tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post1461359269940911088..comments2024-02-02T07:13:37.313-06:00Comments on Like Merchant Ships: Hosting Brunch On A BudgetUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-82924529791630073182009-04-15T15:37:00.000-05:002009-04-15T15:37:00.000-05:00love your beautiful presentation...I think it adds...love your beautiful presentation...I think it adds so much! and I applaud your inviting folks to bring along some bread/muffins. I am much better about this notion than I used to be.Triciahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17941472596723051135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-9443559497465330602009-04-13T10:59:00.000-05:002009-04-13T10:59:00.000-05:00I'm still working on letting go of perfection! Hav...I'm still working on letting go of perfection! Having a newborn sure has helped!!!!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00595146379776585343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-1197859822471051892009-04-13T09:19:00.000-05:002009-04-13T09:19:00.000-05:00How fun! I wish I lived closer- I would have so lo...How fun! I wish I lived closer- I would have so loved to have sat at your table. I am sure it was wonderful!!Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10635304837180578317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-72450467720605794892009-04-13T08:05:00.000-05:002009-04-13T08:05:00.000-05:00Love the napkins... looks like you had a gorgeous,...Love the napkins... looks like you had a gorgeous, relaxed time! That's the best kind of party. <BR/><BR/>I'm so glad that you stopped by my blog - now I have another (yours) to add to my must-read list!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-66276550680799773522009-04-12T21:49:00.000-05:002009-04-12T21:49:00.000-05:00Hi Meredith. I found your blog through my friend B...Hi Meredith. I found your blog through my friend Brigid's blog. I'm adding it to my blogroll. I appreciate the inspiration.Jennifer@ Surprising Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13981453019267417859noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-13373218869109722522009-04-11T22:24:00.000-05:002009-04-11T22:24:00.000-05:00Looks like a lovely brunch-even without pictures o...Looks like a lovely brunch-even without pictures of the food!Eedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06372576698705919740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-26175585783337435512009-04-10T21:38:00.000-05:002009-04-10T21:38:00.000-05:00For me having the option to bring something was gr...For me having the option to bring something was great, since I really like to contribute. But it also gave me an out if my cooking skills were lacking that day! Lucky for me, it turned out well. <BR/><BR/>You are a lovely hostess. Thanks again for including me.Brigidhttp://www.brigidday.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-47660010847888678482009-04-10T18:04:00.000-05:002009-04-10T18:04:00.000-05:00Love your napkins :>)I'm learning more &...Love your napkins :>)<BR/><BR/>I'm learning more & more how to let-go of perfection and embrace the "good enough". I don't want to be a "Martha" entertainer {as in Mary/Martha in the Bible}, but rather enjoy my guests. It's a journey....Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09394453146621467115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-2072203682221467432009-04-10T17:17:00.000-05:002009-04-10T17:17:00.000-05:00You are a lovely and gracious hostess, and I alway...You are a lovely and gracious hostess, and I always always always appreciate the opportunity to put in, to be a part, to be community rather than just someone who has it all done for her. <BR/><BR/>I hope you enjoyed yourself, too. I know we all did.Ms. Booty Homemakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11468536186448152481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-71341001189794245742009-04-10T15:59:00.000-05:002009-04-10T15:59:00.000-05:00Brava! Sounds like a fabulous party- I love potlu...Brava! Sounds like a fabulous party- I love potlucks.Myrniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13585790815417752655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-73491568616038604352009-04-10T14:58:00.000-05:002009-04-10T14:58:00.000-05:00Thank you for the linky-love, friend. I wish I ha...Thank you for the linky-love, friend. I wish I had been at your event ...Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08910644413175366761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-30530120744194403802009-04-10T13:33:00.000-05:002009-04-10T13:33:00.000-05:00So right--letting go of perfection leads to "even ...So right--letting go of perfection leads to "even better." Whether or not to ask for or even accept guests' dishes is certainly a cultural expectation. When I married into a Filipino family I was at first very uncomfortable with visitors bringing food; I felt it implied what I offered wasn't adequate. But over time I have come to see that it is a sense of sharing, and what could be more hospitable than that. Now with all my entertaining I do much what Angela does: plan a menu that includes main dish and basic sides in quantities adequate to feed everyone and to those who ask "what can I bring" answer "a side dish that you would like to eat with (main dish I am preparing)" or sometimes "your favorite beverage." It does result in too much food but that's ok because another part of Filipino culture is to send everyone home with assorted leftovers. With our mom's group we all just take what we brought unless someone offers their extras around.Tubo Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13648885392472180009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-3726261437787729462009-04-10T11:47:00.000-05:002009-04-10T11:47:00.000-05:00I usually try to bring something with me to a part...I usually try to bring something with me to a party, whether I was asked to or not. I enjoy contributing, and helping take some of the burden from the hostess.<BR/><BR/>I'm glad that you had a good time.<BR/><BR/>Have a wonderful Easter.TJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11002884307603736439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-17016477138580802802009-04-10T10:27:00.000-05:002009-04-10T10:27:00.000-05:00I learned this from my good friend. Everyone has a...I learned this from my good friend. Everyone has a wonderful time. No one minds bringing something.<BR/><BR/>From you, Merideth, I've learned to use what I have. That is good enough too. I don't need a special fancy menu.Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09875955262388743964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-91536705950496506282009-04-10T09:47:00.000-05:002009-04-10T09:47:00.000-05:00Meredith - Lovely - just lovely! You always have...Meredith - <BR/><BR/>Lovely - just lovely! You always have the best ideas!<BR/>As I approach my 'entertaining season' - I have to admit that I feel still a bit of the southern 'perfection' bug - have not let go - yet. Can't do potlucks ever, yet.<BR/><BR/>Even when the thought 'crosses' my mind: I can hear my mama say, 'when you ask people over to your home, do not put obligation on them to make food for 'your' guests - <BR/>I want to break away, but her voice is quietly chanting in both ears when I feel the urge -<BR/>"Go away mama! Go awayyyyy!" ha ha ha<BR/><BR/>Thank God for your small steps toward letting go - Just might be the welcome mat I need to get started --- right behind you sister...<BR/><BR/>latrice<BR/>ps. still need your addy for the book thingy --- :)<BR/>working mama in the northwest!Workin' MAMA!https://www.blogger.com/profile/17074507460374554898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-37084876760666683282009-04-10T09:42:00.000-05:002009-04-10T09:42:00.000-05:00It was lovely as always. And I always think it is...It was lovely as always. And I always think it is fun to see the variety.Michelle Smileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01423308673171062647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-72101647211127116402009-04-10T09:31:00.000-05:002009-04-10T09:31:00.000-05:00I love inviting people to bring their favorite foo...I love inviting people to bring their favorite food. Especially dessert. You can never have too much dessert!Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18248491604219644233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-75109267995896093352009-04-10T09:30:00.000-05:002009-04-10T09:30:00.000-05:00Meredith, sounds like a delightful brunch & I&...Meredith, sounds like a delightful brunch & I'm sure your guests felt welcomed in your home. I love "good enough". That seems to describe how I do things most of the time. :)Rhoda @ Southern Hospitalityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16741881774379561710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-79246596578028300532009-04-10T09:02:00.000-05:002009-04-10T09:02:00.000-05:00I never mind bringing something but can't bring my...I never mind bringing something but can't bring myself to ask anyone to bring a dish to my home. It somehow feels awkward to me and I never know how to set out what is brought. Did you put the pastries from Panera on a matching plate? What do you do with duplicate dishes or things on plates that totally clash with your tablescape? How do you handle people offering to leave the leftovers with you? Do you accept or wrap them for the guest to take home (if so, how do you graciously refuse?)<BR/><BR/>See how complicated I make this? I am fine with a potluck picnic or very casual barbeque but a brunch or dinner, not so much, unless maybe someone offers to make a fabulous dessert (but then again I wonder if others then feel like they should have contributed). For me, I just prefer to do everything myself and not dealing with any issues! Just curious how others feel about having guests bring a dish. I also think that tradition in your part of the country plays a part in the "What can I bring?" syndrome. I have lived in several states and now realize that some people probably thought I was rude because I didn't ask that question when invited!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-78015747349646926782009-04-10T08:57:00.000-05:002009-04-10T08:57:00.000-05:00Everything was absolutely beautiful, you went abov...Everything was absolutely beautiful, you went above and beyond. I probably would have gone with paper plates but for my next get together I will have to step it up a couple of notches. Thanks for the inspiration. <BR/><BR/>I cannot believe I did not take out my camera. You had some great organizing shots ;)Tanna Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14370934491012396972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-39436408784788945352009-04-10T08:00:00.000-05:002009-04-10T08:00:00.000-05:00I am so jealous - wish I lived closer! That is a ...I am so jealous - wish I lived closer! That is a beautiful spread. We'll be hosting a big buffet again this Christmas for the new baby's dedication, so I'll be saving this post for inspiration.Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10142994274994642731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-74855650525534995012009-04-10T07:49:00.000-05:002009-04-10T07:49:00.000-05:00I love to say, "this is what we are providing, fee...I love to say, "this is what we are providing, feel free to bring something to go with it." We never tell anyone they have to bring a dish to pass, just let them know they are welcome to do so. Most people do it, but if they don't, no one cares. We host a large picnic at Labor Day and have heard so many comments about how good the food always is. I feel that when you are taking one thing you often take one of your best recipes. When everyone brings their best recipes, it makes for an amazing buffet. Plus no one person works too hard. <BR/>I also feel that by doing it this way, a reluctant host, is more likely to invite people over, because she will know, that it's ok to not do everything herself.angelanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-59858624832000624832009-04-10T07:36:00.000-05:002009-04-10T07:36:00.000-05:00Sounds lovely. I think too often our perfectionis...Sounds lovely. I think too often our perfectionism keeps us from practicing hospitality as much as we should.mama khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05070909433011566246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-3876795951498989302009-04-10T07:26:00.000-05:002009-04-10T07:26:00.000-05:00Sounds like it was perfect to me!Sounds like it was perfect to me!NorahShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11681348009039555764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-61472834987259432442009-04-10T06:23:00.000-05:002009-04-10T06:23:00.000-05:00I LOVE your quote at the end!!!I LOVE your quote at the end!!!Ann @TheAssetEdgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00198438219767685976noreply@blogger.com