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The Inviting Life by Laura Calder - I originally wanted this book to be part of my theme reading for the online book club back in May! It finally arrived at least a month later, so I've been browsing through it since. I wound up reading (rather than browsing or skimming) a lot more of it than I'd expected, which says something for how interesting I found it. Although it's a bit of a how-to book, sharing advice and encouragement for would-be hostesses, there are a lot of personal anecdotes and observations, and the author's delightfully self-deprecating sense of humor and welcoming, friendly personality come through.
The book is broken into four sections, aimed at advising and encouraging readers to open their homes and invite others in - no excuses! The first section is about making a welcome home and discusses decorating and arranging whatever living space you occupy so that it's comfortable and functional for those that live there, and the guests that come in. Although how a room looks and how it reflects the personality of the owner is a big part of this discussion, it's also completely practical and down-to-earth, with acknowledgement that some of us live in very small spaces, in temporary spaces, or in spaces we rent or borrow. These are limitations, but should not be excuses for ungracious living!
More practicality awaits in the second section which is all about cleaning and maintaining your home. It's titled "Hug Your House" and that gives a good overview of the inspirational aspect of housekeeping highlighted. Most people don't find scrubbing bathrooms or doing household chores exciting or amusing, but most of us will admit to at least feeling more at peace and harmony when our living spaces are clean and orderly. Calder argues that cleaning our home should remind us that we are blessed to have one, and that housekeeping can be empowering, cathartic, satisfying, and can even help us be more productive.
With the world in the state it's in, if we're in a position to be puttering around with a soft cloth and a bottle of furniture polish, we're damned lucky. ~Laura Calder
Section three gets into the specifics of keeping a sensibly stocked and functional kitchen, because let's face it - if you want to invite people over, you should feel equal to the task of feeding them. There are practical lists and recommendations of what should be in your pantry and what gadgets are worthwhile, an inspirational list of positive outcomes of hosting dinner parties, a few recipes, and advice on how to set a table. And in section four, Calder discusses the finer points of being an exceptional host and being comfortable in the role. Your ability to make your guests feel at ease and welcomed is much more important than your wealth or your ability to cook or decorate. Calder gently instructs on gracious inviting, planning, serving, and managing of gatherings from casual lunches to formal dinners. Etiquette is important and there's a brief primer on some table manners and other social graces, along with pointers on delegating to co-hosts, serving food and drinks, and making conversation.
We can have money by the truckload and still make horrible hosts. What we can never buy, and therefore never offer to others, are imagination, a generous spirit, a genuine interest in other people, a willingness to be vulnerable, and an ability to put people at ease. . . something that more or less anyone with the will to do so can adopt. ~Laura Calder
I thought this book was charming and practical. The author's cooking style is much more adventurous and entertaining style more cosmopolitan than mine, but it struck me that the "inviting life" her book encourages is another name for the "hygge life" of a couple of the books I read during the winter. Creating an atmosphere that is welcoming and homey for all.
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