No Apologies Holiday Season | reluctantentertainer.com Reluctant Entertainer I Sandy Coughlin - Lifestyle, Entertaining, Food, Recipes, Hospitality and Gardening

Most guests focus on the moment, not the mistake. If they don’t know the mistake, they will experience far more enjoyment of the meal.

Last month I hosted 12 bloggers in my home for dinner, one of the greatest joys for me in 2012. My friend, Brian, was in taking pictures of me serving the dinner plates (that was humbling … I’m such a simple, home cook!)

It reminds me of a recent tweet by my friend, Dana:

Anyone else hold their breath when they turn a Bundt cake out of its pan?

I do! I love turning a cake out of its warm surroundings!

Ooey-gooey mess
I said to Brian: Here, take a picture of me removing the cake from the pan!

I was making this delicious recipe, having made 2 cakes – 1 in a 9×13 pan and 1 in a bundt pan.

The bundt cake was not quite done, sticking to the side, all gooey inside. OOPS!

Like Dana, I was holding my breath, in anticipation …

Brian was SO gracious. He was cool about it all.

Here, turn the cake this way and I’ll get a photo.

Laugh, it feels good
We laughed and laughed. A few years ago I would have been mortified, embarrassed by the “mistake.”

Luckily the 9×13 cake was perfect, and the night went on. And I was able to laugh at my mistake (we were all so full we didn’t even need the bundt cake).

Don’t apologize
It’s a new mindset to tell yourself you are not going to apologize.

-Stop yourself when the thoughts first come.
-Turn them over to positive thoughts of WHY you are having people over.
-Think ahead to the good times and conversation you will be having.
-Think about how you can be blessing others.

Food is for nourishment, homes are for shelter and comfort. Give thanks for what you have–practice gratitude–as you get ready for your guests who are coming over.

It will change your attitude this holiday season!

Thanks for joining me here at RE the last 5 days … and my hope is that you’ll have a “no apologizing” holiday season!

Can you laugh at yourself if you make a culinary mistake, or is it devastating for you?

Recipe: Holiday Poached Pears {ReluctantEntertainer.com}

Summary: For the reluctant entertainer, this is a very easy “winter” dessert. Pull out of the fridge, reheat, serve! An easy, signature dessert highlighting the fruit of the Rogue Valley, from my friend, Stan.

Ingredients

1/3 cup of sugar
3/4 cup of white wine (Riesling works great)
3-4 sticks of cinnamon
3 tsp. of vanilla
4-6 medium pears

Instructions

Peel, core and halve the pears. (Use Bosc or Bartlett pears that are fairly firm – not too ripe or soft.)
In a large skillet, combine 1/3 cup of sugar, 3/4 cup of wine, 3/4 cup of water, 3-4 cinnamon sticks (broken up into inch long pieces) and 3 tsp. of vanilla. Bring to a boil.
Add pears. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer until soft.
Remove from heat and serve hot (without cinnamon sticks) with a scoop of premium vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with caramel topping, if desired.
Option: Place in container with juice and chill. Serve cold with same ingredients as above.

Preparation time: 10 minute(s)

Cooking time: 10 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4