Dining with one’s friends and beloved family is certainly one of life’s primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal. – Julia Child
Tonight at midnight, we’ll be celebrating a brand new year on Reluctant Entertainer.
I want to thank my readers for their love, support, enthusiasm, and comments in 2011. I appreciate you!
The New Year provides a catalyst for recalling the good times, doesn’t it? We reflect back on the year and we look forward to what’s to come.
The thread of celebrations run through our homes, and for many, it’s focused the most around our dinner tables, where so much of “life” takes place.
In this post, I want to share some positive memories and good times that I had in 2011 with the friends and loved ones who helped create them.
Just for fun, I want to look back to some of my favorite published posts.
The real miracle of food around the table
If your gathering lacks pizazz and Cranberry Hazelnut bread
Butternut mushroom bread pudding
A cry for help that “I don’t want to entertain”
NYE party and chocolate dipped bacon
Teaching our kids that imperfect is good with Oreo Truffles.
Folding or hanging tablecloths?
Does having a history with friends make entertaining easier?
Roasting tomatoes and whole wheat pasta
Not-too-fancy Lemon Curd ice cream
How to end a party with style and grace
Girls having fun with Risotto with Butternut Squash
Getting strawberries planted in the ground early
How to set up a holiday buffet
Wow your guests with Red Beet Chili
Do you fudge with expiration dates in your pantry?
How to make cake flour
Forcing branches on your kitchen counter
Balcony Girls, chocolate sauce, and the Theatre of Bullying
Hospitality and story about Virginia
8 tips on gardening in the city
Flexibility with teens and Buttermilk Coffee Cake
Setting a beautiful Easter table
Benefits of entertaining 2 nights in a row
Wild mushroom and white bean tart
Serving and giving at a dinner party
My son set the table and it wasn’t perfect
How to store fresh picked strawberries
Teen party with mini pavlovas
How to make a fruit and flowers centerpiece
Growing seeds with an AeroGarden
One hot summer’s night … (and 30 Days of Summer Entertaining)
How to stencil a cake
Pork Chops with Glazed Apricots
Chicken and Beans Nacho Casserole
How to mix and freeze herb butter
Mashing pinto beans
5 part series on how to can jam
Roasted balsamic strawberry bruschetta
How to take a meal to a family in need
What is a blogging conference?
More relaxed when everyone pitches in
Summer pulled chicken pizza on pita bread
How to cook a large houseboat meal
How to create a centerpiece using lavender
Old-fashioned peach cobbler
Prawns with avocado and mango salad
Using a secret ingredient when cooking dinner
Zucchini noodles with parmesan sauce
Canning peaches with a friend
Again, a huge thank you to all my readers in 2011! You’ve encouraged me to keep writing, cooking, and sharing table experiences.
Happy New Year, Friends!
What was your favorite post on RE in 2011? What would you like to see more of on RE in 2012?
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. 
So much eye candy here! Love all these great events and photos! Happy New Year to you and yours Sandy!!
ellen b´s last [type] ..Happy New Year!
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After reviewing most of the posts highlighted for the year, I went back again, in order to answer your question about my favorite one. I honestly could not narrow it down to my favorite ONE, but here is my comment: I especially love your articles on hospitality, as they relate to the beauty of bringing others into your home (no matter what the size). I agree that so many people are struggling through life, and many NEVER get invited to anything in one’s home. The power of love is in full force when you ask someone over to share a meal.
My favorite recipes this year were: the mini caprese bites, the nutella bruschetta, and the wild mushroom-white bean-tomatoe tart.
I’m so glad someone told me about your blog! It’s the only one I look at regularly. Bless you!
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There is no way I could narrow it down to one!!! I love all your post and totally love your blog, You changed my mind about entertaining and cause me to focus on the real important part- people!! Love ya Sandy, Happy New year!!!
Noelle´s last [type] ..Happy Saturday Morning!
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Happy New Year! So looking forward to reading your blog in 2012!!!
Lauren@SimplyLKJ´s last [type] ..New Year’s Resolutions~
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Thanks for a great year, Sandy, and for encouraging us to be more hospitable, and showing us how to pull it off. I look forward to 2012.
dayle´s last [type] ..2011 ~ A Year In Review
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I can hardly wait for more lessons in entertaining in 2012! I love everything I read on here
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Happy new year Sandy! Thanks for being you and taking the time to share your expertise on
this beautiful blog. What a wonderful retrospective on the year. I hope you know how much you are truly, appreciated. You may never know all the lives you have touched with your wisdom, let alone the wonderful tips and recipes. Thanks for providing food for thought, as well as food. Personally, there were so many things I enjoyed, but the strawberry bruschetta was so good, and I can’t wait to make the beet chili again. Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year. Thanks for everything you do.
Cheers,
John
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Happy New Year indeed! I have enjoyed every aspect of your blog for a long time, just because it stems from your hostess heart. Very inspirational writing and photos.
I would enjoy more about your edible garden, when possible. It seems to be beautiful even in dormancy, and I’d love to hear more about what you plant and when, etc. We’re in Oklahoma, Zone 7, and I’m always nosy about others’ gardens. LOL
Also wondering if you’d be open to sharing budgets for different sorts of parties. Sometimes we spend as little as $20 on a gathering of friends, other times well over $100. I know others spend much more, and I think budget is a major component of feeling “worthy” to hostess more often.
Anyway, whatever you post I’ll be a happy reader! Many blessings to your family in 2012!
Marie´s last [type] ..Top Ten Posts of 2011
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“food for thought as well as food” …exactly!
Marie´s last [type] ..Top Ten Posts of 2011
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Fabulous- that’s what you have been this year
Happy 2012
teresa´s last [type] ..Top 15 posts of 2011
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What a great year, Sandy! I can’t wait to see what 2012 brings for you! Have a happy one filled with love, family and even more success!
JulieD´s last [type] ..My Favorite Recipes from 2011
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