31 Days: Day Nine

I love how a little extra touch to your home can make the biggest difference. Here are a few ways to spruce up the home. These ideas are simple and lovely at the same time!

This look is just so festive! An easy way to achieve this same look is to take scraps of fabric and tie to a piece of twine.

This a great and very easy decoration with it now being Autumn! Just wrap a couple leaves around a small votive...perfect for table decorations!

This is a great way to decorate with Christmas coming up. Simply glue ornaments to a mirror then remove top to add water and flowers!

 I love how just a touch of gold glitter adds the perfect little touch to the simple milk glasses. Also, I love the simple addition of a small flower arrangement.

31 Days: Day Eight

Today, I wanted to focus on my favorite category of food, that would be appetizers! I have previously blogged about these two appetizers but the still top the charts for me!

Guacamole Bruschetta:

Ingredients:
1/2 Loaf French Bread (we chose to use a whole wheat sour dough bread and that was just perfect)
1 Clove of Garlic
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tomatoes, chopped
2 Avocados, chopped
1/3 Cup Onion, finely chopped
1/4 Cup Cilantro, chopped
2 Tablespoons Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Pepper

Directions:
- Slice the bread into 1/2" rounds and place on baking sheet
- Toast the sliced bread in the oven for 3 minutes, then flip each piece over and toast an additional 3 minutes
- Remove the toasted bread from the oven and immediately rub with the clove of garlic (it works best to first cut a small tip off the garlic clove so that the oils will seep out)
- Brush the tops of the garlic-rubbed toasts with olive oil and set aside
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, avocados, onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Mix together gently making sure the avocado is well coated in the lime juice.
- Spoon a portion of the mixture onto each of the garlic toasts and serve.

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Feta Dip:

Ingredients:
Olive Oil
Feta Cheese (about one block)
Tomatoes (roughly 3 Roma)
1 Bunch of Green Onions (we used a little less)
1 Baguette (we opted for Pita Chips and Crackers)
Greek Seasoning (or just use oregano, salt and pepper)
1 Platter

Directions:
- Wet the platter generously with the olive oil
- Dice green onions and tomatoes. Put them on the platter.
- Crumble feta cheese and add that to the platter.
- Sprinkle seasoning on top
- Mix everything together, gently.
- Slice the bread (if that is what you are using)

Serve.

31 Days: Day Seven

One of my favorite things about hosting a party or attending a party is the delightful drinks. No where else is sherbet and ginger ale acceptable or where garnishing a drink is the norm. Without further adieu, here is a list of my favorite drinks to serve when having guests over...

A drink I have made, and absolutely love:

   

Cranberry Pomegranate Winter Sangria

• (750 ml) bottle of red zinfandel
• 4 cups of cranberry juice
• 2 cups of POM Wonderful pomegranate juice
• 1 cup of orange juice
• 3/4 cup of simple syrup
• 1 apple, unpeeled, cored, quartered & sliced thin
• 1 orange, halved and sliced thin
• 1 lemon, halved and sliced thin
• 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries
• 1/4 cup of pomegranate seeds
• San Pellegrino sparkling water or Ginger Ale depending on preference

Strawberry Champagne Slushies

Team Spritzers: Georgia Peach

31 Days: Day Six

Nothing says hospitality like fresh flowers. Whether as a centerpiece or to bring a smile to a friend, fresh flowers are sure to do the trick.

Here are a few of my current favorites for fresh flowers...

This color combo simply makes me swoon.

A simply way to freshen up your coffee table.

Breath of fresh air

Effortless

Love this look

31 Days: Day Five

Everyone can be hospitable..it's not just a spiritual gift.

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9, ESV

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:13, ESV 

31 Days: Day Four

...hospitality is inextricably linked to evangelism and mission precisely because the invitation to experience the presence of Christ in our homes and churches is part of a robust theology of evangelism and making disciples.

I absolutely love that quote because it clearly links hospitality to Christianity and how they truly go hand in hand. Hospitality is where we are proactively entering into the world of others. Through hospitality we see Christianity in action.

Hospitality causes us to leave the kingdom of self and be attentive to the needs of others. As Christians we should all have a hospitable mindset...it is not just for those with the specific spiritual gift.

31 Days: Day Three

Hospitality is basic to christian identity and practice affirms the worth of humanity, equal value and dignity of people.

In an age where the worth of humanity seems to be diminished more and more, it is vital to value human life. By simple hospitable acts we can show others that they are valued and truly loved. It's just about the little things. By showing others we care, we are outwardly expressing the love of Christ.