"like you would a close friend instead of a priest you hardly know. " YES! Absolutely. I like to look at it how I would want to be addressed as well and what would bring me happiness and joy. To only be related to with the distancing of 'pious respectfulness' would be a pretty lonely existence. This is my approach to communicating with source, as I would a dear friend.
How awkward would it be if your friends regularly (or ever) made offerings to you in that manner? I believe gifts, are always appreciated. However, gifts are different than offerings as they are never expected :)
I'm so glad we're on the same page with this! ( :
So are the plants :)