Different Strokes Revisited

I’m hoping to learn the art of casual entertaining this weekend. I’m really trying to subdue my tendency to plan a function to death and instead just let it happen spontaneously.

I’m co-hosting a party of Bloggers, many of whom are coming great distances and most of whom have a direct connection to the other party planner, who happens to be my Blogging mentor.

We get along like siblings, but in fact we are as different as night and day. Before any function I am forever making lists and timelines. She suggested that we meet to do the shopping 3 hours before the guests arrive, a very foreign concept for me. There is no master list, yikes!

But the nature of this party, the creation of a dance around a May pole, and the guests who are coming all suggest a spontaneous approach that defies my list-making. It will probably be a cooperative effort to put up the Maypole, to attach bright ribbons to it, and to make flower wreaths for our heads.

As for food, the menu is designed to be a “do your own thing” sort of barbeque. We will put out little wooden skewers and various marinated meats, veggies, and fruit and everyone will string together what they like best.

Meanwhile I’m enjoying the company of Letty of Lettuce-Eating, a delightful Brit who timed her first trip to the US to coincide with this party.

Now I must go shopping in my closet to find the appropriate dorky costume for our May Day dance tomorrow. And I must also do a little pre-dance dance to hold off the rain!