{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 would love a copy of Sandy’s book. I read her blog and enjoy all her suggestions. I only have my immediate family near, our grown children so I love to have friends over from church., even if it’s for coffee and dessert. I wish more people took the time to just enjoy a nice cuppa joe with a friend. We are missing so much of God’s blessings by being so busy. Thanks, Debbieg
I am a pastors wife and as much as i love people and seeing the joy on peoples faces when i invite them over for a meal, i dread the preparation that goes into getting it right. I would love to hear some tips on de-stressing this huge part of my life!
Sometimes it depends on the season…I love having people over especially in the summer and keeping things casual!
For sure…I’m a reluctant entertainer!
How I get so stressed out!
However, last year we bought a
vintage boat…and I just love spending
the summer days on it just entertaining
and providing our guests with light eats,
and beverages!
I love Sandy and her blog. Would love the book.
I am a reluctant entertainer, getting better though.
Thanks
I am a reluctant entertainer. I am supposed to have people over this weekend and I am an absolute wreck. There is no way I will have my house ready for company. I am making my husband and son miserable as we prepare for this weekend. I just don’t know what to do!
I need help with entertaining….the book would find a good home with me!
I like to entertain, but I’d love to do it more often and be better at it!
I never feel quite like things are up to par. Although I want to have friends over for small get togethers, it always seems that I find a thousand reasons not to. House not clean enough, small projects not done, etc, etc, etc. You know, the age old – I’ll do it another day, Would love to win! Thanks and love your blog – visit it every morning before work – Debbie
I’ve always enjoyed entertaining, however, I’ve gotten out of the habit the past few years. Living in an apt and on a fixed income have been my reasons for not having people over. I’d love to have this book and get some ideas for doing things less expensively!
I just don’t entertain much at all!! I love to, but I never feel my house is up to par. I used to entertain more than I do now.
HELP!!!
Anita Livingston Rudzinski
I love to entertain but am often stressed over getting everything done on my list. Sandy’s tips are great reminders for me. I love to read your blog. Our family lived near Athens, GA, for 4 1/2 years so I have enjoyed going “with” you on your trips to the beach!
This book sounds just like what I need! We have lived in our new town & home for 3 years now and we haven’t really made any new friends. I so miss entertaining, but have gotten in such a rut, I feel like I have forgot how to put myself out there. Thanks!
I host Bunco once a year and sometimes host Thanksgiving and Christmas with my immediate family. I tend to “kill” myself cleaning and prepping prior to the event ….I realize my perfection gets in the way of the “big picture” and it’s something I need to let go of. I do enjoy opening up my home, cooking and having people over but need tips on how to get over trying to make everything so perfect! I am sure this book would help! Thank you for the opportunity to win.
I LOVE YOUR BLOG – its my fav!!!
We usually entertain about four times a year – but I am always anxious about the appearance of my house. The day prior is always a frantic clean-up project. Housekeeper is not my middle name! We are missing our biggest annual party this weekend – our Kentucky Derby Party. We are having some work done in the house – so we canceled this year. It is always a lot of fun with regional favorite foods and a hat contest for the ladies!
I caught Sandy’s blog about a year ago and stopped reading because I was so convicted about NOT having people over – bad on me! This is actually something that God has laid on my heart to be able to reach out to people outside of my own little world because I definitely have a tendancy to stay to myself. I love Sandy’s ideas and maybe – this would be the little hump that I could get over with the ideas from her book to just let go of some things and forge some friendships. Enough said – I would love her book. And by the way – been praying for you in the last few months. Hope your transition is going well.
Considering I don’t even know how to make a cup of coffee, I consider myself cooking-disabled. We just moved into a new home, and have yet to invite neighbors over due to 4 of the 5 reasons you listed above! I have great ideas, but lack the ability to execute them.
My comfort level in entertaining is beyond hopeless. I am so afraid of failure in all areas, that other than family, I have not had guests in over 10 yrs. I have been in others’ homes as their guests, and they are the ideal hosts and do it all w/ease. Obviously, I need help!
While I love the “idea” of entertaining, I am reluctant to do it very often. I feel like my home isn’t up to par, my decorating isn’t as cute, etc. I need to stop worrying about that and relish in the fact that I’m a gracious hostess.
I would love to entertain more. I have used all of the excuses listed above. I always feel that I have to have everything perfect and I know that keeps me from entertaining more often.:-)