The Roanoker - November/December 2019 - 108

Minutes to Serenity During the Holidays
Cathy Cannon, yoga and meditation teacher, offers a way to relax when stress is high:

1.

Sit with
palms down
on your
lap, back
supported
and eyes
closed.

2.

Exhale
fatigue,
inhale
rejuvenation;
exhale
tension,
inhale
spaciousness.

3.

Do this at
least 10 times
with lips
together and
teeth apart;
muscles
around the
eyes relaxed,
jaw relaxed.

4.

Think of
something
that makes
you smile,
and hold
on to that
feeling.

5.

Go spread a
little of your
calm into the
chaos!

No guest room? No problem

Christy Rippel

is an award-winning
freelance writer,
covering lifestyle, design,
health and parenting. A
VT graduate, she likes
to bike and walk local
trails. When she and
husband Chris aren't
watching the Hokies,
they watch their four
kids compete in sports.
Christy is a Maryland
native and lives in
Roanoke County.

108

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

It's the lucky homeowner that has a dedicated guest
room, but with a little creativity, many spaces in your
home can be transformed to serve as guest quarters.
Can your kids bunk for the week, and free up a room?
Consider having them pair up a few days before guests
arrive, giving the kids time to adjust-and you ample
time to clean and arrange the room.
Are there other spots in your house that could fit an
extra mattress? A basement, an office or a living room
with some privacy can become an instant guest room.
Gone are the days when a clunky, heavy fold-up bed
was your only option for an extra mattress. Blow up
beds have gone high-tech, from double-deckers that
continually inflate to maintain firmness, to those that
self-inflate on a cage-like frame and then store easily in
a closet. Nice sheets and plenty of pillows and blankets
can up the comfort of these blow-up beds to make
them feel more like home.
Meredith Draper, co-owner of Ellie Proctor
Antiques and Fine Things, says a weekend pack in a
makeshift guest room is a welcome addition.
"Some magazines, books and nice toiletries in a pretty
bag or basket is a nice touch," she says. "A few snacks
and some water is great because if someone is hungry,
they don't have to rummage through your kitchen."
Go through your linen closet well in advance to
determine if raggy towels or sheet with holes should
be replaced before guests come knocking-a bad
time to figure out you don't have enough washcloths
is Thanksgiving Day.
Add personal touches
The weekend packs that Draper describes are a lovely
way to supply essentials, but consider investing
attention to a few memorable touches that will make
your guests' experience truly special.

"Fresh flowers make such a difference, and they don't
have to be elaborate and expensive...Fresh Market
bouquets will do the trick," says Draper.
She suggests putting them in guest rooms, on tables
and even in the bathroom. Mint julep cups, holiday
mugs and vases are great vessels-check thrift and
antique stores if you don't have any, but you don't have
to spend a lot for a big impact.
If your in-laws are sleeping in your kids' room, clear
off the dresser and leave a framed picture of them with
the kids, or a photo of a previous holiday or vacation
you have spent together. Leave a handwritten card on
the bed, mentioning how glad you are to have them
spend the holiday with you.
Is someone a Diet Coke fiend? Do they love a
certain food or candy? Go the extra mile to ask, or if
you already know, go ahead and purchase these items
and mention it in the note. For example, "Diet Coke is
in the garage fridge, and please help yourself."
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The Roanoker - November/December 2019

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