pepper

So this is the very first pepper from my container garden this year - and my first time growing them. I had a couple crop up and they either were eaten by a grasshopper or had a mysterious spot that didn't look so good. I was told last year that peppers were quite easy to grow and have been excited to discover that they are even easier than growing tomatoes. We have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the fruits of our labor and look forward to many more peppers and tomatoes to come. I have a ton of tomatoes that are about to ripen and I can't wait to make homemade sauce out of them. Now, I am waiting to see if my attempt a cilantro will work out so I can make delicious fresh salsa. I will keep you posted. :)

take me out to the ball game

 One of Charlotte's favorite people, Kendall

 Jumping for Joy!

 Douglass Charles loved watching the guys warm up.

 First time eating cotton candy

 YUM!

 Charlotte couldn't get enough and later went into a hilarious sugar tizzy!

 On the jumbo tron when we won our upgraded seats - Thanks to the Zenus family. :)

 Dancing!

 dancing again

 sweet friends

 Griffin bustin' a move

 Just chillin'

playing tag

Anyone who knows Doug well knows that he loves the Braves. Sadly, though, the Braves don't really love us right now - you know with small children and our pocket book. We know plenty of people who have taken smaller children to a Braves game and my hat is off. Call me chicken, but we haven't wanted to brave it and then have to leave because the kiddos couldn't handle it.

Some of our friends mentioned the Rome Braves and how much fun it was for the family. Granted, the level of baseball is not quite what you get in downtown Atlanta, but the homerun hill, decent ticket prices (and the fact that both of our kiddos got in free) AND the food is inexpensive were all reasons for us to set off Father's Day weekend to catch a game.

We had SO much fun! It is wonderful now that the kids are getting older that we can take a late night and actually not have complete meltdowns the whole time were are gone. The kids played, danced, watched ball (a little), had cotton candy for the first time, and thanks to our friends, the Zenus', we were given upgraded seats (which the guys used), wound up on the jumbotron, and got free hot dots and drinks (which we can use our next trip). Doug and I also got to try fried twinkies and fried oreos for the first time, which was a real treat. I don't think either of us was disappointed.

Needless to say, we will be hitting Rome again for a night of fun. Our tally at the end of the evening was about $25.00 - that wouldn't have even covered decent tickets at the old Turner Field.

happy 4th!

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart

Doug laughs at me, but I am such a sucker for traditions and especially food traditions. So... to celebrate our nation's independence we are serving up some grilled shrimp, corn, and potatoes this evening. Dessert is still up in the air, but key lime pie or these cupcakes would be delicious. And I think some neighborhood fireworks might be in order as well.

What are you doing to celebrate the 4th?

Gotta love them boys!

photography by http://www.splitsecondatl.com/

To say that summer is kicking my bottom is an understatement. I guess it is all the extra fun we are having and wanting to have. It is really hard for me to buckle down and get stuff done when I want to be out swimming with my hubby, kiddos, and friends. The fun thing about the pool this year is that we get to see all of our friends all the time. It is like one big party and I don't want to miss it. Nonetheless, the work must go on and I am finally getting around to sharing these great pictures that my friend Suzie took of the new party packages I now have available.

A friend of mine from church won a gift certificate that I gave for an event. Her little guy is full throttle into ball and he wanted a ball theme. I created the invitation for him and the rest of the package off of the invite. I was pleased with the turnout. Besides, what little boy, at one time or another, doesn't want some type of ball party?

I have more party packs to share - as well as a wonderful promotion next month. Can't wait to share! Now, if I can just stay away from the pool long enough to get a little work done. If you think I have been neglecting the blog, you should see my house.

Meatless Lasagna

 This lasagna was delicious, made a ton, and was SO easy to make - and there is NO meat!

 This salad was full of all our Farmers Market Basket goodies -

I love these baskets in the summer. They are so FULL of wonderful produce.

So we love some Italian around here, but at the end of the month, most of my meat stock pile is gone from the freezer. I was trying to make things stretch one month so I decided to create this recipe with NO meat. I didn't dare tell Doug for fear that he might turn up his nose - actually, I knew he wouldn't. Thankfully he isn't too picky about always having to meat at the dinner table. But, I did want to see if he would notice. He didn't. I asked him if he noticed anything different about the lasagna, and he said no. I mentioned there was no meat and he was like, "Wow! It is still really good." Oh, and like most lasagnas, it freezes great! We usually eat half, freeze the other half, and eat it a few weeks later. Hope you enjoy it as much as we have! :)

Meatless Lasagna
1/2 box lasagna noodles
2 large eggs
28 oz jar tomato sauce (I used Classico sweet basil)
1 pkg Italian cheeses
1/2 cup shredded mozzerella
16 oz carton ricotta cheese

- First, remove the noodles from the packaging (about half of them) and place them in a 9x13 pan filled with the hottest tap water (thanks Barefoot Contessa for this trick) and let them soak for about 15 minutes.
- heat sauce to simmer - can add spices. I add pepper, salt, sugar, red pepper, and italian seasoning (and sometimes a few cloves of garlic).
- Mix cheese (except Mozzerella) and eggs. Add salt, pepper, and italian seasoning (could add cooked spinach here).
- In a greased casserole dish start layering. Cover bottom with sauce, then noodles, then cheese mixture, then sauce - repeat until gone. Top with mozzerella cheese.
- Bake covered on 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and cook for 15 more minutes, then set the broiler on low, and broil for 3-5 minutes until cheeses on top are browned.
Yield: 6-8 servings.
Enjoy!

to the zoo

On our way - it is about a 45 minute drive

(have I mentioned that seeing this makes me want a minivan.

I never thought I would say that! )

 First carousel ride - not too sure!

 Sorry, in order to see Charlotte's expression in this picture

 I had to really over expose it. Not a great shot, but I love her face.

At this point he was holding on for dear life. :)

It was a bit of a zoo taking five children under the age of six to the zoo last week with my friend, Angela. BUT... we all had a wonderful time and everyone really did do fairly well. Angela invited us and with her passes and her youngest being under two we all got in FREE (well, Angela I guess didn't technically since she paid for season passes, but you get the idea). Charlotte was thirlled with the giraffes - didn't hurt that their was a baby giraffe. Douglass Charles loved the monkeys, but the highlight was the carousel.

Think what you may, but Charlotte and DC have never been on a carousel. I am not really sure why. Come to think of it we really haven't been anywhere where they could have ridden one. I was afraid that Charlotte might be a little nervous - she is my cautious one - but she nearly threw a fit when we had to get off - she loved it so. DC is my adventerous one and opted to watch the carousel the entire time we were at the playground. Once we got on it, he never smiled, and the longer we road, the more he looked like things weren't okay. Finally, with about two minutes left he started crying and wanted off. My kids never cease to amaze me.

Thanks to the Zenus family for a wonderful day and for letting us bum off their passes. We had a wonderful time!

first ever!

Yes, I am going to try this and see how it goes. I know I am a bit behind on blogging, but I have been busy with business and family and well, I just get a bit lazier in the summer when it comes to projects like blogging. Please forgive me. But... you won't want to miss this sale and you will need to "like" us over at www.facebook.com/theenglishpea and of course already be a member. I won't announce what is on sale until 8:00 p.m. tomorrow evening. And now you are probably wondering how it will work. Here it goes:

Several different notecards will be available for sale. I will post pictures of the notecards and they will ALL be fore SALE for $1.50 a piece. This covers the notecard, envelope, personalization, AND shipping. Yep! Kind of cool, huh? And the best part, you can choose as many as you like - just want to try one? Sure, go ahead. Want only five? No problem? Want a sampling of twenty cards - piece of cake! And they can all have different inscriptions. So... spread the word and don't be late for this very important date!

Tomorrow, FRIDAY, June 24th, at 8:00 p.m.