As I sit here drinking my coffee on the lovely morning I am watching a darling baby bunny skittering through the back forty garden bed. Wondering, as I watch it nibbling on a none negotiable, if this is the little guy who had chomped my brand new Clematis down to the nubs. Definitely a none negotiable!!!

Do you have a very small home? Are you afraid to host large groups because you fear you don’t have space to accommodate everyone. This has been my dilemma ever since we moved into this house. Do I love to entertain? Yes! Do I let my lack of space stop me from doing it? No!

The key is to divide and concur. We have hosted many large events in our home, to include a wedding, multiple graduations and showers of every kind. Large holiday family parties for the husband’s side of the family. We don’t allow our humble space to stop us from entertaining in a way that we enjoy.

Last Thursday was my turn to host my Questers Group. We are life long learners who are interested in understanding history, preservation and restoration. We currently have 22 members and meet once a month during the school year. On any given Thursday we will have 15-18 members.

Questers is both easy and hard for me. If you’re hosting, you are also responsible for the program or report and an easy brunch type meal at the end. Usually hosted in the Lower Level, this is easier, because it is my largest space, and my ladies can come thru the garage and walk right in.

As much as I hate to, I clear the decks. I am a maximalist, so I cringe when I have to accept function before beauty! But, you do what you have to do, right? I set up “stations”. Plates silverware, napkins, fruit, and nibbles all go on the pie safe. The painted chest becomes the “coffee bar” with cups and saucers and all of the accoutrements that goes with it. The trunk became the “juice” station.

I remove things from the room that are not required. Ottomans or coffee tables to create a larger foot print. The antique chair that houses a stack of books but is too delicate for a bottom! The Windsor highchair that my dad bought for my granddaughter, years ago. What is left is only what is required for comfort and mobility.

After the general meeting and the installation of new officers, myself included. I will be the President which is a yikes for me. I’ve never lead anything in my life. Not even Pledge of Allegiance in my Girl Scout Troop! I have sooo much to learn. Anyway irt was time for the report. Tax Stamps or Bottle Seals/Facts or Fiction will be coming your way next week. Thanks Pamela that one will be for you.

Then came time for brunch. A lovely morning, crisp but not cold, I had high hopes of serving brunch outside. I didn’t set a formal brunch because I wanted everyone to eat wherever they were comfortable. Some of my ladies have mobility issues and stairs are hard. I am always prepared to serve food both upstairs and down which gives everyone an opportunity to do what works for them.

I knew on this particular Thursday everyone attending could do the stairs, so after giving my report I suggested that it was a lovely morning and asked if they would like to eat on the deck. Everyone grabbed dishes, silverware, cups and coffee. We migrated outside where I had plenty of space for 15.

Early that morning I had thrown my favorite quilt on the table. Made for my mom by her best friend, this is an award winner and all hand quilted. It is a beautiful work of art. I added a huge crock of Peony’s and called it good. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to take pictures, but it was this quilt.

A comment was made about how lovely everything was. Well, it really wasn’t, because I had to be able to think on my feet and not care that the buffet was not perfectly set up. Dishes from downstairs migrated upstairs, etc.

It got me thinking who do I do this for? I’ve come to the conclusion that I do it for me. No, not to show off, because nobody seems to care about this stuff any more. I do it because I appreciate whoever, for taking the time to come to my home. I love my pretty things, and I like to get them out and enjoy them, feel them in my hands and give them a fresh scrub if need be. I remember my mom saying “there is nothing finer than cleaning up after a good party.” I understand that now. She was so right. Where she hand washed everything, I threw it all in the dishwasher, including the sterling silver! I don’t do that on a regular basis but once in a while, I haven’t found it to hurt.

As I was sitting out on my deck with all these lovely ladies, on a soft sunny morning, I thought to myself “Yes this is what it is all about.” Several different conversations going on, some at the table, others on the couch. Extra chairs scattered here and there. It was a perfect morning.

I wish for you a summer of perfect mornings.

Thanks for stopping

Shelley