31 Days of What Matters, Day 1: Hospitality

I'm a little late to the party, but I caught wind of The Nester's 31 Days blogging challenge and decided it's just what I need to get back on track.

Every day in October you can expect a short, simple post about what matters - to me, to my family, to our community. And possibly to my closet, but I'm going to put off being superficial for a few more weeks if possible.

As the month progresses, I'll list each new post on this one so they're easily found.

Day 1: Hospitality
Day 2: Little (Big) Joys
Day 3: Every Ounce
Day 4: Fun
Day 5: Mac
Day 6: Tigertown
Day 7: Affection
Day 8: Work
Day 9: Staying Comfy
Day 10: Resting
Day 11: Packing Smart
Day 12: A Quick Squeeze
Day 13: Saying Goodbye
Day 14: Catching Up, Getting Sick and Getting Out
Day 15: Sweet Cheeks
Day 16: My First Giveaway!
Day 17: Running Tunes
Day 18: Sweet, Awkward Moments
Day 19: Luna
Day 20: C-L-E-M-S-O-N
Day 21: Old Friends
Day 22: A Case of the Mondays
Day 23: Boy Mom, Girl Mom
Day 24: Dimmest Bulb in the Box
Day 25: Driveway Conversations
Day 26: Truck Stop Trade Off
Day 27: Solo Saturday
Day 28: Home Again, Home Again!
Day 29: Sick. Again.
Day 30: Pearly Whites
Day 31: A Sweet Halloween

So to get started: Today what matters to me is hospitality.


When we looked for a "new and old" house, we prayed to be led where we could grow our family, open our doors to friends and create a ministry of sorts just by being hospitable. By inviting the world in - not our strongest suit, believe it or not.

It's so tempting to throw on yoga pants, close the drapes, ignore your phone and hole up with the people who are required, either by law or genetics, to love you no matter what. That's not what we wanted anymore.

We envisioned having an open door policy, being in the center of things, living close to our friends and closely with them. (Think Romans 12:13 and Hebrews 13:2.)

It's not always easy for me, as I have a nasty perfectionist side. If I can't get it just right, in my own eyes, then I'd rather not do it at all. If my sunroom needs a bit more furniture or a hallway wall is missing the 'right' framed print, I feel sheepish letting people traipse through at their leisure.

Not to mention the dog hair! And diapers, stacks of correspondence, iPhone chargers, random boots strewn about. No matter how much I try to kick the clutter, it follows me everywhere I go.

You know what? That's not important. Hospitality isn't about pulling out my china and serving a spread that would make Paula Deen proud; it's really about being welcoming.

It's not about my feeling prepared, comfortable or proud of my surroundings - it's about making sure others feel at home, invited and valued here.

Small Group pre-party on the porch

Yesterday, as I stashed tote bags and toys before our small group arrived, I had to remind myself of this. We prayed for a place we could call home so that others could feel at home here, too.

I hope I remember, as supper clubs, showers and holiday parties line up, what hospitality really means. Know this: You're just as welcome at 9pm in your pajamas, face streaked with mascara from a long day's cry, as you are in your "get out into the world" grown-up gear at a pre-appointed hour.

My door's always open, even if I wince at the dust bunnies when you walk in.

Breaking In The New Digs

For me, settling into our new home has been a process.

Bradley and my parents did a phenomenal job of setting things up while I was out of town that first weekend, but there are still touches I'd like to add.

I'm picking out paint colors, lamps, rugs and curtains, arranging and rearranging furniture, unpacking boxes and dreaming about throwing away whatever hasn't already been opened up and put away. (One could make an argument that we must not need it if we've lived ten days without it...)

For Mac, settling in has been far easier. Who needs knobs or fixtures or rugs or even his prints hung on the wall?


Give him his books, his toys, his "throw myself on the floor and roll around" pillows and just like that - he's scattering them everywhere. Mac is happy as a clam and home sweet home.

What a resilient little guy! I love that about him. Well, that and his fantastically squishy thighs.

We're Here!!

We're here, we're here! I promise the Smith family is alive and well - and most importantly, we're here:


I can't wait to tell you all about our new old house, what we love about it, the changes we've started to make it our own and the fun I had just hours after the closing when I hit the road to host my best friend's baby shower in Charlotte. Whew - what a week!

So much fun, so many boxes, so little time!

In the meantime, I hope you're all doing wonderfully!! xoxox

Make Mine a Monogram

In addition to my recent medallion obsession, I've renewed my lifelong love of all things silver and monogrammed. Unlike the polka-dotted plates of yore, they're timeless!

To be fair, we have polka dot plates to complement our fine china. Perhaps what I mean is that my bachelorette pink polka-dotted plates weren't timeless. Or just that B thought it was time to let them go. Ahem. Whatever.

If I had my way, we'd have everything but monogrammed pots. (Slight exaggeration. Only slight.) A few of my favorite silver monogrammed keepsakes?

Mint julep cups; they're for more than just Derby day. Isn't everything a little fancier when what you drink it out of is monogrammed? Or try arranging a few hydrangea blossoms in a julep cup for a sweet, simple pick-me-up. They make great hostess gifts or little thank you presents.

Mint Julep Cup

A silver tray looks beautiful displayed in a dining room, but it looks even more gorgeous carrying orange juice and freshly scrambled eggs to a girl in bed!. This bedding even looks a bit like ours. All right, Mac....get to scramblin'!

Breakfast Tray

A silver monogrammed charger dresses up even the most basic table. My favorite heirlooms are those with initials on them - it does help, of course, having the same last initial now as I did in childhood... Twice the usable monogrammed gear!

Charger

You won't need a charger under this beautiful monogrammed china! Yes, I said it. I love monogrammed china. To some it seems excessive, but I love its formality. As my dad said, "Well, we'd never forget at whose table we were eating!"

I'd probably only put our last initial on it, to up the heirloom factor, but I've had a love affair with this china for far too long. Time for me to own a place setting or two! Is it odd to think about your grandchildren inheriting your china? Would a simple S make it easier for future Mrs. Smiths to use this at their table? Helps me justify my "heirloom" purchases... They're not heirlooms yet, of course, but will be in time!

China

I'll drink a toast to just about anything, but I've also seen a champagne bucket used to collect mail on an entry table. A clever way to get everyday use out of a pretty wedding gift, don't you think? Certainly makes the bills look a bit nicer...

Champagne Bucket

Is anyone else as hooked on monograms as I am? I've managed to tame my urges these last few years, perhaps tricking Bradley into thinking my addiction was cured. With no visible change in my initials since marriage, I'm pretty stocked up on my everyday monograms. Time to think about some heirlooms? Here's hoping my grandchildren like to slap their initials on as many things as I do!

For the Love of Medallions

Every few years I fall in love with a particular pattern and online window shop it to death. I scrounge the internet and interior design catalogs 'til I've seen all there is to ogle. Know what I mean?

Several years ago it was damask and toile; my little house was covered in it. B was imminently relieved to be rid of all that black, ivory, pink and sage green once my "single girl" bedroom was no more. (Sniffle. Also, RIP to my much-loved pastel polka dot plates that were retired to the Nearly New Shop. The sacrifices we make for love!)

Lately I've been on a medallion kick and am poring over catalogs and staring at fabrics that pair these intricate designs with a simple background.

I'm no interior designer (oh how I wish I were!) but I know what I love when I see it. The problem lies in integrating new elements I love into our home; that's a continual process for me. I envy you girls who can whip up a pretty room, culling professionals' ideas, mixing in heirlooms and adding your own creations for a DIY home with signature flair. Teach me your ways!

In the meantime, with the exception of some window treatments, I have avoided clicking "buy" while filling my online shopping carts with medallions galore.

That doesn't stop me from looking 'til my eyes cross, though. Here are a few of my favorites:

Ballard Designs

Williams-Sonoma Home

Etsy's Elegantouch

West Elm

Overstock

Paper Source

Etsy's Elegantouch

Overstock

Do you fight the urge to fill your home with variations of one pretty pattern? Any new favorites to share?

To warm your heart...

...as you thaw your limbs. Had to share a few things that have made me smile in the middle of a long, chilly work week.

Valentine's Day sweets

The promise of summer - and adorable swimsuits

Any excuse to spend an evening celebrating!

This notepad and the very concept

Family

The whole house these pictures come from and the blogger who lives there.

Hydrangeas, stationery, porcelain and monograms.

A glass bottle for water-drinking cube-dwellers - green and genius!


Brightly patterned linens


Sweet folksy valentines



Grown-up paper art


A gorgeous blue door



A cozy orange reading nook



Roses and ranunculus


Patriotism - and a good set of shutters.


Even with all of these warm fuzzy thoughts in my brain, there's still one last thing to share:

A few of my favorite things: Holiday edition

The weather outside is (approaching the Palmetto State's version of) frightful, Bing Crosby is serenading me in Target and visions of vacation days are dancing in my head. That can only mean one thing: it's Christmastime!

So what does Christmas bring? Around here, usually not much snow. It does bring lots of quality family time, silly Christmas sweaters, reasons for impromptu gatherings with friends and time to remember what's really important.

A few of my favorite things each Christmas:

Amy Grant's original Christmas album. Grew up on it, still love it, not ashamed. Seriously, try to find something better than "A Tender Tennessee Christmas." No, I'm not joking.


If anything could possibly be better, it'd be James Taylor's Hallmark Christmas album. I'm a huge JT fan. I could listen to him sing about the latest stock market crash and feel comforted.

A favorite Christmas (-ish) movie from my childhood.

A recent addition to the holiday lineup. Happy endings are always a favorite.

I have probably seen this movie 10,714 times. By year's end I imagine we'll add at least a dozen.

As a thank you to Bradley for tolerating so many viewings of Love Actually, during which I tear up no less than six times despite knowing it word for word, I'll throw in a favorite of his.

Because I quote "Santa! I know him!!" all year round.

It's just not Christmas until you catch up with George Bailey and family.

A socially acceptable reason to eat more mashed potatoes than should ever be consumed.

The Nutcracker ballet, music and my favorite Clara ornament that's now almost 20 (!) years old.

Christmas cookies. Yes, please. Can we squeeze more icing and sprinkles on there? Goes right along with the elves' favorite food groups, as listed in Elf: "We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup." Delish!

A fully decorated Christmas tree. Forget Martha Stewart's version - show me the preschool macaroni ornaments, mismatched creations from elementary school, old parental purchases and some multi-colored lights. The brighter, the more festive, the more personalized, the better.

What are you looking forward to this Christmas?