{Giveaway is Closed}
Do you find yourself saying any of these things?
- I don’t know how to cook.
- My food never turns out.
- My house isn’t up to par.
- I’m just too busy.
- We can’t afford it.
Sound familiar? If you’ve had these thoughts, then this book is for you.
When I first started blogging, there was a sweet friend named Sandy who I connected with early on in the blogosphere. She is beautiful inside and out and she writes a beautiful blog as well. I had the pleasure of meeting her at the last 2 Blissdom conferences and she is just as genuine in real life as she is on her blog. Truly the best thing about blogging for me has been the friendships forged with women across the country who I would never have the chance to meet in person. But, blogging brings us all together.
(me and Sandy at Blissdom)
One of the things that I noticed right away from Sandy’s blog is that she encourages her readers to open up their homes and entertain. Have people over. Share meals and share stories. Get to know others on a deeper level by sharing a meal. I love that and really would like to get better at it. Sandy really encourages that on her blog and now, in her new book, The Reluctant Entertainer.
Sandy was nice enough to send me a copy of her book and it is just beautiful. Every woman’s guide to simple and gracious hospitality is the tag line and it certainly delivers.
Chock full of Sandy’s own recipes, as well as real-life entertaining stories from Sandy’s family and home, this book is such a useful tool for opening up our doors to others. It’s filled with her own beautiful photos too that you will love.
I grew up in a Pastor’s home and we were always having people over to our house. My mom thought nothing of inviting a couple of families over after church on Sunday night for a meal. It might be nothing more than warming up left-over ham for ham sandwiches, chips and fruit, but it was a very memorable time for me, savoring friendships with those families and sharing a meal together. Food just makes everything better!
Sandy’s book is so useful as she goes through all the reasons why women do not want to take the time to have folks over these days. It does seem like the world has gotten busier and busier, with not enough time taken to slow down and savor friendships. Sandy’s book will definitely help you see the benefit of entertaining and getting out of your comfort zone.
If you’d like to win a copy of Sandy’s book, just leave a comment here and tell me if you are a frequent entertainer or are you like so many and reluctantly open up your home to others. We all probably have some improvement to do in this area, I know I do.
I will have ONE copy to giveaway, so just leave a comment! I’ll draw a winner in a few days! Just in time for Mother’s Day, you can always give it a little late!
I’m a frequent entertainer want-to-be. I entertain every now and then, love it, and would like to do so much more often.
Hi Rhoda, I am afraid I am a reluctant entertainer…Its a shame and I am going to invite folks over more often this summer.
Barb
I have to admit that I’m a reluctant entertainer. I worry too much about everything being perfect and make it stressful in my own mind. When I do entertain, I always end up totally enjoying it ~ I just need to get past my perfectionism and do it MORE!
I definitely am a very reluctant entertainer. Like Lori, I’m worried about things being “perfect” – from the food to the cleanliness/tidiness of the house (which is exponentially harder since I have an infant now) to the actual “entertaining” portion of the evening.
I’ve been reading about hospitality lately, and trying to remind myself that it’s not about even being entertaining, but about opening your home to friends and family. My *ahem* slight OCD tendencies still manage to get in the way.
I am a reluctant entertainer, but don’t want to be. It’s always the same thing-the house isn’t quite right, do I actually have the time, do I have enough seating and so on and on.
I would really like to have some down time from my crazy schedule to decompress with others. I don’t want to wait until I retired to be able to entertain friends/potential friends! I want to share my home now!
I guess I would say I am a frequent entertainer, now. A year ago I could not. Before the end of last year Audley & I resolved together that we would entertain much more frequently than we had since moving back to his hometown (nearly 3 years ago, now!). We decided that one Friday or Saturday a month we would have guests over for dinner and to play cards or just to visit together. So far we have done very well with this and what started off as a frazzled tradition in November has come down to having guests over at least twice a month, easily! We are really enjoying reconnecting with people and getting to know them outside of church or the ballfields & even spending quality time with extended family. We don’t even do “fancy” most of the time, just throwing burgers on the grill or making a crock-pot roast. Super easy and lots of fun!
I entertain, but not as much as I would like.
I love Sandy! I confess, I’m something of a reluctant entertainer, but not always… funny, right? Usually depends on what’s going on in my world. Her book is a delight and so encouraging ~ I’d love to win one to pass on to my mom!
Thanks, Rhoda!
I like to have people over but my house needs to be really clean. My husband doesn’t really like entertaining. I do need company since my house needs cleaning!
I would love to entertain more, but working fulltime Monday thru Friday, I find I spend the weekend cleaning, running errands & just catching up and entertaining is at the bottom of the to do list. I need to try & do it more!
I wish I could be in a “ready” mode for entertaining. I like to entertain, but I always want everything to be perfect before inviting someone over. I would like to be more of a gracious hostess who is more concerned about the hospitality than the house.
I do entertain alot , but it is always reluctantly! I think its because I see all of the beautiful homes on everyones blogs!!I would love to win this book!Thank You, Beth N.
Without a doubt I am a reluctant entertainer. I host game night every other month and it always causes me stress. I have a lovely home and would like to entertain much more.
If you are ever in Ohio I would love to have you over!
I do love entertaining.! This looks like a fun book!
Good Morning Rhoda. I used to love having get togethers and miss it so much but like so many others life turned me into a reluctant entertainer.
Thanks for a chance to win. Hugs..Tracy 🙂
cottonpickincute(at)hotmail(dot)com
Hi Rhoda, I am a reluctant entertainer…I have a great big dog that sheds alot and no matter how much I vacuum there is his hair. He is 12, so my entertaining will come after he goes to heaven.
I’m not a frequent entertainer but I’d love to be! It’s a goal I’ve set for myself. I’m always looking for tips to pull things together without feeling so stressed. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!
I used to have people over every week, opening my home and lovin’ on all my friends. Things happen, I got out of the habit and I’ve decided if it’s going to happen, I must intentionally MAKE it happen! I’d LOVE to read her book and get my spark back again!
I definitely fall in the reluctant column. I travel a lot with my job and entertain there, so I tend to want my home for just family. Need help, I’d like to know the people right here in my own community better.