{Giveaway is Closed}
When I started blogging back in early 2007, there was a special friend named Sandy who I connected with early on in the blogosphere. She is beautiful inside and out, as well she writes a beautiful blog and I had the pleasure of meeting her at the last 2 Blissdom conferences. She is just as genuine in real life as she is on her blog.
(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. I would love to get better at this! We have people over very sporadically, usually twice a year for a big group.
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.
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 TWO copies to giveaway, so just leave a comment! I’ll draw a winner on Sunday evening.
I wish we entertained more…we live out in the country and it’s an easy excuse…need to get over it! would love to have this book!
At the moment we are in limbo with our living situation and currently in a hotel… which isn’t much of a place to host a dinner party. When we had our apartment the past 2 years I think I hosted one party? I’ve always wanted to have guests over but scared to death to do it.
I love to entertain and I’ve learned that most people are so happy to be invited over that they don’t really care what you serve, it always tastes great when someone else is doing the cooking!
I like to entertain and would love to have this book!!
I am so NOT an entertainer! I’m an ok cook, and I’m proud of all the hard DIY work my husband I have put in, but I have serious performance anxiety! What if I mess up? What if they hate my house? What if we can’t find anything to talk about? I’d love to entertain at home for once and get over my fears!
I think I’ve used all five of those excuses not to entertain! I’d really love to win one of the books-maybe it would take away my fears and start having people over again!
Oh, how I would love and need this book. I have so many pretty and nice things to use for entertaining, yet, like so many I never do it. What am I saving all these things for? Yes, yes, yes, I want this book. If I do not win, I will purchase this book.
Looks like just the book I need to read. I would love to entertain more. We do entertain but not enough. I tend to get nervous and want everything to be just perfect. I don’t like to have anything out of place in the house and want everything to be spic and span. I have to learn to be more relaxed about it. Life is short.
Reading your blog just brought back wonderful childhood memories of going to folks homes for dinner after church or having others over to my parent’s – we were Navy brats so there was always new families – either we were new, or someone just moved to the area. I love to entertain, but find myself doing it less and less – I keep saying I’m going to start the ‘after church lunch invite’ routine so my kids can experience some of what I had growing up, but…maybe this Sunday 🙂 Love your blog – delightful.
I would love to have a copy of the book.
There is always room for improvement.
Once upon a time we use to have people over all the time. We would like to start having people over again, but we are so busy it is difficult to commit far in advance. I would love to have the book!
Always waiting for the perfect time, perfect decor, perfect etc……
Love the title and would love to read this wonderful book. I love to be around people and entertain, but we are in a long drawn out reno in our home and have not entertained in ages because of the way the house is.
Just this evening, we mentioned to a neighbor that we need to have his family over for dinner sometime. Well, we moved into a lake house about 3 months ago and things are moving very slowly. With work, two teenagers and a baby, it seems there is barely time to get dinner each evening and get a good night’s sleep (wishful thinking, of course). We are still in the “move-in” stage…boxes in corners, rooms without furniture, to-do lists and wish lists. I would love to entertain more in the future, but I am that mom who burns toast and over cooks pasta!!! I look forward to transforming this 1920’s lake house into a relaxing, cottage where everyone who visits feels right at home!
We love to have our friends and family over and we do that often. I would love a copy of her book to give me more ideas and inspiration!
Thanks!
I am one of those “virtual entertainers”- I have big dreams of hosting parties and get togethers…in fact, every year I buy more kitchen dishes and decor “…for when we entertain.” My husband is rolling his eyes at this very moment. He knows me well. In the almost 10 years of marriage, every holiday season I start out with big hopes and good intentions…but not ONE year have I actually executed a party. There is “virtually” ALWAYS an excuse. Let’s wait until we get new countertops, lets wait until after the crazy Holiday rush…lets wait until we re-paint? Seriously?! I need to conquer this fear. I need an entertaining INTERVENTION! 🙂
I don’t often entertain. The book sounds great.
Rhoda,
This book would be such a help—especially with the Holidays right around the corner! Maybe I would entertain more…..
We have family over quite a bit, but don’t take time to visit with friends as much, which is really too bad. Everyone leads such busy lives, but the truth is, we miss them and hope they miss us!
Hi Rhoda,
I am always up for some tips on entertaining. My husband and I both love to cook together for our family and friends, so this book is right up our alley.
I hope I win!
Marie