Six guests from three states have spent days with us over the last three months. When company comes, a flurry of nesting, cleaning, and organizing kicks in. Sometimes I find myself thinking “why don’t I clean the showers this well every week?” Or sticking with my reason for not dusting: “I still am not bothered by dust, so I’ll get to it every once in a while.”
Company however inspires me to see the dust and deep-cleaning needs that I tend to overlook when it is just me moving about the house. Company coming prompts extra linen changing and washing. Thankfully, because I love clean sheets on my own bed, linens get washed regularly without the prompting of company coming.
Whether company is a friendly acquaintance, a family member, a work colleague, or a close friend, I typically prepare a food and beverage offering or two. Baked goods are a go-to for me. Fruit and vegetable trays, sometimes cheese trays, seem to work well for most people I know. Beverages are functional not fancy – a function of how I grew up I guess.
Fresh flowers are often included in the company welcome: on the food table, in the bathroom, sometimes on the kitchen counter. Whether from my yard, or a neighbor who’s said, “prune my roses any time and take some for yourself,” flowers are a quick way to add flair to spaces. The good cheer of flowers in a vase seems to bring a smile to nearly everyone.
Company deserves a welcome mat at the front door and throughout the house. And, if company deserves a welcoming and clean place to visit, I deserve a cleaner place to live too. Maybe I’ll prioritize more time for dusting. Maybe I won’t – no allergies, no fuss, no urgent need to dust.
What does “company coming” inspire you to do in your nest?
Nesting is about the objects and experiences that create a sense of home. Without home, it is difficult to maintain health, find joy, or to be productive during our workdays. Enjoy the Nesting series of blogs on your search for a deep sense of home. –Jana
Jana Kemp
