hospitality Archives - Page 2 of 9 - Feathers in Our Nest

Thanksgiving Conversation Place Cards Printable

November 22, 2016 by Aliesha

Today I am excited to bring a guest post from my Mom, aka MiMi! What a fun idea she is sharing with us today… Thanksgiving conversation place cards!

Being together with those you love at Thanksgiving is an opportunity to express those things for which you are thankful and to encourage others in the Lord. I have put together some whimsical Thanksgiving conversation place cards using artwork from Creative Market. (The artist is Lemonade Pixel.)

You may print these place cards for your personal use, printing a “conversation starter” inside each place card (directions are included for printing). Maybe your kiddos would enjoy helping with the cutting or folding… even with printing your guests’ names on the cards!

Enjoy adorning your table with these little place cards AND enjoy the conversation and sharing that I hope they will stimulate!!

Happy Thanksgiving from MiMi–joyful grandmother to Vera, Cordelia, Jude and Theodore
(and who is counting the hours till I celebrate with these sweet, little blessings!)

Click here to download your Thanksgiving Conversation Place Cards and printing directions!

Thanks so much, MiMi, for sharing these adorable place cards with us!

(Personal use only. Please link directly back to this post for social sharing. Thanks!)

You Don’t Have to Know Them to Take Them a Meal

October 28, 2016 by Aliesha

I’ll never forget the meals brought to us after our boys were born. We were surrounded by a loving community of people who generously brought meal after meal to our home, supporting our family and feeding our souls as well as our bodies. It is a debt I’m sure I can never repay.

But one family stands out in my mind and always will. I didn’t know their family yet (just of them). They heard of our need, and in a season of trial themselves, they served us. I’ll never forget the evening they came to our home. One by one the children entered, each carrying a component of the meal. Homemade pizza, warm from the oven. Tossed salad. Soft chocolate chip cookies, homemade with love. They stayed for a few minutes, encouraging us in the Gospel and speaking truth to us in the midst of the bittersweet season of both unemployment and a new baby.

I’ll never forget their kindness to us, that, although they did not know our family before that night, they chose to love us in a very practical way.

I also am reminded of a family at our church this spring who went through a serious trial. As a church, we were told about the needs they had and the ways we as a church family could support them. The email still echos in my mind: Even if you don’t know them, they have served you. This family had served (and continues to serve) our church in myriad ways, so that even those who didn’t know them had been blessed by their ministry and willing service.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting people for the first time when I show up on their doorstep with a meal. In turn I’ve been blessed with meals from strangers, acquaintances, and friends.

Here’s the truth: you don’t have to know them to take them a meal. You can richly bless others through the ministry of hospitality whether you know them well or not at all. You can be Christ to others in their season of sorrow or of joy, and through the meal you take, you can build (or deepen) your relationship with them and show them love through a tangible act of service.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection.
Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
Romans 12:9-13

Creating a Cozy Home in the Fall

October 11, 2016 by Aliesha

It’s no secret that I adore fall. I love the weather. I love the pumpkins. I love the warm & delicious flavors. I love the sweaters & boots. I love it all!

Today I’ll be sharing several tips for creating a cozy home in the fall! These tips are to help you (in whatever season of life you’re in!) make your home a cozy, welcoming place, not just for yourself and your own family, but for the people whom you invite into your home. Fall is a great time to show hospitality!

Add texture

I love to bring in lots of throw pillows and warm blankets, especially ones with interesting textures or pretty fringe. This layered look brings warmth to your home! Not to mention, that throw will come in handy on crisp mornings!

Add pumpkins

Well, this one is a given. Add pumpkins and your home will instantly feel more “fallified” and cozy! I don’t use orange pumpkins in my home anymore, since they don’t jive with my regular decor, so I have been collecting white, blue, tan, and burlap pumpkins over the past couple of years. You can always paint orange ones!

This little burlap pumpkin was just $1 at the Dollar Tree.

Display a seasonal art print

(Shameless plug) Adding a seasonal art print can instantly update your home and help celebrate the change of seasons! This one is available in my Instagram shop.

Bake something delicious

We eat seasonally as much as possible, meaning we fully enjoy the delicious flavors that each season offers! Right now we’re all about apples and pumpkin. I’ve baked lots of (healthy) pumpkin muffins, peanut butter granola, apple oven pancakes, whole wheat bread, and more. I’ve also started cooking soup again! I made a totally yummy broccoli cheddar soup over the weekend.

Diffuse a seasonal blend

Diffusing essential oils not only adds ambiance and a good fragrance to your home, but it also is one of the best ways to enjoy the benefits of essential oils. I’ve been diffusing Blossoms lately, and I love it!

Select some fall books

There’s nothing cozier than settling down to a read good book (or three)! If you have kids, pick up some fall library books. This is one of our absolute favorites, but I’ll try to do a post soon with some other new favorites! Don’t forget to grab something for you to read too. I’m not much of a fiction reader, but I just started reading this one!

Brew some coffee

I normally drink decaf coffee, but I made an exception to try this Apple Cider Donut coffee from Archer Farms (Target). It’s SO good! Give it a try if you see it at your local Target!

Turn on the music

So you’ve layered on the throw pillows, brewed a pot of coffee, and decorated with pretty pumpkins. You have something yummy baking in the oven and your diffuser is going with a sweet-smelling blend. Now all that’s left to do is turn on some music (I’m loving this album) and invite a few friends over!

Thanksgiving Conversation Place Cards Printable

You Don’t Have to Know Them to Take Them a Meal