Having a house in Maine means lots of company which I thoroughly enjoy, but it also means going for days without writing a word except in the ship’s log! Having just said goodby to friends, it seems a good time to share what I’ve learned about hosting visitors.
The most important thing is to provide comfortable spaces that allow guests to unpack and settle in. A bedside reading light is always a good idea as is having books and magazines for nighttime perusal. 
Adults like having their own bathroom, and I make sure each has shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and, of course, fluffy, fresh smelling towels. There’s also a hair dryer just in case someone forgets to bring their own.
Before guests arrive, I stock the refrigerator and pantry with foodstuffs making sure to have checked in advance to see if anyone has any special dietary needs. Most people don’t expect us to provide much in the way of meals, but I like to have some things ready to share. For breakfast, there’s generally a made ahead of time egg casserole ready to pop into the oven and always there are muffins bursting with those wonderful little Maine blueberries. These, too, are so easy to make in advance and freeze until time to use them. The important thing is to make it easy for guests to find something to eat that will make them feel at home and, of course, you never want to run out of coffee in the morning!
For most of our guests, traveling to Maine is an all day affair. Rather than go out for dinner the first night, we have a lobster dinner with lobster a few hours out of the water thanks to my lobster guy.
To finish dinner off, there is blueberry cobbler topped with ice cream made in minutes in a little electric freezer, one of my favorite kitchen tools. We may have another dinner or two at home, but we alternate with meals out at one or another of the wonderful restaurants in the area.
The whole key to having guests is to enjoy yourself and not try to do too much. I’ve found that most people are more comfortable in our home when they feel they are helping out whether it’s assisting with a meal or cleaning up after. I welcome their participation not only because it makes things easier on me but because it’s fun to work together. No time is this more true than at 5 PM tini time when we relax on the porch for appetizers and drinks that everyone has had a hand in preparing.
Having houseguests is fun so long as you don’t make it too hard on yourself. If you have great tips, do pass them on.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Lulu's Musings 
Pst! Hey Lulu. Got any tips for getting them the hell out of the house? 😉
When guest like where they are that can sometimes be a challenge!
Maybe a little loud rock music could be introduced, or even chlorine gas 😀
Great tips. You are a great hostess always. Your meal sounds great and I am sure that guests would prefer staying at home the first night.
After a long day of travel, I think you are right about people enjoying an easy first night.
beautiful pictures and your home is so inviting! Tina
Thank you, Tina. I hope it is comfortable here.
This is lovely. I love that you have a ‘first night’ strategy that highlights the best of your local cuisine.
Lobster dinner is easy to prepare and generally not one that folks have too often.
Have you ever posted how you prepare it? I’d be interested to see that.
If you search “lobster recipes” on my site, quite a bit will come up
I’m sure your guest book is always full when you promise guests a welcoming lobster dinner! I try to plan things out with easy recipes and stock up so everything’s on hand and ready. I also stay super flexible, that potato casserole might just turn into plain ole baked potatoes 🙂
Making things easy is the key otherwise we’d go crazy!
What a wonderful hostess you are! 🙂
I try!
I do basically the same thing. I do stock the guest bath with what you mentioned and also an extra toothbrush, paste and floss. I love entertaining too. It is hard when they leave to get it all cleaned up and back to normal:)
With people like you, it’s easy!!
You two are wonderful at making guests feel comfortable there!!!!!!!
Linda, you are the perfect hostess, who would not enjoy a visit to your Maine home!!!
Ha! Better watch out or more people will be at your door. One thing I do is show everyone what’s in the cupboards and refrigerator and tell them they can help themselves to whatever they see and if they are over 21 I invite them to enjoy the liquor cabinet, too.
You’ve got the make it easy part down.
The food looks amazing!
You sound like a wonderful hostess!
Well, thank you!
You are the perfect hostess!
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Maybe not perfect!!
What a fabulous hostess you are!
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Hey, I give it my best shotQ