{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.
This book would be awesome. I love to entertain but am always hesitant because I don’t think my house is pretty enough, or I wouldn’t know how to be organized enough, etc, etc, etc.! This sounds like a great read and inspirational!
Growing up we never entertained much but once I was married and moved to Colorado I realized that I needed to entertain so that I could make new friends. I found I loved to have people to my home for a meal, small talk and laughter. Now that my husband has been diagnosed with lung cancer I don’t really have the time anymore and miss it a lot more than I ever imagined.
I’d love to win the book!
I love to entertain but only do so at Christmas. This book sounds great.
Love her – I have enjoyed reading her blog for a long time now. Would LOVE to win a copy of her book!
I used to be a great entertainer but ever since I had kids we find we don’t have anyone over anymore. I would love this book though!
I love to entertain… but am always reluctant. After said and done, always say I should do this more! Would love some encouragement!
Well I am somewhere in between when it comes to entertaining but I would LOVE to do it more often as I love doing it. This book sounds wonderful!!! oh and once again I Love reading your blog 🙂 its my everyday read blog 🙂
I am “reluctant” I’m afraid….my insistence on perfection in everything when we have people over makes me a worn out wreck by the time guests arrive. I always have a good time once they get here, but the preparation for me is a killer! I think I would love this book!
I am a reluctant entertainer and would absolutely LOVE to have a copy of this book. Great giveaaway.
I’m quite intrigued by the book you’ve described. I love being hospitable, as a way of serving God. I did have one person tell me she’d moved to the community and no one had invited her into their home. I think it’s something we’ve got away from. At the same time, I do struggle with how to invite people into our home and enjoy people’s company while keeping up with both of us working and kids’ activities.
I love to entertain and it would be fun to read her suggestions.
WHat a great giveaway Rhoda! I have always followed he blog and would love to read her book.
Have a great weekend,
Jen
I used to entertain more, but after adding a dog and a baby girl to our family, I usually feel that our house isn’t “ready” for guests anymore. This book might be what I need to change my mind!
I would love this book… and I think I really need it. I am so worried about having a party/get together and no one showing up! That happened to my mom when I was little.
This would be a wonderful book for a go to reference!
This book looks wonderful! I would love to win!
I’m a reluctant entertainer, I love the idea of having a party or just a few people over but I become so obcessed over the idea that everything has to be just right, that I usually don’t enjoy myself. I know it is an area I need to work on. Would love a copy of the book, thanks for the giveaway.
What a great giveaway! Hoping I get lucky & get a copy!
I want to entertain more too,,,it use to come natural for folks to open their door,,,and now,,,there is too much going on in our heads,,and we need to take back what we’ve lost!