"Meet My Friend Monday"...Sandy from The Reluctant Entertainer

My blogging friend, Sandy is so inspiring and encouraging to me. I love her blog and I always look forward to seeing what she is up to. If you are familiar with her, you know exactly what I mean.

Her hubby is an author and speaker and they have three teenagers with one having gone off to college this last year. Her life is FULL and yet she finds the time to nurture those around her.

Sandy is a casual kind-of-gal with simple, savvy entertaining ideas and is always coming up with fun ways to reach out to her community. Did I mention she LOVES hospitality?

On her blog, The Reluctant Entertainer, she shares entertaining stories, little tidbits about her family, what’s growing in her garden or what’s cooking on the stove, thrifting ideas, recipes and posts that encourage her readers to put image and perfectionism aside in order to live a more authentic and connected life with others.

Welcome, Sandy!



Living Fully: Or Do We Worry Too Much?




How does one live ready, and always? -Ann Voskamp


On a Friday, a few weeks ago and my day off from work, I had a million things “to do” on my list and in my mind. But I sat down to read some of Ann’s new book …

Will I live life fully … or just empty?

My thoughts went directly to myself, and how I was feeling about the 12 friends coming over for a Super Bowl Party.

Okay, I’ll be honest here. With my writings about courage, challenging others to “invite,” guiding people along and encouraging them to “reach out,” my mind still goes toward the “my house isn’t good enough,” “what will they think?” “we need to remodel our bathrooms,” “what about the carpet,” and “will they like the food?”

Me, me, me.

Ann’s words this day were salve for an anxious mind and a nervous attitude about entertaining.

It’s not about me. It’s about dying to self, living, being gracious, giving out.

My focus for having people over is not about my house.

It’s not about gourmet food or the image that comes along with entertaining.

No, my focus needs to be sitting with my friends, engaging, having fun, laughing, eating, sharing stories, watching the game here and there, celebrating the Packers victory, and NOT worrying about my house.

How do we live fully?

Or do we worry about things that really don’t matter?

I hope you will visit her blog and be encouraged to give hospitality a try...even if it means offering a neighbor a slice of leftover pie!


Thank you, Sandy for sharing your heart!


Happy Monday!


GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY:

Sandy is giving away a copy of her book THE RELUCTANT ENTERTAINER

1. Simply comment to win

2. If you are following Simply...this.that.and the other you will be given an extra entry. Please join our blog if you would like an extra entry. {Please let me know.}

Winner will be announced on Thursday, May 26th. Giveaway will end on Wednesday, May 25th at midnight PST.

Share

Pin It