Pick 5 Movies Blogathon Theme
Today we have a theme day to talk about five movies that inspire our blogging. Because my personal theme is parties, I picked five movies that show something about entertaining.
Now, I’m not much of a movie watcher and I can’t remember many details but this theme made me think about my few favorite ones. (Forgive me, Jane Boursaw! She’s is an movie expert and one of our fellow blogathoners.)
My list would include
Pride and Prejudice,
Emma,
Little Women,
Wives and Daughters and
North and South.
So I’m sure that parties are shown to move along the main theme of the story. Or they contrast character traits of the protagnist, blah, blah, blah.
But as a neophyte movie critic, I see parties in these period movies as the few social experiences that a family could have with their neighbors. It was a time to celebrate and dance and catch up on the latest gossip.
Families would wear their most precious outfits they owned and spend hours getting ready. Often, young men and women would scope each other out at these functions for future marriage material.
Sometimes the parties were held in grand homes and the women would have to dodge each other with their crinoline skirts as they sashayed about. Some parties were held in barns with dirt floors and the local neighbors who could fiddle would be the music entertainment.
The social interaction is what was important. People made human connections with their friends and neighbors. Often the main character goes home and shares all the details with her sisters, parent or a trusted friend.
Forgive me for not putting up photos because I’m still not clear on what is copyright protected.
Do you know of any movies that show parties in a positive light?
Pick a Theme for Your Party
So it’s time to think about a theme for your gathering.
Themes can be anything you want them to be. I think a fun idea would be using a color. And since we are going into the summer, you could pick red, white and blue or just two colors, like tangerine and yellow. Tangerine Tango is the color for 2012 so you could be the first one of your block to have a party with this juicy color.
Selecting a color for your theme helps you make choices on your food selection, dinnerware (if you want to use plastic flatware), linens or other decorations. It doesn’t have to limit your choices but you’ll find that after you decide on a theme, you’ll start seeing more ideas for your party in the store or in magazines or when you’re out.
Of course, you can plan a party around an event like a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or holiday. You can pick a theme like the beach, Victorian, old movies, Hawaiian, etc. etc. etc.
Initially for me I get anxious about making a selection – one color or one idea. But after I make the decision, ideas start coming to me throughout the day and often in the middle of the night. And that’s when I start getting really excited about the party.
Share with me more themes. I’m not the expert at all so I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Entertaining is Not About Me
In the beginning as parents, we make it about us. What our kids do – what they achieve – what they even wear.
But as they mature and we mature as parents, we realize that their choices are somewhat of a reflection of how we trained them, but in the long run, we see that our kid’s choices are their choices. And it’s not about us.
It’s about them.
We need to let go of our embarrassment of their actions and enjoy our kids for who they are. It doesn’t mean that you don’t correct your kids or let them get away with inappropriate behavior. For me, it means I look into my kid’s faces more often and think about their idiosyncrasies, strengths, and weaknesses. They are so unique.
Well, entertaining is much the same way.
When I’ve had a party, I’ve made it about me. How does my house look? How are the decorations? Am I a stellar hostess?
And this results in me missing out on my guests.
I want to enjoy each person that took time out to come over. Her dish that she brought probably has some story behind it. She might be wanting to share exciting news that I need to hear.
I want to make it about them and not about me.
Consequently, the stress I had about “appearances” melts away. I can let go of the fact that the bathtub didn’t get scrubbed but the drawn shower curtain can take care of that. And if someone peeks, it will be fine.
If I burn something, I will not apologize.
I will focus on my sweet friends who are important in my life. I will make my guests more comfortable and enjoy them.
How do you make your guests more at ease?
Baked Potato and Dessert Bar Coming Right Up
For people who were raised with hospitality, you probably don’t understand anxiety about having friends over.
I’m not talking about having your best friend over for coffee and one more chocolate chip cookie. I’m talking “setting a date and actually cleaning the house” type of party.
Well, I’m proud to announce I have set a date, picked the invitation, people, time, and food. (And I’ll be able to share more by the end of the Blogathon.)
We are having a Baked Potato and Dessert Bar and I’ll ask my guests to bring what they’d like to have on top of their baked potatoes.
So why do I share this with you?
Because more than once I’ve panicked in my head in the last few days and thought that I didn’t really want to do this. I thought:
Nobody’s going to come…
If they come, they won’t have fun…
They won’t like whatever I’m serving…
I’m going to look like a loser on my blog.
Yes, I know. I’m being overly dramatic but I think doubts and fears can be.
And it’s worth it to me to look a bit silly to make a point. I want to encourage you to step out of your box and pick up the phone or text a few friends to invite them over.
Hanging out with good friends, laughing, sharing, listening and talking is what’s really going to happen.
Share with me an easy dish for you to prepare and serve to a small gathering?
Send Out the Invitation: You’re Committed Now
Being a planner, I like to get all my ducks in a row before I start anything. So you’d think that I’d have a theme and a list of people who I’m going to invite first.
Well, I have to jump in and send out my invitations first.
Why?
Because I’ll be committed. People will be knocking on my door in a few weeks, wanting food and fellowship and knowing that…I will have to come up with a theme, clean my house and make fabulous food.
That’s peer pressure!
So I wanted to share that I love using Evites. They’re fun and easy to use. You pick out your invitation from their long list. You add your information and email addresses and click, they are gone out.
What I love, too, about Evites, is that all of it is online and you receive a notice when any of your guests accept or decline. Your guests also can send you messages through the invitation. Your account will also keeps you up-to-date when the party gets closer, on who is coming and who can not attend. I think it even sends out reminders.
Do you use Evites or when was the last time you received an invitation in the mail?
5 Reasons You Should Party
You’re sitting at home on the couch, flipping through blogs or magazines, and you see a picture of a small gathering of people. You think to yourself that looks like fun but having a party or entertaining is so much work.
Well…yes, it is.
However, there are many benefits to a gathering, too.
1. Getting together with friends gives you perspective.
Having a good friend come over gives you a chance to share what’s going on in your life and basically dump the crazy stuff out of your head. When you’re struggling with an issue with one of your kids and your friend doesn’t seem to get ruffled at all about your freaked out tales, that gives you perspective. Oh, you mean it’s not the end of the world? It will work out. You can step back and realize that there’s more than one way to look at things.
2. Friends encourage friends.
Okay, do I even have to explain myself with this one? Friends hold each other up. We need to get together more often with close friends.
3. You can find motivation and learn something new.
So you talking with your friends and someone starts talking about kayaking. What? That sounds so scary? Why would someone kayak? But the more they share about how nice it is to get out on the water, the more you realize, hmmm, maybe I should try it. It’s something new.
Or maybe you’re the one who shares your passion with a friend, and they try it out.
4. Sharing your life with someone gets you out of you.
Lately, you’re feeling a bit sorry for yourself for whatever reason. Your boss at work is grumpy and is taking it out on you. You can’t lose that last 15 lbs, You hate the rain (you’d never know I live in the Pacific Northwest.). But you have some friends over that are struggling with an unemployed spouse or they share about another friend who got “the call” from their doctor and the news is not good.
Then you realize that you don’t have it that bad. You stop your pity party and put on a better attitude.
5. You are guaranteed to laugh.
For being a “not-so-fun mom,” I have to say the older I’ve become, the more I laugh. Good friends have secret jokes and crazy stories that they share. They can be so real with each other and melt with one another if they need to.
I can’t name the study that says laughter is so important for our well being but we all know the value of laughter in our lives. Admit it; it’s fun to laugh with other people.
When I close the door as my last guest leaves, I always think to myself, “Why did I wait for so long to have them over?”
Share with me what benefit rings true in your life?
31 Days to Fearless Entertaining
Hey, I’m back
to blog 31 days with WordCount’s 2012 Blogathon. I wanted to try something new that would stretch me not only as a writer but would stretch me to face a fear of mine.
So I’m planning on blogging for 31 days about Fearless Entertaining because I’m the one who comes up with all the excuses in my head why I can’t have someone over.
I love people. I can walk into a large room with perfect strangers, not know anyone and still feel comfortable. Yet, I’m a big chicken when it comes to having people over my home.
Now I know if I lived in the South, I wouldn’t have these thoughts. Do you know anyone from the South? Some of them are June Cleaver in the flesh. Entertaining and entertaining graciously is in their blood. I mean check out Southern Lady magazine.
So in the sunny days to come, I’ll be talking about honest fears and answers to those groundless but real thoughts. I’ll be sharing easy ideas on having people over. Sending out actual invites to a few friends for a small party BEFORE May ends is going to commit me…I’m not just talking the walk but walking the walk.
I’ll also be sharing posts on fun entertaining blogs and will also host an entertaining book GIVEAWAY. How cool is that?
So join me and remember it makes it more fun if you share with me your comments. If you’re good at having people over to your home, I’d love to hear from you, too.
Leave a comment: I am hesitant to have someone over because…
Chicken photo by Yndra
You’re Already Amazing – book review
As soon as I hear the word, “counselor or therapist,” I always think they must have it together. You know the calm, secure, compassionate sort. 
So when I started reading Holly Gerth’s You’re Already Amazing, I was surprised how honest and vulnerable Holly is in her book. From the back of the book, she is an “award-winning writer, licensed counselor, certified life coach, and speaker.” And yet, she shares her vulnerabilities which allows the reader to connect with her words.
Holly talks about the biggest lie we all hear which is you have do more, be more and have more to get the world’s accolades, be important or worthwhile today. She uses the Word to show us the truth of how much really God loves us.
She also talks about how our individuality is for a purpose. Hmmmm?
Holly shares His grace and hope with you in her book with examples. She also brings up the crazy doubts we all experience and that there are answers for them. Pick up the book but be prepared to read it through a few times.
(Here are a few more insightful reviews about her book, You’re Already Amazing.)
To Be Reminded is a Good Thing
Life is hard sometimes.
It moves faster than we expect. It takes us by surprise so sometimes we need reminders.
We need to be reminded that we are loved by the special people in our lives. We need to be reminded that others carry a heavy load.
My DaySpring “stash” came in the mail last week and it had a few great reminders for me. Inside I received a tote bag, a water bottle, a journal and notepad that had 1 Timothy 6:17 on them:
God richly gives us everything to enjoy.
Wow, what a beautiful reminder that I am to enjoy the good things in my life that are from the Lord: the good people, the beautiful things around me;
my cat’s incessant curiosity,
my dog’s expectant look,
my oversized son’s hug,
the rain that I dread but it keeps things green here in Oregon,
my hubby’s nightly question, “Do you want tea?”
And did you notice the color of all the goodies? Some days I think the Lord makes pink just for me. 
I have to say that I received these goodies from DaySpring but I’m not paid to say that I love them. But I do!
I also get to give away a $20 DaySpring coupon to one of my readers so please leave a comment about what good thing have you been reminded of lately?
You know the rest – Tweet this post and/or put it up on facebook and you’ll get two more entries for a total of three entries to win a coupon. Remember to leave a comment to tell me that you did.
The contest is closed Thurs, Feb 23, 5 pm PST.
Parents Need to Eat Too book Giveaway
As a seasoned mom, I’m hard to impress. Period.
And that is why I’m thrilled to tell you about Debbie Koenig’s new cookbook, Parents Need to Eat Too. It is thoughtful, packed with helpful information and she tells it like it is for new mamas. Her clever chapters are divided up in applicable ways including Nap-Friendly Cooking, Quick Suppers, Un-recipes for Partners Who Can’t Cook, etc. She even has some recipes designed to make in stages in case you don’t have 30 minutes in the evening because your baby is fussy. Why didn’t I think of that?
Clever!
Another one of her “why didn’t I think of that” chapters is one-handed meals. Hello? That is ever so practical and tells moms that all of this craziness/lack of sleep/I don’t think I’m going to make it through the next hour (we all went through or) you are now going through is “normal.” Raising babies is such a gift but it’s hard work. This book would be a terrific gift for a new mom. Check it out!
I made her Vegetarian Tamale Pie last night. It was yummy and I would tweak it a bit because I thought the cornbread topping should have been a bit sweeter for my family’s tastes. I purposely made the larger recipe so we have some to eat the rest of the week. And look how pretty it is. (The book has all types of recipes in it – I picked the veggie one.)
Debbie shares the newest information on foods that support breastfeeding and includes some recipes. And what I really love about it is that all of her recipes were tested by over 100 moms. For me, that legitimizes her recipes even more. She put a lot of work and thought into this cookbook, and I highly recommend it to any new mom.
And anyone who orders the book before February 21 receives a FREE Digital Starter Kit including bonus recipes, a gift card, and MUCH MORE!
Oh…and did I say I also get to give one away, too? Yay!
Please leave a comment about cooking and babies to enter to win a copy. If you don’t yet have children, leave a question for Debbie about cooking for your entry.
You can get a second entry if you post this on to your facebook.
Contest is closed Wednesday, Feb 22 at 5 PM, PST.
