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...
I think my main personality problem is confidence. I always worry that my party is going to be a flop. It seems like, so often, my guests cancel at the last minute and it always leaves me wondering if they just didn’t want to come because they knew it would be boring. Then I end up with too few guests and it always seems to drag. I feel like the party needs to get moving somehow, but I don’t know what to do.
My biggest obstacle is coming up with a menu that is simple, yet classy enough for all to enjoy!
The thing that bogs me down is, honestly, my budget. Which is basically zero. So I can’t go out & buy white dishes to replace the primary-colored ones I shortsightedly registered for when we got married, or cloth napkins, or vases, or any other centerpiece stuff. So the presentation’s not great. But the food usually is, at least!
The biggest thing that stops us from entertaining is the cost. We are a family of 7 on one income and things get tight! I have the type of personality that needs to do a whole spread of food and beverages when entertaining. It’s ridiculous, but it’s just hard to not go all out…so we just don’t.
I love entertaining… I hate trying to plan something super pretty. I’d rather it be super bowl Sunday style every time. Sit on the couch, pass the food around, keep the BBQ going. Low maintenance!
I’m following both of your sites on twitter.
I guess the whole planning part overwhelms me the most: meal planning and then managing all the details.
And I tweeted (@mischiefml)! That is one seriously cute apron!
Getting my house “company ready” really keeps me from wanting to entertain. I am getting better about it though. I really love that apron!!
I’m now following you on Twitter. (@mischiefml)
My biggest obstacle is that all of the people I really want to entertain live too far away. When they actually do come visit I tend to try to do way too much in one weekend.
What bogs me down about hospitality is being a very detailed person, perfectionistic tendencies (and expectations) can get in my way.
My personality type does very much affect the ways that I comfortably entertain… being an introvert, I much prefer small, quiet, meaningful, and intimate gatherings.
I hate cleaning before the event. I don’t mind cleaning up but I hate cleaning just to see it made dirty in a few hours!
Cleaning is what overwhelms me when I think about entertaining. It’s not that I’m super messy, just that I miss things in detail cleaning that I don’t see until afterward…. *blush
I am always worried the people will not like my food or I will not have enough. I could probably add the fact that I stress about whether or not people will actually come and if they will have a good time. Sometimes I think I say and do the silliest things that would make someone want to never come back. Thank goodness for grace.
I LOVE to entertain! The thing that bogs me down is the housecleaning that I need to do before guests come over. I always want to make each time with friends special and unique, but I often get overwhelmed with the cooking, cleaning, and planning that is needed to pull this off. My personality totally adds to this because I tend to get overwhelmed very easy!
I have posted about your 1,000th post and giveaway on my blog — Gracious Hospitality.
Tweeted — three posts —- two for you and one for Hip Hostess. :D
What usually bogs me down is the strive for everything to be perfect – the entertaining is more about the people and relationships than the decorations/food/etc. I’m getting better but it’s taking some time – Thanks for a great giveaway!
I’m not a creative cook and seem to have a hard time multi-tasking! Is there any help for me??
I posted a Facebook comment and link to your blog — telling about your giveaway.
I think almost everything about entertaining bogs me down. Cleaning, feeling my house isn’t big enough, what food to serve, guest list- you name it. I used to be comfortable with all of this until we moved to a new state where I don’t know anyone and the homes are all huge.
I think my anxiety issues are the root cause of it all. Is that part of my personality? I’m working on it, though! That’s all there is to do.
What usually bogs me down is the clutter in my home. If I could just get my daughter to pick up after herself… someday! Fortunately my personality type allows me to (sometimes) just cram it in the corner and have people over anyway.
I’ve heard great things about your book. Thanks for the giveaway!
I am following you both on TWITTER — a cheerful venue for a spring day! Tweet, tweet!
I am a follower of RE on Facebook. I enjoy your posts!