Feeling the urge to do some summertime entertaining...

 

   Can you believe it's August already? I mean, where does the time go? Summer is more than half gone and I haven't even one time had any friends over for a barbecue, or an outdoor summer brunch. The days are slowly but surely getting shorter and I decided last night that before it's completely gone, I am going to have some kind of summertime soiree.

The challenge is that I am on a skin tight budget. What fun is entertaining with no money for fancy foods and lots of decorations? Why even bother?  Then...I started looking at inspirational pictures online, and... I. got. excited. Here are a few pictures I discovered....
 
Oh my gosh! Check out these websites! In the top row: A picture perfect table setting, and a rustic drink menu chalkboard from Style Me Pretty.

In the bottom row: A summer time flag to spruce up any drink, and tea lights and flowers set the tone for a romantic evening table.

Ooooh! Don't those pictures (and the posts linked to them) just inspire you to gather some much loved vintage items from indoors, and move them on outdoors for a cozy summer gathering? Canning jars are just so danged perfect for flower vases and votive holders. (Add a ribbon if you're feeling like dressing things up a bit.)

Old chairs, throw pillows from the guestroom, cut roses from my garden, and it will be perfect. And free. Oh! And here are a few other ideas (click the links!) to inspire us all for outdoor entertaining.....

Go cheerfully overboard with yellow and white; oodles and toodles of daisies and birds shout summer.

Stay cool with a refreshing glass of watermelon lemonade, from Martha, of course. (How yummy does that sound?!)

A wonderfully summer-y combination of greens and pinks make a charming table.

Mmm hmm, I do think it's time that I start making my plans. After all, entertaining isn't about how much we spend on food and decorations, it's about hospitality. It's about making friends feel valued and special, and that's more important than ever, in these challenging financial times. Entertaining is about sharing good times with people we love.

So...what do you think? Have you done any creative entertaining this summer? I'd love to hear about it if you have! If not, it's not too late. Plan something!As for me...

I'm thinking a charming little brunch is definitely called for.. Ya, that's what I'm thinking.

Comments

[Wagonwife Designs]

Well you certainly will have enough chairs!
I love these. I think one of my favorite memories was of a resturant that did not have anything match. Not one piece of silver, not plates, etc. It was really fun. They never had to worry about if a plate or glass breaks.
It think that was one of the best lesson I ever learned. You don't have to have it all be perfect to entertain. It was relaxing really. So I am with you and we will haul it outside and enjoy!!!! I know it will be so much fun with your talent Tracey.

[tina]

Awww Tracy - you said it - it's not about the fancy food and decorations - it's about good times with friends/family. I have to admit, we're not *fancy food people*. We tend to have more spur of the minute get-togethers with friends - usually the grill is involved and our outdoor decorating is usually limited to lots and lots of candles, lanterns, etc. We like to gather around the firepit too.

I'll have to admit, very little indoor entertaining this time of year for us!

Your get together will be wonderful.

tina

[Susan]

Hi Tracey~
There's no doubt in my mind that whatever you decide will be beyond beautiful! I imagine drink flags and cupcakes and your lovely beverage server! Your blog is my favorite and I look forward to seeing what you're up to every day! You played a major part in my deciding to join the blogworld! Im hoping that eventually I'll have a clue and my blog will be as inspiring and inviting as yours. Hope you'll stop by and say hello.:)
Susan
PS Hope you don't mind I mentioned you and the other Tracey. I tried to do a link back but I don't quite know what I'm doing! I'll keep trying...

[Susan]

Oh, yeah, I did actually do one linkback, but that took me about an hour, and by the time I finished I didn't exactly know how I did it! :{

[Marietta Hoschak]

I enjoyed the post.... You have the emotions of a number of us but you ended up with the right thinking... It's the sharing that really matters and you have many lovely objects that will make it grand.... Enjoy..

[kathy]

I find summer entertaining so much fun. When it's hot who wants heavy food? You can plan a very inexpensive menu and the decorating is simple when surrounded by nature. You don't have to dust and vac. before everyone comes. And clean up is simple!

I LOVE that flower arrangement.
Have fun.
Kathy

[Kelli]

Great idea for a brunch Tracey..I'm not trying to sound all el-cheapo and all but, brunch is the least expensive to put on.

[Sarah]

With your talent, anything you do will be gorgeous! Find all the candles you have, jars, flowers from the yard, open the doors and play some music, thrift for mismatched floral napkins, give each setting their own color, quiche or egg casserole is inexpensive with fruit and you're done! Or ~ potluck is always fun. Entertaining when you just put something together on the spur of the moment is so much more fun than preparing for a large formal party. Can't wait to see what you do!
Sarah

[Elaine L.]

I'd tell your friends that you want to host an "End of Summer Potluck". You can decorate to your heart's content.

~elaine~

[Lucia Henry]

Tracey!
My fondest "entertaining" memories are from college days when ALL my friends had tight budgets. We had lots of pot luck parties and they were just wonderful. The parties were all about sharing and celebrating friendship despite our $10 to $20 A WEEK food budgets. I'm sure your guests would love to share a favorite brunch dish!

[aimee]

friends are so special and it is so nice to celebrate just how special they are by having them over. i have bunco at my house on Aug 27th. i am looking forward to having my friends over for some fun, laughs, food and a little gift for each :)i hope you will share what you decide to do for your friends :)
blessings,
aimee

[Lisa]

Tracey,
That lemonade is a must, I made it for the 4th and it was delicious! I must echo most of the sentiments above. Summer is about casual, low key, good times with friends. I KNOW your friends would love to have a get together with you, so make it a pot luck. You can do some inexpensive quiche dish in individual servings in a muffin tin "like cupcakes for breakfast". You serve that, some coffee, the lemonade and have the friends bring their favorites. It is always fun to see what kind of spread you end up with. Maybe donuts and toast or gourmet, it really does not matter a bit. Or make it super easy and have a pot luck desert party-you provide the cupcakes, lemonade and coffee! Just gather those trinkets I know you have around the home, or just go raid the shop on a "borrowing" spree! Regardless, reach out and invite those friends. They will be pleased no matter what you serve.

[Susan Reinhart]

Can I suggest a garden bounty potluck? Many of my neighbors have planted veggie gardens this year and wish to share.

Susan

[Dotti]

What a great idea! A little angel hair pasta and some grilled veggies is a cheap but magificent meal. Chocolate ganache served in pretty tea cups always gets compliments from my guests. Easy food served in pretty dishes - that's what I"m talking about!

[Cathy Miller]

I love the potluck idea, and the resturant that didn't use anything matching sounds right down my alley! I love to entertain, and have to admit that a breakfast or brunch is my favorite...it's just so stinkin' elegant, if you know what I mean! Cannot wait to see what you do! We host a monthly (or bi-monthly lately) family breakfast with a different theme every month...so that will be my next entertaining adventure!

[Andrea]

Oh boy do I understand. Because of my divorce, I have almost no furniture. I got the house and he got the furniture -kind of literally. My three front rooms are empty -except for my new dining room table which doesn't yet have chairs.

But I've been entertaining. I have had a few bonfire parties outdoors. I grill some stuff. I buy some wine. Make blueberry lemonade, and ask people to bring whatever they have to round it out. Oh, and they bring lawn chairs too. I have a few, but not enough. And I put out blankets too.

Oh, and I buy wood for the fire, and marshmallows. And some lanterns to hang in the trees. As entertaining goes, it's pretty cheap and very easy. I just need you to come on over and take some of your pretty pictures!