Words About Wednesday
1. This week we each made out our Christmas lists, and for the most part they were surprise free. Especially when it comes to Lulu’s wishlist. Numbers 6 and 8 are real shockers. (P.S. Her handwriting is remarkable, no?) 2. I’ve resorted to inappropriate means to get Lulu to brush her teeth in the morning. Namely threatening to call the dentist and tell on her. I’m about six months overdue for a cleaning, though, so that’s... Read More
Everyday Eats: Sugar Cookie Smoothie
It’s about to get cheeky in here. I’ve been working hard to get in bikini shape before we go to Hawaii right after the New Year. Really hard. So hard in fact that I let a friend talk me out of buying my usual safe, skirted swimsuit bottoms and into something just a tad less modest. I thought skirted bottoms were retro. Turns out they might just be a bit more coverage than what I need. But what a deal! Twice the fabric for the same... Read More
The Dishwasher
In the grand scheme of things, there are far worse things that could happen than our dishwasher breaking. In fact, far worse things did happen. For example, at the movies this weekend when, in the very top row, Gigi accidentally dropped her brand new angel Christmas ornament down the back of the row in front of us. Let me tell you, you have not lived until you are on your hands and knees, in the dark, on the floor of a very popular movie theater. ... Read More
Dinner Tonight: Shepherd’s Pie
Last week, I was driving down the road with the girls, doing some last-minute grocery shopping and listening to Christmas music when a commercial came on. Lulu had just pointed out that she “hates” Christmas music. She’s getting coal in her stocking. Which makes shopping a cinch. The commercial was for Hellman’s Mayonnaise and the voiceover was by Mark Consuelos. I like to say Spanish words and names in a full Spanish accent, mostly... Read More
The First Thanksgiving
Translation: “The First Thanksgiving by Gigi.” Translation: “When the Native Americans were alive, people called Pilgrims were alive with them. They boarded a boat called the Mayflower.” Mama Pea note: When the Native Americans were alive? I think this is some very dark, though slightly inaccurate foreshadowing. Translation: “The Pilgrims and the Native Americans boarded the boat and set out for a new land.” Mama... Read More
Tuesday Countdown
10. Calliou’s Holiday Movie is on right now. It’s an hour and a half long. Help. 9. Gigi and Lulu both invited imaginary “friends” over today. Lulu then told Gigi that all of Gigi’s “friends” liked her better and weren’t going to play with Gigi anymore. Gigi started crying and then we all had a nice talk about how sisters can be real friends and play real games together. Then this happened. Three rope burns and... Read More
This Thanksgiving: Roasted Garlic and Herb Smashed Potatoes and Gravy
Want to know how to make the best mashed potatoes you’ve ever had in your life? Peel and boil your potatoes, mash them with heavy cream and then stick them in a crockpot for a few hours with an entire block of cream cheese and an entire stick of butter. At least that’s what my grandma did. I’d fill my plate half full, go back for seconds and then have another heaping bowlful for dessert. We don’t need no stinking pie. Oh, Grandma. She... Read More
This Thanksgiving: The Most Wanted
I had a thought in church today. “We need bread. We need almond milk. We need more Brussels sprouts.” Oh yeah, that’s not a thought. That’s just a grocery list. I made a grocery list in church today. And then I started thinking about Thanksgiving dinner. You are probably expecting I’ll do a rundown of my favorite Peas and Thank You Thanksgiving-themed recipes so you can fill out any holes in your menu. If that’s the case,... Read More
This Thursday
1. Lulu slept in until 8 this morning, when I heard her rummaging through her dresser drawers. She came downstairs wearing a full tutu, pink feathered crown, arrowhead necklace and sense of self-importance. She said she was ready for preschool. They were not ready for her. 2. Pea Daddy introduced me to Angry Birds on Sunday. My life, as I know it, is over. I think my book manuscript would be finished if it weren’t for those... Read More
Wannabe Recipea: Baked Hush Puppy Bites
Kids can be so literal. As in Lulu. This morning. Waiting for the hush puppies to come out of the oven. I don’t have the heart to explain it to her. Lulu’s not the only one unfamiliar with hush puppies. We went out to dinner with friends Saturday night to a great Southern food restaurant, Screen Door, where everyone ordered up Hurricanes, grits and collard greens. Yet, only half of our table knew what hush puppies were. (It was the girls. ... Read More
Report Card
Gigi got her first report card today. She was so excited to hand it to me, she didn’t even want me to wait to drive home to open it. Lulu snatched it and offered to rip it open while I drove. Always a helper that one. I came in and sat my purse, our grocery bag, lunch boxes and backpacks on the counter and Gigi jumped around like a bean, shouting, “Open it, Mom! Open it, Mom!” And then a little more quietly, “I hope I get all good marks,”... Read More
Recipeas Worth Repeating: Pickle Soup
Happy National Pickle Day! Happy I Took Nyquil At 8 pm and Slept Until 8 am Day!* Happy Pumpkin Pie For Breakfast Day!* *may not be actual holidays As shiteous as I feel, I couldn’t let the day go by without honoring pickles and everyone’s favorite pickle fiend. (I realize using the word “shiteous” costs me a dollar. It’s worth it.) So I’m revamping my post for Pickle Soup from almost exactly a year ago. Generally when I repeat... Read More
Dog
This Thanksgiving: Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Pie
If you are confused by the previous post “Dog,” please know that Lulu had a hold of my iPhone while I was making dinner. Imagine my surprise as I’m going through my Google Reader and see a new post from…me. I kind of have to leave that post up out of respect because I’m not even sure I know how to blog from my phone. And she’s racked up more comments with less words and photos than I have ever seen. Mad respect. And... Read More
I Take (Mediocre) Photos of My Food (GIVEAWAY)
We interrupt your weekend for a fun announcement and a giveaway. But let me talk about myself first. There are few skills in this life that I was naturally gifted with. I used to be terrible at dressing myself, playing the clarinet, putting on makeup, driving, styling hair, public speaking, cooking, and unfortunately, even walking. And I bruise easily too. I learned early on that if you want to be even mediocre at things, you have to work... Read More
The “Go Food” Movement
Or “How Lulu Told on Pea Daddy.” There is nothing I like better as a mom than “teaching moments.” Okay, as a mom, I like date nights, Christmas mornings, Mother’s Day cards and that solitary morning cup of coffee while everyone is still asleep better, but teaching moments are pretty good too. You can lecture all you want, but until your child actually experiences something firsthand, you are pretty much just wasting your... Read More
Notes From Wednesday
1. I keep finding stuffed animals from home in Lulu’s cubby at preschool. I have no idea how, but she is illegally smuggling them in. Today, I found “Hot Dog” waiting for me. I asked why he was wearing a lei and a scarf and she said, “I wanted to make him into a beautiful girl, of course.” Oh. That’s all it takes. 2. I’m mad at Zooey Deschanel. Thanks to her, or at least her hair, I spent twenty minutes giving... Read More
Two For Tea–and Chocolate Chip Scones
Photo credit Ashley I’d travel many miles in the rain to have a cup of tea and a scone with a dear friend. In fact, I have. Last year it was solely on accident, as I led a handful of unsuspecting bloggers through the streets of San Francisco with this new fangled contraption called an iPhone. It was pouring down rain, but we gritted our teeth, paid too much for drugstore umbrellas and followed my marching orders in pursuit of Leland... Read More
Pea Sighting: KRON San Francisco (VIDEO)
I was on San Francisco’s KRON TV Sunday morning. As you may know, I kind of like being on TV. As you also may know, I really like making fun of pictures of myself being on TV. Which means we’re going to play, “What Could I Possibly Be Asking the TV Assistant in This Picture?” a) “Is there broccoli in my teeth?” (There wasn’t. There were two cups of coffee in my teeth. Obviously not decaf. And a salted caramel vegan... Read More
Justin Case (GIVEAWAY)
I’m leaving for San Francisco in the morning, though you wouldn’t know it around here. I’m not packed. My clothes aren’t even clean. I’m washing my jeans in a cocktail dress that I just tried on to make sure it still fits, but then I got distracted and never took the time to took it off. Or couldn’t get it off. One of the two. The potential distraction? Lulu crying because she found out that she is going to be a mouse in The Nutcracker. ... Read More
The Pride of Austria
I am no longer a soccer mom, and I can’t stop smiling about it. While most Wednesday nights we’re racing off to soccer practice, this past weekend we had our last game and our Team Austria end-of-the-year party, so tonight I am free! Well, free of soccer anyway. While I’m happy Gigi has played, something changed this year. Girls were more aggressive. There was shoving and there were scowls, and not just from Lulu who wanted Gigi’s post-game... Read More
Six Ingredients or Less: Tandoori Mmmm Sauce
I’m losing my mind. Today was Pajama Day at Lulu’s preschool. Praise God. Thanks to trick-or-treating and subsequent candy eating, we were up far later than usual and then overslept. So when Lulu woke up about twenty minutes before she had to leave for school, we were a bit frantic. “Get out of your pajamas and put on your…pajamas!” I yelled, while trying to finish my crunches, finish packing Gigi’s lunch and finish a thought. I just... Read More
