guest post at RE

 

We’re reluctant over at 320 Sycamore about entertaining. Who isn’t??

My house isn’t clean enough. What if they opened that laundry room door? The deck needs to be sanded and refinished. We don’t even have a sofa upstairs to sit on. We need to finish the playroom. The weeds…We’re in the middle of….(a dozen different projects insert here)My recipes seem kind of plain and boring.

I’m tired.

These are all excuses I have used to not have people over. It’s one of those things that I kind of dread and put off, but when we just do it, I love it.   

  I love having the energy of our friends in our house..the laughter, the stories, the craziness, the presence of ones we love.

I love having a semi-clean house…don’t we all tend to get our buns in gear when guests are coming over?

I love collecting new recipes and tasting new  foods that people bring to share. And they really don’t care about all of the above stuff.

A few things I am learning about “entertaining”:

1. Let your guests help. Let them bring a dish or a dessert, when they ask can I help? Let them! Why not let them put out utensils, cut up a pepper, wipe off the kids table. People standing around perfection when they arrive is awkard.

2. If you wait until all of your projects are finished to have guests over, you never will. They like seeing your progress and to see that you’re normal and don’t get things done. :)

3. Your house does not have to be sparkling clean. Close some doors, clean the main areas, and for heavens sake if you have to choose one room to deep clean, let it be the

4. bathroom! You know it will get used. Scrub it down, put out your best soap, a small vase of wildflowers or leaves, make it smell nice with a wallflower or plug in, fold some paper towels next to the sink so everyone doesn’t have to be using the same hand towels.

Make sure the tp is stocked and extra is in sight. A great tip: close the door and sit on the toilet to check your guests’ view from the throne. 

5. Stick to your tried and true recipes. Here is one we love that my friend Greta brought when my baby #3 was born. We have made them since for picnics, dinners, birthday parties, football games, and for other new moms. Adults and kids love them and they are super easy and do-able and make your house smell great!

Boat Sandwiches    

{from Greta}

24 white Rhodes Rolls

9 oz package of thinly sliced ham or turkey

8 oz shredded mozzarella, swiss, or cheddar cheese

1/2 cup melted butter or margarine

Grated Parmesan cheese

Italian Seasoning or any other seasoning (optional)

Let rolls thaw at room temperature for 2 - 3 hours, but don't let rise. Flatten the rolls out into a circle, put meat and cheese on one side,

fold over and pinch together.

Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and seasoning.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

enjoy.

and enjoy your guests.