2009 May — Reluctant Entertainer

Gearing up for Pool Time!

May 29, 2009 By Sandy 26 Comments

Our kids have already been swimming, but it’s way too cold for me.

And yes, we’re gearing up for summer and pool fun!

One of the reasons we bought this 30+ year old home was for the pool and the enjoyment we knew it would bring. At 30 years, our pool is in great shape and well built. We haven’t had any problems with it, even though we know it doesn’t look perfect, as it is on the older side!

The fun, laughter, enjoyment, and refreshment that it brings our family is creating memories that will never fade.

And for that I’m grateful. Now we just need the sun to warm up the waters a wee-bit more!

Revisiting great memories around our pool, check out these links to past FUN!

Youth group
Soccer party
Chocolate pool
Family gatherings

Pools, sprinklers, Slip n’ Slides … how does your family enjoy “water” in the summertime?

(Winner of the Pampered Chef garlic press: Staci from Designing and Motherhood!)

Filed Under: parties & gatherings

Front Door Feelings – Pampered Chef GIVEAWAY!

May 27, 2009 By Sandy 70 Comments

Your guests are arriving in 15 minutes.

15 minutes!? Yikes!!

Either the feeling of anticipation or the feeling of regret has just hit you in the belly.

Win a Pampered Chef garlic press
I’m giving away one of my favorite kitchen tools, if you’d share with me your first approach to your guests when you greet them at the front door?!

I’ve always loved my Pampered Chef garlic press. It’s so easy to use, because you don’t peel the garlic! It makes cooking a breeze and there’s nothing like the aroma of fresh garlic. Sweet and savory.

Also, just in time for backyard barbecuing
(Yes, my garlic press is well-used! And did you know I once sold PC? I had over 160 kitchen shows!)

Comment to win – it’s easy
Would you kindly share with me your front door feelings when your guests arrive? Feel free to elaborate, if you have the time.

1. You are happy to see your guests.
2. You are happy to see them, but you are stressed out.
3. Your kids behavior was more than you desired that day.
4. The food you’ve cooked was messed up and it put you in a slump.
5. Your husband coming home late from work (later than the guests!) didn’t help at all.
6. You are resentful and angry.

Winner announced
Remember, anyone can comment – even local folks in my town! Everyone’s invited to join in on the fun with my 4RE giveaways!

Hostess Jo
I’m also happy to introduce to you one of my contributing advertisers on 4RE, Hostess Jo. To make entertaining easier, she offers some wonderful products in her Etsy shop. If you have a minute, pop on over and check out her one-stop shop for your entertaining needs!

Cool summer items
If you are looking for special items that add the right touch to your entertaining event, whether special occasion serving ware or a unique guest towel, you’ll have fun browsing around Hostess Jo’s shop. I know I did, especially now with her summer items!

(Top photo: veggies ready for grilling, with fresh garlic and herbs from our garden!)

Filed Under: giveaways & gadgets

Entertaining Simply!

May 26, 2009 By Sandy 10 Comments

Meet my Guest:

Emily from Remodeling this Life

I met Emily through her blog, Remodeling this Life, and instantly I knew we could be friends. I asked her to be my guest today, so thank you, Emily!

I can relate to Simple . Frugal . Fabulous! Can’t you?

I have spent a lot of my adult life reluctant to entertain.

I was too caught up in trying to do things “the right way.” I am not the girl who throws parties with perfect china and perfect centerpieces and perfectly put together multi-course meals. I admire that, but it isn’t who I am.

I am a simple girl.

Once I realized that what makes me a fabulous entertainer is being myself, it became much more fun. Now, I can invite people over with ease, entertain in comfort, and let myself shine through in the tiny touches.

I decided that to entertain simply, I had to stick to what I do best by focusing on my strengths and sticking to making the dishes that I am most comfortable making. I love baking. I almost always bake when we have people over for dinner. Baked ziti, black bean lasagna, baked chicken with marinara, mozzarella and zucchini – whatever the dish may be, I enjoy baking, and for me, it’s simple. I can put it together ahead of time and just have to stick it in the oven.

I don’t have to stand in the kitchen cooking while everyone else is socializing and having a great time. I also love baking bread. Having a few hot, out-of-the-oven loaves of ciabatta-bread for guests to nibble on while we chat, makes me happy and is always a hit.

The most important thing for me to break out of my reluctance to entertain has been to have confidence, think simple, and stick to my comfort zone in the kitchen.

Those things have been my recipe for simple, happy entertaining.

What are your secrets to keeping things simple while entertaining?

Filed Under: guest posts & blogging