Coming off a monster weekend of playing hostess, I am compelled to come clean about something once and for all.  When people come over, I am swamped with the need to make excuses for my wee, tiny house.  Maybe not every time you come over, but for sure the first time.  It is small – there’s no way around it.  Nine hundred eighty square feet of small, not counting the garage, which will someday be living space but not now. It is especially small in the winter, when there’s no escaping outside. And if it is your first visit, as it was for two guests this weekend, I will feel especially drawn to offer apologies.  Which is so silly, because I’d wager that none of  the people I invite over are the sort of people who care at all about that sort of thing.

It is, I’m fairly certain, the smallest house of anyone we know, or at least those whose houses we have been to. It is bigger, however, than our brick duplex we lived in at Green Lake, where we BBQ’ed on the parking strip.  I remember some good times on that little grassy strip. And I’m pretty sure I made excuses about that too, but we were younger then and it seemed forgivable.  Now that we actually own a house, it seems like it should be grander, with granite counter tops and a dishwasher at least, another bathroom would be great. A kitchen more than 2 people can be in – and those two people are pushing it.

But the fact is we (by that I mean me) love to have people over, to feed them, to “entertain”.  Which I think is such a stupid, pompous word for it.  I’m not a circus performer, I don’t juggle.  I can usually make some edible food and keep your glass full.  I like to hear your stories and laugh.  By the time the first cocktail has kicked in, I have moved past my neurotic tendencies and can enjoy the night.

I have few memories of my parents having people over, but when they did I remember it being a loud, fun time. Then they stopped for some reason, or maybe only a few relatives on Christmas.  One of my favorite things about friends in my house is the memories we are making.  That is what makes my house larger than life, when I feel the walls expanding and stretching to make room for all the laughter and new friendships being made.  That’s what makes all the cleaning worth it and why I can get past my little personal pity party.  It’s true – size doesn’t matter, it’s what you do with it that counts.  I am looking forward to Easter Feaster and some hammy goodness with lots gin fizziness.  I WILL do a spring brunch this year, dammit.  And can’t wait for happy hours on the lawn.  And I promise not to utter a word about the size of my house.

By the way, chances are if you were a guest this weekend, I have some sort of Tupperware or china that belongs to you.  I seem to have come out way ahead in that category.

MONDAY WORDS #4

In honor of Valentine’s Day, here is a sweet bit from The Princess Bride that I love.

“That day, she was amazed to discover that when he was saying “As you wish”,

what he meant was, “I love you”.

And even more amazing was the day she realized she truly loved him back.”