When my blogger friends came to dinner in my home last night, Harry and David made my life much easier in preparing the meal, with their varieties of yummy relishes and chutneys, and easy ways of making entertaining more do-able.
But … last night was like a dream.
My husband and I hosted in our backyard some of our favorite food bloggers, who came to town for a Harry and David blogging event. You may have read my post, here, on how our fears of entertaining can really rob us of some amazing experiences in life.
I’m glad I didn’t let them get in my way, because when we say NO we really miss out.
Last night, I’m glad I said YES.
It was surreal, actually, when Paul drove up with a suburban full of my friends who live all over the USA! Blogging has really changed my life.
(Maria, Rebecca, Amy, Jenna, Heidi, Jessica, Lori, me, Kristen, Rachel, and Bridget)
These women are all passionate about food, writing, photography, their families … life! That is what I love about them, and I know they cook and entertain well, so it was a wee bit intimidating for me.
This is where Minor and Jeannie come in.
(Minor and Jeannie plating the salads, with Heidi from Foodie Crush)
For Christmas this last year Jeannie gave me the “gift of time.”
A gift with no monetary value, but offering her and Minor’s services to our family in the way of “serving” at a dinner party. That they’d come and be our sous chefs, help prepare, serve, and … clean up! They did a fantastic job.
One of my favorite parts of entertaining is the “after dinner” glow. When we just sit around and talk. This time Minor and Jeannie joined in. Minor was the first cardiologist to start practicing in the Rogue Valley. Jeannie has traveled to over 100 countries, and shared her love of Brazil.
It was very cool for my friends to meet them.
And to meet my family, who made this evening a joint effort in all the work they did around the house to prepare. You know how it is when you host an event, it’s not like drop-in-guests, you actually get projects and things you’ve been neglecting to get done – done! And I can’t say enough about my husband, he is the ultimate handy-man, picked up all the bloggers, makes sure the music is just right, turns on all the party lights, keeps an eye on our doggie, Haggis, makes sure everyone has drinks, strikes up interesting conversation … he really helps keep the night flowing! Thank you, Paulie! 
So where does the easy entertaining come in? Harry and David made my life much easier for this dinner, and I’ll be sharing some yummy recipes with you later, but to start off, with the weather being a crazy hot here in Southern Oregon, I served 2 fresh platters of fruit and veggies.
The bloggers oohed and awed over the Peach Relish with Candied Ginger. Delicious on a bite of cracker with goat cheese – and then plop on top a big fat blackberry. Yum!
After we went on a little garden tour, we started off gathering on our back patio.
(I love this picture, with Josh from Two Peas and Their Pod in the background, reading to their little pea, Caleb. Too sweet!)
Enjoyed good food, wine (H&D carries outstanding local wines!), and each other, before heading over to the table for dinner.
There were more surprises at dinner, but we’ll save those for later.
And what’s with those gorgeous red tomatoes hanging from the trellis?
How did I tie this theme in with the table setting (again, easy entertaining!)?
Stay tune for all the details … drop cloths, grasses, Dollar Tree, tomatoes, napkin swags … easy!
After my husband and I dropped the bloggers off at their hotel, we came home and walked out onto the back patio. The candles were still burning, the music lightly playing, but everyone was gone …
I had to pinch myself this morning … was it for real, or was it a dream?
Here’s another lesson I learned about easy entertaining. If you have kids, you’ll appreciate this post.
(A portion of the meal and wine was provided by Harry and David. Most photos in this post were taken by my daughter, Abby.)
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. 
I want to share with you some of my favorite places to visit in blog-land, sites that I learn from and am inspired by, and some beautiful friends that I’ve met over the years.
See I told you it would be great event!!!! And you would have a wonderful time!! I am so glad that and your husband had such an enJOYable evening! But I really want to know about those tomatoes on that arbor!! LOL
Blessings to you and yours
Curtis & Sherrie
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Looks like such a great time! Way to go…those gals are very lucky!!!
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I am so happy this was a wonderful night. I seriously smiled the whole time reading this post. I just love this!
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Your yard and garden are amazing, can’t wait to hear more about the tomatoes and dinner! What fun bloggers too, I can totally imagine the amazing conversation and camaraderie, definitely a pinch-worthy moment! Posts like this make me so excited for having an actual house someday and learning to be a hostess from a pro <– that would be you
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Can’t wait for all the details! The photo with all lights at the dinner table looks amazing!
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what a beautiful night you all must have had!!
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This looks absolutely stunning Sandy! I can’t wait to see the rest!
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Wow! What an amazing night!
And may I just say, you look just like your daughter in the group photo ~ so beautiful!
Can’t wait to hear more!
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That must have been lovely. Glad you all got to be together.
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What a fun, fun time! Everything looks beautiful, I know that the women were so blessed to be in your home!
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What a fun event!! Looks like it was a fun time for all. The table setting was gorgeous…I drooled all over my phone via Instagram.
Heather
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Looks like everyone had a deliciously good time! So fun!
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What a fun event, I saw the tweets and instagram pics and they looked like a great time! Will need to check out H&D now!
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Twitter: LoveFeast
says:
Looks like it was a special evening. And just so you know, we thoroughly enjoyed following along through Instagram!
Chris Ann & Kristin
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Last night was such a gift to my soul, you have no idea. Being in your home and spending time with your friends and family – my cup overflows, truly.
The peach chutney – OH MY GOSH!! all of it, you are wonderful. <3 love you
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What an awesome gift…the gift of time. Love it. What a beautiful evening.
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What a wonderful pinch-me kind of time!! I have no doubt you were the hostess with the mostess!!! Everything looks marvelous and everyone looks so happy and relaxed. Yay for your family and friends too!! This is going to be a huge memory in your life’s album.
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Twitter: aggieskitchen
says:
This post warms my heart Sandy. I wish I was there with you all!!! xoxo
Everything turned out beautiful!
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This sounds like so much fun!! Congrats on saying YES!
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It looks like you had an amazing time love
I love how your friends gave you the gift of time and you were able to share with everyone the people that influence you daily, that was so special. I’ve been having a blast keeping up with you guys. xoxo
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I’m in total awe. I don’t know if you’ve heard but my Jenny has a tentative buyer for her house. I am so blessed to know that you have taken her under your wing this past year.
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Twitter: bakeat350tweets
says:
Sandy….I cannot tell you what a dream it was to be at your home. Everything was just completely lovely, from the food, to the setting, to the company. I loved meeting Minor and Jeannie so much…and I love that this was their gift to you.
You are truly a gracious hostess….and an inspiration to me. Now, to do a total makeover of my backyard.
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Twitter: TheLittleKitchn
says:
Absolutely beautiful, Sandy!! All of those ladies including you are amazing. So exciting & fun!! xo
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You pulled off (what would have intimidated the daylights out of me) a gorgeous, amazing, beautiful event! What a lucky group of ladies to have you throw a party like this for them!
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What a fun event! The photos are great.
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You are the consumate hostess with the mostess. My heart is full of thanks for opening your gorg home to me and the other bloggers. XOXO
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What a beautiful event, Sandy! I recognize several of my favorite food bloggers in those photos- I bet it was a fun night! I can’t to hear more about the table setting…
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Sandy,
You are a gift! Your whole family is a gift! I feel so grateful both to know you and to have had the chance to sup at your table. Thank you and thanks to Harry and David for the opportunity!
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Twitter: Teresa_SassySub
says:
Wow! That looks like it was an amazing night and your patio/yard, etc….are just beautiful.
Teresa
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