Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Be Joyful

July 21, 2010 by Shanna Hatfield

My Wednesday Shout-Out goes out today to someone I don’t know. I can’t even tell you her name. But she really does deserve a pat on the back.

Sunday when I was traveling back from Milwaukee, I had a connecting flight in Denver. While sitting and waiting for the plane to board, I had the opportunity to watch the airline employee who was working our gate. Now, I don’t know about you, but usually the words I’d use to describe a gate agent would be abrupt, detached, disinterested, and quite often rude.

But this employee was smiling. She was beaming and laughing. Even when less than polite travelers got in her face and started making demands. She held onto her good attitude like it was a lifeline.  She might have been faking it, but I don’t think so. It was too genuine.

So the lesson I learned from her is this: be joyful where you are at, no matter what you are doing, or what goes on around you. Be joyful.

Go on, try it today.

Be joyful!

Posted in Referrals, Success Tips | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Welcome to Willow House

July 20, 2010 by Shanna Hatfield

Last week, I traveled to Milwaukee for the first-ever Willow House National Conference.

To say it was amazing, fantastic, inspiring and fabulous doesn’t even do it justice.

Conference is a place to plug in and recharge, to network with great people who understand the concept of building relationships and helping one another, and to get great ideas to jump-start our businesses for the fall season.

While I was at conference, I noticed that what was offered by the corporate staff and other consultants was basically the same things we want to offer guests in our home.

A Warm Welcome

I don’t know about you, but I like to feel welcomed when I am visiting someone. A genuine smile and a warm hug or handshake goes a long way in making someone feel welcome. Even a  “hello, I’m so glad to see you,” when said honestly makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. Acknowledge people in a way that says “I remember you, my friend.”

Servant Mentality

“Won’t you come in and make yourself at home?”

“How can I best assist you?”

“Is there anything I can offer you?”

All those questions, whether spoken or implied, mean that you are there to provide assistance and help to someone. I can’t tell you how many times I was offered care and support through similar words. When people come to your home, offer them no less. Let them know you are there in the moment to make them feel at home.

Encouragement and Acceptance

We all need encouragement and acceptance. Even if the words aren’t spoken, we need to know that other people accept us for who we are and support us in our pursuits. It is human nature. The people at conference have this down to an art. We can take a lesson from them. When people come to your home are they accepted and encouraged? Your job as a host is to make sure they are. A few words  spoken from the heart offering encouragement or acceptance can mean the world to someone.

Joy

These conference attendees know how to have fun. In class, at general session or even celebrating to a 1950s themed party, they celebrate, embrace joy and have a great time. When you  entertain guests, do you have a go-with-the-flow and enjoy the moment attitude or are you flustered and frustrated that things didn’t follow your perfect party plan? Learn to let go and enjoy the guests in your home at the moment they are there. They won’t remember if the bread got a little too toasty or the punch wasn’t the exact shade of pink you wanted or if the centerpiece candle refuses to stay lit. What they will remember is if you set the tone for a fun evening by surrendering your plans and just enjoying the evening and them.

Entertaining your Heart Out

Give it your best and then enjoy the results, whatever they may be. Laugh, hug, cry, smile, be present in the moment, dream for the future and celebrate what makes each person unique and special.

Happy Entertaining!

Shanna

Posted in Entertaining at Home, Entertaining Ideas | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments »

Discombobulate

July 19, 2010 by Shanna Hatfield

Can't we all use a little recombobulation from time to time?

Word of the Week: Discombobulate

dis·com·bob·u·late

[dis-kuhm-bob-yuh-leyt]

–verb (used with object), -lat·ed, -lat·ing.

to confuse or disconcert; upset; frustrate: The speaker was completely discombobulated by the hecklers.
I just returned from the first-ever Willow House conference and let me tell you, I’m plenty discombobulated. My head is filled to overflowing with information. But the nice folks at the Milwaukee airport tried to help all of us conference-dazed consultants out by offering a recombobulation area. I thought it was pretty nice of them to be so thoughtful.
Seriously, though, I loved this sign that hung just past the security check point in Milwaukee. What a fun way to give people a place to get their shoes back on, their belts back in place and their belongings gathered.
I think, maybe, I need a recombobulation area at home. Do you think Hubby would go for a sign like that hanging above my office door?

Posted in Musings, Travels | Tagged , | Leave a Comment »

Fried Zucchini

July 16, 2010 by Shanna Hatfield

Something strange happened during the winter months that caused the zucchini left rotting in my garden area to multiply into about a billion seeds and burst forth this spring with hundreds of plants in my very small garden. The zucchini, like my oven, have gone totally berserk!

I have pulled up plants, tried to give them away, begged family and friends to take them off my hands, and now I am left with a bunch of zucchini that must be turned into something edible.

Captain Cavedweller and his mother would founder on fried zucchini if someone would let them. When I make fried zucchini, I have to quietly sneak into the kitchen and make it as fast as I can, otherwise CC is camped out beside me eating them as fast as they cool down enough to put in his mouth. When his mom is visiting, I can just give up any thought that I will get even one bite, cause they aren’t sharing. Not at all.

Here is my simple recipe for making fried zucchini. Enjoy!

Zucchini sliced and ready for coating.

Ready to dip in our three coatings.

Coat with flour before dipping it into the beaten egg.

Once you’ve got it covered with the egg, move on to the Panko Crumbs with seasoning.

Fry until golden brown on each side – it doesn’t take long.

Yum! Crispy zucchini goodness.

Fried Zucchini

small zucchini (they are more tender and flavorful before they get too big)

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup Panko crumbs

salt

pepper

all-purpose seasoning

Heat a heavy skillet (I like cast iron) over medium heat with enough oil to cover the bottom. Let the oil get hot. While it is coming up to temp, wash and thinly slice your zucchini. Put your flour in one dish, the egg in a second and the Panko crumbs mixed with the seasonings  in a third.

Coat each zucchini slice in the flour, drench with the egg and finish off with the Panko crumbs. Then fry on each side until golden brown. Place on a plate or platter covered with paper towels to absorb excess grease. If there are any left to serve, you can have a basic ranch sauce to dip them in or eat plain.

Hoping you get more of them than I do!

Happy Entertaining!

 

Posted in Easy Recipes, Quick and Easy, Sides | Tagged , | 1 Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »