Thoughts on Hospitality....

"Hospitality puts people before things. Don't let your mentality be, 

"Oh we'll invite them over as soon as we get the new_____ (sofa, dining room table, room remodeled,....)but rather, "Our house is not_____(finished, fancy, or large...) but come and share what God has given us. Hospitality is serving; saying "my life is yours."Two things live forever--God's word and people. Therefore, they should be our top priority for life. It is wrong reasoning to say, "Oh, I care about people and invest in them, so I have no time to keep my home clean and running smoothly." One of the biggest hindrances to hospitality is not keeping an orderly home. If the house is not picked up, you will not invite people over on the spur of the moment. You need to manage your house so you can invest in people. Cleaning is a means to an end, but it also gives great joy and satisfaction in the process.

Discipline yourself to keep an orderly home ~ not a spotless one, mind you, but an ordered one! Determine to make your home a place where anyone can stop by and be welcomed inside." 

-Mrs.Lydia Green

taken from ~ "Treasury of Vintage Homekeeping Skills"

I just purchased this book and I am enjoying it's pages immensely.

It contains so many great ideas and so 

many wonderful pearls of wisdom!!

Thank you ever so much Abounding Treasures

 for the wonderful recommendation!!! ;)

____________________________________________

....and on the food side of things,

here is a great recipe that I made last night. 

I have made it numerous times and 

it is always so light, healthy and tasty!

Hope you enjoy it!! ;)

Penne with Beef and Arugula

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

1 (1-pound) New York strip steak
1 teaspoon herbs de Provence
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 3 tablespoons
1 pound penne pasta
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for steak and pasta water
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for steak
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
2 cups chopped arugula

Season the steak with salt and freshly ground black pepper, herbs de Provence, and minced garlic. In a skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Cook steak about 7 minutes per side. Remove the meat from pan and let it rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice the steak. 

Set aside.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.

 Drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.

In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, fresh herbs, and 3/4 cup olive oil. In a large bowl toss the pasta with half of the salad dressing and the reserved pasta water. Add the arugula and steak, more dressing, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, as needed. 

Many Blessings to all of you!!

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love 

covers over a multitude of sins. 

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling." -I Peter 4:8-9