{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 would love a copy of this book! I am a somewhat reluctant entertainer but I always enjoy it when I finally decide to have people over. I feel good afterwards, too, knowing I did what I should have. Plus it’s motivation to give the house a good cleaning! lol
I do entertain…. true friends love you and your home regardless of what shape it is in at the time 🙂 I realized if I waited till every project was finished that I would be missing a blessing with friends!! I would love tips and new ideas!!!!
I’m afraid I am very reluctant……
Oh my! This book sounds like it was written for me! I would love to win a copy of this. Thank you so much for this chance!
I aboslutely NEED this book! Fingers crossed!!
I would love this book. My group of friends have been talking more about this subject & trying to encourage each other a long. I’d love to share it with them.
I’m a reluctant entertainer. I love it when I’m in the midst of it … it’s just getting to it!
I entertained much more before I went back to work. Now, with less time to prepare, I have a hard time living up to my own silly standards, so I could use a kick in the behind.
Thanks for the giveaway! I am definitely a reluctant entertainer…I have zero self-confidence in my abilities, my house, my cooking…I rarely have people over because I’m just not a “party planner.” It sounds like a great book!
We just bought our first house… I’d love to have this as I begin our entertaining!
I’m definitely a reluctant entertainer. I am a pastor’s wife who used to have people over all the time. Now with working full time and other commitments, I have slacked up in having people over and deepening friendships. I could definitely use the boost this book would provide.
I would love to entertain more, but like to many I never thought my house was up to par AND I can’t seat more than 4 at my dining table and 4 in the adjacent living room. After entering blogland and seeing a lot of projects, I have enbraced MY style and have plans to renovate the kitchen to put in a eat-in island. I have married into a very large family and by default they all come over for the holidays and birthday’s. After my renovation, I will want people to come over and stay longer. Thank you for encouraging others to embrace themselves and thier style by a give away book. This book will probably change someone’s life!
Thank you!
If anyone needs this book, I do.
Woefully, I have become a reluctant entertainer! I really need to read this book. I have been trying to get things in order to get back to having people over more. My husband (lovingly, I hope) calls me Mrs. Monk. Maybe I should just take the plunge and do it!
I am a reluctant entertainer….I answered “yes” to 4 out of 5 of the questions!! Life seems so busy these days..I would love to have a copy of this book!
I love to entertain, but I don’t make time for it. My usual excuse is that we can’t afford it. I want to fix my best meals when I have others over and apparently my best meals are the expensive ones! I would love to read her tips on entertaining with more joy and less worry!
I enjoy entertaining family and close friends but need to work on not stressing over whether the house is white glove clean.
I’ve always wanted to be that woman/mom/wife, but it doesn’t come easily to me. My mom wasn’t that woman either, so I feel like I don’t have any resources to draw from in that area. I’d really like to become that person as my daughter moves into college life next fall, because I want her to just bring friends home and have them feel comfortable here. I think that’s important as my girl moves out into the world as an adult!
I have really been trying to practice hospitality in the last year or so. It is so rewarding. I could really use some tips and this book sounds like just what I need.
Well, once everyone is here I have a great time, but a pretty reluctant entertainer until after the guests arrive (and the first drink has been inhaled;o)