When my sister and I were quite young, we used to drive my mother crazy. Every time she served us peas, we would literally count them to make sure she had doled out equal portions to each of us. God forbid if one of us got one more than the other, because there would be hell to pay. What was crazy, though, is that I wouldn't eat the peas. Wouldn't even touch them because I never liked the way they tasted. To this day, I avoid peas unless it's La Grenouille's Spring Pea Soup. Now those peas taste truly delicious. Oh, and I do like Barefoot Contessa's Pasta, Pesto, and Peas too.
But non-edible peas are a different matter. I love porcelain fruits and vegetables, something which many find to be twee. I'm taken with linens embroidered with Mother Nature's bounty. And fabric printed with a vegetarian motif positively catches my eye. So in honor of Spring, let's celebrate the pea.
Michael Devine sells these charming 10" porcelain peas.
I'm also taken with these porcelain peas and beans by Lorraine Taylor and Nicky Smart.
This is my kind of pea...a brooch by Jean Schlumberger
And this vintage Schiaparelli brooch is pretty tasty too.
These pea pod napkins from Williams Sonoma are cute, although I would prefer if they were plain white linen.
But the best use of peas has to be this dress designed by Givenchy. Perfection!
(Photo at top: Pasta, Pesto, & Peas from Barefoot Contessa Parties!
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Give Peas a Chance
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Fabulous! Great fun. Seeing this post was a good way of beginning the day in the office. You should try my pea risotto which I make quite frequently - by special order by the Celt.
ReplyDeleteI just laughed out loud at the thought of your mother having to dole out peas equally. One of the great joys of having children! The peas you found were quite beautiful as well!
ReplyDeleteI love peas too edilbe or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteBlue- I'm hoping for an invitation to try the risotto soon!
ReplyDeleteCameron- My mother laughs about it now, but she didn't at the time!
ReplyDeleteMichael- I like the porcelain peas that you sell better than the real thing.
ReplyDeleteThat was big fun!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post! I love peas in every form---edible or otherwise!
ReplyDeleteMaybe this will pease you: chicken salad with chopped apples, walnuts, celery, red onion and PEAS! Don't cook peas. Simply thaw peas and toss in. Add mayo to bind together. Served years ago at a catered lunch. Still love it. In fact made it last night.
ReplyDeleteSome of the best fun I had with my children and Play-doh was in showing them how to make miniature pea pods, so you know this post was a fave of mine. Love the WS towels.
ReplyDeleteI am feeling your pain - as a kid I would swallow them WHOLE to avoid the full flavor/taste - typically canned peas served with the Sunday roast.....
ReplyDeleteAs for now, well, I've wised up considerably and would not turn my nose at them.
When I was pregnant with our first, my husband gave me an oversized, gorgeous pea pod Christmas ornament.......(for the "pea in the pod"......)
But about that Givenchy dress.......SWOOOOOON!!
Look at her!! Do you think she's on her way to her weekly bridge group? Lovely.
I love peas, inedible or not! Had them for easter in fact. I love those william sonoma napkins, adorable! But you're right, maybe the stripe is a bit much?
ReplyDeleteI love peas (and that pea risotto sounds so yummy!), but would happily trade real peas for that piece by Lorriane Taylor and Nicky Smart! :)
ReplyDeleteI always hated peas as a kid. Especially the dents in them--they gave me the creeps.
ReplyDelete-pt
Charming!
ReplyDeleteHated peas growing up...but then again they were often out of a can!
ReplyDeleteNow I love fresh peas with mint!
I appreciate the beauty of peas too...they look like perfect little green pearls slipped into a lovely little supple envelope. Mother Nature always gets it just right!
Very fun - I love the dress covered in peas!
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope your mother survived :)
My fourth grade teacher, Miss Burke, wore a necklace and earrings set that looked exactly like frozen green
ReplyDeletepeas, all strung together. Haven't thought of this for umpteen years, but now that you've introduced the subject, it must have been the first instance of being
charmed by something pretending to be what it was not.
Peas and Springtime go together.
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing at your comment about you and your sister making sure one did not have to eat more than the other...my brother and I were the same way! I absolutely cringed when I saw my mother cooking peas...I think more were "coughed" into the napkin than actually consumed. I love them now and I'm loving the various pea items you found! Fun post!
ReplyDeleteI love peas, and there are so many wonderful salads for spring and summer with them. The Shiaparelli piece is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteKarena
Art by Karena
Your post caught my eye. Very funny and sweet. I will have to check out those napkins...sandi
ReplyDeleteI also eating peas in every cooked food. Giving great energy in everyday life.
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever and darling post. I'll take the malachite Brooch
ReplyDeletealong with you..
yvonne
i have a tiny pea necklace that b bought me for an anniversary from an etsy metalsmith. i adore that sweet necklace!
ReplyDeleteOh boy-- I have a '50s knockoff of that Givenchy pea dress, found on Ebay years ago. The appliques are exactly the same: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/20/72543929_516876ea70_o.jpg
ReplyDeletethis is absolutely awesome.
ReplyDeletei love them all too.
the jewelry is divine.
x
Fabulous ! I love this pot. I like to eat peas and I like the way it looks, it is a good design for embroidery , china ...
ReplyDeleteIt's so true about sibling rivalry. I'm still competitive about any sibling one-upping me on anything! I think the Schiaparelli brooch is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLila Ferraro
Queen Bedroom Sets
Peak of Chic,
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, as usual.
It appears your mom was attempting for a "peasful" culinary solution.
Love your blog and your style,
BarbaraG
I enjoyed your childhood story. Thank you for sharing. And by the way, I love peas.
ReplyDelete