Come Over for Dinner

31/07/2025

Join Anna Stoltzfus as she discusses why she believes hospitality is an important part of community. She shares how her church’s hospitality home rotation, where families take turns hosting Sunday lunches, creates meaningful fellowship beyond a quick visit Sunday morning. Anna walks through how she prepares in advance to welcome extra guests, offers a clever tip for toy management when kids visit, and explains how her own children join in the clean-up. From setting out drinks and appetizers to choosing the right recipes, she covers the little touches that help guests feel immediately at home. Plus, you’ll walk away with several tried-and-true dishes you’ll want to add to your regular rotation. We're so glad you're here!

Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!.

17/07/2025

Join Lavinia Belyavskiy and Mary Spatarel as they share mouthwatering dishes and beloved treats from their Moldovan and Ukrainian heritages. They talk about how to be prepared for spontaneous hospitality, blessing others with a meal, and maintaining a heart posture of service. We discuss the difference between hospitality and entertaining, how to involve kids in the kitchen, and ways to welcome children with special needs. We end with funny stories including some of our boys and their many shenanigans. We're so glad you're here!

Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

03/07/2025

Join Carmen Horner as she shares her favorite mouth-watering recipes (and why she always doubles or triples them), a hot tip for finding Staub on sale, and a memorable story that will reveal why she works ahead when planning for company! A seasoned hostess, she offers advice on greeting guests, creating cozy lighting and décor, and including kids in growing food. Plus, we reveal our 10/10 favorite kitchen products! We're so glad you're here!

Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

05/06/2025

In this episode, Johanna Ohmes shares practical and encouraging tips for showing hospitality when you're single, especially when hosting overnight guests. She covers simple ways to make guests feel welcome, including thoughtful touches, easy go-to meals, and the importance of good timing and planning. You'll hear how hospitality isn’t reserved for married life and how developing these skills now prepares you well for the future. Plus, get her favorite bathroom cleaning tips and a reminder that perfection isn’t the goal. Just start where you are and go for it! We're so glad you're here! Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

22/05/2025

Join Christy Steel as she tells how her knowledge went from making boxed mac and cheese to being able to confidently host an event for her entire church. She shares the joy of hosting a yearly Bible Reading Challenge kickoff party, Titus 2 Taco Nights, and welcoming military families from nearby bases into her home. Discover her favorite easy, fast, and delicious recipes, plus practical tips like making a to-do list to involve your family. Christy encourages you to exercise your hospitality muscle and shares a new favorite cookbook along with must-have kitchen essentials you’ll want doubles of! We're so glad you're here!

Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

08/05/2025

Join Allison Weeks from The Art of Home: A Podcast for Homemakers, where she encourages and inspires others in homemaking. She joins me to discuss how homemaking is something we learn and practice over time. Allison explains backwards planning and emphasizes the importance of flexibility and realistic expectations when it comes to hospitality. As homemakers, we're creating a sense of belonging, not just for our families, but also for the guests we welcome into our homes. Allison shares practical tips on how to do this well. She also talks about a must-have kitchen item you’re going to love—Souper Cubes! We're so glad you're here!

24/04/2025

Jessica Fisher, host of the blog Good Cheap Eats, shares her top tips for saving time and money when preparing meals. She highlights the importance of shopping sales, using what you have, and stocking your freezer. When having groups over, Jessica's favorite routine is a pasta or pizza night. She discusses tips to make guests feel at home and tools to make the job easier. If you're on a budget, this is an episode you don't want to miss! We're so glad you're here!

Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

24/04/2025

I have a few exciting updates for those of you who know me, and I'd love to introduce myself to those who don’t!

I’m Bess Hawthorne. I host the Come Over for Dinner podcast, where I get to sit down with wonderful guests and talk about the joy of practical hospitality in our homes, churches, or communities.

My husband and I are blessed with five amazing grown children. Three are married, and (here’s the exciting part!) three are expecting. That means we’ll be welcoming three new grandbabies this year, bringing our total to seven sweet grandchildren!

Our youngest is graduating high school, and I’ve decided to “graduate” with him. After years of teaching and filling other roles in my children’s schools, I’ll be stepping away to focus on grandbabies, my podcast, and other pursuits.

I’ve especially loved teaching 2nd grade—those cheerful smiles and all that zest for life made every day a joy. While this change is bittersweet, I’m excited about the next season.

Thanks for joining me here—I’d love for you to join me on the podcast as we continue to learn the art of hospitality. If you find it encouraging, I’d be grateful if you shared it with a friend!

10/04/2025

Join Bekah Merkle and Bess Hawthorne as we continue to talk about the rich traditions of Easter. This episode features stories that are sure to make you laugh, including an Easter egg hunt gone wrong and the best lamb Bekah ever had that can never be duplicated. And we finally talk about food! Join us as we explore two different menus and share numerous recipes. You're sure to find something to add to your Easter table!

If you missed Part 1, be sure to go back and listen! In part 1, we discuss practical ways to plan, prepare your heart, and embrace the work with joy. Bekah encourages budgeting cleanup as part of the festivity rather than resenting it. We also consider how Easter celebrations vary across different life stages and what to wear! We're so glad you're here!

Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!

28/03/2025

27/03/2025

Join Bekah Merkle and Bess Hawthorne as we explore the culture and traditions of Easter. As the celebration approaches, we discuss practical ways to plan, prepare your heart, and embrace the work with joy. Bekah encourages budgeting cleanup as part of the festivity rather than resenting it. We also consider how Easter celebrations vary across different life stages. And before we wrap up—what should you wear? Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll dive into traditions, gifts, and food!

Visit www.comeoverfordinner.com for recipes, product links, and more!