Comments on: Reluctant Entertainer :: A Giveaway

By: PatriciaR

PatriciaR — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 10:48:12 +0000

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.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 21:21:35 +0000

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.

By: Kelly Ann

Kelly Ann — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 19:43:37 +0000

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!

By: Aileen W

Aileen W — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:58:27 +0000

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!

By: Juliann

Juliann — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:38:37 +0000

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.

By: Tamrah T

Tamrah T — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:50:14 +0000

My standby would be a chicken recipe. It’s such an versital meat to cook!

By: Leslie

Leslie — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:48:51 +0000

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 :(

By: Pam Hofmann

Pam Hofmann — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 23:02:47 +0000

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!

By: Melissa Lester

Melissa Lester — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:09:52 +0000

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.

By: KLF

KLF — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:04:33 +0000

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!