LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Feeding Guests

I am delighted when we have guests. I keep the house in pretty good order most of the time, so there is little preparation beyond putting out clean towels in the guest bathrooms and picking up some of the clutter in my study.

One of my favorite aspects of having company is in planning the menus. I love to cook and I especially love to cook regional favorites. So I put a lot of planning into the menus, coordinating the meals with the snacks and making desserts.

So why am I so out of kilter this morning? Not because we are having guests tomorrow. It's because my husband is the one communicating with them. (Although I have met them, they are his friends from work.) So I'll have to be more "flexible" in my menu choices. A few questions my husband failed to ask: Are you coming in time for lunch? Or will you be here in time for dinner? Or will you be coming later than dinner?

So I decided to forego big plans. It's been warm here. So I'm making a fruited chicken salad and some deviled eggs. That, along with some fancy slices of turkey breast, raw veggies, cheese and fruits will be the menu the day they arrive. If they are here for lunch, we'll have smaller portions. I have pork chops in case they are here for both lunch (chicken salad) and dinner. If they are arriving later for dinner, I'll have larger servings of the chicken salad and will bake some yeast rolls I have in the freezer.

Ordinarily my husband is good at communication, but typically the coordination with arriving guests is my responsibility and he just doesn't understand what a hostess needs to know. Next time I'll take charge and talk to them in person.

Regarding communication...here are some signs I found on Huffington Post. No credit was given to the photographers.














I hate to cop out, but we might just have dinner at the club instead of home cooking. That's what you get for stringing me out like that.

24 comments:

Rudee said...

Hopefully it all gets straightened out. All you can do is go with the flow.

The chicken salad sounds quite tasty.

Busy Bee Suz said...

This kind of made me laugh...because Men just don't communicate the important things as we would like them too.
I hope it all works out. (and your menu and back up menu sounds perfect!)

please, don't make any sweat and sour though.

The Bug said...

What a pain! When I was a kid my uncle & aunt from Pennsylvania would do this to my mom. They never knew when they might arrive. It used to REALLY bother me, but then I realized that they truly didn't care if they had to go out to eat or arrived in time to eat what mom had - they were easy.

On Saturday, Dr. M & I visited a graveyard on Johnson's Island at Lake Erie for confederate prisoners of war. It's a really nice space & they've done a good job honoring these dead. BUT, the official sign says something about "these hollowed grounds." I guess they ARE hollowed with all those graves - but I think they meant hallowed...

troutbirder said...

I think going to the club is the best plan anyway. I believe slavery was outlawed in N.C. some years ago.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh My Goodness, Why are people so rude???? Maybe they aren't thinking about it as being rude---but they ARE.... Maybe your hubby isn't communicating with them very well though (and vice versa) BUT that's still no excuse... YOU do need to call them and find out what is going on. BUT--I would definitely take them out to eat tonight --if they do come today.

Well---life is all about being flexible!!!! ha ha... I'm sure you all (and they) will have a wonderful visit --once they are there... (I just hope they don't out-stay their welcome! ha)

I guess we have all had situations like this --but most of the time, it's with family or some very good friends. I'm not sure I've heard of it happening to guests who don't know each other very well. Oh Well--tis life!!!!!

Bet they won't find it much cooler here this week... It's pretty darn miserable outside right now... AND--we are extremely dry here. George and I have to get out and water everything early this morning. The Rhododendron leaves are even turning yellow... Gads!!!!


Keep us posted... I want to know about these people!!!!! ha

Hugs,
Betsy

Vicki Lane said...

Oh, dear -- what a pain! And just wait till you find out that they are vegetarian or vegan or lactose and/or gluten intolerant.

Your menu sounds delicious -- good luck!

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

I had something clever to say about youtr menu and guest palns but I laughed so hard over the signs- I can't remember what I was going to say!!
Good luck!

Barb said...

I would just give them an "anus" burger and call it good, Carolyn! I can't imagine being so relaxed about arrival time at another person's house.

Cicero Sings said...

Well you have been dancing a merry dance over this couple! Personally, I never know what to make when I have too much lead time and rather people just surprise me ... then they have to be happy with pot luck ... or going out.

Those signs are funny.

KB said...

Dinner at the club sounds like a great plan! My head would be spinning in your shoes!

100 Thoughts of Love said...

oops..good luck!

George said...

Your planned menu(s) sound absolutely delicious. If you need help in eating any of those items just let me know!
Seriously, I hope you were able to get everything straightened out before the guests actually arrived.

KGMom said...

I love those signs where English is mangled. The results are usually sooo funny.

Coffee with Cathy said...

Connie, I feel your pain! But sounds as if your plan would have worked if they'd just stuck to theirs. Hope you have a great visit -- and I'm using your menu the next time we have iffy guests.

Jayne said...

LOL... if they are not more considerate, they might just be eating Sweat and Sour Pork!

Courtney at SL's No Ennui said...

HA! This sounds like when my husband is communicating with guests. I want to say, "Why are people never quite sure of their plans when YOU are the one talking to them?!?!" He never wants to pressure people.

Recently, he told his little sis "ANY weekend in July is fine to come visit...."

So of course, she chose the weekend that we have a big event in Charlotte. Now we'll have to miss it. Poor thing, she would never WANT to make us miss; but she was told ANY weekend was fine! Oh well.

He's a great communicator, too. Just too laid back about company :)

Way to take the reigns, my friend!

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

Hope things work out for you with your guests and your menu. I don't like to "not knowing" anything because like you, I like to plan a menu as well.
I LOL'd at those signs! I missed the first one and then went back and looked again.

Beth said...

They just sound bloody rude to me, how inconsiderate of them - do they think they are so important that you have nothing better to do than await their arrival, whenever they may choose to grace you with their presence?
If they were not connected with your husbands work I would give them the number of the nearest motel.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, but you need to serve them all Anus Burgers and eat out the rest of the time.

That would STRESS me to distraction!

CaptainRunner said...

Seems like it'll be great to be your visitor with all the warm welcome and the food that you'll prepare.

Shelley said...

I so relate to you!! I like to plan my menu for guests too! Your chicken salad sounds lovely. Laughed at those restaurant signs - I would steer clean of the "anus" burgers - lol!!

Folkways Note Book said...

I sure you would have a lovely lunch or dinner but its so hot! I think dinner (or lunch) out sounds like a good plan. -- barbara

Folkways Note Book said...

I sure you would have a lovely lunch or dinner but its so hot! I think dinner (or lunch) out sounds like a good plan. -- barbara

Twisted Fencepost said...

I think it would be nice to have dinner out so you can spend more time visiting and less time cooking and cleaning up afterward.