17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Tips for Christians and Non-Christians Alike, February 20, 2006
This review is from: Simple Hospitality (Paperback)
Hospitality, according to Webster: "To be hospitable is to be disposed to behave in a warm way and manner, and to entertain with generous sensitivity, availability and kindness."
Jane Jarrell's Simple Hospitality is a compilation of her ideas about what it means to live in a warm, generous, sensitive, available and kind way - that is, to be hospitable. She is encouraging in her writing and views hospitality as her personal ministry. The first three chapters of the book are written from a strong Christian perspective, and while at first I was turned off by this, delving further into the book I was able to find plenty that I could relate to and put into play in my own life.
The book is divided into three sections: Keep It Simple, Home Sweet Home, and The Art of Sharing. Aside from the fourth chapter (Beyond Harried Holidays), Keep It Simple is the only section of the book that is written from a heavily Christian perspective. If you are Christian, there is probably great material there for you. It wasn't up my alley, so I skipped ahead to chapter four, where Jarrell begins to get into hospitality from a less religious point of view.
In part two, Home Sweet Home, I recognized something right away that anyone who has ever been a part of the FlyLady.net phenomenon will take note of immediately as well: the shiny sink recommendation. To be fair, Jarrell does give credit to Marla Cilley (a.k.a. FlyLady). Home Sweet Home is full of ideas to help with homemaking, working in the kitchen, growing a garden and other things central to being hospitable in our homes. Part three, The Art of Sharing, is about being hospitable in ways such as working with children, giving gifts, being available to those going through difficult times and so forth.
Every chapter ends with a list of "simple solutions". For example, the end of chapter 5 (Faking Homemaking) Jarrell offers 9 of her simple solutions, including keeping all of your cleaning supplies in a bucket, and keeping your own slice-and-bake cookies handy in the refrigerator so that you'll always be ready to make a fresh dessert. Chapter 11, Entertaining in Style, offers up such suggestions as keeping serving plates warm by putting them in the dishwasher on the dry cycle and freezing mint leaves to serve with your favorite teas.
If you find yourself like Jarrell, called to being hospitable in every sense of the word, then you will find both great ideas and warm support in Simple Hospitality. If you are Christian, you will probably appreciate what she has to say about hospitality in terms of religion, but even if you are not, there is plenty available to follow the maxim of take what you like and leave the rest. Anyone looking to bring more love and comfort into their lves and the lives of those they care about can find help in this book.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Great Project Ideas, June 10, 2005
This review is from: Simple Hospitality (Paperback)
Jane Jarrell opens the door to her home and invites us all in to visit with her and learn the secrets of simple hospitality. In it Ms. Jarrell shows us the difference between entertaining and hospitality. Filled with recipes, pictures, and words of wisdom, this book is a must for anyone who wants to make their home into a warm and inviting place to welcome friends and family.
The only real problem I had with the book is that it connects everything with her religion and since I don't belong to the same faith as Ms. Jarrell it started to bother me a little. But the author obviously has strong and sincere belief in the Christian faith and feels inclined to share her views on it and embraced it in this book. I quickly glanced through the areas where God was included and concentrated more on the recipes and the projects.
Ms. Jarrell has some great ideas for both entertaining and making your home hospitable and the book is well worth looking through if you need some different themes for projects. If you're comfortable with a book that connects the Christian faith with recipes and home projects, SIMPLE HOSPITALITY is for you.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Keeper!, July 6, 2005
This review is from: Simple Hospitality (Paperback)
Here is a book from a woman whose been there, done that,and decided to finally be free. Our author, Jane Jarrell put her standards high when it came to being the 'perfect hostess,' but she realized she was missing out on enjoying the moment and the company of those she was trying so hard to please.
In this work, she shares her feelings with you and much more. The book is packed full of useful information on how to entertain and enjoy it, to cute ideas of ways to wrap presents, to wonderful gift ideas. She even gives you ways to take one food, such as Angel Food Cake and prepare it five different ways. Quick and easy, yet perfect to serve and tasty too. The author even gives you tips on how to be spiritual ready for your encounters, that was nice to see and a definite help. There is so much information in this book that it would be impossible for me to list it all.
However, I will say her writing is fresh and full of life, creative ideas in more subjects than I can mention and a really fun and useful read. After reading this book you won't be so uptight if you follow her tips at your next gathering, or in some of your daily activities and responsibilities.
This is a great book, one that will help you learn to live life at its fullest, and one I know you will refer to over and over again.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
