Perfect Pea Pods

Our shelling peas are finally ready for harvesting. Despite the very cold start to our growing season and now day after day of hot, humid weather...this is what I was able to gather from an 8 foot row of Estancia peas (Cook's Garden). Not a lot, but they sure taste good. While shelling, I was struck by how uniform these little guys were. So neat and orderly - shoulder to shoulder...

Like two peas in a pod...(or more!) That phrase got me to thinking. Where did that come from? So off to www.phrases.org.uk to do a little research.
Actually the phrase "like two peas in a pod" is "quite old and versions of it date from the 16th Century...John Lyly used the phrase in Euphues and His England, 1580:
"Wherin I am not unlike unto the unskilfull Painter who having drawen the Twinnes of Hippocrates, (who wer as lyke as one pease is to an other..")
The word Pease was used as the singular form throughout Tudor England. The word Pea came into use in the 17th century, with the plural form being Peas. 
And that is what I learned today! Be sure to visit all the other "P" postings at Miss Jenny's Alphabe-Thursday...


Have a great weekend - we are off to Michigan's Upper Peninsula for a few days - time for a mini vacation.


Mind your P's and Q's everyone! I have done my "P's" and plan on a weekend of "Q" for quilting...will share the results in the next post.


Pat