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 on my “E” and “D” laptop keys.
It should be noted that it is very difficult to put on self-tanner when wearing a Cinderella Band-Aid.
It should be noted that Cinderella is now orange…as am I from self-tanner. And kabocha squash at 9 a.m.
It should be noted that I lost my mind today.
This is my mind.
It has recipes, notes, and fragments of poems that list rhymes for “melatonin.”
It should be noted that Pea Daddy went to World Market and searched through every cart in the store searching for my lost mind.
He found it.
It should be noted that I’m still not buying him the “Partridge in a Palm Tree” shirt.
Ever.
It should be noted that the girls ate every meal they consumed today in the car.
They called these “Go Bags,” for reasons unbeknownst to me and they were filled with whole wheat PB&J, apple slices, pretzels, carrot sticks, organic string cheese, juice boxes, popcorn and organic lollipops.
It should be noted that around 3 p.m. I was really wishing I had a “Go Bag.” Filled with a massage. And my mind.
It should be noted that I bought 10 pounds of whole wheat pastry flour today.
In my mom’s natural foods section.
And she now has more work to do.
Sorry, Mom.
It should be noted that Pea Daddy helped with the shopping.
And that none of my recipes involve Australian soft red licorice.
It should be noted that I finally was on my way home at 8:30 p.m. tonight. And that Lulu found her “Go Bag.”
It should be noted that popcorn does not taste good when it is eight hours old.
It should be noted that I now have a lot of groceries to put away.
A LOT OF GROCERIES.
It should be noted that I lost my mind today.
So I’ll just be the one to ask a slightly dumb question, since it is 2 am in the morning here in GA. I have been wondering…is Whole Wheat Flour different from Whole Wheat Pastry Flour? I have just the whole wheat flour, but I noticed that you do a lot with the pastry flour, so just wondering.
Oh, and BTW…I had to finally make the peanut butter dough balls. I couldn’t hold out any longer. I must say, I think I could have ate the “uncooked” form completely up without even baking them…so delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
And lost mind or not, I must say that you inspire and encourage me!
Thank you, Steph!
So here’s the deal (again! hee hee): whole wheat flour is fine for breads, but it is very high in gluten and protein so if you use it in cookies, muffins, cakes, etc. you will get little rocks and bricks. Whole wheat pastry flour is ground VERY fine, so you still get all the nutrition of whole wheat flour, but the texture of All Purpose. If you can’t find whole wheat pastry flour, you may be able to find its cousin: WHITE whole wheat flour. Or just mix a 50/50 ratio of whole wheat flour with AP flour.
Hope that helps!
That explanation helped me too
That does help! Thanks. Which that may be one of the reasons my cookies and cream cupcakes didn’t turn out. I also think I chopped the “oreos’ too fine and mixed it too much. I’ll be looking for the WW pastry on my next trip to Kroger or Earth Fare!
Thanks again.
Your welcome! Good luck on the hunt!
If you can’t find that, then spelt is a great alternative. I use white spelt flour for baking and find that it’s softer than whole wheat pastry flour.
Thanks Krystina, good to know! I’ve never seen white spelt flour, but now I’ll be looking for it!
Kamut flour works really well also … even lighter than baking with spelt and WW pastry flour for cookies,
muffins, etc.
Am I losing my mind or is that wine bottle grinning at me?
You know how I open up Kabocha? I drop it hard on the kitchen floor, it always cracks open nicely. But the neighbors below me resent me.
I was trying to skin it. I should not judge a squash by its skin and just roast it with its skin on.
dude, the skin is the best part! its totally edible!
I spied the “Happy” wine too!
Kabocha squash can be vicious. Yikes. :/
Kabochas are nasty little dudes… My fingers always hate me after i am done cutting one open. Usually i just come out with nicks or small slits but i have cut down to cartilage slicing a stupid butternut. You should invent a squash knife… pair it with your cookbook and that will officially be my stocking stuffer for everyone in my family next year!
(okay it already is)
Can I borrow that kabocha to throw at the wall when my neighbors decide it’s a good idea to slam every door at 2AM?? I think I can help open it up for ya!
Just don’t bake any treats w/ that popcorn…or red licorice!
That pic of Lulu and the stale popcorn–to die for! And you nabbing 10lb of flour…leaving the remains! It’s always so fun to see other state’s grocery/organic stores. I could spend hours just browsing the aisle. I am sure Thriftway has a ton of stuff we don’t have here on the east coast.
Anyway–can’t wait to see what today entails w/ all those groceries
Oh, they do have a lot of interesting products for sure! And the fun part is, if there’s an ingredient I need or want to try, I know who to talk to to get it ordered!
Spoiled! J/k
Good luck with all the cooking.
Haha, this is great!!! Not that you lost your mind, but that you see spending copious amounts of time and energy into grocery shopping as a normal hobby. My husband thinks I’m crazy too. Whenever I send him to the store for something as “normal” to me as soy milk, I have to draw him a diagram of where to locate it. Grocery shopping makes me so happy, I guess it is a big unusual but to each his own, right?
You should have seem me with my list. I made Pea Daddy hunch over in the canned food aisle and I was crossing things off the list, highlighting, cross-referencing. It was awesome.
That sounds like one hectic day. And that is a LOT of whole wheat pastry flour!
Oh wow – what a day. And you look much cuter than me when I go grocery shopping… well, you look cute all days. Which is something I’m worried about for when I have kids. Shower? Meh. Dressed? Meh.
Trust me, showering is going to be at a minimum these next few days.
Squash mishaps are the worst. Unruly little buggers.
This has very little to do with the post, but I love your coat!!
Thanks! It’s Kenneth Cole, but I got if for a steal at TJ Maxx.
Mama Pea, I promise you’ll find your mind again! That picture of Lulu eating the popcorn is PRICELESS!
I about died when she pulled it out from between the seat and started eating it.
That is exactly why I never even attempt to cut open a kabocha. I have visions of an entire finger (or hand) flying across the room when I lose control of the knife.
Holy groceries. I must say that I’m super excited to see the finished product, though!!
So do you just not eat delicious winter squash? What else in Fall do I have to look forward to?!
Wow that is a whole lotta groceries!! Looks like the pea family will be eating a lot of recipes from the book for a while, not that they would be complaining:) BTW when will the book be on the shelves?? i cannot wait to get a copy!!
August! It’s only eight and a half months away!
Wow you are going to be one busy mama!
That is a LOT of flour.
Word.
Even with a lost mind, you still have your sense of humor. That was not lost today!
I have to laugh, because there were many, many moments I wanted to cry.
Congrats and good luck on your EPIC book re-shoot!
I am SO bummed you’re not getting Pea Daddy that ‘Partridge in a Palm Tree’ shirt. You KNOW he’d rock that for the holidays – and LOVE IT! What about matching ones for you and the girls? I smell the makings of a tropical Christmas card photo….just sayin’!
Actually, that would be pretty funny. Now you’ve got me thinking…
It should be noted that a glass of that wine has disappeared!
How’d you know?
Ouch! I hope you showed that squash who’s boss!
Great post, as always! Yours usually the first one I read each morning. I saw that you bought the Project Happiness white wine. I saw that when I was visiting California and I am wondering how it is! I LOVE the bottle!
I have to admit that over the summer, I bought a bottle because I liked the label
But it is delicious!
LOL I love the huge bags of flour. And Pea Daddy digging into the licorice. So cute.
Seriously, the things this man put in our cart: red licorice, a houseplant and chocolate peanut butter ice cream. And that’s going to help me how?!?
So sorry to hear about your finger
Ahh, the dangers of cooking! Hope the squash was at least worth it!
If you need a place to put those groceries, I have a fridge and cabinets that feed filling
You have a lovely blog and an adorable family… you now have a new follower!
Thanks, Cailin! Our neighbors have all offered to house any and all of our groceries…after they’ve been turned into deliciousness.
Skinning squash is the worst! Especially kabocha – such a weird shape.
Love the Tommy Bahama mail delivery
My husband doesn’t have any of their clothes, but our pillows from Costco are TB and they’re comfy. But they’re also not covered in palm trees or other tropical prints.
Even Pea Daddy admitted that that shirt is hideous.
Oh man, I can’t even tell you how many times I have comes close to losing a finger while cutting squash. I am constantly shaving half my fingers off with the vegetable peeler. It is definitely not an easy business!
You are definitely going to have a hectic few days with all the cooking and reshooting but it will be so worth it! Your mind will come crawling back eventually.
So sweet of Pea Daddy to go find your notebook for you!
I have a kabocha in the kitchen that I’ve been avoiding. I like my fingers. Skinning them tastes FOREVER.
I’ve heard you can eat the skins, but I’m scared to try.
The recipe marathon begins!! As much as I love squash, I HATE cutting them open. Even with the biggest sharpest knife (and guns, heh-heh, okay kidding) it is so hard to crack those stupid things open. Ugh. I swear I’ll be slicing my finger open soon one of these days. But the end result always has me forgetting the frustration
And the saddest thing is, I have almost 85% of this beautiful squash still sitting in my fridge, but I’m afraid to go near it. Okay, maybe 50%
Can you just roast what’s left + scoop it out?
Yes, but I like it crispy. Kabocha fries. Yum.
need to try kabocha fries, and the only thing holding me back is the cutting process! grrr
I’m so excited to see what you’re going to do with all this! You and Ashley are going to be a great combo! Go get ‘em girls!
Thanks for your vote of confidence, Sus!
Oh hon I hope your finger gets better and I’m glad PD found your mind at Cost Plus. I see DKB hiding in your groceries…makes me want toast. Love ya
Yes…DKB will be turned into croutons and ruebens over the weekend. Pregnant ladies need to eat, right? Let me know if you want to come down!
Holy Moly that is A LOT of groceries to unpack! I don’t envy you there!
But I am jealous of your plaster however…!
My plaster???
Haha, I laughed at this. In NZ we call Band-Aid’s plasters.
Well, I have plenty of Princess plasters. On a side note, hello to New Zealand! I’ve recently learned that I have a lot of readers in your country
Go figure!
Oh Mama Pea! I hope your finger gets better. It will all be worth it in the end. You will have fabulous pictures and amazing recipes to share. You can do it Mama Pea! You and Ashley make a great combo. You go girls!!
Thanks Cynthia! Come on over and bring your pom poms!
Superglue does in fact make a fine stitch replacement. I keep patching up the boys (read: my husband and best 2 friends) from them gashing themselves working on cars and playing with knives… One of these days I’m gonna run out of superglue! Good luck with everything, it’s going to be AWESOME.
Can’t wait to see it!!!
I can’t help but think that Super Glue is not the healthiest for my gaping wounds. But it’s got to be better than what my dad did growing up. He’d disappear into the garage with a needle and thread and then reappear about 20 minutes later looking very pale. What a man!
Actually, they use superglue (no joke) in the ER to suture some cuts closed… leaves less scarring than stitches, too! Crazy that your dad would stitch himself… my friend Grant started this all out by texting me at 3am to see “can you stitch” and then me being very surprised to learn he didn’t mean a pair of pants…
He did it more than once. I still think it’s pretty damn cool.
10 pounds?!?! Holy moly.
I love how they write BULK in military-ish humungous letters all over those bags. Also, I love Lulu’s popcorn face. You’re able to capture your daughters in the perfect moments!
Pretty much everything I bake has whole wheat pastry flour in it. But you already knew that.
I just discovered your blog and I LOOOOVE it! And your girls are so cute! I am 95% vegan (I occasionally eat fish) and have a little girl (2 years old) too and so your blog is really speaking to me… I am finding so much inspiration here, thank you thank you!
I am hooked and will be back for more…
Cheers!
PS- you have really cool handwriting too.
Thanks Hilary! So happy you found me and that I’ve sucked you in. Muhahahaha!
L.O.V.E. iiiiiiiiit
Ohhh this is going to be so much fun!!! I hope you have a flashing neon sign to get my attention when you pick me up because I’m not going to where I am or what day it is. Very strange that TOMORROW I’m going to be in your house. Is this for real? Dibs on the almond milk! 
I’ll call or email directions on where to go at the airport. I’m not sure if we’ll come in or just pick you up outside…
I know you are going to be at my house around this time tomorrow. That is why I have to CLEAN!!!! (after ballet, and school, and making four things off of our list…)
Australian soft red licorice is the best! Haha funny post…
Look at Pea Daddy going all rogue with the licorice! I would have loved to be sitting in on the design meeting for the Partridge in a Pear Tree shirt just so I could have said, “Really?”
Chris skins our kabochas, but I cooked a pumpkin the other day and then just scraped the meat out. I much less afraid of a spoon than a knife. But I gotta admit that eating the skin seems weird to me too. Just wash it very well before roasting and let us know how it goes!
Um, houseplant? I hope that was a gift for someone.
No, Pea Daddy is into plants. Remember Gigi’s “Prince List?”
I almost have to order the shirt now, don’t I? And then make him wear it.
Hi! I’m a new reader, and I just had to tell you that with 2 little girls (ages 4 and 2) I totally relate to your posts. And to losing your mind, and Cinderella band aids (well, Dora, but same thing), etc.
Thank you for being a healthy and funny inspiration!!
Thanks, Jen. I’m sporting Snow White this morning. Jealous???
Yikes! Have you ever tried putting a squash in the oven while it’s preheating to soften it up at bit? I’ve been doing that lately and it really makes cutting so much easier.
Great idea, I will absolutely try that!
Were those the groceries for next week’s baking/photographing extravaganza? I saw Daiya cheese hiding in all of those groceries. Mmmm–be still my heart! I liked Deane’s idea for the stocking stuffers. I might have to do that too. I always have to have my husband cut squash open for me. I don’t trust my accident prone self with a butter knife, let alone a sharp knife. I’d end up with no fingers left, for sure!
You mean TOMORROW’S extravaganza? Yes!
I laughed out loud at the pic of Lulu with the popcorn! That’s what my six year old looks like every time the poor kid tries to eat a veggie! I am so glad to know that my husband (a carpenter) isn’t the only one who super glues his cuts. Considering we probably own stock in the hospital from him, I will take super glue any day of the week! Love the band aid, ain’t not shame in sporting a princess!
If it’s good enough for a carpenter, it’s good enough for me!
Holy groceries batman! But think of how much fun you are going to have! How exciting! Good thing you got your book back!! Can’t wait to see this awesome collaboration come to life! Good luck!!
Awww, I miss whole wheat flour.
Stupid celiac!
This post was hilarious! Luckily I haven’t had one of those days in awhile! But does that mean it is right around the corner? Perish the thought!
Umm grocery heaven!?!? I can’t wait for the book :0)
And you just have to get Pea Daddy that Partridge in a Palm Tree shirt. It’s too tacky and hilarious not to!
It should be noted that I spot a bottle of wine in the background that you should probably consume. Granted it’s 10am on the West Coast…but you know, it’ll be 5 before you know it.
And none of my recipes contain wine either…
Mama Pea!! I hope you’re feeling better today! Also, looking at all your pics has made me wonder what you look like when you leave your hair CURLY???? I would love to see a pic– sometimes I think women look way better with their natural curl (tho as a curly-haired person myself, I know the temptation of the straightening iron…) Thoughts?
I’ll post a link when I get home…I know it was curly in the Mothers Day post
Here’s the link:
http://peasandthankyou.com/2010/05/09/i-got-the-message/
I love your hair color, it did you add low get new highlights?
I’m not sure I understand the question
Sorry, did you get new hightlights?
Same ones…just touched up!
I would love to be able to bring home a haul like that!
Your posts are always fun to read. I’m sorry to hear about your finger. I have the same fear when cutting up a butternut squash. Why must we work so hard for squashes?
So worth it!
You are going to do great, good luck!!! I would have bought your book either way
Thanks Rebecca. But now people who just pick it up will want to buy it too!
Don’t forget that Kabocha eaten in good quantities can become a self tanner too! You can get just as yellow from squash!
(I learned that after my son’s pediatrician asked me if I was a big “orange vegetable” eater… my obsessive fall butternut squash and pumpkin consumption was glowing on my skin…!)
It should also be noted that the coat you are using in the bulk bin picture if beautiful, I love it!
Ana
Thank you! And I know all about the carrot/sweet potato/squash effect.
I really want that wine with the smiley face on it.
I despise grocery shopping, but seeing how much you buy always makes me feel a tad better.
I LOVE grocery shopping! It’s the putting it away that I despise.
What is that recipe for in your notebook? Foccaccia?! I love nutritional yeast in everything. Maybe your girls would like it on popcorn with a sprinkling of Bragg’s Liquid Aminos. That is my childhood fave.
Actually, it’s for some crackers I made last week but never got around to posting the recipe for!
Just started reading your blog..you are hysterical..crack me up! Lucky for me the first post I read featured your take on the cookie dough balls. Holy crazy delicious! Thank. You.!!
Thanks Elle. I crack myself up too. But my family is over it. So it’s nice someone else gets me
Awww try to get some sleep but I know that you must be so crazy excited right now:):):)
I use self tanner year round cause in the winter im super pale and in the summer im still paler then most people lol and next to my very tan boyfriend there is way too much contrast in pictures and it saves me time burning and dodging in photoshop hahha
Im super excited for your cookbook to come out! I think you should do a giveaway;);)
I’m thinking of doing a giveaway this weekend to pawn off some of these bake goods!
It should be noted that I LOVE seeing those grocery-haul-on-the-kitchen-counter shots. O don’t know why. Maybe because I love grocery shopping so much that I feel like I’m there with you.
I’m always looking for new (good) tofu recipes, so I’m curious what that firm silken tofu is destined for. I love tofu when it’s prepared well and hate it when it’s not. I also hate it when people try and pretend that it’s meat. It’s good, but it’s not a sirloin.
Hope your finger gets better!
The silken tofu is to give an eggy texture to a few of my baked recipes… (hint, hint)
I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of making a “go-bag” for my son when we are out and about all day. But that’s a great idea.
10 pounds of flour, sounds serious!! I agree…a giveaway must be in order!
Hey, it works! Thanks for the gravatar link, Mama Pea!
How lovely you are!
I write their names on their bags and they feel like big kids. Maybe we will graduate to lunch bags soon.
Love the way you layout your blog posts
Adorable daughter, and a very nice load of groceries!
You meant adorable daughterS, right? Thank you
Hahaha I love your stories – they are soo cute! I’m jealous too of ALL THOSE GROCERIES! I know it’s for you and Ashley to start up cooking/picture taking, but seriously… your neighbors are going to love you even more than they probably do!
I cooked all day and my fridge is already full! I’m about to go knocking on doors.
So can I be your live-in babysitter? By the sound of those go-bags and the looks of those groceries, I think I’d be very happy and helpful:)
Yes, please.
I love when I fill my counter full of groceries like that…. picking them up at the store is also a blast too. Nice that you have some help to tag along with ya too.
I am totally creating my own “go bag.” Who cares if the transit authority doesn’t allow eating on the train.
It should be noted that finding whole wheat pastry flour near me is basically impossible. Stupid suburbs.
Bummer! You should try the mixing technique!
If it makes you feel any better I almost lost TWO fingers cutting a kobucha squash. Although I didn’t super glue them back together I am happy to say that they are healed and it only took 15 days!
Good luck with all the cooking your going to be doing!!
Mama Pea,
Keep up the good work. We’re following you… adventures, recipes, and all! Thanks for being such a great inspiration!
I’d like you to know you have some devoted followers here in Australia! My older sister lives in Portland and I recently moved to Australia and have shared your blog with my new friends here and you’ve changed lives
Thanks, Amy! I love all the support from my international readers too! Now I just need to take a trip to Oz and get the hook up on lodging
Holy cow, you made me laugh so hard at that nasty popcorn photo. You’re too funny with these blog posts. Thanks for sharing them!
My pleasure. Thank you for reading them.
Where did you get your boots?
Macy’s.