{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 have never enjoyed entertaining because I never feel like I have appropriate space for mingling or sitting. My living space is not layed out very well, my rooms are more closed off from each other and don’t flow well. I wish I was comfortable enough with this to do some entertaining.
I host family gatherings but would love to host more. I think one thing I am reluctant about is I have two dogs and they can be pretty pesky to guests. Dog people understand but non dog people don’t =P
I do entertain, but I want to do more. As you said, life seems to get so busy. But, I would love for hospitality to be incorporated more in our home. Gotta just do it!
Oh, I soooo need this book! I’m so paranoid about having people over that my parents have only been to my house a handful of times and they only live 45 minutes away. 🙁 Thanks for the giveaway, and now I’m off to check out Sandy’s blog…
I just finished the biggest entertaining I have ever done – my youngest daughter’s wedding. It was great and wonderful and I couldn’t have done it without a wedding planner. I’m done with wedding blogs and on to blogs to help me. This book sounds like the perfect thing to get me started.
I definitely need this book. I like to entertain but I am always reluctant! Love her blog!
I actually enjoy entertaining very much! I like to cook and use fun, pretty serving dishes. However, since we’ve started a family I find we don’t entertain as much. Many of our aquaintances do not have children and it has just changed the dynamics. Plus entertaining costs. I’d love to have the book for ideas and encouragement!
I very occasionally invite people over, and then panic for various reasons. I am trying to get over this and entertain more. I have really been enjoying the RE blog lately and would love the book!
Wow…could I ever use this book. I always feel like I never have everything “put together” when I have people over. ..whether it’s me,
the food, or the house!
Thanks,
Becky M.
I’m a reluctant entertainer wanting to entertain. That probably doesn’t even make sense. LOL. 🙂 But, I honestly believe this book could help me very much. Please enter me into the giveaway. Thanks!
I enjoy entertaining, but don’t do it very often. I think mostly because everyone is so busy! It’s hard to find a time that works for everyone.
I get so stressed about entertaining that I rarely have friends over! Definitely could use a book that helps me entertain more often.
I’m definitely a reluctant entertainer, but I think I’ve improved the last few years. I’ve learned to relax a little and not worry over things nobody will even notice.
I grew up in a household that never had people over for dinner or parties, so I have no experience to draw from. I long to break that cycle now and have people in not only as it is rewarding, but also to teach my kids how it is supposed to be. I find myself being anxious and trying too hard and stressing about everything. I need help!!!
I so enjoy Sandy’s blog and entertain vicariously through her. So I guess that makes me a reluctant entertainer.
I love to entertain but like most people nowadays I have had to downsize and now live in a fixer upper mobile home. I stopped entertaining because I was “embarrassed” I no longer lived in my beautiful house. I just found this blog and after reading just the first page I am hooked and even though I hope to win the book, if I don’t I am going on Amazon and get it!
I never feel comfortable enteraining in my home. I have a lovely home, but I do not have the know how. I would love to become a gracious hostess to get together. So, even if I do not win the book, I will get a copy!!
I used to entertain, but have gotten so bad about making the time to do it anymore. I agree, it is so fun and important! No one seems to do it anymore! Thanks for the giveaway! Will check out her website too!
I definitely fall into the “house is a mess ALL the time” category for the reason I don’t have people over more often!
I’ve used all of the above as excuses not to entertain. I would love to welcome guests more often…even if just for dessert and coffee…but the liability exposure is just too great (they may break their neck tripping over toys).