I’ve been waiting a year and a half to get my grubby hands on something. It’s something that my friend and fellow blogger, Sandy from Reluctant Entertainer has been working on for like, as long as I’ve known her. Every year at Blissdom, my sister and I room with our dear friends Melissa and Sandy. And every year we look forward to hearing about her project.
Hanging out in our room at Blissdom 09 Kim, Melissa, Sandy, Amber, Emily
Y’all, Sandy wrote a book. And not just any book but a book that if you were to walk by it in the store you would stop and pick it up and pet it, maybe even rub it up against your face not that I’ve done that because that would be really weird. I am totally a person to judge a book by its cover and this one is jacketless and smooth and matte and hardbound and large and glorious. And then inside there are photos on pretty much every page!
Oh, besides having a great cover and pretty photos, it also has words. Freeing words of wisdom. Freeing words of wisdom about real entertaining for real people. Entertaining is a way of life for Sandy and her family, and she has so many tips and tricks to make entertaining work for any family. We all like to have people over right? I mean, in EVERY. SINGLE. episode of HGTV’s House Hunters every couple on there talks about how they love to entertain. I think we all love the idea of entertaining but, once again, perfection rears it’s perfectly daunting and shaming head and tells us that we have to wait until we have it all together until we can invite people into our life and home.
I got to read Reluctant Entertainer the book, a few months ago, before it was even printed in book form. I was so inspired with Sandy’s ideas and encouragement that that evening, my husband and I hung lights out in our back yard. We’ve made it a point to utilize the back yard when we have friends over, something in the past I was hesitant to do because of lack of perfection.
But, Sandy reminded me that the point of having people over is to connect with them. So I decided I’d rather have friends over and serve store bought ice cream than wait until I bought an ice cream maker to make home made ice cream for them.
I also utilized another one of her ideas–when people are coming, make something you know well. So I made this chocolate ooze cake thing that I’ve made a billion times. Old standby, no brain cells were wasted and it always turns out yum.
I took Sandy’s words to heart again when we invited our neighbors over for Easter. One drape on the windows, half painted walls, it was the first time many of them had been into the “renters” house. I had to forget my dreams of having a put together family room and just enjoy the company.
By the way, Melissa and I liked Sandy’s book so much that we both endorsed it. I’m telling you that for two reasons. 1. To brag because I’ve never had my name {ok, fake name but whatever} on the back of a book and 2. To point out that Melissa and I both used a form the word “gentle” in our description. And that is exactly what this book is. You don’t put it down and feel like you have something else to add to your to do list. You put it down and wonder why you’ve been putting off inviting your neighbors over and then you go call them.
Next weekend we are having some dear friends from Alabama come visit. They have four children and we haven’t seen them for years. We were close neighbors years ago and it would be very easy for me to start stressing over every detail this week before they come. We’ll do a few fun things, have good food and hopefully, really have time to connect and laugh and just be together. Maybe the shelves will be dusted, maybe they won’t. I’ll be reading over Sandy’s book again this week and I think I’ll even pick out one of the many recipes included to try along with some old standbys.
Sandy is giving away a copy of Reluctant Entertainer to FIVE lucky winners.
All you need to do is leave a comment here, tell us when you are having people over next or, what your standby menu/food/dessert is that you are “known” for making. If you would like to go ahead and preorder a copy in case you aren’t feeling lucky, Amazon has the books discounted to $12.23 {for a big hardback gift type book with color photos throughout!}. I learned the hard way with my Pioneer Woman Cookbook that it seems like they discount books for preorder and then mark them up once they are released or relinquished or open to the public or whatever that fancy book term is.
Even in entertaining, it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful, worthwhile and meaningful!
The book sounds perfect for me! I’d love to be able to have people over and enjoy it instead of stressing about the cleaning and making everything perfect. I’ve been putting off having an old friend come over for dinner, because with two toddlers our house doesn’t stay clean longer than half a day. I think I’m going to invite her over for next weekend – that gives me some time to pick up and to hang the new curtains that have been on my dining room floor for two weeks!
This book sounds JUST like what I need to get people over to my house! Perfectionism gets in my way ALL too often:-)
i always make this choclate chip cake in a bundt pan that is super easy, comes out every time and every body *loves* it. I make it when i’m taking meals to people to. It’s my standby and it’s super yum. http://queen-of-the-house.blogspot.com/2010/06/chocolate-chip-cake.html
When I started entertaining 38 years ago my weekly Bible study sisters and I had a motto to help us in this area: “A peanut butter sandwich always tastes better at somebody else’s home.” Entertaining is a simple as that. Who doesn’t like to be invited over, it’s not the food (although yummy food is wonderful) its the fellowship. The thought that someone wanted to be with me and/or my family. How sweet.
Onward and upward, Pam L.
I just had guests last night – and it was so much fun! My husband is in the Army and when he is deployed, as he is now, I find it very challenging to stay motivated to cook nice things or to entertain. I’ve come to realize though, that my kids and I really enjoy having people over and that it blesses everyone when we open up our home.
Last night I made a homemade pizza (with several variations of toppings), twisted garlic and herb buttered breadsticks, and a yummy salad. It was simple and fun for the kids, yet grown up enough for the adults.
I’m looking forward to starting to entertain weekly.
The only big thing we’ll be hosting anytime soon (at least, that’s already on the calendar) is my daughters 1st birthday party the beginning of November! Can’t wait!
Yes. I need to read this book. I love to serve others in my home, but I hate my teenyweenie kitchen/living room (well, t.w. house, for that matter.) We always have such a great time when we have friends over, even though it is very crowded. I so need to get over it already!
We are having friends over for dinner soon and the husband is going to fix two of our dysfunctional computers. The wife, one of my best friends, requested either my Snickerdoodles, which she loves, or Pioneer Woman’s Apple Dumplings, which I make. :-)
I am truly a Reluctant Entertainer. Hopefully this book will help be a more confident reluctant enteratainer! I hope I win!
One of my fav. family times is when my sisters and I get together once a month. There are four of us and we do dif. things on dif. months. Our parents have been gone for a while now, so this is our way of staying close. We have seen each other through a lot of ups and downs, including weddings, baby showers and just crying on each others shoulders. I wouldn’t trade these times for anything. I love having them come to my house, which is what we do most often. It’s the best times!!
When having friends over, I visit our local Fresh Market Store and get as much semi-prepared stuff as I can…grab some fresh flowers and pretty napkins…good to go. Guests are so easy to please. As long as someone else is doing the hard work, it’s always a treat for them to sit back and enjoy.
My sister is getting a visitor from Spain this week and they plan to come stay with my husband and I sometime during the course of her 3 week visit. I can’t wait to have an international traveler in our home and am anxious to impress her with our hospitality. :)
I had some ladies over spur of the moment friday eve, and we had Hot dogs on the back porch with all our kids.. wonderful good times.
The atmosphere of the home is felt ,not seen by all who enter..
but i do like i nice looking house, why else would i love your blog so much?
Oooh, I would LOVE Sandy’s book!! Her & I started blogging about the same time and it thrills me so see her blog become such a success!! And now her own book!! Congrats Sandy!
The next thing that I’m going to host is a “studio walk” at my house. I’ve been working hard to organize every inch of my art studio in my house (actually, I’ve been organizing every part of my house). Since I work better under deadlines, I’ve set a date to have my artsy friends over to see the finished product. I’m pretty sure when they’re here I’ll make pinwheels and they’ll bring the other yummy treats. ;)
Wow – that’s a hard one – usually I make red beans and rice or gumbo with potato salad and buy something for dessert.
hello!!!! Can you even see me, #964, way down here at the bottom? I sure hope so, because I too have judged this book by its cover and want it oh-so-badly!
I usually make my famous cheddar burgers in the summer, and chicken fettuccine Alfredo in the winter. Don’t be fooled by the fancy name of the latter. It’s one of the easiest from-scratch meals I’ve ever made!
I am having a family of 7 (gulp) over for dinner this Friday night. I think I will serve up a chicken curry with rice, crunchy bread and salad (it’s winter here) – and then we have two more families (that’s a total of of 21 people in my wee cottage!) coming for dessert… it’s a surprise 40th! Will my shelves be dusted – probably not. I have a teething 17 month old which means we are in survival mode. But, I hope this Friday night will be a blessing for a friend who so selflessly loves others.
Thanks for the chance to enter – it looks such a neat book.
this book looks amazing! i think we all struggle with wanting our homes to be “perfect” before we have people over. my go-to staple is a mexican corn/black beans/avocado salsa, and fajitas.
We are currently on vacation in the States so I’m being entertained! :) However, when we get back to our duty station, I am planning on hosting a coffee for the military wives in the city- they come from all over the world and it’s always fun to attend and get a taste of different cultures, so I’m looking forward to preparing some American favorites to share.
Chicken Kabobs:
Diced Chicken, Fresh pineapple, Green pepper, Red pepper
Stick ‘em on the skewers, brush with 1/2 cup BBQ sauce and Frozen OJ Concentrate.
Grill to perfection. These are so yummy and very beautiful.
We love having pple over and I am having a ‘back to school’ party for my soon to be Kindergartener, just b/c we like to party! :)
Here’s a link to the recipe:
http://themetzgars.blogspot.com/2009/02/dinner-is-served.html
We just “entertained” this weekend, dear friends of ours from forever ago that were passing through town. My shelves were definitely not dusted and my nasty floor was not mopped. Things were picked up and that was about it. I made my old stand-by: salsa chicken and for dessert we had brownies and ice-cream. It was delish, crazy easy, and most of all we were able to relax and catch up…I’ve been married 15 years and I’m only now “getting it” with regard to entertaining. Would LOVE to read your book. {Recipe: Dump a bag of frozen chicken tenders or breasts in the crock-pot with 2 jars of favorite salsa and maybe a can of diced tomatoes. When cooked, shred chicken. Serve over rice and topped with cheese, sour cream, avocado, cilantro, whatever. Or wrap it up in a tortilla.}
I’m always up for new ideas on entertaining without all the stress!
After years of watching too much Martha Stewart I started to feel that EVERYTHING had to be perfect. I have learned though that, just like Martha, I should rely on my “staff” (my family) and delegate a few chores to help make things easier. When I remember to involve everybody it turns into a wonderful memory instead of a “crazed mom event.”
What a beautiful book! I’m having family and friends over on August 3rd for a Scentsy party. It’s really just an excuse to get everyone together. I figure if I have it on a week night, during the summer, they have to come…right? I won’t be serving my ‘standby’ for this party though, which is spaghetti with homemade sauce. So finger foods it is, since it is a come and go.
I’m Holly and I am a reluctant entertainer. This sounds JUST LIKE ME! We have two families on the list for coming over for an evening, but I keep thinking, once I get something here, once I get something there, once we do this, etc. I’m putting this in my Amazon cart to remember it.
I am so excited for Sandy’s book! Her sis one of the first blog I read! Hmmm…it is summer expect people over at any time tomorrow…that is how we roll here! Better make my salsa and homemade tortillas!
Holly
I’m having 25 girlfriends over at the end of August for a Lilly Pulitzer inspired party. Unfortunately I’m not known for ANYTHING! As a workholic in DC, I’ve made politics my life and have sadly put being a good host on the back-burner. I’m desperately trying to change that now, but needless to say it’s a slow process.
I am having house guests next week and would love to read your book. :)
I sure hope I’m not too late to enter this drawing! We have just retired to a new part of the country – so I am enjoying lots of visits from friends and family. That part is not too hard for me. But – now I am trying to get to know ‘new’ people and I find that kind of entertaining more difficult. I am hoping that this book will encourage me to step out of my comfort zone! My latest favorite ‘go-to’ meal is pulled pork cooked in the crockpot.
I’m having family staying with us for a few days in two weeks. We live cross country from each other so we haven’t seen them for a couple years. I’m excited to see them, even though we will have some half painted walls and carpet that needs cleaning.
Can’t wait to get your book Sandy. Love your blog. Something I always try to fix whenever I entertain is an oriental salad. People always want the recipe & it can be made ahead (keep the lettuce & green onions in a zipper bag with a paper towel to absorb the moisture). It’s simple enough (4 key ingredients) to even take along in a small cooler (prepared ahead of time) when the girlfriends go to the beach or mountains. I love to entertain and have friends over, but sometimes it’s more of a good intention than an actual DO! I want to DO more! Thanks for all your tips!
I just recently bought a big glass iced tea container with a silver spout from Target so I make sure to always have sweet tea or lemonade now when people come over. Basic drink ideas, but suddenly so pretty in this new container. I have homegroup at my house every week and could use new ideas!!!!!
We are like most people, we love having people over. I have 4 kids, so to say that my house is less than perfect is the understatement of the year! But nonetheless, I’ve learned that life does not wait on perfection. We, like you Nester, are renters. And for me, a person that loves to decorate can not be stopped. So last week my hubs went out of town and my sweet friend and her two girls came for a visit. We just moved into this house 6 weeks ago and I definitely don’t have everything “just so”. But I wanted to spend time with her and there was no hiding stuff because when someone stays in your house for two days they are bound to open closets and look under beds! So I just sucked it up and had them here anyway! And it was totally worth it. I’ve learned through the years that real friends are REAL and they don’t care! Thanks for helping us all remember “it doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful”!
On August 8th we’ll celebrate the adoption of ALex and Lily! We’ll baptize them and come back home for a mid-summer night’s dessert party! Lots of fun, dancing, and an outdoor movie!!
My in-laws will be here this weekend. Thanks for the giveaway!
We recently remolded our kitchen and friday night was our first dinner party. I was stressing out some, as I wanted everyone to feel at home. I really need Sandy’s help with conversation around the table. And would love to receive copy of her new book.
I am a huge fan of Sandy and her blog – she is such an amazing person, I have been so inspired by her.
We are having people over this weekend for a 30th birthday BBQ – looks like rain and the BBQ still hasn’t arrived but we’ll work something out, I’ll just have to rememeber Sandy’s advice and relax and enjoy it!
Jade
This book looks wonderful! I dread the thought of all the preparations involved with having people over to our house and stress myself out with it, but in the end love the event itself. My chocolate chip pound cake is my go-to dessert that makes anyone forget the dog hair they might have noticed collecting in the corner!
I love entertaining, especially around a theme like a tea party or birthday. In the past few years, I have discovered that I prefer serving a make-ahead menu when possible so that I can enjoy visiting with my guests when they arrive, rather than being focused on food preparation.
I tend to be detail-oriented when it comes to planning parties, and I thoroughly enjoy crafting invitations, favors and decor. That’s great, great fun to me. Even as I lie recovering from back surgery, my mind is swirling with more party ideas!
Where I could use some inspiration is in opening our home to impromptu gatherings when I haven’t planned things out and the house is in its natural state. And also, realizing that in order to be able to physically handle entertaining from here on out, I may need to pull back from some of my plans. And that simplifying my plans might even help everyone feel more welcome in the end.
We are looking forward to having a low country boil with friends. It is almost time for fresh corn….
The book looks fabulous and I loved the blog!
We plan to have DH’s grandparents over next. Most of the time we do crock pot BBQ or penne pasta with vodka sauce and shrimp. Easy peasy! We also host a low country boil every summer that is easy to do. My dislike of clutter and slight OCD means that the house can be ready to entertain almost at a moment’s notice, but the flip side is that I have to work really hard on my hospitality and push aside my perfectionism and awkwardness :(
My standby would be a chicken recipe. It’s such an versital meat to cook!
I think that I’m probably best known for ordering pizza. But what I love to make are my Chicken Enchiladas. I just wish I could have a whole Mexican Buffet instead of chips, salsa and salad to go with it.
I really don’t know when I’ll have company next. It doesn’t happen that often b/c I feel like I have to deep-clean the house AND cook something fancy! (With 3 kids under 6 that can be pretty overwhelming!) When I do have people over (often impromptu), I like to make a simple spinach salad — baby spinach, tomatoes, dried cranberries, crumbled goat cheese, and candied pecans and serve brownies (Ghirardelli mix from Costco) and ice cream for dessert!
I’m famous for my homemade guacamole! I watched a beautiful older Mexican woman make it step-by-step in once while vacationing and I memorized her every move. It’s MUY RICO!
Would love this book as a gift for my sister for Christmas!
For many years I was almost phobic about entertaining. The planning for each party or event was drudgery, manly because I was fearful of forgetting something crucial, like sending the invitations! And I always forgot something!! This created such stress that I was reluctant to even get started. So I came up with a detailed check off list , divided into days, of everything I possibly would have to do to pull something off. My list includes tasks, phone numbers of resources such as the bakery, deli or, cheese shop and information like how many bags of ice to buy or how much wine, etc. to stock per guest. It worked. I’ve used my list for everything from luncheons for 20 to open houses, large meetings , buffets, sit down dinners, birthday parties, Fourth of July BarBQues and even a wake! Do I still forget things? Yes, but the do ahead chores that make my guests feel welcome and well cared for always get done.
Hopefully, this book will help me get over my lack of confidence and fretting about having family or friends over. I would really like to start entertaining more often. The few times I do have guests over, I have relied on an appetizer my sister-in-law gave me the recipe for years ago: we call them Cheesits, so easy and so delicious warm from the oven.