Yesterday was a special day because my friend Dee came over. I love spending time with Dee, who’s a huge blessing in my life!
Not only did we share a bite to eat, using leftover Easter napkins.
And drank refreshing lemon water.
But we got down to business working on the “galleys” that were delivered to my house a little over a week ago.
What are galleys, you might ask?
Galleys are proofs or preliminary versions of publications, in this case the uncut and unbound version of … The Reluctant Entertainer!
It’s been a very exciting process! One that I’ll forever be indebted to several amazing people: My husband, my friend, Barb, and my editor, Natasha.
And to Dee.
Dee has helped me organize and get my recipes ready for this book. And in the process, we’ve shared many laughs. There’s been something very steady about Dee’s presence when she’s come to help. I told her today that she’s kept me grounded and sane. She’s given me good, wise advice and I’ve so appreciated that.
In return for my hospitable, loving friend giving me so much – I decided to bless her with a Hip Hostess apron, as a little thank you!
So here are the galleys, my friends! In a few short months (August 2010), The Reluctant Entertainer will be available in book stores. It’s been an amazing process … and thanking Dee is just one of the many girlfriends who’ve offered their gift of friendship and support to me … just like adult Balcony Girls!
I’d love to hear about one particular friend in your life who always seems to be there when you’ve needed them?
Ladies, bring your Easter Memories back here tomorrow! Link up for Home Is … Day here at RE! Here’s a little teaser post – one that I hope this blogger will link to and share on Wednesday! Check out Ginger’s fabulous post! If you want to see how we did it last week, you can read about it, here.
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this “icon” portrays a great message. It says that dinner parties are attainable, they are affordable, and that they can be beautiful even when on a budget. 
Congratulations on getting to this stage in the book – I am so excited for you! You’re so lucky to have so many amazing people to support you. I’ve got a couple of great friends and a wonderful sister who are such an inspiration to me.
Jade
.-= Jade @ No Longer 25´s last blog ..Tell Me About You! (200th Post) =-.
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How very, very exciting! Congrats my friend!
Cheers to new projects and fabulous friends!
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We can’t wait to get our hands on your new book! And as far as girlfriends who keep me up and going, it would have to be my blogging partner in crime, Chris Ann. Even though we are states away, she keeps me going! Her friendship, her vibrancy and her tenacity to keep envisioning for our future, breathes life into the cloudiest of days!
~kristin
.-= LoveFeast Table´s last blog ..Fancy Friday For All =-.
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Your book looks beautiful! I can’t wait to see it in print!
.-= kathie´s last blog ..long awaited cruise =-.
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Can’t wait to see the final book! How exciting to get to this point in the process. I have one girlfriend that I can be absent from for weeks, but when we need each other we know all it takes is a phone call and we are right there for each other.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Lost on the Highway =-.
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Oh how very exciting. I’m looking forward to picking up a copy in August!!
.-= ellen b´s last blog ..Easter Was Glorious! =-.
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I can’t wait for your book to come out, and the cover is so beautiful it deserves a spot on the coffee table, not the book shelf.
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Oh, how exciting!! I can’t wait to get your book.
It looks so beautiful!
My girls that uplift me are: 1. MOM! She’s been there, done that… so she can help with advice & encouragement; 2. my MOPS friends– constant sources of uplifted by them.
Blessings!
-Sarah
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Crafting: The Makings of a Princess Birthday Party =-.
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So excited for you…and us!!!
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I was going to say Kristin (see above) my blogging partner!! We keep ourselves going with dreams and ambitions and laughs!! We may be currently training children and doing laundry…but on the phone we’re having a coffee break and coming up with big plans!! As we say…”from dryer-lint to dreams!” It’s great to have a friend to help you with your projects and your dreams!!
We’re looking forward to your book! Chris Ann
.-= LoveFeast Table´s last blog ..Fancy Friday For All =-.
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AHHHH!!! I’m so excited for you I’m nearly crying. As today is a writing day, I’m struggling through paragraphs, wondering if I will ever see my galleys, ever. It doesn’t seem so at this rate….But AHHH!! So happy for you!
.-= emily´s last blog ..coming back to tuesday =-.
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Sandy Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Hang in there sweet Emily. I wish I could take the frustration away. But I can empathize … You’re birthing a baby that is going to bless so many. I can’t wait!
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I am so excited for and with you! I am also so proud of you! The work, heart and perseverance you have put into this has not gone unnoticed. It has been an inspiration to me.
Sounds like the hardest part is done and you are on the homestretch friend! Kick back and enjoy the journey…
.-= Donnetta´s last blog ..Decluttering the Stuff of My Heart =-.
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How wonderful and to be able to share such moments with good friends…well…you are simply wonderful!!!
.-= Liz@thisfullhouse´s last blog ..NWF Be Out There Challenge: Reflections, Senior Living and Shuffleboard =-.
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SO exciting!!! I can’t imagine what it must be like to see your work in print. Kindles and eBooks aside, there is something so amazing and real about holding a book in your hands…
My friend Patty is my Dee…she adopted me when I was a brand new mother, trying to find my way, and has served as friend, mentor, sister, mother, cohort, partner in crime and the Ethel to my Lucy for the past 7 years.
BTW – I received the “5 Secrets Great Dad’s Know” and I love it! Thank you! You had me at the title page of the introduction…I’m excited to share this with DH.
.-= Adelle @ ready…GO!…get set´s last blog ..Mommy Stumpers =-.
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Sandy Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
It’s great to have a “Dee.” I wish we lived closer!
Really!
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Adelle Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
me too. : ) see you early tomorrow!
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I have been blessed with so many friends scattered all over the globe. Ms. Gay took me under her wing when I was her daughter’s jr. high band director. I got warm cheese biscuits in the morning, notes that I was prayed for, invitations to their home, etc. She’s been a part of every step of my life since then. A true Titus 2 woman.
.-= Tara G.´s last blog ..Sweet Smells of Home =-.
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Congratulations, my friend! I am so excited for you!
And how wonderful to have a such a steady friend walking through the process with you. That is truly a gift.
.-= Kimba´s last blog ..DIY Day with Teapots and Robots =-.
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Congratulations! I can hardly wait to hold a copy of your book in my own two hands. (I hope you are planning a way that your closest blogging friends can get autographed copies!)
My best friend and I met on our very first day of high school. We were both the two “new kids” in a very small, private school – which meant blending in just wasn’t possible. So we did what any smart girls would do in that situation – stuck together. And we’ve been stuck ever since – through high school, college, boyfriends, break ups, family deaths, marriages, trying to have babies, having babies, her devestating divorce, and all the day-to-day living that happens in between. She flew more than 1,500 miles to pamper me and care for my house and family when I had major surgery several years ago. She’s incredible!!! We share our faith which makes our love that much deeper. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been thinking of her only to have my phone ring and hear her voice on the other end say, “I was just thinking about you…” Everyone should be so blessed!!!
.-= Dawn W´s last blog ..Happy Birthday, Bud! =-.
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Congrats Sandy…Galleys are so exciting because it always makes it real for me! I am anxiously awaiting your book! Maybe this will be my inspiration for finishing up my projects too. Again really happy for you…I know the book is going to be awesome! Do you get to go to the BEA?
.-= Holly L´s last blog ..DIY Day! Don’t Get Your Screen Ruffled! =-.
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Sandy Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Hi Holly, nope, no BEA. That would be fun though!
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To see your book for now sitting in stacks on your countertop is so thrilling for me and I’m sure beyond thrilling for you. Your hospitality comes from the heart which I why you are where you are at today. To me you will always be the epitome of the hip hostess.I feel so blessed to have watched you on this well deserved journey.
I actually have not one friend, but 6 who I can say with all sincerity have always been there for me. We met years ago as mother’s of little dancers. Somehow through all those dance years until this very day,we have remained the closest of friends with a bond that can’t be broken. We’ve been through graduations, college, weddings and now even the first of us will be a Grandma soon. Through very good times and lately lots of bad times for many of us, these ladies are still my rock. I’m so very fortunate to have them in my life.
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Sandy Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
I’ve heard you talk about your friends in the past. Sounds like amazing people. Thank you for sharing!
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Congratulations. Good luck with everything as well.
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Sandy, it must be SO exciting to have a book coming out. I’m very happy and thrilled for you. Can’t wait to see it.
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Oh this is just so exciting, thank you for sharing and I can’t wait to buy that book and tell everyone about it! I call these special friends refrigerator friends. You can take anything out of theirs and they can have anything in your without even asking! They are the BEST!
.-= Mary Jean Taylor´s last blog ..Painting Letter’s Tutorial =-.
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Sandy Reply:
April 6th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
I love this – refrigerator friends. That’s a great BG idea (I’ll give you credit if I use it!).
)
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How exciting for you! That really puts the book into reality, doesn’t it. Congrats on all your hard work and willing friends who help you through this process. Enjoy it all.
You will have your first copy in print before you know it!
Betty in Oklahoma
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Sandy! I am so excited for you! You’ve come so far in this process! Wow!! Really neat. I have too many “Dees” to name. I am blessed, truly blessed indeed! Kelly
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..another post where I ask for your advice and opinions =-.
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Wow! How in the world have I not stumbled on your blog sooner? It. Is. Awesomeness. Beautiful, informative, and encouraging!
I have a couple gal pals that fit this kind of bill. They make my life rich!
Congrats on the book! What an accomplishment!
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