It's becoming a trend for us... weekend barbecues with people we don't really know but would like to. Last night was no exception. We grilled bratwurst; hot ones for the brave, mild for the not so brave (read: ME), with sauted red bell peppers and onions. For the kids - hotdogs. I made sweet tea, a tossed salad, grilled potatoes and onions, and fresh veggies with dip. We topped off the night with Blueberry Surprise ( You WANT that recipe!!) It was the perfect, unassuming meal.
Our company was wonderful - relaxed, easy to talk to people. They have kids that got along great with our kids... it was fun. Lots of talking and laughing, realizing we were fairly compatible friends, and promises of getting together again soon.
I know this is going to shock some of you.. but I am naturally shy. I am not super comfortable with people I don't know well and it isn't the easiest thing for me to have strangers in my home. But, I am getting so much better at it. Daniel would be the first to tell you that. I just keep putting myself out there - keep putting myself in situations where I really have to extend beyond my comfort zone. I can't afford to be shy! I need friends - friends who will be my family where ever we are currently stationed.
I find that my best offense, in this ongoing battle with myself, is to pretend. I pretend I am super comfortable, super relaxed, super outgoing... And guess what! Suddenly I am! I am finding I have to pretend less and less often. I am becoming the extrovert I've always wished I could be.
About those beautiful flowers... I needed a centerpiece to go with a white table cloth. I had the beautiful green bowl and I had a few roses from my rose bushes, but I needed more. So, I visited the unoccupied house next door whose rose bushes I trim. I clipped a few from there. I needed just a few more so I visited another unoccupied home. I clipped three more... Perfection.
A beautiful, free centerpiece. And let me just tell you - it smelled a hundred times more beautiful than it looked.
10 Comments:
oooo, girl, you totally free-flowered yourself! woo hoo! they are gorgeous!!
Megan
Love the centerpieces! So simple yet gorgeous.
I think your BBQ sounds wonderful and the fact you guys seem to be making new friends just makes it even better. Friends always make a new home so much better.
Oh..and as far as being shy? I never would have guessed. You seem so outgoing and vivacious! Never in a million years would I peg you as shy! :) Not that there's anything wrong with that. I'm a shy girl myself.
Wait, you served sweet tea! Girl, you are impressing me:) I'd never know you were from the north if you hadn't confessed as much.
Glad you are having fun, meeting new people. I hope they know how lucky they are to meet you:)
I loved my rosebush at Kirtland. I could smell it when the wind would blow, which was quite often as you know in ABQ.
I'm glad you are making friends and good memories there.
We loved our time there so much we plan on coming back to retire when it's time.
What a cool idea...it sounds like fun to invite new people over for a delicious dinner! You seem to have quite the gifting in the area of hospitality.
Yummm, what is blueberry surprise? It sounds good!
I too am fairly shy around new people...or in large groups, which most people would never guess about me either! In person, I have been accused of being stuck up, when really, I'm just not very good at making "small talk" type of conversation with people I don't know. It's kind of stressful when trying to meet new people! I'm proud of you for pushing your own boundaries!
Oh my, I just love the flowers!! They are gorgeous! Nothing better than a BBQ on a Sunday evening!!!
Beautiful centerpiece. Sounds like a great meal, too ( : I second 'new girl' in saying that I would never have pegged you as shy either- but it's great you are challenging that part of your personality and getting out there. My guess is that you'll have no trouble meeting friends ( :
Your flowers are amazing, girl, AMAZING!
Your bbq sounded perfect! I am shy around people I don't know either, so I am proud of you for stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Good for you! Everyone--extro or intro--vert needs to work on their weak areas.
And being an extrovert isn't always everything it's cracked up to be :-)
I've found that what you all are doing works really well; often it just takes one person (couple) w/ initiative, and voila--friends!
Gorgeous centerpieces. But you are shy? Hmm...never would have guessed. Good on ya for having people over!
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