{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.
Thanks for offering the great book. I love the idea of entertaining but when it comes time for the event, I panic…I think I feel everything must be perfect…which it’s not. I know I’m the only one that really notices but still, I’d love to overcome that feeling.
I am always fearful of entertaining – until it is over (sigh). Then I am so happy that I did it. The fear is still there the next time though!!
I would love to win this book. I am also a reluctant entertainer. I’m having a group at my house on Saturday and it has driven me into a frenzy of cleaning! Hope it all goes well, but I could certainly use some tips. 🙂
I love cooking and would love to have people over more often, but I let our homes imperfections stop me. We have several remodel projects that need to be done that are pretty major to me. New kitchen floor, new bathroom floor and finish trim to name a few. We moved our home out of a very nice older neighborhood to our 40 acres and have always found other things that need to be done instead of finishing the house. New barn, new shop, new fences, more cattle…
This book may convince me that no one cares about it as much as I do.
I used to love having people over, but as I’ve gotten older, I hardly ever do it! It sounds like Sandy’s book might encourage me to do better!
love her site (and yours! I have admired your style since back in GI days…) and am sure this book is a concentrate of her best tried and true tips. Would love to win.
Having Sandy’s book would be fabulous. I do entertain family and friends but not near enough. I have so many excuses but my number one is that I panic and think everything has to be perfect. I have read Sandy’s blog and she has wonderful tips and suggestions on not being afraid to entertain and just enjoy. Thank you for offering this book.
I would LOVE a copy of Sandy’s book. I am the queen of reluctant entertainers. I panic about having anyone over ever. The anxiety over that became such an issue that I stopped all together. Sandy’s book would be just the ticket to get me back on the entertaining wagon.
I am a major Reluctant Entertainer! I have been feeling major conviction over not inviting people into our home. Recently, I heard a pastor say….”God gives us things and watches to see what we do with it”. I thought about the home he has blessed us with. All of my “issues” crop up with the thought of having someone over. The……….”my house isn’t clean enough”…”what if the food isn’t good” …….blah……..blah……..blah. Oh………and let’s not forget stressing out the closer it gets to their arrival! I would love to overcome this, and be comfortable about having friends over!!!!
I would love to entertain more. I don’t do it that often because I am not nearby the people that I would love to entertain. I also do not have a house that would allow many people in it. My husband and I have entertained every now and then but we don’t do it that often.
Since I have a real problem collecting dishes, serving pieces and anything that will make my table top beautiful, I HAVE to entertain! But I love it…
it makes me happy.
I am reluctant entertainer. I like having people over, but most of the time I come up with excuses as to why I should not invite. All the reasons you stated above. I would love to win a copy of this book!
I love having a crowd over for holidays, but at other times I am more reluctant. I want it to be pretty and memorable for my guests and sometimes I’m so tired that it seems like a lot of work. But I know I’m missing out by not doing it.
I love to entertain whenever possible. I’m really working on growing in the area of hospitality and entertaining. I LOVE spending time with people and creating a warm, inviting space for them to come and be refreshed. I have alwasy loved having people over and think that hospitality is definitely an area of gifting for me. I am young and new to actually having 1. my own place to serve others and 2. money to provide food, decor, etc. Anyhow, thanks for all of your wonderful tips and tidbits! I’m always looking for ways to make people feel special and welcome in my home (especially tips that include inexpensive ways to practive hospitality) and value your advice! Enjoy this BEAUTIFUL fall weekend!
I find myself saying all of those things. For example, my husband and I are having family over- reluctantly- and we’ve been busting our butts trying to get things done around the house so we’ll feel better about showing it to people for the first time. Projects that don’t actually need done- we just believe they do! It’s so stressful. I could really use some helpful hints! Thanks!
I answered YES to all of those questions.. We live in Atlanta so I feel like I should be cooking up some great southern dishes and sharing them with friends but where does the time go? How can we afford to do it without breaking our budget? And yes… I always feel like our home isn’t quite ‘there’.. would LOVE a copy of this book! Thanks for doing a give away!
I do not entertain as much as I should. I live in a small studio apt. When I do have get togethers it is so much fun. Due to my small space you have to talk to someone. Sometimes smaller is better!!
I love the idea of having company over, but when it comes to nailing the details down I get overwhelmed. A book that would inspire me with more ideas and the umph to bust out of my rut would be great.
We are finishing up a major renovation so I have been reluctant to entertain, but once everything is finished I would love to start. It seems like its been so long that I’m not even sure where to start.
What a lovely book, thank you for the great give away.