Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Presents under the tree

Well, I got the first present wrapped and under the tree. DD#2 is anxiously waiting for more to appear. She says it doesn't look Christmasy without presents - but she just wants to see how many she has. The one that is there is for her dad and it is too big to go under the tree so it is sitting beside the tree.
DD#1 turned 19 today. She is busy taking her semester finals at college and will head home tomorrow. I had purchased a DVD set she wanted when it was on sale at Target and tonight when I went to wrap it I couldn't find it. I was sure I had it hidden in my closet - among the Christmas presents - but could not find it. I had to take everything off the shelf, pulled out all my shoes and there it was. It had fallen on the floor and was shoved back behind my shoes. I was beginning to worry that I had hidden it somewhere else and had no idea where.
Oh, and since DD1 is coming home tomorrow I will make her cake this weekend. I made DH's birthday cake last weekend - American Beauty with the vanilla frosting. It is his favorite and over the years I have had some failures and some successes making them. He said this one was the best - that I should make them to sell. I said "No way!"
The bowties with spinach and mushrooms was a great supper. It is a modified Weight Watchers recipe:

Bowties with Spinach and Mushrooms - 4 servings 5 points each

8 oz bowtie pasta, cook this while you prepare the rest

2 Tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
16 oz fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp corn starch
5 cups fresh spinach
salt and pepper
2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Put the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the garlic and mushrooms (I cut the larger mushrooms in quarters and the others in half). Pour 1 cup beef or chicken broth over the mushrooms. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms about 5 minutes.
Add the cornstarch to the water and mix well. Pour into the skillet and stir until thickens - about 5 minutes.
When bowties are done, drain and put in skillet with mushrooms. Add spinach and stir until spinach is wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Top each serving with 1/2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese.
Have to go wrap some presents now that DD2 is asleep.

2 comments:

~~Rhonda said...

Sounds like Christmas is coming along nicely at your house, Mary! I haven't wrapped many presents yet, though I had DH drag them all out a few nights ago, so we could tally everything up. Ordered a few more things from amazon. Love shopping online. Did DD make it home from school? Tell her happy birthday from us. :) And give your hubby a birthday hug from me.
It was great to see you at the open house and again for the house tour. I hope your ladies enjoyed it. We have Nathan George coming this evening for a concert, so I'd better get back to work. Still have a few things to do. :-D
~~Rhonda

Mary Cavalier said...

Rhonda - DD did make it home okay. I did almost all of my shopping online - can't beat it!
Wish we could make it tonight for the concert - but even if we had the time I don't think the weather is cooperating.

Mary