Blossoms, RE Books, Aprons & The Nester’s GIVEAWAY Day!
Hey Friends, I’m super excited today because it’s a big giveaway day!
I’m getting closer to 1,000 posts here at RE, with my message of journaling about entertaining and hospitality going back to 2006. Yes, way back then, I shared this simple post:
With the best intentions, many of us think about entertaining, but never get around to it. Usually this happens because we don’t have enough time, we’re disorganized or our spouse isn’t interested in hosting a party, or even a small dinner! For many this blessing of gracious living for both the hostess and her guests never takes place, because of fear … fear of failure, unable to cook, unwilling to share their lives with others, fear of deepening friendships … they are intimidated and think the meal has to be perfect, or … they don’t have the lifestyle that says, “welcome.” (-my very first post on RE)
Hospitality doesn’t have to be complicated at all, and today’s little tip is to bring beautiful Spring blossoms indoors to spruce up your home a bit.
You might have read my post on forcing branches, but my real love is the elegant pink and white blossoms that are currently blooming in Oregon. Stunning!
Clip and put in water.
Arrange and bring indoors!
Along with these beautiful blossoms today, The Hip Hostess and I are offering an amazing giveaway for 3 WINNERS. (Thanks to The Nester if she sent you over.)
1 person will WIN all 3 of these items:
Signed Copy of The Reluctant Entertainer
Balcony Girls E-Book
Sheath Style Black a la Mode apron from The Hip Hostess2 people will WIN:
Signed Copy of The Reluctant Entertainer
Here’s HOW to WIN:
1. Leave a comment telling me what it is about hospitality or entertaining that bogs you down? Also, do you think your personality type affects your hospitality/entertaining style?
2. Join our Facebook pages and leave a comment telling me that you did (Reluctant Entertainer and The Hip Hostess)
{If you’re already a member, leave a comment. You guys get one too!}
3. Follow us on twitter and leave a comment telling me you did. (@SandyCoughlinRE and @TheHipHostess)
{If you’re already a follower, leave a comment. You guys get one too!}
This counts as three entries.
4. Facebook about the giveaway, and leave a comment, telling me you did.
5. Tweet about the giveaway, and leave a comment telling me you did. (using @SandyCoughlinRE and @TheHipHostess)
6. Blog about the giveaway, and leave a comment telling me you did.
It’s your choice to just comment, or do all six! So that is 6 chances total!
Contest ends midnight on Thursday, April 7th. Winner will be announced Friday morning, 4/8/11.
The Nester is featuring all of her sponsors today over at Nesting Place, so head over there for a kazillion more giveaways and chances to enter for some incredible prizes.
GOOD LUCK, Friends!
(I want to thank Debbie from The Hip Hostess for donating one of her classy aprons. The quality is superior. If you don’t have one, you’re really missing out. If you want to read more about Balcony Girls, go HERE. If you want to read more about my book, The Reluctant Entertainer, go HERE.)
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Hope I win your book so I can have more confidence to entertain :)
I enjoy entertaining but I just don’t have enough confidence yet. I love it when people that I’m comfortable come over (i.e. my best friends, and some family) but it makes me nervous to invite the new neighbors over!
I liked you on Facebook!
Now following both Sandy and the Hip Hostess on twitter!
I like the preparations for a party, but it’s the ten minutes before it starts that bog me down…anxious, nervous, wondering if people will have a good time etc!
What doesn’t bog me down, really? Short on time, space, and confidence – those are the big ones. Personality type definitely matters – I’m naturally shy, but am aware of that and try very hard to be outgoing and social. I’m afraid that when I host others in my home, this extra effort comes off in a lack of spontaniety. So, I keep trying….
I had to think about what bogs me down with entertaining. Probably it is a lack of organization and timing with my husband and I. We should set down at the beginning of the week and decide who we could have over for dinner by the weekend. Problem is, we don’t think about it until the weekend is upon us and then I am unprepared. Love your blog Sandy!
Oh, and stalk – errr follow – you via twitter. ;)
I like y’all on FB too!
My dilemma? What to do with the dogs while company is over. They love people…it’s not like I can lock them away. How to integrate pets and friends??!?!
The Menu!!! I tend to “overdo” the menu and then I get stressed out focusing on the food more than the guests.
I get bogged down with worry. Are they having fun? Is the house clean? Is the food good?
Liked on facebook! Can you tell I some entertaining assistance :-)
following you on twitter
The cleaning! I spend too much time beforehand trying to make my house look perfect, and then after everyone leaves, I have to spend the same amount of time trying to get it back to perfect! I shouldn’t care, but I do.
I overthink “it” and then don’t leave enough time to create both fabulous food and the tablescape.
Having to decide who to invite and call them. I have this thing about not wanting to plan too far ahead so I wait and sometimes it’s too late to ask. If I could say there will be _______ people at my house on Friday I could get it all ready.
Thanks,
Kim D
The biggest difficulty I have to overcome with regard to entertaining is feeling like I need to have a perfect house.
I like everything too perfect – being a perfectionist doesn’t help! I’m trying to relax more and go with the flow!
I am always worried that I’m not as good a housekeeper as the guests expect. I also am not very good at starting conversations. I don’t ask great questions… I worry about that!
I follow you on Twitter! – @thewilsonrules
I think my personality is what bogs me down with entertaining unfortunately! I am a perfectionist to a fault so the minute something doesn’t go right or isn’t just so I get caught up in the details and get all frazzeled! I need to just learn to relax…easier said then done!
I describe myself as a procrastinating, perfectionist packrat. Ha! Yes, I’d say personality has a lot to do with my lack of entertaining. I’d lov eto win your book.
I tweeted too! ;-)
Just liked both of your pages and shared the giveaway! What a great one!