Job Opening
I think my husband should start looking for a new housewife. I am a hasbeen. For starters, despite the fact that I spent almost four hours cleaning my house yesterday, I hired a professional to do my dirty work. What kind of housewife hires a cleaning service? A housewife that wants her shower whiter than Moby in January, whiter than a weekend in the Hamptons with Muffy and Preston Vanderhausen, whiter than me the summer I decided Jergens Natural Glow was not natural and that juicing kale alone was going to send me from pasty to J. Lo. Didn’t happen. But after three hours, God bless her, Betsy got my shower so white I didn’t think it would show up on film.
Ahhhhhhh.
The second point I make noting my demise as a viable housewife is that fact that I was not home all day. It’s called housewife, not “driving your kids across town to have a late lunch with friends wife.”
How could I turn down a meetup at the Vita Cafe with a Hungry Hungry Hippie and someone that Cares to Eat almost as much as I do? I just couldn’t. Think about the children.
I was so excited to meet Elise and her fiance Kyle, and to see Andrea again that we almost made it to lunch less than fifteen minutes late. I know. I believe in Jesus. Lunch was almost as miraculous.
Veggie wrap (spinach, tomato, cucumber, olives, roasted red peppers, hummus, and vegan Caesar dressing all wrapped up in a whole wheat tortilla) split between me and the munchkins.
Field green salad with carrot ginger dressing.
The company was even better. Anyone that can put up with Gigi dipping everything, including her dress, placemat and drinking straw in vegan Caesar dressing and devouring it, and Lulu (unpictured) climbing onto my lap for two hours and exposing my totally unnecessary bra deserves props in my book. Extra credit to Kyle for taking photos and asking Gigi what she wants to be when she grows up, if she is excited to start school and how she likes swim lessons. Pea Daddy-in-training, no doubt.
The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.
The unfortunate part of the meetup, and further proof that I am a washed-up housewife, is that we didn’t get home until nearly 5 pm, meaning a 45-minute drive lasted two hours. I blame the accident on I-84 and Gigi’s unlimited access to water at the Vita Cafe. In true Elise-style, we hit Starbucks not once, but twice on the way home. I have a tall decaf Americano with a splash of soy, and whatever bacteria we picked up in the restrooms, to show for it.
We finally made it home, and Betsy was still in the shower. Even Pea Daddy doesn’t take that long. Did I mention it was over 100 degrees here today? We needed a simple summer supper.
Done and done.
Cherry Tempeh Salad with Lemon Rosemary Vinaigrette
Serves 2
- 4 c. organic baby spinach
- 1 c. pitted cherries
- 6 slices tempeh bacon, prepared according to package directions
- 1/4 c. roasted pecan halves
Lemon Rosemary Vinagrette:
- 1 T. prepared dijon mustard
- 2 T. fresh lemon juice
- 1 t. dried rosemary, chopped or 2 t. fresh rosemary
- 2 t. olive oil
- 2 T. water
- organic sugar or stevia to taste
- salt and pepper to taste
Top spinach with crumbled tempeh bacon, pitted cherries and roasted pecans.
I need a cherry-pitter. And a manicure.
Whisk dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
Top salad with dressing and serve.
A respectable housewife would then bathe her children, have them tucked snug in their beds at 7:45 and be ironing her husband shirts by 8. Not me.
Baths were water fights with our fabulous friends who spent the evening on our back patio.
This glass of wine felt pretty snug.
And as for that shirt…well, Bocce ball takes priority.
Hey, we all have our strengths. Plus, it’s casual Friday, and someone has a new Tommy Bahama shirt to wear. Say what you will, but I’m a keeper.
What a fun day! It got to almost a 100 in Seattle. Looks like Lulu and Gigi are thoroughly enjoying the weather.
Oooh what a gorgeous sounding meal – I’d never thought of cherries and tempeh together
I was wondering, how tall are you? You look pretty tall in that photo, and I’m 5ft9, soit’s always nice to see other tall women out there
Word of warning – cherry pitters aren’t all they are cracked up to be. Especially when you have one like mine, that could also double as some sort of medieval torture device. Need proof? Check this out: http://frenchfriestoflaxseeds.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/wild-for-waffles/
I do like the looks of that salad though. It has tempeh bacon, which I’m currently crushing on. Too bad NO ONE sells it here in Vancouver. You’d think with all the hippies here, it would be easy to find. But no, I had to smuggle mine via ferry from Victoria. I’ll stop ranting now.
oh I-84….I remember those times. Enjoy the sun for me.
Omg what a meetup!!! Andrea rocks and Elise, omg, I am sooo happy she’s gonna be stationed in my neck of the woods and we shall hopefully have meetups soon. I love that girl and I can defi hang with her 2x/Starbucks trips!
For the record, cherry pitters are not perfect. They don’t always pierce the pit properly and so you still have to dig them out with a knife or your fingers. That’s the prob w/ cherries…that darn pit! Oh and if you “punch” the cherry pitter depresser too fast, it rewards you by squirting cherry juice…everywhere. I got mine at Williams Sonoma and still far from perfect. I rarely even use it. Save the $
The first thing I do when I become a housewife is hiring a cleaning lady. No joke.
I love that being a “house wife” has been completely redefined. I can’t wait to be one myself.
You totally get props for packing up your kids and taking them out in the real world rather than staying at home all day. That in itself is an incredible feat – that and you kept your sanity in a two hour traffic jam. You so deserve a tub cleaner and I think I do too! 
Honey, firing you would be just about the least intelligent thing Pea Daddy could do. I don’t think he’ll easily find a “housewife” (gaaaah, hate that term, even when deployed ironically) who can be all that you are, let alone make DELICIOUS looking tempeh salads like that!
What a joyous meetup! I love Elise and Andrea, and I would have loved to join!!!!
Sounds like a lovely day. I just made your “Anytime” cookies, and wanted to tell you that they are absolutely fantastic. Thanks for creating them!
Water fights and Bocce ball are more important that pressed shirts and early bedtime, anyway
I didn’t know it was as hot out West as it is here in the East. Stay cool!
Mmm…your cherry tempeh salad looks just right for the summer. Love it!
How did your fellow bloggers LOVEEE gigi and lulu?
Super cute! And water fights with neighbors are certainly a respectable way to get clean
Do you think Betsy will come here and clean my shower? I have Roomba going off now to do my housewife duties! I avoid most of the household stuff like the plague, but my family gets good eats on a regular basis! Have a great Friday!
SHUT the front door……what a funnn fun fun lunch date!!! That sounds sooo awesome…I mean I’ll come clean a shower or two if I get to hang with you guys all day
XOXO have a great weekend Pea Fam!
Fun meet-up! And oh my gosh, I need to hire a professional to clean my shower. That is a fabulous idea.
Your kids sound so well behaved – very impressed! Also, yum for cherries on salads.
Yes you are!
Sounds like a great meet up! I’d say your a keeper…based on that salad alone!
ahhh so many of my favorite bloggers in one post!
I just found your blog. Your pictures are beautifully crisp!!
I have scrubbed and scrubbed and cannot get our bathroom WHITE! Bah! I never thought to hire someone…that’s such a good idea!
Looks like great eats, too – esp that cherry tempeh salad. Nom!
What a great blogger meet up! As if I wasn’t already jealous that I don’t live on the west coast anymore….
Have a lovely weekend Sarah!
oh I applaud you for pitting those cherries! what a task! I have done that before and I remember my fingers turning red too!!
that wrap sounds and looks deeelicious! what a fun meet up!
I love that the girls had their baths outside with the hose..I do that all the time for Ryan! Hey, it’s water, right? AND I fully support the cleaning service. I’ve warned Jeremy that’s coming. Between a full time job, part time job doing his books, the child, and HIM, he owes me a housekeeper. Now I’ve got some ammo…”but but, Mama Pea has one! ” Heart you!!
ahhhh that’s why you bought him that shirt
One time I secretly started looking up cleaning services and I got in total trouble . . . my bf would never ever give in and get help like that, I’m sure he gets it from his CRAZY mother
We have looked for cleaning services and are really thinking about hiring one especially during Christmas when our house looks like a bomb went off and we don’t care.
You are a great lady who lunches…with the kids. I’m sure they had fun :0)
You’re what I want to be in 5 years.
not to be a kreeper, but your wit and humor makes me wish we were friends in real life. oh crap, we’re not even friends in virtual life. i just read your blog everyday and you have no clue who i am. tis ok, i’m fine continuing this one-sided friendship because your posts give me a bit of joy and entertainment. carry on.
Aww, thanks Jessica. I shall carry on in your honor!
I’ll take a salad with cherries and lemon rosemary vinaigrette any day of the week. forever and ever amen.
Why all the cherry pitter hate? I have a cheap one from Target or somewhere and I like it!
Oh, and I forgot to say it yesterday, but it was so nice to hang out with you and the girls!
sooo much fun yesterday! clearly your double starbucks stop made me very proud
although i have to say, its been reeking havoc on the number of car stops. maybe i should have asked to borrow a few of lulus diapers before we set off again? if kyle and i end up as half the parents you are, ill consider it a win. seriously, they are SO cute and well behaved…we were talking about it the whole ride home. thanks again for making the trek to meet us.
wow, i just wrote “reek” havoc instead of “wreak” …ugh. need sleep.
I always say I want a wife, so I’d hire you if PeaDaddy gives you the boot (which I doubt). I don’t pay much, but I will praise your vegan cooking like it’s never been praised before!
another lovely post with your beautiful family
. ah I have not tried Vita–I must do my best to make it there soon! have you been to Blossoming Lotus, also in northeast portland (http://blpdx.com/)? I had my birthday dinner there and was not disappointed!
emilie
I haven’t been to the new location (just the one in the Pearl), but I loved it when I went before. I’ve got to get out there again. Thanks for the suggestion!
Another excuse to eat tempeh bacon?? Yessssssssss.
You are hilarious! And that salad you made for dinner looks amazing. So impressed.
What a fun meetup!!!!
Every wife needs a good wife too
Plus you’re too busy cooking delicious vegan eats to clean. I have a rule that if you cook, you shouldn’t have to clean. At least that’s what my mom always told my dad…
Sheesh what a good catch on getting the photo just when the water is stretching from one kid to the other. I love summer. Love love love.
LOVE your blog…think I’ve only commented once before.
You seem like such a fantastic mom. Your kids are healthy and happy so who cares if you clean your own shower?
Your older daughter reminds me of my daughter when she was that age (she is 11 now). Cherish your time w/them…it’s fun as they get older but I sometimes miss the toddler/preschool age, too.
Having a delicious lunch with bloggers sounds way better than cleaning all day!
I had a bacon tempeh salad tonight as well. Yours looks a little more put together and the addition of cherries sounds marvelous. I’ll have to try it.
Hope you are doing well my lady! xoxo
Cherry pitting always results in a kitchen that looks like a crime scene… I just picked up some to make a savory chutney with, and I’m curious as to how the whole process will work sans kitchen…camp site cooking rocks.
I’m somewhat ashamed to admit I greatly enjoy bocce ball. The inner 87 year old woman comes out a little too frequently, these days.
What a fun meetup…a fine group of ladies
Had pitting cherries…one reason I do not eat them that much. I know lazy.
the only thing i hate more than pitting cherries, i learned this weekend, is pitting olives!
Look at that fierce female gang!!! Mama Pea, you are GLOWING with beauty!! Love all of y’all.
You look so beautiful in your pics! And your beautiful glowy-summery-fruit-and-veggie-munching Baby Peas.
I am a little late commenting this post, but I gotta tell ya…. my Mom treated Summer pretty seriously. My sibs and I got to swim, trips to the library, the aquarium, movie matinees (the extravagance!)… We got fruit shakes, crackers and cheese and fruit salad all day, unlimited friends over to swim, water fights. Whenever she wasn’t working, she was there. If not, Grammy and Grampy herded the herd.
I would rather have those memories now than ANY memory of her scrubbing a shower while we were having a water balloon fight or playing Hungry Hungry Hippo or having her referee hide and go seek. I bet Pea Daddy, Gigi, and Lulu would agree.
xoxo