Listen & Obey

Showing off her craft


Examining it before I photographed it


The whale she made in her class at church

Around our house lately, if you ask Charlotte - when she is in trouble - what she is supposed to do she will automatically say "I listen and obey!" It truly is a mantra around here as our sweet 2 1/2 year old has determined that selective hearing should be a daily, hourly, minute by minute practice.

So when she came home from church a few weeks ago talking about Jonah I was thrilled that we could incoporate this Bible story into training her on listening to what we say and then obeying us. Her class at church talked about Jonah and the whale for four straight weeks so you can imagine how often we got to bring this whole thing up in conversation.

Has it really helped, I don't know. I do know, that having our faith to draw from to teach our children not only helps me explain these things to her more effectively, but it also teaches her that there are reasons why we do and don't do certain things and sometimes we just have to listen and obey because we (or God) are told to. I am just hoping - and praying - that little by little our values are sinking in to that sweet, and sometimes devious, little mind of hers.

{sidenote: in the pictures above Charlotte requested that I curl her hair with the curling iron - it was our first time to do it. She kept touching it over and over again with both hands after it was done saying, "Mommy, it so pretty!" Love my sweet, girly girl!}

Growing Up - a little...

Personalized Folded Notecard with Circles


Bridal Shower Invitation in floral design

Well, The English Pea has taken a little hiatus over the summer - I have purposely slowed down A LOT! That doesn't mean that my wheels aren't turnin' and my creativity isn't stewing.

Over the last six months I have begun to get more requests from customers for things like bridal shower invitations, calling cards for mommy, recipe cards and notecards - geared for a little more mature audience. So... I have taken on a few projects that resulted in a few new items.

Over the next few months you will begin to see a few more things appearing in the shop that are geared more toward you - a woman, mom, grandma, a friend. Hopefully things you can personally use and give to those you love. So, let me know what you think about these two new designs. They will be up in the shop soon!

(p.s. I haven't forgotten about our little ones - I have more great invitations coming for them too. Stay tuned!)

Vacation Day

Yesterday Doug gave me the day off. I took the day to...

visit with a good friend - Thanks Suzie

shop on the square in downtown Marietta



Mimosas - enough said



ate at Sugar Cakes (Where you can find this fabulous sandwich - and honestly, the name says it all)

fabric shopping without the kids

an hour full body massage

Thanks to the sweetest hubby for giving me a much needed break. I truly had a WONDERFUL day!

{lagniappe 2}

So I have been promising another lagniappe for a while. Sorry for my delay. Hope you enjoy!

Meal idea: Meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans.
I don't know about you, but we NEVER finish a meatloaf and there are only so many sandwiches you can make afterward so, when you finish mixing up your recipe and start to form your loaf just use 1/2-3/4 of the mixture and reserve the rest for the next recipe - meatballs.
(Also, you may have a great meatloaf recipe and you can truly use whatever - I know there are some family favorites. This one is from my neighbor, Kristin, and is quite delicious. I go a little lighter on the onions)

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 cup fresh bread, cubed
1 medium onion, diced fine
1/2 can Hunt's tomato sauce (8 oz can)
salt & pepper
1 egg

Mix all of these ingredients with a fork until well blended. Pat into a loaf shape in the center of a 9 x 13" baking dish.

Barbecue Sauce:
1 1/2 can tomato sauce (8 oz can)
1/2 cup water
5 - 6 Tablespoons dark brown sugar
3 Tablespoons vinegar
3 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 Tablespoons mustard (spicy brown is best)

Mix all of the sauce ingredients well and pour over the meatloaf. Bake at 350 degrees for 75 min., baking sauce over meatloaf every 20-30 minutes.


Meal Idea 2: Spaghetti and Meatballs with green salad
Take the left over mixture from the meatloaf and make into round balls (You can add a few more things to it later if you like - garlic, bread crumbs, etc.).

In a large pan put a tablespoon of olive oil in the bottom of the pan, place heat on medium and brown your meatballs - you can always finish them off in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Once cooked place them in your favorite sauce and serve with desired pasta.

(you can also take them browned - with no sauce - and freeze your extras for another meal later. Another alternative to using the meatballs, BBQ Meatball Sandwiches - YUM).

Bon Apetite!

Whipped Cream

Do you eat dessert at your house? We certainly do and on this particular day - after a spaghetti supper - Charlotte's choice was just a little whipped cream. I'd say, she loved it seeing as she licked the bowl clean (she obviously liked her spaghetti too based on the evidence all over her face).

So what is your fave dessert? Stay tuned for a wonderful dessert recipe coming your way - a Sundae Brownie Cheesecake. Yum!

Reaping Rewards

Growing up with my father as a physician in a small town picnics in the park, morning swims in the pool, and weekend getaways were virtually unheard of. Because we lived in a small community my father not only ran a practice but he was required to also take call at the local hospital, round at the nursing home, and there were always charts to dictate - lots and lots of charts.

I do not hold this against my father. He spent time with us and we enjoyed it when he did. While his job was his passion it was also quite demanding.

When I married my husband he was finishing his degree in education. I knew he would go on to become a teacher but I really had no idea what this would mean. In the first few years he had it rough and I didn't make it any easier because I began to realize that his teacher's salary wasn't going to be quite like what I was used to. Don't get me wrong, I didn't have everything I wanted growing up, but we truly wanted for nothing and I didn't realize in my young years just how blessed I really was.

After some rough years and Doug deciding to leave the teaching profession for a year we both learned a valuable lesson - it is more important that one does what he loves than something that makes him misserable and makes him a lot of money. I believe this is true with both sexes, but more so with men.

As we picniced last Friday in the park - just the four of us - I realized that while our rewards aren't monetary, we are overwhelming blessed with the reward of time. My kids get to have something I barely knew and that is large, quantities of time with their father - quality time too.

To say that I am already mourning the end of our summer is an understatement. To say that I now appreciate and value the profession my husband has chosen is a true statement. I value both my father and my husband for choosing their professions based on passion and calling. Both had cost and both had rewards. I am thankful that our little family gets to relish in one of the greatest rewards - Doug's time.

Oh, Yes Please!

Totally in love with this dress! It also comes in a gorgeous kelly green. Ahhh, in summer there is nothing more fun or appealing to me than a stylish, colorful, and fun frock to wear! Want to see more just go here.