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More Things I’ve Learned From Having a Party – Part II

By on May 26, 2012

Yesterday my list was getting too long so I wanted to share more ideas I learned from Thursday’s party.

1. Give yourself grace because you will be tired.

I found myself really tired the day of the party even before it started. I thought to myself that I had planned well enough and yet I was still tired?

It’s just part of the entire experience. The more I have people over my home, the more it won’t be so draining. I just need to practice and practice.

2. Laughter is so good for the soul.

It was so much fun to laugh with others. I don’t think you can get a bunch of friends together without laughing at life.

3. Serving others really is fun.

The Lord really knew what He was talking about when He said nothing satisfies our soul like serving others. It’s hard to share this because I sound like a martyr but when I could jump up and get coffee or tea for my guests – my eyes are off myself and on to enjoying others.  (I know. I know. I know how this sounds. But I want to bring it up as lovely benefit of a partay!)

4. Next party, I need to buy chair pads for my kitchen chairs.

Sitting on wood chairs without chair pads for two hours is not a good idea.

5. I was touched by other bloggers and friends who asked about the party.

This last topic is all about me but I felt very cared for when friends asked how my party went.

Have I convinced you to have a party?

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7 Things I Learned From Having a Party – Part I

By on May 25, 2012

Yesterday I had a five women to my house for a Baked Potato and Dessert Bar. Here are few of my thoughts:

1. Run don’t walk to the phone or your computer and invite your friends to your home.

(flowers on the bathroom sink)

It was so much fun to laugh and talk with friends that I can’t urge you enough to take the plunge and have a party. If you’re reticent to have a full-blown gig, call it a gathering or a get together. Have one safe, comfortable friend over for coffee. But just do it.

2. You learn things that you never knew before.

I learned one of my friends from church is a diabetic – I didn’t know that. It was interesting to hear her personal story on how she found out and what she does to control it. I also thought this friend was rather quiet but she knew another one of my guests and boy, was I wrong.

3. People feel loved when you go the extra mile.

One of my guests commented on the table decorations as she walked into the kitchen and said, “awwww, that makes me feel loved.” Taking time to think through what I already had on hand and how I could craft my party made a difference.

I also sent home with the ladies a small six pack of flower plants that they got to pick out from a bunch of them. Spending under a dollar a piece and seeing their faces as I offered each of them one, was priceless. I think it made them feel very special and unique and that I was glad that they came.

4. It’s fun for others to share food with each other.

People like to share their individual family recipes. Their dish is part of them that they’re sharing.

5. Showing people around the house could have been embarrassing but instead it was freeing.

I invited a few women who hadn’t been to my house before so when they arrived, I gave them a quick tour. I hadn’t been upstairs in awhile and when I went up there with all of these women trailing behind me, I was rather shocked how messy our old playroom was. (My two older kids live upstairs and I don’t go up there because it makes me crazy…) Oh well…my comment to my blind friend was, “This room looks like a huge purse was dumped out all over. It wouldn’t be safe for any of us to walk through it.”

6. Don’t believe any lies in your head about why you shouldn’t have a party.

This is similiar to #1: I believe if we listen to lies, we won’t reach out to others and will stay isolated. We, human beings are meant for community.

7. That I’m planning a party for next month for all the homeschooling moms at the charter school.

I learned from this Blogathon that I had to openly commit to having a party or I would have never had one. So I’ve already FB’d my dear mama friends and am committing to another one. Boo-yah.

Tomorrow I’ll have Part 2 on what else I’ve learned from this special time.

I’m so excited that I’ll be having a book giveaway next week. So please stop by next week.

What have you learned from having friends or family over?

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A Simple Gathering With Great Friends

By on May 24, 2012

My party today was more than I expected in so many ways and here are a few pictures. Since I want to think further about today’s events, I’ll share tomorrow about my special day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tomorrow is the Big Day…

By on May 23, 2012

I suppose if you just found my blog, you’d think I’m talking about some huge event in my life.

No…

Tomorrow morning I’m going to have five women over for a light lunch and yummy dessert.

They are safe, warm friends from church who are coming over just to hang out with for a few hours.

My house is cleaner, my table is set, potatoes scrubbed, cheesecake is in the fridge just chillin’ thanks to my dear hubby and now – I can relax.

Tonight I want to record my fears/concerns so after tomorrow I can see what is truth and what is a lie. I think fears are lies we tell ourselves.

Earlier today I wanted to put off a few chores but I thought about my advice on the blog like:

* Plan so you don’t panic at the last minute.

* Be ready an hour early so you can pray, relax, and just be in the moment.

* Make it about them and don’t expect accolades about any of the food or how nice the table looks. If someone compliments, say thank you but don’t give a long explanation on what you were going to do but didn’t, blah, blah, blah.

* Use convenience foods. I bought bagged salad and bacon bits for the potatoes.

* If we end up in the living room rather than staying at the kitchen table, don’t freak out because our couch looks like early American attic.

Well, pretty good advice if I do say. We’ll see how it all comes together tomorrow.

Any last minute thoughts to share with me?

 

 

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Planning My Party is Underway

By on May 22, 2012

I’m late in getting my post up today because I’ve been pulling out my all my dishes and glasses and serving dishes to find what looks nice with what.

I also had a consult today with my gifted designer – my dear neighbor – who charges me only a cup of tea and a few bites of chocolate covered nuts. We experimented with a few different ideas for the centerpiece. We talked about how I can make the table look nice but not too formal.

Here’s a picture of what my kitchen table looked like last night:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s another shot of my kitchen counter:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is a quick peek at some of the potted flowers that I’m going to give my guests…I haven’t figured out how I want to arrange them yet.

   Tomorrow begins the quick cleaning of the house and shopping for a few items.

I want to share too that I had my doubts that I even wanted to do this but blogging about it publicly required me to actually have a party.

The doubts have been plaguing me that there won’t be enough food or it won’t be fun.

Yet, I have to remember that it’s not about me, and it’s my attitude that I can control. Two more days…

What would you tell yourself when you’re having doubts about your upcoming party?

 

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Entertaining Haiku

By on May 21, 2012

Today is a Haiku theme day.

Planning, arranging

Invite friends and family

Engage, share, listen

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7 Ways to be a Gracious Hostess

By on May 20, 2012

1. Don’t be tired when the actual party starts.

Plan well so you have at least an hour to relax before the party. Unfortunately, I speak from experience that I was emotionally and physically tired right before the door bell rang. I don’t think I enjoyed my guests as much as I could have.

2. When your guests come in, offer them something to drink: water, soda or whatever else you’re serving.

If they are a bit nervous, sometimes holding a glass gives people something to do with their hands.

3. Introduce your guests to one another and share what they may have in common with another  guest.

When you can chime in on something you are familiar with whether it’s raising kids, a certain movie you’ve just seen or a hobby, you’re more comfortable. And making small talk is harder for some people than others.

4. If there’s a spill or something gets broken, reassure them there’s no harm and clean it up.

Your guest is embarrassed so put them at ease by not stressing out about the accident.

5. If the food is undercooked or burnt, don’t apologize for it.

If your guests sense you are embarrassed or stressed, it makes they more uncomfortable. Burnt food happens so laugh it off and go to Plan B.

6. At some time at the party, really listen to your guest.

You have many things on your mind but concentrate on your guest and their words.They know you’ll juggling people and food but take the time to attend to your guest.

7. Whenever your guest leaves, walk them out.

I try to talk to all my guests, but there never seems to be enough time so I make it a point to walk them out. I spend a few minutes telling them that I appreciated them coming.

 Remember that good planning can help you feel more relaxed and enjoy your guests. But problems, spills, life happens so try to laugh it off and enjoy the moment.

Do you have any horror party anecdotes or fears that you will?

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Have a Party Outside

By on May 19, 2012

With the warm weather soon approaching, you can always have a party outside.

BBQs are an easy event to have with your guests bringing side dishes. Your kid’s red wagon or an ice chest filled with ice can hold your drinks.

You can set up a wading pool for the kids to play around in. Squirt guns or bottles of bubbles can entertain for hours.

If the party is in the early evening, string holiday lights around the fence or door to make the day more festive.

If you are going to have a large crowd, you can always have a party at the park and have everyone bring sports equipment, balls, and frisbees. And the kids can play on the playground equipment along, too.

Have you ever had a party outside? Any hints?

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There’s a Reason Why We Have Convenience Foods

By on May 18, 2012

When I was younger, I would eye other customer’s grocery items as I stood in the check out aisle. Hmmm, they don’t eat very healthy because I see convenience foods. Why can’t they just make it themselves I would muse.

Today I cringe at my youthful arrogance because now I see the reason why people buy convenience foods. It makes life easier.

I looked up the word convenient at Thesaurus.com and found words like acceptable, accommodating, adaptable, advantageous, available, beneficial, comfortable, favorable, handy, helpful, ready, suitable, and well planned.

Why wouldn’t I use a few of these foods to make it easier on myself when I’m having a gathering, and it would allow me to enjoy my guests more fully.

Veggie and fruit trays are easy and fast. You can pick up a rotisserie chicken, strip it and add it to bagged greens and you have a delicious chicken salad to serve at a brunch.

Frozen bread dough is fabulous to use for making…you guessed it…pizza. My younger daughter’s have both used the frozen roll dough at their birthday parties where their guests made individual mini pizzas.

And as far as baked goods, my dear sister-in-law shared with me the other day that she brings in yummy brownies and all her fellow teachers rave about her baked goodies. She’s known for her chocolatey dessert. When they ask her for the recipe, she tells them to go to Sam’s/Costco and buy a box of brownies and follow the recipe. (Big grin)

My point today is to encourage you (and me) to bring down any barrier in your mind that inhibits you from having some friends over. It’s really not about the food but about enjoying people’s company and making connections with friends.

I would love to hear your tips on convenience foods? What do you serve to make it easy?

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Start Off Easy and Simple With One Guest

By on May 17, 2012

So maybe you want to have a party but the thought of it is still too much to think about all at one time. Then start off with inviting one friend over but make it a little more elegant. Fluff it up a bit. Make your guest feel like she’s glad she came and that you put in extra effort.

Here are a few ideas:

* Serve iced tea but don’t use plain ice cubes. Ikea has very inexpensive plastic ice cube trays in all different shapes like stars and hearts. They make you laugh.

* You can have lovely ice cubes by putting edible flowers like calendula, or johnny jump ups in the ice cube. Fill up the tray with water halfway, let it freeze and then add the flower petal and additional water, and let freeze. (Make sure you use flowers and petals that haven’t been sprayed with any pesticides.)

* Cut up a lemon or lime and put it in the water glasses. Or add a sprig of mint.

* Place cut flowers on the table. And if you don’t have any flowers in your garden, cut a branch off of a tree or bush in your yard and place it it a vase.

* Light some candles regardless on the weather outside or time of day.

* If your serving a light lunch, cut off the crusts of a sandwich or use a cookie cutter to cut hearts or star shapes. Even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches taste better when you show your guest that you’re glad they are here.

* Use the good dishes that you are always saving. Stop saving them and start using them.

* Put on a fresh tablecloth or a runner on the table. You can also layer tablecloths for a dramatic look.

Stop by the store and come up with a little gift to give them. This time of season is perfect because for under a dollar you can purchase a potted flower. A few packets of flower or veggie seeds wrapped up with ribbon is another idea.

When you let your guest know that you put time and effort into her visit, she feels special. It honestly doesn’t take that much extra time and you will enjoy your time even more.

What small gift idea can you suggest? Or easy entertaining tip have you tried?

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