Country Casual Dining

A casual dinner with warm country character!

I borrowed my big metal pumpkin from a previous 

arrangement and incorporated it into 

my table setting.  My tablecloth was

from T.J. Maxx and has cutouts of pumpkins

and leaves.

I like that it keeps with my theme

on the table!

 I love this pumpkin, it's going to be

a keeper for me for a long time!

 

I used a wired basket under the pumpkin.

I took a leafy garland and wrapped

it around the base and wired it to

the basket. The I placed a wood pedestal

in the center to set the pumpkin on. 

It's a little big for my small table but

I like the fullness it added.

Without real planning I was tickled when

I realized the leaves on my new stemware

from T.J. Maxx complimented the

leaves on the garland! 

The dishes were stacked on my new rattan

chargers. I chose them because I wanted the relaxed

country feeling! I chose these plaid napkins

(made by Park Designs)

to continue the country casual theme!

The napkin rings are from Pier 1 Imports.

Since they are a flower shape I felt

they added to the theme!

These salad plates are from

Cracker Barrel, there

are four colors. I

got these along with

four matching coffee mugs

on one of their sales.

For some reason the green plates look pale

in these photos, but they are a yellow green

and went well with the dishes. 
 

 These dinner plates are made by

Park Designs out of the

Village Collection

they have a soft ruffled edge. 

Getting close to dinner time!

 Candles are lit and some wine is poured

time to eat!

Things always look more cozy in candlelight!

I've got decaf coffee to go with dessert

and wine to go with the meal. 

For Dinner

I've made a modified lasagna using 

rigatoni noodles.  

First I boiled a pound of rigatoni noodles.

(I only used about 3/4 of them for the recipe,

you could use all of them if you have more

spaghetti sauce- otherwise it wll be too dry)

I lightly browned a pound of 

Italian Sausage from the grocer.  

I drained the grease and 

added a 24 oz. jar of Spaghetti Sauce. 

I heated it gently.  

In an oblong casserole dish,

(not quite a 9 x 13 but close)

I layered the sauce with sausage, noodles,

and dollops of ricotta cheese here and there. 

I added thin slices of Turkey Pepperoni- 

then sprinkled some grated Parmesan cheese 

and a modest layer of shredded Mozzarella.  

I built it in 4 layers.

I baked it covered with foil at 350 for 30 min. then

removed the top for a bit (10 to 15 min).   

I served thick slices of bakery sourdough 

Italian bread! 

YUM!!

My salad was a package of 

Italian Mix of Greens,thin slices of red onion, 

dried cherries, sliced almonds and topped with

shredded mozzarella cheese.

I used Marzetti's Sweet Italian Dressing

and it was so so good!

I lucked out and the bakery department

had a delicious Italian Creme Cake 

that turned out to be a terrific dessert!

I hope to be back with one more tablescape

for Thanksgiving!  In the meantimeI give thanks for all my new friends out there in blog land!

Thank-you for stopping by and I hope to see you come back soon!

Liz

I'm Joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch

for

Tablescape Thursday