4 Reluctant Entertainers Has Moved!

Reluctant Entertainer has moved to Wordpress!

2009-10-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

Hello friends - I wanted to let you know my blog has a new home, over at WordPress!

Head on over and see Reluctant Entertainer's new look!

http://reluctantentertainer.com/

Please subscribe to the new blog by clicking on the RSS icon over at Wordpress to keep up to date with all the posts, give-aways, recipes and guest posts to come...

I even have a very special announcement coming soon!

Thank you, and I can't wait to see you over at the new place!

Borrow a Farm for a Birthday!

2009-10-23T07:25:00.000-07:00

My friend Barb decided to host an "Animal Party" on her farm, for their 8 year old, friend, Lexi's birthday.

It was the perfect time of year for Lexi and her friends to enjoy the animals, and play farm-related games!

GAME FUN

~Stick the tail on the cow. A big cow was simply drawn on tagboard and tails cut out for the kids to use. The kids colored their own tail, then were blindfolded and turned 3 times before they stuck (with tape) their tail on the cow.

~Find the candy in the straw. A small pool filled with clean straw had "penny" candy in it for the kids to dig through and find.

~Guess the number of pumpkin candies. A mason jar full of pumpkin candies was set in front of the kids and they wrote how many they thought the jar contained. The winner took the jar (and candies!) home.

~Eat like an animal. Disposable bowls of Jello were given to each child and they had to try to eat it with no hands!

FARM TOUR

Party-goers also got to go to the barn to see the animals, and go for a ride on the hay wagon around the 20 acre hayfield, where they were able to see beehives and the neighbor's cows (who tried to follow the wagon along the fence!) The kids also experienced the bumpiness of the tractor/wagon ride!

TASTY TREATS

The food existed of: Jello! Treat bags the kids wrote their names on (John Deere gummies, Teddy Grahams, Yogos, mini Cow Tails (caramel), a straw of drink mix, and candy the kids added to it from the games). Also, cake and ice cream and drinks the birthday girl's mom brought.

COST

The total cost for Barb was really mostly for the candy! Next time she said she'd consider using something like pumpkin seeds in the Guess the Number (of candy pumpkins) game, and maybe putting something like sunflower seeds and stickers in the treat bags, along with the treats they added from games. Good idea!

A GOOD ENDING

Each child got to choose their own pumpkin from the garden as a party favor, providing a great ending to birthday fun!

And Lexi was one happy birthday girl!

I think you'd be surprised how farmers want to share their farms! Especially with little kids.

So why not just "ask" and see if you can borrow a farm and have some birthday fun?

My friend Barb always inspires me, as she often opens her home and farm to young kids.

Hosting children is a great way of practicing hospitality and giving back to families who may live in the city!

Do you ever host others' parties on your farm or at your home?

Yummy Cake, Balcony Girls, and 13!

2009-10-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you need to plan a party, you don't have an oven, and your house is turned upside down?

Go to Yummy Cakes! Mmm, delicious and I love their little cakes that you can buy with many flavors.

With the start of a new Balcony Girls group this Fall, my daughter and I decided we'd be on a 2-part mission: A quick introductory to Balcony Girls and a combined 13th party for Abby - at the mall - where I didn't have to worry about space or cooking!

Put the treats on a tray, cut into thirds. Bring a bag of water bottles, plates, napkins and paper towels ...

Have fun with my helper-Mom-friend, Cindy ...

And break into some fun with all of the girls!

Balcony Girls

I am in the process of putting my Balcony Girls' lessons together to make it easier for so many readers who've inquired about this group that I started 4 years ago. This year I actually have 2 groups going, and it's exciting that new lessons are in store!

The motto as before, is very simple. A Balcony Girl knows how to build up and not tear down. To applaud her friend's accomplishments and to be cheering them on!

2 Easy Rules

I came up with 2 easy rules this season.

1. To talk about a certain scenario that happened in school, we will work very hard to leave specific names out of the discussion.

2. Don't talk about BG at school or places where other kids might feel left out.

Moms who are interested in my material are free to start positive groups of fun for their daughters! I'm all for sharing and growing mature and happy girls. I limit the group to a certain number because I feel this number allows for the maximum participation by each girl.

Power of a Circle

I had all the girls link arms and stand in a circle (in the mall!) but had one girl stand out - and try to break into the group. It was impossible to get in. We then talked about the power of a circle, how it feels to be on the outside. Then we pulled another girl out, and the "circle" talked, whispered, and didn't let the girl on the outside hear.

We discussed:

1. How it feels when the circle is so tight you can't break in.

2. How it feels to be on the outside when you don't know what's going on inside!

What you do with the Circle

The "Power" of a circle is not bad, I told the girls. It's very normal for all girls to have some kind of circle of friends. It's what you do with the power that can be bad, or it can be good.

Make it a positive Circle

-Take a good look around you, find someone new to include

-Invite that person back a 2nd time

-Be intentional about talking to other girls

-Watch for mean girls (insecure) or unhealthy dynamics in a group

-Observe the group's reputation, what others think about them

Stop and evaluate

We all have to stop and evaluate at times regarding whether our friends are healthy. Are they the kind that God wants us to have? Do they build up and not tear down?

Keep the circle of friends open, fun, loving, happy, and include a lot of friends! It's really the best way to stay happy and not get sucked into girl drama - cliques and meanness (insecurity).

Abby's 13th - Scavenger Hunt

So the fun continued with a planned hunt in the mall as the girls broke in to 3 teams. Again rules were enforced - no running or loudness, and respectfulness at all time. The girls pulled it off! And just in time to come back for Yummy Cakes and treats.

Again, hospitality doesn't have to only happen in our homes.

We can reach out and give out in many ways--little ways to make a difference in the lives of young ladies is essential!

I'd love to hear your ideas of sharing with young girls--or if you desire to, maybe you already do--and what activities you do to make a positive difference?

When Perfect and New Wear Off ...

2009-10-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

I'm guesting today over at Sue's (Praise and Coffee), talking about the glitz and glamor of a new kitchen, and when the newness wears off.

" ... then life became ... reality. The kitchen, that once was sparkling new, didn't seem that new any more. The glitter of it all started to fade as I still had to do dishes, my stacks of "stuff" piled up on the counters, the kids made huge messes, the cupboards needed wiping down, my busy life left it looking not so pretty anymore.

Read the rest of the story, here."

On Sunday, when we harvested tomatoes and potatoes, how could I forget these?

My favorite - beets.

Made into a beautiful salad for dinner that night. Okay, I'll admit it. It takes maturity for a kid to like beets. My kids weren't too thrilled, as they picked through the salad and pulled out most of the beets. How could they?

And then parsnips.

Yes, they smell like dirt and the ground.

But they are delicious, and my husband and I love them! He is Irish, but I've learned to really appreciate them (that is a kind word.)

I used parsnips in dinner last night, only to find when my daughter got home from soccer, these were on the cutting board.

Again, she picked these out of the soup.

Does your family eat parsnips and beets?

Or what do they pick out?

What is in your Hand?

2009-10-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Meet my Guest:

Fiona from A Little Bit of Honesty

My friend, Fiona, is my New Zealand friend who lives in my home town. It's a long story how we connected, but she's an amazing girl who loves her husband, 2 adorable boys, and God. She shares her meaningful thoughts over at A Little Bit of Honesty, and did I tell you she loves to bake? Yes, she loves to bake! I know, because we've been a recipient of her hospitality!

I am thrilled and honored to be posting here today! I am blessed to call Sandy my friend – she is an inspiration to me and I'll be forever grateful that she has opened her heart and her kitchen to me.

I love people. Some would call me nosey, others would say I am inquisitive. I believe everyone has a story and I itch to know your story. I also love food. I love to shop for it, the process of cooking it but most of all I love to eat it! Food + People = Hospitality.

In my mind hospitality is the art of making people feel loved and valued – by investing in them with great conversation and great food. Rick Warren says that 'Entertaining declares, This is mine – these rooms, these adornments. Look, please and admire. Hospitality whispers, What's mine is yours'. (Acts 2: 44).

When I was growing up my Mum (oops I mean my Mom!) wasn't a great cook...thankfully I didn't know any different (I do now!)....but what she and my Dad were great at was the habit of opening up their home very regularly for potluck lunches for their different circles of friends. I saw first hand what it was to share what they had.

Now I am in the process of finetuning that whole concept myself. The concept of sharing what is in my hand. Using what is in my hand to make something for someone else. To be aware of another's need and to do something about it.

For me, my time is my biggest asset. I am a stay at home Mom, with financial resources that are limited – but time and time again, after getting what I call a God 'nudging', I find I have exactly what I need, to fulfil a need in someone else's life, or to simply bless them and encourage them.

It doesn't take much to whip up a cake or a batch of muffins, but it speaks volumes to the recipient of the goodies.

I've been on the receiving end of 'baked blessings' – I'll never forget the time when I had only just been diagnosed with coeliac disease and a friend painstakingly made a cake for me with only 'safe' ingredients. It really touched my heart. So I know just how amazing it can make you feel to know that someone has thought about you, and put their time and effort into making something specifically for you.

I am very good friends with my Doctor in New Zealand. Over time I also became friends with the receptionists, the other doctors, and the cleaners at the medical centre that my Doctor works at because of some batches of cupcakes and muffins. As a result of a God nudging the medical centre became my semi-regular targetted baked blessings drop off point. I never had to wait for appointments that's for sure! I never had issues getting seen at any time of the day!

No seriously – it was more than that. All the staff at the medical centre are Christians and do a fantastic outreach into the community I lived in. As a Christian I believe I should honor and bless those who are in Christian ministry. 'Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples' John 13:35. I love to bake – by baking for those around me who are like-minded Christians I am loving them.....the best thing we can do for our communities for Christ is to love one another. The giving of cupcakes is a great indication of love – especially black forest with cream cheese frosting.....and they were made from things I already had, what I had in my hand.

You never know what your simple act will mean to someone else – you never know how it will impact them and touch their hearts by filling their tummies!

So, I'm on this journey to carry on finetuning myself, to follow the God nudgings more and more, to use what is in my hand.

What is in your hand? And what nudgings have you felt lately?

Girl's Day In - Finger Foodie Party!

2009-10-19T04:00:00.000-07:00

It was a fun Fall day when my friend Jeannie and I put our heads together and planned an easy finger-food party for Abby and a few of her friends.

Our goal: simple and ... are you ready for this? We wanted no forks, and we wanted to use paper towels!

With no plans, other than what food we'd serve, when I arrived at Jeannie's, we went through her tablecloth selection.

Deciding on this pattern.

And then we got creative with the paper napkins.

And set a pretty table, with beautiful fall mums.

As the girls dug in - and devoured it all, of course we had to keep ripping off paper towels to wipe those messy hands!

And then these delicious treats (made by Abby!)

Where paper towels definitely were handy, with juicy strawberries.

It was funny, we talked a lot about food, and how we loved the little pizzas and sausage rolls, and the popcorn chicken (my daughter's request), and we had dipping sauces, too.

I just love how the simple things in life, like sitting around a table with friends and eating finger foods, brings comfort to all.

When our tummies are full, life just feels right.

Especially when good friends are around!

Would you share a recent experience where it just felt "right" in the midst of food and great friends?

This post was sponsored by Viva Towels. For fun, fork-free recipes – including videos – and snappy entertaining ideas, get over to the VIVA® Diva Café.

New Counters & Harvested Tomatoes!

2009-10-18T07:57:00.001-07:00

I'm so happy. Friday my countertops arrived. We've worked with the greatest people during this kitchen remodel, and we feel very blessed.

We've had a few glitches along the way, but that's okay. As my Dad told us, he's never seen a kitchen remodel without a few things gone wrong!

Yesterday was so beautiful, and I harvested more of our tomatoes. There's still quite a few more beauties on a the vines, just waiting to be picked.

We're happy with our Corian (Staron) counters, and the color that we chose really enriches the kitchen.

And a long center island, (and I'm telling you, it's long!) designed by my Dad.

The house was so quiet yesterday, everyone away playing soccer, so it was just me, the animals, classical music, and my new kitchen - working away on organizing. My pantry is next, and my double oven installed tomorrow. Yes, I get an oven back tomorrow! Everyone asks me what will be the first thing I will bake? Possibly a cake or cobbler?

As I reflect back to the last 4 months, as our family ate dinners together sitting in the living room, it doesn't really matter what surrounded us, or the mess we were in. What matters is that we mark these days as a gift from our Gracious God: that we have everything we need and we have each other.

Back to tomatoes, if you have a garden, what's left to harvest?

(Potatoes and sweet potatoes, quite a few tomatoes and butternut squash are left in ours!)

Rhoda from Southern Hospitality is my 3-year Anniversary winner! I couldn't be happier to send her my care package full of hostess gifts, to one great lady! Congrats, Rhoda! And thank you to all who entered and your very thoughtful comments and ideas that you shared!

Dreaming of Apple Butter ...

2009-10-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

We're a few weeks out with our kitchen being completed, and I'm dreaming of our family favorite, Apple Butter.

APPLE BUTTER
8 cups applesauce
3 1/2 cups sugar
1 T. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cloves
(I always double this recipe - it fits perfectly into my large pot)

I also make “pear butter” using this same recipe. But since its apple season, and our dear friends Roger and Faye provided us with another beautiful bountiful supply of Golden Delicious apples last week, I'm getting excited to pull my canning supplies out, and my Fruit & Vegetable Strainer

attachment for my Kitchen Aid mixer.

The process begins … and by the way, it’s an easy process if you have a stand-up Kitchen Aid mixer with this particular attachment.

There is NO peeling and NO coring!

Wash apples in the sink

Quarter and put into a heavy large pot with about 1 cup of water

Boil and stir until apples are soft

Run softened apples through strainer

Beautiful applesauce - eat naturally with no sugar

Yucky skin, stems and seeds, ready to compost

Measure applesauce and other ingredients - stir and heat to boiling

Pour into sterilized jars

Always use brand new sterilized lids, and then ring

Process for 15 minutes in boiling water bath. Cool and ENJOY! We love Apple Butter on toast, waffles, pancaks, and muffins. The family favorite is "peanut-butter-and-jellies" or served warm over ice cream!

If you're wanting to try another delicious apple treat, click over to The Inspired Room today, where I am guesting and talking about Apple Pie in a Jar.

Every Friday bloggers link up and share their Beautiful Life story at Melissa's place, one of my all-time favorite blogs around! It's beautiful, practical, and full of inspiration. Thanks, Melissa!

I'd love to hear if you are an "apple butter" family, or what your favorite jam or jelly is?

(This post is a partial reposting from last year.)

And don't forget to comment to WIN my 3-year Giveaway. Winner will be announced on Sunday.

3 Years on RE Giveaway!

2009-10-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

When I get invited to someone's house for dinner, I try to bring a hostess gift, although I never feel like I have to.

I like to take a baked item, or flowers from the yard, or maybe vegetables from my garden.

If neither are in season, I'll stock up on dish towels, bottles of soap, or even paper napkins, to be able to give as small gifts.

OR if I'm running short of time, I know that with my friends, a hug will do!

It's my 3rd year of writing and recording part of my life, here on Reluctant Entertainer, and my passion is as strong today as it was 3 years ago. My friend Barb encouraged me to start a blog, to write about hospitality, and look at what has happened!

My first post on RE:

... with the best intentions, many of us think about entertaining, but never get around to it. Usually this happens because we don’t have enough time, we’re disorganized or our spouse isn’t interested in hosting a party, or even a small dinner! For many this blessing of gracious living for both the host and her guests never takes place because of fear … fear of failure, unable to cook, unwilling to share their lives with others, fear of deepening friendships … they are intimidated and think the meal has to be perfect, or … they don’t have the lifestyle that says, “welcome.”

I've been blessed by RE readers and their comments and heartfelt emails on a daily basis, saying RE has made a difference in their lives.

This giveaway is for YOU! To say thank you!

COMMENT TO WIN

Tell me your favorite hostess gift to give or receive?

MORE CHANCES

Tweet about it (1 extra chance) or post on your blog (2 extra chances), but make sure and come back and tell me!

WHAT TO WIN

The winner will receive in the mail the above package - a gift from me to you to enjoy!

~ Wacky Jackie Cake Mix (Butte Creek Mill, made right in my town)

~ Pumpkin Bread Mix (oh, delicious, just like Wacky Jackie)

~ Meyer Dish Soap (basil scent - my favorite, thanks to my friend, Steph)

~ Fall napkins - perfect for entertaining

~ Plant holder (for your front door!)

WHEN TO WIN

The winner will be announced this Sunday!

Here's another THANK YOU and a BIG HUG, for being a part of my life, some of you having followed RE for almost 3 years!

And Happy Birthday today to my sweet baby girl. Abby is (sniff, sniff) ... 13 today! Daddy, Mommy, El and Garrett love you very much, baby girl!

Remember to tell me your favorite hostess gift - to give or receive!?

Yes, I Miss my Oven!

2009-10-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

Yes, the kitchen is the heart of the home. I'm definitely feelin' the loss of it, with the weather changing, and the desire to hunker down and to cook some comfort meals!

So every time I walk by this hole ...

I'm anticipating what will be baking here soon, and the delicious smells that will soon permeate the house!

You know it's time for the kitchen to be finished when your kid tells you, Mom, I hope we're not having Taco Salad again for dinner tonight!.... (sigh).

Oh yes, I'm terribly missing my oven, but the good news is that my Dad and his helper (his wife, Ginny, my step-mom, the kid's Grandma) came to hang the window and doors last week. And after a few snags on the cabinets - we're now getting a lot closer to completion.

Grandma Ginny even baked us cookies and brought us some canning that she'd done over the summer (no canning here - my pantry is almost bare)! I think she knew how desperate we were for "homemade." You should have seen our kid's eyes light up when they saw the goodies arrive.

I love how she added a festive "autumn" flare with Peanut M&Ms to the cookies!

To be honest, I'm sick of the dust, dirt, camping kitchen, delays. But it's all okay. I'm giving thanks every day because we have so much, and good things are in store.

It's just a lesson on patience, something I've needed more of - and it's building character in all of my family members.

Plus, we realize with the big scope of the economy, as we eat together, have a place to live, and our health and each other, the kitchen remodel is just an added blessing.

Oh, and here's a picture of what my space looked like last week!

So off to the garage to get my dishes done ...

What's happening in your life that is trying your patience?

Next Post: Come back tomorrow for my 3-year RE Giveaway!

Relax. Just Do It.

2009-10-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

Meet my Guest:

Annie from A Stones Throw from Insanity

Annie's post, Relax. Just Do It., is perfect for RE. I can so relate to the food and construction dust! So I asked Annie if she would be my guest. If you get a minute, head over to Anni's place and say hi, ok? She's a great mom and writer, and she really knows how to capture the moment. Besides she has an "Ab" and an "El" in her family, just like us! Thanks, Annie!

* * * * *

Sometimes I am a bit slow on the uptake, but there are some days (although few and far between) when things just click. After following Sandy’s blog for ages and reading about her entertaining philosophy, I slowly learned about relaxing, enjoying the moment, and savoring the relationships with my friends and family. It finally sunk in one day when I least expected it.

When I saw the text, “CALL ME ASAP!” I didn’t. Instead, I raced home to see what the ASAP was all about.

"Paul? What's wrong? Why the ASAP?" I asked my hubby breathlessly.

"Oh nothing . . . except I invited Jay and Brian and their families over for a cookout."

And, I swear to you it was like one of those movies where everything seems to be in slow motion for the main character, but instead the character's thoughts zoom through her head at a mile a minute. That was me. Those were my thoughts. And the slow motion pan of the camera was the mess that was my house being ready for guests in less than 2 hours. I took in the cereal on the floor, the construction dust. . .

... on, well, everything, the 2 baskets of dirty laundry in the hallway, and the rubbermaid tub full of various and assorted tools from our remodel. I could have passed out right there on the spot, but hubby and the kiddies were looking to me and my reaction. I didn't want my kids to see the crazy mom that runs around the house before having guests, so I just swallowed, smiled, and sucked it up. Plain and simple.

"OK, " I said. And then to hubby, "What's the food plan?" He detailed that one family was bringing some pulled chicken and rolls, and the other was bringing snacks and a salad. Not bad, I thought. I knew that we had chicken thawed to BBQ, corn on the cob to roast, and I remembered that we had the makings for s'mores too. "Alright! Food is covered."

Then to the kids, "Straighten up the basement. Dad and I will straighten up these rooms." With a clap of our hands, we were off. And no sooner than 30 minutes later, we were done.

I won't say that my house was spotless. It wasn't. There was still the whipped cream stain on my curtain, and the cherry juice stain on the floor. I am sure that there was still dust in places and let's just say that my glass doors could be the before picture for Windex. But, my house was presentable, guests were due to arrive, and for once, I was not stressed.

This was momentous.

I was not stressed, because, well, I just decided not to be. There was no way that I could help some of the messes in my house, but I realized, that if I was going to let my remodeling mess bother me, than I may not be able to see my friends for a long, long, long time. That was just not acceptable. So, I let go. I relaxed.

And, you know what?

Without all of the stress, the prep work for a "planned" party, and the over-reaching expectations, I had a fabulous time. There was more than enough food, everyone enjoyed contributing, and my friends got to see our work in progress that is our OLD house. We ate, enjoyed each other's company, and when it got dark, we made a fire and roasted marshmallows.

A super evening, all in all.

So, I am glad that I didn't have my phone on me yesterday afternoon and that I didn’t immediately receive that ASAP text. If I had, I may have rushed home to needlessly prepare my home.

Instead, I learned that I only had to give myself a break.

* * * * * * * *

Special thanks to the Reluctant Entertainer, Sandy, for allowing me to guest post on this blog. After last night Sandy, I get it. To have a wonderful time with friends and family, I only need to relax and just do it! Thanks again!

Would you be willing to share a recent "Relax. Just Do It." story? We'd love to hear!

Neighborly Fig Love!

2009-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

My neighbor Ellie is known in our home for her yummy fig appetizers!

And just when I'm trying to figure out what to serve for dinner, she shows up with a plate of this goodness ... perfect timing!

She has a fig tree, so she's creative with figs and using them up. Last week we received a plate, covered with foil ...

And it was so beautiful, I had to find a white platter, a perfect garage presentation!

The taste was ... divine!

Thank you, Ellie, for sharing your yummy recipe with us! And for your neighborly love!

Fig and Walnut Tapenade with Goat Cheese

(Recipe for the very top photo)

1 cup chopped figs

1/3 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives or other brine-cured black olives

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon drained capers, chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

Two 5.5-ounce logs soft fresh goat cheese

1/2 to 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts

Baguette, sliced and toasted (or crackers)

Coarsely chop figs. Mix in olives, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, capers, and chopped thyme. Season tapenade to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)

Spread cheese on toasted baguette slices. Stir chopped walnuts into tapenade; spoon onto center of cheese. Also good served with crackers instead of bread.

This recipe serves about 20!

The difference between a date and a fig?

While growing up, my Mom always made brownies with dates! I don't remember her cooking with figs ...

Figs grow on a fig tree and taste best fresh. Dates grow on a date palm in more warm environments. Dried figs in the store are generally imported.

I'd love to hear if you cook with fresh figs? Or dates?

Lunch for the Secretaries!

2009-10-11T08:00:00.001-07:00

A faithful reader, Chris, sent me this inspiring story a year ago, with lovely photos. And I just knew by sharing it with you, you'd be encouraged. Read along and you'll know exactly what I mean.

Hi, I’ve been reading Sandy’s blog for a couple years now and have been inspired to be less reluctant at entertaining ...

But to be honest, with 3 kids – 2 in college and 1 in high school – and all still living at home, my husband and I find ourselves surrounded by piles of books. And with their hectic schedules, I was finding a difficult time scheduling times at home to invite others in.

So I decided to try a different theme.

I’m a church secretary and I thought it would be fun to connect with other church secretaries in my town.

So I invited them to lunch at the church where I work.

- I called each one to see if they had received the invitation and would be able to attend. This helped to “break the ice” and helped them to feel like they already knew someone that would be there.

- Using one of the Sunday School rooms, I decorated a table with fall decorations and Walmart dishes from home.

- I made some “tried and true” recipes: crockpot chicken noodle soup, salad mix, pumpkin cookies (I had baked the night before), homemade rolls from the freezer (I made homemade ones but you could easily buy bake and serve rolls).

- And I waited for my guests to arrive. They were greeted at the door with the smell of fresh baked bread and a warm welcome.

We all had a wonderful time sharing and getting to know one another. We plan on making it a regular event and they want to take turns hosting lunch.

We also talked about “brown bagging” or each one bringing a dish to simplify the preparation.

Thank you, Sandy, for inspiring us to look beyond our limitations and reach out to others - It’s always worth it!

And thank you, Chris, for reaching out to the ladies in your community! I bet they were so appreciative of your time and effort!

If your home is just not working for entertaining, have you considered a fresh approach to hospitality, outside of the home?

I'd love to hear your story!

Bake Sale Treats!

2009-10-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

These Scarecrow cookies are perfect for a bake sale. I think the original idea came from Family Fun Magazine, says Skip to My Lou's Cindy Hopper!

I'm so happy Cindy's here today on RE sharing this fantastic idea - perfect for October and any upcoming parties!

Here's Cindy ...

I made sugar cookies on long 8" sticks so I could stick them into a small hay bale I found at Hobby Lobby.

I thought it was a fun way to display the cookies so they could be sold individually.

This yummy sugar cookie recipe works great for these. I used store bought frosting in the tub this time, but oh they are so much better with the homemade frosting. This sugar cookie recipe makes a ton of dough and it freezes beautifully.

Margaret's Sugar Cookies

2 Cups Margarine or Butter (I use butter)
3 Cups Sugar
4 Eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
8 T cold milk + 2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
8 cups flour

Cream the butter and sugar together. Add in the eggs one at a time, stirring after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Mix salt into flour. Add flour alternately with milk into batter. Divide dough and form into flat disks. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour. I usually chill overnight. This dough freezes beautifully. Roll dough out ¼ inch thick and cut into shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes. I bake until edges are slightly golden.

These sugar cookies are best with this delicious frosting.

Frosting
2/3 Cups Butter
½ Cup Milk
2 lbs. Powder Sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Beat with electric mixer until smooth.

The hat is made from sugar wafers, the band on hat and the smile are Twizzlers (pulled apart into individual pieces), the eyes are upside down chocolate chips, the nose is a candy corn and the hair is pieces picked from Kashi GOLEAN Cereal.

I used Wilton 4 X 9 1/2 inch Party Bags for packaging.

Looking for more Bake Sale inspiration or have you made something fun and delicious? Please upload your photos to the Bake Sale Flickr Group!

Cindy and I would love to hear about your fun, snacky, fall ideas?

The winners to the Velveeta it! giveaway are Barbara, Angie Kerr, and Karen G (no blog). Congrats, ladies!

Come Back, Haggis McStitch!

2009-10-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Friends and family who've been to our house know all about Haggis McStitch.

He barks exuberantly as he runs the "Haggis Highway," outside protecting our family, annoying everyone around him.

During the remodel, with lots of men coming and going, we've had to lock Haggis up in the bathroom, Paul's office, in the backyard - because he's always making a bee-line for the front door.

But he's still managed to get out, though he doesn't run as far as he used to (and his name is attached to his collar).

He always comes back, because he knows where the love is.

We love our Cairn Terrier, barks and all. And he's so curious about what's going on here ... (and he loves to ride in the car with us!)

I'd love to hear about your favorite animal in your household?

(Don't forget to enter in this Kraft giveaway!)

Velveeta it! GIVEAWAY!

2009-10-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you have a household of hungry girls wanting a snack? And they want it now?!

This past weekend I quickly thought of the new stone that Kraft Foods sent me, along with some great recipes, and looked for ingredients that I had on hand.

It was easy. Two ingredients added to Velveeta Cheese, melted together, and served hot with a bowl full of chips, was my perfect answer.

Easy Cheesy Dip

16 oz. Velveeta Cheese (1/2 block of Velveeta)

1 can refried beans

1 cup of your favorite salsa

Melt together and serve!

The girls scooped the hot dip up with their chips, and then, as girls would do (my boys would never ask this question), they all wanted to know what kind of salsa I used!? I wouldn't have even thought to tell them!

My secret: Costco's Mango Peach Salsa made the dip nice and sweet!

Velveeta has many more fast and easy recipes that you can make with their cheese. And now I'm picking 3 winners for FREE Velveeta, a subscription to this fantastic magazine (Food and Family) ...

And other amazing coupons that I received from my box of Kraft goodies, and that the winner received when I held this giveaway (holy cow, 347 comments)!

Mashed Spuds with Grace!

2009-10-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how I found the A Southern Grace blog last year, but I can tell you that every post is mouth-watering-goodness, straight from Grace's kitchen. Grace is a southern girl, living in upstate New York, who really, really, really, knows how to cook. So take a peek at her blog. I think you just might want to save it to your favorites!

I'm happy to introduce to you Grace, from A Southern Grace.

I've long been a fan of Sandy's blog and her endless supply of entertaining tips, so I was thrilled when she asked if I'd like to do a guest post. She suggested that I try something a little different from my usual "all food, all the time" posting, so although I still focused on food, I tried to offer more of a personal slant in my writing for 4RE. Here goes:

If I had to pick one food that reminds me of my home and childhood, it would be mashed potatoes. Home, creamy home. Specifically, they make me think of lunches at my grandma's house. Often she would be charged with preparing food for whoever happened to be working on the farm that day, and I helped out whenever I could.

We're not talking sandwiches here, folks. We're talking baked steaks or pork chops, along with cornbread and an assortment of sides, such as peas & dumplins, green beans or brown beans, corn on the cob or hominy, baked apples, fried squash, potatoes in white sauce or, my favorite, mashed po-tah-toes.

It always fell to me to take care of the mashed taters since I loved them so. I washed (guess what--they're filthy when they come out of the ground!), peeled, sliced, cooked, flavored (butter, milk, salt, and pepper--our holy quartet for mashed potato goodness), and mashed (with an old-school masher, of course) 'em myself.

It didn't take long for my grandpa to start calling me Tater, and he does so to this day. I think it gives him pleasure to see me enjoying a product that he took from start to (almost) finish. For wailing out loud, the man is 85 years old and he still goes out and plants, tends to, and digs up his potatoes--he's darn proud of his crop, as he should be!

So that's my history with mashed spuds. They're never as good as they are when I'm sitting at my grandma's table, surrounded by the folks I love. Never.

Grace and I would love to hear your favorite way to cook a "tater?"

Art of Freezing Berries!

2009-10-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

When I pick berries from our strawberry patch, or I buy them fresh at the market, I usually use them right away. But this summer was different. Very little canning took place with my kitchen in the garage!

In the process we did some swapping for a new (to us) fridge, giving our old in exchange for a stand-up freezer that I've wanted for a long time.

I'm grateful for our $50 chest freezer that we had for years, but it finally gave up the ghost before moving to this house. But what I learned was I wasn't wise in how I used it. I over-bought food and it would get shoved to the bottom and left there for - well, who knows how long?

For 4 years I've been without a large freezer, so when this new opportunity came along, I was so excited!

I always told myself I'd never get a chest freezer again, that I'd be more organized with a stand-up one, arranging and using my food more wisely.

In the meantime, I bought fresh raspberries from a farm up in Portland a couple of weekends ago, and using my friend Pam's tip on freezing berries (she swears that this method makes more flavorful jam!), I followed these directions.

1. Line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper.

2. Lay washed berries out evenly and place in the freezer.

3. After 24 hours, when completely frozen, place into Ziploc bags.

In a few months, in the dead of winter, I'll be using these bags to make fresh jam!

What's your method of freezing berries?

And do you prefer a chest or stand-up freezer?

Don't Cry over Broken Dishes!

2009-10-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

Don't cry over spilled milk.

Don't cry over broken dishes, right?

In the midst of our remodel, my favorite William Sonoma plates broke. Yes, 4 are broken - shattered - and I am very sad.

I've used these green salad plates for years! Entertaining in the days at our old house, they matched many of my tablecloths, and were my favorites. For a few minutes there, when it happened, I was not a happy girl!

But I quickly had to let it go.

I wish William Sonoma would send me some new ones. Now wouldn't it be nice to have a set of 8 again? :)

Anyway, what special items have broken in your home, where you had to "just let it go?"

Abby's New Desk!

2009-10-02T10:00:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to have a new pantry, but the one thing I will horribly miss about this area being gone, is the little yard-sale table that I purchased years ago for $30, and the wall space. I loved to hang pictures here, rearranging as the seasons would come and go ($3 yards sale art).

The table area was a great place to hang my trays.

I'll miss this functional little table, which held tea-light holders, salt and pepper shakers, and other miscellaneous entertaining items. It was also a great side table for entertaining!

My daughter snagged it right away when we started tearing this area a part for the remodel. We cleaned the table up together (removing all those spiders!), and she turned it into a desk for her bedroom.

I do love change. And I really get in to moving furniture around, finding a new home where a piece can actually be used in a more functional way.

Abby has used the desk many times now for homework, arranging it "just so" in her room along with her IKEA $12 chair and Wal Mart $19 foot-stool. I wonder where this girl learned how to move her furniture around and decorate? (I no longer have any say! :)

And another fun IKEA touch to her room.

I'd love to hear about a piece of furniture that you just couldn't get rid of, that you've moved from room to room?

Seasonal or Halloween?

2009-10-01T10:03:00.001-07:00

It's October 1st and I'm dying to get that box of Fall decorations down from the attic, but this year it might not be happening. My challenge has been to decorate, using what I have, and to not spend a dime (well, except on a few pumpkins).

So taking an abundance of butternut squash from our garden, and mixing with decorative balls

And using what I already had on my front porch (planters & water cans)

And adding pumpkins

A fresh tablecloth and garden tomatoes (before I had to shrink my table down to pull up the carpet!)

Pampas grass from an early morning hike

Grocery Outlet $2.99 candles that I had stashed away

I've added a hint of Fall to my home, in the places that aren't too dusty, as the drywall is now in place in our new kitchen!

And painting has begun.

Someone recently emailed me and asked about how to make memories for kids with Fall decorations, without making them too scary. It's been a long time since I've decorated for Halloween (although I've never done scary). I've changed up my style a bit as I prefer the harvest, pumpkins, and fall colors that take us right into Thanksgiving. I just don't put too much energy into making things "over the top" I guess you might say.

I don't think by not decorating for Halloween, that it's going to affect our kids and their memories. What happens in our home, like dinners and conversations, is what my kids will be remembering. Not the decorations.

My oldest is a senior in high school this year. We keep reminding him of how he is going to miss Mama's home-cooked meals this time next year!

I'd love to hear if you add a more "seasonal" touch or a "Halloween" touch to your decorating?

(If you have a minute, check out these Fall posts for tips and cozy details from Kimba, Melissa, and The Nester!)

2 Important Things ...

2009-09-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Two important things to remember, when practicing hospitality.

If you specialize in making something, like these cinnamon rolls ...

1. Make double

2. Take a pan to a neighbor or to a friend or to someone in need

That is what my friend Pam does.

She thinks of our family.

And we reap the benefits of her baking! Delicious!

What do you like to share with others?

How to Host a High Tea Party!

2009-09-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

Meet my Guest:

Edie from Life in Grace

Edie and I met in Nashville this last year - briefly. We hope to do some more catching up with each other this next year! I love her flare for hospitality and the spirit of her blog, Life in Grace. She's a very gracious, beautiful person, and I won't even tell you how much she reminds me of my brunette friend, Robyn L., who could be Edie's twin!

Here's Edie's story on an elegant party she held in her home ...

Hello RE readers! This is the 2nd tea party birthday party I've hosted but the first one at my own house. My daughters' birthdays are close together and they turned 9 and 17 this year. I thought this was the perfect year to combine their parties into a multi-age tea party. I recruited my 19 year old son to be the escort/server.

It was definitely our best party ever! So, here's my advice on how to host the perfect tea party birthday:

1. Make sure your sister and her darling daughters are available to come (and help----thank you so much girls!)

2. Invite your daughter's friends, who just so happen to be beautiful and....

and well-mannered.

4. Assemble the finest vintage tea cups you can from places like Goodwill, antique stores, or T.J.Maxx.

5. Cut some beautiful flowers from your garden to dress up your tables.

6. Advise the bakery to make your cake look like a wedding cake---very formally decorated.

7. Make sure your handsome son (who is always such a good sport) is available to escort the ladies to their tables and serve food and drink---always with a smile of course. We made calling cards (with the girls' full names on them) and announced the arrival of each girl (thank you Abby) as she entered the foyer.

8. Start setting your tables 2-3 days before the party so that there are fewer last minute things to do. I placed Emme and her friends in the Duchess of Windsor Dining Room (because there were more of them), Caiti's friends in the breakfast room, and Elea's friends in the school room. We played a few parlor games and practiced our finest etiquette (after a few short 'tea' lessons). This site was very helpful in all things 'tea'.

9. Serve an eclectic mix of tea sandwiches, pasta salad, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate chip short bread cookies, and of course, a wide variety of teas, both cold and hot. Several of my dear friends and my mother stayed to help in serving and then washing the voluminous dishes that are generated at afternoon tea. And I mean LOTS of dishes.

Sing Happy Birthday.....

blow out candles and finish the day with a great game of Pictionary.

10. Most importantly, RELAX, make sure you take time to enjoy the birthday girls and their friends. I had a list of things that didn't get done. No one noticed.

We had oodles of fun and it was one of those very memorable parties that will become part of their story----a story I am so grateful to be part of.

Edie and I would love to hear about your tea party experiences?

(Visit my Life is a Cup post, here, about my special Aunties.)

Easy Beaded Necklace Party!

2009-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

I was so impressed with how my cousin, Jess, threw this inexpensive party for her one-year-old, Emma.

Why didn't I think of these things when my kids were little? I still remember having Elliot's 1st birthday party. At the end of the night, he was exhausted by so much excitement and so many people crammed into our house, he put his little head down on his rocking chair and sobbed. He was pooped, and I was exhausted!

Jess's story goes like this:

Since we have such a large family and Chad is a pastor at our church, we had MANY friends to invite. I knew that I would not enjoy the party if it was at my home and I would have to fuss over extra details, so we made plans to have it at the Fountains downtown. Now the kids could play until their little hearts were content, and there was plenty of room for everyone.

THE CRAFT

As people felt inspired to do so, I asked them to paint a small wooden bead that I would later string as a necklace for Emma.

MY INSPIRATION

My Mom had made a necklace similar to this when I was Emma's age and Emma loves to play with it, so I figured that she needed one of her own. The craft was a huge success and I actually ended up making two necklaces because there were so many beads!

THE FOOD

I asked a good friend of mine to help bake and frost cupcakes with me. She spoiled me and took on the entire project herself so that I could spend time with family that came to town for that weekend. My mom brought brownies and we had chips and strawberry lemonade.

THE PARTY FAVOR

I also made sugar cookies and baked them on sucker sticks and used them for party favors.

THE COST

I don't think I spent more than $20 on the entire party!

It was so easy, and we were able to just enjoy Emma being a whole year old and all of the friends and family who have loved and supported her thus far!

(Read what Emma's grandparents were up to earlier this summer, here.)

Winner to Barney Butter: Livinitfull and Little Home.

Barney Butter GIVEAWAY!

2009-09-25T07:55:00.000-07:00

Barney Butter is back! And Jennifer, the maker of this delicious treat, is giving away 2 jars!

But let me start with this story. At our son's soccer game last week, my friend Dee made a batch of cookies with Barney Butter. Those around me helped devour the entire bag! Everyone kept asking what they were! And then Dee told me she made this recipe - YUM!

What is Barney Butter?

It's just like peanut butter but better because it's made from almonds! My friend Jennifer is the master Barney Butter maker – I’m so impressed! (Check out Barney Butter recipes, here!)

What makes Barney Butter different?
With Barney Butter you get the same kind of peanut butter creaminess you grew up loving (or super-chunk if you like crunchy), only better with less than ½ the saturated fat of peanut butter, and more fiber, calcium, iron, vitamin E and magnesium than peanut butter. And that’s not all – Barney Butter is manufactured in an Almond Only Facility - no chance of cross contamination with peanut dust or peanut particles- which is a great solution for the peanut-allergic. Dieters and athletes love it. But everyone really eats it for the taste.

COMMENT

It's easy! Tell me your family's favorite cookie made in your home?

WIN

2 people will win a jar of Barney Butter!

Tweet about the giveaway, your name goes in twice. (Come back and tell me, please.)

FIND OUT

Come back on Monday to see if you won!

The cookie we really love in our home is Peanut Butter.

It's just the best, and when you add a chocolate KISS in the middle, like my Dad's wife Ginny, does - it's even better!

A few months ago when I had foot surgery Ginny brought us several meals, and these cookies - which disappeared quickly.

Good luck on the giveaway and make sure and check out Barney Butter and pass the news on to your friends! Oh, and my friend Grace has 7 fabulous recipes that she has cooked with Barney Butter, here!