Wednesday, May 29, 2013

When Company Comes

Southern Hospitality

I spent much of yesterday morning in little errands and housework.  I picked up one of my girls and one of the grandbabies.  We did some shopping and came home.  Most of my children were here yesterday, along with one of their friends.  My parlour was neat and tidy and I made a nice lunch of lasagna with sesame Italian bread. 

There was chocolate cake and tea for those who wanted a nice afternoon refreshment.   Everyone spent time outside, walking the grounds, or playing games indoors.  We visited throughout the house and helped take care of baby.

The ones who weren't here, telephoned in their visit.  They missed home and wanted to be here.   We had a few pictures to look through; and talked of daily life and news.

I cleaned throughout the day, just a few minutes here, a few dishes to wash there, a chair to tuck in and a floor to tidy, and things stayed nice.  I did laundry for one of the grown children.  (I love when they come home with their laundry!)  Then I rested for a few late afternoon hours.  Children came into my room and sat with me while I rested and we enjoyed a little Pepsi.

The past few weeks, I have been reading "To Kill a Mockingbird."  Aunt Alexandra hosted The Ladies Missionary Society in the family parlour.  Southern neighbors would get all dressed up and have a nice meeting. They would talk of needs in distant or local lands, and then it was time for refreshments.  Treats and tea were served on pretty trays.  This was where young "Scout" learned to be a lady.  Perhaps we can have some sort of missionary society in our own homes.  What a nice way to have company, when one uses a portion of their visiting time, for noble causes.

When company comes, even if it is mostly family, it feels like a holiday. It is also a lovely time to enjoy being a homemaker.  It is the time to feel rewarded for all the hard labor of washing floors, cleaning windows, and dusting furniture.  It is a sweet "recital" at the end of a hard week of work, to showcase ones happy home and share a bit of Christian Hospitality.   

Blessings
Mrs. White





3 comments:

Unknown said...

Hello!
Another lovely post thank you. I like to read a post or two in the morning and it sets me up nicely for the day! :-)
It must be a lot of work to keep up a blog like this so thank you. It gives so many people so much pleasure!
Lots of love,
Nell from NOTTINGHAM UK xxccxn

busymomof10 said...

Sweet post! I loved this line:

"It is a sweet "recital" at the end of a hard week of work, to showcase ones happy home and share a bit of Christian Hospitality."

Thank you for your lovely, encouraging words and for motivating me to "keep house!"

blessings,
Elizabeth

Deanna said...

Dear Mrs. White,

A sweet time with family!
May you have many more,
d