A Break in the Baking
Man cannot live on Christmas cookies alone. No offense, Santa. We’ve certainly been trying to live on cookies around here. Dinner has pretty much just been something just to get through to get to dessert. I have absolutely no business having so many treats in my fridge right now: Dough balls of every flavor. Pumpkin bread pudding. Gingerbread cookie dough waiting to have life breathed into it. And three hidden Tupperware containers full... Read More
Just for Looks
I am vain. I’ve learned in life that if you just admit your faults and shamelessly blurt them out to other people, it makes them seem a little less vile. Vain. Sing too loudly for the pitch and tone I have. Wear sports bras too many times without washing. Think I am funnier than anyone else does. Vain. See, that’s not so bad. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Another fault. After forgoing buying myself basic things as a stay-at-home mom for... Read More
Deck the Balls
If you are just joining us after the holiday weekend, let me catch you up. I was treated to a Thanksgiving morning dance recital. I made the best stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner. No, it wasn’t really a competition. But if it was, I would have won. I became a bread pudding convert and slept on the living room floor. The living room floor was closer to the leftovers. Easy access, baby. And today. Today we decked the halls. Every year when... Read More
Just Desserts
Given my Thanksgiving recap, you might think I was trying to win my way out of the doghouse with Pea Daddy for some hypothetical reason, such as publicly hinting that he would even entertain the notion of buying Star Wars cookie cutters or complaining that he spent twenty minutes too long in the old man store yesterday. Hypothetically. You might also believe I am in trouble based on our sleeping arrangements, namely me on the living room floor. ... Read More
Winner of a Dinner
I come from a very competitive family. Pea Daddy grew up an only child, so he doesn’t really get it. He also doesn’t really ever want to play board games with me, have a rock-skipping contest or see who can fold all the laundry and put it away fastest. I’d even let him win that last one. And then demand a weekly rematch. Pre-Pea Daddy, I was always torn when it came time to dress for our holiday dinners. Should I wear my holiday best... Read More
Full of Thanks
Today I am thankful for a God that has blessed me. With two ballerinas that fill my life and heart with joy and love, With a husband that lifts me up and lets me shine, With family and friends that support me, teach me, and accept me for who I really am (this means YOU). And this year, I am so very thankful that my child wasn’t the one to have an “accident” during ballet class yesterday. And for paper towels and Lysol. Happy Thanksgiving! Read More
A Test Run
Practice makes perfect. Or a good blog post. Gigi has been practicing her Christmas carols. You can join in. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Had a very special thing, And if you ever heard of, You would even say it blows. Then one foggy day-uh-ay, Santa came to..uh. Rudolph with your red nose, Won’t you guide my sleigh-uh-ay? Then all the reindeer got in line. And they shouted out with fear! Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, You’ll go down... Read More
Be My Friend
This morning Gigi wanted to go play in the snow we got overnight. I said, “No.” I had my reasons. 1. She was being inaccurate. It wasn’t snow. She should have asked if she could play in the dirty white, crusty layer of powder barely covering our grass. 2. She was wearing a purple unicorn nightie. And her boots are pink. Clashy clashy. 3. It was 6:45 a.m. White crusty powder play doesn’t start until at least 7:00. 4. She... Read More
Thanksgiving Can’t Wait
When it comes to cooking, If had a little timer stuck in me, the little red button would surely have popped out. I’m done. I believe my exact words yesterday were, “I’m not cooking until Christmas.” And I was at peace with the concept of not going near the stove for anyone other than the son of God. I’d no sooner bandaged my burns, loaded the last dish in the dishwasher, put my feet up on the coffee table and sat for the first time in... Read More
Photo Finish
Twenty-two recipes, and over 800 photos, …in seventy-five hours. That’s almost one recipe per three hours for those of you that can’t find the calculator on your Start menu. (It’s okay, Mom. Call me. I’ll walk you through it.) There’s been at least three different sleeping arrangements: Gigi on the air mattress, which ended with Gigi in our bed at 1 a.m. and me getting a cavity search with her right knee; Gigi in my bed and me... Read More
Ahead of Schedule
Clearly we are a bit ahead of schedule. And a little bit loopy from lack of sleep. (inspired by Hangry Pants) Read More
Save the Drama for Your Mama
There’s been no shortage of theatrics as we stage our cookbook shoot this weekend. Don’t look so surprised. My kitchen island has turned into a sanctuary of mini spoons and ramekins, round bowls and their square brethren, multicolored dish towels and placemats, carefully ironed into crisp backdrops for simple sweets and plentiful plates. It’s a patchwork of beauty to a food blogger, and a source of inspiration to two little girls with tea... Read More
My Gut Was Right
If this is a shot we are NOT going to use, you can only imagine how amazing the shots are that we are going to use. My gut was right. But my gut is full. And I am tired. “Go Bags” for everyone! Puzzles in tutus for everyone! Okay, not everyone. German Chocolate Cake for everyone! Yes, everyone! Spaghetti and meatballs for everyone! Bread pudding for everyone! Playing in sugar cookie dough for everyone. Hope everyone washed their... Read More
If Pictures Could Talk: Volume 2
“Mommy, can I have a beater?” “Mommy, can I have a beater?” “Mommy, can I have a beater? Wait, did you tell me ‘no’?!” “I’m going to say a bad word!” “Guts!!!” “I got a beater!” “I like beaters.” Frosting is delicious, but very slippery. “Guts!” “Mommy, can I have some cake?” “No soup for you!” At least not until Ashley takes its picture. The second best balls ever to come out of... Read More
Take Note
Pea Daddy just gave me today’s mail, and said, “It should be noted that this is addressed to you.” It should be noted that I then showed him my Cinderella Band-Aid. It should be noted which finger said Band-Aid is placed upon. It should be noted that I almost lost that finger cutting a kabocha squash at 9 a.m. It should be noted that Super Glue and a Band-Aid are a fine replacement for stitches. It should be noted that there is now Super Glue... Read More
Blades of Glory
I’ve raised Gigi to be very resourceful. She has this deep desire for all of her dolls to have appropriate clothing for every situation. Since I refuse to buy clothing for a 12-inch piece of plastic with hair when I am, in fact, wearing a vest right now that I’ve had for nine years, she’s had to get creative with what her dolls wear. She’ll search around in her drawer for the smallest thing she owns and end up trying to tie a baby sock... Read More
Not Your Average Day
Today was not your average day. It was World Diabetes Day! To me this meant an opportunity to reach the Portland community via a Circle in the Square event, an opportunity to spread the word about Peas and Thank You, and an opportunity to share the wonderful effects of a plant-based diet in the treatment and prevention of disease. To others, though, it was merely an opportunity to get woken up and stuffed in the car instead of leisurely eating... Read More
Mama’s Mea Culpas
1. If I have an important phone call to take, I’ll give the girls fun activities to occupy them while I’m predisposed. Like doing dishes. 2. I was overjoyed when my parents showed up to help out today, not so I could take a much-needed shower, but so they could do the scrapbooking project I’d promised to let the girls do. 3. I hate scrapbooking. 4. Whenever anyone says, “Uh oh!” when they are sitting on the couch, I assume... Read More
Pickle Problems
Lulu’s now sick, it’s worse than you think, She was up all night, slept nary a wink. A sniff and a cough, a fever, some moanin,’ ‘Twas Pea Daddy’s problem, I took melatonin. This morning she woke up, her throat had a tickle, She needed some soup, she wanted a pickle! Pickles can heal, pickles stop tears, Eat one with a friend, raise a pickle in, “Cheers!” I looked outside to the cold, the cloudy, the raining. Lulu laid on the couch,... Read More
The Truth About Pea Kitty
I was asked a lot of questions at Foodbuzz this last weekend, but none was more frequent or more impassioned than the, “Do you really not like Pea Kitty?!” I assure you, it’s true. Not a day goes by that I don’t shake my fist at the sky and say, “Ghee!” Not because I have a problem with Indian clarified butter (though I guess it’s not vegan, so maybe I should). Truth is, Pea Kitty’s real name is “Ghee.” Actually, that’s... Read More
Having a Ball
I’m not going to beat around the bush: today was not the greatest. Gigi’s still sick. I’ve lost my garage door opener and can’t leave the house anyway. It rained so hard last night, it woke me up and made somebody wet their bed. And then it rained all day too. We read book after book. We did crafts and puzzles. I hate puzzles. We played dress up. We cleaned out the Tupperware drawer. I hate Tupperware. I got rid of every bottom... Read More
Just a Little Different
Have you ever messed with one of those Type-A, highly organized people in your life by moving her measuring spoons to her left-hand kitchen drawer, tilting a perfectly level picture frame slightly askew or taking her grey leggings out of her suitcase so that she is forced to go without pants to a social function. Shame on you. I’ve been home for 24 hours and while at first glance things looked the same as I left them, upon a closer look, Pea Daddy... Read More
Homecoming
I’m home. Home, with a suitcase full of spice rubs and whisks, workout clothes that were never worn and heels that never should have been worn. Home, where all I have to do to get a laugh is say “Mr. Slushy is a hobnogger.” Home, where it’s too late for even one story, but I get talked into three. Home, where I eat a bowl full of carrots and broccoli and chug a glass full of Metamucil at 10 pm just because I can. And should. I really,... Read More
Being Present
As an attorney, I had to go to seminars frequently known as CLEs (continuing legal education). I dreaded CLEs. The typical CLE scenario was weak coffee, dried out pastries, pretentious speakers and self-important attorneys in the audience asking absurd questions to make their practice sound important. I don’t think I ever learned anything. I don’t think I ever ate anything. I certainly never squealed and ran with my arms open, cupcake... Read More
Living La Vida Loca
If I thought flying on a plane solo was crazy, I had no idea what I was in store for. I almost got right back on a plane as I walked into our hotel and was met by a man holding a placard that said, “Sarah.” How nice!, I thought, Ashley sent someone to greet me! As he led me to a van and asked me what time my flight left, I knew that I was not his “Sarah.” Side note #1: Pea Daddy, I’m only your “Sarah.” And I miss you. Side note... Read More
Are You Going to San Francisco?
I am, so you can breathe a sigh of relief that you will not have to hear me talk about my upcoming trip anymore. Instead, you get to come with me! It’s a strange feeling being at the airport alone. I’m tempted to ask the guy next to me here in the waiting area if he needs to go tinkle before we get on the plane. I didn’t pack him a Pullup, so if he has an accident it’s a long, wet flight… Last night the girls and I prepared my foodie... Read More
No-Good, Stinky Rotten Cheater
For all my bragging about what a good sport Gigi is, I’d be remiss not to share that I also have another child who is a no-good, stinky rotten cheater. The Treat Fairy swooped down from the sky Sunday night, snatched up the twelve pieces of candy that we were spared from the onslaught of kids that were bussed into our neighborhood, and blessed us with a little game known as Connect 4. I know that I should just be impressed that Lulu is able to... Read More
One Prepared MoFo
I hope I don’t owe a dollar to the Swear Jar for each time I say “MoFo” this month. Because I plan on saying “MoFo” as much as I can as a part of Vegan MoFo! What the Fo is Vegan MoFo ? Glad you asked this Mo. For the month of November, hundreds of foodbloggers will be writing as much as they can about vegan food all month long! The truth of the matter is, I don’t expect my content to change much over the month. While I don’t... Read More
The Pride of Denmark
I wasn’t sure I wanted Gigi to play soccer this year. I’d never played soccer myself, but having played competitive sports my whole life, frankly I was a little worried about how playing the totally mystery of a game would affect my very spirited, very confident, very feminine little girl. She couldn’t hide her disappointment that her team color wasn’t pink. And to this day she believes that her team name was, as she said it with her nose... Read More
