.

Check out some of our favorites below!  Have you tried antiquing?

Easy to make garden or patio boxes

Unique looking bud vase holder my daughter bought for her dining room table

Retro look dresser

Can't you see using this to hang coffee mugs?

Iced Coffee Drinks and Fresh Baked Pineapple Muffins

Windy City Espresso Truck

Stereo console looks like it's from Mad Men

Happy Weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Welcome for your Family and Friends

One of my favorite shops, www.Angeluslife.com, is a store that was started by sisters who have successfully brought their passions of home decorating, gardening and spirit renewal together.  They have created a store that gives you a good feeling as soon as you walk in the door.  I love the idea of furniture or accents for our home that has a history and at Angelus, there are rooms of colorful, always changing repurposed treasures. They also hold decorative paint workshops and I hope to attend one in the near future.  My most recent purchase was this Welcome Basket.  I was told this basket had been used in northern Wisconsin to collect, wash and drain cranberries.  Our family members have a history of helping create the well known Cranberry Festival held every October in Stone Lake, Wisconsin  which now draws 30,000 or more visitors each year.  I am using our Welcome Basket to hold menus, brochures, magazines and maps from the area.  It warms my heart knowing this basket has been given a new life for many years to come.  

Relax, Rejoice, Restore, Repurpose, Renew, Refresh

My husband and I discovered and are enjoying snowshoeing this winter.  We are on the hunt at second hand sports shops to purchase a few other sets of snowshoes to keep at the house for family and friends who desire to join in.  We have enjoyed sledding this winter too with the 60 plus inches or more of snow that has fallen.  As much as we have enjoyed these activities, Spring's arrival this month will be very welcome.  

Thanks for stopping in:) Happy Weekend!