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
Name That Book and Other Weekend Highlights
1. I hate to say “I told you so.” Lie. I love it. When I left for the gym yesterday, Pea Daddy was cleaning up the playroom, and when I came home, I saw this: I told you so. 2. I then drove to Starbucks with the vow not to leave until the second book was finished. Two hours, a venti Americano and three bathroom breaks later, I was done. Shaky, slightly nauseous, embarrassingly greasy and done. 3. ... 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
“Eat Cake For Breakfast” and Other Lessons I’ve Learned
Do you need a reason to bake a cake? I’ll give you one. Or four. The weekend is over. Shoot. It’s Monday. Double shoot. There’s Monday Night Football on tonight. (Make of that what you will.) And then there’s the reason I did: today marks two full years of Peas and Thank You. (Can I use the “Terrible Twos” as an excuse for any forthcoming posts?) It seems like we’ve known each other so much longer than two years,... Read More
Another One Is On Its Way (GIVEAWAY)
Do I seem like I’ve been a little scatter-brained lately? Are you suspicious that I’m so determined to give up caffeine? I haven’t even told you that I’ve been going to bed before 10 pm every night. My DVR is so confused. Pea Daddy found it odd that I bawled and sniffled for a good thirty minutes this weekend after watching the “Dear Sophie” Google Chrome ad featuring home videos, photos and emails a dad has sent to his daughter... Read More
My Favorite Recipeas and Big News! (GIVEAWAY)
I have a little news to share with you. I’m dying to tell you. But as a part of this week’s festivities, I promised to share with you which of the recipeas on our site and in our book are my very personal favorites. News or no news, I keep my promises. Which also explains why today, I took my two children, as promised, to the absolute worst theme park in the history of theme parks. And they had a blast. I predict listing out my... Read More
A Week of Appreciation
The past three weeks have been crazy. The dishes are piling up. I’m so desperate to get them out of my sink that I’m doing moronic things like sticking my Vitamix in the dishwasher. It melted. It’s not pretty, but I’m still using it. Our dressers no longer serve a purpose, we are just getting dressed out of the basket. At least it’s the “clean” basket. I’ve worn the same mascara for three days in a row. It’s better for... Read More
Pea Sighting: New Day Northwest (VIDEO)
I was on New Day Northwest in Seattle this morning. Hello to you, new readers! You have no idea what you are in for. Deliciousness? Of course. Utter nonsense? Most likely. A good time? Always. Let’s play, “What Could I Possibly Be Asking the TV Producer in This Picture?” a) “Do you want fries with that?” b) “Is the Bachelor Pad premiere really three hours long tonight?” c) “Who do I have to talk to to get Ricky... Read More
Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
The knives have been sharpened. The toys shoved in the playroom. There are fresh flowers on my counter for the first time since the last time Pea Daddy was a jerk. In other words, since never. Right now, I’m washing all of our silverware by hand to eliminate the proof Color-Stay lip color really does stay on everything. And I can’t come up with a good explanation for why the knife that we use for the almond butter jar permanently has... Read More
The One You’ve Been Waiting For (GIVEAWAY)
It’s about to get crazy up in here. “Swimming with an umbrella” crazy. “Pea Daddy’s going to kill me for letting his landscaping go to hell, but that looks so fun I can’t say no” crazy. “Mama let me paint while she was on a conference call” crazy. “Pickles and bladder control-challenged peas are art” crazy. I wanted to invoke a little censorship, but Gigi said, “Maybe they’ll put this in a museum someday” and... Read More
The Night Before
I’m finding it hard to come up with words to describe how I’m feeling right now. And as anyone that has spent five minutes around me can tell you, words are never something I’m short on. Words and hairspray. It’s like a glossy, weatherproof helmet, I tell you. As we anticipate our book being released tomorrow, I’m…well, freaking out. The only other times I’ve felt like this before is the night before I got married. “For better... Read More
Peas Pre-Orders and Prizes! (VIDEO & GIVEAWAY)
The Peas and Thank You book countdown is underway! The official Peas and Thank You publish date is in just eleven days on July 26th. You know I’m so excited I could just pea. (Sorry, I had to do it.) And it makes me even more excited to hear from you, via your email messages and Tweets, that you want to help us rocket to the best-seller list. Here’s how: if you pre-order now and/or buy the book in bookstores (notice how they are not mutually... Read More
Pea Sighting: Vegetarian Times July/August 2011
Silly me. Here I thought with our Spring Recital last weekend, ballet would actually be over. And then I got an email from Teacher Annie Monday that said, “Don’t miss class Wednesday!” I wouldn’t exactly say we’d be missing class. “I was told there’d be cheese…” So this Wednesday was still wackier than ever. The UPS man brought 100 copies of our book to be autographed. Gigi has asked to help. So if you get a book that says,... Read More
It’s Here! (and a Father’s Day GIVEAWAY)
Look what came in the mail. The. ACTUAL. Book. Not a flier, not a postcard, not a trailer. The sweet smell of ink. The pages I could paper-cut myself on. The words I wrote. The faces I love. The food I cooked. And ate. And ate. And ate. I hate to admit, I cried a little. I just feel so overjoyed that all of you who have already pre-ordered are going to get THIS BOOK. You will not be disappointed. Gigi woke up early this morning to... Read More
Big Day
It was a big day. We got to watch my cousin Nick pitch in a minor league baseball game. What a rock star. I remember when Nick was born. I remember his first day of school when my aunt wanted to take a picture of him with his lunchbox and he got mad and refused. So she just took a picture of his lunchbox. And now he’s on the Jumbotron. How do you like me now, Lunchbox?! But that’s not all. Oh no, that is not all. Look at what opens in our... Read More
Wacky Wednesday: A Pea Podcast (AUDIO)
Wacky doesn’t even begin to describe the day we’ve had. Two ballet rehearsals. A newspaper interview. A visit with my favorite aunt. 66 people finding my blog by searching Google for “wiener jokes.” 37 people finding my blog for searching Google for “Weiner jokes.” Thank you, Senator, for the extra hits. (I’m not the first woman to say this, I’m sure.) Dough ball baking. Really interesting and enlightening... Read More
A Pea at BEA
When my editor called to invite me to Book Expo America, I must admit, I had no idea what it was. But for an opportunity to go to New York City, to have a few days of quality time with myself, a respite from tutu mending, hair detangling, elderly mens’ resort wear folding and angry cat avoiding sounded heavenly. Throw in the requirement for a new cocktail dress and the promise of dinner at Blossom and I became the new Urban Dictionary definition... Read More
High as a Kite
It’s been a remarkable week. I was driving the girls home from school on Monday, wishing I had an obvious way to give back more. I like to think I am appreciative of what I have, not from a financial or material perspective, but in terms of happiness. I absolutely love my life beyond measure. But if I don’t share that, if I don’t have compassion and grace about that, how do I really have anything? And then Alyssa’s story fell (was dropped?)... Read More
A Celebration of Life
Update on Alyssa’s story at the end of this post! Tonight we had a celebration of life. For a maple tree. We planted this maple tree seven years ago. You can even count the rings to make sure I’m telling the truth, because I do tend to pathologically lie, especially about the age of agriculture. I’m trying to stop. Okay, that’s a lie. It pained us to pay to have this tree removed. He died over the summer, along with a peach tree... Read More
A Sweet Celebration (GIVEAWAY)
I joke a lot about how old I am. The number of prunes I eat. The waist on my jeans creeping higher. The “frosted” highlights in my hair getting a little heavier as more and more grey hairs sprout after ballet recital tryouts, chest x-rays and book deadlines. As much as I look back fondly on my 20s, a stretch-mark free mid-section and impeccable bladder control, I have to say, life just keeps getting sweeter. And an early-bird, early birthday... Read More
Sunrise Service
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
New Recipage and Most Popular Recipea (GIVEAWAY)
Anyone who knows me can tell you that I am, always have been and will always be a perfectionist. But unlike anyone who knows me, I don’t think it’s a fault. Then again, I don’t have to live with me, share a bathroom with me or try to not leave a single fingerprint on the stainless steel refrigerator or otherwise bear the wrath of me. As the saying goes, “The day I stop learning is the day I start dying.” And therefore, I will always be... Read More
It’s Official (or Old News)!
If you follow me on Twitter and Facebook, this may be old news to you. If you have been searching Amazon for our book already, this may also be old news to you, too. Even though we’ve been available on Amazon for preorder for a few weeks, I wanted to wait to until our cover and other information was up to announce it. And today I discovered, it is! Whether you buy the book (and 19 extra copies for your mom, best friend, co-workers and mail carrier)... Read More
One Big Wiener
Lest you say my children have grown up deprived, I must first say, today we lived out a childhood dream. Lest you call me a hypocrite, I must then say, the Wienermobile isn’t made of meat and much like a packaged Oscar Meyer hot dog, there is nothing resembling actual meat involved. Lest you be reading this post, Mom, I must also say, I am sorry. I am sorry about the huge wiener, any forthcoming wiener jokes, and the wiener that will end up in... Read More
A New Way to Lose, Part II
Otherwise known as: “What Happened With Pea Pal.” It was dinnertime. Pea Daddy had tipped his pal off to my veg intentions, and I was immediately told as we sat down to the table that he had no intention of ever being vegetarian or vegan. I told him I hoped he would just let me speak my piece, and he very graciously agreed. I then started preaching over mouthfuls of food, as I often do. Pea Pal loved dinner. He must have told me eight... Read More
Laser-Quick Lessons
There’s not always a recipe around here. Some days I see my job as merely to impart knowledge. Let me learn you something: Jamba Juice makes five dairy-free smoothies. They are great for breakfast or lunch. Or both. It is possible to spend six straight hours in the car or dilated. Or both. I wouldn’t recommend the latter. Lulu is fascinated by doctor office mail slots. And the phrase “mail slot” is hilarious, especially when... Read More
Photo Finish
Twenty-two recipes, and over 800 photos, …in seventy-five hours. That’s almost one recipe per three hours for those of you that can’t find the calculator on your Start menu. (It’s okay, Mom. Call me. I’ll walk you through it.) There’s been at least three different sleeping arrangements: Gigi on the air mattress, which ended with Gigi in our bed at 1 a.m. and me getting a cavity search with her right knee; Gigi in my bed and me... Read More
My Gut Was Right
If this is a shot we are NOT going to use, you can only imagine how amazing the shots are that we are going to use. My gut was right. But my gut is full. And I am tired. “Go Bags” for everyone! Puzzles in tutus for everyone! Okay, not everyone. German Chocolate Cake for everyone! Yes, everyone! Spaghetti and meatballs for everyone! Bread pudding for everyone! Playing in sugar cookie dough for everyone. Hope everyone washed their... Read More
Blades of Glory
I’ve raised Gigi to be very resourceful. She has this deep desire for all of her dolls to have appropriate clothing for every situation. Since I refuse to buy clothing for a 12-inch piece of plastic with hair when I am, in fact, wearing a vest right now that I’ve had for nine years, she’s had to get creative with what her dolls wear. She’ll search around in her drawer for the smallest thing she owns and end up trying to tie a baby sock... Read More
Not Your Average Day
Today was not your average day. It was World Diabetes Day! To me this meant an opportunity to reach the Portland community via a Circle in the Square event, an opportunity to spread the word about Peas and Thank You, and an opportunity to share the wonderful effects of a plant-based diet in the treatment and prevention of disease. To others, though, it was merely an opportunity to get woken up and stuffed in the car instead of leisurely eating... Read More
Having a Ball
I’m not going to beat around the bush: today was not the greatest. Gigi’s still sick. I’ve lost my garage door opener and can’t leave the house anyway. It rained so hard last night, it woke me up and made somebody wet their bed. And then it rained all day too. We read book after book. We did crafts and puzzles. I hate puzzles. We played dress up. We cleaned out the Tupperware drawer. I hate Tupperware. I got rid of every bottom... Read More
Being Present
As an attorney, I had to go to seminars frequently known as CLEs (continuing legal education). I dreaded CLEs. The typical CLE scenario was weak coffee, dried out pastries, pretentious speakers and self-important attorneys in the audience asking absurd questions to make their practice sound important. I don’t think I ever learned anything. I don’t think I ever ate anything. I certainly never squealed and ran with my arms open, cupcake... Read More
Living La Vida Loca
If I thought flying on a plane solo was crazy, I had no idea what I was in store for. I almost got right back on a plane as I walked into our hotel and was met by a man holding a placard that said, “Sarah.” How nice!, I thought, Ashley sent someone to greet me! As he led me to a van and asked me what time my flight left, I knew that I was not his “Sarah.” Side note #1: Pea Daddy, I’m only your “Sarah.” And I miss you. Side note... Read More
If Pictures Could Talk
I wish it would stop raining…or at least that it would rain pickles. I wish Mom had bought sleeves. Seriously, woman, why the vest? Your torso was cold but your arms were burning up? Gigi may have signed up for soccer, but I didn’t sign up for this. Why were all the other numbers afraid of “7?” Because 7 8 9. Pink socks will make you, jump jump. Hey, I have a pink ball at home, if you want to trade that boring grey one… Pea aggressive…PE-EE... Read More
A Day of Mystery
I’m totally stumped as to how to thank all of you for your prayers and support based on yesterday’s post. How about a post on a Friday night, when I’m usually deep in my couch, a glass of red and my DVR? Here you go. First, some good news: though Rachael isn’t out of the woods yet, they removed the pump this evening and her heart is beating on its own. If all goes well she will be out of the ICU and into the cardiac unit tomorrow.... Read More
Postcard from the Peas: Disney Day 1
I don’t even know where to start to tell you about all the fun we are having here at Disneyland. And we’ve only been here seven hours. I already have more photos than I can manage, and we haven’t even seen a Princess yet. Now a Playmate…that’s another story. Don’t worry, I won’t make you wait long for that one. Eventually I’ll get around to organizing my photos into neat little posts detailing our... Read More
I Like it Medium Raw (Giveaway)
A wise man once said, “You don’t have to agree with someone to want to sit down and have a beer with him.” I completely agree. And that is why last night, I was overjoyed to sit down and have a beer with that wise man, Anthony Bourdain. Alright, I didn’t really sit down and have a beer with him, but I did get to sit in the seventh row of his speaking engagement in Portland, and as far as I’m concerned, I had a pretty... Read More
No Reservations
Pea Daddy and I are off on a special foodie-related date (the post title may be a dead giveaway) and won’t be home until way past bedtime. I’ll be back with a recap tomorrow, but in the meantime you can pop over here and check out my Body for Life wrap up. Don’t wait up for us! Read More
Tonight
Tonight I celebrate my love for you It seems the natural thing to do Tonight no one’s gonna find us We’ll leave the world behind us When I make love to you Tonight I celebrate my love for you (1 c. almond milk, 2 T. cocoa powder, 2 T. peanut butter, stevia, 1 1/2 c. ice, 1/2 t. xanthan gum) And hope that deep inside you feel it too Tonight our spirits will be climbing To the sky lit up with diamonds When I make love... Read More
