the oven. Expand the basic table to its maximum length with the leaves. Send out a call for folding chairs. If you don't have an expanding table, all you need is a covered surface. It doesn't matter what's under the tablecloth. A picnic table, plywood or -- no joke -- a door turned hardware-side down and resting on a temporary base such as small filing cabinets- can all do temporary dining table duty. If the table still isn't long enough, then fit an additional small table against one end. A card table is perfect. It doesn't have to be the exact height or shape as the main table. Once you cover the entire surface, small differences in shape or height will be a lot less obvious. A pad under the tablecloth will soften any disparities, and a folded blanket or two will do just fine as a table pad. Cover the entire surface with your tablecloth. If you don't have a large tablecloth, think rustic and funky: a vintage quilt; vintage bed linens; a new canvas drop cloth. You can also use a few different standard tablecloths; just overlap the edges. It doesn't matter if they don't match, because you're going to divert everyone's attention with a table runner down the center. A roll of brown craft paper; parchment paper, or extra-wide heavy duty foil can all become table runners, with the added benefit that they can be recycled for other uses after dinner. You just want something traveling down