A Life That Says Welcome: Simple Ways to Open Your Heart & Home to Others

The thought of hosting a dinner party or even having a friend over for coffee is enough to give some women flashbacks of lopsided cakes or doomed casseroles from home economics class. But opening up your home to others doesn't have to be fancy or frightening or cost a fortune, says Karen Ehman.

In A Life That Says Welcome, she offers a practical, painless (no crafting or cooking aptitude required) course on hospitality. It helps busy women open up their hearts in order to open up their homes. Full of tips, ideas, recipes, to-dos, and how-tos, A Life That Says Welcome shows readers that opening up their homes is less scary and less work than they might think.

From the Back Cover

Great hospitality isn't about gourmet food or gorgeous décor (what a relief!)

When it comes to hospitality it doesn't matter what size your house is, how it's decorated, whether or not it's spotless, or what you cook or don't cook. The secret to making guests feel comfortable is more about the condition of your heart than the condition of your home.

A Life That Says Welcome helps you make others feel refreshed, rather than impressed, in your presence. It's packed with inspiring tips on how to

decorate well on a budget
make the most of your space (no matter how small)
be prepared for unexpected company
create delicious, simple dishes your guests will enjoy

You'll be encouraged to not only open your home but to open your life as an avenue for God's love everywhere you go.


"Karen's book offers a good background in hospitality and today's form of entertaining as well as excellent ideas on how to put theory into practice."-Emilie Barnes, author, speaker, founder of More Hours in My Day

"Karen's practical strategies will help you open your heart and your home to whoever God sends your way!"-Jill Savage, executive director of Hearts at Home

"If you've ever longed for someone to demonstrate what it means to truly make your house a home, then your prayers have been answered."-Lisa Whelchel, bestselling author of Creative Correction, The Facts of Life and Other Lessons My Father Taught Me, and Taking Care of the "Me" in Mommy

Karen Ehman is a speaker for Hearts at Home and the coauthor of the popular Homespun Gifts from the Heart and Homespun Memories for the Heart.