Guest Welcome Basket

Since we've moved from Southern California to the Central Coast we have been flooded with house guests, which we love!  Living in a vacation destination makes our home a vacation spot for many of our friends.  Because of this the summer has been filled with barbecues, wine tasting, dinners out, kayaking, and morning coffee on the water.  

Lately I've been loving the idea of having a welcome basket for our house guests sitting on the guest room bed when they arrive.  If our friends are here for vacation why not make it really feel that way.  Here's a list of a few quick and easy things to make your own "house guest welcome basket."

• Welcome note
• Water bottles
• Bottle of champagne
• Cookies from your favorite bakery or homemade 
• Seasonal magazines
• Locally made lotion and soap
• Guest towels
• Toothbrushes
• Advil
• Room Spray

Photo via

A Quick And Easy Asparagus Tart

Darlings, Mac and I have had guest over every week for the last five weeks.  We absolutely love our new house and that so many friends have made the trip to visit us.  But let's be honest, when you're having a dinner party every week you need to find a few quick and easy appetizers that allow you time to prep dinner and still spend time with your guest.  

This asparagus tart is perfect!  We've made it twice in the last five weeks.  Everyone was so impressed by the presentation, loved the way it turned out, and both groups asked for the recipe...my job as a hostess is done here. I can't take the credit though, the recipe link below came from PBS of all places and I can't thank them enough.  It's a gorgeous appetizer that I can make with fresh farmer's market asparagus and takes less than 15 minutes to prep.  Give it a try if you're having friends over or just feel like having a decadent snack to yourself! 

You'll find more photos and the recipe here.