Comments on: Did I do the Right Thing? http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/ Mon, 06 Sep 2010 14:14:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Carol S. http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14856 Carol S. Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:23:41 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14856 Agree with the others...you did the right thing! So smart you set out your clothes and were able to get "game ready" in no time. Am looking for some ideas on taking off the extra inches I gained enjoying these holidays!! Agree with the others…you did the right thing! So smart you set out your clothes and were able to get “game ready” in no time. Am looking for some ideas on taking off the extra inches I gained enjoying these holidays!!

]]> By: Cindy Murdoch http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14835 Cindy Murdoch Fri, 01 Jan 2010 04:14:21 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14835 Before I forget about it - The salad you showed in your first picture looked absolutely fabulous. I would love to have the recipe. And yes, I believe that you did the right thing. You had invited people into your home where you were going to be the hostess, and along with that came certain responsibilities that you honored. And then you had your wonderful friends that dropped by for a visit. How fortunate to have such wonderful friends! And even better, you are good enough friends with them that you were able to be yourself - rushed and all - and they were okay with it. You were transparent with them. You could have sat down and tried to be the hostess to the unexpected guest, but all the time your attention would have been divided, because you would have been distracted by worrying about all the things you still needed to do. By doing those things, and not worrying about them, I believe that they two got the best of you. Did I tell you that that salad looked great! :-) Before I forget about it – The salad you showed in your first picture looked absolutely fabulous. I would love to have the recipe.

And yes, I believe that you did the right thing. You had invited people into your home where you were going to be the hostess, and along with that came certain responsibilities that you honored.

And then you had your wonderful friends that dropped by for a visit. How fortunate to have such wonderful friends! And even better, you are good enough friends with them that you were able to be yourself – rushed and all – and they were okay with it. You were transparent with them. You could have sat down and tried to be the hostess to the unexpected guest, but all the time your attention would have been divided, because you would have been distracted by worrying about all the things you still needed to do. By doing those things, and not worrying about them, I believe that they two got the best of you.

Did I tell you that that salad looked great! :-)

]]> By: maryleigh http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14823 maryleigh Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:47:07 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14823 LOL - As the mom of 5 sons, you better get used to hanging out in my kitchen while I run behind schedule - that's where the fun is! Truly good food doesn't come from a perfect kitchen! It's a Mary/Martha kind of thing - you can get so caught up in the "job" that you do not enjoy the blessing! I want to come eat next year:) Happy new Year! LOL – As the mom of 5 sons, you better get used to hanging out in my kitchen while I run behind schedule – that’s where the fun is! Truly good food doesn’t come from a perfect kitchen! It’s a Mary/Martha kind of thing – you can get so caught up in the “job” that you do not enjoy the blessing!

I want to come eat next year:) Happy new Year!

]]> By: Diane http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14821 Diane Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:27:37 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14821 I think you did the right thing!!! You still got to visit with your friends....I know I wouldn't have cared if it was myself dropping in on you. It would make me feel better to know you were not perfect just like me. Would you post the recipe to that salad...it looked so pretty and healthy!!!!! I think you did the right thing!!! You still got to visit with your friends….I know I wouldn’t have cared if it was myself dropping in on you. It would make me feel better to know you were not perfect just like me.

Would you post the recipe to that salad…it looked so pretty and healthy!!!!!

]]> By: Richella http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14819 Richella Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:27:32 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14819 I'd say that you should go ahead and stick to your schedule. . . and be really glad that you'd laid out your clothes beforehand! Maybe the takeaway lesson for next year is to do a bit more the day before so that you FEEL relaxed as you keep working with your drop-in guests. Best wishes for the new year! I’d say that you should go ahead and stick to your schedule. . . and be really glad that you’d laid out your clothes beforehand! Maybe the takeaway lesson for next year is to do a bit more the day before so that you FEEL relaxed as you keep working with your drop-in guests.

Best wishes for the new year!

]]> By: Jackie http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14813 Jackie Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:27:58 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14813 I find a need to be the multi-tasker and tend to things as the night goes along, but often I feel the same about not visiting with each guest. I think you just have to do your best and try to relax. That is what gets me frustrated, when I feel like I have not taken time to enjoy the company. I find a need to be the multi-tasker and tend to things as the night goes along, but often I feel the same about not visiting with each guest. I think you just have to do your best and try to relax. That is what gets me frustrated, when I feel like I have not taken time to enjoy the company.

]]> By: Beverly http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14812 Beverly Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:01:53 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14812 YES!!! You did the right thing, but I need the recipe for the BEAUTIFUL salad you made!!! YES!!! You did the right thing, but I need the recipe for the BEAUTIFUL salad you made!!!

]]> By: Live.Love.Eat http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14809 Live.Love.Eat Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:48:28 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14809 Wow, great question. Although I have never done a Progressive Dinner I tend to overdo regular entertaining and family dinner so I have to stay on a schedule. I do try to multi task or else dinner would be at 10pm. I think if you're really showing attention while washing the dishes, let's say, then your guests won't mind. I am sure you did the right thing because that's what you chose to do at that moment. Wow, great question. Although I have never done a Progressive Dinner I tend to overdo regular entertaining and family dinner so I have to stay on a schedule. I do try to multi task or else dinner would be at 10pm. I think if you’re really showing attention while washing the dishes, let’s say, then your guests won’t mind.

I am sure you did the right thing because that’s what you chose to do at that moment.

]]> By: Laurie http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14807 Laurie Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:28:08 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14807 I think your "drop in" guests would understand completely if you kept working while you were visiting. What you did right in your post was a good idea, just go over what you would do again or what you would do differently. It's usually about having the right attitude! Happy New Year I think your “drop in” guests would understand completely if you kept working while you were visiting. What you did right in your post was a good idea, just go over what you would do again or what you would do differently. It’s usually about having the right attitude!

Happy New Year

]]> By: Sandy http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14806 Sandy Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:39:16 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14806 Thanks for all of the comments. It's great to read different perspectives. I believe all of our friends are so gracious and that they expected nothing more than a Christmas hug and were completely understanding. I think Jennifer go it right -- who expects a woman to be free on Christmas Eve? LOL. Fun discussion. I'm so thankful for great friends (but not for the pounds they put on our hips with all the delicious foods!) LOL. Thanks for all of the comments. It’s great to read different perspectives. I believe all of our friends are so gracious and that they expected nothing more than a Christmas hug and were completely understanding. I think Jennifer go it right — who expects a woman to be free on Christmas Eve? LOL.

Fun discussion. I’m so thankful for great friends (but not for the pounds they put on our hips with all the delicious foods!) LOL.

]]> By: Lynne in NC http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14802 Lynne in NC Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:41:22 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14802 Sandy- what a wonderful dilemna. It seems that you planned ahead in many areas. My dilemna is the perfect house syndrome; rather I should say it was my dilemna. Through your blog and through a very loving sister-in-Christ I've learned that folks come to be with us and not always to see my house. Although with your new kitchen redo, I imagine some did come to see the house ;-) Thank you for sharing this timely posting. Peace. Sandy- what a wonderful dilemna. It seems that you planned ahead in many areas.

My dilemna is the perfect house syndrome; rather I should say it was my dilemna. Through your blog and through a very loving sister-in-Christ I’ve learned that folks come to be with us and not always to see my house.
Although with your new kitchen redo, I imagine some did come to see the house ;-)
Thank you for sharing this timely posting.
Peace.

]]> By: Jennifer http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14800 Jennifer Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:43:25 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14800 I don't think many people expect a woman to be free on Christmas Eve to just sit and chat. I'm sure they loved being invited in while you kept working, and completely understood. Just try to picture it if you were on the receiving end...you would understand. It could have been different, if you didn't have a tight schedule/timeline for the dinner looming. Now worries! Sounded lovely. I don’t think many people expect a woman to be free on Christmas Eve to just sit and chat. I’m sure they loved being invited in while you kept working, and completely understood. Just try to picture it if you were on the receiving end…you would understand. It could have been different, if you didn’t have a tight schedule/timeline for the dinner looming. Now worries! Sounded lovely.

]]> By: Erin Leigh http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14799 Erin Leigh Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:15:15 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14799 Ummm, I just want 7 family friends to drop by with sweet gifts. Precious. That speaks volumes about who you are... it's a trick question. kind of like a "Sunday School question" where Jesus is always the right answer. I knwo the "right"answer, but reality is a whole different ball game. Sounds like it turned out beautifully. You have a beautiful house, BTW. Ummm, I just want 7 family friends to drop by with sweet gifts. Precious. That speaks volumes about who you are… it’s a trick question. kind of like a “Sunday School question” where Jesus is always the right answer. I knwo the “right”answer, but reality is a whole different ball game. Sounds like it turned out beautifully. You have a beautiful house, BTW.

]]> By: Betty G http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14795 Betty G Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:27:34 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14795 Sandy, I wish you were my neighbor so I could learn how to HOSTESS like you do. If you doubt you did the right thing, just re-read your TRUTHS you listed and you will see that it all went very well. Just focus on the positives! You make a BIG difference in a LOT of lives, young lady, so please remember that. RE: REGRETS I don't think ANY of your drop-ins will even remember any regrets at all. They enjoy being around you and your family and your hostessing skills. Maybe they dropped by to see your prep in action! You are a great mentor. :) Love from snowy Oklahoma, Betty G. Sandy,
I wish you were my neighbor so I could learn how to HOSTESS like you do. If you doubt you did the right thing, just re-read your TRUTHS you listed and you will see that it all went very well. Just focus on the positives! You make a BIG difference in a LOT of lives, young lady, so please remember that.

RE: REGRETS
I don’t think ANY of your drop-ins will even remember any regrets at all. They enjoy being around you and your family and your hostessing skills. Maybe they dropped by to see your prep in action! You are a great mentor. :)

Love from snowy Oklahoma,
Betty G.

]]> By: rebecca d http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14793 rebecca d Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:10:15 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14793 You handled it perfectly right...there is no perfect way to be everything to everyone...it looked like fun, so mission accomplished. You handled it perfectly right…there is no perfect way to be everything to everyone…it looked like fun, so mission accomplished.

]]> By: teresa http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14792 teresa Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:45:33 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14792 First of all...you are being too hard on yourself. Look at what you did! You opened your lovely home full of Christmas cheer and hosted a festive fellowship for friends! What a gift you gave. My sister and I always wonder why more people don't go that extra mile and create memorable occassions for family and friends. We observe that so many people just don't trouble themselves. They love what my sister and I adore creating for them...but so seldom do they extend such an invitation. We wouldn't have it anyother way though. Even though hosting friends and family in your home can end up bringing out the SHE DEVIL in us all...it's WORTH IT!!!! My sister's husband and my husband have just learned to WATCH OUT those last 30 minutes or so! My name is T-eresa on a good day...but my husband calls WHAT comes out of me the last 30 minutes before the guest arrive...J-ERESA!!!! HA!! So...I just think you are lovely indeed for hosting an event that will be long remembered by all who dropped by! Believe me...messy kitchen or not...rest assured they were all AMAZED at the whole deal! XXOOXX Good for you for being one of those few willing to open your home and brighten the spirits of others! First of all…you are being too hard on yourself.
Look at what you did!
You opened your lovely home full of Christmas cheer and hosted a festive fellowship for friends!
What a gift you gave.
My sister and I always wonder why more people don’t go that extra mile and create memorable occassions for family and friends.
We observe that so many people just don’t trouble themselves. They love what my sister and I adore creating for them…but so seldom do they extend such an invitation.
We wouldn’t have it anyother way though.
Even though hosting friends and family in your home can end up bringing out the SHE DEVIL in us all…it’s WORTH IT!!!!
My sister’s husband and my husband have just learned to WATCH OUT those last 30 minutes or so! My name is T-eresa on a good day…but my husband calls WHAT comes out of me the last 30 minutes before the guest arrive…J-ERESA!!!! HA!!
So…I just think you are lovely indeed for hosting an event that will be long remembered by all who dropped by!
Believe me…messy kitchen or not…rest assured they were all AMAZED at the whole deal!
XXOOXX
Good for you for being one of those few willing to open your home and brighten the spirits of others!

]]> By: randee http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14789 randee Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:49:30 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14789 this is a frequent problem that i have. and as my husband & i get older, the slower we move. i know for a fact that the only person it bothers is me! people love seeing that i'm not perfect & always love to pitch in. my grown kids all showed up at 5 pm on Christmas Eve hungry & ready to eat with hungry little ones, too. i could have used another good hour to finish up & tidy up but they could have cared less about the mess! they ate what was ready & ate tenderloin & brie on french bread an hour & a half later. all went home happy & full, but way too early for me :( we're all still waiting on the grand tour, by the way. it looks fabulous! hope you have a happy & blessed new year. it's hard to believe that twenty-ten is almost here. peace - this is a frequent problem that i have. and as my husband & i get older, the slower we move. i know for a fact that the only person it bothers is me! people love seeing that i’m not perfect & always love to pitch in.

my grown kids all showed up at 5 pm on Christmas Eve hungry & ready to eat with hungry little ones, too. i could have used another good hour to finish up & tidy up but they could have cared less about the mess! they ate what was ready & ate tenderloin & brie on french bread an hour & a half later. all went home happy & full, but way too early for me :(

we’re all still waiting on the grand tour, by the way. it looks fabulous!

hope you have a happy & blessed new year. it’s hard to believe that twenty-ten is almost here.

peace -

]]> By: LaTeaDah http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14788 LaTeaDah Tue, 29 Dec 2009 23:04:52 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14788 I think you did the right thing, inviting drop-by guests into your kitchen to visit with you while you worked. If they had called ahead and/or were invited, then you should sit down and chat. In this situation, you had a responsibility to the progressive dinner individuals --- and it was important that you be prepared for them. By the way, your new kitchen is looking beautiful! I love the large island! Happy New Year! LaTeaDah from Gracious Hospitality I think you did the right thing, inviting drop-by guests into your kitchen to visit with you while you worked. If they had called ahead and/or were invited, then you should sit down and chat. In this situation, you had a responsibility to the progressive dinner individuals — and it was important that you be prepared for them.

By the way, your new kitchen is looking beautiful! I love the large island!

Happy New Year!
LaTeaDah from Gracious Hospitality

]]> By: Org Junkie http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14785 Org Junkie Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:31:06 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14785 Yes I agree you did the right thing. You made a commitment and honored it yet still took the time to visit with company beforehand. I'm sure they totally understood. Well done! Yes I agree you did the right thing. You made a commitment and honored it yet still took the time to visit with company beforehand. I’m sure they totally understood. Well done!

]]> By: Lynn http://reluctantentertainer.com/2009/12/did-i-do-the-right-thing/#comment-14784 Lynn Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:27:42 +0000 http://reluctantentertainer.com/?p=2018#comment-14784 Whenever we entertain guests, I try and no matter what put everything down once the doorbell rings and say the hellos, take the coats, settle everyone in, and then if need be get right back in the kitchen and grab anyone who's willing to enlist their help in finishing up the meal. I find that people love getting their hands into the food. It makes the meal taste even better! And i leave the dishes for AFTER they leave. I'd rather unwind with them and talk over some tea at the end of the night rather than have them feel ushered out like it's last call or something. :o) Your food looks delicious! I strongly believe that all things can be forgiven as long as the food comes out tasting great... My best, Lynn *swing on by, I'm hosting an all natural giveaway extravaganza this week! Whenever we entertain guests, I try and no matter what put everything down once the doorbell rings and say the hellos, take the coats, settle everyone in, and then if need be get right back in the kitchen and grab anyone who’s willing to enlist their help in finishing up the meal. I find that people love getting their hands into the food. It makes the meal taste even better! And i leave the dishes for AFTER they leave. I’d rather unwind with them and talk over some tea at the end of the night rather than have them feel ushered out like it’s last call or something. :o ) Your food looks delicious! I strongly believe that all things can be forgiven as long as the food comes out tasting great…

My best, Lynn
*swing on by, I’m hosting an all natural giveaway extravaganza this week!

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