Italian Dinner Party Menu with Lovely Friends
This Italian Dinner Party Menu can be served year round for a lovely party.
I love my beautiful girlfriends, especially when they are in the kitchen. It warms my spirit to see their hands busy with food and drink and making everyone happy around them. They recently came together and created the most delicious Italian dinner party menu, for my birthday!
I love experiencing home cooked meals in other homes than mine! So this was a very fun night for me. To be honest, I get really tired of eating my own cooking. So it’s a treat to see how others set the table, use their own creativity and design, and come up with fabulous menus.
Entertaining is a lost art. Period. It’s true, some people still invite guests into their home. But the majority? Nope.
For some reason, we think I attract those who like to entertain, because my husband and I never get caught in the cycle of “always having the party at our house.” We get invited out a lot, and we feel very blessed to have so many talented and gracious friends.
Lady friends are the ones that really make it happen though. I have groups and pockets of friends all over, and I love how when we are together, we weave special moments of catching up, reminiscing, sharing recipes and talking a lot about our family and faith, and lives.
Recently we all came together in Jenny’s home. But I watched how everyone’s hands were involved from flowers to the food.
Years ago, Jenny and I both bought the same Dollar Tree water goblets. So between us, I think we have about 100 of them. They never break. They are as sturdy as an ox. We also have the same olive green tinted Dollar Tree wine glasses! So pretty!
She and Kristi went searching in our friend’s yard for beautiful flowers to display on her tabletop. (Good idea!) And used the repurposed can method that I’ve written about here on RE.
The party was a milestone birthday for me, so I was blessed beyond words. I sat back and soaked it all in – every word, smile, laugh, tear. It was a perfect night.
What draws me to people is their genuine, authentic spirit, and with this group of friends, even as cracked pots, our flaws and weaknesses, when we come together for a dinner party, we listen and love.
We love, reach down deep for moments in our lives that define us, (sometimes we have to dig deep), and we tell stories of where we’ve been and where we are today.
It’s not the experiences that make us real. It’s the ability to be honest and share our lives with others. Which all comes back to entertaining, and having people around our tables for food and talk.
On this night, I couldn’t have asked for any more than the love that flowed in vast supplies.
It was rich and sweet and warm.
And I was blessed.
Do you think entertaining has become a lost art?
Jenny’s Italian Dinner Party Menu …
Appetizers:
Watermelon Feta Bites
Stuffed Mushrooms
Brie with fruit
Caprese SaladMain Course:
Several green salads & bread
Meat and Sausage Lasagna
Vegetarian Manicotti with White Cream Sauce
Baked Rigatoni with Artichoke, Spinach and PestoDesserts:
Key Lime Pie
Tres Leche Caramel Cake
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
Italian food is one of the best food which includes a variety of food menus. Dinner party with friends brings lots of funs and happiness it is such a memorable moments to share Italian food with friends.
YUM. sounds amazing. What special friends you have. I do think entertaining has become a lost art…I think too many people, even myself included sometimes get caught up and life and don’t nurture the relationships around us through entertaining.
You are so inspiring – thank you – and Happy Birthday !
Love the can idea!
So beautiful Sandy! I’m speaking of your words as much as your dinner table! I love entertaining too for the gift of getting to spend time with family and friends. Menu looks delicious too!!!
Thank you, Robyn. Hopefully soon we’ll be at the same table together!
You are so blessed with such a special group of friends!!! I would have loved to be at this dinner with you, the food and the atmosphere sound absolutely wonderful!
And I really do think entertaining has become a lots art in a way…I was just talking with our good friends over the weekend. We used to be at each others houses all the time for barbecues, cocktails, appetizers watching games… until they moved out of state. It makes me realize how much I’m missing it.
Thanks, Aggie. It’s good to have those memories that remind us of what we need! Love you, girl!
I entertain a lot..so it’s hard for me to ascertain if it’s a lost art…certainly for me it’s not! I think more of the people I know have actually gravitated to entertaining at home; realizing it’s more casual and fun then always going out to a restaurant.
Lovely table too!
And inexpensive, don’t you think Barb? I’d love to have a meal at your house! :)