COMPANY'S COMING

We had guests over for dinner on Sunday. Hooray, I was so happy. We used to entertain often but since I have started working full time we have not had anyone over. A whole month with no guests. Withdrawal symptoms galore.

When we have company at our house it has always been a pretty relaxed affair. I work well under pressure and know what needs to be done to pull off a delicious meal with relaxed guests. I can do it with an hours notice and I have.

Nothing is worse than your guests feeling like you are stressed out and tired from creating a meal for them. It makes them feel like a burden when they should be feeling like part of the family.

So how do I prepare for guests? First we decide who to invite. Only people we enjoy spending time with. We figure this out first because sometimes there are dietary restrictions. Once I cooked for guests who's special needs were: no salt, no nuts, no spicy food and no dairy. I don't remember what I cooked.

I work out the menu and often try new recipes. I can tell by looking at a recipe if it is a good one or if it is going to be watery, or bland or too much trouble. So far I have not had any new recipes that have failed. I don't like to make a lot of appetizers because it ruins guest's appetites for the main course and dessert. If there is an appetizer then often I don't serve a salad.

I do plan on extra food because leftovers are a good thing. The surprise guests I have been presented with are not a good thing. Has anyone ever done that to you? Just brought someone along without asking? It has happened to me a few times. That is so rude. I don't care if you are friend or family you don't do that. I have never been too short on food because as I said I cook extra. 

We share good wine (I am fussy about that) and we laugh lots and eat even more. Sometimes we stay at the dining table and yap and pick or play a game or else we move to the living room where I can put my feet up. I never clear the table after dinner, my BB Guy does it. We also don't clean up the kitchen while we have guests here. It can wait until they are gone or even until the next day if we are tired. Life is too short and the dishes will wait.

We have fun at our house and our guests often put their feet up on the couch or coffee table, relaxed and at home. That is a successful evening for us. The best compliment of all? They always come back.

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