Holiday Decorating Ideas!

Hello everybody! Are you ready for Thanksgiving!! I just have to pack and head down to see the family and probably bring some dessert! I'll get a few days away from home and a chance to go to a few favorite stores that I don't have around here!

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch just posted about Inspiration for your Holiday Decorating and she featured a couple of my pictures from Christmas last year!
Check it out Here

I hate to admit that I'm already making plans for my Christmas decorating! I never used to even put a tree up more than two weeks before Christmas! Now I do it right after Thanksgiving! How about you? When do you start?

Turkeys!

With the Thanksgiving Holiday approaching
and all that Turkey we will be eating- 

I thought it was rather ironic to see these
wild Turkey's show up!

Little do they know how some would like
to go after them!

Myself, I'm just a peaceful observer.
I love nature and I love that these birds feel
comfortable enough to visit!

Bare with me on the poor quality. 

I'm having camera problems. 

A new camera is on m Christmas list!

They are funny to watch, they literally run

out of the woods and head into the property.

I shot this one from the bedroom...there is
a screen on the window
so it added some interference.

They come by the bird feeding station

and scratch around for food.  

A pair of them went for a drink at the bird bath...

Bet you haven't seen that before!

 They don't stay more than 5 to 10 minutes

 They wander off foraging for more to eat!
They will head out back to the field and work
their way across the fields.  They come here
quite often, especially lately!

One of the reasons I fell in love with the
area we live in is the great birding we have.
I've seen more varieties here than I ever had
my whole life.  There are various reasons for
this being a good birding area.  There is a
lake not far away to our West, there is a
large open field behind us to the East and on
 our South side we have this tall stand
of woods.
So many species of birds have the type of
landscape they prefer all in a small area.
Our back yard is friendly to them too
and with the bird feeding station we
created they have access to food all
the time.

We installed this last year. A tall 12 ft.
pressure treated post was installed.
The black baffle is to prevent the
squirrels, chipmunks, and raccoons
from getting up the post.  The bottom of it is
3 ft. off the ground so the raccoons can't s
tretch up there and try to get on.
They are very crafty!
The hangers are sold for hanging baskets.
I had them mounted upside down because
they hold the feeders better.
We mounted them at different heights
and all the birds seem quite happy with it.
It really works too...no critters get up there
to eat!

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

New Blog- Please join me!

Hello everyone!

I've created a new blog 

for

"Tablescaping" 

only

I'll keep this one going for all 

other purposes!

I copied and added all my tablescapes 

from this blog to it.

I've been going through my list of blogs 

I follow for Tablescaping.  

If I've missed you please let me know 

and I'll add you to my list!  

I would love it if you would stop by 

and become a follower!!  

 A Dish Here, A Glass There

Thanks!!

Liz