YeeHaw! Rolling Into March~Rigatoni Pie

As it is Leap Day I wanted to do something Kangaroo ey , but I really had nothing that would work. :)
So we are rolling instead!

A little table for the cowgirls and boys!

The tablecloth is Country Living from Kmart.  It was half price, and it is that fabric that can be used outdoors too.
The napkins were in the clearance at Kmart, .50 cents each.

Blue flatware by Cambridge, rattan charger from Pfaltzgraff, navy dinner from CTS, pale blue salad, .26 from Pfaltzgraff outlet, and covered bowl from CTS, 2 for 3.00.

Little skillet  for the butter from CTS, .69


The blue stems are from CTS clearance .99  White mugs because a cowboy has to have his coffee!  :)
An old blue water pitcher to quench our thirst after a day on the prairie rounding up our filet mignon, lol.

The centerpiece is a Conestoga Wagon from Vt. from a long time ago. The gkids have crashed it a few times, so it is a little worse for wear!

I raised it up a bit and covered the riser with a bandana, some tumbleweed for  the cow and dog to play in.
So hitch up your britches and roll into March.

 Not time for Spring yet here, today was rainy and raw.
Something to stick to your ribs...

I made some individual rigatoni pies.


You make it in a little spring form pan.


This is the big mama size.


Each rigatoni is filled with a seasoned meat mixture then topped with cheese.



Here's the individual size unmolded.

 Perfect size, a good green salad and some crispy bread and you are done!
DH always makes homemade sauce, he won't eat the sauce from the jar, but if you like it, go with it.

Don't make it when you are rushed, it does take some time to fill each noodle, but it makes a fun presentation.

You can find the recipe and instructions HERE.
My changes were that I added finely minced onions to the meat, and I did a layer of ricotta, parsley, grated cheese mix on top, then the mozzarella, like a baked ziti would be.

Thanks so much for visiting!

I hope you are getting your MARCH ing shoes on for the 4th Annual St. Pat's Blog Crawl on the 13th.  It should be fun and some prizes too!

I am joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday
Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop
Gollum for Foodie Friday
Diann for Thrifty Tablescape

You are SO Invited!

I hope you will come!  It's almost March, time to show the green.

It's the Fourth Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl, right here.  Anything to mark the holiday of grand and glorious St. Patrick!  Or, just some green to get in the spirit.

There will be prizes too.  I didn't celebrate my 3rd blogaversary in Dec, so I am rolling it into one big party.
I'll be giving away this oreo cookie pan...

And a few other goodies just to make it fun!

Last year two of the entries were from Ireland.  That was a long way for a blog crawl, but we didn't feel the pain!  :)

Over 100 bloggers took part in the crawl last year, you can see it here.



The party wouldn't be the same without you, so I hope you will mark the date!

A table, a cloche, food, a poem, a video of you doing the jig, all would make me green with happiness.



Thanks for visiting!
I am joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday
Shannon at Cozy Home Scenes Party
Marty for Tabletop Tuesday


Fourth Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl ~ March 13th

You Oughta Be In Pictures! & Donuts

Mardi Gras is over, I did a MG table last week,  too early for St. Pat's for me, so what else is on the schedule?  Academy Awards!

I bought these "accoutrements" 2 years ago in the clearance bin at Cmas Tree Shops, I think they were 20 cents a package.
I started with a black cloth over a white longer one.  I used a package of stars to criss cross  the table.

The food safe trays were .20 also.

The centerpiece is fresh mums in a black glass with old film swirled through it and a mirror movie projector tucked in. There's a mirrored clapperboard leaning against it, hard to see.

My kitchen nook is now...


I know, it is only pretend!  :)

My everyday Dansk flatware, I was thinking of red, maybe I should have?

 A black and white charger from Pier One sale years ago.
 The star plate is from Pottery Barn, and the little red Lionshead bowl for our condiments is from Sur la table on sale, I think they were .50.

I will write the name on the clapperboard with white marker, and a movie related question on the back.  Makes for good conversation!
 It will be an old movie, as I don't go to the movies anymore.  I wait for them to come to the library and borrow them for free.  :)

A chunky stem with a silky red napkin tucked in. (Pier One after Cmas, cheap!)




I'll stick some of those skinny grissini bread sticks in the trophies.



It may not be award winning, but it was fun!


My friend Rett from The Gazebo House is waiting for the doughnuts.  I had planned to make Pazcki, pronounced Punch key, but I switched to Alton Brown's recipe.


Here's a video on Pazcki   recipe, I will try them soon.

Alton Brown's recipe is here.  It is a yeast doughnut and is deep fried.  I got out the deep fryer I gave dh 10 years ago, he never used it!

I dipped some in chocolate,  filled some with jelly sprinkled with powdered sugar, and some dipped in butter and then sugar and cinnamon.










The verdict?  Ehhh, we didn't think they were that great.  As good as Dunkin Donuts, but we thought they would be better than that.

Next time I will try the Polish recipe for Pazcki.  My college friend's nana used to make great ones!

Thanks for visiting!

I am joining
Susan for Tablescape Thursday
Gollum for Foodie  Friday
Diann for Thrifty Friday
A Delightsome Life for Home and Garden Party
Sherry at No Minimalist Here
Bunny Jeans Bunny Hop

  Thanks to all of you who have the St. Patrick's Day Blog  Crawl button on your sidebar.  Hope you will all join in on the 13th!

Let the Good Times Roll!

In a few days it will be Mardi Gras, the next day starts Lent.  Not a big deal for most, but for me it means meatless Fridays, I dislike fish immensely,  and no eating between meals. 
When we were growing up, it also meant going to the 6 a.m. daily Mass.  Oh that was brutal, we used to roll up our pjs, and wear a trench coat and sleepily head to church.  Come home, shower and get ready for school!
My oldest sister reasoned that you could have liquids between meals, so she would melt ice cream and drink it!
Needless to say, none of us will be nominated for sainthood, though my parents who raised 4, not so docile girls, should be.  :)  Well, one was docile!
So tonight, a bit of the gold, green and purple associated with Mardi Gras. 


I started with a deep purple cloth and a candelabra with fleur de lis on it.   It came from Villeroy and Boch.  I add a few clip on gold tassels,  and gold candles.  I sat it on a vintage gold linen tea towel, with a mask and some Mardi Gras coins.

Gold flatware, gold square charger, green glass charger by Gorham, Lenox Eternal plate, green glass bowl, purple napkin, and colorful blingy napkin ring from CTS.

Green glass with gold ball by Gorham, via the Lenox Outlet. Purple stems from HG.  A mask at each place.

Little gold buckets hold fresh mums with a gold tassel added.


Before next Tuesday, I hope to try a recipe for Paczki, a yeast donut traditional in some parts before Ash Wednesday.  I'll post it if they come out well!  :)
The other  night I made a chicken, baby spinach, onion, cheese taco.

Toast your taco, add a layer of fresh spinach seasoned, one grilled chicken breast in strips, 1/2 of small onion , done in the pan with some PAM and salt and pepper till nice and brown.  Drizzle it with Lite Ranch dressing, and some  freshly shredded reduced fat cheese.  You can add a sprinkle of crumbled bacon too.

Put on your bib, roll it up and dig in!  It was a quick, easy and filling dinner.

Thanks for stopping by!
I am joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday
The Bunny Hop at Bunny Jean's
Gollum for Foodie Friday
The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday

Don't Go Breakin' My Heart

Heart Day is getting closer

So join me for a treat

                                          A heart cookie on the cup  (cookie on a cup cutter from WS Outlet)

And plenty more to eat!

Maybe some heart shaped muffins

Made with berries oh so blue,

Or perhaps a slice of home made bread,
With raisins and cinnamon too!  (recipe here)


I set a simple table
Or does this one catch your eye?

Perhaps a bit more fancy,

A  Top Hat and black tie. ( See this table here.)

Whatever you choose is up to you


I  just hope your day is fine

Sharing lots of heart felt things

With your special Valentine!

Now if all of this is just too much,

And you're not into glam,

Keep it something simple,

Like a sandwich made with Ham!  :)

I hope you'll join Laurie's party

She's always so much fun,

You know you are invited,

And there are prizes to be won!

I am joining the Valentine Party at Bargain Hunting with Laurie

Seasonal Sunday with The Tablescaper
Pink Saturday at Beverly's
Marty for Tabletop Tuesday
Shannon at Cozy Home Scenes