Salt & Lime Tortilla Chips with Strawberry Avocado Salsa
I’ve got bad habits. So do you. But this is about me, as things almost always are. See, there’s one bad habit. Here’s a few more: I stack the recycling on the bench in the garage until cereal boxes, empty bean tins and maple syrup jugs are toppling over onto the floor rather than taking them out to the recycling can on the side of the house. Hey, it’s raining. I flip over the towels in the guest bathroom instead of washing them. It’s... Read More
One Man’s Treasure
I love my husband. He’s a good, good man. I have a month until Father’s Day. A mere thirty days to find a way to thank him for being both a devoted father and the glue that holds our family together. For being the person I can call to calm me down when my head is going to explode, I am speaking in tongues and my pulse is beating in my ears like a marching band because I have decided to drive straight into the middle of a parade for an hour... Read More
A Day in The Pod
A few of my favorite bloggers have done “A Day in the Life” posts lately, and since I have enjoyed those behind-the-scenes glimpses so much, I thought I’d put a similar post together for you. Indulge me. Or forgive me. Or both. This was Thursday, and, for better or worse, pretty typical. 5:45 a.m. My alarm goes off and since I am 86 and went to bed at 10 p.m. last night, I have no problem getting up. I have a big cup of... Read More
Let’s Doodle Lunch! (GIVEAWAY)
School is almost out for summer. Gigi has a few more weeks and Lulu only has a few more days. I’ve been looking forward to summer: no lunches to pack, no homework to do, no praying to dear God that nothing forces me out of my car when I do the morning drop off in boxer shorts, crazy lady hair and bare feet. So far so good. Then, just when summer can’t get here fast enough, we have a day like today when I foolishly take Lulu bra shopping. Holy... Read More
Banana Splits on a Stick
It’s hot! We’ve had record temps here in the Pacific Northwest for the last week. You aren’t getting any complaints from me, though. I dig walking to the gym instead of circling the parking lot in the rain for the closest spot to the door. You know you do it too. I dig pouring Pea Daddy the tiniest cup of coffee in the morning and the putting the rest in a jar in the fridge for a mid-afternoon iced coffee. I need it more than he does. I... Read More
The Bedtime Routine
Even though Sunday won’t be my first Mother’s Day as a mother, it still feels very strange to me that there is a holiday that honors me for getting to experience the greatest blessings of my life. For someone to give me a gift on top of that feels a bit silly. That’s not to say that motherhood hasn’t had its difficult, gut-wrenching and even nauseating moments. I can recall far too many ER visits in the past seven years. An ill-timed blowout... Read More
Teriyaki Chickpea Stirfry
There was a small casualty today. It’s pretty much expected when I am trying too hard to do too much that something’s gotta give. Something besides just trading out the color of headband I wore to the gym and considering that “getting ready.” Or shaving with a squirt of Pea Daddy’s shaving cream and a dry razor. Ouch. I chaperoned Gigi’s field trip to the Oregon Garden today, but I was prepared. I got up extra early to pack lunches,... Read More
Toro Bravo (y Pantalones Bravos)
Pea Daddy gave me a gift card, among other things, for my birthday. With it, I bought a pair of really tight, electric pink pants. I blame Pinterest, fashion blogs and my bolder, younger friends for their influence. Funny how no one ever pins or posts pictures of five year-old saggy, faded jeans that you have to trim every few months when the strings along the hemline are fraying down into your $5 flip flops. And that is why this will never... Read More
Spectacular Carrot Cake
I like birthdays. Last night I was in heaven as I sat on the couch in my free Alaskan Airlines t-shirt and washed out, grey boxer shorts with my recently pampered feet on the coffee table. I’d just done the unthinkably torturous act of rewinding and rewatching my favorite performances on Idol twice. There was a slice of cake on my left, a slice of “can’t complain because it’s not his birthday” husband on my right. It was then that... Read More
Birthday Wishes
On Wednesday, I’ll be 34. And since birthdays are all about indulgence, I hope you’ll forgive me if I indulge myself for a minute here. I promise there’ll be cake in it for you later. Just not the corner piece. That’s mine. Pea Daddy and the girls have been trying to get me to tell them what I want for my birthday, but it’s nothing they can wrap up and tape their homemade card to. They can’t buy what I want. I want to shamelessly... Read More
Root Beer Float Popsicles
I am always up for a challenge. Entertaining the girls by myself this weekend while Pea Daddy was away on a business trip? That’d have been way too easy. Hosting their first sleepover ever while being the sole responsible adult? Bring it. At first, things were going far too smoothly. Personal pizzas were built and cheese and pineapple were openly shared. Ropes were jumped, hoops were hula-ed, nails were sloppily painted the most God-awful... Read More
The Green Room
There’s a sign that hangs in our breakfast nook that says, “God grant me the patience to endure my blessings.” Amen. There’s no question I’ve been blessed. There’s also no question I have my patience tested. Daily. I can endure batting helmets worn to the grocery store in case there’s an errant pitch in the produce department. I have no idea why two pairs of sunglasses are needed, though. I can endure digging the purple... Read More
Grilled Plantains
It’s a girls’ night again. Because I am a jerk 99% of the time, I decided to do something kind for my husband and relinquish my ticket to tonight’s Coldplay concert so he could take one of his guy friends along instead. Truthfully, I am not all that much of a Coldplay fan and find that if I listen to more than two of their songs in a row I am overcome with the need to immediately sit in front of a sun lamp, hold a puppy and chase an... Read More
Weekend Highlights
1. Gigi had her first sleepover Friday night. Lulu was destroyed. I said, “We’re just loaning her out.” Lulu cried, “No! Families have to stick together!” 2. I blame this mindset for Lulu coughing in my face, elbowing me in the ribs and trying to remove every visible mole from my skin after worming her way into our bed at 6 am. 3. We took the girls to see Chimpanzee Saturday. While Pea Daddy and I loved... Read More
Chunky Apple Muffins
We are a house divided. Two vastly different eating styles have developed, pitting husband against wife, sister against sister. It’s the epic battle of The One-Bite Bandits and The Pickers. (Note to self: Learn to play banjo. Start a Bluegrass band. Name it The One-Bite Bandit and The Pickers.) Gigi and Pea Daddy are One-Bite Bandits. Their philosophy is that if a food tastes good, it will taste even better if you can shove the entire thing... Read More
Notes on a Tuesday
1. Gigi asked to play my guitar the other day, and while I had a million reasons to say no, I had one very good reason to say yes—it’s impossible to play the guitar and the recorder at the same time. 2. We went to IKEA this weekend to replace our coffee table (aka Lulu’s $14.99 boogie board). They raised the price to $19.99, which means I couldn’t afford to get the knockoff Crocs that Lulu so badly wanted me to buy. For myself. ... Read More
Sunny Green Wraps
It’s here. Farmer’s Market season. Saturday mornings where we silly Oregonians try to pretend it’s summer. We slip our pale white legs into our wrinkled, dusty shorts from the very back of our drawers, ignoring the fact that we haven’t carefully shaved our legs since August. My knees have more whiskers than my granny’s chin. We do unspeakable things to our feet to facilitate unseasonable sandal wearing. I’m saving my professional pedicure... Read More
Secret Sourdough Donuts
Do you remember My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Me neither. But I do remember the Greek father’s go-to remedy for everything. Got a zit? Got a rash? Got poison ivy? “Put some Windex on it!” Well, my sourdough starter has become my Windex. Want some pizza? Want some pancakes? Want some muffins? “Put some sourdough starter in it!” Sure, I’m excited about the health benefits for us about incorporating sourdough in our diets,... Read More
It Bears Repeating: Sunrise Service
Originally posted April 24, 2011 Overheard on the stairway this morning. Before the sun had completely risen. Before a single plastic egg had been hunted. Before a single jelly bean had been eaten. Before a single chocolate bunny lost his left ear. A quiet little voice squeaked out in the silence. “Thank you, Jesus. For all you did for us.” –Gigi, Age 5 Amen. Read More
How to Make a Peep Wreath for Easter
I love Easter. I’m hosting this year, and I’m pretty excited about it. I’ve never had my whole family over to my house for a holiday gathering. Never mind the fact that there are going to be at least 14 people in our teeny, tiny little house. And our coffee table is broken because Lulu was using it as a boogie board. Understandable, since it cost $14.99 at IKEA. And we don’t have a dining room. How many people can you seat in... Read More
Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Browned Butter
I know what you are thinking. “Another asparagus recipe?” “I don’t even like asparagus!” “If I see another asparagus recipe I’m going to gag myself.” “With an asparagus.” “But should I peel it first?” “Are thinner asparagus less gaggy?” “And why are there songs about beans and their bathroom side effects but not about asparagus?” I have no clue on that last one, though I do have a few salty lyrics in... Read More
My Running Story: Why I Refuse to Do It and You Can’t Make Me
I hate running. I always have and I always will. Even though I fought it, I came to this conclusion very early on. First, when the mean girls in grade school would walk around the track and chat. Whenever I would get near them to join, they’d take off sprinting. I’d go panting after them in my worn-out Keds, without a prayer of catching them. Good times. Then, when my older brother won every cross-country meet, was the anchor on his 4×400... Read More
Nutty Cauliflower Wings with Buffalo BBQ Sauce
Where were you at 9:54 a.m. today? Did you hear a faint “Whoohoo!” coming from the West coast? (If you heard “Whoohoo!” at 3:02 p.m., it was Lulu. She found a black bean from her lunch burrito up her sleeve. Jackpot.) My yelp came when I was driving our crew over to a friend’s house for a visit and heard on the radio the results of a recent study that found that 33 is the happiest age for most people. I’m 33. For one more month. ... Read More
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... Read More
The Ultimate Sourdough Bread Recipe
You may be asking, “What do I do with this slop you have me growing on my counter?” Or, if you are me, you are asking, “Why did I think The Hunger Games would somehow not be about kids killing kids and that I would enjoy my two hours plus in the movie theater instead of sitting there with my head between my legs trying not to throw up the whole time?” I am such a wuss. I know everyone loved it, but not me. Between the plot and the shaky... Read More
Snowy Day Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa
It’s the perfect kind of snowy day here. The kind where it’s the first day of Spring Break anyway, so there’s no worrying about school delays or slippery roads. Yes, it’s Spring Break, baby! Here’s fair warning that you may hear a little less from me this coming week as I spend my time with the girls. (But don’t worry, I’ll share that sourdough recipe in our next post.) Meanwhile, bikinis, sunshine and wild times shall ensue. Or... Read More
How To Make and Maintain Your Own Sourdough Starter
Have I dragged this out for you enough? Truth be told, I rarely go through rounds and rounds of testing when it comes to recipes. I’ve been pretty lucky, because I usually get things right the first time. Not so with the sourdough. My poor family choked down some pretty awful bread last week. But I think I’ve finally got it down. Let’s first discuss what’s so great about sourdough: 1. It’s delicious. Especially hot out of the... Read More
Baguette Butterflies
Can I give you a little encouragement today? That’s all this post is. Well, encouragement and a massive tease for the next recipe that’s coming at you. The message, though, aside from “come back in a day or two for a really, really delicious recipe” is to never doubt your ability to get what you want through creativity. Especially when it comes to feeding your kids (or other loved ones) healthy food. You know how I’ve been on that ”make... Read More
Dinner, a Movie and 10 Questions to Ask Your Significant Other
There doesn’t have to be any specific reason for a husband and wife to enjoy a night out together. But in this house, I have a long list: Gigi’s renewed passion for the recorder. Lulu’s absolute meltdown every time she sees a Disneyland commercial and realizes there are no plans in our immediate future to go make lasting memories there. The pathetic statistic that both adults in this house were passed out simultaneously at 8:45 p.m. on both... Read More
21 NATURALLY Green Recipes for St. Patrick’s Day
It seems like this time of year, everyone’s slipping a little Green Dye #3 into everything. I totally get why people like food coloring. It’s pretty! But I don’t want to eat it. And I don’t really want my kids to eat it either. Lucky for us all, there are a lot of delicious green things we can still eat without tartazine (aka coal tar). So I’d encourage you to eat as many green things as you’d like this St. Patrick’s Day... Read More
Dinner Tonight: Spaghetti Squash Casserole
My right eye won’t stop twitching today and it’s driving me insane. True insanity, according to Einstein is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” He’s right. I continuously flush hundreds of hours of my life down the drain watching The Bachelor expecting that it will strengthen my belief in long-lasting love and in the ability of women to develop genuine friendships with each other. Heh heh.... Read More
Notes from A Girls Weekend
1. Even though Pea Daddy was in Vegas all weekend, I saw more scantily clad women than he did. Especially when the girls and I did Pilates in our pajamas this morning. 2. Gigi did a Pilates “V” in a nightgown and put on quite the display. Lulu said, “I see London, I see France, I see Gigi’s underpants.” Gigi replied, “That’s how you know I’m working hard.” Ahh, that’s the secret. Look out gym weight room. Expect to see... Read More
Caveman Cookies
I am a master negotiator. I think I’ve mentioned before that I got High Paper in my Negotiation class in law school. (Let’s not talk about my Federal Tax grade. I don’t have to tell you who fills out the returns in our house.) The key to a successful negotiation is to make the person on the other side think that you are completely caving in, when in actuality you aren’t giving up anything that truly impacts you at all. Suckers. Take,... Read More
Wacky Wednesday: What You Didn’t See
I’ve got to keep some things to myself. And trust me, I’m doing you a favor. Bad recipes. Bad singing. Bad parenting. Bad, bad vans. Here’s just a glimpse of what you didn’t see on Peas and Thank You this week. Explanations, much like these photos, probably aren’t necessary, but are provided nonetheless. 1. This sorry attempt at healthy Wheat Thins. They looked like Wheat Thins. They tasted like a punishment. 2. ... Read More
Super Soft Whole Grain Sandwich Bread
I’m on a kick. A slightly time sucking, make-it-from-scratch, “why buy it when you can stick it to Monsanto?” kick. Proof positive: there are currently four things intentionally fermenting in my kitchen. I blame my second reading of The Omnivore’s Dilemma. But to a higher degree, I blame the fact that Lulu did this with the sprouted grain bread I made her a sandwich with last week. Nice. So this weekend I did a little research. And... Read More
Like Peanut Butter Cups. Only Better.
I bet you think you know what this is. And most days, you’d be right. We love peanut butter cups around here. They are super simple to make and totally delicious. Whenever we need a go-to quick treat, I get out the muffin tin and the chocolate and make peanut butter cups. I make people happy. Sunday night during the Oscars, I made people happy. We didn’t have a viewing party. Truth is, people who have kids don’t watch the... Read More
Apple Cinnamon Streusel Pancakes
I was pretty excited when I wrapped our manuscript last week because it meant more time for doing the things that I love. They are, in no particular order: having smooth, clean shaven legs (that’s yet to happen) giving my full attention to my favorite reality shows (that’s completely unnecessary. Hot tub. Champagne. Making out. Rose ceremony. Limo meltdown. Got it.) engaging in conversations with Pea Daddy that don’t involve,... Read More
Household Hints, Volume I
I hardly consider myself an expert on running a household smoothly. I have, however, picked up some tricks for multitasking parenting, writing, practicing basic hygiene, cooking and maintaining relationships. As a result, I’ve become an expert on half-assing almost everything. And you can become one, too! Here is the first set of many questionably helpful hints I’d like to share with you: 1. If you are having a spat with your spouse, say... Read More
Magic Kale Salad with Pistachios and Apples
Do you like magic? I’ve always had a thing for magicians. I have a cousin on my mom’s side of the family who was a model and used to date David Copperfield. I’m not related to Claudia Schiffer, so the three male readers I have can calm down now. That includes you, Pea Daddy. I had this fantasy in my head that somehow I’d show up at a family gathering and he’d be there with his mysterious demeanor, satin jacket and totally awesome eyebrows. ... Read More
Cleaning My Plate
One of my favorite parts of the week is when I get an email from Lulu’s preschool teacher telling me her version of what they learned this week. Rarely does her story match Lulu’s. Frequently I’m the one who learns something. The dramatic reenactment below is based on Lulu’s chapel lesson this week, as relayed by her teacher. Seeing that today is the start of Lent, I thought the message was quite relevant to the next six weeks of our... Read More
