Book Review: Reluctant Entertainer (me, too!) Every Woman's Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality

Kim, Dawn, Janice, Rachel, Irene Rosenfeld C.E.O. of Kraft, Elizabeth, Sandy, Silvia and Me

I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Sandy Coughlin, author of Reluctant Entertainer: Every Woman's Guide to Simple and Gracious Hospitality while visiting with the good folks at the Kraft Kitchens in Chicago, IL last summer (wow, has it been a year...already!?!?) and I was very excited to learn that her book was being published, too.

Not that I have one (a book being published, I mean) but, I DID fall a little in love with Sandy on that trip.

Why?

Because, like her blog, Sandy is beautiful, down-to-earth, warm and yummy, as a piece of apple pie on a crisp autumn day.

With a dollop of french vanilla ice cream, of course!

So, yes, I was MORE than thrilled to have received a copy of her book (thank you, Sandy!) and a little intimidated, by the beauty of its simplicity, at first.

Honestly, I am perhaps the most "reluctant entertainer" I know (seriously, the idea of cleaning the house for Thanksgiving gives me major leg cramps) still, I love spending weekends visiting with family and friends.

 

According to Sandy, negative thoughts, like, "I wish I had a bigger house," (really, I do!) are joy busters:

...I let go of the fear of messes and embraced my kids and other people around me.

Sandy's book is filled with inspiring ideas and tips on ways to help apprehensive hostesses (like me) who are, shall we say, used to working with/in less than perfect setting(s), who need reminding, like Sandy's list of Joy-Building Ten Commandments:

1. Hospitality is not about you.  It's about making others feel warm and welcome.
2. Plan ahead, be organized, and know your recipe.  Learn to delegate.
3. Set the mood.  Keep ambience and the give senses in mind.
4. Avoid perfectionism. Put fear aside -- it's a robber of anything good.
5. Share conversation.  Foster friendships by keeping things real.
6. Demonstrate thriftiness.  Buying things at cost or learning to pinch pennies makes entertaining attainable on a budget.
7. Don't apologize.  It's okay to make mistakes.  Learn to not bring them to light in front of your guests; it robs your guests of relaxation.
8. Be creative.  Use what you have.  Keep things simple.
9. Learn from others.  Find mentors and learn to find a healthy balance and keep things real.
10. Life impact is everything.  Experience intimacy and meaning in sharing and gleaning from others' lives.

Number 7 (above) really resonated with me -- I find myself CONSTANTLY apologizing, for EVERYTHING -- and I really do believe The Reluctant Entertainer's Joy-Building Ten Commandments can be applied to ALL aspects of my life.

Oh, there ARE recipes (many, many beautiful pictures, too) but, it's Sandy's genuine encouragement and sound advice (like, how to reorganize and restock your pantry with stuff that you can actually, you know, use) and her personal stories (often times referring to her family, her blog and IRL friends, too) that keep me coming back (and craving) for more.

Well done, my friend, well done, indeed!!!

LINKY LOVE BYTES:  The Reluctant Entertainer (Sandy's blog) http://reluctantentertainer.com/blog/

The Reluctant Entertainer (the official website) http://reluctantentertainer.com/

The Reluctant Entertainer (the book) available on Amazon.com

© 2010 This Full House / This Full House Gone Shopping

The Small Gray-ish Print:. No payment, or any other consideration, other than a sample of the product for review purposes, was received for this blog post.