2009 May – Reluctant Entertainer I Sandy Coughlin - Lifestyle, Entertaining, Food, Recipes, Hospitality and Gardening

Meet my Guest:

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?