Happy Mother’s Day! I have some fun things for you today such as wedding guest dresses over 50 style, a great light pasta recipe, a fun movie to watch, and more. Also, be sure to check out what Annie and Cindy have for us at the end of the post.
What To Cook
Pasta Primavera with Asparagus and Peas
This Spring linguine dish that Howard made recently was amazing! I’ve always loved peas, pasta, and parmesan together and this takes it to the next level. It’s adapted from a Melissa Clark recipe.
- 1/4 lb. snow peas with stems removed
- 1/2 lb. asparagus ends removed
- 3/4 cup fresh or frozen peas Howard used fresh
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced shallot
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- black pepper
- 12 oz Linguine Howard uses Trader Joes Chive and Spinach
- 2/3 cup grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup creme fraiche or whole mile yogurt at room temperature
- 3 tbsp chopped parsley
- 3 tbsp torn basil and leaves for garnish
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Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. While the water is coming to a boil, slice snap peas and asparagus stems into 1/4-inch-thick pieces; leave asparagus tips whole.
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Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add snap peas, asparagus, English peas, and onion. Cook until vegetables are barely tender (but not too soft or mushy), 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season with salt and pepper; set aside.
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Drop pasta into boiling water and cook until al dente. Drain well and transfer pasta to a large bowl. Immediately toss pasta with vegetables, Parmigiano-Reggiano, crème fraîche and herbs. Season generously with salt and pepper, if needed.
You may also like One-Dish Sausage Spinach Fresh Tomato Pasta.
Weird But Funny…
What To Watch
“From The Vine” Movie On Prime Video
“A downtrodden man experiences an ethical crisis and travels back to his hometown in rural Italy to recalibrate his moral compass.” We loved it. Funny and charming. It will give you that much-needed vacation to the south of Italy!
Wedding Guest Dresses Over 50
Our daughter is getting married and we’ve been invited to two weddings that look like they are actually going to take place! The stores don’t have much in (I’ve checked), but here is what I’ve been able to find online that don’t show too much skin and aren’t wildly expensive.
Top Row: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Middle Row: 1 | 2 Bottom Row: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Top Row: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 Middle Row: 1 | 2 Bottom Row: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Fun Deluxe Mascara Deal
I was in Sephora the other day and asked about travel-sized mascara. I usually buy Benefit Bad Girl Bang mini size $13. But the salesgirl mentioned this deal:
A collection of five deluxe and mini-size mascaras, including clean picks from ILIA and Milk Makeup for $28.
Choose your favorite mascara, then take the enclosed voucher to any US Sephora store* to redeem for the full size of your favorite featured mascara at no extra cost. Some of them cost around $25-$28 like Anastasia and ILIA. So that’s like getting all the travel sizes for free.
Those are Wedding Guest Dresses Over 50, Pasta Primavera, and what to watch on television!
Let’s check out what my friends have in store…
CINDY HATTERSLEY DESIGN
MOST LOVELY THINGS
Kelly says
I’m a bit late reading this post, but thsnks for the recommendation on the movie. It feels a bit like my all time favorite movie, Moonstruck. I can’t wait to watch it. And the Extra gum commercial was hilarious! I’m forwarding it to my kids.
Gail says
A+ for this post, Mary Ann! We really enjoyed “From The Vine” and I love trying different mascara so immediately ordered the deluxe mascara deal! The pasta dish that Howard made not only looks beautiful but sounds absolutely delicious and I’ll be trying it very soon! Thanks for all the “fab” things you share.
Mary Ann Pickett says
We liked it too, Gail!
Linda Salazar says
I am going to try the pasta dish this week…I have some left over creme fraiche from the coffee cake I made on Mother’s Day. Going to Trader Joe’s midweek and will pick up some fresh peas. Just bought some spinach fettuccine nests last week. Wasn’t sure what I was going to make with them but now I do. :o)
Hope you had a nice Mother’s Day!
Linda
Mary Ann Pickett says
Let me know how you like it, Linda!
Liana says
The pasta primavera recipe looks delicious, maybe I should try it for tonight 🤔. Isn’t wonderful how life is slowly getting back to normal ? I also have a couple weddings to attend this year. The dreaded dress shopping … since keeping a stable body weight hasn’t been on my capacity lately, im
Going for last minute shopping. Have you checked Adriana Pappell dresses ?
Brenda says
Happy Mother’s Day! Our son is getting married this fall. I bought a beautiful dress at Tahari ASL. I bought it online, the fit is just right but I need to have it shortened. Hopefully that’s not too much of a hassle. I also found the perfect dress for the rehearsal dinner at TJ MAXX (online). It’s a Teri Jon but the price was so much better than department store prices.
You’re probably right in the middle of plans for your daughter’s wedding. Enjoy!
Brenda
Karen B. says
Happy Mother’s Day, Mary Ann,
I love the mascara deal at Sephora. Wow, what a bargain.
The pasta recipe sounds delicious. You’re very lucky to have a husband that loves to cook. I see several of the Wedding Dresses for women over 50, that I would consider purchasing if we had a wedding to attend.
I know you must have enjoyed the day. We had a wonderful celebration at our youngest son’s home with his lovely wife and our darling granddaughter.
xo,
Karen
Mary Ann Pickett says
How great to have your son and his family with you, Karen!
Heidi says
Ha ha, I see I did have a little trouble with my typing! SRY ANN. Well I hope you know I meant Mary Ann! 😜
Heidi says
Hi. Sry Ann,
I’m writing on my new IPad,(my Mother’s Day gift!) finally able to leave a message with no trouble!
Hope you’re having a lovely Mother’s Day!
The dresses for weddings was just what I needed, we have an evening outdoor wedding to attend in October. I’m looking for a wrap dress that is not pricey, that I will wear again. Anyone of the ones you featured would work, but I do think most cost more than I want to spend. It’s going to take a long search I think!
Love pasta with just about anything, peas and asparagus and cheese, oh my.
Going to search for that movie, it sounds just up my alley for an evening’s entertainment!
Thanks for the great post!
Do
XO Heidi
Mary Ann Pickett says
What a nice Mother’s Day gift!! Thanks for commenting, Heidi!
Susan says
You might try H&M in your dress search. I’ve never purchased from them, (and some of the dresses online look boxy and models wear giant ugly shoes), but I recently watched a very normal looking youtuber doing an H&M dress haul, and they looked very pretty. They seem to have several wrap styles online at very low prices.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Cindy has had some good luck at H&M. Thanks!
cindy says
That pasta looks delicious I will have to try once I have a kitchen again. Great pics for over 50 wedding attire. I have had one in the works but haven’t gotten it done! I was wondering if that Netflix movie was any good. Thanks for the recommendation!
mimi says
Is the wedding in Spain or in SF or somewhere else? What dresses are you looking at as Mother of the Bride?
Enjoy having her home and enjoy your Mother’s Day.
home before dark says
The pasta looks amazing! Happy Mother’s Day and enjoy your daughter’s visit.
Diane Gossen says
Watched The Vine last night and it was all you described!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yes, Diane!
Francesca B. says
Happy Mother’s Day Mary Ann!!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Happy Mother’s Day to you, Francesca!!!
Lyn says
What a fun post! Something for everyone! Thank you!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thank YOU, Lyn!