Like Looking in the Mirror
First things first: Peas and Thank You has moved to its own server! Yes, this means we have a new layout and yet another new header. Change is not always bad, my friends. I hope you like the new blog! Now onto your regularly scheduled post…
They say that art imitates life. And sometimes it takes rushing out the door with unbrushed teeth (Lulu!), paying $7.50 per head, sneaking in juice boxes and PB&J lunches, and asking four times if anyone needs to use the potty all in the name of viewing said “art” to appreciate how good life truly is.
To appreciate a man that will take his Sunday morning to go see Ramona and Beezus with his wife and daughters.
For the second time.
Gigi and I went to see the family/chick flick two weeks ago and fell in love. Lulu was so excited to go with us for the second viewing, that when we saw the ticket booth, she hitched up her skirt and started running, announcing, “My underwear is falling down!”
It was worth the panty dropping. You see, the Quimbys are our family:
A busy, tired mom.
Bridget Monahan can play me in the on-screen adaptation of my life any day of the week.
A hands-on, suit-wearing, slightly goofy dad, who’s great at doodling and even better at loving his family.
A curious, imaginative little girl who isn’t afraid to color outside of the lines.
Make ours a double.
I’d hoped Pea Daddy would at least humor me and tolerate the movie. Turns out, he loved it as much as I did. I caught a tear being swiped. And then as we left he said, “That’s scary how much that is like our family. We’re buying that the second it comes out on DVD.” We rewarded Pea Daddy after the movie with a walk-through his favorite store.
Hey, Pea Daddy…do you see the other clientele? Take note, brother.
The girls’ reward for not having to get up to use the bathroom multiple times during the movie was a walk-through playhouses that are being raffled of with the proceeds to go to Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital.
If we actually win, I think the girls are moving in. I will miss them.
My reward for…well, does there really need to be a reason? We strolled through Borders where I spied a certain friend’s new book.
I’m am so excited for all the good things coming Caitlin‘s way. It’s crazy to think my life may mirror hers in about a year.
I still felt indebted to Pea Daddy for the estrogen-fest. His other reward for his day with the girls? His favorite kind of food: Mexican.
Roasted Chickpeas Tacos
Makes 8 tacos
- 2 t. chili powder
- 1/4 t. garlic powder
- 1/4 t. onion powder
- 1/4 t. dried oregano
- 1 1/2 t. ground cumin
- 1 t. sea salt
- 1 T. lime juice
- 2 T. water
- One 14 oz. can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 8 organic taco shells (i.e. Trader Joe’s brand)
- Taco trimmings: shredded cabbage, tomato, guacamole, non-dairy (i.e. Daiya) or organic cheese, etc.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cumin, salt, lime juice and water.
Add chickpeas and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Place chickpeas on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake for 20-30 minutes, stirring once during cooking, until chickpeas are slightly crispy.
Prepare taco shells according to package directions. Fill with chickpeas and desired toppings.
They’re no Tommy Bahama $98 Superfecta Polo, but they were delish.
And then Pea Daddy got really hands on after dinner.
Maybe he deserves one more “hands on” reward tonight. You think?
I grew up reading the Ramona books and I was so happy to see this movie. I’ll probably wait for it to come on DVD because I doubt my wonderful husband will submit himself to 2 hours of this but that’s okay.
Daddy Pea rocks!
Love the new look! I actually was reading some of your tweets yesterday and cracking up. The husband was wondering what was so funny and I said how I just love Mama Pea’s sense of humor. He was all confused. Then I showed him your blog and he LOVED it. Just thought you would like to know.
I loved reading about your family day. And all the rewards. Of course I still got a good laugh in. Poor Pea Daddy having to be the youngest of his peers.
My brothers and I wanted playhouses like that when we were little so bad. We still talk about them!
I LOVE the new blog Sarah!!! I think it is perfect and I love the side pic of you and what it says below, too cute!!!!
Oh that movie does sound really cute, glad Pea Daddy enjoyed it too and got rewarded with Tommy Bahama, and love the joke you made about who shops there, lol!! Yup pretty old clientele!!
I am so proud of Caitlin and cant believe her book is out, and yes you will be there next year too with your amazing cookbook! I cant wait for it to come out!!! U deserve so much congrats, you are a wonderful mom, wife, and just a wonderful person, you deserve all the greatness to come!
Slip n slide! My favorite!
Congrats on the server! I am not sure where you are hosting it, but tip from my bro: If you are hosting it at home have a second server at another location to back up the first server, just in case of flood or something disastrous!
I haven’t heard of this Ramona movie. The only Ramona I know is from Real Housewives. I am so out of touch with fun kiddie things!
Okay, so I totally want to see that movie now. At first, I was like “Nah, I can’t really relate to it” but your description (plus the cuteness that is John Corbett) sold me on it
Glad you had a good day with the family!
The Quimby’s always reminded me of our family growing up too
I need to see that movie.
i love taco-spiced chickpeas, but never though to make a taco or burrito out of them! that sounds incredible…usually i just sneak them into the movies, eat the whole thing, and regret it the next day
Hands on pea loving is what he needs all right!! I really wanted to see that movie..I loved all of the ramona books growing up!! They need kids to read those books nowadays and no just the twilight shizzle!
Ahhh I LOVED the ramona books as a kid…can’t wait to see the movie!
That is a good man you got there, lady. And perhaps some adorable kids too ..
I love the cute new header! Very sweet. Peas are adorable for some reason.
I really want to see Ramona and Beezus because I loved the books as a kid. However, I don’t have any kids so I fear I may look like a creeper going to see it by myself
What a sweet post. Melt my heart with you and your adorable family
. I really enjoy the new blog layout.
I <3 the new site! Very clean & fresh looking. Thank you for sharing such wonderful recipes. I really enjoy them.
So cute, looks like such a fun family day!
First things first, you would have been more than welcome at the luau! I’ll make sure you, gigi, lulu, and Pea Daddy are on the invite list next year!
Hats off to Pea Daddy — however, I almost peed my pants laughing at work with the Tommy Bahama + Old man photo. That was excellent!
Hope you guys are having an excellent Monday!
Ahhhhhh, your page looks simply beautiful Mama Pea!!!!
I think your movie outing sounds wonderful… I think a lot of us can remember reading those books as a kid!!! I thought Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume were the literary geniuses of our time… and in a way they are….
I am so glad you guys had fun!!! Family day at the movies is the best. Congrats on the new layout, it’s inspired!
I can’t wait until my little one is old enough to appreciate Ramona books (we’re still in the board book version of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and touch and feel books- not so exciting). Until then, I’ll have to keep reading it with my second graders. Every year, it ends up being one of their favorites! I think so many of us could relate to her stories. Love the new set-up!
Love the new blog layout!!!!!!! Very cute!!
Pea Daddy was destined to have girls!! Not that he wouldn’t have been a great dad to boys too, but he just has a heart made for girls!
That movie sounds really cute!!
And your tacos look gooooooood!!
Sooo cute! And i love you new design. I used to adore the Ramona movies as a child, as well as the books. I would go to our local public library and check out the VHSs again and again and again.
The new layout looks great!
I really really want to see Ramona and Beezus but I don’t think anyone would actually go with me. lol.
Chickpea tacos! Love!!
I want one of those playhouses! For the kid. Yeah, right. For the kid.
Lookin’ good! I’ve loved John Corbett since Northern Exposure. So happy his career has turned out well.
You guys are too cute. Do they make the girls’ skirts in my size?
fun family time!
Wow, S!!! Congrats on the new site it looks wonderful!!!!!!!!!! All that work on the other header to turn around & change everything from start to finish, like a day later. Ahh, but that’s the life of a blogger…hundreds or thousands of hours into something and then, bam, things change and we only hope it was all for nothing
Anyway the chickpeas…you know I have never done the roasting method and I loved tacos so this is a perfect way for me to get in on the vegan taco action. I make a raw vegan taco nut meat which is really good but something about the warm chickpeas is probably amazing.
Hope you and the fam had a wonderful weekend
You have such a beautiful family, I love reading about your daily adventures. Love the new blog lay-out!
Looking good, M. Pea! Looking good!
I loved, loved, loved the Ramona books as a kid!! I had no idea there was a movie coming out on it. Now I have got to see it.
Lovin’ those tacos!
Your new blog is perfect!
Also, I’ve been looking for a taco filling that was neither tofu nor tempeh (and I hate those vegan “ground beef” crumbles… yuck!), so this sounds absolutely perfect! . At 10 wks pregnant, tacos are one of the ONLY things I’ve been craving — so thank you!
I love the new header–especially the scrolling pictures with the recent posts!
ahh, the slip n’ slide! i’m glad to see they still make those! your girls look like they are having so much fun.
i love tacos, i’ve made them with seitan, tvp, lentils, but i never thought of chickpeas! they look gooood!
Congrats on the new server and layout. I think it’s super clean, organized and fun looking.
I have a 9 year old brother (I know, I know…he’s old enough to be mine.) Anyhow, I would love to take him to see this movie. I read the books growing up and really enjoyed them. I wonder if a boy would like it?
I am loving the new blog layout! It is gorg! After reading your post (and you are right, you def have a terrific man!) I am even more excited to take my daughter to see this movie!! Do you think my son would enjoy it (he’s 7) or should I stick to the mother/daughter date?
This response is to Amanda too…I don’t know! I don’t have boys so it’s hard to say. There is no overly girly stuff (i.e. training bras and puberty talk) but there are some really mild romantic subplots, and a lot of the movie is about the relationship between sisters. Still, it is pretty funny without being crude (which is so rare), and there is a good message about family. I say take the boys!
I love the new look, congrats! Looks like such a fun weekend filled with lots of family time.
I still can’t wait to try your vegan cheesecake recipe.
Such a great hubby you have there!
I really like the new layout!
Aww I can’t wait to watch that movie and my god can you stop making me drool please? I need to roast some chickpeas, they just look delicious.
This sounds mental, but I found a card that you will adore and would love to post it out to you, but I do not know your address which does make sense but still help.
I want that play house, here they seem to be made out of plastic and in horrid colours.
I am so glad the Operation Beautiful book is finally available and know I have to wait for yours. Please try to get it published in the UK so I can stock it at work.
It sounds like Pea Daddy deserves more love also.
Haha!! Get it, giiirrrl!
I want a family like yours (and Ramona’s and Beezus’s) someday. You guys are just too great.
I love the new blog layout!
I took my 8 year old to see Ramona and Beezus last weekend. It was wonderful. I just love that Quimby family!
My husband is deployed right now, so he couldn’t go with us, but I think he would have enjoyed it too. In fact, a few years ago, he took our daughter to see Enchanted and he was floored (and slightly surprised) by how much he enjoyed it.
To those wondering if a boy would like it….there were plenty of boys in the theater we were in and I didn’t hear any complaints. I say bring ‘em!
oooh I love that you used the chickpeas in the tacos! What a great idea!!
I loved the Ramona books growing up and I even loved the TV show. The new layout looks great, and one out of 4 of the “used to be’s” ain’t bad (o: (you always look well groomed to me) Did you ever do a post as to why you went vegan and I just missed it? Oh and your book got pushed to August 2012? Well, I’m sure it’ll be worth the wait!
Anne, you know that theory that hair looks better after it has been unwashed for a week. I’m testing that theory right now. I haven’t done a why I went vegan post on THIS blog. Maybe it’s time I revisit that issue? Also, the book is done on my end (aside from some edits), but there will be a year for production, layout, etc. I’m itching to get it out to you all too!
Tacoooooos! Yum!
Great layout, nice header!
As usual, wonderful post. You’re such a talented writer (and chef- we LOVE your recipes!). I look forward to checking in with you every morning and I can’t wait to buy your book!
Aw, Jen…thank you. I look forward to checking in with you all each morning as well!
I LOVE the new header! It’s so original. After seeing so many new headers lately, I’m thinking about an update to my blog…change IS good!!!
I wanted to see that movie. I think my Sophia would enjoy it if your girls did…she’s only been to one movie and did pretty well!
The Ramona books were a staple of my childhood – I may be edging on thirty, but kids or no kids (yet) I’m gonna see that movie!
Like the new lay-out, and I’m pretty excited about chickpeas in tacos, as I recently stumbled upon an epic 108 oz can of them….I haven’t decided if beans in that quantity is just wrong or not
I was literally laughing out loud while reading this post. Your family never ceases to amuse!
Love the new site!
Such a sweet post. That movie looks totally adorable. Love the idea of chickpea tacos instead of using a soy protein! yummmm
I used to love the Ramona books soooo much…..I may have to rent that movie. Love the new blog look!
Hmmm…chickpea tacos. I like that idea. Especially with that uber-creamy guac I spy in there. Thumbs up!
HAHAHAHAHA…yes!
is that wrong i said that?
anyways, i want to see ramona and beezus, and i am pretty sure this post is giving me the kick in the butt i need. can i borrow gigi and lulu for round #3?
I love your blog! Thanks for sharing.
hahah Pea Daddy’s love of Tommy Bahama’s will never fail to entertain me and make me smile
LOVE that Mexican recipe with chickpeas! What a fabulous idea! Hope you continued Pea Daddy’s night of rewards.
I always loved the Ramona books, so I kinda (OK really) want to see the movie. Trouble is, I don’t have any munchkins around to justify my going. Care to lend a few?
Awww I want to see that movie so much because I loved them as a kid. Hunni agreed and I’m going to hold him to it
I’m new to your blog, but I’m catching up on the archives and YOU CRACK ME UP! I look like a mess in bathrobe and towel turban laughing at the screen, but I had to tell you that you are great!!!
Thanks, Jessica!!! You are beautiful even in your towel turban
Yum. I cannot wait to make those Chickpea Tacos!
I made the tacos last night and my family LOVED them! I paired them with your Spanish Quinoa (I used brown rice) and it was also delish!
I made these last night and they were a huge hit. Can’t wait to make them again!
Delicious! I did not want tacos, but made the chickpeas. I snacked on a couple and will be adding them to a salad tomorrow.
Hi MamaPea! Just wanted to say that I tried this recipe the other night and it is definitely another winner. So easy and filling and VERY TASTY!! Thank you!!
I have wanted to tell you that my family loved this recipea!!! Must say that every single bite was completely devoured! When it comes to a picky 10 yr old that doesn’t like the fact we have gone vegetarian and she eats 2 plates full…this is one happy mama to have seen this!!
I’m so glad! It really is one of our favorites too!
I’m obsessed with these tacos!
These are so good! I made them for dinner tonight and they are a winner!
I made these tonight for dinner. SO fantastic! I had them on their own – didn’t do tacos – and still, the flavor was amazing! Next time I’m going to mix them with a bit of rice and salsa!
I made these tonight and they were SO GOOD! My southern, male, meat-loving, non-veggie eating roommate tried them with caution and LOVED them!! Make them for non-believers…it will change their mind! Its in the dinner cycle!! YUM!
Yay! I love these too and they’ll be in the next book!
Ok, so I try new recipes every week in our meal plan…. and I am also pregnant, which has made my taste buds rather wonky for the last 7 months. I went from loving anything bean, green and earthy tasting to wanting to drink my weight in orange juice and live off chocolate. So, I’ve been trying to find recipes that have a good amount of protein (I am a gluten free pregnant vegan!) AND taste appealing to me. And let me say, this recipe is gold! I made these for dinner and then ended up making them again two nights later. This is the first recipe I have ever made twice in one week (let alone days!). I think I will email this recipe to all my loved ones, begging them to make it a post-partum meal! I am obsessed and no, I’m not saying it’s a pregnancy craving, I don’t want to take away from how seriously good these are. It’s always awesome to try something new that is cheap, simple and delicious and say it’s now one my favorite meals!
Meghan, that’s fantastic! Congrats on your pregnancy and thank you so much for the awesome feedback.