The country euphony star share her best entertaining bakshish and why she always , always , always utilize a top sheet .
When you step into Reba McEntire ’s abode , you ’re treated like an old friend . No matter who comes to the doorway , she ’ll tempt you to take off your shoes and require if you ’ve eat yet today . It ’s a reflection of the southerly hospitality she was raised on .
Whether she ’s on the farm in Tennessee or at home in Los Angeles , she always greets guest the same fashion .
Credit:Robby Klein Photography; Design: Better Homes & Gardens
“ When a guest comes to your mansion , the first thing you say is , would you wish something to drink , ” she says . “ That ’s the Southern hospitality of ‘ have you eaten’—and it ’s just good manners , too . ”
Hand-Me-Down Traditions
McEntire excuse a lot of her riding habit around the home make out from her upbringing .
“ There were four of us kidskin get up in a very small house , so if you did n’t clean up your things and get them out of the living room it gota little cluttered , ” she says .
This is the same intellect she makes the bed each sunup . “ pa made us kid all make our beds when we got out of it in the morning , and that ’s what I do still today , ” she says . It ’s a tradition she ’s passed on to her son as well .
Credit:Robby Klein Photography; Design: Better Homes & Gardens
“ I teach Shelby the same affair . It ’s very important to make your bed in the morning , that is a stand rule . ”
And while there are a few must - dos , McEntire has a very repose - back mental attitude when it come toentertaining Guest — a character trait she ascribe to her female parent .
“ Mama did n’t have rules . I never had a curfew in my spirit – just hear not to get hurt , ” she says . “ My primary regulation when anybody do over is to feel at home , be entirely relaxed , and have fun . ”
Credit:Robby Klein Photography; Design: Better Homes & Gardens
My main prescript when anybody comes over is to finger at home , be whole relaxed , and have fun .
In interchange for this easygoing attitude , McEntire inquire just one thing of her guests : “ Make yourself at household , but blame up after yourself . ”
Kick Your Boots Off and Stay a While
“ It ’s ‘ brake shoe on , you ride out comfortable , ’ ” she says . “ Come on in , just be comfortable . ”
Robby Klein Photography ; innovation : Better Homes & Gardens
Reba’s Top Entertaining Tip: Be Present with Guests
The welcoming , elated personality McEntire portrays on telecasting and on degree is n’t far from how she acts at home . She loves to hold and play the part of the legion perfectly , make trusted every person feels well-heeled and included .
One way she does this is by preparing for any kind of gather in advancement , so she can relax and mingle as shortly as guests arrive .
“ The main thing that I really care to do is have a meal that ’s already fix when my guests get there , ” she says . “ Winter is the best because I can make a soup withcornbread — and that way everyone can come in , get a cocktail , and then we can get a bowl and a saucer and go model down and visit . By the fire is always the best place for that . ”
For nimble appetizers , she loves chips and salsa or acasual charcuterie board . If you ’re worried about everyone ’s hand touching the board ( specially as we arrive up on cold season ) , McEntire recommends make case-by-case charcuterie cup , so each person can grab one to nosh on .
Another Entertaining Must Do: Get Everyone Involved
The good way to get everyone involved ? Game nighttime .
“ The telephone number one thing is ‘ allow ’s get them fed , ’ and then we play games , ” she says . “ Playing games is a good way to get everybody involved , and if we ’re having a dinner party party and hoi polloi are at a long table — I do n’t usually like orthogonal table , I like pear-shaped tables well , it helps with the conversation — we’ll play game . ”
She ’s big on card game ( Rummikub , Crazy Eights , and any kind of dominoes are some of her favorites ) , and has perfected a few ice - breakers that get the conversation work . She explains how she gets everyone involve , particularly when hosting a group of hoi polloi that do n’t all know each other .
“ The first person , commonly to my left field , will get down with a question for the table , and that gets everybody involved , ” she says . “ And when everybody ’s answered , the next person asks a question and it goes all the way around . ”
Life on the Road
McEntire has a packed agenda , which means she ’s always on the move . Whether she ’s on tour of duty , hostingThe Voice , or loosen on the farm in Tennessee , there are many place she call home . When she ’s traveling , there are a few matter she takes with her to make any infinite feel homey .
“ When I travel , I attempt really hard to travel as ignitor as potential , ” she says . “ If I have my laptop computer , my speech sound , my makeup , and my favorite pj’s , I ’m a happy camper . Oh — and my short slippers , because I do n’t like to walk on hotel way trading floor in my mere feet . ”
She also like to amass practical souvenir .
“ I do collect coasters when I ’m out and about , that ’s one of the things I like to pick up when I ’m travel , ” she order . “ It ’s a utile souvenir that ’s not just going to posture on a shelf and collect debris . ”
Reba McEntire’s House Rules
Q: What is the #1 thing that makes your house feel like home?
bloom — I sleep together prime . I screw to set up them too . Whether I pick them up in the grocery shop or somebody bring me a posy , I love to get the vases out and start arranging . I get the self-aggrandizing kick out of them .
Q: What are the top 3 kitchen essentials you couldn’t live without?
My coffee maker for sure , a good sliver knife , and my blender — have to have that .
Q: Faux plants or real plants?
Oh , we have both . Matter of fact , I ’m baby-sit here in the kitchen and I have five existent plants and six fake industrial plant . I love the fake plant with the little beamish lights on them . If it ’s anolive treeor ficus with the fiddling lights , that ’s really beneficial for the ambiance at night .
Q: Colors or neutrals for home decor?
neutral . I ’m more neutral than bright colors .
Q: Scented or unscented candles?
I do n’t like wax taper , because you have to go around and make certain you snuff them all out . I prefer the remote - ensure , battery - operate candles . You just take the remote ascendence , click them , and they ’re off . Also , I never put scented cd in the kitchen , because it ruffle in with the aromas of the nutrient and masks the good smelling food you ’re cook .
Reba’s ‘Not That Fancy’ Lifestyle
For more home , solid food , and entertaining inspo from Reba , pick up a transcript of her new book , Not That Fancy : Simple Lessons on Living , Loving , Eating , and dust Off Your boot .
The book , coming this October , embodies McEntire ’s relaxed entertaining style , cover every area of her living . It ’s filled with home inspiration , favourite recipes , and inspiring stories .
“ It ’s turned into a cookbook , coffee board book , picture show Quran , account book , advice book — there ’s so many unlike aspects of this book , ” she state .
Overall , it ’s about spending timber time with those around you and not fussing over the details .
“ Basically , if you want to have citizenry over and you do n’t have matching glass or silverware , do n’t worry about it , they ’re not gon na notice , ” she say . “ Just put dish that do n’t equalize out , it just makes it more colloquial . ”
“ I ’m really emotional about this book because there ’s lots of tidbits of things I ’ve never say before , ” she continues . “ Pictures , stories of my protagonist talking about me — I’m really proud of the Good Book and I reckon hoi polloi will get a kick out of it , at least I go for they do . ”
Not That Fancyis set to release on October 10 , and is available for pre - order now .
