We have discussed ICE (In Case of Emergency) packs here before.  Today's post is about an ICE pack for your purse.  We made this one for a homecoming dance, but it can easily be transferred from purse to purse for life's little emergencies.  

I was always amazed at Samantha Stephens from ‘Bewitched’.  Although she did sometimes use a bit of wizardry, she managed to keep her house perfectly clean and always ready for the impromptu dinner guests that Darrin brought home.  At times, we all wish we could wiggle our noses and be ready on short notice.  Today we are going to tackle a few tips to help you in your quest.

Impromtu or not, guests will remember the experience in your home with their senses.  Address all of them and you are sure to be a hit.

Sight – This is where the cleaning comes in.  You’ve got an hour or less before your guest arrives.  What do you do?

• Start at the front door… outside.  Make sure that it is inviting.  At the very least, make sure it is tidy.
• Next, take on the entryway.  If nothing else, this first impression must be the closest to perfect.
• Now, go in order around the house, but only address those areas that your guest will use or see.  If you have a door to the back of the house, close it.  If your upstairs needs addressing, save that for later. At the very least be sure that the trip from the door to the living room and from the living room to the bathroom is appealing.   
• As a sidenote:  one very good way to reduce some stress is to spend 15 minutes each day before bed tidying up.  If you make a sweep around the place routinely, clean up won’t take up your entire weekend.
• A quick dusting should be done from eye level down at the very least. 
• Regarding the guest bathroom… to get a quick, ‘fake’, super clean bathroom keep paper towels and rubbing alcohol on hand.  Swirl a toilet brush around the bowl of the toilet and then clean all surfaces with a paper towel moistened with rubbing alcohol.  Be sure the toilet paper is full and replace the hand towel.  Don’t forget to wipe up the floor.
• Carry around a bin or basket with you to collect up all clutter that belongs elsewhere.  Remember to put those things away after your guest has gone.

Smell – Have some air freshener on hand.  Consider burning a fragrant, good quality candle.  I prefer Firewood by Henri Bendel for its homey scent. The key here is subtlety.  As with personal fragrance, less is more.  The goal is to create a pleasing environment, not clobber your guest with vanilla mist.  Another good idea is to give a few sprays of odor neutralizer.  Lastly, we often put a small pot of water with citrus slices and spices on the stove for a very fresh scent.

Sound – Have playlists ready.  Make a few in whatever music software you use for just the right occasion.  Make sure that you have a playlist that is long enough to last for hours in case your dinner lasts longer than expected.  Here is one we did for a brunch you can use for inspiration.  If you use an online service like Pandora, have some ‘stations’ set that will convey the mood you desire.

Taste – Keep snacks on hand that are guest-friendly.  An assortment of cheese and crackers, nuts, olives, and some chocolates is a good start.  Make sure these are either reserved for guests or replenished as necessary.  Hummus and pita or bread is a good idea, too.  Be sure to have a stocked bar and at least 1 bottle each of red and white wine on hand.  Whether you drink it or not, always have coffee and tea in your home for guests… and offer it.

Feel – How does your furniture feel?  Flip the cushions and fluff the pillows.  If you keep your favorite (worn) blanket out to cozy up with for TV watching, stow it until your guest leaves.  Keep a lint roller in your home and run it over the sofa to remove any small debris or pet hair.  Also, how does it 'feel' to sit in your living room.  Is it easy to place your drink on a table?  Is the arrangement intimate enough for conversation?  Move pieces around as necessary.

We all get sidetracked from time to time, and an unexpected guest can completely throw a wrench into our usual plan.  By staying on top of routine cleaning, you will be ahead of the game.  Get the family involved and assign tasks or rooms for everyone.  Just be sure to rotate duties to keep it fair. 

A few closing notes…

1. Make sure you leave enough time to tend to yourself before your guest arrives.  No matter how much you’ve done, it won’t matter if the first impression is you smelling of Ajax with a feather duster hanging out of your back pocket.
2. If you stick to appealing to your guest's five senses you will create an experience that says you know how to entertain.
3. Lastly, don’t stress too much.  Of course, we all want our home to be a good reflection of who we are, but your guest is ultimately coming to see YOU.  A certain amount of charm will trump a stack of dirty dishes every time.

savour… preparedness

Do you ever feel like your to do list is far too long for ordinary paper?  Here is a relatively easy project with fantastic results.  I like to think of it as somewhere between modern art and organization.  I must say that I like art that evolves.  Part of this may have to do with my desire to keep creating things.  Part of it may be because I have the attention span of a gnat and like things to be fresh and exciting.

This piece hung over a simple writing desk can be used as your dry erase board, filled with doodles, or a lovely hand-written poem.  The materials are very easy to find and the hardest part is working out the math for even lines.

savour… doodle space

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Recipes are an important part of our lives.  For many they are passed from friend to friend or through the generations as a reminder of those who went before us.  Keeping them safe and organized is important, too.  Poking them inside a cookbook and hoping for the best seldom works.  Today we cover where to keep them and how to organize them.

I remember quite clearly that back in the 70’s my mom subscribed to a recipe club by mail.  Her subscription began with a green, plastic, flip-top box and about a dozen cards.  Then each month an envelope would arrive with a handful of easy recipes for the everyday housewife.  The recipes were printed on laminated cards and always included a glossy photo of the finished product.  Perhaps that is when my love for food photography began.

Decades later I find myself with my own box full of recipes I have collected over the years.  I have tried to keep other methods, but I prefer a box for a couple of reasons.  First, the recipes are small enough to prop up somewhere out of the way.  Full sheets sometimes take up valuable counter space.  Also, I don’t care to have my computer near the food prep area.  I bookmark plenty of recipes,   but only print those that interest me.  I try to print them on index cards whenever that is an easy option.  Lastly, I want to have something I can physically pass down through my family.  I still have recipes that were handwritten nearly 100 years ago.

savour... hard copies

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Chalkboards are such a great thing to have around the house.  They are perfect for jotting quick notes, posting the menu, or creating changeable art.  Making a custom sized chalkboard is easier than you think and you can add in some features that you wouldn’t be able to get from a store bought version.

The chalkboard in our photos today has the added benefit of being metal based for magnets.  This makes it perfect for the kitchen or mudroom or wherever you call your hub. Making your chalkboard magnetic dramatically enhances its usefulness.  This is an excellent place to store post cards, invitations, signed school forms, etc.  For a few dollars you can even find magnetic storage containers to hold your chalk pens.  Check a craft store or teacher supply store. 

savour...  a clean slate

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We continue our Monday Series, Successful School-year Strategies, with a look at organizing your kids (and yourself) for school.  By maintaining a routine and very specific guidelines for paper placement you will point your compass in a successful direction.

Here’s the scenario, you come home to start dinner.  Before the pasta water is boiling you have art projects in your face, permission slips to sign, and two birthday parties that need your RSVP.  It is easy to become overwhelmed by the sea of information.  Here we offer a few tips to move you along.  Please post your tips, comments or questions following the post.

savour… filing systems

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I love the feeling you get when you come home from the supermarket and your cupboards are full. There is something satisfying about checking off one of the boxes in Maslow's hierarchy of needs so you can securely move on to other more gratifying pursuits.  If that's not enough, there is also the security in knowing that you won't end up running to the nearest supermarket mid-recipe for an ingredient that you "just knew" you had.  As with so many things in this modern life, planning and organization is the key.  Fortunately, after you have set the ball in motion it is fairly easy to maintain.  You may have to change your habits slightly, but the payoff will be worthwhile.

To begin you may be forced to make some tough decisions.  Don't save anything that you are never going to use.  Also, it's time to look at all the expiration dates and toss the stuff that clutters up your cupboards.  Make space for the new and improved pantry.

savour... what you need at your fingertips

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