Explorations Play Studio

Welcome to "Explorations Play Studio", where Nicole practices hospitality in her special way...

In my last post I wrote about how my sister-in-law, Nicole, has the gift of creating spaces that inspire...  Well, aside from her lovely home, she has made the most inviting play place for kids called "Explorations Play Studio".  Using her experiences as a former preschool and kindergarten teacher, and as mother to 2 great girls, along with her God-given gifts, she has developed a haven for play.  Nicole acts as the hostess.  She welcomes parents and children into her space and nurtures them completely.  Her motivation was to give back to her community in Charlottesville, Virgina.  She practices hospitality in her workplace so graciously.  Check out these pictures! 

Don't you want to go and explore and play?!

As you can see, her studio is pleasing to the eye, but when you go there, it smells so good too!  This past visit, we were greeted by the relaxing scent of lavender.  The colors are also soothing and she plays nice music.  And the 'toys' are merely props for one's imagination.  She has great hollow blocks for building houses, restaurants, ramps, roads ... what ever you dream-up.  She has whimsical and eclectic accessories to add in, such as dishes, play foods, small animals, balls, etc.  And there's a sensory table that's contents change based on the season.  We played with corn kernels and bowls.  In the winter the table might be filled with play snow, polar bears, plastic ice-cubes and penguins.  It's all just too cute!  A session at the studio ends with a circle time.  A stuffed frog is passed around and hugged on as the kids share their favorite thing about their play-time.  Then each child is handed a warm, lavender scented wash cloth to wipe hands, face, nose etc. with.  This ritual concludes a play experience like no other.  All senses have been awakened, most importantly, a child's spirit.  I only wish EPS were closer, we'd be there every day!   There's nothing like being in a place where hospitality is practiced excellently!  I love you, Nicole.  Thanks for inspiring me.

For more information about Explorations Play Studio, please visit explorationsplaystudio.com, or check them out on Facebook.  You could also ask me any questions.  Thank you.

Remember, to practice hospitality.  What are you excellent at and are you using your God-given gifts?  Share them with me ...

more from VA

Here we are gathered around the table on Thanksgiving Day.  My brother, Mark is taking the picture.  Mark and Nicole are gracious hosts and always have been.  They have a lovely home that is welcoming and comfortable.  Nicole has the gift of creating spaces that inspire, her home is one of these places ... I will post more about her later.  We enjoyed being on the receiving end of hospitality;  we ate well, played well and got lots of love. 

 It feels like I've been away from this computer for weeks, but it's only been days!  I just imported 163 photos from Thanksgiving, but won't subject you to all of those in one sitting. ;-)  One of the benefits to blogging is I take more pictures.  This means Scott is not the only one taking them and he appears in more pictures now!  I like taking pictures because it forces me to live in the moment.  I feel 'present' when I am inspired to grab my camera and click away.  Below is a picture of Scott making my Dad crack up laughing.  This is one of my favorite things to see!

 

Our family had a great trip to VA.  I am refreshed and ready to practice hospitality.  I hope you feel the same and are ready for this 'most wonderful time of year.'

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

I'm full... of turkey and stuffing and potatoes, pie and ice cream, but mostly filled with thanks.  It's been a wonderful day at my brother's house.  Another special Thanksgiving.  There's nothing better than sitting around a nicely set table, eating delicious food with family, giving thanks.  I felt it.  I felt that deep, almost overwhelming feeling that takes over when you practice hospitality.  For me, it's spiritual.

Happy Thanksgiving, 2011.

Thanksgiving service

We had our Thanksgiving service at church yesterday.  Before going in Jacob told me that if I cried while sharing something, he would walk out.  (Typical 12 1/2 year old!)  He remembers last year.  I couldn't hold back the tears then.  We were still kinda new to The Plant and I was just sooooo thankful for Rob and Sue and their vision for church.  I said I was particularly thankful that Jacob was hearing solid teachings from the Bible from a very authentic guy.    

Well, it's a good thing Jacob didn't say he would walk out if I cried while listening to other people talk.  I'm glad I had a tissue in my purse!  I love services like this... when you get to hear from other people and see just how much God cares about all of us; business men and women, teachers, mommies, college kids!  He loves us all!! 

When I shared yesterday, I did not cry.  I said that I was so thankful to not just be a part of a church, but to be a part of a community of believers who share a common mission; to know God and make Him known by loving and serving those around us.  Rob summed  it up by talking about how belonging gives us purpose.  That made sense to me because I've been feeling like my life has new purpose lately.  This blog is a result of that new found purpose.  I've concluded that practicing hospitality is the key.  Hospitality creates the opportunity for people to participate in community.  When you invite someone in and they feel your authentic love, you give them the gift of belonging.  Maybe they will find new purpose too. 

community of geese

Hair cuts

I got my hair cut today.   When I got home, I asked Scott to take a picture of me.  He took about 15!  I felt so goofy posing and I couldn't smile naturally.  I don't know how models do it!!  Anyway, I think the above picture captures 'me' because I'm laughing, at Scott, of course! 

I got my hair cut at Salon Elisabeth on Central Ave. in Midland Park.  The owner, Elisabeth, is cool and sweet and has created a beautiful salon.  Most importantly, she gives great hair cuts!  The reason why I am posting about her and her salon on my hospitality blog is because Elisabeth has created an atmosphere that is welcoming.  Offering hospitality certainly is not reserved for home, but should be practiced in businesses too.  Elisabeth takes this to the next level in her salon.  She has a cozy room in the back with a table set for dinner so girlfriends could get their hair colored and enjoy a yummy meal from nearby Rosario's Restaurant.  How neat is that?  I am in need/want of highlights, so if you are too, let me know and we could make an evening out of it ;-)

Karalyn got her hair cut today too, by Liz.  Liz is another sweet and great hair cutter at Salon Elisabeth!  I love Karalyn's new look.  Jillian came along, but is not sure if she's ready for a cut.  When she is, we know where we're going!

counting thanksgiving

I'm thankful for this awesome sky

If the countdown to Thanksgiving has begun, how about counting thanksgiving? 

I follow the blog, 'A Holy Experience' by Ann Voskamp.  She is the author of the best selling book One Thousand Gifts, A Dare To Live Fully Right Where You Are.  She poetically writes about what she learned while accepting the challenge to record 1,000 things she is thankful for.  She is deeply spiritual and vulnerable as she shares her personal story.  Hers is not a positive thinking book, but one that leads the reader into the discipline of recognizing the gifts that surround us, even amidst pain and loss.  She gracefully writes how this act of counting thanks healed her heart and increased her faith in a loving God.

Giving thanks is an act of humility.  God gets so much bigger and we get smaller when we 'count thanksgiving'.  A heart that turns to God to say "thank you" is one that gives credit to God, the giver of gifts.  We may not always understand God's ways, but giving thanks gives us peace and increases our faith.

God may seem like a mystery, but somehow through the act of 'counting thanksgiving' He seems to give us some clues to help us better understand Him.  Let's not wait until Thanksgiving Day to give God thanks.... let's start counting thanksgiving today!

Have a beautiful weekend.  Invite someone in and have fun as you practice hospitality.

Thanksgiving countdown begins...

The count down to Thanksgiving begins...  Only 7 more days to get everything done!  Let's not panic.  If you are hosting, hopefully you've ordered your Turkey and have your menu written out.  Hopefully you've enlisted some helpers and are not going to make all the items yourself.  If you haven't delegated, please do so.  Also, keep a to-do-list handy and cross something off everyday so that you're not leaving it all for next week.  Even when you are not hosting, there's plenty of work to do!

We are going to Virginia, to my brother's house.  Mark created a spread sheet for the 'big day' and we all know what we're bringing.  I am responsible for the sweet potato casserole.  I got the recipe from a friend, who got it from her MIL, and I have been making it for years!  It's full of butter and brown sugar and has a pecan crumble on top, not mini marshmallows.  It's seriously delicious.  I also will bring homemade cranberry sauce.  The kids like to make this with me.  Finally, I will make a pumpkin pie.  These 3 items can be made ahead of time and travel well.

If you are going to be a guest somewhere, it's nice to bring a small gift for the host.  If you are staying over night, some other food items might be appreciated.  When my brother and his family stayed with us last year they brought a chicken pot pie for another meal.  It was helpful and yummy!  Quiches travel well and make for an easy breakfast the next morning.

A fun way to enlist the kid's help is by having them make place cards.  They can use card stock, markers, and stickers to make cute ones.  Having some games ready for little one's who don't want to sit for hours at the table is a good idea too.  If you have a separate table for the kids, covering it with butcher paper so they can draw on it helps keep them busy.  They could also write or draw all the things they are thankful for.

Finally, let's not forget to enjoy Thanksgiving.  It's a day to practice hospitality and you don't want to be too stressed out.  May your heart of thanks spill out on to all those around you.  Happy planning.

Yay forTrader Joe's

"Okay."  I say this little word a lot when I'm transitioning from one thing to another.  I bet I say it 100 times a day!!  Scott says it now, too.  We catch ourselves saying it at the same time and laugh.  Anyway, I'm trying to grab a minute here to encourage you to check out your favorite grocery store for some quick and easy items to have 'on hand' for those impromptu hospitality moments.  Some of my favorites are hummus and pita crackers, cheese, apples, popcorn, mixed nuts and dried fruit, veggies and to drink, coffee and flavored teas.  I don't want you to think that in order to invite someone in you must offer freshly baked cookies, homemade breads or muffins.... they do make candles in these yummy scents :-)

I happen to like Trader Joe's.  I have a few friends who really like it there too and have recommended lots of good stuff.  (Thanks)  They have lots to choose from, fresh and frozen and the prices are good.  Months ago we hosted a college friend of Scotts' and his lovely wife and I fed them Trader Joe's all weekend.  Mini-tacos, chips and salsa, Pulled Pork sandwiches, Mandarin Chicken and rice... it was kinda funny, but the great thing was that I really enjoyed myself!  I got to hang-out with the 'big kids' and I wasn't stressed and the meals were good.  My brother shared this quote with my Dad who shared it with me;  "Don't let excellent be the enemy of good enough."  Besides, if you offer something good to your friends, they're gonna think you are excellent.  Have a great day.

Spills happen

After the girls final soccer games on Saturday we headed to The Fireplace for lunch.  Taking our kids out to eat isn't always pleasant.   For example, it takes time to figure out what each one wants to order, where everyone is going to sit and what to do when Karalyn's lemonade spills all over the table, floor and Jillian's legs!  I was frustrated because things weren't going smoothly, but I have to ask myself, "What did you expect?"  So often my expectations are too high... for myself and my family.  As a result, I end up feeling disappointed.  What's sad about this is that I end up missing the moment.  Spills happen and they can be cleaned up a lot easier than wounded hearts.

As we practice hospitality together, let's try to stay cool.  The Holiday's are coming! and now is the time to set some realistic expectations on ourselves, our kids and others.  I don't want to miss any more moments because of some silly spills, how about you?

Friday already?!

Is it Friday already?  As much as I love weekends, sometimes I'm not ready...  not ready to have everyone home all day, for 2 days, if I'm going to be perfectly honest.  The main reason for that is because it takes being organized and come Friday I'm often tired and pretty unorganized!  What helps is if I've had the chance to vacuum and at least know what we're doing for dinner :-)  Seriously, what helps me the most is when I don't rely on how I'm feeling, but I do what I know I should do... and that is practice hospitality... on my family, friends, and anyone else God puts in my path.

I wish you a fun Fall weekend.  Practice some hospitality, won't you?!  Feel free to post a comment and tell me about what you do.

hungry kids, always hungry!!

hungry?

Yesterday I went to my friend Aura's house and today I went to my in-law's house.  I was refreshed physically, emotionally and spiritually in both places.  Funny how when someone practices hospitality on you, you realize just how 'hungry' you were.  Hungry to talk, to be encouraged, to see something pretty, to taste something good...  I think about how important friends and family are and how these relationships need to be nourished.  I think about how we need to give and also receive from those who love us. 

From now on, I hope to think differently when someone opens their door to me.  I will try not to take it for granted.  I will try to remember to say, "Thank you so much" and really mean it because I know it's not always easy to host people.  It's not always easy or convenient, but there are a lot of 'hungry' people out there.  Are you hungry?  If so, give hospitality a try, you just might find yourself being nourished as you nourish someone else :-) 

Community Group Soup!

If weekends are a great time to practice hospitality,

 then Mondays are a great time to blog about it ;-)

We host a Community Group on Sunday evenings.  Yesterday our group had a lot of fun making... soup!  Before you think I'm just totally crazy about soup I'll let you know it wasn't my idea!  The activity came from a book we're working through called the Tangible Kingdom Primer. 

I was just following directions :-)

Bliss's cabbage was the size of a bowling ball!

Anyway, everyone participated by bringing a few ingredients and then we got to work,

chopping, shredding, and peeling.  I must say we made a delicious Minestrone Soup

and had quite a few laughs doing so!

Scott chops while celebrity chefs Sarah and Robbie look on (well kind-of)

Jyoti is so proud of Jeremy!  He did a great job pouring!!

 

While we ate we talked about being a part of a community.  Just like a soup, there are many ingredients that go into making a community.  We listed some, such as, love, belonging, commonality, inclusive, security, and vulnerability.  I think the main ingredient from our Community Group Soup was FUN!

the kids love caring for "the babies"



weekends are for...

Weekends are a great time to practice hospitality... I hope you find yourself surrounded by friends and/or family, sharing some laughs and just enjoying life together.  Whatever you do, invite someone in... 

Have a wonder-full weekend :-)

power is on

Our neighbors have finally gotten their power restored!   Dozens of houses have been without power for 6 days!  I am so relieved and happy for them.  I am also amazed by how well people handled the situation.  I honestly don't know if I would have been as good.  I did not hear a lot of complaining, but heard how family and friends helped out.  How great is that?!  We all need each other!!  

Well, this hospitality gal did not come to any one's rescue.  That's okay.  My lesson, just be available. 

get some sleep

The branches that have lined our street for the past few days were picked up today and all my kids were able to go to school.   I was thankful for some peace and quiet this morning.  With 4 kids, I don't get a lot of that.  I also don't get a lot of  sleep, but I can't always blame the children for that either!   I went to bed early last night.  A good nights sleep makes a big difference for me.  

When we were without power we went to bed much earlier than we normally do because there was no TV or computer to sit in front of.  Plus, we were tired.  I'll have to remember that.  I'll have to remember that just because I can... doesn't mean I have to.  Just because I can stay up and watch TV, read email, check FB, etc. doesn't mean I have to or even should.  I do know that it's important for me to take care of myself so that I can better take care of others.   I hope to do that this afternoon...