Sweet Friends, I need to tell you something.

When I got the call about speaking at TEDx, my first instinct wasn’t excitement.

It was hesitation. "Really?! You want me to stand up there and talk about cute dinner parties?!"

Because in just a few days, I’ll walk onto the stage at the Wortham Center — the same stage where I danced The Nutcracker as a child.

Tiny. Nervous. In a bun and ballet slippers. I can remember waiting in the wings, thinking, "Eesh, will I remember all the steps??"

And now I’ll walk back out there as a woman, talking about dinner parties changing the world.

And there is a part of me that wanted to wait.

Wait until I feel more polished.
More credentialed.
More finished.

Wait until the “outside projects” of my own life felt complete.

But that’s not how this works.

Full circle doesn’t mean fully prepared.

It means willing.

And that’s what I want for you this week.

Not perfection.
Not performance.

Willingness.

So here is your Courageous Table menu.

Not because it’s fancy.
But because it invites depth.

Main: A beautiful protein you’ve made before — something steady. My favorite? Papa's Grilled Ribeye.​
​Side: A salad with texture and brightness. Wedge Salad for a Crowd, anyone?!
​Bread: Something warm to pass. Croissant Focaccia *always* wins!
​Dessert: Something that feels nostalgic. BIG fan of these Banana Pudding Jars, y'all!

But here’s the difference this week:

Add one question to the table.

“What’s something you’ve been waiting to start?”

That’s it.

You don’t need to orchestrate vulnerability.
You just need to open space for it.

​Supper Club is where we practice this kind of courage monthly.

Not dramatic courage.
Table courage.

If you want to stop watching and start participating —
👉 Join Sweetpea’s Supper Club​

The stage isn’t waiting for me to feel finished.

And your table isn’t waiting for you either.

— Ashley