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| Woodland theme tablescape |
That's where I'm at right now. It seems like our social calendar has been pretty full lately and all the entertaining seems to be at our house. Oh I know I do it to myself. But in the last week alone we've had a work colleague for dinner, a houseful of Blue Hats for the weekend and then last night another dinner for Alan's best friend. And this weekend my sister and her husband are coming for a family visit - add another sister and her man and my two stepsons to the mix for a BBQ on Father's Day. It's one busy place.
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Do you ever feel like you can't possibly host another gathering? Do you feel like you can't come up with something wonderful to serve your guests AGAIN? Do you ever feel like you can't possibly muster up the energy to be "on" all the time when you're entertaining?
Well folks, that's how I'm feeling this morning. So you ask, what am I going to do about it to get myself out of this state of mind? Especially since we have a big weekend coming up. My brother-in-law has NEVER been to my house and he's been part of the family for 30+ years. In fact, this is his first visit to Ontario since 1977. So I do want to make it a special visit for them.
Here's how I plan of bringing myself back into hostess mode:
1) I'm stepping away from the preparations today. I'm going to spend some time doing what I want to do to re-energize: some gardening, a walk this morning, some retail therapy and maybe a pedicure.
2) Since the house is clean and organized from last weekend's guests, I'm just going to quickly vacuum and dust and put fresh sheets on the bed in Helen's room.
3) Keep it simple food wise - no big fancy desserts, no fussy appetizers. I'm sticking to tried and true - steaks on the BBQ tomorrow night, maybe a lemon meringue pie for dessert. Something I know I can easily do.
Because there's people here all weekend and we have a big family gathering for my Dad's 80th birthday on Saturday, I think we'll head out for breakfast Saturday morning to the local diner. Sunday will be baked French toast - something I can just pop in the oven and forget about while I fry up some bacon and cut up some fruit.
4) Ask for help. For Sunday's BBQ, it's hamburgers on the grill. But my sister will bring a potato salad and get my house guests involved in the set-up. After all, I don't have to be a superhero and do it all myself.
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Last weekend's Blue Hat visit went so well because there was lots of unstructured time where we just sat back and enjoyed the surroundings and each other's company. This weekend will be the same if I can take a step back and remember that it's all about the time together. That's what makes memories.
Okay, I feel better just writing this. Putting my emotions into words feels cathartic in a way. And after all, we have a two and a half week respite until the next bunch arrive the first week of July.
11 comments:
Summer can be so busy. Last night we turned down a couple of invitations and JUST SAT in our unfinished room and shared a glass of wine in the cool breeze.
Thanks for sharing these great tips on how to prevent entertaining burnout. I find that with summer here our entertaining and invites more than doubles.
Wonderful wisdom!
Looks like you have a great plan in place to re-energize. I find getting away from things is the best way to handle the entertaining blues. Even when you have a great time having people over it's hard work and emotionally and physically draining. A little change of pace is the perfect fix and I'm ready to go again.
Great tips I enjoyed reading this post. Found you at Rooted in Thyme
Cynthia
Sounds like you have a smart plan in place and I am sure you will have a wonderful family weekend.
I love the table design, very simple and yet effective.
Mollyxxx
Nice reminders. I hope you are able to take yourself up on them. It's too late for me this time. The stressing over preparations for my guests is over and I'm at the "oh well" point now. Still looking forward to having family here but glad to have the preparation of the house out of the way. Hope you have a great time - with each set of your guests!
Liz
There ya go - just take a step back and realize that it won't be the end of the world if you use paper napkins. :)
a) what a fun month at your home! Blessed friends and family for sure. xoxo
b) I adore your approach, to step back form the prep for a refresh. I need to hit the reset button frequently, an your ideas are awesome
c) YES on the tried-&-true menu items, I am sure everything was delish and lovely.
d) when can I come visit? : )
I hear you girl! We have been so busy at our house also. Anymore I do the ask for help thing most of the time. I prepare the main dish and dessert and kids bring the sides. It's always fun to see what they bring and makes it a whole lot easier on mom. Your pie looks yummy. I made a pecan and a coconut cream for a party last Tuesday evening. Then we had kids over on Saturday for Fathers Day. Kept it simple, Shisk-a-bobs, corn on the cobs and smores and woof-ems in our new fire pit. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas with Share Your Cup.
Hugs,
Jann
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