Robert and birthday boy, Sutton.
Robert and I married in 1983. After 5 yrs of marriage, we began our family and had Christine, Mary Helen and Sutton. Soon after Sutton was born (Feb. 15, 1995 — -yes – – – today is his birthday!), we decided to move to Madison to raise our children and take advantage of small town life and good public education opportunities!
Christine is now almost 23 yrs old, a graduate of UGA, and is a REAL working girl! She recently landed a position at UGA in the Terry College of Business in the alum relations department. She has a salary and insurance and everything! She is going to live with us for a bit and build a nest egg (she had $49.52 and that was all…..) That’s awesome about Christine’s job. Hadn’t heard that.
Mary Helen (on left), that cute little Rebel.
Mary Helen is a sophomore at the University of Mississippi and is studying Finance in the business college there. She is active in her sorority (Chi O) and thriving and making really good grades! Good grades. Must mean she is staying home and studying. Or just really smart.
Sutton is today’s birthday boy – – – 16 years old! Whooo Hoooo! Watch the road – beginning next week, he may have his license. Sutton is in the heat of tennis season and is playing doubles for varsity tennis. He might be the cutest boy on earth! I remember he was one of the cutest 6 year olds on earth. And he is a darling, polite young man.
Christine, Sutton and Mary Helen. I'm sure they all are genetically predisposed to throwing awesome parties.
Now for the entertaining nitty gritty….
What would your advice be to a novice (who might that be?) Someone daunted at the thought of hosting a seated dinner.
PREPARE IN ADVANCE – – Do as much ahead of time as possible! If the rule is that a hostess must have as much fun as her guests, then that will take advanced preparation so that she can be relaxed and enjoy the fun!
If I am having folks in for dinner, I think about the menu and make the grocery list about three days in advance. I think about how casual/formal the dinner might be – – this will dictate where to set up the serving dishes and how to set the table.
Making her list and checking it twice.
I set the table at least a day ahead of time and try to do as much cooking or prep work the day before.
The day of the dinner, I add the finishing touches – – maybe flowers for the table, water in the glasses on the table. By thinking about each “step” in the events of the dinner, I can prepare in advance – – set the beverages out for the initial gathering, think through how/where/what time the plates will be served, prepare the coffee for brewing and make sure the cream is in the pitcher and the sugar/sweet and low is ready for the dessert course, etc.
Now — the other thing is – – I have a great helper. Robert is well trained. He is part of our entertaining machine. Robert just “knows” now that he is in charge of setting up the bar (from the purchase/quantity through the serving). He is also the music man. He gets the tunes going for the background or the throw down. He is the last minute candle lighter and fire builder. How did you train him? That’s my downfall. Inability to train husbands and children.
Her secret weapon. Good help.
Nothing can make a place look as pretty as candle light – – and candle light means that you don’t have to really clean very much in advance either! AND THEN, Robert is the right hand man in the kitchen at clean up. He hauls dishes to the kitchen and sits on the stool and “rehashes” the event while I finish cleaning up. I had an Atlanta friend who said that was his favorite party of the party. Washing dishes and talking about everyone and the evening with his wife.
The team effort makes it easier for me and makes the fun last all the way until the last dish is loaded in the dishwasher. The only other advice I would offer is JUST DO IT! It doesn’t have to be perfect. People are just thrilled to be invited and appreciate that someone is willing to make an effort on their behalf. Relax, enjoy yourself, and the fun will be contagious!
Mary Helen, Christine and Sutton. Looks beachy. Maybe I just want it to be at the beach. I want to be at the beach.
Okay…have to ask.. What do you account for looking so fabulous? Diet, exercise.
So fabulous? hmmmm. really? Yes really. Fresh fresh food. Home cooked meals that are made from the fresh fresh food. A lot of vegetables, salad, fruit, whole grains. A little weight lifting each week. Some 4 mile walks for cardio work each week. A few sets of tennis each week. Sleeping like a dog every night. Everything healthy and in moderation. (Except sleep which sound like you get that amount you should). When will I ever learn?
Place you haven’t been but would love to go?
I REALLY want to go to Greece. Maybe one day. Or the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Maybe one day.
Best book recently read. Or a couple of your all time favorites?
My favorite book is Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamont. Love her. I also laughed right out loud at Lamb by Christopher Moore. Right now I am reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and really enjoying it. It’s on my list.
A hostess in training? Confession. I'd covet your silver goblets (or your silver julip cups) but that would break one of the big 10.
Any parting words of wisdom?
Enjoy it – – – whatever “it” is.
Thanks so much Anne…Now got to have you and Robert over soon. I think it’s all in the planning. And I have never been a good planner. But with your great advice, I’ll dig down deep and find the courage to try.
For some odd reason this photo was including it in the ones she sent.
