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Lunch is Easy Entertaining!

February 24, 2009 By Rhoda 27 Comments

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Please welcome my dear friend, Sandy, from For Reluctant Entertainers as my guest today. She is sharing about her passion, which is hospitality and entertaining. Sandy is my mentor in entertaining and sharing our home with others and I’m determined to invite friends over more often. I met Sandy two years ago when I first started blogging and then had the privilege of meeting her in person this month in Nashville at the Blissdom ’09 blogging conference. She is just as precious in person as I knew she would be from her blog and now I can call her my real life friend. Welcome, Sandy! That’s Sandy in the middle. You can find ME guest posting over at Sandy’s blog today, so please go over and say hello!
***********************************************

Isn’t it nice to have friends over for a simple lunch?

There is something about making a lunch for others that just has a different feel and touch than making a dinner.
You don’t have to over complicate or cook a lot of food, and that is really nice!
Last Friday I experienced this as I had two friends over for lunch. One friend was on her lunch hour so we had only 45 minutes.

Using these guidelines, my Easy Lunch had meaning and taste!
• Create a simple table setting – paper napkins work just fine!
• Make a salad using what you already have in your fridge or cupboards or on your counters.
• Don’t run to the store! Be creative!!
• Serve water for the beverage.
• No pressure for dessert – most friends want to eat healthy these days! And who wants a heavy dessert in the middle of the day?
• Have your food made up in advance, so when your guests arrive you can immediately sit down and take advantage of the time.
• Save the dishes for later! Your guests may need to leave – and time around the table is much more important!
Our time together was long past due. As we caught up with each other, we found ourselves saying, “Let’s do this again soon!” and “Why don’t we do this more often?”
Looking for ways to support, build up, stimulate and encourage another person takes an attitude of giving rather than receiving. Starting small and easy, like a simple luncheon, is a great place to begin!
Thank you, Sandy, for sharing with us today. If you’ve never visited Sandy’s blog, For Reluctant Entertainers, you need to check it out. It’s full of inspirational ideas for hospitality and sharing your life with others and you will be blessed!

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Filed Under: Recipes and Cooking 27 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim says

    February 24, 2009 at 8:33 am

    Thanks for sharing on Sandy’s blog today! Also, thanks for sharing when things “don’t go” quite as we hoped (neighborhood turnout). It just reminds me, that we still need to reach out to others!

    Reply
  2. Darlene - Our Creative Life says

    February 24, 2009 at 10:14 am

    Sandy has a great blog. This was my first visit to her blog and now I’m a follower. Great post by the way!!!

    Reply
  3. Reese & Marie says

    February 24, 2009 at 10:15 am

    What a wonderful post. I too am always gunshy about entertaining because of the work factor. But I have often told myself that it’s better to be simple and have friends over than make it complicated and *impressive* and never have anyone over. This just proves it. I appreciate the simple beauty of your meal and the wonderful time you must have had. Thanks for the inspiration!

    -Kari

    Reply
  4. Joanna says

    February 24, 2009 at 11:35 am

    I love to entertain but take too much time to do things around it, cooking, cleaning, etc…I am the host that immediately gets up and starts cleaning up the kitchen and getting dishes in the dish washer..From now on I will stay around the table and chat!

    Reply
  5. Inspired Kara says

    February 24, 2009 at 11:59 am

    I LOVE THIS POST!!! Having the girls over for a simple meal is one of my favorite things to do!

    Reply
  6. Happy To Be says

    February 24, 2009 at 12:20 pm

    GM Girl I loved this post today..Now I like to make a quiche ahead of time and just pop it in the micro for my lunch guest…its so easy and I have more time that way with my company and the heck with the dishes they will wait for me..I tried and enjoy my guests the dishes I don’t…hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

    Reply
  7. Sandy says

    February 24, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    Thank you Rhoda, for letting me be your guest. I wish we were having lunch together today! 🙂

    Reply
  8. Helen says

    February 24, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    Loved your post today … always wonderful to linger a bit around the table with folks you enjoy .. I amy totally in love with your dining room by the way!

    Reply
  9. Sandy Toes says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:27 pm

    I love Sandy! Her ideas are priceless!
    ~Sandy toe

    Reply
  10. coco says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    This was a great post…I do a lot of entertaining but lunch with a few close friends is the best (and most relaxing)!

    Reply
  11. The Southern Housewife says

    February 24, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Thanks for the tips! PS- Hubby and I tried to make over our bathroom by following your cabinet painting tutorial! Can’t wait to show you when it’s all finished!

    Reply
  12. Dana says

    February 24, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    Thanks so much for having Sandy guest-post. I adore entertaining, but I sometimes convince myself that I don’t have time for it. I need to remember to Keep It Simple and go ahead and make the memories.

    Reply
  13. A Bushel and Peck says

    February 24, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    I hardly ever entertain because I always overdo it and exhaust myself! Thanks for the reminder to keep things simple!

    Reply
  14. justabeachkat says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:22 pm

    A good reminder to keep things simple and just enjoy each other’s company.

    Hugs!
    Kat

    Reply
  15. Jacki says

    February 24, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    Hi Rhoda! I am a big fan of yours! I love all of your ideas and you have great taste!! I have decided to start a blog of my own! Its not perfect just yet but i’m slowly getting there!! I hope you will give it a visit and if you have any advice let me know!!
    Be Blessed!
    Jacki
    http://kissamule.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  16. Jackie says

    February 24, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    Hi Rhoda & Sandy, I'm a blessed lurker of both your blogs. :O) I love this idea of making lunch simple and delicious. I host a "Knit Together" group of crafters every other Friday afternoon and lunch is included. I'll have to put your ideas to practice. Thanks again for sharing your lives with us. Hugs, Jax

    P.S. If you want to join the fun, I'm hosting a special "chick flick" DVD give-away. xoxoxo…

    Reply
  17. Lazy Mom Leslie says

    February 24, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    Love all the great tips! Us Lazy Moms need all the help we can get! I love Sandy’s blog and love your post!

    Reply
  18. Anonymous says

    February 24, 2009 at 7:03 pm

    where did your list of blog friends go? i miss them listed on the left side of your blog
    [email protected]

    Reply
  19. Cathy says

    February 24, 2009 at 9:16 pm

    Lovely post as always! I have enjoyed reading your blog for over a year. Wish you lived in my area, we could have so much fun hunting for treasures.
    Cathy

    Reply
  20. Kirstin says

    February 24, 2009 at 9:53 pm

    Hi! I popped over from Sandy’s blog!! I’m so glad I did. I’m going to add you to my list of blogs to visit.

    Have a great day.

    Reply
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Thanks for stopping by! I’m Rhoda, from Atlanta, GA and I love decorating and DIY projects. Decorating a home doesn’t have to cost a fortune and I’ve spent years thrifting at antiques markets and yard sales, finding those treasures that make a home unique. I’m here to inspire and encourage other women to find their own inner creativity. Won’t you join me?

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