One thing I love to do is entertain, however, this past year it just hasn't happen. I remember years ago, having my first dinner party. I was a WRECK..now I can do entertaining with more ease. I do have my moments but I don't stress as much. I guess I realize that they are not coming to see my house but "us"! So I try to enjoy it..make it easier and more relaxed. I have decided to really make an effort in having more families over this year...church families, maybe a neighbor, a work related family! Each month, our family goal is to have one family over to fellowship with! We had a family over this Sunday. I enjoyed the "fellowship" but I also realized it is awesome training "ground" for my children. Teaching them to serve others, talking with adults, waiting patiently, table manners, when to speak and when not to, helping mom with the cleanup...the lessons are abundant.
So I have left the extra extension in my dining room table b/c I plan on entertaining more....I also cleaned out my dining room cabinet of all it's junk. Put in the plates and all that I use to serve dinners to families...it's organized..makes planning easier....we know where it is and it's READY!
It doesn't have to be fancy...or a seven course meal...just a "regular" meal you serve your family (just have enough). It's amazing how simple it can be. It's usually just "ME" who makes it difficult and complicated.
So here is my before picture:
{My goodness, this looks exactly the same way from the day I moved!}
Now my after:
50 comments:
Looks great...you are ready to go!
Great job and the fellowshipping is needed worldwide right now. Great idea.
Boy can I relate. Relax and enjoy. I'm the one that makes it difficult. Your organized cabinet is going to make it so much easier. Mimi
It's amazing how de-cluttering can make me feel so empowered! That's awesome!
Awesome for you!! That is such a good idea. I love socializing over food with friends ;-)
Oh my god... the sound of waves totally made me cry (Home sick..)
Thanks so much for stopping by and supporting my blog the other day (wednesday) - it meant a lot to me:)
Stay in touch!
xo
Oh yes! Relationships. People. That's what life is about! People LOVE to go where they feel comfortable and welcome!
nice job...i bet you had fun too, didn't you? :)
I love to have friends over for dinner. It's always fun to eat and fellowship. You did a great organizing your cabinet.
oh your cabinet looks great! i am also in organizing mode... and my cabinet looked almost identical! i love your fellowship idea... love it!
I love the idea of having a family over every month for dinner! There is nothing quite like some good ol' fashioned fellowship with friends.
Nice job on your tidying up! Now, you are all set! I'm always up for a little organizing...makes me very happy! ♥
You are a very smart woman, using the lessons are abundant therory.
I agree with you. I hope you have many many great dinners around your table.
Hugs,
Chris
Good job! I love that not only do you want to fellowship, but you want your children to be in on the process and experience as well.
We have enjoyed having people over to our house this past winter; even if for a simple plate of lasagna.
Oh how I can relate to making things more complicated than they need to be! Great job on the cabinet too!
Very inspiring! Do you charge a fee, cause I've got lots of those "before" pictures...
How great! Looks fantastic and what fun for everyone. I love getting together for dinner even if it's just pizza delivered.. and a nice tossed salad. It doesn't have to be fancy to give an invitation! love the tip about getting the kids involved I usually send mine off to play after...but now I want them to help clean up! teaches them so much.
Have a great Friday,
LuLu
Looks great. Your before and after shots have inspired me to tackle a few projects around here.
It looks great! I bet looking at it makes you smile!
Very nicely done.
Have a great weekend.
Looks lovely! Ready for entertaining for sure!
What a nice clean up you did. Yes, it is a great time to teach your kids some valuable lessons....I love it.
What a great plan!! I need to do some of that reorganizing and decluttering too!
Hope you have a fun weekend.
Janet
Yes, I love to entertain but I haven't a whole lot this year. We usually have to do our entertaining in the Fall and Winter, after baseball season. My favorite thing is to just do a Low Country Boil or Frogmore Stew. So easy and you can still visit with guests. I agree that having people over is good training for your children. My children have had to be with adults so much because of our travel and baseball. I think it has made them much more mature and I never had a problem with them misbehaving in public when they were little.
good job! sounds like some good conversation to come
Great job! Now you can send out those invitations for dinner!
Hi Sandy Toes! What a difference organizing makes!lol I'll bet you breath easier everytime you go to the cabinet!lol BTW I LOVE the cabinet! Have a great weekend - Jeannette
What a great resolution. I am inspired to do more entertaining. We do a lot of impromtu entertaining but not so much planned out. Great idea.
How fun! You are such a great mom!
Nice job--I like the stacks of white dishes.
~ Sarah
I just love your insights. Loved your blog from yesterday too. The thought of entertaining exhausts me, maybe when I don't have a baby anymore.
Awesome...I wish we lived closer! I think it is a great idea and will definitely teach your children at the same time.
I couldn't agree with you more with the lesson being taught. My children help pitch in now many times without needing directions. They know my expectations and it has become second nature for them. It makes my proud when I watch my son carry on a detailed conversation with adults without missing a beat. My daugter is getting better although still a little shy around those she doesn't know.
Have a great day,
Jo
I'm completely the opposite, I don't like entertaining LOL I don't know what it is, maybe the work that goes into it or what, it's just not for me.
Your cabinet looks really good, good job on that :)
I love getting things organized....there is something so calming in straightening and purging!!
It looks so nice - great job! :)
Wow...that's a big difference. Great job!
I love when we have people over. I like taking them to restaurants too because I don't have to cook, but there is nothing like opening your home to friends. I think it is so special : ). We try to invite over our older neighbors often. So many times older people get lonely. It is nice to add some cheer to their days! God bless and HAVE fun!
What a great tradition to begin and a wonderful commitment to hospitality! And your cabinet is sure to inspire more opportunities to invite others to join your happy table.
This is something I want to do more of this year. I just need to make it a priority. Thanks for the reminder!
I never thought about the influence that has on our kids and what it teaches them! We don't need to wait til summer when all the birthdays start - we need to host an oyster party . . .next month!
yay for organization and entertaining! my new webpage should be up this weekend .. maybe! :)
btw, can we be your next guests? :)
show your collection of tea cups and you tea cup stand!!
love it!!
now is time for the pork chop recipe and maybe the corn soup with the bacon in it ...
only in winter ..
0 degrees here :-)
Way to go, Sandy! You're cookin' with gas! ;-)
XO,
Sheila
There is an excellent blog out there on entertaining that your post is describing. For an unbeliveable resource for entertaining with a family, no sweat style you have to check out this blog
http://www.reluctantentertainer.com/
Oh good job on the after! It makes me want to go set a table! :)
You did an awesome job! Love that simple pic of the stacked white plates...beautiful. cherry
very organized! reminds me I need to start getting some plain white plates for times when i have large crowds over.
What a transformation!! I really need to do this myself...after the holidays I get lazy and just start shoving things into hutches and buffets....not good!!
Have a great weekend!
Lisa
Oh I agree! It is so important to have friends over and just enjoy their fellowship. I too get caught up in the way the house looks but they are just coming to be with us. They are not looky loo's that will report on us to our family or friends. They love us for who we are not for what our house looks like!
Great transformation of your hutch!
:) Jody
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