Stress Free Summer Guest Prep

We are so fortunate to live here in Northern Michigan, especially in summer when we always can guarantee a full house of visiting friends and family to entertain. The perfect hostesses’ secret is to preplan.

Assess your outdoor living space and add a few pops of color with new pillows, lights, a throw rug, or accessories. Our favorite restaurants are overflowing, so eating out is almost impossible with large parties. This space will be priceless.

Prep your guest rooms by freshening the bedding and generally tidying up. I like to cut fresh flowers to put on the nightstand the day of arrival. Put fresh towels and wash cloths on the bed neatly folded and topped with a small bottle of bath wash or lotion, just like a nice hotel welcome. Also stock up on travel sizes; they’ll be on hand in case anyone forgets something.

We plan at least one outing a day, like daytrips to Sleeping Bear for views and hiking, and little towns like Suttons Bay, Leland, and Glen Arbor for walking and shopping. Don’t forget winery tastings or boating fun on the water.

Feeding everyone can be a challenge! Preplan and prep meals ahead so you’re not stuck in the kitchen. I plan breakfast and dinner with an optional snack in between. For breakfast, prebaked quiche or breakfast casserole is easy to reheat. Add fresh fruit and yogurt too. For dinner options, fire up the grill. Have a variety of marinated meats, like tequila lime chicken, with a couple side salad dishes just in need of dressing. Less stress option: purchase all these premade by the pound, along with prebaked treats and marinated meats, at our local delis. Tom’s, Folgarelli’s, and Edson Farms add local bottles of bubbly to keep chilled. Pick one cocktail, using local spirits, and make it in bulk in a jug to serve—keep it simple and enjoy the best summer yet!