Entertaining

We're having 11 people over for dinner Friday night, and I'm excited because I get to bust out the leaf on my dining room table!   While we've had many small dinner gatherings and a brunch for over 50, we've never had a sit-down for more than eight.  I do like hosting larger parties/buffets,  but I really love sit-down meals.    I love the party feel of having a large-ish group of people, but the intimacy of everyone sitting down at the table for a couple of hours chatting, eating, and enjoying conversation and wine.   It also makes it easier for me as the hostess since everyone's at the table, and I'm not bouncing around making sure I get a chance to talk to everyone.

Having people over and entertaining is one of my greatest joys about being back in a house.   When we
were in Apartment Purgatory while building, not being able to throw parties was the thing I REALLY missed about not having a house.   Since moving in our house and getting my bearings back after having Sprinkle, we've been making up for lost time and have people over regularly.  I love it!

So how do I manage with two young children and a full-time job outside the home?    Some of the things that make life easier:

•  My key trick is having rescheduled our cleaning service to come every other Thursday.  I plan all gatherings around my cleaning schedule so I don't have to do any extra work to get the house guest-ready.  Even when we don't have anything planned, having a relatively clean house allows me to have impromptu guests.  I know everyone says that they don't care what your house looks like, but I'm kind of nutso about things like that.  I don't want people to know that really, I'm actually a slob.  An anal-retentive slob that likes everything neat, but still a slob at heart.
• I've stockpiled supplies over the years.   I prefer not to use disposables, so I have enough glassware, flatware,  and china to entertain large groups.   Craigslist, Ebay, and discount retailers like Marshall's and T.J. Maxx are great for this.  I recently scored on my "good" china.   I have service for 12 for my daily ware (which I use most for guests), but I had only seven settings of my china.   I was looking on ebay for any deals to get me up to at least eight.    After keeping my eye out for a few months, I found someone selling 8 full sets, NIB, for $300 including.   The retail price is $125 per setting, so I snapped it up.    Thinking forward, I only have to get one more set so that I can pass on a full set of eight to each of the girls.
• I keep food pretty simple - casseroles or one pot entrees that I can make ahead, pretty salads, etc.  From friends, I've gleaned ideas like RHG's crostini with goat cheese/jam.   It's just a little more effort to do than chips and dip, but so much tastier and nicer to present.  I also have a couple of places I can use for catering.  
• I accept offers of help.  While I wouldn't ask a guest to bring something unless it's a potluck, I jump on offers.  I usually tell people to bring their favorite inexpensive wine.   I get to try something new, and it takes the pressure off me to figure out a wine that my guests will like.  Dessert is always helpful, too.
• I host kid-friendly events.  I don't have to worry about getting the kids to a sitter, and since I'm at the age now where most of my friends have children, they don't either.   Reese and Mads have plenty of toys and games, but I also keep on hand craft kits, bubbles, etc.
• I have a Jim.   He's awesome keeping the girls entertained while I prepare for a party.  Even better, he does, unbidden, 99% of the post event cleanup since I'm usually tipsy, LOL.  Everyone needs a Jim :)