{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 love to entertain, but don’t do it enough because I feel like everything has to be perfect!
Hi, Rhoda! I’m definitely the reluctant entertainer. In fact, I think the last time we had anyone over for a meal was August 2009…and that was hamburgers on the grill. Being a frequent re-locator, due to hubby’s job, it’s really difficult for me to just get out there and meet friends and invite them over.
I am definitely a reluctant entertainer…..would love to win this book!
I fit in the reluctant entertainer category. Maybe this wonderful could help! lol
my husband and I are lucky in that we each grew up within neighborhoods where entertaining was second nature. Friends were always popping in and since we both come from large families (I am one of 9 kids) our house was never going to be perfect. Growing up this way taught us that it wasn’t about how our home looked, or what we cooked, it was about making a connection with neighbors and forming friendships. I am proud to say our families still keep in touch with these neighbors even though all of our parents have since passed away.
I would love to have the confidence to entertain. I am certainly reluctant at this point in time. I know I am missing opportunities to connect on a deeper level with friends and family. Would love to see if the book could help me get over my fears.
I love to entertain, but also let myself get very stressed out beforehand! We don’t have a large house either, so I worry about space! Regardless, I love to cook and entertain and have people over!
I would love to win this book! We will be having some Luncheon Parties in the future and I’ve NEVER thrown one before but Husbands new job calls for it.
Thanks!
I love entertaining. And with my new business, I am forever looking for new ways to decorate with fresh ideas and with new tricks. I love your blog and look forward to your new posts everyday. Thank you and have a great day!
I think I’m falling in the reluctant entertainer section some due to my husband and some due to myself. I like having people over and would invite people more often, but I think I fear rejection as we live in a new to us place where we don’t know that many people and the people we know are more casual acquaintances. I like having family members over as I enjoy it once they are here, but since having my daughter my relationship with my MIL has changed a lot and now I just feel like all she is doing is criticizing me before/after so I stress about things being perfect. Think it is time to stop that. I can’t change things and what is the point of worrying about that. If they don’t like it then too bad and at least they got to see their granddaughter.
dear friend,
i think you cannot give a better gift to a friend
than inviting them into your home.
yet we all are so guilty of “everything not being perfect”,
THUS eliminating any guests in our homes.
so sad, I would love to have copy of this book!
Thanks for the heads up –
patti
I wish I entertained more, so I’m a reluctant entertainer!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I am a reluctant entertainer as well. I love to entertain but I just don’t have the time. I am sure this book would help! Would love to win!
Hi Rhoda!! I am a lurker. I am definitely one who opens my home up reluctantly. My husband and I are in the middle of renovations of our entire house. I am almost 6 months pregnant with my third child and have an (almost) three year-old and a one year old. I work full time, and I can barely entertain my own family, let alone guests! But, I have also been frequenting Sandy’s blog, and because of her advice and encouragement, I have found myself inviting over friends and family, knowing that they are there to see us, and not our home. I even had Easter brunch two Saturdays ago and my husband and I want to make it a yearly tradition! I’d love a copy of this book for more ideas and encouragement!
Hi Rhoda,
Although I’m quite shy, I’ve felt led to open my home to others on a much more regular basis. Having a bag of tricks should enhance my confidence and help me better share my home as well as my talents. I’m guessing this book is for me!
Kind regards,
Angie
Oh, I would love to read this book! I have people over more often than not, but I let myself get so stressed out over it!! I have huge anxiety about the house being perfect, the food being perfect and me being perfect! Ahh! Too much pressure! However, once everyone gets there and the wine has been poured, I relax and enjoy! Maybe this book could give me some pre-party pointers!!
Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!
Kirby =)
I have read Sandy’s blog over 2 years now…love her! I used to entertain quite a bit…always under a lot of stress trying to keep everything perfect. Now, I have found out that it’s the people, not the place setting or the candles. Always keep it low key and you can make things pretty not perfect…which is best!
Rhoda,
I’d love the book by Sandy. I fit into the reluctant entertainer category. Hopefully that will change a little when I retire next year. Time is the issue now.
Blessings,
Kathy
I love to entertain and I would LOVE to win the book. It’s on my wish list.
I answered yes to everyone of those questions–no surprise there! I am reluctant, but I would like to do better!
Sindy