Hosting, Day 1 of 3

I promise (hope) I can be finished with the subject of "too busy" soon.

Yesterday imploded with the volunteer crisis again -- had to leave the morning coffee meeting and missed every minute I was there on the phone. Spent the entire day (and already this morning) dealing with this situation. Heartbreaking and hard and scary. 

I got everything finished, but it was a long and emotionally heavy day. 

Today is the start of the 3 day stretch of hosting. Hosting is on my 26 for 2026 list. These aren't exactly the hosting goals, but close ... and this will inspire me forward. My list says spontaneous gatherings and this weekend is more planned, but Monday is organic, spontaneous enough to count. 

I really, really, really need to relax and enjoy these days. I'm well trained from Priya Parker on how to gather and it's time to put these skills to work again. 

This includes:

Doesn't need to be perfect -- and actually perfect can make people tense.

A relaxed, happy host makes relaxed, happy guests. 

Remember the purpose.

Put some guests to work in small, meaningful ways -- makes guests feel a part of the gathering (and helps the host).

This weekend's events are back-to-back and that's a bit of the hard part making it feel like work and a task list. It'll help to remember this is FUN. I seem to need that reminder often. 

It's also a little crammed because I'm still squeezing my things into everything -- the things that give me little bits of happy.

Flowers for the brunch.

Homemade treats for bookclub.

Morning workouts.

Time to journal, etc.

Here are good bits from yesterday ... 

The spring garden is partially planted. I'll do the rest next week. 

Greens.
I'll direct sow peas
in the back.

Flowers waiting for me
to fill pots.

Absolutely beautiful
from Trader Joe's

Grow room is still iffy. Some definitely bonked -- herbs. Tomatoes are growing. Peppers are up, but maybe not growing. It's all such a mystery and surprise what works and what doesn't. 

The farm had to delay some seedling pickups because they needed to reseed from poor germination -- even professionals have issues!

There's a new cafe in town with a Michelin star chef. Two friends from Korea decided to open a coffee and sandwich cafe. They promised GF bread coming soon and I stopped in yesterday to check since I was driving by ... hello to lunch. It was probably the best cooked eggs I've ever had -- mixed with brie. It's going to be a new favorite -- I have a lot of new favorites. 

My cousin called about my aunt's birthday party. I'm taking more of the reins (by her request) and organizing the day. It's my pleasure and will be a lot of fun. Thank the lord it's not until next week though. I can't handle any more mental load right now. 

I like organizing and hosting AND I like being a guest that can just guest. Leaning more on the hosting right now. I think that's why the spontaneous gatherings were interesting to me. How can I host without going to so much trouble? Just gather people for a shared purpose. Quick, easy, fun connection. It's a learning process. 

That's all from here. Time to set up for the rock painting. If all goes as planned {*knocks wood*}, I'll have 11 new rocks for the snake rock by Monday. Grand total of 21 -- eeek, it's actually happening. That's more than enough to release her into the wild. 

Stay tuned for a grand premiere announcement hah -- I can't wait. This was a love project that hit a lot of FS, community, feel-good notes.

Have a good Saturday. Later gators.