Spring time is definitely showing her colors in northern Michigan. The only evidence of a by gone winter, are several dirty, grungy hills of snow scattered here and there around the village that were piled sky high during the winter snowfall. These piles have shrunk to just smallish heaps....a distant memory of the powdery white stuff falling from the sky in December and January.
The tri~colored waters of the bay are sparkling in their glory as the warming sun hits just right. It is a sight I never grow tired of viewing. I'm just waiting in anticipation to see the marina slips beginning to fill up with every size sailing boat ~ a sure sign that others are also thinking of warmer days ahead.
The quietness of the village during the winter is always a welcome respite from the busyness of the summer and fall. But now it's time for the tourists to return and the bustling village to re~awaken as well, to welcome all who journey to our "up north paradise" that we have the luxury of calling home.
Spring is a time of renewal and hope for the gardener's heart. As I peer out my windows I see evidence that there will soon be rebirth in my own quiet, sleeping garden. The tulips and lilies are already beginning to poke up through the ground. Once the leaves are cleared away on all the beds, it's like uncovering a hidden treasure to see what and where the flowers will appear. It's such an awesome thing to behold as the garden wakes up and becomes alive again. I can't wait.
We've been blessed here at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast to have had a busy winter with guest rooms filled beyond expectations for every month of our so called "off season". People definitely have found our special little place in the world....and have kept us busy all winter long. We are so thankful that we can share our home with others who want to explore and experience the Leelanau area and all it has to offer.
Come and see us. We think you will love it here as we do.... www.kornerkottage.com
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
March=Spring Cleaning the Inn and Eating Clean
With the arrival of March I get the itch to commence my annual, old fashioned style of "spring cleaning". Especially since we've become the owners/inn keepers of the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay, I adhere to this old custom of mine even more. It just feels good to move out all the furniture, wash the walls, repaint if necessary, wash and open up windows to let out the old stale air, and let in the fresh spring breezes...even if it is still less than "warm" outside. It is such a satisfying feeling to put everything back together and have it look and smell~fresh, shiny and sparkling clean.
It has also become a custom of mine, in March, to do some spring cleaning of my body as well. Last year I embarked on the "Master Cleanse" which was an interesting form of fasting, drinking only lemonade/cayenne pepper drink, lots of water and a sea salt water drink before bed to "cleanse" from the inside. I lasted on that cleanse for 6 days, which was a huge feat in itself....but then immediately went back to my normal eating habits. I just wanted to try it.
This March I started another cleanse which is much easier to follow. It is called the Quantim Wellness Cleanse by Kathy Freston. It is all about eliminating foods from your diet for 21 days that have negative effects on our healthy systems.
Therefore I have eliminated to the best of my ability all sugars, caffeine, diary, cheese, eggs, meat, or any other animal products, all gluten and alcohol as per her suggestions. This was very intimidating at the onset. I suffered some deprivation the first few days, especially a withdrawal from my morning 2 cups of coffee with creamer. The caffeine headache only lasted 2 days at the most.
Soon I began to feel the up side of this detoxing process. I immediately began to lose unwanted belly fat and a few extra pounds. After the first week I was feeling more energetic than I had anticipated. During this process I am continuing to do my normal daily workouts of running 3 miles every other day and free weights on the off running days. This cleanse has not inhibited my ability to do these workouts at all.
I am now starting the last week of the 21 days. I am already determined that I will continue eating this way even longer. I will probably bring back eating fruit as I do miss that from my diet....but pretty much that is the only thing I miss at this point. I have been finding many interesting ways to prepare vegetables that are very creative and tasty.
I shop at the store in a much more conscious and enlightened way. I mostly end up eating "natural" food which just has to be better for me. I'm even beginning to see my husband adopt some of these food choices as well without any coaxing from me at all.
Normally, my husband does the majority of the cooking at our "inn". He does "all" the breakfast cooking for our guests. But now I am choosing to do the cooking so I am becoming more responsible for the shopping part as well. I must say I am enjoying the whole experience much more than I thought I would.
Today I food a recipe for vegan split pea soup and that's what we're having for dinner tonight. The aroma as it has been simmering this afternoon is filling the house with such good smells. Here is the recipe in case any one would like to try it. Of course the only reason it's vegan is because it is meatless.
Vegan Split Pea Soup
1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 onion chopped, 1-2 bay leaves, 3 garlic cloves, 2 cup dried peas,
1 1/2 teaspoon salt, 7-8 cups water(can use part vegetable broth as well), 3 carrots shredded, 3 celery stalks chopped, 1-3 potatoes (optional), 1/2 cup chopped parsley,
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Saute onion, garlic, bay leaves and celery in olive oil. Add peas and remaining spices with water and vegetable broth. simmer 2 hours and then add carrot shreds and continue simmering until carrots are tender. Can puree part of soup if you like it thicker and less chunky. Enjoy...this is the basic recipe but it can be altered with different spices and addition of mushrooms or spinach, barley.
Here's to more "clean" eating in the future.
It has also become a custom of mine, in March, to do some spring cleaning of my body as well. Last year I embarked on the "Master Cleanse" which was an interesting form of fasting, drinking only lemonade/cayenne pepper drink, lots of water and a sea salt water drink before bed to "cleanse" from the inside. I lasted on that cleanse for 6 days, which was a huge feat in itself....but then immediately went back to my normal eating habits. I just wanted to try it.
This March I started another cleanse which is much easier to follow. It is called the Quantim Wellness Cleanse by Kathy Freston. It is all about eliminating foods from your diet for 21 days that have negative effects on our healthy systems.
Therefore I have eliminated to the best of my ability all sugars, caffeine, diary, cheese, eggs, meat, or any other animal products, all gluten and alcohol as per her suggestions. This was very intimidating at the onset. I suffered some deprivation the first few days, especially a withdrawal from my morning 2 cups of coffee with creamer. The caffeine headache only lasted 2 days at the most.
Soon I began to feel the up side of this detoxing process. I immediately began to lose unwanted belly fat and a few extra pounds. After the first week I was feeling more energetic than I had anticipated. During this process I am continuing to do my normal daily workouts of running 3 miles every other day and free weights on the off running days. This cleanse has not inhibited my ability to do these workouts at all.
I am now starting the last week of the 21 days. I am already determined that I will continue eating this way even longer. I will probably bring back eating fruit as I do miss that from my diet....but pretty much that is the only thing I miss at this point. I have been finding many interesting ways to prepare vegetables that are very creative and tasty.
I shop at the store in a much more conscious and enlightened way. I mostly end up eating "natural" food which just has to be better for me. I'm even beginning to see my husband adopt some of these food choices as well without any coaxing from me at all.
Normally, my husband does the majority of the cooking at our "inn". He does "all" the breakfast cooking for our guests. But now I am choosing to do the cooking so I am becoming more responsible for the shopping part as well. I must say I am enjoying the whole experience much more than I thought I would.
Today I food a recipe for vegan split pea soup and that's what we're having for dinner tonight. The aroma as it has been simmering this afternoon is filling the house with such good smells. Here is the recipe in case any one would like to try it. Of course the only reason it's vegan is because it is meatless.
Vegan Split Pea Soup
1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 onion chopped, 1-2 bay leaves, 3 garlic cloves, 2 cup dried peas,
1 1/2 teaspoon salt, 7-8 cups water(can use part vegetable broth as well), 3 carrots shredded, 3 celery stalks chopped, 1-3 potatoes (optional), 1/2 cup chopped parsley,
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Saute onion, garlic, bay leaves and celery in olive oil. Add peas and remaining spices with water and vegetable broth. simmer 2 hours and then add carrot shreds and continue simmering until carrots are tender. Can puree part of soup if you like it thicker and less chunky. Enjoy...this is the basic recipe but it can be altered with different spices and addition of mushrooms or spinach, barley.
Here's to more "clean" eating in the future.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
First Outdoor 5K of Season
The last week has been just glorious in Suttons Bay. We have had a full week of sunshine and blue skies with temperatures hovering in the 40's. Absolutely spring fever is in the air for me and everyone else up north who has had enough of winter.I've been literally chomping to take my running outside. Six weeks of training inside on the treadmill were testing my patience for an "on the road" run.
With our guests checked out, and my "cinderella" chores at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast done for the day.....my wait was over.
I grabbed my outdoor running gear and my dog, Nestle Quik, my constant running companion and we were off.
The sky was the clearest blue without a cloud in sight and the sun was blindingly bright. The tri colored blues of the water were mesmerizing and sparkling against the ever so quickly melting snow that rimmed the shoreline.
We decided to run along South Shore Drive so we could keep the water in our sight. We had a destination in mind to make our 5K challenge. We set off on a leisurely pace, testing out the legs. Speed was not an issue for this first run of the season. All that treadmill running seemed to have paid off.....it was an easy, easy run. The biggest obstacles were avoiding the mud and trying to keep Nestle Quik from dive bombing the last of the melting snowpiles along the side of the road and pulling me into the snow with her.
Since this is a relatively busy and scenic drive around the bay on the way to Stony Point, it is imperative that Nestle run with me on leash. Not her favorite kind of running but after several adjustments....she and I were in sync and in runners' heaven. We've been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time. Our pace seemed to increase, and before long we were both breathing fairly hard as the scenery was flying by us.
It was so worth it....mud and all. My running shoes were wet and muddy and Nestle had to be bathed off in an outside bucket as she was covered with mud...feet, tail and belly. But she didn't seem to even mind the clean up. She just plain loves to run any where, any time...just let her outside. We both love to run.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Winter Time = Perfect Time for Hearty Soups
There's nothing like cold, snowy and blustery winter weather outside, that inspires me to make hearty, healthy, hot soups to enjoy inside. Good old comfort food is just that...oh so comforting when it's cold outside. Unfortunately some of my favorite "comfort foods" can pack on some "un" comfortable added pounds this time of year. So I have found some great soup recipes that are quick and easy and satisfy as well without all the extra calories. Since our winters seem to last forever up here in Suttons Bay, Michigan, it affords me many opportunities to try out new and healthy soup recipes. Here are a couple I will be making this week. See what you think and let me know. I would enjoy your feed back.
HEARTY KALE SOUP
2 T. olive oil
2 med. onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
6 med. potaotes, cubed (I leave the skins on and use little red poatoes)
8 c. chicken broth (I use low sodium)
1 bay leaf
1 lb kale leaves, washed and torn into smallish pieces
*Saute garlic and onions in olive oil until onions are tender
*In large pot combine potatoes, chicken broth, bay leaf and the sauteed onion and garlic. Cook until potatoes are tender.
*Add kale leaves and cook about 10 more minutes. Remove bay leaf, taste and add salt(I add Mrs Dash's extra spicy instead). Makes abour 12 cups.
I told you it was SIMPLE and healthy.
CURRIED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
1 T. canola oil
1 large onion, chopped ( about 2 cups)
2 cloves of garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
One ~ 2 1/2 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1 inch cubes
6 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 T. plus 2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (I omit and use Mrs. Dash)
2 T honey
4 teaspoons plain non fat yogurt for garnish
*Heat oil over med. heat in large pot. Add onion and garlic and sautee until tender, about 5-6 min. Add squash, broth, curry powder and Mrs. Dash and bring to boil. Reduce the heat to med-low and simmer until squash is tender....about 15 min. Remove soup from heat, stir, add honey and then puree until smooth in pot with an immersion blender....or divide into 2 batches if using a regular blender.
Ladle soup into serving bowls and drizzle with yogurt.
Your sense of sight, smell, and taste will be delighted by this soup. The squash gives it a rich orange color and a natural sweetness that goes perfectly with the fragrant curry spices.
CHICKEN TACO SOUP
1 can chicken breasts 13 oz
1 can diced tomatoes & chilies 11 oz
1 can diced tomatoes 28 oz
1 can green chilies 4 oz
1 can kidney beans 15 oz
1 can black beans 15 o z
1 can whole kernal corn 11 0z
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 pkg.ranch dressing mix
*Shred the canned chicken. Do not drain the remaining cans. Combine all the ingredients into a crock pot or soup pot. Crock pot...cook on high 2 hours or on low 4 hours. If using a soup pan just simmer on low for an hour or more to mix the flavors.
Garnish with Sour cream (low fat or reduced) shredded cheese, crumbled tortilla chips.
If you can open cans...that's the hardest part about making this soup. The flavors blend and make a tummy warming meal.
Enjoy the soups and let me know if you try them and what you think. We enjoy making them and eating them here at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay, Michigan.
HEARTY KALE SOUP
2 T. olive oil
2 med. onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
6 med. potaotes, cubed (I leave the skins on and use little red poatoes)
8 c. chicken broth (I use low sodium)
1 bay leaf
1 lb kale leaves, washed and torn into smallish pieces
*Saute garlic and onions in olive oil until onions are tender
*In large pot combine potatoes, chicken broth, bay leaf and the sauteed onion and garlic. Cook until potatoes are tender.
*Add kale leaves and cook about 10 more minutes. Remove bay leaf, taste and add salt(I add Mrs Dash's extra spicy instead). Makes abour 12 cups.
I told you it was SIMPLE and healthy.
CURRIED BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP
1 T. canola oil
1 large onion, chopped ( about 2 cups)
2 cloves of garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
One ~ 2 1/2 lb. butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1 inch cubes
6 cups low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 T. plus 2 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt (I omit and use Mrs. Dash)
2 T honey
4 teaspoons plain non fat yogurt for garnish
*Heat oil over med. heat in large pot. Add onion and garlic and sautee until tender, about 5-6 min. Add squash, broth, curry powder and Mrs. Dash and bring to boil. Reduce the heat to med-low and simmer until squash is tender....about 15 min. Remove soup from heat, stir, add honey and then puree until smooth in pot with an immersion blender....or divide into 2 batches if using a regular blender.
Ladle soup into serving bowls and drizzle with yogurt.
Your sense of sight, smell, and taste will be delighted by this soup. The squash gives it a rich orange color and a natural sweetness that goes perfectly with the fragrant curry spices.
CHICKEN TACO SOUP
1 can chicken breasts 13 oz
1 can diced tomatoes & chilies 11 oz
1 can diced tomatoes 28 oz
1 can green chilies 4 oz
1 can kidney beans 15 oz
1 can black beans 15 o z
1 can whole kernal corn 11 0z
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
1 pkg.ranch dressing mix
*Shred the canned chicken. Do not drain the remaining cans. Combine all the ingredients into a crock pot or soup pot. Crock pot...cook on high 2 hours or on low 4 hours. If using a soup pan just simmer on low for an hour or more to mix the flavors.
Garnish with Sour cream (low fat or reduced) shredded cheese, crumbled tortilla chips.
If you can open cans...that's the hardest part about making this soup. The flavors blend and make a tummy warming meal.
Enjoy the soups and let me know if you try them and what you think. We enjoy making them and eating them here at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay, Michigan.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
XC Skiing the TART TRAIL in Suttons Bay, MI
When I was awakened by the snowplows this morning.....I just knew it was going to be the perfect morning to hit the trail for some xc skiing. As much as I enjoy winter in northern Michigan, for some reason, this winter has not been my most active out doors. We spent all of January in Florida and then promptly hit the Body Balance Fitness Center in Suttons Bay to get back into our fitness routine. So, in between taking care of our winter time visitors at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in Suttons Bay, working out and many other various excuses..... I just haven't enjoyed the winter weather as much as normal. This morning I made up for that.The sun was shining, the air was chilly, fresh snow had fallen, the trail was recently groomed, my husband was an equally avid adventurer, and of course Nestle Quik, our Portuguese water dog......well, she was ecstatic. There is nothing that she enjoys more than a romp in freshly fallen snow. She doesn't care when or where...just let her out of the house to play in the snow and she is a happy, happy dog.We gathered our gear. We went and we conquered. We returned with happy hearts, plenty of laughs and good memories of another fun time spent playing in the snow. Those who do not have the luxury of winter time in northern Michigan.....well you just can not appreciate what you are missing.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Winter Time Fun in Northern Michigan
We woke up early and got our morning chores completed so we were actually on route by 9:00.
We did our usual Traverse City stops; Sam's club, Meijers and Wal Mart~gathering supplies, food and sundries for a weekend houseful of guests at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast.
At last we were free to spend some time doing the fun things we enjoy most about winter in Michigan. With our fur friend~Nestle Quik leading the way~ we romped and stomped, running and puffing our way around the fabulous hiking trails on the Grand Traverse Commoms grounds. We figured we were out there a good hour and a half. We did not even begin to cover all of the trails. We didn't have our snow shoes or our xc skis or even our sleds...but we certainly could have. We just had on boots with our yak tracks and we had a blast.
We tackled the biggest hills we could find...Nestle of course beating us to the top as usual. She loves to play monkey in the middle and she is always the monkey, running back and forth between us, up and down the trails. She loves to be called and egged on from one of us to the other. Her end prize is a treat doled out from each of us at either end of her romp. She never seems to get enough. She will do this as long as we can stay out there. She tires, but she never quits. We always quit first.
It was a perfect morning, sunny and not too cold. There were others out taking advantage of the day and the trails, but the property is so large, you can have as much solitude as you like. We saw some kids with their parents using sleds on some of the really steep , slick packed hills. So fast and so fun on the trip down, but always a challenge to get back up to the top. We saw solitary snow shoe rs, some who were accompanied by their fur friends and some just enjoying the alone time.
Our plan had been to get back to Suttons Bay and then go to Body Balance to finish working out.....we didn't even need to. We had the best work out available...fresh air, running up and down snow covered trails trying to keep up with a frisky, fun loving 4 footed friend who just can't get enough of winter time fun. She gets us out in the winter and we are so glad she does.
Those who don't take advantage of the beauty of winter do not know what they are missing.
We did our usual Traverse City stops; Sam's club, Meijers and Wal Mart~gathering supplies, food and sundries for a weekend houseful of guests at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast.
At last we were free to spend some time doing the fun things we enjoy most about winter in Michigan. With our fur friend~Nestle Quik leading the way~ we romped and stomped, running and puffing our way around the fabulous hiking trails on the Grand Traverse Commoms grounds. We figured we were out there a good hour and a half. We did not even begin to cover all of the trails. We didn't have our snow shoes or our xc skis or even our sleds...but we certainly could have. We just had on boots with our yak tracks and we had a blast.
We tackled the biggest hills we could find...Nestle of course beating us to the top as usual. She loves to play monkey in the middle and she is always the monkey, running back and forth between us, up and down the trails. She loves to be called and egged on from one of us to the other. Her end prize is a treat doled out from each of us at either end of her romp. She never seems to get enough. She will do this as long as we can stay out there. She tires, but she never quits. We always quit first.
It was a perfect morning, sunny and not too cold. There were others out taking advantage of the day and the trails, but the property is so large, you can have as much solitude as you like. We saw some kids with their parents using sleds on some of the really steep , slick packed hills. So fast and so fun on the trip down, but always a challenge to get back up to the top. We saw solitary snow shoe rs, some who were accompanied by their fur friends and some just enjoying the alone time.
Our plan had been to get back to Suttons Bay and then go to Body Balance to finish working out.....we didn't even need to. We had the best work out available...fresh air, running up and down snow covered trails trying to keep up with a frisky, fun loving 4 footed friend who just can't get enough of winter time fun. She gets us out in the winter and we are so glad she does.
Those who don't take advantage of the beauty of winter do not know what they are missing.
Monday, February 15, 2010
How I Ended Up in Suttons Bay?
Was it always a life long dream of mine to become an inn keeper? Not on your life!!! In fact, it was a very random and impulsive decision made primarily by my husband, who just happened to love to cook. That hobby is what landed us at the Korner Kottage Bed and Breakfast in the quaint, little village of Suttons Bay, Michigan.
We actually first arrived in Suttons Bay by accident. Traveling to Traverse City was a popular destination for us. On a whim we just happened to go to Northport searching for a cottage that had been owned by relatives many years ago. I'm embarrassed to say, as life long Michigan residents, neither of us had ever heard of the Leelanau Peninusla. We were pleasantly surprised!!! M~22 is the most scenic route any where, ever.
As we set off for Northport, we happened through Suttons Bay. We immediately had to stop to wander the village streets and the marina/park area. At the end of the village on our way towards Northport, we noticed this cute bed and breakfast. Jim made a mental note of it and consequently began the quest to get a reservation in the summer. Much to our chagrin it was almost impossible to book a one night stay in the summer. Not to be defeated, several summers later he wore down the previous inn keeper and secured our reservation. (Only now to do we understand why it was difficult to get a last minute reservation here in the summer.)
Upon arrival I was dropped off at Hats and Haberdashery,(now Haystacks) my new "favorite" shop in the village, while Jim went on to check in. In a short time of introductions and chit chat, he had established that the inn keeper was possibly looking to continue for 5-6 six more years before looking to do something else. Jim~impulsively said, "Here is my card, when you are ready to sell, call me as I want to buy your business". When this conversation was repeated to me I was shocked. We had never talked of this, and besides I was still teaching and well...not to worry.....she will never call us . But trick on us, she called us that winter stating she might like to sell sooner than she thought.
WE held off making final arrangements for another 2 summers, but eventually ended up selling our home down state as we acquired the Korner Kottage to become it's new innkeepers in April 2006.
We have learned "enormously" about inn keeping since our first, naive summer season as inn keepers. We have the inn keeping "thing" down to a well oiled machine by now. We have been pleasantly surprised by how well we seem to fit into this world of nurturing and care giving.
It has enriched our lives in a way that is frankly, indescribable. Yes, it was weird the first few times we had complete strangers staying in our home. But now, it is an opportunity to meet new faces, and just another set of guests, who arrive as strangers but depart as friends.
We live like company is always coming and are better off for it. To share our home with strangers walking through our door is a gift we just can not explain. It is a wonderful experience that has expanded and enriched our life experiences. We get to witness the best of mankind here. We honestly have not had a difficult guest....ever. Besides, it's a wonderful excuse to have a bouquet of fresh flowers on the table year round.
We actually first arrived in Suttons Bay by accident. Traveling to Traverse City was a popular destination for us. On a whim we just happened to go to Northport searching for a cottage that had been owned by relatives many years ago. I'm embarrassed to say, as life long Michigan residents, neither of us had ever heard of the Leelanau Peninusla. We were pleasantly surprised!!! M~22 is the most scenic route any where, ever.
As we set off for Northport, we happened through Suttons Bay. We immediately had to stop to wander the village streets and the marina/park area. At the end of the village on our way towards Northport, we noticed this cute bed and breakfast. Jim made a mental note of it and consequently began the quest to get a reservation in the summer. Much to our chagrin it was almost impossible to book a one night stay in the summer. Not to be defeated, several summers later he wore down the previous inn keeper and secured our reservation. (Only now to do we understand why it was difficult to get a last minute reservation here in the summer.)
Upon arrival I was dropped off at Hats and Haberdashery,(now Haystacks) my new "favorite" shop in the village, while Jim went on to check in. In a short time of introductions and chit chat, he had established that the inn keeper was possibly looking to continue for 5-6 six more years before looking to do something else. Jim~impulsively said, "Here is my card, when you are ready to sell, call me as I want to buy your business". When this conversation was repeated to me I was shocked. We had never talked of this, and besides I was still teaching and well...not to worry.....she will never call us . But trick on us, she called us that winter stating she might like to sell sooner than she thought.
WE held off making final arrangements for another 2 summers, but eventually ended up selling our home down state as we acquired the Korner Kottage to become it's new innkeepers in April 2006.
We have learned "enormously" about inn keeping since our first, naive summer season as inn keepers. We have the inn keeping "thing" down to a well oiled machine by now. We have been pleasantly surprised by how well we seem to fit into this world of nurturing and care giving.
It has enriched our lives in a way that is frankly, indescribable. Yes, it was weird the first few times we had complete strangers staying in our home. But now, it is an opportunity to meet new faces, and just another set of guests, who arrive as strangers but depart as friends.
We live like company is always coming and are better off for it. To share our home with strangers walking through our door is a gift we just can not explain. It is a wonderful experience that has expanded and enriched our life experiences. We get to witness the best of mankind here. We honestly have not had a difficult guest....ever. Besides, it's a wonderful excuse to have a bouquet of fresh flowers on the table year round.
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