| I have truly enjoyed entertaining overnight house | | | | and fry in extra virgin olive oil or bake until brown. |
| guests and since we live in Florida near a beautiful | | | | An easy meal is serving the cutlets with lemon |
| beach, we have guests who look forward to the | | | | slices, a vegetable and a salad. Also, the cutlets |
| change in scene and for some to get away from | | | | can be served cold the next day in a sandwich. |
| frigid weather up north. It is fun and enjoyable | | | | *Morning Coffee - if you have an auto-timer |
| simply because of pre-planning and organization. | | | | coffee maker, prepare coffee the night before |
| Below are some tips that work very well for | | | | and set to the time guest awake. Have cups, |
| entertaining overnight guests: | | | | sweetener, and cream set out for guests to help |
| *Planning - put together a plan for meals to be | | | | themselves until breakfast is prepared. |
| served including breakfast, lunch and dinner far in | | | | *Preparing the House -place an alarm clock in the |
| advance to allow sufficient time to shop for | | | | bedroom. Have adequate hangers in the closet |
| groceries and have the right food on hand. | | | | and provide drawer space. Find a space to store |
| *Food Preparation - prepare most foods ahead, | | | | luggage. |
| freeze or refrigerate. | | | | *Bathroom - should be equipped with fresh soap |
| *Breakfast - this meal tends to be more difficult | | | | at the sink and in the shower along with shampoo |
| to prepare in advance. Have on hand cereals, | | | | and conditioner. Have an extra supply of towels |
| yogurts, protein powder to make smoothies, | | | | stored in a convenient place for guests to reach. |
| fresh fruit, eggs, bacon/sausage, pancake mix, | | | | Since traveling by air these days makes packing |
| frozen waffles. Preparing omelets and pancakes | | | | some toiletries difficult, have on hand in the guest |
| makes breakfast special and my guests enjoy | | | | bathroom small bottles of lotion, toothpaste, |
| watching this activity. Also, I have on hand a few | | | | toothbrush, small size package of aspirin |
| additions so that my guests can personalize their | | | | ibuprofen, Band-Aids, even a spare hairdryer can |
| omelet. | | | | come in handy. I also like to include a small |
| *Lunch - sandwiches are the quickest and easiest | | | | package of TUMS, as it's easy to over indulge |
| to prepare. Have on hand a variety of deli meats, | | | | when on vacation and always have a few extra |
| tomatoes, dressings. Package salad mixes work | | | | rolls of toilet tissue. |
| well along with a variety of bottled dressings. | | | | *When Children Come To Visit - keeping children |
| Leftovers from dinner the night before also | | | | entertained is easy. Just be sure to have things |
| works well including fried chicken, cold sliced roast | | | | like books, puzzles, crayons, paper, scissors, and |
| beef served over salad greens topped with | | | | Silly Putty. Also have a small variety of toys and |
| dressing. | | | | a large basket to store the toys, making cleanup |
| *Dinners - meals that can be made ahead include | | | | easy. Kids can sometimes be picky eaters, but |
| casseroles, tomato sauce, either with meat or | | | | most children enjoy chicken fingers, macaroni and |
| marinara style, fried breaded chicken breast. I do | | | | cheese, bagels, waffles, canned soups and fresh |
| the breading early in the day and refrigerate till | | | | fruit. |
| ready to fry. Fry an hour before serving, and | | | | I have found planning in advance has made my |
| place in a warm oven. This gives you additional | | | | time with guests relaxing and gives me more |
| time to set the table, prepare a salad and visit | | | | time to spend visiting with them. |
| with guests. I also prepare breaded veal cutlets | | | | |