Just Another Week in Paradise

“Take care to keep open house: Because in this way some have had angels as their guests, without being conscious of it” ~Hebrews 13:2

I’ve been meaning to share with you a chair that I saw a few weeks ago. It seems as if I’m often finding chairs that call out to me.

This particular one came home with me that day.

Oh and since we are becoming such good friends I also thought I’d  share a little quirky thing I do quite often 

Periodically I go on the outside and pretend that I’m a visitor.

I walk, look around and imagine that I’ve never seen the place before.

I try to see what catches my eye, what I like and most importantly

what makes a welcoming greeting.

With that said I started thinking about Hospitality. ( perhaps it had something to do with the aforementioned chair) or maybe this past weeks visit at a friend’s home.

 During my California living days many friends would mention that I had a gift of hospitality.

Later, when I got married friends would say both my husband and I carried the Hospitality gene. I suppose in many ways hospitality is a gift.

However, I’m thinking that Hospitality like many gifts & talents  come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, and that with just a little practice anyone can have it. I have had lots of practice 

Do you feel comfortable having guests over? Not everyone does. This discomfort is most likely due in part to a lack of practice. and that can be remedied.

 Trust me the more you practice hospitality the easier it becomes. Maybe this weeks visit to my friends home gently reminded me that real Hospitality can thrive in the humblest circumstances.

It’s really just a matter of opening our lives to others… giving them the best we have to offer. The only real requirements are beauty and warmth & that little bit of extra effort.

Hospitality is not about inviting people into our perfect homes; it is all about inviting people into our imperfect hearts.

Here are a few things I’ve learned about practicing hospitality. First find yourself a good mentor. I’m often drawn to people who I admire their traits. I watch what they do I was blessed with the best mentors.

My parents both had the gift of Hospitality.  Hospitality was modeled. I also seek out new friendships. that’s the extrovert in me Friendships & hospitality go hand in hand. I have found that the more I let go of the idea that Hospitality is all about impressing others with what I have, I realize the opportunities to show them who I am

Don’t wait until you think you’re ready, because you might never be. Instead, invite friends, family, and even strangers ones that often become special friends into your imperfect heart as often as you can. True hospitality is free.

Here is an easy nosh for any last minute Hospitality. What I really liked about this recipe is that it is easy to prepare & you can use almost anything you have on hand for a substitute. It’s very tasty & filling enough for a meal. if you aren’t too hungry.

GREEK NACHOS

6 pitas (I used whole wheat)

4 oz. Greek feta, crumbled

1/2 c. Greek yogurt

1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil, divided

juice of 1 lemon, divided

2 cucumbers, chopped

1/2 c. chopped kalamata olives

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 c. chopped dill

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400

2. Slice pita into wedges. Put triangles in a single layer on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tbs. olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and oregano. Toss to combine. Bake until toasted, about 20 minutes. Let cool.

Meanwhile, make whipped feta. In a large bowl, combine feta, 1/4 c. Greek yogurt, olive oil & juice of half a lemon. With a hand mixer, mix until fluffy.

4. Dollop whipped feta on baked pita chips. Garnish with cucumber, olives, tomatoes, & dill. Drizzle with more olive oil & the remaining lemon juice over the chips.