Curb Appeal with Guest Darlene Schacht

Oh friends, my head is about to explode!

For two reasons, really. One, because there are so many goodies here for you today including two free e-books and a chance at a free night’s stay at a fantastic Georgia Bed & Breakfast! and our last swap and share day giving some hospitality on the road ideas and……

Because I am sick.

The sore throat, pounding sinus-headache, coughin’, creepin’ crud SICK!

But when I think of what day it is and what Jesus did for me by suffering on the cross? Well, a little creepin’ crud ain’t NOTHIN’!

Today’s guest is giving us ways to lay down a little of our lives in order to make our husband’s return home each day relaxing.

My new fabulously talented friend Darlene Schacht is here!

Darlene is an ordinary mom, living an extraordinary life, because of who she is through Jesus Christ.

As help-meet to her husband Michael, she guides and nurtures their four children, leading them toward a deeper walk of faith.

She is a New York Times best-selling author through the book she co-authored with actress Candace Cameron Bure titled, Reshaping it All: Motivation for Physical and Spiritual Fitness.

You can find her blogging at Time-Warp Wife where she empowers wives to joyfully serve and on twitter.

My Desire for Curb Appeal

Dictionary.com defines hospitality this way: The friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.

It’s a wonderful thing to treat our guests with a friendly reception. I like it and I’m sure that you appreciate the extra effort too. It’s unfortunate however that many families don’t take the time to treat each other with the same level of respect.
When my husband walks through the door after a hard day at work, I like to offer him what I refer to as “curb appeal.” Curb appeal offers him a feeling of peace, respect and acceptance from the moment he steps into our home.

~ Take a look in the mirror an hour before your husband comes home to ensure that you are presentable. An hour allows ample time to hop into the shower if need be.

~ Go light on the perfume, but use great smelling soaps, shampoo, and antiperspirant so he’ll want to snuggle up for the evening.

~ If you wear makeup, put a little on before he walks in. Your goal is to look happy and radiant–not done up.

~ Dress in feminine clothing. Men are attracted to women, not fashion, so do your best to wear styles, fabrics and colors that remind him you’re a woman and not another one of the guys. Dress as well for him as you would for new friends.

~ Have all chores done before he walks in the door, and try to have things like the dishwasher and vacuum turned off.

~ Put aside your problems and be cheerful when he walks in the door.

~ Make your bed every morning so he has a comfortable place to rest at night or upon returning from work.

~ Ensure that the television and stereos are turned off so that the house is peaceful.

~ If the kids are excited about something, encourage them to wait about 15 minutes before they share their news.

~ Prepare dinner before he arrives. There’s nothing quite like the smell of home cooking when you walk in the door—especially when you’re cooking the food he likes.

~ Have the pots and pans washed ahead of time so that the kitchen is every bit as presentable as the meal.

~ If you have problems to deal with, wait until after dinner to spring it on him. Husbands are happier when their tummies are full.

~ Greet him at the door with open arms, a kiss, and a warm embrace.

~ Make an effort to look at him when he is speaking so that he has your full attention.

~ Close the computer if you’re on it, and if you’re chatting on the phone try to end the conversation and call her back later.

~ Have the children tidy up the front entrance when they arrive from school. Backpacks, jackets and gym bags make for an untidy greeting.

~ Do your best to have the house clean and organized at all times. He is working hard outside the home and needs home to be his haven of rest.

~ Don’t be angry if he’s working late, instead show appreciation for long hours put in.

~ Have the kids wash their faces, and change their clothing if they are soiled from play before Daddy comes home.

~ Don’t nag him or try to reshape his bad habits. Work on your own and practice acceptance at all times.

~ It is imperative that you defend your husband to your children and that they respect him at all times. Never allow them to grumble or complain about him whether he’s present or not.

~ Don’t compare him to other women’s husbands or to your father when it comes to your definition of a man. Love and respect go a lot farther than criticism ever will.

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. ~ Proverbs 31:10”

You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene

Ok gals—for the giveaways!

First, for a copy of Darlene’s free e-books; One on Esther, the beauty of courageous submission and one on Ruth, a woman of virtue, click here.

Then, one of you who leaves a hospitality on the road idea, either as a comment or as a link to your blog post on the topic, will win one free night’s stay at the Madison Oaks Inn & Gardens!!!

This stay, subject to room availability, is for the Hannah room, their nicest room and a $280 value! Thank you to Cheryl–the proprietor of the inn who read my book and contacted me with this generous offer!

This will be a great get-away for you and your hubby or a friend. (Sorry, no children under 13 and of course, this doesn’t include travel. You’ll need to get yourself to the inn which is about an hour from Atlanta.)

OK–please leave us a hospitality on the road idea: a clever way to reach out and love on someone that doesn’t involve your home but involves you going to them!

Is there a theme basket you could take a sports-lover, a bbq fanatic or ballerina?

Any way to bless a stranger? A faraway friend or relative by using the US mail?

What could you do for a new family in your church or neighborhood?

A coach, teacher or bus driver?

I can’t wait to see your ideas!

PLEASE NOTE: Make sure you end your comment or post by putting in quotes “B & B” So I know if you’d like to win the Bed & Breakfast giveaway. If you are chosen at random as the winner and can’t get away to the inn, I’ll give you a different prize and pick another winner for the Inn.

 

158 Comments

  1. I believe I first saw this idea on Pinterest, but you can prepare and keep “blessing bags” in your car to give to someone you encounter who may be homeless or in need. A “blessing bag” is a ziploc you fill with items such as gum, mints, trail mix, a bottled water, toothpaste and toothbrush, etc.–small items that could be luxuries to someone without a home. You can also add a small copy of the New Testament or some verses typed or handwritten on a small piece of paper. Keep them in your glove compartment so a bag is with you to share when needed. “B and B”

  2. Our bible study groups makes dinners for the week for new mommas. I recently had the opportunity to be on the receiving end of it and it was so wonderful!!

  3. One of the things I like to bring, esp. to those who have just moved into a house or apt. is paper products. For ex. SAM’s size paper towels & toilet tissue packages. One can never get too much of these items and is always much appreciated.

  4. I recently saw this idea on another web site several weeks ago and have since done it myself. You take a few things that are favorites to the person you are giving to and wrap them or place them in a brown paper bag. Then tie them up with string and put these words on the front of it, “Brown Paper Packages wrapped up in string, these are a few of my favorite things.” I so enjoyed doing this for someone.
    “B & B”

  5. “B&B” … One thing that I like to do is take lunch — homemade or picked up in a deli — to an elderly person and eat with them while we visit for a while.. I especially like to do this for people who have little or no family nearby. It seems to really brighten their day, and I have made some wonderful friends who are full of widsom. I live a couple of hours away from Madison, and my pastor husband and I would absolutely LOVE to win the getaway at the “B & B” …. thanks for offering this study. :)

  6. We live in a military town with lots of foreign families. Our family is part of a ministry that reaches out to college students from out of the country, and we invite them to our house on holidays. This past Christmas, we hosted Masa, a college student from Japan, and we made him a goody bag with “American” goodies. Inside was a Starbucks gift card, (of course,) a bag of cheetos, some chapstick, a gift card to subway, a few small candy bars, and a small Bible. He loved the goody bag, and couldn’t stop raving about it. :) That night we all added him on facebook, and his status said, “I love America. They are so friendly. They treat me like family even though I am not.” That really blessed our family that we were able to share our love and hospitality during a time when many feel so lonely – he mentioned that other students were eating Christmas dinner all alone. Next year we’ll have to have the whole international dorm over!! B&B

  7. “B&B” It would be so nice to go to a bed and breakfast.

    I purchased so cute little bible verse note cards that were a dollar ( we you talked about doing 40 days of encouragement) I have left them in a varitey of places for random people.

  8. When we go to visit our children, I try to take along cookies and something special for our grandchildren too–they live in Tx and Co–a long way from our home in NE. I am too far away to use the B&B, but maybe I could be put in the drawing for the other gift. Thank you. Karen, I hope you will feel better very soon & thank you for doing this Book Study. I do have your book, purchased long before this online study was mentioned, and have found it so helpful and also have enjoyed the other readers’ comments!!

  9. I kind of let my feelings about this post override everything else, but didn’t want to leave without saying that I was really blessed by all hospitality on the road comments left by readers!!! You have all really blessed me and given me some great ideas for blessing others! I often feel discouraged because we don’t get a lot of company. I do some of these things mentioned and some hospitality on the road stuff, but sometimes I get discouraged…you have all revitalized me in this area…so thanks!!!

  10. In my culture, we always take a present for our hostess when staying over. I’ve been the receipient of a small plant, a pineapple, a baked dessert etc. While you wouldn’t think of these as a hostess gift, it was great to be thought of and I like practical gifts so thoroughly enjoyed them! So just some ideas, gifts don’t have to be extravagant!

  11. I like to bring meals with a special touch…a bar of chocolate or hot tea in a mason jar…and for surgery or new mommies a pair of cozy socks and a heating pad. :)
    B&B

  12. I love to bake so I often drop a basket of goodies off to friends or neighbors. I am often amazed how the Lord puts certain people on my heart to bring the goodies to. I sometimes don’t always know the reason either. I have never had anyone disappointed by a simple kind gesture. B&B

  13. A member of our church has began a nursing home ministry. His ministry focuses on the residents of one of our local nursing homes. However, I wanted to send some special love to the employees. I made a tray of cookies and sent that with a note to let them know how much they are appreciated and that I am praying for them.

  14. I’m in a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at my church. I had the idea to look for the big pink or blue baby announcement ribbons on mailboxes in and around our neighborhood. When one pops up, I get a basket of goodies: coffee, chocolate, some type of bath product, maybe a homemade treat along with the MOPS brochure and any other informational products I have. Not only is it an immediate treat for the new mommy it has also linked her too a wonderful ongoing resource for the new adventure of motherhood!
    *B and B:)*

  15. I had a little idea to start in my office – purchase a small trinket of some type, attach an anonymous note expressing a sweet sentiment and wishes for a happy day. Secretly place the item and note on someone’s desk. Also on the note would be instructions to keep it going by attaching the note to another small trinket or candy and passing it along. Seems like it would be a fun little secret pal game.
    “B&B”

  16. When I was away at college my 1st year, (3 decades ago), the best gift I received was a care package, which included an oatmeal canister filled with homemade oatmeal cookies. In fact I probably couldn’t name any other gift during that time, or that decade for that matter.
    We make cookies, not every week, but often enough. We make enough to share with another family, co-worker, neighbor. We like to put them in pretty boxes, decorated with ribbons or flowers. Our favorite to give is Oatmeal of course. They are healthier than a lot of other cookies, and the aroma of vanilla and cinnamon linger long after they come out of the oven.

  17. When I get in a baking mood for muffins, I double up then share with several homebound ladies in my community. When we travel I usually fix up a gift basket for the family then follow up later with a thank you note. I have some family far away and I occasionally surprise them with a goodie box by mail. Would love the B&B.
    Thanks for a great study. Happy Easter to all.

  18. I decided to show my husband today’s Curb Appeal post which was a blessing as we had a lovely conversation as to which points were the most meaningful to him. He chose four and I am excited to put them into practice in order to honor and bless him. God bless you and thank you for this wonderful study.

  19. Hope you are feeling better, Unfortunately, the crud is everywhere and it’s coming around again. I work in healthcare and many have it going around again. When I was married (recently divorced) we traveled to some of his relatives in NC and they had lived up North. We brought baskets of goodies like real maple syrup and items that they might not have found in their area. It was a thank you gift for having us stay at their home. It is more work to have someone over so we wanted to let them know we were thankful for their hospitality.

  20. A teen in our youth group just started a new ministry as an outreach for our church. It’s an outreach to those who sit on street corners holding signs. In Feb. my children and I helped the teens and others pack brown lunch bags with small toiletries, granola bars, canned meats, water, bibles, gloves. The bags are then available to church members to put in their vehicles to pass out to individuals they see waiting on street corners. Donations have again been requested so another bag packing will be coming soon. We’ll be there!

  21. I love sending care packages to people. I sent them to my husband when he went to war and it brought me joy and peace. Now, we send them to our 2 kids in college…so much fun! I try to include items they can’t buy in their college state and things that remind them of home.
    This has been the best study. I’ve loved all of your guests and their wonderful tips!! Thank you.
    “B&B”

Leave a Reply to Karen a. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *