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...
My biggest challenge is the house clutter… Small home so a few days of not picking up leads to a hot mess!!
I think the biggest aspect of entertaining that “bogs” me down is my perfectionistic tendencies. The house is never clean enough, my recipes are never fresh enough, my invitations are never creative enough, and my schedule is never cleared enough! I guess I need to simply get over it and care more about the relationships with those I host!
I’m a FB follower.
I think what is most hard for me is trying to get everything “perfect”! It turns out being stressful when its not. (and it really can’t ever be can it?)
I am always stressed out the day of because I feel that everything needs to be perfect. I am such a control freak and I need to learn to relax more and just go with the flow and focus more on the guests rather than everything else.
I think it’s unrealistic expectations that bog me down. Always wanting things to be picture-perfect, when I know that isn’t always the case. It sometimes keeps me from taking the leap at all!
I get bogged down feeling like EVERYTHING needs to be perfect. The house needs to be spotless, the food amazing, my child perfectly behaved and dressed up. It’s a daunting task because *I* make it daunting!
2 things:
*the logistics of three energetic kids already filling our 1250 square foot home, and not a whole lot of space for folks to get cozy.
*my husband is the busiest guy I know; i try to respect his need for peace and quiet at home in our extra time.
i LOVE your book – from a distance that is so now i’d love to win one! :)
what bogs me down? Growing up with a mom who liked things SO perfect b4 company came that not only did we SUPER clean the WHOLE house we were even known to have to replant a front bed of flowers in the yard!!! oh yes. So that w/ my oldest born, type A self leads to some serious up-tightness about having people over which means it happens less than my laid back welcoming husband would like. it’s a lose lose!! He’s helped rehab me some though!!! :)
I “like” Hip Hostess on Facebook.
I “like” Reluctant Entertainer on Facebook.
My problem is not being organized but I’m happy to say I’m purging my house and getting it in order this week. I’m having a huge yard sale and all the proceeds go to my China mission trip. I had a great incentive to get motivated and so now I’ll keep my house purged and ready for guest. Hospitality here I come!
I do think personality type affects hospitality style. I’m a bit introverted, a bit shy. I do put forth effort to be social/conversational, but it doesn’t come natural. It’s work! I’m also a first-born perfectionist who fears making mistakes (aka actually fearing rejection). Hospitality is something I truly desire to get better at. I know it’s not about me but blessing others. Would love to gain even a little confidence in this area, especially in creating good conversation. Also I love to cook/bake but never know exactly what to serve – what’s neutral enough to accommodate everyone?
I get down about it sometimes because I get stressed. I am stressed that the food will turn out, and taste good, I am stressed about things happening on time…I want everyone I am entertaining to have a great time, but that desire is my downfall because it keeps me from having a good time…(can we say Tpye A personality!)
Yes, I really think that being a perfectionist is a bad thing when you get overwhelmed just thinking about entertaining. I am very loving and open person, but entertaining scares me to death!
My hang-up is my family. They are always hesitant. They don’t want their routine interupted, yet they are always glad we did it at the end of the evening. If only I could keep them remembering that.
My style definitely affects our entertaining. I serve buffet, yet everyone always knows they are welcome to act as family here. Help yourself. I get so into the conversation and getting to know our guests, that I’m not good at remembering to keep their glasses full. They get up and help themselves knowing I’m just paying attention to them as people. I’m OK with that, and so far everyone seems OK with “feeling at home”.
My attempt to have everything perfect derails my entertaining constantly. I have been a bit more laid back of late, but would be happier if I could ask guests to bring something and relaxed when they arrive.
I enjoy your blog and it would be fun to have your books too!
My problem is that my house got away from me while I was unemployed and underemployed. You might think that would mean lots of extra time to clean… but in reality… rushing back and forth for 3-4 hour shifts at a part time job… and then pounding out job applications when you’re home… and you’re home WAY too much… home doesn’t feel like home – it feels a bit like a dungeon that needs to be paid for with money you don’t have – and may never have again. Your motivation to maintain is sapped.
I used to love to entertain… but during unemployment… couldn’t afford to… and since no one was coming over anyway… there was no point cleaning up the little whirlwind messes that piled up.
I would love this book… as inspiration to get back to my inner hostess!! And get my social life humming again!
Thanks for the opportunity!
liked your FB pages!
My house is always too messy or not clean enough for guests. Not sure how to get it all done. . .
I think that knowing which foods go well together is something that makes it hard for me to get around to planning a menu for guests.
What bogs me down is getting everything to come together. I am usually running around at the last minute and not enjoying my guests when they arrive. I need to learn some time management when it comes to getting everything to come together.
I’m working hard at not stressing over having everything perfect…not going to happen, so why do I always waste energy??? I always enjoy entertaining once it’s happening:)
I feel bogged down by feeling like my entire house has to be in perfect order. I’ve been known to stay up way too late cleaning the night before.