The Josh and Catherine Show

We were supposed to be talking about formal entertaining, but sometimes the best conversations are the ones that take an unexpected turn! In this episode, Josh and Catherine wander from hurricane parties and memories of Y2K to Southern accents, customs, and the traditions that make the South unique. They reflect on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and compare East Coast and West Coast wedding traditions with the ways Southerners celebrate a wedding. It's a little bit of history, a little bit of Southern culture, and a lot of good conversation. Pull up a chair, settle in, and see where this one takes us!

Not every party is a spur-of-the-moment get-together, but not every celebration needs to be formal, either! In Part 2 of our three-part entertaining series, Josh and Catherine revisit the choices from Entertaining: This or That? and explore how they apply to slightly more formal—but still relaxed—occasions like showers and anniversary parties.

From invitations and RSVPs to menus, serving styles, décor, music, and cleanup, we discuss how to strike the right balance between making an event feel special and keeping it comfortable and fun. Whether you're celebrating a milestone anniversary, hosting a bridal or baby shower, or planning another special gathering, join us for practical ideas and friendly conversation about making the occasion memorable without making it overly complicated.

Not every gathering calls for the same kind of entertaining. In Part 1 of our three-part series, Josh and Catherine take the ideas from their "Entertaining: This or That?" episode and put them to the test for the two easiest and most informal occasions: the spur-of-the-moment get together and the game night or tailgating-style party.

How do invitations change? What should you serve? Buffet or something more casual? What about drinks, music, lighting, seating, games, and cleanup? We talk through how the same entertaining choices can look completely different depending on the kind of gathering you're hosting. Whether friends are dropping by unexpectedly or you're gearing up for a game-day crowd, this episode discusses how Josh and Catherine prepare for each type of party.

How do you like to entertain? In this episode, Josh and Catherine play a friendly game of Entertaining: This or That? and debate their way through some of the biggest choices that come with hosting a gathering. Paper invitations or digital invites? Buffet or plated dinner? Charcuterie or warm appetizers? Indoor or outdoor? Candles or bright lights? Clean as you go or deal with it tomorrow?

From invitations and planning to food, atmosphere, and the inevitable cleanup, we put our entertaining preferences to the test. There are no right or wrong answers—just plenty of friendly debate, a few surprises, and lots of opinions along the way. Which side would you choose?

Why start from scratch every time you entertain? In this episode, we make the case for hosting multiple events close together—and how doing so can actually make entertaining easier. Clean once, shop once, and find new ways to reuse your décor, flowers, and even leftovers.

We also talk about the mental side of it: once you're in the entertaining groove, you can almost go on autopilot. The house is already set up, you know the playlist, you know how the space feels, and even the weather or indoor temperature is likely to be similar. It's all about finding ways to enjoy hosting without making every event feel like a brand-new production.

Fall brings some of the most interesting—and sometimes unexpected—materials for entertaining straight from the garden. In this episode, we're talking about the plants and foliage that can make an autumn gathering feel special, from heirloom mums, dried azaleas, and aspidistra to swamp sunflowers, lespedeza, beauty berry, and the fall flush of roses. We also look at the beautiful foliage that comes into its own this time of year, including Japanese viburnum, oakleaf hydrangeas, red-leaf hibiscus, crape myrtles, and more.

And because no conversation with us stays completely on topic, we also take a few delightful detours—including Dolly Parton and the Henington House basement. It's a little gardening, a little entertaining, and a lot of fun.

Planning a gathering? In this episode, we're sharing ideas for everything from the first sip to the main course. We talk about welcome drinks like fruit-infused lemonade, juice and ginger ale with a berry garnish, and even apple juice with Hot Tamales. Then we dive into a long list of appetizer ideas, including smoked cream cheese with jelly, Brie with pecan pie filling, prosciutto-wrapped cantaloupe, boudin bruschetta and boudin cinnamon rolls, muffuletta-inspired focaccia, butterbean and pistachio hummus, and more. We also share ideas for quiche and easy pasta dishes that make delicious, approachable entrees. Whether you're hosting a casual brunch, an afternoon gathering, or a full dinner party, this episode is packed with creative ideas for putting together a menu that feels special without being overly complicated.

What goes into creating a memorable gathering? In this episode, we talk about some of our favorite entertaining ideas, from invitations and centerpieces to the little details that help make guests feel welcome. Josh also shares what he has planned for an upcoming Friendsgiving and how he's approaching the invitations, table, and overall atmosphere. Whether you're planning a holiday gathering, dinner party, or casual get-together, we share ideas and inspiration to help make bringing people together a little more special.

In this episode, we're getting the garden ready for the season ahead—from improving the soil beneath our feet to celebrating some of the first beautiful blooms of the year. We talk about the benefits of cover crops like crimson clover and rye grass and how they can help build healthier, better soil for the garden. Then we turn our attention to some of our favorite late-winter and early-spring blooming shrubs and trees, including bridal wreath spirea, weigela, deutzia, Japanese magnolia, Japanese viburnum, Chinese snowball viburnum, and more. Whether you're looking to improve your soil or add more seasonal interest to your landscape, this episode is full of ideas to get your garden growing.

What if the best time to plant your spring flowers is right now? In this episode, we're talking about cool flowers—cold-hardy annuals and biennials that thrive when planted in the cooler months and reward you with beautiful blooms in spring. We discuss what to sow now, why fall is the perfect time to get these plants started, and when to plant them out. We also share some of our favorite cool flowers, including orlaya, Queen Anne's lace, rudbeckia, Dara, pansies, snapdragons, Bells of Ireland, and more. If you want a head start on a gorgeous spring garden, this is your sign to get those seeds growing!

For a great guide to cool weather annuals and biennials, be sure to purchase Cool Flowers by Lisa Mason Ziegler here. This is the book we refer to in this episode.