Just a few months after I moved in, in October 2012, I  had an open house and many of you came.  It was such a fun time of sharing the house post-renovations and getting to show off the hard work that my dad and I accomplished (along with some contractors along the way).  It was truly a wonderful moment to have many of my readers and fellow blog friends stop by and visit.
Since so much had been done since that time, I decided to do it again. Â Over 100 of you signed up and it was a great turnout. Â I want to apologize to those of you who did not get my email with the address. Â I used Eventbrite to sign up, so I could keep up with who was coming and know how to plan. Â Five days before the Open House, I sent out a personal email via Eventbrite to all who had signed up. Â It said that 114 emails went out, so I thought things were good to go. Â I began to get emails toward the end of the week and a few comments from folks who had signed up, but didn’t get my email with the address. Â Eventbrite then sent out an automated reminder email 48 hours before with only my city listed on there, since that is all I had on the original form. Â The personal email should have reached everyone, but unfortunately it did not. Â I still don’t know why, but I’m so sorry for those of you who were driving around trying to find me. Â I really tried to keep it simple and easy and for some reason the emails didn’t all make it.
Anyway, just wanted to get that out of the way to let you know what happened on my end. Â The day was so much fun and many of you did turn out and I loved meeting every one of you. Â It was such a pleasure for me to open my doors to my readers and let you all inside the house that we worked so hard on.
I had lemonade ready in the kitchen.
With my special Southern greeting on the chalkboard.
I had some friends volunteer to  make some desserts for me and I set it all out in the dining room.
I made Pecan mini muffins and my roommate, Rhonda, made pumpkin muffins.
Sweet friends from church brought pecan pie tarts and lemon tarts, which were to die for!
Water with lemons and limes on the porch
Fresh flowers around the house too, makes a special touch.
My friends from church (we are in choir together), Andrea (married to David below), Beth from Orlando, and my mom.
Dad had fun talking to David since they are both former preachers. Â David is the baker and brought those delicious tarts to the party.
My friend, Karen, snapped pics for me with her phone. I took a few with my camera, but then got too busy talking and meeting everyone, so Karen took over. Â Thanks, Karen! Â My family was there, my mom and dad and sister, Renee.
It just amazes me how many loyal readers are out there reading my blog all these years. This sweet couple, Carole and Ted, drove all the way from Little Rock, AR to attend my open house and make a weekend of it here in Atlanta. Â I was just astounded at that and so honored and humbled that my blog reaches so many folks. Â She was the sweetest and told me how much she loves my blog and my family. Â She calls me Rhody-girl, which completely cracks me up. Â My niece, Lauren, has been calling me Rhody all her life and I’m sure Miss Parker will be calling me the same. Â Sweetness!
I loved meeting so many wonderful folks who know my house inside and out and all the projects we’ve done, as well as feel like they know my family. Â My dad and mom were busy chatting too. Â Dad, about the projects we have done and many talked to mom about those family meals we eat together. Â It was a precious time of sharing and getting to meet so many of you wonderful people out there. Â I don’t remember everyone’s name (forgive me, I’m terrible with that), but your faces will be with me forever. Â Thank you to all who came by, it was such a fun time.
We tried to get pics with everyone and it was a joyous day for sure.
Lots of hugs going on. Â I remember this lady is Kat. Â So fun to meet her and get a hug in person.
I told everyone they were going to be on the blog, so hopefully all of you who were here will see this. Â I want to show you all off! Â I really do have the best readers around and am still amazed that I get to do this blog thing.
I wish I could have listened to my dad talk to everyone, but we were all scattered and I only heard bits and pieces of conversations, but I’m sure he was entertaining telling everyone about what we did.
Mom got to talk to a lot of folks too with the topic of conversation their garden and food she puts on the table. Â People relate to down to earth and that is what my family is….down to earth.
Dad holding court with a group of folks in the den. Â I am quite sure he was entertaining and funny, he’s such a good man.
My sweet mama with one precious reader who stopped by.
The porch was a popular spot too, since it was warm outside and it was a comfy spot to sit.
More sweet faces. Â One blog friend came by, Bobbi from BluWater Life (2nd from left, sweet lady!).
The first 2 hours were busy and bustling. Â I asked my family to stay for 2 hours and they did, meeting a lot of folks in the process.
Lots of talking and laughing ensued.
That’s my friend, Karen, there on the left, my picture taking buddy.
We tried to take pics with most everyone who came. Â This sweet lady to the left of me goes to my church, so fun meeting her.
My wonderful friends, Rachel and Douglas, came by and I was so happy they did.  They are old house renovators themselves and I’ve blogged about their beautiful Trammell House before, that they restored from top to bottom.  They live off the Marietta Square.
Everyone had fun roaming around every single room. Â My roommate, Rhonda, hung out upstairs to chat and answer questions.
So nice to sit and visit with these sweet folks from Arkansas. Â Still amazed they drove that far for my Open House, they definitely get the prize for distance driven!
Cheers and fun!
Dad telling stories again. Â He’s so good at that.
He can’t talk without talking with his hands.
Another couple traveled from Anderson, SC to attend and it was great meeting them too. Â There are so many nice folks out there.
Beth got some great candid photos for me and I’m so glad she did. Â This will be a memorable day for me.
Dad getting ready to leave and chatting with someone on the sidewalk.
These sweet gals had me all teary-eyed when they talked about the impact my blog has had on them. Â I’m so happy my story can inspire others that when life is hard, keep your faith. Â Faith has gotten me through some very hard days and I’m so happy to be living on the other side of grace.
Such precious and happy faces all through the day.
I wanted to share the Open House for all of you who didn’t get to attend and again, I’m so sorry that you all didn’t receive my email with the address.  Writing this blog  has been the happiest thing I’ve ever done and I’m still so grateful that God has allowed this to be my job now.  I don’t take it for granted and I don’t take all of you out there for granted either.  I’m truly SO honored that you still stop by and visit with me and want to hang out on my corner of the internet. There are so many blogs out there now and I know time is limited, so the fact that you are all still here just blesses me to no end.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for following my blog, house renovations, travel adventures and family life! Â I couldn’t do it without all of YOU and your support and friendship.
How fun! If i had not been at the beach, I would have tried to make it. My son lives in Canton so the next time you have an open house, I hope to attend. Your dad was the star of the show I am sure. We all just love him and your mom!! I am getting ready to build a small house on our property in Murray County and I look forward to spending more time in Georgia.
What a sweet post! I know I love you and have enjoyed reading your blog over the years. You are so gracious to live out the name of your blog and show your readers some good southern hospitality! 🙂 I loved looking through the pictures – it looks like everyone had a great time! You have a lovely home, but it looks even more inviting with all the people there. Thank God for His grace in all of our lives!
Looks like a wonderful time was had by all & it was so nice of you to host an Open House. I live too far away to have been able to come but it was so nice to see pictures of all of those who were there. Maybe next time you could have people wear name tags so that you can go back to your pictures & match names up to those who comment on your blog. Your house looks pretty as ever!
This is such a sweet, generous and giving gesture to open your home. How fun to have been there…wouldn’t you know we will be in the Alpharetta area next month. Your home is gorgeous, and shows all the love and hard work you and your dad put in. And your mom too, right there helping and creating meals to keep you going. I’ve followed your blog for years, and have taken many decor ideas from you. Thank you for sharing your home, your mom and dad, and yourself…
I want to thank you for opening up your house to your readers. After reading your blog for many years I was thrilled to get to come and see your house in person. I knew you lived close to me but I had no idea you lived only 15 minutes from me, many times I have passed your subdivision and had no idea that was where you lived.
Meeting you was a great joy for me; you are so sweet and down to earth. It was like you knew us all personally for years. Your parents are just wonderful and I loved your dad saying he wasn’t for hire. Your mom thought no one cared about her food but I told her oh yes we do. I loved getting to meet Rhonda and Kathy, you have got to love Kathy’s smile and Rhonda was so gracious answering our questions
After meeting you, I have been inspired in so many ways. Seeing the challenges you have faced in your life and how you came out on the other side has made me see things so differently. You took a house and made it into a home. Thank you for sharing your life and being real with us, so many people are fake on blogs these days but you are the real deal. I printed a picture of us I took and hung it where I can see it to remind me, life is what you make out of it. My picture is number 20 on your post if you want to know which person I am. Thanks again Rhoda.
Thank you, Allison! What an absolutely sweet note, I’m so glad you came by. It was such a special day and now I will remember your name.
Rhoda, I am so happy for you and your parents. They are gold and one day you will be so glad how involved they were with your home. You are making sweet memories to draw upon in the future. I have lost both of my parents and after you lose them you cherish seeing other’s parents. It’s like a wink from above reminding me that they are okay.
oh Rhoda, what a true gem you are to open up your heart and home to your readers.looks like it was a great time for folks who got to come by, sorry I could not. you look fabulous.
The home you’ve built is so amazing. It’s so nice to see this new round of photos and I would love to have been a part of this visit. Plus, your parents are pretty much internet celebrities. 🙂 I might just win the award for distance traveled next time ’round!
your story is so inspiring….and you are so gracious. It was fun to see your pictures of so many who were able to come and say hello and see your beautiful home up close.
Loved seeing your pictures. My hubby and I really enjoyed our tour of your lovely home. I didn’t know what my husband would think about going to walk around in someone else’s home but he absolutely loved it. I was able to point out a number of the projects that you had been working on. We both marveled at how great a difference adding the windows into your downstairs den made. For some reason we were both fascinated by the work you have done in your laundry room. The back porch was a huge hit with us, also. I was really hoping to get there in time to meet your parents. We drove from Jonesboro after church and using Waze to navigate so we weren’t sure if we would make it but they were still there when we got there. Of course, they had many conversations going on so I didn’t get to spend as much time as I would’ve liked speaking to them. I wanted to tell your mother how greatly impressed I am with her cooking. I don’t know how old she is but I am amazed at the tremendous amount of good ole’ southern cooking she does. She is a wonder! Your dad attracts folks. In appearance, he reminded me so much of my husband’s late grandfather. I have loved following your blog and it was so very delightful to meet you in person and to see your beautiful home.
I know that your open house was on Saturday and not Sunday but we had been to a church training conference in the morning and went from there to your house. I just got to thinking that going to church on Saturday sounded kind of odd!
Thank you again, Carol, for coming by. Loved meeting you and your hubby and I’m so glad he enjoyed the tour too. My laundry room is pretty fascinating, I think! My dad is very charismatic and that might be because he is a retired pastor. Folks love him! Mom is 87 and Dad is 88, they are pretty amazing for their age.
how nice that must have been! wish it was closer!! we all love your blog, your family, your Mom’s recipes, your Dad’s expertise – reading your blog is my de-stressser after long real estate days – keep up the good work 🙂
Oh my , what an absolutely wonderful experience we had at your home. The pics on your blog do not do it justice. The fragrances through out your home made for a special touch and we truly enjoyed ourselves. I have to say it was more than worth the drive there. We’ve seen your home ,and all your hard work but seeing it up close was prettier. Everything was beautiful and tasteful . Your parents were so gentile your sister a delight and we enjoyed ourselves. So very thrilled we took the time to come. It definitely makes reading the blog a much more personal touch for me now. I loved everything from the moment we both walked through the door and met you. Not something we will forget anytime soon. Thank you Rhodie girl for entitling all of us to your home.
What a fun party. Wish I could have joined in the fun, but I’m too far away. Love your house and all your neat decorations….love your mom and dad ….. and you! Keep up the great blog. Always so fun to read!
Thanks so much for opening your house to us Rhoda! You’ve done wonderful things with your home, and it is truly welcoming and delightful. The photos are great, and the house is even prettier in real life! I so enjoyed talking with your parents, Renee, Rhonda, Beth and friends ~ and so many other visitors. No one felt like a stranger and a good time was had by all. Love all the photos! Between the house, the blog, and the conference, you’ve accomplished so much, and I don’t know how you do it all. Hats off to you. 🙂 Bwg ~~~
That was so sweet of you to invite all your readers to your home! Not a lot of people would do that. I would have loved to be there! Best, Silvana
Rhoda, that was such a fun event! Thanks for opening your home for us to see the “real thing.” It was beautiful and we loved meeting your parents and sister and friends. All that was missing was little Miss Parker 🙂 Hard to pick a favorite room, but the laundry is wonderful. And I can’t imagine the downstairs den without those windows. Good idea to put up “before” photos. You’ve done a terrific transformation. We loved it!
What a pleasant day you shared with your family and readers. It was so gracious of you to host the open house allowing the public to view your lovely home. Your hard work in remodeling your home, creative decorating and personal openess in your writings inspire many readers. Continued blessings to you.
Rhoda, So happy that you had such a wonderful turnout! That sweet couple from Arkansas is a testament to how many loyal readers you have in blog land. Your blog is one of my favorites. You are warm and so down-to-earth, and honest. You have so many interesting things to share and your gratitude for the blessings in your life is contagious. I come here for inspiration all the time. I love that you share your family with all of us too.
What a fun thing to do for you and your readers! So glad your family could be there too, and share the experience. Looks like a great day!
If I hadn’t been at the beach I definitely would have come. I’m in South GA but I have kids and grandkids in Kennesaw. I love reading your blog and can’t wait till your next open house, hopefully I can make that one.