Yesterday was the first time I hosted friends in my home since my December 16 surgery. I was excited to have them, but knew I would need to keep it simple since my energy isn’t 100% yet. Above is the table with our goodies. I like to keep it self-serve. Of course, I had the water and coffee stations (see original blog here) so everyone could get what they wanted when they wanted it.

This is Cinnamon Roll Coffeecake [click here for Pinterest link). I don’t want to tell you how much butter it has in it! So good!

My oldest daughter, Katie, gave me these napkins last month. I was tempted not to use them because I love them so much. But then I thought, “When I die do I want my girls to find these napkins unused in the sideboard drawer? No way! So I used them and will save one as a sweet memory of Katie and the friends I shared them with.

These bright daisies are the last of the flowers from a get-well bouquet. So easy to stick them in three milkglass vases to make a new bouquet.

One more bright addition to the table was this bowl of clementines. Bright orange pops in a white bowl.

After everyone filled their plates and coffee cups, we moved into the living room to enjoy the faux fireplace with Beatrix, our cat. The candles actually put off warming heat and of course, add to the warmth of friends gathered.

I didn’t even clean the whole house. And guess what—no one cared or noticed. This morning was all about friends sharing our lives and journeys with God.

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.