Welcome to Day 7 of 31 Extraordinary Days to Be…  Or…simply: Be…
Together, we will learn to Be… to live fully and beautifully in our “skin”
and in our homes and beyond.  If you missed The Introduction or you’d like
to follow the entire series, you can find each post listed here.

31 Extraordinary Days to Be... AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

When you read the words Be Hospitable do you cringe?

Are you thinking….

“I already have too many things to do, I can hardly keep my house together let alone have decent meals for the family, and I’m running constantly, when do I have time to be hospitable?”

 

Hospitality and Entertaining are not the same thing. Discover the freedom in being and how it doesn't take doing more to "be hospitable." And be sure to pin this recipe for the most amazing moist and delectable Coconut Pecan Frosted Fruitcake.

 

In this series about 31 Extraordinary Days to Be… we are looking at each day’s topic from the perspective of being not doing.

I can hear you now.  “Um.  Yeah.  How is that possible?  This all looks like one more thing to do, to me.”

Will you stick with me for just a bit longer?  I think hospitality is a mindset, an attitude, an outlook on humanity.

So many times we fall into the trap of thinking that to be hospitable is to clean the house, get out the good dishes, and cook foods we don’t usually eat, so that people we don’t know all that well can come to our house.  Nope. Nope. Nope.  That is the farthest thing from hospitality.  That is entertaining….and something we will address in a later post.

Hospitality is to look out into our world and see people who need to be included, people who need company, people who need a place to go, people who need encouragement, and offer that very thing.

 

Hospitality and Entertaining are not the same thing. Discover the freedom in being and how it doesn't take doing more to "be hospitable." And be sure to pin this recipe for the most amazing moist and delectable Coconut Pecan Frosted Fruitcake.

 

Are you in a group of any kind?  It could be a mom’s group, a business/networking group, a class, (fill in the blank)  ________ group.  When I was in a morning networking group for business there were two people who were assigned the task of greeting visitors or potential new members.  There were official tasks that needed to be covered in that role between the greeter and the guest.  But, beyond that, I watched as one woman would focus entirely on the guest, asking questions about their business, their personal life, and introducing them to the members as if she were introducing a good friend.  She never thought about herself.  Other greeters might be more concerned about self promotion of their own business interests.  But not this woman. Can you imagine how valued this guest felt, how their fears of attending a meeting as a stranger melted away, how they would eagerly take on that role and do it well once he or she was appointed to that position as a member?

When we are being hospitable, when we wear the attitude of hospitality, we are others focused.
We take our eyes off ourselves and place another individual’s need(s) first.   I will be the first to tell you that this is not always easy.  But, remember, this isn’t about the doing…it’s about the being.  And though it may not seem natural to some, keep in mind that as it is practiced, it becomes easier and more natural.  And before you know it, you are being hospitable not doing hospitality.

 

Hospitality and Entertaining are not the same thing. Discover the freedom in being and how it doesn't take doing more to "be hospitable." And be sure to pin this recipe for the most amazing moist and delectable Coconut Pecan Frosted Fruitcake.

 

Hospitality may be your everyday gift.  Or it may reside in the bottom drawer that is usually stuck closed.   It doesn’t matter where you are on the hospitality spectrum.  Nope.  What matters is your attitude towards hospitality.   Are you willing to be hospitable?  Are you willing to let go of some of the things on that never-ending ‘to-do’ list to be for others?

Can I tell you a secret?

There’s freedom in being.

Being…doing…big difference.  The doing comes out of responsibility, guilt, or the need for approval, usually.  Being is simply being who we were created to be.

Day 7 Challenge:   What big hurdle gets in your way or trips-you-up from being hospitable? What group(s) are you involved in where you can give yourself the opportunity to be hospitable?  What would it take to adopt the attitude needed to be hospitable?

 

Hospitality and Entertaining are not the same thing. Discover the freedom in being and how it doesn't take doing more to "be hospitable." And be sure to pin this recipe for the most amazing moist and delectable Coconut Pecan Frosted Fruitcake.

As you’ve been reading this post, your mouth may have started to water looking at this delicious dessert.  My friend made this delectable delight as a hospitable gesture.   If you want to be hospitable and encourage someone with some sweet goodness from your kitchen, you’ll enjoy making and blessing someone with this cake.  Here’s the recipe:

Coconut Pecan Frosted Fruitcake

 

Cake

    Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Flour
  • 1 tsp. Soda
  • 1 tsp. Salt
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 1/2 Cups Sugar
  • 1 Can (approx. 15 ounces) Fruit Cocktail (including juice)

    Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees
  • Butter and flour a 9×13 Baking Dish
  • Into a large mixing bowl add eggs, sugar, and fruit cocktail juice and beat until combined
  • Add dry ingredients and beat on low until mixture is smooth
  • Fold in the fruit
  • Pour mixture into a 9×13 Baking Dish
  • Bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or so

Topping

    Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 1 Stick of Butter
  • 1 12 oz. Can of Evaporated Milk
  • 1 Cup Chopped Pecans
  • 1 Cup Shredded Coconut
  • 1 tsp. Vanilla

  Instructions

  • Melt butter on medium low heat until melted
  • Stir in sugar
  • Add Evaporated Milk
  • Boil for 10 minutes over medium low heat
  • Stir in Vanilla, Pecans, and Coconut
  • Pour over hot cake while frosting is hot

Let cool and serve.  Wait for the compliments.

 

#31Days - Day 7 :: Be Hospitable ~ Coconut Pecan Frosted Cake :: AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.

Be Hospitable…

Diane

Please consider visiting each day during this #31Day series.

All the posts in the series will be added to this page each day of October.!
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What a wonderful adventure this will be as we journey together to Be…

Comments

  1. I ran across a quote on Twitter yesterday that goes well with what you have written today.

    “It’s not who you know. It’s who you help.” @JeffGoins

    • Diane says

      Love Jeff Goins! What a great quote LuAnn! Thanks for sharing!!

  2. Umm, that looks good! Thanks for explaining the distinction between entertaining and hospitality. I definitely want to be someone who includes and encourages others. Blessings!

    • Diane says

      Oh and it is good! [wink]
      Thanks for popping by Angel. Funny I hadn’t really even thought about the difference until I was writing the post. It was an Ah Ha! moment for me. 🙂
      Hope your week is Extraordinary!

  3. Gail says

    I have a Pampered Chef cake pan that does 2cake colors, checkered board style. I used dark choc.& german choc. Cake mix and put your icing on it -delish
    And yes, I did pay attention to your hospitality advice.

    • Diane says

      Oh Gail….that sounds even better!!! 🙂 Yummy. And so pretty too!
      You made me smile…. 🙂
      Blessings, my friend!!

  4. Fabby says

    Oh, I will be hospitable in a week, lol! I love to be hospitable, although it takes time, it’s also fun! Thank you for the yummy cake, I adore anything coconut and this is great! I just copied your recipe. thank you for sharing. Have a lovely week.
    FABBY

    • Diane says

      Fabby, you totally crack me up!!! I have no doubt that you are very hospitable. [wink]
      The cake is wonderful! I do hope you enjoy it.
      Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!
      ~Diane

  5. Oh my, this sounds wonderful. Thanks for the recipe. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

    • Diane says

      You are so welcome Marty….it’s wonderful for fall especially.
      Blessings!!!

  6. Regan says

    I really enjoyed this post……your thoughts on hospitality are right on the mark! Well said!

    And that CAKE! Holy cow! I’m making that this weekend! Thanks for the recipe!

    • Diane says

      I can’t tell you how much I appreciate knowing you enjoyed the post Regan. Thank you for popping by and then taking the time to share your thoughts.
      I hope you enjoy the cake as much as we do. 🙂
      Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!
      ~Diane

  7. Kathe says

    Beautiful post Diane. I saw the perfect example of hospitality during my father’s final days. I believe Hospice workers truly “get” being hospitable! Thank you for sharing this at the party this week! I am featuring your post later tonight on my Facebook page and have pinned it to the You’re Gonna Love It Tuesday board on Pinterest too 🙂

    • Diane says

      Thank you so much Kathe!!!
      I’m sorry about your father…but I’m so glad that you had such wonderful support with the Hospice workers.
      Thanks too, for the social media props!
      Blessings!!

  8. Mel says

    What big hurdle gets in your way or trips-you-up from being hospitable?
    I’d imagine it’s my ego and fear. Both of those can shove me in selfish/self absorbed directions.
    What group(s) are you involved in where you can give yourself the opportunity to be hospitable?
    I do a lot of working with others, on the clock and off. It’s just what I do. Now, sometimes I’m tired and want to justify not showing up for those meetings/ groups…so simply showing up is huge. Once I’m there, the ME just…vanishes. Funny how that happens. Do I see that giving of myself as “hospitable”…gosh, I never have but I’ll have to re-evaluate that!
    What would it take to adopt the attitude needed to be hospitable?
    Ego and fear would have to be “uninvited” and I’d need to Just Do It… and a humbled prayer thanking Him for letting me be an instrument usually works for me!
    NOW I’m really hungry for coconut frosted cake. LOL!!

    • Diane says

      Oh Mel…we all have that ego/fear thing if we’re honest.
      And I bet that once you show up….you do what you do best…pour into others. 🙂
      You know….I realize that this is a different way to look at hospitality…but I think most of us have it confused with entertaining for way too long. I can’t believe it didn’t hit me until I was in the midst of writing this post. Crazy!!!
      Sorry it’s not GF. :/

  9. Andi says

    Nice post….and your words to make us all concerned with others and not ourselves. I have seen this cake before and would like to try to make it sometime. I have pinned to my board. thanks Andi

    • Diane says

      Thanks Andi! I really appreciate your thoughts. 🙂
      I do hope you make the cake…it’s so good!!
      Wishing you an Extraordinary weekend!
      ~Diane

  10. The pic of your cake at the link-up party at Stone Gable drew me in and I’m so glad I visited not only for the recipe but for the info you’ve provided. I definitely am wiser about “hospitality versus entertaining”. Also got much food for thought regarding “being versus doing” and how “doing” usually involves “approval”. So true! Leaving here with more insight….Thanks so much! I’ll be back to check out your upcoming posts.

    DD

    • Diane says

      Thank you for popping over and for leaving your thoughtful remarks. 🙂
      I do hope you try the cake…but even more…I look forward to ‘visiting’ with you again.
      Blessings!

  11. Interesting post! Love the cake! Thanks for linking to TTF this week.

  12. bj says

    This sounds and looks sooo good. I love coconut ANYthing. 🙂
    xo bj

    • Diane says

      It really is sooo good. 🙂 Hope you get a chance to make it bj!

Trackbacks

  1. […] Day 7 ~ Be Hospitable :: Pecan Coconut Frosted Fruitcake […]

  2. […] Just as I said yesterday, there’s freedom in being. […]

  3. […] Last time we talked about hospitality I mentioned that we often confuse hospitality and entertaining.  The thing that’s so interesting about this is that until I was in the midst of writing that post….I did the very same thing.  It was truly an ah ha! moment for me.  (You too?) […]

  4. […] When I embarked on this #31Days series, and chose Hospitality as one of the weekly topics, I had plans for all kinds of things hospitality-minded.  But, as I began writing, I had an ‘Ah Ha’ moment.  I needed that ‘Ah Ha’ moment and so did some readers.  But….that totally turned my plans all upside down.  (You can read about that here.) […]

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