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 problem is that I over think too much…my house is not clean enough and the menu…I have this picture in my head but somehow it never turns out that way! I’d love to get more ideas from your book!
I love to entertain but I am hesitant at times because my house is not picture perfect or remotely close to perfect. That weighs heavily on my mind leading up to the event because I feel like I will be judged based on what my house has to offer and not what I have to offer. I would love to win a copy of your book; I’ve heard so many great things about it.
Figuring out who to invite, what to serve bogs me down and I am not that great of a cook. I am scared of being critiqued. I’m introverted and enjoy smaller get togethers but in the end, I am always happy with the outcome!
“Liked” you and the Hip Hostess on FB… Those aprons are FABULOUS!
I always feel like my house is too messy and crowded and my children too rowdy… Really limits who I feel I can extend an invitation to… Working on it, tho’ :)
(Thanks for the giveaway!… You are an inspiration!)
My personality does give me a lot of missed blessings in hospitality… I really enjoy the process (even if it takes weeks to prepare). I think the biggest draw back for me is “seeing”the end result before others have actually arrived to see. When it’s all said and done, I can FINALLY relax seeing our guests enjoying themselves…THAT’S WHAT I WOULD LOVE TO FOCUS ON more than the (small) details…
I’m a current FB follower of RE and HH.
I LOVE to entertain and am always looking for new ideas. My personality is definitely suited for it but I am terrible at time management and preparation. Would love to read your book!
I liked you on facebook!
The problem I have is trying to set a date where everyone can come. Personality does play a part in people’s entertaining……I think introverts have a hard time with parties, etc.
I enjoy having people over, but it always stresses me out at the last minute. I feel like there is not enough time to get everything accomplished.
I am a Facebook fan.
We belong to a dinner group and take turns having the group at everyone’s house. I LOVE doing this but do stress out because I want it all to be perfect. My hubby says I go into a “tizzy”. I feel like I have gotten MUCH better though, I am very organized. I plan out the menu ahead, shop ahead, set the table the night before etc. I also make LISTS!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can’t function without them:):) GREAT giveaway. XO, Pinky
I definitely think personality has a lot to do with fear concerning hospitality, but also can be helped by accepting that not everyone has the same form of hospitality either. Thank you for the giveaway.
What bogs me down about inviting others over is being a perfectionist. The house needs to be perfect, my plans for the evening need to be prefect..you get the idea, before I want anyone to come in the door. I need to chill!
I tweeted about the giveaway! My Twitter name is HeatherStokes2
I now follow you both on Twitter
I am a Twitter follower of you both!
I am following you both on FB!
i joined your facebook page
cooking is what bogs me down!!
Shared on my lovethedecor facebook page
I like you and the hip hostess and I like you both on facebook
I get bogged down often thinking that everything needs to be “perfect”. I have relaxed a bit about this but it still is a bit of an issue!!
Sandy thanks so much for the chance at this wonderful giveaway!!
Just like everyone else….getting everything cleaned up and looking good enough for company. I am trying to relax more about it and relize it is not about that.
Keep doing what you do because you are helping me out so much! :)