Ahhhhhhhh, you’ll be happy to know the laundry room is clean. Blogging about my mess and my goal of returning it to functionality gave me some accountability and I had that sucker knocked out and reorganized by noon! Proof…..
Doesn’t it look glorious??? I told you there was a sink in that room!
Did you read that sign in the window? A girlfriend at church thought it was so appropriate since laundry and myself spend a lot of time together. It says….
Laundry Room, push button for help, if no one answers, DO IT YOURSELF!
Yesterday I touched on how much Pete and I enjoy entertaining in our home. For us entertaining started right after we got married when we lived in a little old 900 sq. ft. trailer which sat on top of a very tall hill. We’re lucky we survived two years in that ole’ trailer, as it was a perfect conduit for lightning! The Waxy Ones and our trusty dog were almost fried a few times….
A few weeks back a friend of mine asked the question over at the Facebook Church Planters Wives’ page relating to hospitality tricks. I’ve actually thought a lot about this question, evaluated how we entertain, and focused what I’ve learned through many years of hosting. Here are a few of the tricks I have up my sleeve!
1. Everything does not have to be homemade! This was a hard lesson for me to learn as I tend to be a tad on the controlling side of things and strive for perfection!
I enjoy cooking and I LOVE to bake, but honestly people so appreciate when you open your home they don’t expect a Martha Stewart meal. When we first got married I would push myself to the limit making pie crusts from scratch (I should add the words “trying to” to that sentence because my homemade pie crusts never turned out, but I was smart enough to keep a few Sara Lees in the freezer at all times) churning my own ice cream, and freezing vegetables from our garden. Then when friends would arrive I didn’t enjoy the time with them because I was so tired from all my preparation. Now if I don’t have time to make everything I swing by the local Eats ala Carte or even Publix and grab some of their pre-made sides or desserts.
2. Let people help you. Most people will offer to bring something, it is okay to let them! As I said earlier, I used to be such a control freak when it came to entertaining that I had to do every single part myself. Not anymore, if someone offers to help out, I willingly let them. That said, I don’t mind if they swing by the grocery store and pick up a half gallon of ice cream for dessert, it’s one less thing I have to think about.
3. The most important part of entertaining for us is the fellowship, being authentic with your guests and getting to know each other on a more personal level. Taking time out of hectic schedules to sit around the table and discuss life, that is what people truly enjoy. It’s all about the relationship, not my homemade pecan pie (which is quite delightful)!
Believe me, I am no expert in this area, just thought I’d throw out there what I’d learned over the years and sometimes learned the hard way (I am a first born and tend to be surprisingly stubborn).
I’m still looking to learn more, so you tell me, what is your secret to entertaining successfully?
Glad you found that sink! And the secret, you said it. Sit back and enjoy the company. No one really cares what they had to eat, where it came from or how clean the house was, most only want to sit and talk and enjoy the company.
By: pollyh on July 8, 2008
at 7:13 am
Good looking laundry room babe. Now why don’t you head upstairs and work on the pile next to my side of the bed. Just kiddding.
By: Pete Wilson on July 8, 2008
at 7:15 am
Hospitality is an area that I really want to improve on. We very rarely have people over and I think it’s partially because I feel like I need everything to be perfect, and it’s sooo much work to get everything JUST RIGHT. It’s a problem area for me and I need to adjust my way of thinking on it! After all, I’m sure people aren’t here to see just how clean I can get my house.
By: Jenny on July 8, 2008
at 8:17 am
Laundry room looks great … your welcome to come here anytime you want and clean up
By: Heather on July 8, 2008
at 8:28 am
Not having people over.
By: Giant Idiot on July 8, 2008
at 8:30 am
I say one thing I have learned over my past years of entertaining is never and I repeat never clean your floors to perfection before a party. For me personally, I love clean floors but I have learned the hard way that no one evens notices and I drive myself crazy during the party if I cleaned them mercifully beforehand. The fact is that they will surely have to be cleaned afterward so save the time beforehand. Also, when Brandi and I lived down the street from one another, her house was always straight(straight stacked that is) and I am a stacker as well but she had a much more organized way of doing it. I would stress every time she would just drop in(in my mind thinking she noticed all of stacks) but soon realized she didn’t and it was then that I realized that I didn’t really pay attention to hers either. I learned to enjoy her company without worrying about my mess. Some afternoons her presence kept me from loosing my mind. That is what I remember and not all of the clutter that may or may not have been there!
By: Marla on July 8, 2008
at 8:44 am
What you said about your first home was hilarious! We lived in a 800 sq. ft home that had no hallways, seriously. We could sit on our couch in the living room and look straight into our bedroom and stare at our bed. Or, you could plug our vacuum cleaner in one outlet and you could vacuum the whole house. Fun memories.
OK… as for entertaining. I think for me, I had a hard time wanting people to come over to our house because it wasn’t big enough, or good for entertaining, or packed with babies stuff everywhere, etc, etc. I maded excuses even though I love to entertain. I love to cook and bake and I am always open to trying to receipes for parties. For me, I had to come to the conclusion that people liked me, and the fellowship of our family, not my house or even how the house looked. Since overcoming that insecurity, I have enjoyed many fellowships with friends and sweet conversations around our table. I love to host for student ministry stuff for my husband too. So, I think to entertain successfully you have to just jump in and organize a meal, drinks, desserts, provide a warm atmosphere, and let the people come.
By: Kara Prater on July 8, 2008
at 9:13 am
Awesome tips.
I also try to find out some of the favorites of the couple who is coming. It’s fun to surprise them with that.
By: Cindy Beall on July 8, 2008
at 9:20 am
thanks for the recent visit to my blog!
“everything does not have to be homemade.” amen to that! (there’s hope for me yet!)
By: alece on July 8, 2008
at 9:36 am
I highly suspected the sink was under the sign:)
My tip is much like yours………Be a Mary, not a Martha. I naturally lean toward the ‘Martha’ side. I’m sort of a ‘neat freak’. OK. Not ’sort of’. I am in the process of learning to be a ‘Mary’.
It’s a looong process. I’m on the slow learner program:)
By: Heather on July 8, 2008
at 12:11 pm
We don’t mind having people over, but we are almost in the situation you were talking about with your 900 sq. ft. trailer – we live in a 1,100 sq. ft. home with 2 (almost 3) kids, we don’t even have a space for a family sized table much less one for guests…so I have no secrets to share, but your laundry room looks great
By: ncarnes on July 8, 2008
at 12:18 pm
My blog title says it all…. I’m w/GI…sorry.
I’m WAY too OCD!!
By: OCD-ism/Obsessive Christian Disorder on July 8, 2008
at 12:47 pm
I am REALLY bad about instantly cleaning up with someone is finished eating. My mom finally had to point out to me that it makes them feel like the night is over, “time to clean up” and get going. I have a hard time relaxing if they can see the mess of dishes from dinner/dessert/whatever. I need to realize they don’t mind it as much as I do.
I’m a first born as well, so I need to throw “controlling” in with your “stubborn”
By: Bwan Muffin on July 8, 2008
at 1:46 pm
*when* someone is finished eating.
By: Bwan Muffin on July 8, 2008
at 1:47 pm
i dont like people helping me in the kitchen. period. ask darla, the strangers from PA, drove her crazy.
basically, i just warn people ahead of time about my son. he smells. once they’re fine with that, it’s all good!
By: tam on July 8, 2008
at 4:22 pm
I finally realized that it’s ok to make simple meals like spaghetti or tacos for company instead of always wanting to make a big production of dinner with salads, fancy entrees and sides, and dessert.
By: ally on July 8, 2008
at 6:31 pm
I wish our laundry room looked as good as yours!
By: crossroadstalk on July 8, 2008
at 6:36 pm
Along the same lines as yours, let people bring a little something. It all adds up to more you don’t have to do (or buy) And don’t get so wrapped up in “hosting” that you forget to create relationships. That’s what the people will really remember the most when they leave.
BTW….your laundry room looks amazing. Almost Makes me want to go in there and do your laundry for you………hey, I said ALMOST!
By: Rachel Rowell on July 8, 2008
at 6:41 pm
Have you tried any of Sandra Lee’s recipes (from Food Network) She makes everything look really easy and homemade!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_sh/text/0,1976,FOOD_14521_25314,00.html
I, personally, don’t entertain much, but I did just have my friend over this past weekend, and she was shocked I cooked her dinner, and that it was so easy!!!! I get overwhelmed if there are more than 6 ingredients LOL, afraid I’d screw it up, and cooking is the one thing I don’t have as much patience for!!
By: Christina Schmidt on July 8, 2008
at 7:19 pm
I wish I even liked to cook!! Since I don’t cook often and when I do, it’s usually pretty mundane, I also look to caterers or good ole Publix. They do a great job!! As for the house, I’ve learned to somewhat let go, EXCEPT for the bathroom. It has to be spotless.
A few years ago, we built a 15×30 deck onto the back of our house and it seems to be the focal point for all houseguests which is GREAT – then I don’t have to clean up as much after they leave!
By: loridknerr on July 8, 2008
at 7:50 pm
the only secret i have up my sleeve is that i married a first class chef……so i only really focus on cleaning, and he gets all the praise for the foods (except holidays…..i cook all the big holiday meals, the good ole southern way!)
By: Melissa Irwin on July 8, 2008
at 9:23 pm
sooooo happy w/ the after picture! Great accomplishment, my friend!
By: cathi stegall on July 8, 2008
at 11:02 pm
When you get to a point in your life when some of the people you want sitting around the table are no longer here you realize how unimportant the clean house and amazing food is. I used to have a large house, yard , pool and spent all my time taking care of it so that once every month I could have people over. Now I have a small duplex and a lot more time for friends, instead of cleaning house. Sometimes we let other peoples
opinions matter more than the fellowship we all really need.
By: Beverly on July 9, 2008
at 7:30 am
Great post! You’re so right. It really helps to focus on your guests, not yourself and your desire to impress. People can tell when you care more about your own “success” as a hostess than about them and their comfort.
Next time I’m down your way, I’m inviting myself over!!
By: Marla Taviano on July 9, 2008
at 10:48 pm
we did the same with our walk-in closet about three weeks ago… and now the pile-monsters are starting to sneak out into the middle again.
how long before the pile monsters take over your laundry room?
By: mandythompson on July 11, 2008
at 6:02 pm
Okay, so you wrote this post forever ago…but I’m home after a biopsy and catching up on your blog sounded like a fun thing to do.
I live in a pretty small apartment, too. My table can seat four…and with a card table we can squeeze 7-8. I have a galley kitchen, so ‘lots of prep time meals’ are pretty difficult due to lack of space. My one tip is invite different people over and cook the exact same menu. By the time I was on my third or fourth group, I had the grocery list, dash of _____, and prep time down!
Then I’d start over with groups of friends and plan a whole new menu. It was great to have guinnea pigs, since I’m single and don’t usually have people to taste my cooking!
By: Alyssa on May 6, 2009
at 6:16 pm