Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Making every day special

Last year, I learned to reach out to friends and neighbors.

This year, I want to serve my kids and husband like honored guests.

More thoughtfulness, more focused attention, more fun!

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

what is he drinking, look yummy,

i need work in both those goals, although moving 3 times in one calendar year (different cities) doesnt help..

Celina in Canada...

Nancy said...

Wonderful goals. And your guests will enjoy it!

Simplified Mama said...

mmm... looks delicious. Great idea!

Missy K said...

I love this post-- such a good challenge I linked to it from my blog.

Seems like, at least around here, the family sometimes gets the short end of the stick. I love the idea of practicing hospitality to my own folks.

Shannon said...

I've been thinkig about this exact same thing. I especially notice it when I'm cleaning like a madwoman because company's coming. Why don't I keep it that way for hubby? Definitely a goal for this year.

Kate said...

I just spent nearly 2 weeks away from my husband, and when I got back I was so appreciative for everything he does for me. One of my goals is to treat him at least as good as I would treat someone who was a guest in my home. Great goals!

Mrs. Stam said...

that is a wonderful and noble thing to do!

Shelley said...

I THINK about doing this all the time....unfortunately, I don't implement it very often. Please let you know how you do :)

Anonymous said...

I was in Williams and Sonoma not too long ago and I saw cookie cutters that had a slice taken out of the shape so you could make cookies that would hang on the edge of a cup of hot chocolate. this picture reminded me of that...just a different season:)
-Heidi Eliason

Michelle Smiles said...

I probably haven't said it clearly enough - but you are the most gracious, generous, and kind hostess EVER. Thank you for including me in several events that have allowed me to get to know others in the area.

Anonymous said...

My grandparents traveled often in their later years, in a Winnebago. When they were parked in my driveway, I looked inside and saw that they were using their sterling silverware. My grandmother told me that she decided that saving them for special was silly, since her husband WAS special. That stuck with me.
Lisa

Trixi said...

First, thank you for stopping by my blog. I have loved looking around your place here.

As for our focus, I am the opposite, I am so wrapped up in my children and Honey that I tend to let friends and neighbors fall by the way side. I wonder could there be a happy medium.

Anonymous said...

What a great goal to have for the year.

laurel said...

I'll raise my glass to that!

kari and kijsa said...

Beautiful thought!
blessings,
kari & kijsa

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Yes, exactly. I've been thinking about this a lot lately actually.

Steph

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

I love it! And I totally agree. We now use a set of fine china as everyday dishes. (I put them in the dishwasher. It was that or never use them, so I opted to treat them roughly, and they've been fine so far.)

I had our middle school girls over for dinner one time, and I served them on fine china and crystal, cloth napkins, tableclothes. They loved it! I think kids like being treated like grown-ups and shown that you trust them with your best. And besides, it's just stuff. If something breaks, it's not the end of the world. That's my philosophy, at least.

Christi said...

Meredith - this has been on my mind so much lately. I need to stretch myself in hospitality, and I want to serve my husband and children with focused, personalized attention.

I've been looking for ways to make every day extraordinary, especially as we cut down on outside activities.

Would you care to share your thoughts on how you plan to do this?

Anonymous said...

What a nice goal. I am also looking longingly at the short sleeves and iced drink while I treat my family to sweaters and hot chocolate! Spring will be oh so welcome here!

Rosemary said...

Hi Meredith~
This is a good rule to follow, your family is in for a special treat!
BTW, Nancy and Susanna from Rosemary's Sampler have tagged you for the 6th Picture Meme. Hope you will be able to find some free time and join the fun!
Rosemary

Randi~Dukes and Duchesses said...

That's a great goal for the year ... I think sometimes we forget to really serve our family above and beyond the regular things we do.

Anonymous said...

Meredith, I think this is soo important. Like others have mentioned, I, too, have been thinking about how I have been lacking in this area. I have gotten so invovled in various ministries around our church and Christian school, that my family often has had to just get the "leftovers" of my time and energy. Don't get me wrong, I think it is very important to serve the Lord in any way that I can both out of the home as well as in the home. But I am first and foremost a wife and mother, and if I don't do my absolute best in those capacities first, well, then my priorities are probably wrong. Great post!
Laurie in FL

Amy said...

I have always appreciated your attention to details- you have a way about it that I haven't seen anywhere else. Love it!

Kylie's Mom said...

Very nice idea...sometimes we have candle-lit dinners with the "fancy-pants dishes" like the kids call them lol. Builds memories with the kids, I do belive.

I just wanted to say, I love coming here and reading these short, thoughtful posts...they give me something to think about during the day, and I really do appreciate it :) .

Sandy said...

i agree - why give others your best if you can't do it first in the home! great post! love you, girl!

Sandy said...

i agree - why give others your best if you can't do it first in the home! great post! love you, girl!

FishMama said...

LOVE that!

Anonymous said...

What a difference a straw can make in the heart of a child :-) Well done mom!

Anonymous said...

Meredith,
I wish we were neighbors! You're so inspiring...keep us up to date on how you are reaching your goals because they're mine too!