Moon Dreams & Day Beams

 With a rekindled interest in World History, Brian and I watched The Affair of a Necklace last night. With lavish costumes, resplendent sets and a compelling story it was a nice historical drama; a 3 on a 1-5 scale. The peculiar, controversial affair is part of a mosaic of incidences that lead the the abolition of the French Monarchy.  After seeing Versailles last month we completely understand the rising French citizenry unrest that is the backdrop for the movie. Jonathan Pryce played a great Cardinal Rohan and Joely Richardson played a great Marie.  Despite the splendor, something about the movie was just not quite there (at least for me).  Even though it was interesting enough to keep me awake and wanting to know what was going to happen next, it’s just a good film with a good story.  I am not surprised it didn’t make the critic’s list, nor that it was a financial disaster.  

The true story of The Affair of the Necklace is extremely complex involving a countess, the Cardinal of France, the Queen of France, a gigolo, a sorcerer/psychic, a couple of jewelers, a peasant actress, forged letters, and a necklace of tremendous value and prestige. 

I personally think that Hillary Swank, who is a 2-time academy-award-winning actress, is miscast as Jeanne de Saint-Rémy de Valois.   The rest of the cast works well with 18th-century France, however,  she was not aristocratic enough.  And, way too innocent and vulnerable.  I was looking for nobility and vengency, somthing solid. This is a woman who masterminded a huge, complicated, intelligent, conniving, selfish, snake-y plot.  The ordeal was so beautifully orchestrated (in real life) that it contributed to the Revolution.  Jeanne must have been brilliant, desperate, dedicated, slightly evil and a great liar to pull off the real life scandal.

I wanted to believe the movie. I wanted to believe that Hillary did it. But, I didn’t. I really wanted to feel Hillary if you know what I mean. But, I could never decide if I pitied her or if she was a heroine. The character was flimsy.

About the music, for the majority of the movie 18th & 17th-century music is heard which is appropriate for a period picture.  The weird thing was that “original,” new-age type music that sounded like Enya is played in parts of the movie. It ruined the moment.  It reminded you that I was watching a movie made a couple of centuries after the event took place. My imagination left the screen pinching me on the cheek of reality.

The dripple of new age music coupled with far too naturalistic Hillary as the star made the movie unbelievable. This movie did not deliver the fury and charisma the occasion deserved.

Admittedly, this is a good film when good films are uncommon. Perfect, not by a long shot. Absorbing? Definitely. If you like period pictures, particularly those portraying pre-1800 Europe, you will still get a lot out of The Affair of the Necklace.  Or, if you want to see the Palace of Versailles, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Alincourt, Compiègne, and Paris in France this is fine opportunity.

Don’t worry about the music or the ill cast Swank, go rent this movie and get your early Frenchie on!

Tea at Trianon has a nice post on The Affair of the Necklace, too. You might want to check it out.

If you are interested, here is the cast:

This silly and well crafted tree stump pin cushion from My Imaginary Boyfriend, on Etsy makes me smile.  A Room Somewherepointed it out.   I just love it! The pin cushion and the shop name are stellar. Couldn’t we all use an imaginary boyfriend to bring breakfast in bed, take the dog for a walk, wash the clothes and leave little envelopes of shopping money on the desk?  Since he is imaginary, I would also like for him to be a culinary delight, a handy man, and a romantic. Yeah! What other traits should this guy have?  A pilots license and a small plane to pick Boo up from St. Simons, a fine baby sitter to keep the boys so Lea and I can have a night out, shop-a-holic tendencies for Lauren’s companionship, and a good bottle of wine for Linda and Allison! What else can we make Mister Imaginary do?

At least five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. By the year 2050, there are predicted to be 16 million Americans living with the disease. 

There are no survivors and there is no cure. 

It is something to consider. Isn’t it.

Snowglobe – Paris

Originally uploaded by rgusick

We are back and finally settled into our home. Despite the fun, frolic and adventure of vacation there is something comforting and secure about home. Your body snuggling down in your own bed while your head rests on your own fluffy pillow in fresh warm sheets…after a glass of red wine on your porch.

It just feels good. It feels like, well, it feels like home.

 Throughout the summer the The City of Paris hosts Plages throughout the municipal for tourists including a 2 million euro man made beach along the Seine. It’s kind of hokey, yet fun. It’s a little sleazy and cheesy while is definitely not an insight to history or even to ordinary Parisian life.  

I would have avoided this hoopla all together. This is just not my kind of itinerary. But, Brian really wanted to see the Paris Beach. He has attempted to curb our orbit upon learning of this spectacle. Finally, I gave in as I reminded him if he “would like to see relocated dredged sand…we can visit St. Simons…120 short miles from home.”

I have to admit that the fine sand smoothed over a normally busy motorway is interesting. hmm…

The peculiar spectacle of misplaced sounds, smells, shows and dirt banked above the super polluted Seine IS a site.  At moments I questioned my location, “where in the world am I?” Quick flickers of answers zapped through my brain with a list of places including West Palm Beach and Panama City.

paris blague

Originally uploaded by Ol.v!er [H2vPk]

The palm trees spotted among the striped umbrellas are a distortion to my navigational scope.  `More, the plats of people winding through the plage resembles a Benetton ad.  In addition to brown people and black people and teenage girls in fabulously glittery tops, there are old people and fat people and scary-skinny people and middle-aged people. Right next to a five lane highway, there are people proudly strutting their stuff half-clad posing the eternally tricky question:  gay, straight, or European? 

It’s a foreign spectacle. And, it is a fun one!

As baroque as it is, the Paris Beach is a really neat drift from the Anglo Saxon fortitude of the on-task, competitive country I am from.   With the huge pool, the alleys of water sprays, the free baby changing stations, amid the wine, crepes, and ice cream it seemed so pammpered, lazy and pleasurable. Amid the 100 degree weather of the hot southern summer back home I know everyone is BATTLEING through the heat – still working, starting school, and living life in the bustle as typical.  

Parisians know nothing of this and the Paris Beach is a prime example.The mayor shut off one of the main east-west express highways and trucked in 2,000 tonnes of sand, 68 palm trees, refreshing water misters, outdoor showers, public drinking fountains and turned a two-mile stretch of the Seine next to the Louvre into a beach.  Seriously, can you imagine this happening in the United States?

He built a swimming pool. Or two. He put up free sporting activities for every child , and brought in musicians and massage therapists. 

My original reluctance to follow Brian’s guide would have been the trajedy of a trip. I am thrilled of my surrender because I was able to once again see the French flair of orgnizing picnics, frolic, and fun even in the most unexpected locations like a city street.

My what these Parisians can do.

“Beatrice, I love Paris. How about you?” I ask.

“Papa, We BOTH love Paris. Can we come back some day? Please. Please.” we say.

“Let’s make a pack over a nose nuzzle. We ARE coming back some day!”

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Eiffel

The Eiffel Tour was beautiful at night.  A bit “touristy” but definitely worth the night. We ate food from the carney’s (piece ahhh and frenn fres) while we popped a bottle of bubbly. It was nice.

Printemps de la Mode. Ahhh, yes. Shopping at its finest. The store was founded in 1865 it has the largest beauty department in the world. It’s three buildings of shopping magic dedicated to french chic. It was the most luxiourous department store I have ever been to. It is more extreme than Sax in NYC and far above any store in Lenox in Atlanta.  It was a bustling river of multi-cultural artistocracy. If only I could have afforded the grey and flowy 845 euro sundress. I LOVED it!  We girls can dream, right?  

Moulen Rouge

We stopped for Gelato while Beatrice was napping in the Ergo for a private parent ice cream party!

Oh, Gelato! DEEEElicious!

Even though the Eiffel Tower is the ultimate Parisian symbol, the quintessential Parisian life occurs in 25 hectares of green oasis called Jardin du Luxembourg.  There is so much to do in this charming, unique, and befuddling park. I chose this as the days destination based on it’s appeal to children. According to tourism literature, “kids will love this park.”  We raced, literally running at times, to reach the famous afternoon puppet theatre: Théâtre de Marionettes. Along with the other kid-friendly park amusements we were disappointed because of the fares. Despite the disappointing charges, we found beauty, relaxation, and interest in the gardens, swarms of pigeons, cookie-cutter trees, ironed and pressed walkways, immaculate lawns for viewing, the palace, statues, and fountains that lie within this large public park.

Before  stumbling upon a small Statue of Liberty that we learned is a cast for the real one, we meandered through a two century old, hand-tended orchard of 1000 espaliered trees and 200 species of apple and pear trees.  

From the orchard we heard a hympnotic hum that led us right to one of Paris’ many bee apiaries!  I wish I had a picture to show you. These bees were working in high style urban hives. Down from the bee village is a school for bee keeping. I think it is so cool that you can get a diploma in bee keeping! Wait. I think I am in progress for a B Keeping Diploma myself  And, this diploma is quite a buzz, too.

I really loved this garden. The only disappointment was the realization that you have to pay for everything in the park including but not limited to toiletries, the puppet shows, the play ground, the sail boats, the swings, and the pony rides. It seemed ridiculous to pay for the playground and then pay for five minutes on the swing.  Yes, it is 1.40 Euro for five minutes! More, there were souvenir, toy, balloon, candy, and food stands. We felt nickled and dimed in the children’s area as if we were in a theme park vs. a public park. I am sure our frustration is because we are Americans.  We  didn’t see a frown on a face. Everyone was jovial, content and more than happy to pay for the carousel, the pony rides, boats and the slide.

I would have been more pleased if we payed a nominal fee to enter the park with the activities and amenities included.  

We decide the marionette show was worth 4.40 Euro a piece including Beatrice. Even though I admit (hindsight is 20/20) it was a total waste for a 17 month old, it is so French, so Truffaut, like the scene from 400 coups.  Every kid in Paris has to see a puppet show! Brian and I couldn’t resist this. We waited in line to buy tickets and enter the perfectly tiny theatre. It was small enough that everyone can see the stage, but big enough for kids to feel like they are in a real theatre. The adorable tiny benches sat watching the thick red velvet curtain while the first four rows were reserved for “kids only.” 

The curtains went up and I was so thrilled.  I can’t explain exactly why. The colors of the set were rich and the marionettes came to life on the stage. The voices were easy to hear and understand (if you understand French a bit). They maneuvered around on stage gracefully in their festive costumes. They didn’t appear to be marionettes at all. No strings could be seen as they were realistic. 

I totally loved every minute that Beatrice allowed us to watch this itty bit of french kid culture. I think, we stayed in the show for about 15 minutes (if that long). Oh, unlucky parents! She was anxious to get out to the balloon stand full of  Dora the Explorer inflatables for purchase.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I simply adored the charming beauty of the Jardin of Luxembourg.

I would have loved it even more if we were prepared for the charges. Otherwise, the kid activities WERE precious and perfectly Paris.

Brian and I were thankful that Beatrice is content to watch the boats rather than rent one. Today at least, we were thankful of her innocence and toddler-hood. Trust me, if she could have uttered a request we would  not have been able to resist the old fashioned merry-go-round, the monkey bars, or the boat races. Beatrice we are glad you are one today!

Oh, God. Dear God. I think you have a misplaced pawn.  There is a piece on the wrong spot on the board.  I think I am meant to be a Parisian. I love, love, LOVE, Paris, France!

Here are a few of our pictures:
 

Papa and Beatrice getting their Photos for the Carte Orange

 To all those who have lost their heads and lives here…
    
 The boy wants a cold Coca cola, please.  

 Beatrice and I feel so small…
      

At the Notre Dame of Paris

 Photos from American Monument, Cemetary and Memorial at Omaha Beach, France.

Grandmother: We went to grand-lengths to locate the markers for the two West Boys we found (each entered the military in South Carolina). You said, “well, neither Ansel nor Arthur rings a bell.  Daddy sent flowers to his brother over there every year, but that is not my Uncle’s name.”  We are so sorry! Our regrets to you for mis-locating the markers. If the thought counts… 

Beatrice was a blister that day as you can see in the photos.  The reverence and silence observed throughout the United States territory was enough to make her a sour puss for the entire day.  We are sorry – but hope you know we tried. Love you and miss you!!!

On the way back from the Normandy beaches in Northern France we made a special trip to Le Mont St. Michel. The pilgrimage to the shrine was worth the time, effort, and drive.

Despite our attempt to avoid pricey tours, we couldn’t resist. The 17.50 Euro per person price was worth the spectacle of this Normandy attraction that rises from the hazy expanse of sand and waves.

It is a bonus that our arrival fell during the night time tour, which included music.  Musicians with instruments were individually placed throughout the 2000 year old Monastery. It was neat to bend around a corner to hear a deep hum of a Cello being played.  Or to hear the chanting of the choir dressed in white hooded robes.  The music was an added bonus for a family traveling with a toddler because it drowned out Beatrice’s deliberate ignorance of the OBSERVE SILENCE signs. More, it drew attention away from her occasional curiosity of the echo of her voice. She seemed to be amazed of the sound of her voice ringing through the halls. 

This Mont has been used as far back as the 6th and 7thcenturies. With amazing tides spanning 14 meters between tides, quick sand, salt marshes, and the invasion of the highest tides in Europe reaching the Mont can be a feat. The waters are among the most dangerous in the world. Luckily, we reached the destination during low tide. Upon reaching the Mont you travel by foot up the Grand Rue which is a shop, hotel, and restaurant lined street toward the Abbey.  The Grand Rue seemed like a trap to welcome the wallets of  >3 million tourist a year as we felt we weren’t far off from a theme park. 

I had hoped to taste the famous frothy omelette of this area.  It is a souffle of nontraditional ingredients they make right in the windows before cooking in a wood fire oven. 

And, I wanted to taste, agneau de Pré Salé which is the delicate lamb that wonder the salty marsh. Considering the omelette’s cost, which equals 45 dollars according to Brian’s calculations,  the experience wasn’t worth the bet on Beatrice’s dining behavior.

Despite the fine smells, the grand reputation, and the site of happy diners we skipped the food of the Mont to delve into the morsels of our cooler and pilfer the loot of our supermarket binge. Only great strength, and the cry of a toddler could have made such a decision.  I guess, I can use this Norman omelette recipe at home. Somehow, it loses it’s appeal  without the ambiance.

Brian told me on the way home, “We are coming back to France…just you and I…we are going to eat and drink and enjoy life as the french do…with no worry of children…we will bike and camp and stay in hotels.”  I am hoping his comments are a promise.

We will take you along our tour:

 Here, share an apple (un pomme) with us before we go.

Take a break with us upon completing the great stairs. We are at the top!

‘

Wow. It is majestic.

Look down with me. Oh, it is a long way down. It is a twinge scary.

I can barely see the people at the bottom. Can you?

From the top, it all looks surprising. The strength of nature, the prodigies of medieval architecture, the light…

Stop. Two french lovers asked us to take their photos from this point. We requested a return of the favor. One…two…Three…Say Cheese! Note, this is our only photo with all three of us.

 I hear the beautiful sounds of the monks. Lets enter the Abbey. We feel so small.

Slow down, now. Beatrice wants to play inside the Benedictine Abbey under the columns of the cloister. The Cloisters has elegant marble columns, an example of early 13th-century Anglo-Norman style. The buildings of Mont St. Michel are constructed of granite, but there is limestone in the cloister.

A small group of Benedictine Monks still inhabit the monastery. It is so damp and windy. It must be a very cold place to live during the winter when the wind blows off the English Channel. Brrr…

 Look at the pulley we have found! This is the Goods Lift Wheel inside the Benedictine Abbey. After the Revolution when the Abbey was turned into a prison, the cargo elevator was operated by prisoners trudging inside like a Hamster wheel.  As the wheel turns a ladder is lifted from the ground up carrying goods. Surely, one of Satan’s demented fantasies.

 Can you hear the Cello?  
 The mirror of the Knights Hall makes for a perfect self portroit. One of our two, now.
 Walk with us now as we leave the Merveille Building and Gardens to descend this granite marvel.

 Look up the Abbey for one last glimpse into history.  Suspended high upon the rock it seems to call you to discover the wild ambition of it’s builders.

 Sand is sand. Sea is sea. “A man-made marvel shines no brighter than the natural beauty of the landscape,” Beatrice reminds us as she INSISTS on playing in the shore. Take your shoes off as we did. Feel the thick-clay-like sludgy sand.

Dip your feet in the cold water.  It is clear and chilly. It feels good.  

Au Revoir, Le Mont St. Michel. We enjoyed your rocky mountain, salty meadows, medieval town, and benedictine Abbey. Salut!

Thanks for visiting. Thanks for coming along.

We decided to spend a day at the exchange home last week to rest and relax. 

I made an impromptu Quiche from scratch for brunch.  The difficulty level is upped when you consider I can not read french. No comprende (yes, I DO know that is spanish). I just have to read the packages and recipes while mustering every ounce of Latin Studies from a rarely visited crevice of my brain. Thank goodness French is a romance language.  I have a little comprehension.  Upon Brian and Beatrice’s approval I was so proud of my regional culinary dish.  Bon appetite!

 We sipped wine while B played football. We played a little, too. It was fun – especially after a few glasses of Chardonnay.
 We took breaks from the game to discover each other and the fun of doing “nothing.”
 We laughed.
 We smiled.
 And, we pointed and played.  It was a fun day!

We drove down to the Garden of France also known as the Loire Valley for a few days. It is remarkable while it is as enchanting as I expected. The vinyards, flowers, forests, and rolling green hills are laced with gabled houses, charming foot bridges and over 1,000 castles.  The villages date back centuries as the architecture and art is unbelievable.  The Medieval streets dating back to the 10th Century are narrow and often cobblestone.  We were awful with the photography task. There isn’t much in our photo basket in comparison to the many towns we traveled and sites we saw.

Here are the the highlights:

The Castle of Chambord was the first castle we came to. Talk about getting the Chateau tour off to sprinting start. We were blown away. It is in the middle of no where. So, you drive around a curve and there it quietly sits.  One of the odd things about Chambord is that all of the furniture, wall coverings, eating implements and so forth were brought specifically for each hunting trip. Can you imagine this logistical exercise?
 
  Something about this reminds me of the Magic Kingdom.  Do you think this is the model for Cinderellas Castle?

The next big stop:   Blois, France.  

  Our trek led us down the same streets as Joan of Arc.   around the Chateau
 We could not help but admire the finest details in everything.
 We went up stairs like these
 and into Cathederals like this
 Outside of town Brian couldn’t resist buying some wine from Guy Drummon’s Wine Store in a cave. A sign out side read ENGLISH SPOKEN HERE. His english was as good as our French. We could feel his pride from inside the language. Brian is convinced he made the wine himself.
    
 We went to the prim little riverside town of Amboise, France too.  Leonardo da Vinci retired here.

 where Beatrice nibbled on candy
 we saw Gothic steeples
 Our driving tour allowed us to go slow and at our own pace. we had the freedom to stop and smell the flowers and meander as we pleased.
 Yummy!
 YUMMY!

Map Via Wikipedia

Versailles

Click on the picture to go to the Photo Album.

Did you know that Marie Antoinette had a baby B?  I couldn’t help but think of that as we treked the massive estate. If I remember correctly, Marie’s Beatrice lived a short life of one or two years old. 

Despite study, pictures, and films, I did not understand the majesty of Versailles until the visit. Although I would like to think I would have been a  member of the royal court, chances are that I would not. I think I would have been one of the population quietly plotting the revolution as I moved forests, cleaned the stables, or performed my juggling act . The royalty was seriously out of control. It is gorgeous.

Marie Antoinette and her children, 1786–1787. Sophie Hélène Béatrix, originally in the cradle, was painted out after her death. By Marie Louise Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun . When Beatrix died she was painted out of the picture. Weird, huh.

Get ready. Get Set. We are off to the park on an afternoon stroll.  

Here we go.

Past the cute houses we will go.

Through the trees we look.

Through the round about

Follow close. It feels like a hobbit is just around the bend.

Yay. We are here. Wow. What a view.

Up ladders
 

Down the slide

in the middle of the corrider

all smiles on the see saw

 Down the baby slide we go

 Now it is time for us to go.
Back through town.
Passed the shops
And, the charming houses
Beyond the window boxs

Past the sweet smell of the restaurant.

on to home we go. Thanks for strolling with us!

We arrived fine despite the cancellation of our original flight. The extra day at home was ironically nice.  The Paris Airport is much less grueling than any US airport that I have experienced. It is modest, simple and easy in comparison. The weather is magnificent. It feels like Athens in the fall – cool, breezy, chilly, and rainy. The sun doesn’t set until around 10p, which is really odd for us. You look outside assuming it is around 5:30p. Low and behold, you look at your clock.  It is a quarter after 10!

Everyone keeps asking for pictures, pictures, pictures. So, Brian and I have decided to (try) to upload ours semi-regularly. I subscribed to Flickr pro after much debate. The on-line reviews for Flickr are outstanding. Oddly, now that I have paid for an account I find that Picassa is more user friendly. I totally regret subsribing to ever-slow Flickr. Anyway, here are a few shots:

  Frog legs, Anyone?
 

Beatrice put her barrette in today – all by herself. 

 My grocery shoppers.  One cool thing about their carts: you insert a coin to unlock the cart upon arrival. The coin stays in the slot. The only way to get the coin back is to relatch the lock to carts in the stall. Most people want their money back so they return their buggys. It’s a great way to insure a clean parking lot. There were no buggies dancing around the parking lot.   Who said mini vans aren’t hot?

They drive on the same side of the road as we do in Statesboro. And, the steering wheel is on the same side, too.  It is relatively easy except the driving is serious.  Cell phone use is illegal while driving. More, both hands must be on the wheel.

A glimpse of our grocery loot. The supermarket is amazing with the variety of products. For instance, their is an ENTIRE aisle of yogurt. Yes, I mean an entire aisle.  
 

Here, have a fresh beignet with me.

As you’re reading this, we are hosting Home Exchange guests in our home for three weeks. Some people  kindly refer to us as a “bed and breakfast” because we have so many overnight guests (and now exchange guests) pass through our hallways – and we love it.

Despite a smaller home, we do our best to make room for all of the invited guests in the home exchange. Anyone who needs a pillow to rest their read for the night has one!  We feel like making our home a haven for all who enter is part of our family values. It’s what makes us the Hulsey’s!

Yes, it’s a bit exhausting to have extra people within your walls, and yes, it does provide more work – for a time. But really, we truly love exchanging our home. It is a nice break fromt he hum-drum, typical vacation. More it makes travel more affordable, more convenient, and more educational. It’s fabulous.

Hosting guests doesn’t have to be a pain – it can be something you look forward to.

Here are ways you can help home exchange guests feel more at home:

1. Be yourself. Truly. Most house guests aren’t expecting an immaculate house, and if they are, there’s no point in loading your shoulders with the pressure to try.

2. Let your guests be themselves. Really mean it when you say, “make yourself at home.” If you’re willing to have guests live in your home, be willing to let them put their feet up on your coffee table. This is within reason, of course – don’t let manipulative people treat you like a doormat.  Store any valuables or untouchables in a private place like an attic or a storage rental.

3. Provide extra toiletries. We have a basket of basic essentials that we bring out for overnighters, and we leave it on the guest bathroom counter for them to help themselves. It’s nothing fancy – just toothpaste, soap, lotion, shampoo and conditioner, and unopened toothbrushes. I stock up on some of these items when they’re on sale, and this is also a great use for those travel-sized freebies from hotels.

4. Make things easy to find. When they first arrive, have all their needed towels either out on the bathroom counter, or on their bed or night stand. Leave out some basic breakfast goodies for them to help themselves. Don’t forget the dishes and silverware, too.

If they arrive after a long trip, put a little basket of refreshments on their night stand. A simple bottle of water, a package of nuts, maybe a banana, and a little welcome note can really make them feel welcome.

5. Keep coffee and tea on hand. Even if you don’t drink it, a coffee drinker is always thankful to have the means to make a cup of joe in the morning. It doesn’t have to be anything high-end if you don’t drink it, but make sure it’s fresh.

6. Create some simple extra touches to make your guests feel welcomed and attended to. Place an inexpensive flower in a small vase on their night stand. Provide a great-smelling candle and a book of matches.  Make sure there’s an alarm clock available, too.

7.  Provide reading material. Collect a few magazines and put them in an easy-to-reach basket near their bed or in the bathroom. I prefer to leave local magazines or ones that offer cultural insight. Maybe even select a good book of short stories (short stories are good, so that guests can actually finish what they’re reading, as opposed to a long novel).  If there’s something you’ve really wanted your house guest to read, now’s a great time to oh-so subtly leave it on the night stand, waiting to be read.

8. Depending on the reason for their visit, you may want to provide information about where you live. If they’re in town on vacation, provide some brochures about tourist spots, a map, and maybe something unique about where you live for them to enjoy while they’re in town – a book from a local author, a travel guide, or a CD from a local musician. I made a “HOW TO GUIDE FOR OUR HOME” that included emergency information, restaurant suggestions, appliance directions, plant watering requests, etc.

9. Let them help around the house. Don’t put them to work, of course, people are  more relaxed and feel less like an intruder if you say yes to their inevitable question, “Can I do anything?” Let them do something small like water the kitchen plants or take out the trash.

Do you like having guests in your home? What’s the hardest part about it?  Please, share your hosting tips that work well for you.