behind the scenes
November 22, 2010 In the past 4 days, 95% of the time, my camera has been attached to a tripod. I would set up for each shoot while Mama Pea was busy in the kitchen. In between some of the shoots, I tried to quickly capture some of the other things that were happening in the house.
I’m already catching onto the morning routine…
Like eating Breakfast 1…
Joe’s O’s with berries..heck yes!
and then 2nd Breakfast….Two breakfasts? Yes please!
This bowl below, is one of the most creative twists on oats I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, you have to wait until the book comes out to find out exactly what’s inside. Fortunately, it’s worth the wait!
When I leave Portland, my luggage will be at least 3lbs lighter. I just had to bring Mama Pea my latest obsession!
We’ve had ground farro for breakfast twice. Delicioso!!! [sorry, too much Dora the Explorer] This morning we mixed in flax meal, ground farro, almond milk + water. I’m not sure of the ratios because master MP made this batch!
Creamy, thick, brown sugary yum.
I forgot how amazing melted brown sugar on hot cereal is…mmmmm
We somehow managed to squeeze in morning workouts during the craziness. One morning we went for a chilly but refreshing walk. The other days, I hopped on the treadmill for some hill work [walking]. It was nice to keep the muscles moving and work up a sweat, with all of the food we were consuming.
Gigi + Lulu were the official taste testers. They also liked the photo props…
Even the lemons.
Lulu makes the best pout face. It will make you melt.
Gigi has the most contagious laugh you’ve ever heard.
…and is the best helper you’ve ever seen!
In between shoots there were tea parties with the girls…
The dishes piled up in both rooms!
Ashley the Attorney [turned ice skater] made an appearance everyday too. Numerous rounds of Dora Candy Land were played along with animal matching games and rhyming.
Lulu was rhyming words to “bucket.” If you use your mind creatively enough, you can imagine a few words that came out of her mouth. We laughed so hard we cried.
Breakfast, lunch + dinner were eaten at the table with lots of gossip about favorite colors, chocolate chips, and pickles.
This was the official photo prop station. I had fun playing with new bowls, plates, and placemats…I see a trip to Crate + Barrel in my future…. :)
click click click
And of course the infamous Pea Kitty. The truth about Pea Kitty is no lie…trust me!
The girls use the scratching post more than Pea Kitty…
How could you ever be mad at this???
It’s fun being around little kids because they make you feel like you’re the funniest person ever.
Who stole the pickles from the pickle jar??
Guilty! This is definitely a pickle family!
Clearly she is scheming something..
Chillaxin’
Pea Daddy was just as nice as you’d imagine. He kept the girls occupied all weekend long, which was very helpful while MP and I got down to business.
Queen Pea!
Must make these when I get home!!! Chris is a huge fan of soft pretzels and these were spot on. They had a doughy center with a nice crust and the flavor just right. You can find this recipe on MP’s blog right here!
Seriously cannot wait to have this cookbook on my bookshelf. Speaking first hand, the recipes are outstanding!
These kids love their mom and look up to her so much!!! Can you tell?
Silly Lulu
Gigi was pretending she was on a cooking show….”and next you’ll stir everything up…and then you empty the bowl…”
“Gigi, you’re an artist!!” Super clever comment by Lulu.
[source]
I’m going to miss these little faces + personalities so very much!!
I’m also going to miss having breakfast, lunch + dinner cooked for me and not having a dirty kitchen to clean!
I have one more day with the Peas and I’ll be soaking up every last minute of it. We actually finished up all of our work tonight [Sunday] and have a whole morning + afternoon to play! I can’t believe all that we accomplished in 4 days. Such an amazing experience, that is still somewhat surreal!
I have a long night of travel tomorrow and won’t get back to my house until 2am. Tuesday’s post might be a bit delayed!
Time for a snack + wine + bed!
Night :)
Ashley
Family + Friends, Travel 
Reader Comments (70)
We have been so incredibly blessed to have you join our family this week. I cannot thank you enough.
I swear, it feels like we are losing a new member as you journey home tomorrow. Like Gigi said, "Let's start planning our Spring Break trip to Colorado!"
Um yeah, and you are sitting right next to me right now...
Adorable! I've enjoyed following your tweets about your stay there and these pictures confirm that it was an awesome time. I really can't wait for the cookbook to come out!
LOVED reading your recap! Those girls are absolutely adorable. It definitely looks like you all had a blast. I know I'm very anxiously awaiting that cookbook...YUMM! :)
This is the best vacation ever!! You fit right in to this pea family! :) I wonder if a third pea will fit in this pod. :)
Best. Vacation. Ever.
You captured so many adorable shots of them!
Her kids are super cute! Love all the photos!!
great pics, her girls are so cute! can't wait for the book:-)
Looks like you all had a great weekend. I love all the teaser photos! Your pics are beautiful! Can't wait to see the finished product!
I am so impressed you still managed to get in morning workouts!! If you can do it with all of that going on, anyone can make it happen! So lucky you are to have tested all those recipes...
What an amazing vacation! Have a good last day :)
I think the entire blogworld is jealous for the weekend you spend with the peas. Gigi and Lulu are so adorable...and I'm glad we have confirmation on Pea Kitty :)
I love the way you've captured, i words and in picturs, the Pea home :) They are such an incredible family and we are all so lucky to be able to follow them in the blog world! Enjoy your last day!!
Loved this "behind the scenes". The girls are adorable, I can't wait to see the work you did!
xo
I recently saw farro on a menu at a local restaurant and had to give it a try after seeing it on your blog. I had a savory, dinner time version of it and loved it. It was chewy, like wheatberries, and I really loved it!
Aww, it looks like you are having a great time. What an awesome experience! Plus, you are going to be a published photographer!
The two of you guys did such a good job documenting your trip to Oregon! I wanted to be there, as I'm sure many others did. It looks like so much fun, and I bet your pictures will be absolutely gorgeous. Can't wait to get the book!
seriously, Gigi and Lulu are ADORABLE. And HILARIOUS. I'm not sure which characteristic I want more in my own children. ;)
GREAT job getting all the shots done! I'm so jealous you got to eat from Mama Pea's kitchen for four days. And I NEED those soft pretzels. I'm a huge soft pretzel fan. Glad to know the recipe is already up!
Travel home safely! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
im really jealous of this little business trip of yours. those girls are too dang cute, i can only imagine the fun youre all having. and i definitely find it hilarious that you were tweeting each other under the same roof. haha
awww... they're so cute! Glad you've had fun and can't wait to see the book!
ps - I always add brown sugar to my morning oats, yum!!
Don't you love it when your "work" is so much fun?!!
Love hearing about the re-cap of the weekend. Sounds like an amazing time along with amazing people and food :) Mama Pea's little girls are sooooo adorable!!!
~Lori
This is such a cute post! I cannot wait for her cookbook, it sounds amazing. I babysat a 2 year old one summer - it was the best job ever because all we did was play and watch Dora and eat "bluebees" (blueberries).
Awww....looks like you had such a fan time at the House of Pea. Those girls are just too cute for words!
Ah, they're so cute. If those girls don't make you want to have kids I'm not sure anything will. Adorable!
I said this on MP's blog, but you guys are like the Wonder Twins! What an amazing adventure!
What a fun time! Will work for food, right? I can't wait for the cookbook to some out too :)
What a weekend, Ash! I'm sure the photos (although amazing) don't do justice to the weekend you had over there!!! I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall...although I'm sure I'd reveal myself by laughing too hard :). Have a safe trip home!
phew, i can't believe all the hard work you guys put into this! i can't wait to see everything all put together!
This is adorable! I love being around kids - and Mama Pea's seem so sweet :) What fun that you were able to spend so much QT with the whole fam. Looks like this is going to be an amazing book!
Haha! Lulu's rhyming word game with bucket reminds me of playing the Name Game with my mom when I was younger. We were walking down the street singing at the top of our lungs and you can only imagine what happened when we came to the word "duck"..
Looks like you had a great time! Can't wait for the cookbook to hit the shelves myself!
What a fantastic recap. I also can't wait for the cookbook. You're awesome for helping MP out with this, girl.
It's so fun seeing Gigi & Lulu on your blog as well. I bet it was so much fun to hang out with all of them for a few days. I know I would love to.
It's fun to see things from your point of view. Thanks for the recap!
I love the way you talk about your props and Crate and Barrel! To me one of the most fun parts of sharing recipes is taking good pictures. I enjoy pulling the square jadite saucers from out of my display and filling them with goodies! I only wish I could find my camera. : ( Hiding it from my three year-old seemed like a good idea, but I didn't realize I wouldn't be able to find it later! : P
I'm glad you had a great trip! Looking forward to that cookboock!
Man, I am so jealous of your visit. It sounds absolutely wonderful! =)
This was an awesome post! What a great vacation for you!! Mamapea's family looks hilarious!! I think you captured their spirit very well!! Have a safe trip home!
this entire post made me smile! thank you for sharing the weekend with us, love it!
Aww, sounds like such a great weekend! :) A very photogenic family!
THis whole weekend looks like it was so much fun!
Aw, it was my pleasure!
Oh my goodness, that is too funny!! I hope you find it soon!! :)
It really was...they are such a sweet family!
She's really helping me too! :)
Hahaha...ohhh little kids are so cute :) Time is going to crawl from now until August!
It really was such a fun few days. The kids are awesome :)
Many funny moments indeed...Gigi + Lulu are out of control with the knock knock jokes..and not too bad at them!
I know..I still can't get over their cuteness!
It was definitely a memorable weekend. :)
Yessss...best job everrr!!