Are you reluctant?
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Take it away Sandy…
.When Amy asked me to write a post for her blog, I immediately thought about her beautiful photography and how mine doesn’t compare to hers. It doesn’t even come close! But that’s okay because I have a secret that I want to share with you today.I’ve learned to NOT compare and get all hung up on what others do.
When it comes to living out our passions, we have to figure out what makes us tick or what inspires us. And then as we learn to let go of the imperfect, which often robs us of our potential, we embrace the freedom to be ourselves and move forward with confidence and clarity.
By the way, have I told you how much I adore Amy? We’ve seen each other 3 times this year.– BlissDom, Napa Valley, and Park City. We still have 2 trips planned later this Fall. I appreciate the friendships I’ve made through Blog-land. I’ve learned so much from some very special ladies! (Love you, Amy! Thank you for having me here today.)
Anyway, I just wrote a book released this week, The Reluctant Entertainer, and it encourages women to be real with their entertaining. It offers great wisdom to those who get caught up in the comparison trap and gives savvy entertaining ideas.
Since Amy asked me to talk about my book, I thought I’d share my “Best Strawberry Bread” recipe that is featured in the back. Yes, along with wisdom, advice and ideas for the reluctant entertainer (anyone will enjoy this book, even the seasoned entertainer), I have some very yummy, tried and true recipes …
I went to my strawberry patch last night, as it’s growing thin now, and picked these beauties. I just love how the little white blossom fell into the bowl right as I was finishing up.
My daughter helped wash, stem and slice up the strawberries and we added some raspberries to create a more unique flavor
Mixed together and tossed it in the oven.
I love making extra loaves for my neighbors.
And then a large loaf for the family.
Hospitality is about helping others to feel warm and welcomed. It’s not about being the perfect family or entertainer. And to me, on this night, it was also about sharing a loaf of bread with our neighbor.
Do you struggle with “perfect” or the comparison trap, to where it stops you from inviting others in?
** True confessions: When I made this bread I forgot one simple step. Make sure and add the berries at the last, and then mix the batter by hand. It’s much better with chunky bites of fruit!
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Thanks Sandy! This looks delicious. Can’t wait to make it, and soon! I think I may have almost all the ingredients on hand too.
And guess what?!? One person will be randomly selected to receive a copy of The Reluctant Entertainer, by my friend, and guest, Sandy Coughlin. Just leave a comment answering Sandy’s question above…
Do you struggle with “perfect” or the comparison trap, to where it stops you from inviting others in?
OR share a tip for no stress entertaining.
Can’t wait to hear comments and ideas!
***Be sure to leave your comment before Wednesday, August 4, 2010 midnight PST. One comment (entry) per person. Winner will be randomly selected and announced sometime on Thursday, August 5, 2010.
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By the way, if you’re looking for an easy peasy chicken recipe, that would be a perfect compliment to Sandy’s yummy bread, check out this guest post I did for Tasty Kitchen where I tried out a recipe for Lazy Chicken. It’s easy and tasty! Tasty Kitchen is a great place to find all sorts of recipes and you can join (for free & no strings attached) to submit your own favorites to share with us all!
:•)
I love having people over. I think what makes it easiest for me is that my idea of entertaining is having people feel like family. I usually serve buffet style from my kitchen. I love to have people help or bring a dish if they offer. My style is very comfortable and easy. But it is always so nice to just have the time to visit and really get to know people. That’s why I love having people over!
There’s not enough room, not enough food, silverware, drinks, not enough money, who wants to come to my house? These are the things that go through my head but honestly, I would love to invite people especially just ladies for some coffee and cake. Then what would I do with the kids, husband. I think I make it out to be much harder and expensive than it really is.
I definitely struggle with comparison and entertaining! I’m not a decorator, and my husbands family always has such a nice table set, and the perfect serving dishes, etc. and then since I have a food blog, I feel compelled to serve perfect good, all the while reminding people that just because I write about recipes I love, doesn’t mean I’m an amazing cook. It stresses me out, but I made a commitment in January to have someone over for dinner at least once a month, and I have to say it has helped a ton. Plus I view it as my Christian duty to be hospitable, so I’d better learn to like it 🙂
I love to entertain but I do sometimes get hung up on the details. Sandys website has really turned my attitude around. I still struggle sometimes with perfection (or lack of it!) but I remember her great advice, never apologise! I would love to win her book, but if I don’t I will be buying it. One way or another, I know I will love it:>)
I really do struggle with the “having to have things perfect” in order to have people over. I’m kind of in a rut right now because I LOVE having friends over, but we just moved into a house that needs a lot of work and I feel like I’m always apologizing to people who stop in about why things are such a mess and then describing all the things we are planning to do. It’s exhausting! I think I might just put little signs all over the walls with arrows that describe our remodeling efforts.
My husband, son, and I have a four bedroom home. I can decorate well and we have everything we need. I am also a very good cook. We have friends. We have time. My problem? I’m not a people person and my husband is. I don’t feel comfortable with groups of people especially when I have to be in charge of their “good time.” The pressure is just too much and I feel crippled by it. After a get together, I am emotionally drained and have to spend hours, or sometimes days, isolated just to re-group. I feel just awful, because my husband and son LOVE to have people over. Please help.
It’s a daily struggle for me…striving for perfection. It runs deep in my genes. Guess it’s why I have a lot of stress surrounding any gathering: birthdays, mingle with friends,… I agree, it’s exhausting by the day’s end but, once I get past the prep work, I REALLY am blessed with so much more! Why in the world do I get hung up over and over again? Lord willing, I’ll get past and redeem my time better.
I like to entertain and would love to do so more graciously and effortlessly. Despite doing it often enough I still have not gotten to a place where I am completely relaxed with my guests like I see others are. I sometimes feel a little bit awkward. Although I have been know to complicate things sometimes, I would never call myself a perfectionist. I am very curious about the RE book as I have enjoyed reading Sandy’s blog.
We have guests over often but not many last minutes guests because I worry that the house isn’t clean enough, etc.
That bread looks amazing!! I will be making it!
I love what you said Sandy about not comparing yourself…so true 🙂 I love your website and everything that you write about. I can’t wait to get your book and spend days on end pouring through it’s pages.
PS: You ladies make my heart smile daily 🙂
I do struggle with comparing myself to others and feeling that I don’t measure up to what guests might expect. I am so very content with my simple life, but having guests over makes me think of all the things that they take for granted. And I find myself tempted to rush around buying this or that to try to live up to expectations… and then hospitality is no fun at all.
Thank you so much! I am thrilled.
I am a reluctant entertainer (and maybe other things as well) because of the pressure to “be perfect” I think what it comes down to is not really being perfect…we all know everyone has flaws. Getting over the need to “feel perfect” would be a great starting place for me. I’m sure I see what looks like a flaw, no one else even noticed.
I think getting over the feeling (because feelings sometimes lie to you ) and seeing the situation through others eyes is a way to grow. So with that in mind I’m going to invite more people over, even if the house isn’t perfect. And I’m going to give myself a break and try to “go with the flow”.
(Easier said than done, but I’ll try)