Thanks for joining me in my “30 Days of Summer Entertaining” series. (Scroll down to the bottom for previous posts in this series) 
Grilling is a big part of summer entertaining, so today’s post is a very exciting one!
Back in May, I was invited by my cute and inspirational friend, Marla Meridith, from Family Fresh Cooking, to attend a wonderful evening with … the National Pork Board. It was called a Pork Crawl, hosted by Jaden Hair from Steamy Kitchen. Basically, a group of bloggers went to some of the finest restaurants in Atlanta, where chefs created pork recipes in ways I’ve never experienced before.
Lori @ Recipe Girl, Angie @ Bakerella, Jenny @ Picky Palate, Jaden @ Steamy Kitchen, Sandy @ Reluctant Entertainer, Georgia @ Georgia Pellegrini, Marla @ Family Fresh Cooking, not pictured Carrie Minns @ La Pomme De Portland, and photo credit by Amanda @ Kevin & Amanda
And the night didn’t end there … when we got back to our hotel room, we were given a gift of great cooking tools and spices for making our own pork chops when we arrived home. (Items in very top photo – my favorite? The grilling pan and juicer! Both awesome!)
Yesterday I shared this fantastic recipe that our family enjoyed for an early Father’s Day celebration using fresh pork chops and glazed apricots.
Today I am sharing with YOU the exact same items I received from the National Pork Board, to give away here at RE to ONE LUCKY WINNER!
As the generosity continues … here are the items I’m giving away here on RE today:
Pork Be Inspired brand Apron
Pork Be Inspired Brochure
Digital Meat Thermometer
Cuisinart CCJ-100 Citrus Pro Juicer
Vacu Vin Pineapple Slicer
Norpro Grip-Ez Jalapeno Pepper Corer
Cuisinart Grill Pan (I’m most excited about this!)
Dry Ingredients (Salt, Light Brown Sugar, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Chili Powder)
If you are interested in receiving this generous gift from the National Pork Board, leave a comment and tell me:
What is it about summer entertaining that stressed you out?
Extra ways to win, 1 point each, and please come back and share the link.
-Tweet this giveaway (@SandyCoughlinRE)
-Share this post on your Facebook page
-Post this giveaway on your blog
-Become a brand NEW follower of RE Facebook page
-Become a brand NEW follower of ReluctantEntertainer.com (Brand NEW folks, easy to sign up with your email)Contest ends Wednesday at midnight, 6/22/11. Winner announced Thursday, 6/23/11 on RE.
(Very top photo credit of giveaway items from Carrie, La Pomme De Portland.)
If you’ve missed the last 19 days of this series, you can catch up now:
Day 1: Summer Entertaining is About the People
Day 2: When Perfect Robs You of Something Good
Day 3: Who To Invite to Dinner
Day 4: Planning the Menu for Outdoor Entertaining
Day 5: Setting the Table Using What You Have
Day 6: Using One Classic Water Glass
Day 7: Napkin Options for Summer Entertaining
Day 8: When You Feel Like Canceling the Party
Day 9: Leave Your Technology at the Front Door
Day 10: Candles That Enhance Good Conversation
Day 11: Serving Flavored Herb and Fruit Water
Day 12: Leafy Greens and a Tiny Bit of Agave
Day 13: Keeping Nut and Fruits and Cheeses on Hand for Easy Appetizers
Day 14: Move Your Table to a Different Space
Day 15: Greek Salad on a Stick and Getting the Kids Involved
Day 16: Three Lies of Perfectionism that Ruin Entertaining Moments
Day 17: Be Creative When You Run Out of Linens for Your Dinner Party
Day 18: Gather Around a Fire for Intimate Summer Entertaining
Day 19: Last Minute Father’s Day Invite and Pork Chops with Glazed Apricots
Feel free to grab my button and share it with your readers
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. 
Great giveaway! I would say what stresses me out is my guests feeling too crowded. My house is under 2000 square feet and I always feel that when everyone is together (kids and adults) inside we are all on top of each other feeling a little bit “tight” instead of having a spacious area to stretch out. I know the feeling instantly makes me nervous, uptight and feeling not so relaxed.
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Feeling inept at really being able to pull the whole thing off! I’m so awkward in social situations that the pressure just mounts as each guest arrives. Such a fantastic giveaway, thanks for the chance to win!!
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What a fun giveaway! What stresses me out about summer entertaining is the heat (I’m in the south) and the bugs. I sometimes wonder if we’ll all be hot and itchy.
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What stresses me out about entertaining? Everything! My small space isn’t big enough. My cooking isn’t fancy enough. My guests won’t have enough fun. Ugh. But I enjoy your blog and I’m trying to learn from you!
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Mosquitos! Thanks for the great giveaway. We had grilled garlic and pepper pork tenderloin last night, and it tasted like summer!
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What stresses me out is the uncertainty of the weather. I actually want to plan an outdoor party for July 9th but am all worried that it will rain and ruin my plans. Thanks so much for all of the inspiration you share with us.
Holly F´s last [type] ..Asthma – Reflux connection
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I would have to say that weather unpredictability is stressful. Here in Florida the thunderstorms usually start rolling in around dinner time when I plan for guests to come. I love doing outdoor games and such and I’m always worried that my efforts will be ruined by weather. I guess a back up plan would be good. LOL!
Thanks for the chance to win Sandy. Have a great day.
Kim @ Homesteader’s Heart´s last [type] ..30 Day Photo Fun! Day 16-Mason Jar Day 17-Bokeh
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What an awesome giveaway. I would say the heat stresses me out. Living here in the South, it is just not letting up these days. Temps near 100′s almost everyday. With the layout of my house it is nice to have the outside to use as well as inside. Thanks for the opportunity to win such a great prize.
Jackie´s last [type] ..Its Been a Long Time!
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The Florida heat is what stressing me out! I don’t know how to keep everyone cool while we’re entertaining outside.
Jessica Hayes´s last [type] ..New House
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I always stress about making certain everyone’s happy – that there’s something to eat for every palate.
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I shared this post on Facebook!
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I newly “Like” you on Facebook!
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I am a New Follower of your blog! I hope I win – this contest ends on my birthday! – what a great present!
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Summer entertaining stresses me the same as the rest of the year.
What will I serve, will the house be clean enough, will my kids get along with their kids/behave in front of other people?
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Hmmm…I’m actually having a hard time deciding what to write! My husband and I have only really hosted two major events before, but we have (up to) 30 guests coming this weekend – with kids! I think this time, it makes me nervous to have kids at our party because they will be a BIG age range, and I’m not sure how to entertain them. So, summer or winter, what do I do with other people’s kids? I guess we’ll find out soon!
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I am always nervous about having anyone over…trying to have everything “just right” stresses me. Yet I haven’t learned not to stress but I am working on it!
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What stresses me about Summer entertaining is that I live in a condo and do not have a back yard. I do have a little slab of concrete that people can gather. It is summer and people want to be outside. While my home is not dark I just feel that people want to go outdoors as well.
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We tend to be so laid back that we don’t invite. Then I feel bad that I haven’t had people over and THAT doesn’t motivate me. It gets to be a vicious cycle. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Kim D from SC
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My husband’s TWO riding lawn mowers and tool box on our large back porch! I see lovely living areas and think… That could be mine… But WAIT! Half the porch is full of man stuff. He keeps saying he’s going to build a workshop big enough to hold it al… One can only hope!
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Great Giveaway! (I hope I win!) I would say the thing that stresses me out most about summer entertaining – any entertaining really is cleaning my house. Ugh! I clean the hall (kids) bathroom and before a guest can arrive it seems the counter is smeared with toothpaste and the clean towels I put out are covered in germy kid-hand-dirt! Luckily most of my friends have kids too!
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Nothing stresses me out about summer entertaining. It’s the most relaxed venue in that your outside and just taking it all in. Great giveaway. Hope I win.
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My small house stresses me out. We usually prefer to entertain in nice weather (which, in our area is about 2 weeks in the spring & 2 weeks in the fall because we go straight from hot to cold) so we can eat outside.
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One of the stressful moments is when we moved into our new house recently…and had a little BBQ for our family and friends. I was stressed to hear what people would think about our new house ALONG with my cooking!!
Larissa´s last [type] ..Adorable Digital Designs-Kit release-freebie
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I worry about the burgers being cooked all the way!
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I am already a fan on fb!
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I don’t usually get stressed out when entertaining and I love entertaining outdoors but we live in Florida so I would have to say it’s the heat that stresses me out. I hate for my guests to be uncomfortable but I love to be outside.
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My husband and I just had my dad and my husband’s dad over to celebrate Father’s Day last night and the meal was a full 1 hour late! As my husband sat in the living room keeping the slow conversation going, I was racing all over my kitchen, trying to be as quiet as possible so those in the next room wouldn’t know I was frantic. It seems like this is how entertaining goes for me…it is never the relaxed, at ease, relational event that Sandy inspires me toward. Inevitably, there are a number of details I have forgotten until the last moment or I misjudged the time everything will take (and with our elderly fathers, I couldn’t invite them into the kitchen to help with the chopping, etc. making one big, happy event.)
I will say, though, that I haven’t had both dads together for a meal for a very long time (we will often take them out or have one or the other in for frozen pizza). I attribute the courage to do this on this special day, to Sandy’s encouragements. Also, once we were f-i-n-a-l-l-y able to sit down, the rest of the evening ended up very relational. : )
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My house is never as straight and has organized as others. I love to entertain but feel I should be better organized before having others over. I am also always worried that people may not show. I love having get togethers and parties!! Games and ice breakers are the funniest part!!
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We use a charcoal grill – which imparts the most amazing flavor – but the set-up takes forever. This is what stresses me out. I would love to grill more, but the thought of prepping the coals usually detracts from wanting the grill and then I just cook inside instead…
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Summer entertaining stresses me out because not only does the inside of the house have to look nice but my husband expects me to have the outside of the house nice looking too. It just adds to the amount of work that I have to get done besides the cooking.
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I shared this post on my FB page.
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What a lovely giveaway, Sandy! Very generous of you and the National Pork Board to offer this package to one of your readers.
The thing that stresses me out most about summer entertaining, or entertaining at any time for that matter, is conversation. I’m a naturally very quiet and shy person so keeping up interesting conversation is a true trial for me. That’s the one reason that I don’t entertain very often.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme´s last [type] ..Refrigerator Pickles
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summer entertainment stress: home & food presentation.
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What a great giveaway! I found your website through a Twitter link, so I’m a new subscriber via RSS and a new Facebook liker and I retweeted you!
Summer entertaining is the most fun I think because it’s easy to potluck. The things that stress me out though? Heat and bugs! I never want people feeling gross or thinking I’m gross!
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What stresses me out about summer entertaining— Keeping the house and outside in order— hard to do with a 2 yr and 4 yr old!!
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I like you on facebook!!
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Ahh, that’s a good one too. I live in Florida and I admit that being outside right now isn’t much fun! Let me know if you figure that one out. LOL!
Kim @ Homesteader’s Heart´s last [type] ..30 Day Photo Fun! Day 16-Mason Jar Day 17-Bokeh
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Kim @ Homesteader's Heart Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 8:07 am
Hmm…I was trying to reply to Jessica’s comment. I guess I didn’t do it right. *sigh* I need coffee! LOL!
Kim @ Homesteader’s Heart´s last [type] ..30 Day Photo Fun! Day 16-Mason Jar Day 17-Bokeh
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Kim @ Homesteader's Heart Reply:
June 20th, 2011 at 8:09 am
Now I’m talking to myself. Feel free to delete these Sandy! I’m starting to sound a little nuts! Ha! Ha!
Kim @ Homesteader’s Heart´s last [type] ..30 Day Photo Fun! Day 16-Mason Jar Day 17-Bokeh
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The one thing that stresses me out about summer entertaining is keeping the food nice and cool and fresh outside, especially over an hour or two.
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Tweet http://twitter.com/#!/yourpotofgold/status/82828483360862208
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New Follower on Facebook!
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The thing that stresses me out with summer cooking is the heat! I am always worried about food spoiling!
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I’m new to the blog, but I joined your FB page and became a follower of your blog!
Summer entertaining stresses me out in the planning stages. I want everything to be perfect and it just seems like such an overwhelming task to clean, cook a meal I think is “impressive” and have it ready on time!
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The one thing I become stressed about with summer entertaining is making sure I have the right food – food that people will like and taste good.
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i am a new fan on facebook!!
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What stresses me out is the heat, humidity, and trying to figure out what to serve that a) is light and refreshing, and b) keeps me away from a hot stove! Thanks for the great giveaway!
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I am stressed out about trying to manage the preparation/cooking/timing of the kitchen and outdoors cooking.
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The heat really stresses me out! It’s too hot to get outside and enjoy doing family activities!!
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What stresses me out is making sure I have everyone’s needs and likes accommodated and also have kid-food and activities covered.
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What stresses me about summer entertaining is nothging more than the weather. Triple digits here and being outside isn’t a fun task for everyone, ice cream melts as soon as it hits the summer air LOL!
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I am a brand new fan of the Reluctant ENtertainer’s FB page.
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I posted this giveaway on my facebook wall. http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=171307382932060&id=100001156831237
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I am following you on twitter and I tweeted http://twitter.com/rusthawk/status/82836978067963904
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I’m probably most stressed out just about having my home in decent order, same as entertaining in any other season. Also, we live in an apartment, so I wish we had a better area to entertain out of doors, but that’s pretty much out of my control
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Great giveaway!
I think having the house straightened up is the most stressful thing.
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Biggest stress for summer entertaining is that there seem to be so many birthdays – one of which is the biggest holiday of the summer – hard to always make things special when the easiest thing to do is burgers and dogs!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel´s last [type] ..30 Random FAQ
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now following on fb!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel´s last [type] ..30 Random FAQ
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great giveaway! i can be stressed in the summer by how quickly what i am cooking in the kitchen can heat up our small apartment.
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Keeping things lively and entertaining…but usually it works out on it’s own. Thanks for the great ideas! Keep them coming!!
))
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Hey! Shared the link on my facebook page. I usually do ok with entertaining in general till someone I’ve invited comes in and notices stuff I really didn’t want them to notice, and then they start redoing my organization or something about our evening. Hmmm…frustrating. I makes me feel as if I’m not doing right.
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Not having enough free-time to have as many get-togethers as we’d like while the weather is nice!
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Not having enough outdoor space (flat that is) to put tables and people.
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It stresses me out when I have a party planned and the lawnmower or weed eater or tiller go on the blink and I can’t get the lawn or garden looking nice beforehand!
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I get stressed out that the weather will not be good the day of my gathering. Because of this I worry too much about trying to have both inside AND outside just perfect. Your series has been great – I always look forward to what you’re going to share for the day!
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What stresses me out is knowing exactly how to the grill the food and for how long. I’m always afraid it will either be uncooked or cooked too long – thus making it tough. Love the porkchop apricot recipe. Thanks for sharing.
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Trying to be more relaxed and following your tips…but still find myself stressed about getting everything done on time. Clean the house, make sure deck/backyard is presentable, set table, prepare food. I work full time (as do many of us!) and just feel like I never have enough time. This coming weekend is the first time I’m going to entertain a small group of friends with children (only 12 people) using your tips. Having your menu of hot dogs, corn on the cob and watermelon. I do have to make a cake because we’re celebrating the birthdays of two of the children.
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I have lots of stress and anxiety about entertaining period, but during the summer I get concerned about it getting too hot in the house and there not being enough room in the house and too many mosquitoes to go outside comfortably.
Danyelle´s last [type] ..I heart faces- Lets hear it for the boy
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Making enough food – I’m always afraid we will run out – we haven’t yet – but that’s because I over buy – LOL
thanks for hosting this giveaway!
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Hmmm, what stressed me out about summer entertaining. . . probably the weather? If I’m going to have it outside, or should I open windows or will it be too hot, etc…
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I “like” you on FB.
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The most stressful part is planning to have something everyone will like. It’s so hard when there’s so many pickyeaters!
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Thanks for the giveaway! I get stressed out about who to invite and if they’ll have fun. Will we lack for conversation? What if I invite couples who haven’t met and they have nothing in common?
Amy’s Cooking Adventures´s last [type] ..Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars
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The weather can be very stressful when entertaining during the summer. You have to worry about rain, or extreme heat and humidity. But it can be so nice to eat outside and take advantage of our backyards during the summer months
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I’m a new follower on facebook (Gina R)
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I tweeted the giveaway @amyscookingadve
Amy’s Cooking Adventures´s last [type] ..Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars
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I shared the giveaway on facebook
Amy’s Cooking Adventures´s last [type] ..Marshmallow Crunch Brownie Bars
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I am ALWAYS concerned about presenting all the foods at the correct temperature: how to keep it cold and hot and protected from flies and not let anything dry out or melt! Yikes!
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The weather cooperating and hopefully the food turns out.
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I think what stresses me out the most about summer entertaining is giving up control since my husband is the griller. He does a great job but I have control issues…smile.
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What a great giveaway!
I always get nervous about our tiny house. IF the weather is terrible we would all have to end up inside!
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We just moved to a new state last spring, and rented for a year so now have a new house in a new state after living here for a year.
We love it! Our yard is much bigger than anything we have had before…which considering we moved from Southern CA doesn’t say a whole lot. While I would LOVE to entertain out back, what stresses me out is that we have no back yard furniture except for a few stacking chairs!
But we need to do some house work before we can buy patio furniture and a new BBQ (don’t tell my husband but we are all going in together to get him one for his birthday in a couple weeks).
So I have no where to serve guests outside.
My plan is to wait for it to be blazing hot and then invite our friends over to enjoy the air conditioning that no one seems to have here. Very weird, but it does create a fun opportunity for us.
Kristy´s last [type] ..Monday Morning
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Woohoo! Time is a big stress for me – there are always so many little things that I either overlook when planning or get tossed in unexpectedly. Oh well – it’s still worth it!
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Feeling like I don’t know how to make good side dishes that have that summery feeling.
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We don’t have any kids of our own, yet, but we’re just young and just got married! So my biggest stressor when others come over is people who let their kids wreak havoc in our home! We work hard to make it look nice…and I’ve learned to be more expressive when it comes to them doing something that just isn’t right.
I constantly crave having people over for a meal. I love entertaining. We are just going to start stiplulating that the kids should be left home with a babysitter so the adults can enjoy an evening!
(No, Mom, I don’t hate kids…) : )
Captain Micah´s last [type] ..Handy Hubby Strikes Again!
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I think the thing that stresses me out most about outdoor entertaining is the weather! It is never predictable where I am from and it seems like you always have to have a plan B. The other thing that usually stresses me out is that I might run out of propane for my grill! Trust me, it has happened more than once
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Just became a New follower!
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i get stressed worrying if it is going to be too hot to be outside…to grill…too much worry…not enough fun.
it might rain. gotta quit it!
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Just became a follower on Facebook!
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actually, if anything – I feel less stressed entertaining in the summer. It seems to be much easier to find grilled food that everyone will like. Plus, my husband does the cooking
Andi T.´s last [type] ..Sacred Claim
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I posted the giveaway on Facebook
Andi T.´s last [type] ..Sacred Claim
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I like you on Facebook
Andi T.´s last [type] ..Sacred Claim
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I follow your blog
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The weather – a summer party is just not as much fun if you can’t be outside.
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I stress about how clean my house is not! I know you say not to but I really am a “Reluctant Entertainer!’
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What stressed me out is trying to find a way to cook without heating up the house and having everyone’s body heat plus cooking heat making the experience physically uncomfortable for them and for me.
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Hi Sandy – love your blog and website. I am a reluctant entertainer in the summer because I worry if the weather gets rainy or too hot then people will want to be inside and I have a small house. I hope your summer series helps me get over all of this negative talk in my head and just invite people over!
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I would have to say the weather stresses me out the most – especially this time of year with those late afternoon thunderstorms that usually pop up on a daily basis. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
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What is going to stress me out this year is that I sold our nice patio table in our garage sale and now have no place to sit. What was I thinking?? I was selling and selling and someone asked if I had a patio dining set. Next thing I know I sold it and didn’t even charge them half of what it was worth. I am so mad at myself i could scream.
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running out of food or drinks!
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The thing about summer entertaining that stresses me out is the weather! It won’t quit raining this year!
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wondering if it’s going to rain!
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Something that really stresses me about summer entertaining? Probably the fact that it’s nice to host a summer event outside. While I do enjoy the outdoors, and don’t get me wrong, love summer activities outdoors – eating outside isn’t one of those activities. We recently did a large outdoor picnic for my husbands work – tons of food sitting on picnic tables for people to devour.. and apparently the flies felt the food was there for them as well. That has to be the most annoying thing. Swatting flies away while you’re trying to enjoy some delicious pulled pork, burgers or potato salad. I suppose you could host it indoors, but I don’t have a very large house – and I’d be afraid our friends’ children would break the things in our home.
There are many other things that stress me out about entertaining – but that’s one of my biggest stresses/pet peeves.
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I’m stressed about not having enough room, and about the kids. I have two toddlers, and I shy away from entertaining in the evenings because of the meltdowns that inevitably occur around bedtime, when everyone is tired.
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I don’t worry about much during the summer, if the weather or bugs are bad, we can always move indoors. I can always turn up the air a few degrees to handle a crowd. Food can be stored in the fridge after dinner and a dessert or fruit that is stable can be left out for noshing. The worst part is when planning a large group making sure that not too many are away on vacation or coaching their kids teams. I live in the Midwest and Summer is much easier than trying to deal with winter storms!
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What is it about summer entertaining that stressed you out? Flies and mosquitoes are the things that stress me out when trying to entertain outside in the summer.
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I love my boys but dinner can sometimes be an ugly hour for them. We like to entertain, especially in the summer, but I’m often a little on edge hoping there isn’t an ugly meltdown. I feel like I spend my time watching/monitoring them, rather than enjoying myself and my guests.
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A great giveaway! Thanks for the chance! For me, the most stressful part of summer entertaining is twofold. First, we have 3 dogs. It is sometimes hard to gauge how people’s reactions will be towards young animals like that. The other is that our backyard just isn’t all that nice looking right now. We’ve had a wet spring that has kept us from being able to get it cleaned up yet.
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Wow, what a fun evening. I never knew that there was such a tool for jalapenos. Wish I would have discovered that before I fire roasted all of those peppers. Thank you and I will be on the look out for one.
Since it is so hot here in AZ we do not do much entertaining outside in the summer, and with this series on your blog currently I am wishing that we could entertain outside right now. What stresses me though is that the grass has all died and when I am able to entertain outside again, it will look really sad out there. I so want the foundation of my yard to be pleasing so that I can build a wonderful outdoor entertaining space and mood. Thank you for this series and giveaway.
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In Florida, between mosquitoes and the heat, entertaining outside isn’t always an option. We love to have friends over, but the hardest, most stressful part of entertaining, for me, is serving my husband -as he travels quite a bit. We have lots of kids over but sometimes it’s hard to have families over when we are trying to be so purposeful to “BE” a family ourselves. We seem to have found a good balance, but it’s work in the current season we’re in.
Shawna Crotsley´s last [type] ..Man-Boy becoming more of a man!
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I ususally stress out about having enough food. I’ve never actually not had enough food, but I feel a lot of college age young people and then tend to eat a lot when they can share a good meal with fun people.
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What stresses me out most about summer entertaining is being able to spend quality time with my guests. Between cooking,, making sure food and drinks are refreshed, cleaning up, etc. it is difficult to sit and relax with each guest.
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First, what a darling group of “girls”! I bet the restaurants were happy to see y’all coming! Truthfully, summertime entertaining doesn’t stress me out—I love it because it can be as simple or as complicated as I want to make it. I have done table settings with individual favors and centerpieces or hotdogs on paper plates. We (and our guests) seem to enjoy it either way! It’s all about the joy of sharing time and experiences and people seem to sense that. Great giveaway and great series of posts.
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The sun stays up later in summer so you can see all the dog hair on the floor – even though I just vacuumed.:-)
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What stresses me out about summer entertaining? Everything! My house isn’t big enough. My cooking isn’t good enough. My guests won’t have fun. I’m trying to change those attitudes. I promise.
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What a gracious giveaway.. Thanks for hosting and thanks to the Pork Board too! The challenge of summertime entertaining here is heat, heat and more heat. There actually comes a point in the spring (we’ve already past it) where it’s too hot to sit outside in the evenings. So sad. We’ve tried misters, but who wants wilted hair.. So we do mainly spring and autumn on the patio (where it’s really 10 degrees cooler than the outside temp)… I would love to win this giveaway! wow.
marlis´s last [type] ..Monday Photo of the week – crusty and wonderful
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shared on facebook.. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1356080459
marlis´s last [type] ..Monday Photo of the week – crusty and wonderful
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I am a relative new follower of your blog, but it is fast becomming one of my top favorites. Thanks first for sharing the pork and apricot receipe…looks so yummy, can’t wait to try it.
For me living in the hot and humid south I would have to say mosquitos and humidity keep us from eating and entertaining outside as much as we’d like. But early spring and fall we take advantage of the outside as much as we can. I’ve enjoyed getting your ideas on easy, but gracious ideas.
Thanks Sandy!
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Thank you for this opportunity! I would say I fall into some of the things you have addressed…worrying about things “being perfect” and not focusing just on the people. Once everyone arrives and the conversation starts I forget all about that and relax and have fun! If I can only stop stressing in the hours before they arrive! Thanks again!
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Ugh…my biggest stressor with summer entertaining this year is the financial part. My husband was laid off in February, so trying to plan gatherings on a shoestring is more challenging. Even delegating & pot-luck don’t take into account all the little hidden expenses when you’re reeaaallly counting your pennies. But it doesn’t stop me from having people over. Where there’s a will – there’s a way!
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For me, its the preparing. I find it hard to know what I need. Also, how much do I need to feed this many people is difficult for me.
Thanks for the chance,
Mary
ladefly@aol dot com
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I’ve been enjoying your series and actually have a party on Thursday. Your ideas have really helped calm me down. My one stressor is that people will be “bored”. I’m good with cooking and decorating and dreaming up a theme. But people mingling, finding something to talk about, and getting along are all things out of my control. I feel like if good mingling doesn’t happen, it’s all my fault and the party will be a flop.
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Two stressors for me – the first is figuring out what to make (and how much!) to make sure everyone will be happy. The other is cleaning up afterwards since I don’t have a dishwasher!
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Mosquitos and the heat……we are lucky enough to have both here in Texas! And like all things Texan, we do them large!
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The timing of the prepping the food and the grilling…making sure it is all done around the same time.
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What stresses me out is the unpredictable weather in my area. The temperature can drop suddenly and the winds can pick up and blow everything off the table.It can be very difficult to plan.
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My summer stress is what to made to eat of us and my in-laws,Pork is such a great meat,it came be fixed so many ways,love the ideals you give me ,liked your Face Book page so I can get your latest tips &tricks,thanks
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I have a very small house 900 square feet, so when I entertain I like to go outside, the thing that stresses me is the bees.
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The most stressful part of summer entertaining I think is picking a weekend that most people dont have other plan so that everyone can get together at once. With the warmer weather it seems everyones schedules gets booked up fast!
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We hosted a 4 day family reunion for my husbands side of the family. Although we have been married for 9 years, most of them I have only met twice, and some of them not at all.
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What great give-away! I get stressed trying to make sure it’s “all good”. I always start with what seems like a simple plan, but then I worry myself to death trying to do it ALL.
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Shared on my FB page
http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stumbleupon.com%2Fto%2Fs%2F9l3Pih
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I’m now following you on FB. Glad I found you!
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I’m following you on Twitter
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as a farm girl from a hog farm in MN i say yay to the national pork board goodies! i can’t think of much that can stress me out about summer entertaining; anything summer can throw our way (mosquitoes, storms, busy schedules) seems like a cakewalk after the crazy-long winters up here!
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I tweeted your giveaway (username: photopupil)
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What stresses me out about summer entertaining is the volatile Florida weather.
Although it is not unusual to have a short afternoon thunderstorm, it can rain
at the drop of a hat from one block to the next. In addition, tropical storms can threaten
your longer range plans for instance July 4th cookout . When that happens everything
has to move into the house. Not always the best of situations particularly when lots of kids are involved! eyewonit AT aol dot com
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I tweeted from @sandyCoughlinRE
http://twitter.com/#!/SandyCoughlinRE/status/83194417179140098
eyewonit AT aol Dot com
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I became a follower of Reluctant Entertainer on Facebook (nancy reid)
eyewonit AT aol dot com
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I posted this to my FB page http://www.facebook.com
/permalink.php?story_fbid=153648734707786&id=1529172580
eyewonit AT aol dot com
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Thankfully, and surprisingly, nothing stresses me out about summer entertaining! It’s the most relaxing and forgiving season within which to entertain as everyone is always so much more laid-back during the summer months. Also the food is normally grilled and lighter than that which is served in the dark months of the northwest. And thankfully, our patio also has a large covered area that comes in very handy when the frequent and unpredictable rains fall here in Seattle!
Great giveaway BTW!
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I just liked you on Facebook!
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What stresses me out? Living in south Florida where it’s hot and humid and too uncomfortable for me to be outdoors, which is where I’d rather be most of the time! I love this giveaway!
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I just tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/VickiWords/status/83250948859904000
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I “liked” you on Facebook, too!
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I just posted on Facebook, too (I’m sorry, I don’t know how to link a post from FB).
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One thing about summer entertaining that stresses me out….worrying that I will run out of food/drinks!!!
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New Facebook fan of RE!
Sara Haga Gore
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Tweeted about the giveaway!
@SimplySara83
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Face booked about the giveaway!
Simply Sara
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Follower of your blog!
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What stresses me out is if everyone will be bored. Will conversation flow, will people just sit around staring at each other?
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Like many have said – weather and bugs (mostly flies). Last night celebrating my mother’s birthday and Father’s Day we dined outside then huddled together on the covered patio to watch a sudden hail storm, which my 9 year old nephew thought was really cool (we all could use more child-like outlooks). Covered patio helps!
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People schedules are so busy during the summer months. It’s scheduling a gathering! Trying to find that agreeable time when friends will be home that stresses me.
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It stresses me out trying to get everything done on the day of the event. I hate when things have to wait until the last minute to be completed and then guests start showing up before you’re ready.
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What stresses me out is the weather – - will it be too hot to be outside and, if so, is my house in good enough shape to take on the party? Scary!
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Will it rain? It seems it rains all the time in the midwest any more…So, will I have room for everyone inside when I really want a patio/deck party?
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the thing that stresses me out is my small kitchen in my tiny apartment!
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I know it’s wrong to say but probably my family. I invite people and they seem to feel it’s optional to attend so I either have too much food or not enough. Grr!
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For me…it would have to be learning how to relax after the dinner. I am always wanting to start cleaning things up & I know this drives my guest nuts & really seems rude. I just can’t stand food & messes all over the place.
Thanks
Lauri
Lauri´s last [type] ..Wed Hodgepodge
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I get stressed out about our lack of comfortable after-dinner seats.
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OOh thanks again.. now that my post has actually posted.. there’s an invite to your gorgeous blog on it! http://marlisbennett.blogspot.com/2011/06/ode-to-number-52-tablescape-in-white_22.html
marlis´s last [type] ..Monday Photo of the week – crusty and wonderful
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Thanks for an awesome giveaway! What stresses me out is making sure I have enough variety of foods for the picky eaters I know. And another thing is trying to find open nights to do it with the busy sports schedules we all have.
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WEATHER!!! The weather on our California central coast is very unpredictable. It makes it hard to plan entertaining outside which is where I’d love to host guests…right in the middle of my yard and flower garden. Most times I’ll settle for lunch or dinner indoors, with the window view of the yard, to make sure my guests are comforable. It’s just great fun (and work!) to host people. It truly makes my heart smile to hear the happy conversation and laughs when others fill my home. What a blessing to be able to serve others! Thanks for all your great tips! You are an encouragement and inspiration to me!
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In the summer I feel like my indoor AND my outdoor has to be just right, but the biggest difficulty for entertaining is the season of life I’m in with 3 children 4 years and under.
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I am probably most stressed that my house does not have enough landscaping and a good enough outdoor entertaining area. Trying to slowly remedy that. We just put what we can in as we go.
Regina W´s last [type] ..Slippery Solution
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I stress most about BUGS! Flies + wasps in the food and little biting nightmares under the table! I’ve been itching like mad (ohhh so literally!) the last 10 days after getting horridly mysterious bites in the garden last week. Can’t do that to my guests, NO way! I didn’t think the North had chiggers, but mosquitos don’t itch like THIS!
Your giveaway is going to bless someone’s socks off! It’s amazing!
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Summer entertaining stresses: 1. Heat/shade 2. Bugs 3. Keeping the food fresh due to the heat & away from the bugs!
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
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Living in DC, many of my friends take public transportation to get to my house – so the timing is not always the best. That’s why I’ve gotten to serving simple dishes that don’t require exact serving times! Thanks for the opportunity!
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I always worry that everything wont’ be ready at the same time. I know it always seems to work out, but I still worry. It seems we’re always waiting on the meat especially chicken. I prefer pork grilled as I tend to undercook chicken grilled.
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Hello and thanks for hosting this giveaway! I think the only thing that stresses me about summer entertaining is bugs! They are much more abundant in the summer. Any ideas?
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One thing that stresses me is cleaning the house for guest and I always have extra guest.
Beverly´s last [type] ..Summer to do list and a Summer Salad Recipe
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For me it’s serving a wide enough variety of food that’s light and can sit out without worrying about food poisoning!
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http://twitter.com/simplydab/status/83789873600937984
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http://www.facebook.com/simplydab/posts/241954945830994
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I’m a brand NEW follower of RE Facebook page
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I’m a brand NEW follower of ReluctantEntertainer.com
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