TMD's Guide on how to host a houseguest

So Thatboy and I went on a lunch date today and he informed me that he believes he has caught whatever bug I am trying to get over. Which means I am now sick, and taking care of another sicky. Between you and I, I think his back is beginning to feel better and he's afraid he might actually have to do work around the house.

When she heard how busy I am, TMD offered to do a guest blog for me. And I'm taking her up on it.

Hi Friends! (HA Cate) Thatgirl was telling me about her latest trip to visit her inlaws and it made me realize that many people don't know the appropriate behaviors when hosting house guests. Since I am an excellent hostess I thought I would help out and cover some tips you might want to use next time you have people come to stay with you.

Do: Grab a toy as soon as they enter the home. It helps to control the excitement. If that's still not enough, try doing a lap around the living room. Once they bend down to say hi, you can give them as many kisses as you like.
Don't: Jump all over your houseguests. It scares some of them and it will probably hurt your knees more than you realize.

Do: Think of your houseguests' needs. Have they been traveling for a while? Maybe they would like something to drink or eat. And remember to think about your guests the entire time they are there. Don't be selfish! These people are your guests and as such, it is your duty to make sure they're taken care of.
Don't: If there are only two bathrooms in the house, and you and your spouse usually don't share bathrooms, don't continue this habit while your guests are staying with you. Especially if you each spend an hour in the bathroom in the morning while you're guests are left crossing their legs and wondering if they're better off going outside.

Do: Make your guests feel comfortable by sharing your favorite toys with them.
Don't: Leave your favorite toys out if they're the kind of toys that one of your guests like to tear apart. (I'm looking at you Thatdog. I like my stuffies stuffed.)

Do: Wear pajamas. Even if you don't normally. Maybe have a pair especially for when guests come over.
Don't: Go running around the halls naked at night when the bathroom is directly between your room and the guest room and you're sharing that bathroom.

Do: Make sure your guests are warm and snuggly. Help them by sitting as close to them as possible. Maybe even on top of them if they seem okay with the idea.
Don't: Mistake their feet under the covers for monsters. Houseguests get very annoyed at having their feet snapped at.

Do: Take your guests eating habits, restrictions, likes and dislikes into account when it comes to food. Maybe ask them for some things they normally eat so you can have them in the house.
Don't: Have absolutely no food in the house. Especially if one of your guests is on a specialized diet for a religious holiday. The same specialized diet she has been on for the past 10 years every Easter. And happens to be eating more often than usual because of a certain baby she's growing. And don't make excuses that you can't shop in advance because you "only go food shopping the day of and the stores are closed."


On that last note - food preferences are very important when it comes to house guests, and not even guests who are spending the night. Thatgirl makes a big point of talking to all her dinner guests before they come over to make sure she doesn't make anything they don't like. This can be as basic as "I don't like broccoli" all the way to "I think veal is cruel and inhumane." I know Thatgirl is going to a full post about veal a little later, so I don't want to spoil anything. Instead, for those of you who are good with eating veal, here's delicious way to enjoy it.

Veal in Onion Sauce
1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp flour
1/2 cup heated milk
1 onion, chopped
nutmeg
3 Tbsp heavy cream
2 scallops of veal
canola oil

1. Preheat oven to 350. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter in a sauce and stir in the flour.
   
3. When it's paste-like add the hot milk and stir. Bring to a boil, salt and pepper to taste and
4. Throw the chopped onion in the boiling water. Cook for one minute and then drain the onions.
5. Add the onions to the saucepan and cook until tender.
6. Place sauce in baking dish with a sprinkle of nutmeg, cover and bake for 10 minutes, until the onions are mushy. Let cool while you cook the veal.
   
7. Reduce heat to 325. Rub the veal with oil and place on a shallow rack in the oven. Bake 30 minutes per pound.
8. Place the sauce through a food processor till it is nice and creamy. Stir in the heavy cream and heat through. Serve over the veal.