"Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays 'Cause no matter how far away you roam When you pine for the sunshine Of a friendly face For the holidays, you can't beat Home, sweet home"

No Place Like Home for the Holidays
Christmas Song

Barry and Meghan arrived around 10 pm last Saturday evening after a long drive across New York State to find this room lovingly prepared for them.

Since we have spent so many Christmas' away from our home Kara and I thought of a few easy finishing touches that we would be happy to find as a guest in some one's spare bedroom.

http://www.links2love.com/christmas_songs_home_holidays.htm

• Kara thought a personal Christmas tree would provide a space for some quiet retreat time away from the family activities serving as mood lighting for the room.
• Since we had an extra microwave oven, we tucked it into the room along with a wooden, breakfast in bed, tray complete with twoCurrier & Ives mugs, Serendipity Hot Cocoa Mix, spoons, napkins and two homemade cupcakes.
• I added a vanilla bean candle, book of matches and the Sansevieria trifasciata( mother-in laws tongue) plant for some comic relief ;~) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sansevieria_trifasciata

When a large number of people are home, as a perfect accompaniment to the spices, salty and sweet holiday foods, I like to have a large bowl of fresh cut fruits available to refresh, nourish and clear the pallet. Here is a bowl of ripe, apple, bananas, dried cherries and cranberries, papaya, peaches, mandarin oranges, fresh orange slices, pineapple sprinkled with coconut flakes.



Kara had the great idea to offer Meghan, kitchen time and space for her to share O'Reilly-green family traditions and recipes. After all, being together for Christmas is not about converting someone to a certain way of thinking; it is about making a larger circle. We are anxious to learn new ways to celebrate from Meghan.

These hints should make anyone feel more welcome in your home as a guest and new family member.