Pea Sighting: A Taste of the Season
Tonight I had a special event at the small family-owned store my parents work at in a small town.
It’s been a long time in the making and my parents could not have been more excited.
Posters were made.
Local papers wrote articles. Actually, local paper. It’s a small town, remember?
Bless my mom’s heart, people showed up. Lots and lots of people.
And bless my mom’s heart, she made my African Peanut Stew.
She nearly singlehandedly sold us out of books.
Even if someone is still learning how to spell my last name.
You know that feeling you get when you realize your mom has been telling her hairdresser, postman and meter reader your high school GPA, your bra size, how old you were when you got your first period? Well, multiply that by ten, have it all being said while you are standing right there and stretch it over three hours.
Bless her heart.
It’s a fact that The New York Times says “The New York Times” on the front page of every paper printed every day and every subsequent page as well. I believe my mom said “New York Times” more times in three hours tonight then they do in a year’s worth of issues.
Of course, I also heard her whisper to customers flipping through the book three or four times, “You could totally just add chicken to it.”
Bless her heart.
As fun as it was to be the center of attention, to have my mom, her next door neighbor and the guy who pumps her gas bragging me up, it took one glimpse at my phone on my drive home to get me right back down to earth:
A text from my neighbor asking if I had any balloons. Why wouldn’t I?
A text from my aunt asking what I thought of Survivor last night.
A text from Pea Daddy saying he was getting the girls pizza for dinner with a Groupon, and by the way, I’m now the new ballet class coordinator for the Nutcracker. Oh yes, nuts will be cracked on that one.
And a text from my mom making sure I made it home alright, thanking me for coming to the event and telling me how proud of me she is.
Bless her heart.
Of course, I also heard her whisper to customers flipping through the book three or four times, “You could totally just add chicken to it.” – Moms are the best.
Sigh.
Lol- I could see my mom saying the same thing!!! How sweet.
She’s the best.
Crack those nuts!…
Hahaha… Glad it was a successful day 
You know, because I have nothing better to do…
That is so incredibly adorable and amazing. Warms my heart.
My parents are the best. They may not have always gotten the whole vegan/vegetarian thing…but they couldn’t be prouder. I hope I can be as supportive to my girls.
Your mom sounds awesome!
She definitely is.
Bahaha- nuts will be cracked. That is incredibly sweet how your mom got everyone so excited about ya!
I’m thinking of hiring her as my manager.
My mom has been doing the exact same thing with the SparkPeople cookbook. I know there are people out there that I don’t know that know my entire life story because of that insane woman.
Bless her heart.
I still need to get a copy…and have you sign it!!!
Oh my gosh, I feel so silly every time someone says that! Granted, I’ve only had three other people mention how I need to sign their copy right by my story. As though I wrote it. hehe
Cutsforth Thriftway in Canby, OR? I grew up in Canby.
Yes! Canby is a great town
Aww there is nothing like a proud parent to make you feel good!! Not related to that at all but I’m so jealous of how many groupons your husband gets to use! They still have yet to make a Groupon site for State College. I feel like I’m missing out on awesome deals!
I don’t know how he gets all these Groupons. I think he’s counterfeiting them.
Aw.. your mama. So sweet.
The event sounds awesome. I love your mom and I don’t even know her.
Love all your texts on the way home.
Bless YOUR heart.
Good luck cracking those nuts.
Aren’t moms the best!!??
What a sweet post, but I still laughed so hard… I noticed the spelling and thought that it was ME who had your name wrong for the last year! And your mom telling people to add chicken… hahahahahhahahaahahaha. I am literally laughing alone at my computer at 2 AM!
I’m just hoping one of my parents didn’t make the signs
nuts will be cracked. I just coughed on my water.
your mom is too cute. except for the chicken…
DO you have any balloons? and do they blow up into funny shapes?
It was so random and funny. And we DID have balloons. But by the time I got home, the quota had been filled.
hahahahahahaa this is such a heart warming post!!
my fav story about your mom was her whispering about adding chicken to your recipes
She also kept saying, “If you read any stories in the book about her mom…you don’t know me.”
Awww moms are the best!!! i always thought it would be a fun job to make the food samples at grocery stores!
She did a really good job…the soup tasted awesome!
“And a text from my mom making sure I made it home alright, thanking me for coming to the event…” <– I love it.
And I love that you and your mom are so close and that she's so proud of you. That must be a great feeling to have. I think deep down that we all want our moms to be proud of us and I am so happy for you that yours is beaming!! with pride
Even if she tells every stranger she meets your entire life story, unedited, and repeats NYT's over and over..ha!
Moms are people we can always count on!
You’re mom is adorable! Still so proud of you and everything you’ve become.
Congrats girl. Always!
bless your heart! you are too amazing not to bragg about. Congrats to you and to your momma for being so supportive!
This is adorable. Your mom is right – you are amazing – and you’re so lucky to have an incredible support system in your life. We’re all so proud of you too, Sarah! You’re so inspiring.
When I walked in the door last weekend, I heard my mom sobbing in her room. I went upstairs and saw her watching my telethon performance (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIHAu-4Sdgg&feature=related). She looked at me and said, “I’m so proud of you.” To echo your words, bless her heart.
Oh my gosh, that is precious. Thanks for sharing, Heather!
awww that is awesome! You are very lucky to have a mom who is so supportive!
I loved this post. Mainly because it just shows how down to earth you are – except if you’re still down to earth after dealing with 50 ballerinas in nutcracker outfits after December, I’ll be saying “bless her heart” to you.
I’m going to need a lot more than “bless her heart.” I’m thinking a flask?
That’s. Your. Mom!?!?
She looks *so* young!
The other day I joked that when my friend’s kid turns 21 and that I would buy them their first beer (as their awesome/creepy “aunt”), and had the realization that I’d be 51. Totes mourned for ten minutes.
Ok, it may have been a week.
Your mom looks mid 40s. Go mom!
…and if any of that sounded creepy…this never happened.
She is going to LOVE this comment. She’s 57
I’m sure my mom would market me in the same fashion, only I’m positive mine would go as far as to add chicken to the African peanut stew that was there as a sample recipe, LOL. At least your mom only suggested it, haha.
That aside, her enthusiasm and pride really shows. Shes obviously your biggest fan! You are so fortunate to have such a wonderful family, even if some members volunteer you for ballet nutcracker coordinating, lol.
Everyone kept asking my mom, now YOU didn’t put chicken broth in this did you? It’s a small town. They know her well.
Aww your mom is so sweet! And it sounds like she is bursting with pride for her amazingly successful daughter!
Oh how wonderful! This post made me so happy! I love the poster, that pic of you is stunning !
Your mom looks fabulous, I know when I saw a pic of her before I said this, but that woman deserves another compliment!
How awesome all those people came and all the books your mom helped to sell!
Your mom is SO proud of you, and that is the greatest feeling for you Im sure! So sweet!
Happy Weekend to you and the family, I am so excited to meet you next week!
Thanks, Katie…see you soon!
“You could totally just add chicken to this” is what I hear whenever I make, say, a tofu stir fry or Tamale Pie.
Oh well. It must mean they liked it.
I just started coughing uncontrollably when she said that.
I love how Mom’s are your best advocate but also can be the most embarrassing!!
That is so sweet – moms are the best, aren’t they? I would have been like your mom too – dropping that “New York Times bestseller” left and right – you earned it!
What a touching event…even if they could “totally add chicken” to the recipeas – ha ha ha!!!
OH, and, I hope some nuts were cracked…!
Then again, it will make good for good blog stories…and maybe some Nutcracker inspired recipeas…and think of the jokes….
It wasn’t just “dropped,” it was “This is my daughter, the New York Times Best Selling Author.” Like somehow that is my new name. I was a permanent shade of red for three hours.
Mommies are the best! I remember going to my Mom’s work and everyone knowing EVERYTHING about me! Embarassing then…heartwarming now! Gotta go call my Mom!
Your Mom is so sweet!
Then you know exactly how I feel.
Embarrassed, but loved!
well, we need to get you on the Today Show..ok? Think you can handle Matt Lauer?
I’m glad that she had sent your book around to people, it’s a fabulous book. This weekend I’m making six batches of your sugar cookies..god save me. 
Thanks, Michelle! If you have an inside track to Matt Lauer, let me know.
I love that this all took place right next to the bulk candy bins
Yup. I was blocking ‘em out with my set up!
Ha, aren’t moms wonderful? lol
What a great night for you. Mom’s are the best.
I kept noticing all that candy in the background. Very distracting! haha
Ha ha! I know! Only one person had the courage to say, “Excuse me,” and go scoop themselves a big bag of gummy Coke bottles.
Mom’s are our biggest fans, aren’t they?
It’s a two-way tie between her and my dad,
Same here, though in my case, I think my dad might edge out my mom just a little. It’s nice to be that loved, right?
Amen. I hope my kids always feel that loved too.
Awww I got all chocked up reading this! No wonder you are such an amazing mum- your mum is just gorgeous! Love her sales pitch too:) its so great to see you being so wonderfully supported.
Thanks! She was so funny…every time we sold a book, she’d say, “I could totally be your manager.”
Your friends are so proud that I can only imagine that your parents are BURSTING with it. And so deserved.
You have no idea. But thanks, Tiff.
PS And can I sneak you into my suitcase to come to Foodbuzz with me?
You’re very lucky to have such a caring and loving mom:)
Don’t I know it!
I love the “just add chicken” from your Mom, something my Mom would totally do and say!
It was to the chickpea strawberry mango salad. I guess she missed the whole chickpea swap for chicken point of the entire dish
Your mom sounds adorable!!
Aren’t moms the best???
“You could totally just add chicken to it” lol…oh my gosh that’s hilarious! xo
Your Mom does sound awesome!
aww your mom sounds amazing! love this post
It was a great event, and I was super excited to meet you… a bonus to have your mom serve delicious peanut soup! Supportive and loving moms are the greatest blessing in the world. (I have one too!) Thanks for the great recipes and the great blog!
You asked me what recipes I had tried, and I got all flustered and couldn’t think… I’ve tried quite a few, and must say my favorite is the lime chili tempeh for tacos… I ended up eating it on everthing, salads, wraps, tacos, etc… delish! Now I’m excited to try making the peanut soup for my family on Sunday.
Thanks!
Diane.
Diane, it was an absolute pleasure to meet you as well! I hope your family loves the soup. Thanks so much for coming out
Haha. I was going to ask if your parents were eating vegan/vegetarian as well… but the chicken comment answered that one!
I’m working on ‘em!
You know how much you love your babies (well, your big girls these days)? We are our Mama’s babies. They love us just as much. Easy to forget, until times like these. This one put a lump in my throat. I can only imagine how proud of you she is.
Off to make Pumpkin Streusel coffee cake for my sister. I’ve found it’s the best way to pay a babysitter willing to work for free. Xo!
You are so right. And I have to remind myself that I’ll be the one embarrassing my girls in the future…heck, I probably already do!
Mom’s are THE best aren’t they??
I’ve been in Nebraska with my mom since the 11th. She had part of her thyroid removed on the 19th and I stayed an extra week to help her out….basically cooking…and EVERYTHING from Peas & Thank You!! Your fire roasted salsa is my bonus-dad’s new favorite salsa (even over salsa he bought from a mexican restaurant!) and we’ve all gained weight from brownies, carrot cake and cookies. 
Mac & Cheese was a hit with my brother and his girls too!
Due to the salsa recipe…my mom is going to buy a copy of your book as soon as I take my copy back home!
Of course the chocolate chip cookies is another selling point for her also! ha!
I hope you live close to your mom!
Oh…mine says the same thing, “you could just add chicken to that if you wanted”! *sigh* I love her like crazy though! Bless her heart! <3
What a sweet story, RJ. I’ll say some prayers for your mom’s quick recovery. I’m so glad you are enjoying the book and sharing it with your family. Much love to you all!
ive said it before and ill say it again: Mimi’s hot!
We had some left over Mediterranean meatballs (we make ours with black beans) to use up so we incorporated them into a fave dish: adult mac n cheese! They broke up nicely in our homemade tomato sauce, then added in goat cheese (sorry, not vegan!) for creaminess. Mixed with pasta shells in a baking dish, topped with pumpernickel breadcrumbs and baked in the oven! They added such a rustic flavor and texture to the recipe! We were contemplating emailing the NY Times (where the original recipe came from) to let them know that they need to change their recipe to include your balls.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/14/health/nutrition/14recipe.html
So thankful for your cookbook and discoveries like we made last night!
That sounds delicious! And could definitely be added to Lulu’s Mac N Cheese too. If you wanted to email the NY Times, I wouldn’t be mad at ya.
Thanks for the great feedback, Chelsea!
I LOVE your mom. And could she BE more gorgeous?
I love her too. And she loves you. And wants to steal your baby
So glad I found your blog again. I was all lost with that new front page… Beautiful post!
I totally add the “you can totally add chicken to that” when I rave about your book to my friends and then they make a weird face when I tell them it’s a vegan cookbook
. BTW, I made your African Peanut Soup this week…DELICIOUS! I added some spinach at the end for some greens.
That’s a great addition! (the spinach…not the chicken)
OK…..the balloons were for J’s science project and I was desperate to get it finished before taking H to volleyball practice so I could actually have some me time and go for a run. Good news is if you ever need balloons I’m your man. They don’t sell those things in any smaller pack than 100. Let the party begin!!!
Ha ha ha…I knew there had to be a legit reason. And we have TONS of balloons, so next time, jut pop on over!
I love that you called yourself Pea Neighbor! hahaha CUTE!!
And a great neighbor at that!
That is adorable! Your mom is so cute! Maybe one day i’ll find my moms bragging about me cute, but until then I have to suffer through her gym friends wanting to friend me on facebook so they can see pictures of me. Oh boy!
My mom isn’t on Facebook. YET.
This was touching. As a mom of two girls and as a daughter who lost her mom at 16 … this is sweet. Mothers rock and I cannot wait to do this to my girls some day! Ha!
So what DID you think of Survivor this week?
Go Ozzy! That guy has some major cahones. I used to like Cochran, but he seriously should have manned up. What a wuss!
I agree. Although Cochran’s crazy knowledge of the game and the minute details of every season keeps me laughing. I have been pulling for Christine over on redemption island … but man, next week’s episode is going to be “epic” when they duel it out!
Christine is tough, so I’m trying to give her the benefit of the doubt, but man, girlfriend has some attitude. I’m totally pulling for Ozzy. Well, actually, I’m totally pulling for his beautiful hair.
So sweet. Congrats on the success at the event (to the both of you)
Happy Friday:)
Happy Friday to you too!
awww what a wonderful momma! she’s so proud of you
and congratulations again on everything! you totally deserve it
Thank you! She is a great mom for sure.
AH! I am now the weird girl who laughs out loud at her desk and everyone stares. The “you could totally just add chicken to it” part seriously cracked me up. Probably because I told my mom the exact same thing when I was telling her to try your recipes!!!
I’m going to pretend I didn’t read that.
<3
Oh my gosh, “you could totally just add chicken…”
My mom is the EXACT same way. Gotta love em! Lol
That is so cute! My mom is really supportive of me being vegan…so much so that she generally announces it anywhere we go. As in
“hi, my name is _________and I will be you server today. Can I get you something to drink?”
“she’s vegan”
“oh…ok. I’ll come back”
My mom kept telling everyone the soup was vegan…and then they wouldn’t try it…so I said, “Wait until after they’ve said how good it is!”
“You could totally just add chicken to it” – hahaha! Your mom sounds adorable!
She is. She’s like all of the good things about me rolled into one…and minus the bad things
I’m sorry, I could not pay attention to anything you had written because I could not stop looking at those candy bins!!! I wish I could click my heels together and be in that store: “there’s no place like candy-bin land, there’s no place like candy-bin land…”
Ha ha. It was so funny, the little kids that came by seemed so interested in me…until I realized that I was standing in front of the candy.
“You could totally just add chicken to it.” *gigglesnort* Your mom sounds like an amazing woman.. but we knew that already, if you are any reflection of her.
So sweet–yes, she’s great
What a sweet, supportive Mom! I bet she had so much fun planning it for you
It used to bother me when my mom over-shared every detail of my life to her hair dresser, coworkers, etc… but after I grew up I just realized that she does it because my brother, sister, and I so much.
PS – I think it’s so funny that your healthy, all-natural, vegan cookbook/soup samples are displayed in front of all of the bulk candy. Made me chuckle… and wish I had a handful of Sour Patch Kids.
Your mom sounds like an angel!
Moms are the best. I love this story because I know exactly what you mean. My mom is proud of every little thing I do and she lets everyone know. You look just like your mom!
African Peanut Stew? What is this delicious sounding creation??
Oh by the way I had Mmm sauce for the first time a while back. It was amazing. I used the leftovers on EVERYTHING.
It is in the cookbook!!!
Gorgeous
I especially love the overheard remarks about “you could just add chicken”.
I’ll look forward to hearing how The Nutcracker pans out too! I think you got the short straw there
No doubt
Got to love the Moms out there, no matter how grown up you are.
My son, Cliff AKA “mommyslittlebaby”, is 6’4″ in law school at University of Miami. I work in retail at Bloomingdale’s and everytime he comes home and walks into the store everyone says—Aww mommyslittlebaby. Makes him nuts, but secretly I think he loves it (probably not).
Awww, you must be so proud of your little baby!
this is so cool! Your mum is such a sweetheart.
you know how often my friends are family would say “I could just easily add some meat or fish to this”?! Often. very often
I laughed out loud to the “add chicken” part…a classic momism! It reminded me of the time, after being married over a year and a half, when the receptionist called me to tell me that someone was on the line for me, but had asked for me using my maiden name. I was making a big deal about it by telling all the girls I worked with that it must be someone I hadn’t spoken to since high school. Imagine my surprise when I picked up the line and it was none other than my own dear sweet mother.
Sarah–Congratulations on a great day! Your blog brightens my day–THANK YOU!
Thank you, Val!
Small towns=my roots! I don’t see people going vegan for a meal in my hometown. They’d need some chicken in the meal, too!
And if it makes you feel any better, my own classmates that I went to school from kindergarten till high school still weren’t 100% on what my offical name was. I mean, what’s in a name anyways?
She coulda just said “Mama Pea”
Oh the gorgeous ma of the gorgeous Mama Pea. This is my kind of event, sad I missed it
Ah … Nutcracker. The dance studio has now become my second home. By December it will seem like my only home. I’m the webmaster, on the office staff, and one of the costume crew. Time? What’s that? Good luck!
I totally just made your bliss salad….and added chicken.
That is so sweet. You can just feel that she is so proud of you!
That is awesome- I love how proud of you she is
And I love that you are like me in that you can say pretty much anything you want about somebody as long as its followed by “bless her heart” hehehehehehe. And btw your mom is absolutely lovely. I would kill for hair like that.
Bless your heart.
What a wonderful and supportive mother you have. I know you know that you are lucky…even if she did recommend putting chicken in a dish (shame on her
!
You have a good mom!! She is so proud of you and that is prescious. Makes me miss my good mom. Oh well! Good moms breed good moms!!
The ‘you could just add chicken to that’ comment made me laugh out loud! So sweet! Looks like a fun night. BTW-I almost couldn’t sleep the other night. I finally had pumpkin and was dying to have the pumpkin oatmeal (I improvised:) recipea from the book for breakfast. I have to say it was worth the wait! The dollop of almond butter was perfect!