Friday, November 12, 2010

We Started Decorating for Christmas

 

Well. . . . . .sort of!  lol

Last year I spent a lot of time decorating the main living area and didn’t really get around to decorating down stairs.  I was trying to simplify my Christmas decor and boxed up the stuff that I wanted to get rid of.  One day, my hubby took it upon himself to   decorate the Family room using the things in the box.  (So much for trying to get rid of stuff!  lol)  He joked that, from then on, he was going to take over the Christmas tree down stairs and start decorating it with Cleveland Browns and Cavaliers ornaments. 

I’ve been picking up ornaments ever since.  It’s been tough trying to find Cavaliers things…..there isn’t much available.

Instead of decorating one tree, I suggested doing two.  The reason being….I don’t think brown, orange, wine, gold and blue would look good together, plus, we have more Browns items than Cavs!  lol

My hubby was all excited with all of the things I found and since both sports seasons are upon us, we put the trees up already!  Besides, they’re more “sports” trees rather than Christmas trees!!  lol  It’s kind of hard to tell in this picture, but the taller tree has orange lights with Browns ornaments and the smaller one has red and yellow lights with Cavs things on it.  We’re still on the lookout for more ornaments along with something for tree toppers.  They’re lit up faithfully every night, whether a games on or not!

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 A while back, we got together with Chuck’s sister and her family to go apple picking and then went back to his niece’s house for dinner and to watch the Browns football game.  She made a lot of great food, but one dish that I absolutely loved was her Rosemary Butternut Squash Pasta!!  It was SO good!!  Hers looked a lot prettier than mine….I don’t think I was gentle enough stirring in my butternut squash.  It kind of got “mushed”!  lol  But it still tasted wonderful!!

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Rosemary Butternut Squash Pasta

1 lb. penne pasta

3/4 pkg. cream cheese

1/2 c. grated fresh parmesan cheese

1 large butternut squash

1 large yellow onion, diced

3/4 c. roasted walnuts

1 T. fresh basil, chopped

2 T. fresh rosemary, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 425°. 

Cut butternut squash into 1” cubes and mix with diced onion.  Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and roast for 40-45 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook pasta and drain; reserving 1/2 c. of pasta water.  Combine pasta, cream cheese and parmesan cheese in large bowl; add a little pasta water until a creamy sauce forms to cover pasta.  Gently mix in squash mixture, walnuts, basil and rosemary.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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As always, if you’d like to participate or see other recipes in Colleen’s (And Baby Makes Five) Homemade Holiday Recipe Swap, please click on the picture below.

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Well, that’s all for this week.  Thank you for taking the time to stop by!  I really appreciate all of you!!  :o)

Until Next Time . . . .Kris

14 comments:

  1. Love your trees, Kris! We too have started decorating for Christmas. Rubbermaid boxes are taking over around here. I like to have it all done BEFORE Thanksgiving because we go out of town. It's nice to come home to the house all decorated so we can enjoy the Christmas season!

    Have a great weekend!
    Tammy

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  2. I know what it's like, my hubby has control over the tree in the basement. His has Sooners and Hot Wheels ornies.
    I have been starting my decorating for the same reason as Tammy, I like it all to be done so when we come home from Thanksgiving, it's all done!
    Great recipe, will have to give it a try! TFS!

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  3. your sports themed trees are fun Kris and the squash dish sounds yummy!

    Janet

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  4. What fun for hubby and the rest of the fans!! But what really interests me is that recipe! OH YUMMO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Have a great weekend!!

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  5. Good Evening Kris,
    Several people are starting to do Christmas decorating...I want to but have too much to do with my orders and don't want to take away from them so it will have to wait till after Thanksgiving (and ) our son can help bring up the trees! See, there's a reason I'm waiting...lol

    How fun to have some theme trees that mean something to your husband...way to go Chuck for taking that over.

    Your Pasta looks wonderful and the recipe seems very simple.

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  6. Love the trees. He is a great guy and should have his trees.No one you are happily married.

    The recipe sounds so good. I will try my hand at it and bet it will look less attractive than yours but as long as it taste great ;)

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  7. Your trees look great Kris and it's so refreshing to read that your husband takes an interest in the decorating.Enjoy!

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  8. We're doing a sports tree this year too. Last year hubby bought a navy blue tree on clearance. It will stand at the top of the stairs adorned with maize and blue since we're Michigan Wolverine fans.

    I'm looking forward to seeing your "real" Christmas decorating.

    Hope you're enjoying the awesome weather we're having this weekend!

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  9. Kris,
    how great that Chuck has taken over the basement decorating, I want Simon to have his sports themed tree too. Can't wait to try this recipe, we love squash. Thanks for sharing.
    hugs,
    Pam

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  10. I love buying Christmas ornaments too. I'm hoping that one day my collection will be able to match my mom's. This pasta sounds like a delicious way to enjoy butternut squash.

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  11. Kris, I am sure your home will look great! I don't think the Vikings are going to do much this time around! People here are pretty bummed.
    That pasta looks delicious!Thanks for sharing.
    Have a good week.
    Renee

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  12. Kris,
    I'm going to start decorating this week. Although my family room is now torn apart. Cant wait to see the rest of your place!!
    Im going to try that recipe this week!!
    Anne:)

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  13. The trees are great!

    Carmen and the Primcats

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