The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
I am very challenged by this quote! We all have different gifts and talents, and hospitality is not my major strong point! Oh, for lots of reasons, and maybe some excuses. And as far as ornament goes, well my home is certainly not a show home ~ it’s a rather shabby hotch potch of unmatched bits and pieces which don’t quite fit toegther, and are worn and frayed at the edges. And far more clutter than a girl should have to live with, including books that I swear reproduce themselves at night while everyone is asleep. There’s always a pile of ironing which is a “work-in-progress”, and I never quite manage to get all the rooms tidy all the time. But it’s home, and it’s comfy and lived in, and if you do come by, you are free to kick off your shoes, put the kettle on and make yourself right at home…
If you come! As I said, I have never really got to grips with this hospitality thing. I am a bit of hibernator at home, and like to close the door on the world and snuggle in ~ it is my sanctuary, and I guess I can get a bit precious about it! It was different when the girls were st high school. My house then always seemed to be full of sweaty, noisy teenagers with muddy shoes! Nowadays, it’s a bit quieter. It’s not always conducive to hospitality when your partner isn’t a Christian and is a very private person, and because we both work, we value the time at home as time together with family. For my home is very much a family-focus, my husband, children and grandchildren of primary importance in my life.
So, how can I practise hospitality? Sometimes it helps to think outside the box! I have a great group of internet friends who meet on my Rose Garden forum. Ok, it might be virtual, but the friendship and the prayers are real, and we support one another in many different ways. I have also made some great blog friends, with whom it really feels like I am sitting and sharing a cup of tea with through cyberspace! My other blog Blooming at Home is very much a “chatting round the kitchen table” blog, and you are always welcome for a cup of cyber tea or coffee!
…and if you do ever turn up on my doorstep, you’ll get a real one! 
Read more here
Posted by Heather@mommymonk on May 20, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I know hospitality seems to come naturally for some people and even at some stages of life. It’s easier to have people over when you have kids around. Sometimes we have to step outside of our comfort zones to be hospitable. You seem like a very warm and welcoming person though and that’s what it’s all about!
Posted by AutumnRose on May 20, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Thank you Heather
Posted by Karen Gillett on May 20, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Great thought about hospitality, if I’m spelling that correct without my “apellcheck.”
Praise the Lord that being and having friends is not based on how social we are but what we are inside. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by mrs jackie parkes on May 20, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Have added Christ’s Rose to my links…am I on yours? Many thanks & God bless..
Posted by mrs jackie parkes on May 20, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Sorry I see I am!
Posted by AutumnRose on May 20, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Hi Jackie!
Most blogs are on my blogs and links page…the list was getting way too long, so I transferred some over
Posted by Helen@muisto on May 20, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I just can’t believe you are thinking that you are not practising hospitality enough…! Actually I think I would not even be blogging anymore, if you hadn’t so warmly welcomed me in blogger world.
And if your ‘real life you’ is only half as openhearted I think people know they are welcomed by you. And I don’t think this can be measured in visitor count by week in your house
I guess this is also a fact of having the strenght to have (or not have) people over all the time (I don’t have this very often just because of that).
Hospitality is in the heart mainly and this is where I found it with you!(((hugs)))
Posted by AutumnRose on May 20, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Thank you Helen ~ I am getting so many (undeserved!) blessings today! Thanks be to God, (((((hugs))))) to you! xxx
Posted by Twinkle Mom on May 20, 2008 at 10:30 pm
That is an adorable statue that you have! Very welcoming and heartwarming like your post; I absolutely loved what you wrote.
Posted by mum6kids on May 22, 2008 at 12:09 pm
AR I had to laugh when you said your house had been full of noisy teenagers with muddy shoes. I always thought we had a fairly big house until the boys started having their HUGE footed friends over. Then as time went on it wasn’t just their feet that seemed everywhere; it was like walking with Ents.
I am getting used to it now.
I find hospitality difficult at times too, but in the end I think it will be part of my salvation.