thanksgiving table for practically free and recipes

Well It's Thanksgiving time again. Are you tired of the same old look for you dinner table?

Not to worry, with some small adjustments you can look like you hired a designer to come and

do your event. The first issue to address if the size and shape of your table. Let's assume that

your table is too small for the amount of people that you have invited, so you have to do the

dreaded "children's" table. The remedy for this is simple. Whether your table is round, square.

or rectangular, you can purchase an over size sheet of plywood to sit on top of your table to

accomidate the extra people you've invited. I've also used a large unpaneled door, to serve the

same purpose. You will now need a cloth or fabric to cover your new much larger table. As

stated in my other blogs, many options are available to you. A beautiful sheet works wonders.

I've used thin quilts and velvet bedspreads to create other luxorious looks. Don't be too concerned about the size, so long as it overlaps the table top on all sides. I like to gather the

corners and tie a knot or a bow with anything that you choose as a tie. Ribbon, rope, or raffia,

are some suggestions that will work, as well as anthing else you can conceptualize. I like the look

of layering, so I would probably use a placemat on the top of the cloth. When it comes to the

dishes, again you may not have enough that match. To me this is not a problem. If you have

two different kinds, alternate them, at every other place setting. My favorite thing to do is to

go to the thrift store (Salvation Army and the like) and buy as many different, but similar

plates and glasses as available and create your own bohemian look. You can usually buy china

and crystal for about a dollar a piece. The flatware and silver is similarlly priced. They might

also have linen napkins, at equally reasonable prices.

Now you will need some kind of a centerpiece. Pumpkins after Halloween are very inexpenive.

Get three that are reasonably sized for a table. Cut off their tops and save. Then hollow them

out. You can use cookie cutters in shapes like diamonds, swirls, or leaves , or whatever else

you may find. Outline the shapes on the bottom third of the pumpkin and then cut out. Find

something to elevate the pumpkins to three different heights. If you can't find things that are

attractive, like a footed cake plate, cover these alternate items with a cloth napkin or some

similar fabric. Place a votive candle in each of your carved out pumpkins and arrange on your

risers. You may place leaves or branches under the pumpkins for a more embellished look

When your guests arrive, light your votive candles and replace the tops on your pumpkins. If

you want to be really elegant, these pumpkins can be spray painted gold or sliver, after you

have carved them out, you can spray the leaves and branches too.

Lots of things can be used as a napkin rings if you don't have any. Hair scrunchies are great, you

can glue leaves or nuts on to them, to make them more festive.

The placemarker will be your finishing touch. I like to use something that is not a traditional

placecard. One of the prettiest ideas is a glass votive candle holder, with a votive inside that

will be lit when the guests arrive. A permanent marker will write on the outside of these and

your own handwriting makes it very special.

A great easy recipe for mashed potatoes, that makes them really memorable is to add the
following to your recipe

1 cup of parmesean cheese ( any white grated cheese will work)

2 tablespoons of chives or green onions

1 cup of any brand of ranch dressing

mix in extras while the mashed potatoes are still hot, yum!


This one is a great easy dessert

you will need one graham cracker pie crust

one jar of chocolate ice cream topping

1/4 cup of chopped nuts

2 pkgs of instant vanilla pudding

1 cup of canned pumpkin

1 container of cool whipped-like topping

1 cup cold milk

Drizzle the chocolate topping into the pie shell

mix the pudding mix, the milk, the pumpkin, and half of the whipped topping in a bowl
When it sufficiently mixed, spoon into the pie shell.

Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Remove from frig and top with the remaining whipped topping, drizzle more chocolate
sauce on top and then sprinkle on the nuts

Put back in the frig until dessert time...The best!