home about me our home

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

How To Be Prepared For Unexpected Guest

 


unexpectedGuests2

Yesterday’s post was about making a convenient coffee bar for your guest. In today’s post I thought I would share  a few ideas I like to have on hand for when an unexpected guest drops in.

Even if someone drops in it is always nice to have some kind of beverage for them to drink. Most people will usually not want something to eat, but will almost always have something to drink.

Even a glass of water can be made more special by adding fruit to a pretty pitcher of water.


You can use any fruit that you like, but I like to use strawberries, blue berries, black berries and some wedges of pineapple. It is not only pretty, but really tasty.



I always have lemons, and limes on hand to add to sparkling water. I love Blue Italy sparkling water, it not only taste good but the bottle is really pretty.




Another good little treat to keep on hand is Trader Joe's mini Almond Biscotti. One little cookie with a cup of coffee is a special little treat.

4196511168_24e4dd3ea3_o

When serving hot chocolate a topper of whipped cream is always a fun addition. A sprinkle of cinnamon is a wonderful touch, and adds just the right flavor.

None of the above ideas are anything grand, or costly, but ideas that we can all do for our family, and friends. I have these things on hand all the time, and I make sure I do them for myself as well.

I keep them in the door of my refrigerator for easy access. You will notice the two bottles with latched tops,these hold my simple syrup for drinks.

Coffee Bar 007 (800x600)

Simple syrup  is such an easy thing to keep on hand, and makes it so much easier to put sugar in cold, or hot drinks.

To make simple syrup you add equal parts sugar and water. You bring it to a boil to make sure all the sugar is dissolved.


Coffee Bar 006 (600x800)
Cool it, put it in a covered container, put it in the refrigerator. It will stay good for a month, or so.

 I read some people put in a little bit of vodka in it to keep it from going bad. That helps too add a longer shelf life.

You can become creative by choosing a fun container to keep it in, or to serve it in.

I use the latched container, or if I want to get a little fancier I will put it in a pretty clear glass container, like the little striped container on my tray…….


Coffee Bar 008 (600x800)
(You can see the container on the left of the silver bowl)

Another thing I like to do if I have more than one guest is to have coffee cups out and available.

My Mom took a class years ago on how to do a proper tea. The lady that taught the class was from England. She taught my Mom how to stack coffee cups in a way that I have never seen before, or since.


Coffee Bar 015 (800x600)
Take a stack of four saucers and four cups, lay the cups side ways on top of the saucers.   Place the handles of each cup in the mouth of the cup next to it………..


Coffee Bar 016 (800x600)



Coffee Bar 014 (800x600)
You now have a decorative stack of four cups that only take up the room of one cup and saucer. 

These are just a few simple, easy ideas to make impromptu entertaining an easy task.

 I love for people to drop in on me. I figure if they drop in they truly came to see, “ME!” So if you are ever in my neighborhood know that you are always welcome, and you will get something nice to drink!!

 

19 comments:

michele said...

love it. you are always a bright spot in my blog hopping, lovely blogger.

smiles.

michele

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Great ideas, Kathysue! I love the fruit in the water idea especially!
Thanks for sharing.
Teresa
xoxo

helen tilston said...

Hi Kathysue

You are well organized and ready. This preparation takes time and great to have it ready in advance

Like you, I love when company calls

Helen

The enchanted home said...

Wish I lived closer...i would stop in and be an unexpected guest in your house, being treated like that!! Love all the ideas and that pitcher of water is sooo beautiful! Interesting about the stacking of the tea cups too....neat!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

You are such a gracious hostess and I am sure anyone that visits feels so special. Hugs, marty

Lee said...

Blu Italy -- adding that to my list! Love TJ's mini almond biscotti -- if I could hide it from myself, that would be ideal. I am preparing for guests, as I write, so this is very helpful!

Ivy Lane said...

Such a lovely post! I wish I could drop in on you! What a wonderful hostess you must be! I am hosting a Mother's Day Tea and shall try the stacking technique that you show here!

Happy Wednesday!

Victoria said...

More than forty years ago, my mother-in-law taught me the trick of the four cups nested together on the saucers and I have been using it ever since. Thanks for all the good suggestions. The fruited water looks delicious. I will definitely give that one a try.
Best...Victoria

The Buzz Blog said...

Remind me to stop by when I'm in the area, Kathysue! Your guests are treated like royalty (and I'm stealing that cup stacking trick!)
xxoo
Carolyn

Karen said...

Now I'm going to have to invite 3 friends over for coffee or tea just so I can use that fancy trick of your mom's!

Stacy CUrran said...

I can't believe I've never seen that trick for stacking the cups! It looks like they could fall, but you know I'm going to try it! I love the photos and idea of the fruit in the water, too. Honestly, I've only ever thought of lemon and lime, but sweet fruit sounds delicious!

Stacy

Kimberly said...

Thanks so much for the ideas and inspiration!

Kimberly said...

Thanks for the ideas and inspiration!

Just Spiff It said...

I just love reading your blog!!! I love the part about the cups.......that is how they do their cup display on cruises but seriously never thought of implementing it at home. Brilliant!!!
Thanks for more great ideas!

Bring Pretty Back said...

Kathysue - be careful , I may just be at your door one day!
Ha!
Have a prety day!
Kristin

Tricia Rose Rough Linen said...

You sound so welcoming KathySue! I am always thrown when I enter people's houses if they don't offer me something, and I felt it was a culture thing because I am English, (the kettle goes on immediately!) but you live in California too. Even really good friends don't do this...

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

Great ideas.. have you ever tried spa water? Its water with sliced cucumbers and mint. It is very refreshing.

Privet and Holly said...

I would love to take
you up on that someday,
Kathysue!

Love all these great ideas
and can only imagine how
welcome your guests must
feel....

Happy Friday,
xo Suzanne

SHERRY HART said...

I can not wait to drop in on you one day....but seriously, if I had those biscotti in my house...they would not make it long enough to serve to someone!