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November 15, 2011

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



11 comments:

  1. Oh goodness I love the pumpkin too.. it's a perfect centerpiece. Your plates are amazing too. oh it's all just lovely.. xo marlis

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  2. I love that pumpkin too, I am following you now.

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  3. Well, Miss Liz, you have really outdone yourself with this one! I love everything about this table!! The plates, the pumpkins, the napkins, the stemware...everything! This is just beautiful!

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  4. Hi Liz! Love your new blog! I am honored to be a new follower. Your centerpiece pumkin is just gorgeous--it has avery charming vintage look to it. Those ruffled dinner plates must come in handy for lots of tablescapes! The sunflower plates add a great touch of color, love the more casual napkins, and the rattan chargers add such a great natural element. Being Italian, you have me drooling over dinner! I will definitely try your rigatoni lasagna! Thanks for the sweet comment on my B&W table!
    Elaine

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  5. Gorgeous table, Liz...I love all the sunflowers!
    Cool centerpiece, that pumpkin is fabulous.

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  6. Hey, Liz! I don't think the pumpkin arrangement is too big for the table at all! You know I'm all about "go big or go home!" I think it looks terrific!!!! It's such a beautiful pumpkin...it deserves to be center stage!

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  7. Wonderful tablescape Liz. That pumpkin is "stylin" there.!
    I love the cute sunflower plates. Welcome to tablescaping big time!
    You will find yourself addicted. Enjoy your new blog. Hugs. Linda

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  8. Beatuiful new blog Liz! I was confused when I just saw you sign into my blog as a follower LOL. This is a fantastic idea and your photos are amazing!

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  9. That pumpkin is such a great piece to use in so many ways. You will use those chargers all the time (I love mine). Your dinner sounds yummy and thanks for twist on lasagna. Sounds like so much less trouble.

    Robin
    Robin Flies South

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  10. Warm, detailed and delightful! What a stunning table! I think your pumpkin centerpiece is a real winner too! What a great statement!
    Yvonne

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  11. What a festive tablescape...and the menu sounds yummy! Thanks so much for your congratulations! I appreciate all the bloggy love!...hugs...Debbie

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Thank you for your comments! I don’t always get a chance to reply but I do read them!




ABOUT ME



Welcome to Home and Gardening With Liz. I have combined my previous blogs “Infuse With Liz” and “Sit With Me In My Garden” into this new blog. I love interior decorating and gardening. I enjoy redefining interior spaces by moving things around and reusing decorative items already found in the home. I also enjoy creating tablescapes and an occasional crafting project. I'm so pleased you've stopped by. I invite you to follow me and I do hope you will keep coming back! Liz
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