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Archive for its all about home with jo rae
Purple Beautyberry
LAWN—The rainiest and the coldest months of the year are usually January and February. Avoid walking on soggy garden soil, particularly clay found in the Piedmont (Upstate South Carolina). On dry days, mow dormant, warm-season lawns. Mowing will remove fallen leaves and pine needles. Check lawn for winter weeds.
PRUNE—Now is the time to prune hybrid tea roses. They bloom only on new wood. Cut back canes one-third to one-half its height leaving canes at least 18 inches long. Cut above a swelling bud pointing out from the center. Remove all suckers and dead wood. Prune climbing roses to remove twiggy growth and weak shoots. Prune canes that flowered last year to three or four buds.
BIRDS—With gardens bare and bird baths frozen, our feathered friends are without food and water. Make bird treats to hang from tree limbs and put out seed and water. (Bird treat recipes can be found on my website www.itsallabouthome.com)
PREPARE—As long as soil is not wet or frozen, begin turning the soil in beds.
PLAN—Peruse seed catalogs and plan your vegetable and flower gardens.
PLANT―Even during the chill of January, you can plant new shrubs and trees. If you don’t see much color in your landscape during the winter, consider planting shrubs with bright colored berries. One of my additions this month will be Beautyberry. Its bright purple berries will complement my pink and purple themed garden nicely and liven up the gray days of winter.
Download January Gardening Checklist
Categories : Gardening Checklists
May is the time to:
PLANT VEGETABLES – beans, cantaloupe, cucumbers, eggplant, honeydew, okra, southern peas, peppers, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelon.
PLANT FALL BLOOMING BULBS – Did your garden lack color last fall? Now’s the time to plant autumn crocus, resurrection lily, spider lilies, and yellow danford iris to brighten up your fall this year.
PLANT ANNUALS – Add a pop of color around your mailbox, sidewalk, and perennial beds with annuals. Petunias, geraniums, coleus, dahlia, and zinnias are great choices in sun. For shade choose impatiens, begonias, and caladiums.
PLANT CONTAINERS, WINDOW BOXES & HANGING BASKETS – I incorporate a few perennials with my annuals in containers. Raid your perennial beds for coral bells, lamium, purple heart, and trailing ivies. Make sure your containers have a thrill (adds height, generally in the center of round containers or the back of window boxes), fill (the core plants found in the center) and spill (trailing vines to spill over the edge). Pair complimentary colored flowers e.g., blue and yellow or pink and purple, along with your greenery. Margarita sweet potato vine adds a nice lime pop of color as a trailing option.
PRUNE – Spring-flowering trees and shrubs, such as azalea, dogwood, forsythia and lilac, within four weeks after flowering.
PINCH -Pinch back your mums from the center to prevent them from getting leggy by the time they bloom.
DIVIDE – Divide or transplant hardy perennials, such as chrysanthemum, aster, hosta, and spring blooming bulbs.
DIE BACK – Many spring-blooming bulbs like daffodils utilize foliage to replenish each bulb’s food supply. Allow the foliage to die back without removing it until at least eight weeks after flowering.
PLANT: It’s time to plant! April is a great month to plant. Add trees, shrubs, evergreens and perennials. If you felt your spring display was scant, add blooming, potted bulb plants now. Most will return again next year, and pump up your spring garden. After the threat of frost has past, plant your annuals for instant color in containers and in your garden. I like annuals alongside my sidewalk and around my mailbox to supplement the perennials planted there.
PLANT VEGETABLES: Vegetable gardens have come back in vogue and many are seen in suburban neighborhoods today. Tomato plants are a staple that even a beginner gardener can plant and enjoy. Don’t have a yard? Try growing a tomato plant in a large container on your back deck in a sunny location.You can also plant cantaloupe, honeydew, cucumbers, summer squash and watermelon this month.
TRANSPLANT: Spring is the best time to transplant trees, shrubs, evergreens and perennials in the wrong place or in need of more room. Replant immediately at the same depth and keep watered.
DIVIDE AND MULTIPLY: Divide your bulbs and other perennials, preferably ones that flower after mid-June for optimum performance this year. Early spring blooms are best divided in early fall.
PRUNE: Prune early-spring flowering trees and shrubs right after they’re done blooming. Shear evergreen hedges and prune roses.
WEED, FEED & MULCH: Make up your beds by weeding, adding organic matter into the soil, and fertilizing. Cover with a 2-4″ mulch spread.
IRRIGATE: Check your irrigation system.Turn on irrigation system and let it run through each zone. Walk around each zone and check spray pattern, proper rotation of sprinkler heads, and coverage. Set controller for automatic watering. Replace the controller back-up battery if necessary.
Warmer temps are beckoning us to emerge from our cocoons and clear out the discarded remains of winter. As you contemplate the garden you have, do you long for more color, texture, or variety? Do you want to add plants, but don’t know where to put them? Would you like an organized garden plan, but don’t know where to start?
I can help; I understand. Start by reading “Finding Home” and then download the “It’s All About Home” Gardening Journal pages. You can love where you live and find beauty in your own backyard too! Let’s get started! Read More→
Categories : Uncategorized
Camellia
Clean Up: Continue clean-up of beds of dying foliage, sticks and leaves.
Cut Back: Now is the time to cut back ornamental grasses like liriope and mondo grass before new leaves emerge. Cut small plants by hand; for larger ones, use your lawn mower with the blade set at 2 ½ to 3 inches high. Most perennials can also be cut back now, including coreopsis, asters, phlox, black-eyed Susans, and bee-balm. Do not cut back perennial salvia or ‘Miss Huff’ lantana (or other perennial lantana) until you see new, green growth sprouting. Prune hybrid tea roses and shrub roses in February. A good rule of thumb for rose pruning is always to cut back to an outward-facing bud. That means that the bud is on the side of a stem facing away from the center of the plant. When the bud sprouts, it will grow away from the center of the plant. This keeps air moving around and through a rose plant, which decreases the risk of black spot. Most climbing roses flower on old growth from the previous year, so do not prune those until after they flower.
Lawn: Apply a pre-emergence broadleaf herbicide. By being proactive now you’ll prevent weeds from invading come spring.
Vegetable Garden: Begin planting cool season vegetables outside in the garden. In mid to late February, you can plant lettuces, radishes, carrots, peas, and other cool-season vegetables directly into your garden. Plant carrots and radishes together. Carrots can take a while to sprout, and radishes keep the soil from crusting over. Use a lightweight potting soil or seed starting mix to cover lettuce seeds. These plants sprout most easily through this lightweight soil.
Start seeds: Warm-season annual flower and vegetable seeds can be started indoors. Tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, coleus, marigolds, salvia, zinnias, ageratum, and flowering tobacco need between 4-8 weeks to grow to the point where they can be transplanted outside. Use seed-starting mix to start your seeds. These are specially formulated mixes that are lighter in weight and better for newly emerging seeds. Keep the mix moist while the seeds are sprouting.
Sow: You can sow fragrant sweet peas now. They’ll begin germinating while it’s still cool, and you’ll have lots of flowers in the spring.
Friday,
December
26th,
2014
I love Christmas. The decorating, the edibles, the events at church, I love it all. What I don’t love is the putting away of my home’s festive attire. Decorating year after year has taught me a few tips that might help you.
- PICTURE THIS: Take a picture of every place you decorated. Keep a digital album of your Christmas decorations on your computer or print them out and attach the appropriate picture to each box. Which leads me to my second tip,
- ROOM BY ROOM: Box decorations by room – I enjoy decorating one room at a time, it’s less overwhelming and I feel a sense of accomplishment as each room is decked out. The same principle applies when taking it all down.
- STORE BY COLOR: Items you didn’t use this year but would like to keep, keep by color. For example, in the past I decorated my tree in red and gold, but now prefer blue and silver. Because I keep my red and gold ornaments from the tree in one container, I could easily decorate a tree at our church this year. I also have a box of just silver (garland, beads, etc.) or just gold. You get the idea. Having things by color helps for other events as well. For example, when I decorated for a 50th wedding anniversary–which is traditionally done in gold–I could use some of the items I have stored in my gold box for that event.
- INVENTORY: Now is the time to do an inventory of your Christmas decorations. Note items you need or would like to add and buy now while they are on sale. You’ll be one step ahead for next year. Be sure and add new items you purchase to your inventory list.
- SORT: Sort items you’d like to remove from your inventory. Ask your friends if they’d like to look at your giveaway Christmas stash where they can get a new look for next year FREE. My friend, Mary, did just that and the lovely ornaments you’ve seen in my dining room came from her stash a couple of years ago. You can also ask young friends just moving out if they need any Christmas decor. If none of those options work, you can donate your items to a thrift store or charity and get a receipt for tax purposes.
- LIGHTS: While decorating this year, you may have discovered strands of lights that didn’t work or half worked. Now’s the time to replace those lights! Most stores start out at 50% off all holiday the day after Christmas and the discount increases. I’ve bought some items as high as 90% off! Keep checking your favorite stores every few days. When replacing lights, try to go to more energy efficient versions available on the market now. You might also want to add timers which are also on sale.
- STORE: Storage is so important. I’m a big fan of using colored totes by holiday. It makes it so much easier to identify in an attic what is Christmas (red and green), Easter (a pastel color) or Fall (Orange). Totes and organizing items are on sale now so if you can afford to buy them, now’s the time.
- WREATHS: I don’t buy the wreath boxes. Many of them were too small for the wreaths I owned anyway. I hang my wreaths on nails in my attic. Don’t have an attic? Hang them on a closet or garage wall.
- LABEL: I like large labels on the side’s of my totes. To make it neater, I use either 8 1/2 X 11 inch labels or card stock and type my labels for each container. You can adjust the size of the font and the size of the label based on the size of each container.
- RECYCLE: If you bought a real tree recycle it. Many cities offer a free service where they process trees into mulch. While you’re at the landfill, grab some of that free mulch for your beds! Check your local landfills and municipalities. You can also recycle the fronts of Christmas cards by donating them to worthy organizations like St. Jude’s Ranch for children. They take any occasion cards so recycle all year!
Organizing your Christmas decor as you pack it away will reap benefits next year when it’s time to decorate again.
Happy New Year!
Jo Rae
Today is December 18th, and so far I’ve received, sigh, far more Christmas cards than I’ve sent. I’ll admit that I’m behind in getting my cards out, but I’m afraid that many of my friends and family have abandoned a tradition that has been around since 1843.
That was the year Sir Henry Cole commissioned John Calcott Horsley to paint this card showing the feeding and clothing of the poor. Sir Henry, an inventor, writer, and founder of the two museums from which the Victoria and Albert Museum grew, had so many Christmas greetings to send handwriting each was impossible. Sir Henry’s mass produced card began a tradition that continues today. According to Hallmark, Christmas is the largest card-sending holiday in the United States with approximately 1.5 billion cards sent annually. Many Americans also include a Christmas letter and family photo inside their cards.
In our era of social media, email, and picture messaging, I’m afraid many have replaced the mailed Christmas card with a one dimensional pixel post. It’s only my opinion, but there is no comparison. After all I can’t display an e-card on my mantle and the alert on my email doesn’t compare to the joy of discovering a colorful envelope hand-addressed to me amidst the bills in my mailbox. Can your text offer a holiday scent (I’ve mailed a few needles from my tree), a fun confetti, or a surprise gift? I don’t think so!
Richard Armour, a popular American poet and literary critic wrote, “You cannot reach perfection though you try however hard to there’s always one more friend or so you should have sent a card to.” It’s not too late. Grab a colorful pen and send out a few cards. This is one tradition I plan on keeping.
Merry Christmas,
Jo Rae
(Nothing like my signature, but it’s the best I can do online!)
- CLEAN IT UP – Now’s the time to clean up and store your lawn mower and garden tools. If you’re like me, it might be a good time to organize your garage and tools and hang them up!
- RESEED – With the warm fall we’ve had, many flowers are still blooming. Many annual plants reseed (like Zinnia) if you don’t cut back the dying blooms. Allow the seeds to drop and you may experience a “come back” next year.
- REUSE – If you had a fall display that included bales of hay or pine straw, don’t throw them out, use them! Break the bales up and blanket your beds for the winter or use them in a manger scene.
- DECORATE – Holiday decorating easily extends to the garden. Fill your birdbaths or fountains with greenery and bright colored ornaments, use trimmings from your tree to decorate outdoor light fixtures and mailbox. Add lights to your trellis or gazebo’s, outdoor swings and of course, around your front porch.
- TREES—Rosemary trees (often found at home improvement stores this time of year) are a wonderful addition to your holiday décor. They make a fragrant and practical kitchen tree. Decorate with miniature baking items for fun. Water only when the soil is dry to the touch, brown needles indicate over-watering. In the spring you can plant it outdoors.
- LEAVES – Leaves are still falling at my house. Use your lawn mower to mulch the leaves on your lawn instead of trying to catch and bag them.
- HOUSE PLANTS- Continue to force bloom bulbs for floral displays and color during dreary winter days. Poinsettias are a popular indoor holiday plant that is found in grocery stores in reds, greens, and pinks.
My son, Timothy, called these “big boy pacifiers”
1 CUP FROZEN ORANGE JUICE OR ORANGE JUICE CONCENTRATE (SLIGHTLY SOFTENED)
1 CUP YOGURT (I USED YOPLAIT ORANGE CRÈME)
1 CUP OF SOFTENED VANILLA ICE CREAM (I PREFER BRYERS-ALL NATURAL)
¼ CUP OF SUGAR
2 TABLESPOONS LIGHT CORN SYRUP
ALSO NEED: Popsicle Molds or Dixie Cups
(I used 3 oz. size)
Your choice of Popsicle sticks, reception sticks
(chocolate covered candy), straws, oreo sticks,
or stick candy.
Place all ingredients in blender, pulse until well combined (using spatula scrape walls of blender mid-point), and pour mixture into Popsicle molds or Dixie cups. Lightly knock the molds or cups to release air bubbles. Freeze until almost solid but still soft enough to insert a stick or candy in the middle of mold or cup. Place back in freezer until frozen solid (about 8 hours or overnight).
MATERIALS NEEDED:
Small or Medium Sized White Raw Eggs
Cooking Pot (Medium Sized)
Silk Neckties or Silk Fabric (I used a skirt)
White sheet or pillowcases cut into squares
Twist Ties
3 Tbsp. white vinegar
Warm Water
Tongs
Use any silk item you’d like, but it must be silk. You won’t get results with other fabrics. I suggest you hit thrift stores to pick up silk ties for a nominal amount. I purchased around eight ties and one skirt. The brighter patterned skirt made my favorite egg. The louder the pattern and brighter the colors – the better your eggs will look! Read More→
Categories : Easter
IN MEMORY OF CAROL ANN TONAN – Died: November 14, 2007
How fast summer left us, but in its wake we stumbled over new beginnings. Some of our teens went off to college for the first time while others, returned to their schools for another year. Families expanded, from infants to older loved ones needing care. The pool closed, leaves began their fall, and Adams Run residents began another season.
Long before I was ready, the holidays were closing in. Many of my normal seasonal activities were crossed off my list due to changes in our family. Christmas cards were never mailed nor banana nut bread baked, (sorry neighbors). When Carol Tonan called to ask me to join her for our annual Christmas decorating class, I almost said no. Something, or rather Someone, changed my mind.
Carol was a neighbor, long before she became my friend. I’d been told she was a nail technician, and I was in the market for one. I’d get my nails done every other Friday. My ex-husband used to say he hoped he didn’t die on a Friday, ’cause he’d be “laying up a corpse” and I’d be at the salon. He was probably right. I’d made Carol promise if I died, she’d make sure I wasn’t lying there with chipped nail polish. I bet she would have too.
It seems like everyone relied on Carol for one reason or another. She volunteered with the local teen pregnancy center, her Catholic church, the Knights of Columbus and fortunately for me, she served on the garden committee of Adams Run.
Carol, Barbara and I picked out the Yard of the Month. What fun we had discussing everyone’s weeds (like faults, we all have a few) and we enjoyed the color and creativity found in so many gardens in our neighborhood. Carol loved gardening. Every spring, we attended the Saturday gardening classes at Lichtenfelts. Clutching a steaming cup of coffee to warm our hands, we huddled on folding chairs notebooks ready. After class we’d wander among the rows of plants and discuss our latest finds.
Friday, November 9th, was my usual day to get my nails done. Afterwards, Carol and I drove on to our decorating class where we shopped for our mantles and gathered ideas for decorating the Adams Run entrances. It was Carol who made the beautiful red bows that topped our wreaths. She and I often decorated in the dark, shivering while we decked the street lights and stone walls for the Christmas season. She wanted to attend the class to learn to make better bows. I thought her bows were gorgeous, far better than any I’ve created.
After our decorating class, our next stop was Palmetto Home & Garden’s open house; we ate so much we could hardly walk, (our high heels didn’t help any either.)
Armed and ready to decorate our own homes and the two entrances to all our homes, we headed to my car.
I dropped Carol off around 9:30 PM. We transferred her purchases to her vehicle and she backed out of her spot to head home. I didn’t move my car until her face came into view. For some reason, my gaze lingered on her and I took a mental snapshot. It was only at her funeral that I realized over all the years we’d been friends, I’d never taken a photograph of her.
Although Carol and I exchanged phone messages over the next couple of days, I never spoke to her again. Wednesday, our neighbor Nancy, came to tell me in person Carol had died. That evening, I looked upward to seek God in the midst of her loss and was startled to see a dazzling display unlike any other I have ever witnessed. The night sky reminded me of Carol, a one of a kind, sparkling, sequined, and sought after jewel.
One day, I was explaining to my teenage daughter, Lauren, that cars (like teenagers) don’t appreciate, but houses do. When I recall the fun times I had with my friend, I can’t help but wonder if she knew how much I appreciated her.
The following Christmas, in honor of Carol, I placed 58 luminaries across our neighborhood dam. Each light represented a year of Carol’s life. This beautiful picture was taken by David Korobkin, a professional photographer, who also lives in our neighborhood. Through his incredible talent he captured the reflection of light Carol brought to her family, friends and community.
Spring is in the air and my garden is waking up from its winter sleep. I’ve begun my seasonal planting and often think of Carol as I pull on my garden gloves. Tears fall and I remind myself although my gardening buddy is no longer here she’s only moved, and we’ll be neighbors again one day. I bet she has a gardening spot started and is learning from the One who made every shrub, flower and tree.
So Carol, be sure and take notes and hold me a chair next to yours. I’ll bring the coffee.
Written Spring of 2008.
Categories : Uncategorized
I write book reviews for Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze program. Recently they offered bloggers and book reviewers the opportunity to win two free tickets to a Women of Faith conference in exchange for covering the event, and I was delighted to be selected. The conference was being held in my old stomping grounds, Atlanta, Georgia, and my friend Vikki agreed to come along for our first Women of Faith weekend.
Inspire – In the opening session we were introduced to the founder of Women of Faith, Steve Arterburn. I found it interesting that a man started Women of Faith in 1996. Steve’s talk on “Why Bad Men Happen to Good Women” was both entertaining and enlightening, and I took copious notes. He also spoke on the five blind spots that cause us to make poor choices and keep us Walking Into Walls.
Imagine – The weekend’s key verse was Ephesians 3:20: Of course, I had to buy the bracelet.
Shop – Opportunities abounded for shopping, one of my favorite pastimes. Books, music, totes, jewelry, my only dilemma was deciding just which delights I couldn’t live without.
CHARGE – Bet you didn’t know there’s a WOF Visa card, I sure didn’t. If you signed up for the card during the conference you received a free t-shirt!Food – Included in the price of admission (normally $99) is a box lunch each day. Although I found the lunch an added convenience, it wasn’t for my friend Vikki. She has Celiac’s Disease and doesn’t eat gluten. There were no options offered for attendees with special dietary restrictions other than the suggestion to purchase a meal in their facility. In addition, the arena had a strict policy against ANY food and beverages being brought in and we had to obtain special permission to bring our own gluten-free snacks. I felt their policy was too stringent. Philips Arena opened up to a food court in the adjoining CNN facility and a Starbucks was located there. Although there wasn’t a Starbucks inside the arena, they wouldn’t allow you to bring your drink into the building. Pocketbook inspections greatly slowed down the entrance of attendees as each person was searched each time before entering the building. Free – I am all about free stuff and was thrilled when a young girl handed out free books provided by Love Inspired!
GIVE – The opportunity to sponsor a child through World Vision was presented throughout the conference through tables set up for that purpose as well as by placing packets in the seats of the arena. Their goal for our conference was to have 10% of the attendees sign up to sponsor a child. I believe they met their goal.
IMAGINE – I arrived at this conference like a flat tire.
Unforeseen circumstances had punctured my life, and left me bumping down the road on my rims. As I inhaled each session here, I felt the breath of the Holy Spirit fill me with a fresh infusion of imagining. I left the conference pumped up and ready to roll down the road to my destiny. Won’t you join me? Remember ‘‘God can do anything you know – more than you could ever IMAGINE, guess or request in your wildest dreams.” (Ephesians 3:20) I’m putting the top down and fastening my seat belt. It’s going to be an exciting ride.
Categories : Uncategorized
I adore the tastes of summer and nothing says summer like a pasta salad. This salad was a “Lauren favorite” and I think it will become one of yours too! Sans the traditional mayonnaise, this pasta salad is a safe bet for any outdoor event. The sweetness of the roasted red peppers marry nicely with the honey infused vinaigrette dressing. Serve with sliced cantaloupe for a light summer entree’ or as a side dish. Main Ingredients:
1 box (12 oz.) bow tie pasta
1 jar roasted red peppers, chopped
1 medium avocado, chopped
1 can (2 ¼ ounces) sliced black olives
1 container (6 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
1 can salmon, tuna, or chicken (5-6 oz.)
Sweet Vinaigrette:
3 tbs white wine vinegar
2 tbs honey
1 tsp dried marjoram
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 cup olive oil Cook pasta per package instructions drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine pasta with additional ingredients. In a measuring cup combine the vinegar, honey, and spices. Whisk together. Gradually whisk in oil. Pour vinaigrette over pasta mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Bill asked, “Hey Jo Rae: This is gonna sound like a semi-silly question, but here goes. What is a good all-around soap to keep in your guest bathroom? I mean one that will appeal to either male or female, and is good for showers, and hand-washing. Should I get different ones for each of those purposes? I can go to my local BB&B (Bed, Bath, and Beyond of course) if need be. Thanks Friend!”
Bill, thanks for your question. I love to visit others, and have guests in my home, don’t you? Whether they’re relatives, friends, or my children’s friends, I try to make my home as accommodating as possible. Here’s a few easy and inexpensive ideas you can use to welcome guests into your home. BASKETS: I adore baskets. I pick them up at thrift stores (Salvation Army, Goodwill) for as little as .25 to a $1.00. Pick a basket in a neutral color or spray paint one to match your bath décor. There are benefits to having a basket with a handle. If you decide to put the basket in your guest room, your guest can easily carry it to the bathroom. If the basket is staying in the bath, you may choose to use a basket without a handle. Choose your basket size based on its contents. CONTENT FOR BASKETS:
• Bathroom Basket
Hotels know guests forget items like soap, shampoo and conditioner so it’s standard for hotels to place them in their rooms. These perks go into my suitcase for my guest basket at home.The items are the perfect size for short-term stays, and are gender neutral. There are a number of items I like to include in guest bathroom baskets and many of the items I stock are provided to me free. Here’s a sample list. You may want to add your personal favorites as well.- Small bar of soap (wrapped)
- Toothbrush (New and wrapped from my dental check-ups)
- Travel-size tooth paste (Dentist gives me at check-ups)
- Floss (Dentist provides at check-ups)
- Travel size shampoo
- Travel size conditioner
- Q-Tips
- Cotton balls or squares
- Tissues
- Travel-size mouthwash
- Several wrapped mints
- Washcloths (these should be cloths you don’t mind your guests using to remove make-up)
- Ibuprofen
One reason I adore flowers in my yard is for cutting. Your guests can be greeted with a flower in a simple vase. Get creative. I’ve used a Sprite bottle, grapefruit juice container, wine bottle, and hinged corked sparkling lemonade bottle to display flowers. These items not only provide a cute, no-cost vase, your guests may take their flowers with them home to remember their stay and your hospitality.
3. Towels and additional washcloths – When hosting large groups or families, I put a large basket with rolled up towels outside the bathroom door. Visitors can grab a towel and I know when replenishment is needed. I lay the additional washcloths on the countertop, neatly folded.
4. Hand soap – I adore a pretty dispenser for my liquid hand soap. Choose a non-scented, anti-bacterial soap. Fill your dispenser and place it to the left side of the sink (most people are right-handed).
5. Paper Hand Towels – I grew up with the traditional hand towel hanging from a ring on the bathroom wall. The towel was more of a decorative accessory than a functional item since no one felt comfortable actually wiping their hands on it. I have a paper hand towel holder and stock them with decorative hand towels. I have fun changing them out seasonally and for holidays, and my guests don’t mind using them because they can throw them away. You can purchase inexpensive towels at TJ Maxx & Marshalls. I like to get holiday towels after the holiday when they’re on clearance.
6. Trash Can – Obviously, you need a place to throw the used hand towel as well as used q-tips and cotton balls. I sit a small waste basket next to the toilet. I use a wicker basket (often found again at a thrift store and painted).
7. Bath Mat – Another tip from hotels, place a terry bath mat across the side of the tub in view. Your guests will have a place to land when stepping out of the tub or shower.
8. Robe – If you have a hook on the inside of your bathroom door or on a bathroom wall, hang a plain white, light-weight, large robe with a tie. The tie allows the robe to be adjusted to fit your guests.
Guest Room Supplies
While there is no place like home, you can make a few accommodations that will make your guests feel welcome.
1. Water bottle – Whether it is for taking pills or quenching thirst, I always leave a unopened bottled water next to my guests’ bed.
2. Paper and Pen – Also next to the bed I’ve placed a pad and pen for jotting notes, phone numbers, or creative thoughts while visiting.
3. Alarm Clock – They might not need one, but should your guests have to be somewhere at a specific time, they will appreciate this option. An Alarm Clock/Radio is a special treat. Set the station to a local Christian or light jazz station.
4. Mirror – This may sound silly, but I’ve stayed in rooms without a mirror. If the bathroom is being shared by many, your guests may wish to put on their makeup and roll their hair in their room. A mirror situated where they can sit comfortably will give them the option of staying in their room to get ready.
5. Robe – If you didn’t provide a robe in the bathroom, you might consider having one in your guest room.
6. Flowers – Once again, a nice treat to place on the night stand next to the bed.
7. Instructions – Make a small tent card with special instructions and place on the dresser. For example, if you have internet service and it is password protected, put the password on the tent. Does your garage have a code for coming and going? You might want to share that number with your guests if they will be in and out without you. If you have house rules that apply to guests (like no smoking inside the house) post them there as well. It might help prevent any potential uncomfortable situations. 8. Beach Towel – Whether you have your own pool or belong to a neighborhood pool or club, have an extra beach towel on hand. Your guests may have forgotten to bring one along.
9. Goodnight Kiss – One of my favorite treats for my guests at home came from my years in the hotel industry. Turn down service included a note on their pillow. The note said, “Your Good Night Kiss” and perched on top was a Hershey’s kiss. This is one kiss that never got turned down!
Categories : Uncategorized
It's All About Home With Jo Rae
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Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved