Spring Break Scenes & News for You
What a week.
I need a nap.
Our Spring Break has been full of:
a) morning chess games. We’re super loose on the rules and the dress code.
b) frightening field trips. When and why did my children become terrified of the carousel?
c) afternoon crafts. Watercolors today. Peep wreaths tomorrow.
d) grooming. Gigi’s toes in essie’s mink muffs.
e) healthy snacks. Ants on a log, cut for those missing front teeth, and super soft whole grain sandwich bread stuck under the broiler with raw cheddar.
f) good books. I’m entranced with this book and its premise. And I’m spending my free moments searching for farmland to buy.
g) scary movies. First The Hunger Games, then African Cats. Which also could have been called The Hunger Games.
h) homemade ice cream. Our version of this recipe. Clearly they hate it.
i) new apps.
Yes! There’s a new Peas and Thank You app available for free here and on iTunes!
The app features definitions for all of our favorite pantry ingredients as well as a helpful shopping list, our Twitter feed and a handful of recipeas that will be updated with new recipeas regularly.
Enjoy the app.
Enjoy some ice cream, a good book and a nap.
Enjoy the rest of your Spring Break.
I sure plan to.
Woohoo!!!! That is so awesome! You have an App!!! I’m going to download it right now….
Hope you like it!
You bring food and I have the farmland….
I’ll share! I have been itching to get digging in the dirt (and I dislike dirt!). I’ve already bought blueberry bushes and grapes to add to our orchard….. Jess made me promise the only thing that will come in for a bit will be seeds as we are not past the frost point yet he says….
Also I went down to the elderly neighbor’s place today…. I’m going to help put in his garden for him while he’s in the nursing home and help him take care of it when he comes home.
We’re planting tomatoes, pumpkins, radishes, cucumbers, onions, lettuce, and that’s on TOP of thte veggies I’m planting at home! Did I mention I’d share with you! 
I think we’ll be swimming in veggies!
Oh and bring that nail polish please…..
I <3 Essie!
Oh my goodness, I’m so jealous! I’m going to have to settle for the excitement that the Farmer’s Market starts in our town this Saturday. But your plantings sound AMAZING!
Bummer I can’t load the app, I guess I don’t have the latest IPHONE or something!
That’s the book that did it for me….start building your coop!
Ha! I would love nothing more than just to become a farmer.
Omg congrats on the app!! That is so exciting. Is it available for Droid?
I don’t think so…let me check for you and get back.
Thanks so much! I’d appreciate that!
I work for an app design company…we could easily create an Android version for you! Check us out – http://www.applicoinc.com One of the top designers in the states!
I would LOVE an Android version of this! I was so excited reading your post, but bummed when there wasn’t a Droid version
Keep us updated!
Just sent an email to my publisher. I’ll report back soon!
Yeah! Thanks
Do you have a vegan ice cream recipe? I pretend everything I throw in the blender is ice cream. So far my 2 year old buys it, but on the off chance he stops, he’s allergic to eggs, soy, and dairy. Btw. Completely agree w your last post, hunger games is a disturbing premise! Love the app!
Here’s a link to our vegan ice cream recipes. http://peasandthankyou.com/recipage/?search_term=ice%20cream&ui=22
I also just add a few more frozen things to smoothies sometimes and call it “ice cream.” Sell that as long as you can.
I loved that book! It’s so motivating too. I’m really excited about the app. Sounds awesome.
Btw, you apparently roomed with a friend of mine in law school! Small world.
Nicole? What a small world indeed!
Colleen. I also know Mygrant. I worked with them both, though now I’m an at home, lawyer mom of two girls. What could be better?
Oh yes! Love both Colleen and Steve! You know that Pea Daddy roomed with Steve, right? You are connected to us both
You are right, we lead a blessed life! Have you managed to keep practicing?
Oooooh downloading that app now!! I love it!!
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ha ha ha…
I saw Hunger Games yesterday after reading all three books. I think it was good – but easier to forget the gory details in black and white as opposed to bold and live color.
but YAY!!!! for the AP!!!!!
Thanks! Pea Daddy agrees that the book was easier to stomach.
LOVED that book when I read it over a year ago!
Also, have you read/seen the documentary/ heard of “No Impact Man”? Highly recommended if you haven’t; its not all about the food issues of course, but it does deal a lot with some of the similar ones, but in a situation where one can’t do their own farming. And its surprisingly hilarious at times.
I haven’t heard of it! I’ll have to check it out…thanks!
holy awesome!! thank you, what a thoughtful gift to your readers. so. stoked!!! xo
I’m glad you like it!
Wow, an app! Impressive! Congratulations! You’re really succeeding at growing your brand.
Thanks, Tash!
SO COOL!! I am downloading it asap! Was it hard to make?!
My publisher put it together for me…I can barely insert a photo into my posts, let alone create an app!
wow, now there really is an app for everything! are the recipes new or one from this blog? or the book? oh well it’s free i might as well look myself.
i read animal vegetable miracle. it was interesting but got annoying toward the end. i also had a hard time with the slaughter chapter if you can imagine.
Just downloaded it, thanks! I’m excited about spring and summer farmer’s market season too! Can’t wait to make more of these recipeas…
I LOVED AFRICAN CATS! It did definitely have me on the edge of my seat though–animal hunting is quite suspenseful! Buuuuuut it is less disturbing than people hunting.
Yes, true! We had a few Circle of Life moments we had to explain to the girls
Consider it downloaded! Love that you have an app…and seriously stoked about using it!
omg peas and thank you! “there’s an app for that …”
i’ll have to download it
You are getting more accessible by the minute! Love the app! Congrats – I don’t know how you have time to do it all! You go girl!
Meanwhile, I shall continue to drink margs on the beach and neglect all things I should be doing.
Are you commenting from Mexico? Have a margarita for me!!!
Ooooh exciting – wish there was an Android or BlackBerry version!
A piece of farmland of our own is my absolute dream. Off to get me some Peas on my iPad, how exciting!!
You know you’ve arrived in life when you have your own app! CONGRATS!!!
An App?! Seriously? I am off to download!
Yay!
Oh my gosh, congratulations on your new app!!! I love your blog and always read it, so I counldnt wait a second to download it
It’s going to be so useful as I work in the kitchen + go grocery shopping 
Thank you!!
You know you’ve made it when you have your own app. I can’t wait to download it!
I listened to that book while I commuted to work and hour each way. It was wonderful and completely changed the way I shopped! I always hated winter tomatoes but continued to buy them even though they tasted like cardboard. Then, I stopped and life got better! Congrats on the app! I’m downloading it tonight on the iPad!
Ahh congrats!!! That app is so exciting! I don’t have an iphone or a phone with apps (I know, welcome to 2012) BUT I’m going to go download it on my husbands phone. He’ll love me for it.
I’m sure he’s going to use it on a daily basis.
People with apps are total big deals! Congrats!
a) loving your new pic
b) can’t believe how long Lulu’s hair is!
c) have downloaded app
d) unfortunately am at work (Aussie reader here) so can’t immediately try out a recipea via app
e) cooked up a batch of almond joy cookie bars recently and my hubby is demanding I bake more
f) thanks!
a) thanks, ashley took it!
b) I cut it after that
c) great!
d) work is for chumps
e) lucky husband!
f) you are welcome!
Mama Pea, I love your app! Just played with it and enjoyed reading the descriptions of your pantry items and the free recipes. Very well made! Did you design how the app should function yourself? It’s pretty cool!
P.S. I’m going on spring break to Portland next week… what is your favorite restaurant?
I didn’t design it myself, but I did get to have a say. I agree, I love the functionality.
Hmm…it depends on what kind of restaurant you are looking for. You really can’t go wrong with Blossoming Lotus.
wow that is so cool!!! an app?!?! you are totally nearing celebrity status!! can’t wait for the next book!
everytime you say you have something exciting, i always selfishly hope that the “something” will be a bun in the oven! (since i’m sure you have TONS of free time on your hands taking care of two children, writing a book, and running a household!
)
i can’t wait to download the app!!!!!!!!!!!!
I selfishly wish I had a bun in the oven too. I don’t know how excited Pea Daddy is about “baking” right now…but we’ll see.
Peas take over the world! Awesome
I love that book. I’ve read it at least twice. Totally changed how i look at food. But with a positive spin and not the typical we’re all going to hell in a handset outlook on the industry. Have a great spring break!
How exciting
I am app ignorant but I love that you have one! I also love the sound of your break activities. I’m tempted to recreate the fun here, except for that whole being at work thing. I’ll live vicariously instead 
Sounds like so much fun…I TOTALLY want to go on spring break with you and your girls (Adopt me? Even though I am probably older than you…LOL)!
I am dying to see Peep wreaths!
Also, congrats on your app – can’t wait to check it out!
Thanks! I’ll try to give you a peek at the wreaths
What what what? Your own app???? That is AWESOME (so are ants on a log). Enjoy the rest of your break. Dang I need one. Ha.
Congrats on the app! I wish it was available on the one cool device I own (my kindle fire). But I’ll just have to continue to read your blog and books.
How exciting! I’m going to download it right now!
And I LOVE Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. It inspired my entire backyard garden in our last house. And it’s very thought-provoking as far as vegetarianism/veganism. I’d love to hear your thoughts on that sometime – how do you balance an attempt to avoid animal cruelty with eating a local, sustainable diet?
That is a great photo of you and the girls on your sidebar! Such a cute family you have.
I definitely think it’s possible to avoid animal cruelty even with a diet that includes animal products. I think there is a big difference between farms run in the Polyface style and factory farms. I think each person just has to decide what he or she is willing to do to get food on his or her plate. We’ll see what I think when I get to that part
Oh I totally agree re. the huge difference between a small family farm and a factory farm! Have you read Camille’s essay called “Carnivory” yet? I found it so very interesting. Even as a long-time vegetarian myself, I found her writing to be both respectful of my choices and thought-provoking at the same time. I’m going to have to re-read that book soon! It’s such an eye-opener, I remember shortly after reading it for the first time I was shopping at Trader Joe’s in the middle of summer, and noticed that all the tomatoes were from Mexico! And from what I had read in the book – I realized that TJ’s probably has a contract with those growers year-round, so even when finally have tomatoes in season, they still have to stick with their contract. Definitely pushed me to the farmer’s markets!
I’m not there yet, but I look forward to that discussion. I too have become aware of where my beloved Trader Joe’s produce is coming from. Our market opens Saturday and I can’t wait…though it means we’ll be eating more potatoes and less strawberries for awhile.
You just went up 10 points on the cool scale for having your own app. I heart you.
So now I have exactly 10 points. Yay me!
How AWESOME……………..Gigi’s toes look!!! Love that essie color
Oh and yeah the app is cool, haha! No really the app is the AWESOME part of this post! Congrats! How very cool!
<3
Thanks, Katie!
The app looks awesome! I have a Droid, but I’ll be getting an iPhone soon. This will be one of the first apps I download!
okay, so coool!!!!!!! yes, that cool with thre O’s! congrats friend.
If I had an iPhone, I’ll be all over this app. Tell my husband to buy me an iPhone!
Thanks for the reminder – I meant to read that book too!
CONGRATS on the app!!! OMG, this is so exciting! I only had a few minutes to look at it but it looks wonderful!!!! Really, really, really awesome and exciting! Your very own app….how friggin’ cool is that?!!
It looks like you are having a great Spring break with the girls! LOVE Gigi’s polish! Have a wonderful rest of your “break” with them. I hope we get to see the Peep wreaths – I’m intrigued! Oh, your new profile picture is really cute!
I hope we get to see the Peep wreaths too. That would mean some stayed out of Lulu’s mouth.
I totally meant to say that I love the new pic too!!!
Thank you, Jen!
I’m downloading the app as I type this!!
So awesome.. I know what’ll be occupying my spare time with today!
you’re own app?! sooo neat! Too bad I don’t have an iphone.
I LOVE Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I seriously read it 4 times a year, every year, and have for the last 4 or 5 years. It is so fantastic and is one reason we bought a house with so much land. I’m so glad you love it! I want to tell everyone about it
I need a house with “so much land!”
come to Virginia! you can have 2 of our acres
So exciting about the app! Curses on my husband for insisting on a Windows Phone, for which there are no cool apps. Only 7 more months till the contract runs out and I can get an iPhone.
And, I LOVED “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” when I read it a few years ago. It inspired me to start my own vegetable garden. However, I could never give up bananas, and I had to skip over the slaughtering chickens part.
Enjoy the rest of your spring break!
I have a feeling Pea Daddy is going to have to make some space for me in the backyard
Love Animal Vegetable Miracle! I read tit about 4 yrs ago but it deserves a re-read! Was just thinking of it the other day. And I agree, African Cats made me cry! Can’t wait to see the new Earth Day documentary about the little lost gorilla!
Oh I know! The girls and I have been excited about that!
App!!!! My life is complete! I can’t wait to try this out. I’ve wanted to express my sincere appreciation for you many times and I’ve held my tongue. No more, I say! No more!
The app is downloading as I type
Installed!
Well, that’s awesome. Download done!
That watercolour painting is exquisite. I suspect you painted it…am I right? It looks just a little too sophisticated and finessed for a kid’s handiwork, that’s why I ask. If it was one of your girls, then I am VERY impressed with their painting skills!
Actually, this was Pea Daddy’s creation. I am not nearly that “sophisticated and finessed” myself.
There you go: even if one wears Tommy Bahama shirts, one can still be sophisticated.
Just got the app! thank you so much!!!!! Now my iPhone feels complete.
Free app. downloaded. Awesome. Thanks Mama Pea! (Maybe this will help me stick to the basics when I do a Costco run tomorrow!? Haha.)
Good luck with that…if you find a good strategy, let me know!
This is awesome! Yay!
Just saw your new side bar picture, so cute. I can’t believe how long L’s hair is! Gorgeous girls, all three of you.
Thanks, love. I actually cut Lu’s hair not to long after that pic was taken
Just downloaded the app!! Can’t wait to use it
I was wondering when a peas app was gonna show it’s pretty little head!
Congratulations on the app! Wish I had an iphone, wonder if they will make it available for the Kindle Fire, I do have one of those
BTW, I love the new profile picture.
Thanks. I do too. My sweet girls.
Yay! You have an app! How cool are you?! Obviously the coolest. Love you, love your book and your blog. With that said, please do not ever put a picture of feet on your blog again. Thank you
Goofball, those aren’t my feet! They’re Gigi’s! And 6-year-old feet are cute! (mine are NOT)
YEAH!!! This will definitely be my favorite app!!!
I almost wrote in there that I knew they were kid feet. Feet are not cute! Especially not mine, but really, no one’s are. I think I have foot phobia (podiaphobia – really, look it up), so don’t take these comments personally.
Trust me, I’ve grown a thick skin. Especially on my feet! (ew, you must be cringing inside!)
LOL!
I also loved that book! Entranced is a good way to describe it. It’s not vegan, but I love the Eggs in a Nest recipe with eggs and chard. I make it all the time.
I am SO not farmer material, but that book definitely prompted me to eat more seasonally and locally, as well as cast a wary eye on Arizona! Ha.
My mom used to make Eggs in a Nest all the time growing up. I always liked the toast cut-outs the best
I agree about Arizona. I love how she said it might as well be the moon with all the food you can grow/produce there!
Will an Android version be released?
I’m not sure, I’ll try to find out for you.
you are SO COOL. your own app!
Hardly. But thanks!
Now I can have the Peas with me wherever I go? Total awesomeness
Downloading.right.now
ps – I LOVE your new pictures!! Your curly hair is so gorgeous.
Thank you so much!
I have that same ice cream maker. Hehe… Can’t wait for the recipe.
Also, totally downloading that app! So awesome!!
Oh… Wait! (I thought the ice cream was something you were working on). Did you add anything to it, or just made it as it. Either way, I love that friggin’ ice cream maker. Lol!
That is awesome your own app! I would LOVE an Android version please!
App downloaded! My husband is now a fan of yours too after I made your chex mix for him =)
Sounds like a packed and tiring spring break!
I went through a scared-of-carousels phase as a kid, I’m sure it will pass soon. Glad you’re enjoying Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I just read it and had some mixed feelings about it, she definitely presents some very interesting ideas on food and growing it though!
Please, please, *pretty please* make a Droid version of the app? Would love to use it but I don’t have an i-device.
I haven’t heard back from my publisher on this one yet, but I’ll let you know!
Mama Pea,
Not that you need any ideas or suggestions for posts, but I would love to read a post from you about running, generally! You are my health guru so I would be interested to hear your thoughts, tips, advice, whatever about running. Just a thought.
Megan, I run very little anymore. I used to run quite a lot but quit due to injuries. Now about 20 minutes of running (sprints and intervals) maybe two times a week is all I do. I’m way more into weights these days, so it would be a short post!
Wow! Congratulations! I am so excited about the app, for both you and ME.
I am downloading it right this minute.
I have been super busy and just lurking lately (here and other places on the internet I frequent), but I have been meaning to leave a comment for awhile and say (1) how much I loved the post where you talked about setting down your flat iron; (2) on a related point, how awesomely cute your curls are; (3) how cool Gigi must look at school with her artisan bread and olive oil for dipping (fancy!); and (4) how you are a constant presence in my kitchen whether you know it or not. For example, I often am cooking and trying to adapt a recipe to make it vegan (or at the very least a bit healthier) and think to myself, “What Would Sarah Do?” Haha!
Also, I made Granny Rolls this weekend for the boys and served them with strawberries, to which Son #2 said “This is one of the best things I have ever eaten.”
Thank you so much, Laura! I was so tempted to pick up my flat iron last week and didn’t. Thank you for the compliments. Yes, Gigi is her own person at school (which I love). And I’m happy to be a part of your kitchen and one of the the best things Son #2 has ever eaten. So thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hope the Android version comes out soon.. very jealous of iphone people right now!
I LOVE your curly hair. I think it looks great on you!
Thank you, Susan!
I didn’t even look at the description of the app on the iPhone…I just downloaded it! Love having the Peas with me where ever I go!
Thanks, Lacey!
YAY! I am going to get your app right now!
LOVE the app!!! [peas and] THANK YOU
Oh good! Thanks, Jessica!
I was just saying to my hubby that I wish Peas and Thank You had an app so I could just tap into the Recipeas vault with a touch of a finger. Yay! I’m off to get it right now! Thank you!
The app is fantastic! So elegant – nicely done. I’m very happy to have these recipes on my phone in an easy-to-read format. I can’t even tell you how many times I pulled the tempeh tamale pie recipe up through safari and had to struggle through reading it. This is soooo much better. Yay!
Christi, that’s great! I wish I could have all the recipeas on there, but I’ll keep circulating new ones through every few weeks or so!
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is one of the best books I have ever read. I loved every word of it. Coincidentally, one of my former employees, who I’m guessing is a reader of Peas & TY, grew up with the Kingsolver family. It’s such a small world!
P.S. I’m ready for Spring “Break” to be over. What kinda break is this?
Oh wow, I bet he/she has some great stories to tell. I can’t wait to keep reading this book. And yes, is Spring Break over yet? It should be called Spring “Not-even-close-to-a” Break.
To adorable for your own goods. I love all the new photos! You guys. Seriously.
I am beyond excited to get this app on my phone! And Animal Vegetable Miracle is one of my absolute favorite books, I love the story and the environmental inputs from her husband!
I loved Animal Vegetable Miracle so much! I wanted to buy farmland too – and I can’t even keep a houseplant alive. Barbara Kingsolver is such a great writer. May need to reread that now! Enjoy!
Downloaded!!! And awesome, love the app!!! It will be cool to get new recipes in it later on too!
And I need to read that book, always hear/read amazing reviews and discussions about it!
Ana
I love Barbara Kingsolver books. I read Animal, Vegetabke, Miracles about 3 years ago and I found it really inspiring. Although I can’t grow my food living in an apartment it does make you think about where you get your food and what you out in your body.
make it for android!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! congrats
Thanks for the app! All of this is awesome, and I adore your blog.
I’d love to ask your thoughts on some nutritional questions. I am wondering what you think of that site you linked to for the homemade ice cream. I have read it sometimes, but it seems clearly inspired by the Weston Price Foundation (her video on the right hand side says she is a “chapter leader” for the foundation), and I just cannot figure out what to think of that organization. I noticed you’ mention raw cheese and you’ve been soaking your grains, which (I think) are both things they advocate. Does this mean you agree with some of the their claims? I’m trying to find out if any of their assertions have any real merit. I find them suspect because their sites always seem to state things as fact and never cite any peer-reviewed research, but on the other hand, you find it in so many places around the web, maybe it is based in some actual data that I haven’t been able to find. I would love to know if you have any more info on this or thoughts to share. Thanks!
Hey Loraine, I appreciate your questions. Honestly, I don’t have an overall reaching opinion. I just try to pick up what I can from people who have found things that work for them. We’ve been soaking our bread and have found it not only more digestible but delicious. I’ve been picking up raw cheese because it’s available at our health food store and I like to support local farmers and eat less processed things when I can. I wish I had a clear cut answer for you, but the truth is, when it comes to nutrition you are going to find a million people who claim a million different things. Part of the fun for eating for me is that we all get to decide for ourselves. So my cop out answer is that you are probably going to have to do the same.
Thank you so much! I’ve found some great sources that I trust through you, so I guess I was hoping you’d have some magical insight into all this, but I guess it turns out you are human, too.
So glad you’ve found so much delicious food that works for you. I am working on finding that for myself, with lots of help from you! Thank you for all of your fun and enjoyable writing and yummy recipes.
I LOVE the new app and I haven’t even used it yet! THAT is impressive, Mama Pea!
Thanks, Michelle!
Woo hoo! Love the app! And the “wings”.
Got the app downloaded – of course my software had not been updated and I didn’t know I had to do this… So, got it done and my daughter and I were looking at recipes. She was drooling over the Banana Chocolate Chip Pretzel Smoothie. I didn’t remember seeing that in the book but told her we could make it this weekend. I just looked at the app and the recipe isn’t there. It says it is on pg 7 but that is Blackberry Basil Smash. I don’t see it anywhere in the book…
Ok, I guess it has been a long day – my daughter found the recipe on the app – I was scrolled to the bottom and it was not actually a recipe. Crisis averted!
Phew! Glad you got it all resolved!
I’ve always been a blackberry girl but now I want an iphone just so I can download this app!
So jealous of iPhoners out there!! Any android apps coming out soon??
My publisher is looking into making it available for the droid!
I can’t tell you how exited i was when i saw that there’s a Peas and Thank you app. Just to discover that is not available in the Brazilian App Store
Can i download somewhere else?
Dear Sarah,
You are incredible. Seriously. I had heard so much about your site from various friends but am only checking it out now (and just put a link to you from my site). Your site is personal, beautiful, playful and thorough. Wow. You rock and now you have an app so I can carry the great Pea power with me wherever I go:)
Your admirer,
the compost cook
Oh man, I’m blushing over here. Thanks so much, Meg. Can’t wait to check out your site too!
Shut up, you have an app?! So excited.