Reluctant Entertainer

I love to talk about savvy entertaining, which means smart and efficient, but to me it also means simple. Sometimes in the summer time the days are so full, it’s hard to want to spend time in the kitchen.

Here is a TIP: If you don’t have a tray to carry out your dishes to the back patio entertaining area on, USE A BOX! Or even a laundry basket will work.

It’s also way too easy to remain in our comfort zones and not try something new, so we tend to fall back to our signature dishes in the summertime, which I say is A-Okay!

In my new book (hardback, colored photography), The Reluctant Entertainer, the book is not only full of recipes, but it also offers a savvy approach to help women break free of the anxieties that keep them from opening their homes!

My go-to menu in the summertime is often this:

Appetizer: Cheese, crackers and fresh fruit. Maybe chips and salsa for the kiddos.

Main Dish: BBQ and marinate the day before or early in the morning. Or try my very easy “last minute” Sweet Savory Steaks, also included in my book.

Prepare anything you can the day before.

Salad: Straight from our garden (or take advantage of your local Farmer’s Market!)

Dessert: Store bought pound cake (Brad’s Strawberry Coulis) and fresh fruit is perfect for guests, with little time in the kitchen and more time to spend with your guests.

With easy summer entertaining you can enjoy watching your kids while they play in the back yard! My kids are growing up, as you can see, but I had years of entertaining with little kids. Years …

Now on to the GIVEAWAY!

2 WINNERS
Win a signed copy of The Reluctant Entertainer. (Read more about the book, here.)

Tweet, Facebook or post on your blog
Do one of the above to have 2 chances of winning. Two of the above to have 3, etc. (Come back to tell me.)

WINNER on FRIDAY
Come back this Friday and I’ll announce the winners!

ANSWER THIS QUESTION:
Do you try new recipes in the summertime or do you pretty much stick to tried and true, oldies but goodies?

The Reluctant Entertainer is now in most book stores, and also available here on my blog if you would like a signed copy. Mela Kamin is also giving a copy away over at her place today. Check out Mela, singer, songwriter and speaker – HERE - for another chance to win!

Today at The Inspired Room, Melissa is sharing her story … I was a Reluctant Entertainer!

Once upon a time, I was definitely a reluctant entertainer. I wasn’t reluctant about having people over, though, I was reluctant to have them over for dinner. I didn’t know how to cook anything that resembled what I thought was a “guest worthy dinner.” … (read more, here.)

Not only does Melissa share her story, but she also has a fabulous giveaway going on!

Two people will win all 3 of these items:

- The Reluctant Entertainer (August 2010)
- Beautiful demi-style pink sorbet Hip Hostess apron
- Pink sorbet Hip Hostess tea towel

I feel very fortunate that Melissa (along with The Nester) endorsed my NEW book, The Reluctant Entertainer. The 3 of us girls have similar messages when it comes to embracing the imperfect, and Melissa’s blog specifically is full of inspiration and creativity, showing us how to live an authentic and beautiful life. (Here’s their endorsement from the back of the book.)

And then there’s Debbie, (The Hip Hostess), who has been my cheerleader with this RE book project from day one. Debbie makes high-quality aprons with gorgeous patterns – stunning work. I love my Hip Hostess aprons!

Back to the GIVEAWAY – Leave your comments over at The Inspired Room and enter to win!

(Thank you, Melissa and Debbie! And in case you missed out on Nester’s giveaway a week ago, there were almost 1000 comments of women sharing their fears and issues they have with entertaining and practicing hospitality. Just read the comments – if you are reluctant – you are not alone!)

I’m so excited to host this awesome giveaway today on RE from UPrinting! Not only one winner, but two, will receive ONE large gallery wrapped canvas print using your favorite photo! How fun is that?

A few details
16×20 Gallery Wrapped Canvas Prints for two winners
Free UPS Ground Shipping
Limited to US residents and must be 18 and above to enter

It’s been several years since I won my Dollar Store goblet canvas! My husband took the picture, and then I turned it into a gallery wrapped canvas. I still have it hanging in my kitchen.

Since then, it’s become my RE icon! In fact, one reader recently asked me: Did I see you say that those gorgeous cut-glass goblets you use for parties and in your masthead are from the DOLLAR STORE???

I smiled and wrote her back, Yes! I love a bargain that looks beautiful.

I’ve moved my canvas print around from room to room, but right now it resides on a shelf in my kitchen. See how it’s beautifully wrapped around the corners?

Perfect and elegant. And it’s … so RE! I love how it says: Entertaining is easy, affordable, and beautiful!

Your chance to WIN
Tell me what photo you’d turn into a canvas print if you won?

What to WIN
UPrinting is giving away ONE canvas print to TWO winners.

Tweet or Facebook or Blog
Do one of the above and get a 2nd chance. Come back and leave a 2nd comment so I know about it.

When to WIN
Come back on Friday this week and I’ll announce the 2 winners! Very exciting!

I especially think about my foodie friends who are amazing photographers, how just the right food or entertaining photo could turn into an amazing canvas! A work of your art!

(Thank you UPrinting, and for being a paid suporter of this blog.)