Lessons From the Farm
1. Do not let your husband pick out your clothes for the day and then decide to take a trip to the farm. He will choose a short skirt and wedge heels. And you will feel stupid.
2. “Try Our Fresh Strawberry Donut Samples!” obviously means “Try Eight Strawberry Donut Samples and Then Sneak a Ninth When Mom Isn’t Looking.”
3. Bees are scary. And so are chickens. But not the chicken that people eat. Because in Lulu’s sweet mind, they are two very different things.
4. Swings are fun. But there’s a bee over there.
5. Not every cashier that stares at you is doing so because she reads your blog. She might just be giving you the stink eye because your kids ate nine donut samples. And you are the first person all week to voluntarily buy kohlrabi. And ask for celery out of the trash.
6. Celery makes a good snack. But if it’s out of the trash, save it for the goats. This means you, Gigi.
7. Goats are smart and will do whatever it takes to get food. Plus I heard this one ask the goat next to him, “Who’s the dumb broad wearing a short skirt and wedges in a barn?”
8. Always ask if cherries have been sprayed before eating them straight from the farm stand. And make sure you have the Spray N’ Wash handy.
9. Girls can do anything. Even drive tractors. In Princess shirts.
10. It’s easy not to eat animals when you are friends with them. Because we don’t eat our friends.
10. Life’s challenges are a lot better when you have someone with you to help break the fall.
Just don’t let him pick out your clothes.
***********
Past lessons:
“because we don’t eat our friends”
good advise
Thanks. I’m thinking of having t-shirts made.
Hehe, you should. I have a t-shirt that says “Please don’t eat me, I love you” with a picture of an adorable baby pig.
Well what do you know…I did learn something today after all! Thanks for the lessons
You’re welcome…and you should take your family to Bauman Farms! It’s great fun!
I often drive my tractor while wearing princess t-shirts.
We just got some kohlrabi in our CSA box this week. What’s your favorite way to prepare them?
I just peel, slice and steam! They’d be great with Peanut Mmmm Sauce…
what no picture of this outfit he picked out for you
your a brave woman for letting him pick out your clothes.
love the farm post and all your post really.
I need to take the girls to the farm soon we go every year.
LuLu and my Sprite have the same theory on the chickens
We love to go to the local farm park and explore the farm. My kids got a kick out of the newborn piglets last time we went.
Looks like you guys had a blast!
What a sweet post!!
I would never let my husband pick out my clothes!! Ha ha, he wouldn’t even know where to begin!
Actually, he would probably just hand me jeans and a t-shirt!
The goats are so cute!!! Looks like a fun day at a farm…can’t imagine trucking around there in wedges, hahaaha
Frickin’ Pea Daddy.
Looks like a fun day! But where is a picture of the outfit he chose for you?
It was camera shy.
haha, goats are phunny ^_^
Awww, those pics are precious!!
I think driving a tractor in a pink princess shirt is totally awesome. As is wearing wedges to the farm. Sometimes you just have to rock certain shoes, farm trips not withstanding.
And I am jealz that you actually can *get* to the Spray and Wash stage w/ cherries. Skylar does not get the concept of spitting the pits yet. So after 3 cherries or so, unless I am de-pitting them, we call it a day and try again a week later
That Princess t-shirt was new. And now it is stained because we were out of Spray N’ Wash.
Try putting laundry detergent directly on it and let it sit for awhile before washing. That’s how I take out my husband’s grease stains.
Love all of the farm pics, especially the goats. My husband and I are crazy about cute little goats and aspire to have several of them one day, lol! I am going to need quite a bit of land for my pets.
Thanks for the tip, I’ll try it!
FYI, not that you are dying to know or anything, but Greased Lightening is the best stain remover I’ve found — I use the yellow bottle. http://www.greased-lightning.com/
P.S. That peanut mmmm sauce makes an excellent salad dressing. Especially in a salad that includes organic mixed greens, chopped red bell pepper, chopped carrots, cilantro (LOTS), and chick peas.
Thanks for the stain tip! And I had the peanut mmmm sauce on a similar salad last night. I agree—SO good!
I totally wanted to see this outfit!!
Only the Pea family would take impromptu visits to the Farm – ha. I’m sure you rocked those wedges like they were “obviously” normal farm-wear.
That baby goat is precious, as are the girls feeding their new friends. About those strawberry donuts – new Recipea creation??? Mmm.
Now you’re talking…
How fun does that Gopher hole look!? At least you got a skirt and wedges, if my husband picked the outfit out I’d be a clashing mess of brown, black and blue probably in the form of sneakers, shorts and a baseball hat.
But at least you could have gone down slides
I’m with Lulu…chickens are scary!!!
Adorable overload. First the girls. Then the goats. *sigh* The cuteness has exhausted me. To bed I go.
Chickens ARE scary! Birds and fish scare the crap out of me!!
But goats are the best. They’re cute and deceivingly smart. I grew up on a farm and the goats and calves were always my favs. And growing up on a farm is definitely where I learned not to eat my friends.
Such sweet pictures! Love the baby goat. Nothing’s better than tractor driving in a princess t-shirt!
Mama Pea, you crack me up. My husband can’t understand how anything other than a You Tube video of someone hurting themselves is funny. I recently became vegetarian and I love your simple quote, “We don’t eat our friends.” Damn straight, Queen Pea! You tell ‘em.
We have some funny You Tube videos too…
Looks like you all had a lot of fun on the farm! And tons of new friends were made. The goats your girls are feeding are the cutest
I love kohlrabi! Especially when it’s roasted. What a fun day!
Me too! 2nd favorite vegetable!
Now I am going to have to find some kohlrabi! I don’t even have an idea what it is/what it tastes like. Google to the rescue!
It’s this little round vegetable that comes in purple or green and in my opinion, it tastes just like a broccoli stem (which as many people know, is my favorite part of the broccoli and my favorite vegetable!). Buying kohlrabi just cuts out those pesky florets for me.
the cuteness is almost unbearable.
When I was younger, goats were my favorite animal. I BEGGED my parents for a pet goat, but, alas, it was to no avail. (I went to ranch camp every summer, if that helps explain it at all…haha).
Aww man! This was the most adorable post ever. You do such fun thins with your kids! I have child hood envy! And goats ARE MEAN. And chickens are SCARY. I agree. And thank you again for reading my blog…I may or may not have texted squeals to my boyfriend that my hero read my blog.
Aww, I’m flattered!
goats are not mean and chickens are not scary! they deserve life and respect and comments like this just make people feel it’s ok to eat them and abuse them.
Of course you are right Bitt! I did not mean it that way. Chickens are scary when they peck you though!!
I worked and two different animal sanctuaries and none of those chickens ever pecked me. Of course I fed them lavishly with greens and grapes and all sort of other treats. Maybe chickens who are mistreated by humans get defensive.
yep, and if there are to many of them cooped up together. They can keep track of their pecking order up to about 90 birds, beyond that they don’t know who dominates who and it makes them go crazy. Most of the scary things animals do in captivity are 100% caused by human intervention.
ok we are on the same page.
you know it! I have been vegan for 5 years too!
My little boys favorite farm animal has always been a chicken. He loves to hold them and pet them! At a farm sanctuary we visited recently he held a small rooster for a very long time- sweetest pictures ever!! And yes we are vegan!
That chicken that I posted a picture of may have been a rescue herself. Many of her feathers were missing and much of her skin was exposed. It made me so sad. Like I told Pea Daddy, that chicken was one step away from a dinner plate. It definitely puts it into perspective.
what her feathers were missing???No no no that sounds terrible. Birds will regain their feathers if treated properly. that is malnutrition or lice. she needs to be treated promptly.
I have to say you did post a whole thing last summer about not want to go to zoos. In my eyes, a petting zoo is a zoo. Anytime animals are pent up for our entertainment is a zoo. Sanctuaries seriously limit the visiting hours because it is very stressful on animals to be seen day in day out.
A lot these places and people who have animals they treat well don’t think twice about sending them off to another farm when they are done with them. Then that farm is the one who does the dirty work. There’s really no way to be sure they won’t be sold continually unless you keep them out their entire natural lives. Which is very rare for petting zoos and very rare for dairy farmers even small scale of goats or cows.
I’m going to try to get a hold of them tomorrow and get the full story on their animals. I’m pretty sure it’s not what you think. We were the only people seeing the animals the whole time we were there. They are back away from the rest of the farm. And it’s not a petting zoo. We actually didn’t touch the animals at all, except to give them the celery.
great it would be good to get the details on that. the “this place is different” is just a slippery slope argument in general. although some places truly are different. but it can be hard to know.
Agreed. It’s weighing hard on my conscience right now.
I’ll confess I use to buy produce from a place that had some animals in a little caged area. but I constantly checked them for their health. ok, not daily but often. the chicken feather thing raises a red flag. i think if they know people are concerned and care about that kind of thing they will stay on top of it. it’s so easy to get lax because animals are a LOT of work.
I’ll just hop in here and say that while I respect animals GREATLY, I wouldn’t peg myself as an “animal lover.” (Have you met my cat?!) That being said, just because I don’t “love” all animals, that doesn’t mean I want to eat them.
And when you are three, bees ARE scary. But I still took great care in guiding one out of my house yesterday.
good point. i don’t like alligators or snakes. i wish you could have a better experience with a cat. i have had some nice ones.
I LOVE KOHLRABI. I haven’t had any in awhile. I may need to pick some up soon. Only when I do, I’ll probably wear pants.
Good choice, Em, good choice.
Yay, I love Pea family adventures! With all the pics of adorable animals and adorable Lulu+Gigi, there is too much cuteness going on here!
I always get depressed when I go to any farm with animals, unless it’s a sanctuary. Because those farm folk don’t have our values and those “friends” turn get old and used up and turn into dog food. Sad. I hope your family can go to somewhere like Pasado’s or a sanctuary where the animals can live their life out in freedom. It will be a huge difference. And raid the compost bin of the grocery store beforehand too. Or save your broccoli stems.
I’m not giving up my broccoli stems!!! I’m going to make it a point to talk to the staff about these animals next time we are there. There are so few animals there and they are treated so well, I’d be very surprised if the “friends” are discarded as they age. But I do want to take the girls to a sanctuary this summer. Thanks for reminding me.
Awww…cuteness galore.
But what I really really wanted to see was a picture of the dumb broad who wore a short skirt and wedges to a barn!
You guys!!!! Maybe I need to stage a reenactment over here for Wacky Wednesday?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv2eI5rKZ_o
my son LOVES this video… your animals are our friends, we don’t eat our friends comment reminded me of it
That’s so cute! I can’t wait to show the girls when they wake up!
Oh my goodness…I think goats are my favorite farm animals ever. Every time I see one, I tell my husband, “We need to move out to the country and get a goat for a pet!!”
That’s going to happen.
How adorable! I especially love the pic of the black baby goat. So cute, I wanna adopt it
I’d like to say your brave for EVER letting Pea Daddy pick out your clothes….I wouldn’t dream of asking my BF to pick out my clothes specifically because I see what he picks out for himself. HAHA
I never thought of that. Maybe I’ll ask Gigi for help from now on.
ha! i would not let nate pick out a farm outfit for me…now hiking and camping he’s allowed to. but farm? no way jose
“We don’t eat our friends.” Love it!
I like the new look!!!
I would go to a farm to visit, but I always feel smelly afterwards.
They have sinks to wash up at before you eat cherries!
I have a mild obsession with goats, and by mild I mean entirely too much time has been spent with my mom plotting how we can smuggle one into her large backyard without the city taking notice. For now, we settle for visiting them frequently and feeding them things out of the garbage. That is why goats are my friends, as my human friends do not appreciate that gesture.
(And I agree, “do not eat your friends” is a good motto to live by, as is “do not wear wedge heels–ever.)
Touche, Abby, touche.
I have never heard of anyone letting their husband pick out their clothes, especially for a farm. Yall are ‘special’
Ha ha! Like I said, it was a frustrated, “Gah! Tell me what to wear!!!” moment. Never again.
Aww so cute! You mentioned a short skirt and heels, but no top… was it a Tommy Bahama?
Nope, just an embroidered tank. Don’t give him any ideas…
i went on a farm tour yesterday too. and i wore sandals. but i dressed myself…. fail.
What no picture?
You know what I thought was interesting in your post???? The part where you talked about animals are our friends and we do not eat our friends. There is just such a disconnet in most peoples minds, they come to these farms pet the goats, and bunnies and cute baby pigs, and chickens and they buy the 25 cent pellets and feed them all. Then they leave and stop at the nearest KFC and eat a chicken sandwich topped with bacon and eggs with the smell of the farm animals still on their clothes. And they never even think twice about it. Soooooooooooooo strange to me. BTW I can not WAIT to make that recipe you posted yesterday it looks so good! And again I say thank you for continuing to post actual recipes everyday even though you have a book coming out thats just so awesome and amazing!
Thanks, Kim. I didn’t want to get all preachy on everyone, but every time we go to this farm, my values are reinforced a little bit more. How can we tell our kids to be nice to the animals here, to not chase the chicken that was loose, or to want to help the baby goat that accidentally got out of the pen, yet, as you said, then we head right home and eat a chicken dinner? It was visiting this farm a few years ago that helped me decide that the whole family should go veg and not just me.
I’m glad you saw through my subtlety. And your welcome for the recipes! Thank YOU for reading!
Pea Daddy voluntarily picks out your clothes!? That’s incredible! I once giggled at the thought of Zach voluntarily stepping into a clothing store.
He didn’t want to. It was one of those moments where I was frustrated, staring into my closet and saying, “What should I wear?!?”
Not even one picture of you in your skirt and wedges on the farm? Disappointing.
The build up was fantastic..”Never let your husband pick out your clothes”…but you left us hanging by not letting us see the outfit.
Shame on you Mama Pea.
If my husband picked out my clothes we would be going with stillettos, low cut shirt, and a short skirt. Then he would ask me to find the bra that puts my chest back where it belongs (I can’t do much about the old girls being tired, I did breastfeed 3 kids).
That sounds so very familiar…
Those goats are so darn adorable! My aunt has a horse farm and has goats…they are the sweetest animals! And they cry when you walk away
Awww, I love your “Lessons” posts.
Scratch that, I love all of your posts, Mama Pea!
Thank you, Erika!
When I was in fourth grade (and still a meat eater), we babysat a friend’s pet chick for the summer. I promptly stopped eating eggs, because they could be Peeps’ children. But chicken was fine – obviously not the same thing as our new friend. Glad I’m not the only one who thought this.
Lulu looks so proud up on that tractor! I think your girl may have found her calling.
I’m not going to lie… There are SO many days when I get frustrated that I have “nothing” to wear, and then tell Bryan, “Just TELL me what to wear!” But he tends to go for the very practical and not super cute. Sounds like you had the opposite problem! You must have great legs!
Ha ha ha! I’m relieved I’m not the only one who does this.
Your family is just so sweet! We live in a farm town, we actually live on a hay farm, so I have been caught in the farm in many inappropriate outfits. Just rock it, and worry about dirty feet later.
Side note, made your noodles and peanut sauce recipe from yesterday for dinner and it got four thumbs up! It was so great!
That is good news! I’m glad I’m not the only one who is crazy about that sauce.
You’ve just inspired me to look up where the closest animal sanctuary is. I think that might help encourage my man to eat plants!
Now, in exchange for his agreement to visit the sanctuary with me, I may have to do some short skirt, low top, wedge heel wearing myself 
But I’d say that’s fair.
oh my! he picked out your outfit?….at least he cares, right?….
my husband has good taste at least…but it never fails—i’ll ask which outfit he likes on me better, and i go for the one he does not chose….it’s weird how that always happens…then he asks, why did you ask me then?
Aw, the girls are so cute
Loved this post!
“Because we don’t eat our friends.” Hilarious.
Is there no photo of you because Pea Daddy picked out your outfit?
So cute! Question–do the girls eat eggs in things (like cookies or cakes) and where do you stand on chicken stock in things (like soup or rice)? I don’t have kids yet, but when I do, I think I want to raise them vegetarian and I just wanted to know how you handle these two things (often found hiding in foods) with the girls. Thanks and I really love the blog!! I have made so many of your recipeas and have about 100 more tagged. Finding this blog has really made a big impact on my life (and the lives of my future children). So thanks so much for all you do. ~Nicole
Hi Coley! Thanks for your kind comment. The girls are 100% vegetarian, meaning we don’t do any chicken stock, marshmellows, jello or any other foods with hidden gelatin or animal “flesh.” They aren’t vegan, even though the majority of what I cook at home is. Still, Lulu loves organic cheese and they occasionally have organic ice cream. If we are out or with friends and they have a cookie or cake made with eggs or butter, I don’t sweat it. For me, it’s a compromise I’m willing to make. Hope that helps!
Thanks! That makes sense and it helps a lot. Thanks again
love this. we don’t eat our friends. well put.
Beautiful. I will not eat my friends. Fish are friends, not food
OMG, that baby goat is the cutest thing ever.
Love the new header
Also, thanks for wondering. Things are pretty much the same. Le sigh
Sad face.
And hugs.
Good thing we are friends. I wouldn’t want to get eaten.
You’d be tough and stringy, anyway. Too much muscle
I am a little obsessed with goats, so these pictures totally made me smile.
Haha oh husbands. It’s almost as bad as when I have an outfit on and then I change it and my husband says, “but I liked that outfit.” And yes, I appreciate that, but he obviously doesn’t realize (YET) that I changed it for a reason. He still hasn’t caught onto to the whole ‘those words are uttered useless.’ Maybe he’ll soon learn that changing an outfit at least one is normal for any girl.
Cute post, looks like a fun days. Sorry about the wedges. I would be terrified to let my hubby pick out clothes for me, but he’d better let me pick out his.
The goat shots are precious.
GREAT post, especially this lesson:
10. It’s easy not to eat animals when you are friends with them. Because we don’t eat our friends.
Love that you are teaching this to your wonderful girls!
PS–did you redesign your Web site? It looks very sleek.
Thanks, Tara. Not really a redesign, just a new header and tightening things up a bit!
Just tried your lasagna recipe from VT–yum!
Thanks, Karen. So happy you liked it!
I love your new header! Looks very sleek.
Thanks, Ali!
OH man, i’m glad the goats didn’t pee on the girls…they’re notorious for dong that…and I’m a prime example. lol.
love the lessons. i like that we don’t eat our friends.
I do too. It makes me proud
Mama Pea, I think this shirt goes perfectly with this posting
http://www.davidandgoliathtees.com/women/tees/eat-veggies.html
That’s awesome! I have these pjs:
http://www.davidandgoliathtees.com/women/pajamas/pj-tank-tops/give-peas-a-chance-rib-tank.html
http://www.davidandgoliathtees.com/women/pajamas/pj-pants/give-peas-a-chance-pajama-pant.html
What, no pictures of you in the heels driving a tractor?
It’s a family blog..
Love it! Especially the goats!:)
Love the ‘lessons’ posts.
That poor hen, though! It looks like it’s getting picked on by the other chickens; quite a lot of feathers are missing! :0
Once I had a miniskirt on. My boyfriend at the time informed me we’d be meeting his family where they were camping for “dinner”. “Okay, let me change,” said I. “No, no, you’ll be fine,” he responded. Needless to say, trying to canoe in a miniskirt is less than fun.
I just took some neat pictures of kohlrabi at the farmer’s market! What do you use it for?
Silly boys.
I just have been peeling, slicing and steaming my kohlrabi and adding it to salads and stir fries.
Two mentions of a short skirt, and no picture? You tease. And if that makes me a pig, then that makes me your friend, right?
Oink oink, my friend.
“10. It’s easy not to eat animals when you are friends with them. Because we don’t eat our friends.”
Tru dat, Mama Pea.