Fresh Peeps & Pink Parasols

Posted on by Victoria

Just a few months before my dad passed away, the Easter Bunny (aka my mom) gifted her not quite three-year old granddaughter, our DD (darling daughter) with an unconventional gift in her basket of goodies.  An umbrella.  A pretty pink parasol, along with a “Mary Poppins” DVD and the standard jellybeans and marshmallow “Peep” confections.

When she was doing well, mom was an inspired gift giver and themes were her specialty.  That year, she was a fun playmate for DD and they danced and cavorted around the house (no doubt thanks to the sugar rushes they experienced) re-enacting scenes from the Disney classic.  They gave the line “just a spoonful of sugar” a little extra oomph when they sang, noshing on candy as if the lyric commanded them to do so.  Jellybeans were the perfect prop.

My dad — DD’s grandpa — wasn’t too keen on joining the “Chim Chimney” brigade, despite his resemblance to Dick Van Dyke, but he WAS willing to hold the pink parasol, as instructed by DD.  She thought he made a perfect “Bert”.

See what I mean?  Here’s a pic of dad…and one of Dick Van Dyke…around the same age, I think.  Just change dad’s scowl to a smirk, add a straw boater chapeau and boom!  Look-alikes!

As I searched for photos from that Easter, the only pic I could find was the one I’ve snipped in of dad holding DD’s frilly bumbershoot. It’s out of the shot, but just to his left on a table was a mound of “Peeps” shaped like bunnies. Dad considered them an Easter delicacy and when we weren’t looking, he’d pluck Peeps from our baskets to add to his haul.

Focused on his Peeps, dad didn’t dance to tunes from “Mary Poppins”, but he taught DD the proper way to eat a Peep.  “Ears first” he instructed.  “Chomp those ears off first!”  Before long DD couldn’t have cared less that he was a reluctant dancer – she crawled on his lap to eat Peeps – mimicking his aggressive munching with giggly abandon.  

Still, DD was a tough negotiator. Her non-negotiable for the Mary Poppins averse Grandpa? He was required to hold the ruffly pink parasol. No excuses.  So, he did. For about an hour until she collapsed in a heap from all the revelry, despite the sugar.

We had no idea that dad would pass away just three months later.  Every photo from Easter that year is precious and I’m still trying to track down pics that exist somewhere…chronicling the Mary Poppins sing-along and DD’s lessons in Peep-eating.  I’ll find them…eventually.

My sweet sister Lisa and I were reminiscing yesterday, and she reminded me of yet another slice of silliness with dad…another Peep-inspired memory.  Lisa recalled, in great detail, how dad would smack his lips and ooh and aah when he devoured the first of many Peeps, declaring “Ah…nothing’s better than the first, fresh Peep of the season!” Fresh Peeps?  An improbability, an impossibility.  Never has there been a more manufactured sweet.  I love Lisa’s time travel tendencies and her natural gift for seeing the good. I’d forgotten all about his color commentary about Peep snacking, but Lisa added the fun detail and we’re both smiling, hours later.

Dad’s love of Peeps (fresh or stale – who would know the difference?) and the sweet story of pink parasols, Mary Poppins, and Easter love, many years ago is on my mind this morning.  If you’re celebrating today, Happy Easter to you, but if I were you, I’d go for the chocolate and skip the “you-know-whats”. 

Vicki 😊

P.S. My post on my personal blog this morning shares my favorite ‘prayer of thanks’ – the one I think of most often when my dad’s on my mind. Take a look if you have a moment. xo! 💗

64 thoughts on “Fresh Peeps & Pink Parasols”

  1. Pingback: Gratitude & Goodness – Victoria Ponders…

  2. I always joke that we have to get peeps and then I try them and remember that outside of the sugar, I can’t stand them! 🤪🤪 What a lovely memory! I’m not sure what I liked best: your mother’s inspired Easter Bunny giving performance, great memories of your dad, or DD running the whole “she-bang” perched on your dad’s lap! Gets me thinking of some of my own memories. Thank you! And Happy Easter to you too. And you are so right, go for the chocolate! Always a good choice.

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    1. Aww…thank you so much, Brian! This post felt a little ‘all over the place’ but the details are the details…thank you for enjoying all of it in one big dose of Easter silliness! Happy Easter back to you…and enjoy the chocolate, I say! 😊😊😊

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  3. The parasol is a delightful accessory for anyone on any occasion. What fun memories you have of your father. Thanks for sharing them here. I’m with you about the Peeps, btw. Not a big fan of them, more into chocolate. Happy Easter!

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    1. LOL – thank you, Ally! Dad could’ve used your fashion advice at the time…he just sighed and looked at me…relenting…but delighting in being a pawn in DD’s adventures.
      AND — Thank for sharing your disdain for Peeps. You and Brian have the right idea and I’m right there with you. When there’s a choice? Go for the chocolate! xo and Happy Easter back to you! 😘

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  4. What a special and fun Easter memory! I can just sense how much love was present in the room that day. 💕 I was always disappointed when I found Peeps in my basket… I’ll stick to the chocolates, thank you very much. Happy Easter, Vicki! Have a beautiful day! 😘

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  5. Very sweet with a little bit of Yiddish (noshing) culture. Your dad was a handsome fellow. Perhaps some of his best qualities will pop up in future generations of your family tree.

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  6. Never liked peeps, especially when chocolate is so prolific at Easter. Love the story of your mom’s escapades. My husband’s father and stepfather and son all passed away around Easter – a somber memory at this time.

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    1. I’m so sorry for those painful memories at Easter, VJ. ❤️
      I’m happy to hear, though, of your mutual dislike for Peeps! And thank you for using the word “escapade” to describe my mom’s antics. Spot on! 🙂

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  7. This is a sweet memory and your dad was a good sport for holding that umbrella. I hope you will track additional photos and videos from that special Easter.

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  8. Oh what sweet, sweet memories you have shared. I loved every minute of reading this—I inserted myself into the joyful glee of the moment and giggled at the thought of those ear-chomps (poor peeps). But I’m with you—chocolate wins out every time. You’re right—your parasol-holding dad could easily have doubled for Dick Van Dyke! Thank you for digging through your treasured memory stash to tell a bit about your dad today. Happy Easter dear Vicki.

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    1. Thank you, Julia! I’m so glad it was an enjoyable read…it sure was fun to write and remember! Eat a little chocolate today and imagine me doing “cheers” with you. Xo!
      😉❤️😉

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  9. Oh my goodness, you have me wanting to run to the store to buy some Peeps in honor of your handsome and wonderful dad. He does look like Dick Van Dyke! And so sweet to hold the pink parasol – he earned those Peeps!

    This post reminds me of how our loved ones stay with us. Traditions, favorite sayings, and shared laughter never die, right? Beautiful and fun post, dear Vicki! ❤ ❤ ❤

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    1. Don’t do it! (Buy the Peeps, that is!) 😉 Unless you’ve read LA’s comment below and you’re inspired…by her and my dad? Thanks for the smiles, Wynne. Yes, yes — family traditions, goofy memories. The good stuff, for sure! xo! 🥰

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      1. I’m laughing at LA’s comment and yours. My kids have taken to putting marshmallows in the microwave (thanks to my dear friend Katie) and I’m thinking it would be so funny to see a Peep puff up. But I don’t know whether that would then qualify as a fresh peep or a stale peep after that… 🙂

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      2. Oh my goodness….why have I NEVER thought of that…yes, yes. Mr. D and Miss O’s fascination with the microwave and marshmallows…and LA’s encouragement, her love of PEEPS! Maybe we need Deb to weigh in…from a science perspective…to know whether or not the toxic PEEP colors could be a hazard, once warmed in the microwave? Does that freshen them up or render them MORE rock-like??? I’m getting an image, though, of how hilarious and blown-up PEEP might be! (Don’t tell D or O! And if you experiment — I’m not to blame, okay???) 🤣🤣🤣

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      3. OMG! There is hysterical laughter happening here right now given what I just wrote in my comment!!!! I will just note that the dyes used are among those linked to bad things and (in my very non-expert opinion on chemical reactions) I think you may be onto something with the micro heating aspect. I would however love to see a Peep blow up in the microwave so I hope Wynne and kids try it out and post pics 😉

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      4. OMG, indeed! Who knew we could have so much fun giggling about blowing up Easter candy? Wynne….it’s all your fault….and Deb…let me just say…I’m with you — I’m unsure about the dyes and chemicals…just because…but I’d watch video footage of a PEEP blowing up…I just would. Oh my…🤣🤣🤣

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    1. Oh good golly. You, too? 🤣 You’ll need to ‘school me’ on the differences and nuances, LA, between fresh and stale Peeps! I’m getting weird visions of something akin to sniffing the aroma and ‘body’, a la a wine tasting. Thanks for making me literally LOL this morning!
      😊🤣😊

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      1. It’s the body! A fresh peep is springy and tastes more like meringue. A stale one is hard with no chew! And personally I think the pink ones taste better….

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      2. How did I know you’d have an answer…and a good one, at that! Do the pink PEEPS taste like cherry or strawberry? I’m not going to try one to find out….but you can fill me in! 😉😉😉

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  11. Such a fun story of your dad Vicki, and yes- he and the famous Dick Van Dyke share a strong resemblance- maybe the nose helps? 😉 Honestly I have never understood the allure of Peeps, but then I can’t see beyond the level of sugar and chemicals tucked into those little gooey shapes…

    Best grandpa in the world to be the protector of the pink parasol and teach DD the essence of Peep eating. I too question the idea of “fresh” but to each his own 🙂

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    1. I think you’re right, Deb. Something about the nose, for sure, gave Dad’s profile ‘Dick Van Dyke’ vibes. 😉
      And thank you for weighing in about the ‘allure of PEEPS’ as you put it — LOL! Yeah, I don’t get it either, but then I was the girl who ate Cheetos and raw cookie dough in college and thought that was okay. As you said…to each his own! xo! 😘

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      1. Together- the cheetos and dough, as in dipping into the dough? Do we need to have a discussion about raw eggs Victoria 🙂 Did you notice I kept my focus on health, rather than the (oddness) of the combo.. 😉

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      2. You’ve got me…yes…warmed up toll house cookie dough.. (gasp) at room temperature…used as a ‘dip’ for crunchy Cheetos. What was wrong with me? Maybe this confession will spark some weird blogging fodder about odd food combos? But then again, I might be the only one…🤣🥰🤣

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    1. Oh — such a great question, Brenda! I should’ve pointed out what the first photo was — the picture of the candy bunnies? Here in the U.S. they’re called “PEEPS” — funky little marshmallows, colored in bright hues and typically in the shape of bunnies or baby chicks…and to my tastebuds, pretty tasteless…but some love them! Thanks for asking! 😘

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  14. This is such a timely post, Vicki. I had so many thoughts of my parents yesterday. I had mentally determined this was the ‘year of the peep’ as the stores were full of peep related memorabilia. I even bought soft peep plush toys for my grandchildren’s Easter basket rather than the ‘fresh’ peep snack. Such a lovely memory and such a joy to read. It made me miss my Dad a little more.

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing, Maggie. I love that you bought some plush vs. sugary PEEPs…and you’re right — I feel like those colorful sugar bombs were everywhere this year. Maybe they’re more popular than I realized…or maybe there’s a surplus of PEEPs sitting around that need to be moved? Holidays are tricky for me with memories…thanks for sharing that I’m not alone. xo to you today. 💕💕💕

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  17. My dad was a Type 2 diabetic. I don’t recall that Peeps were ever a favored source of the dreaded sugar for him, though I remember clearly how disappointed he was to discover how much sugar there is in almost everything else he enjoyed!

    I, though, love Peeps, and annually await with bated breath their first and last springtime appearances on store shelves. For me, the perpetual dieter, the fact that marshmallow seems to be a relatively low cal candy, is a major attraction. This year, I bought some of the new flavors of Peeps for my kids, who in their youths seemed to enjoy the oddball fruity flavors popular at the time, at least in juice boxes and Dum Dum suckers. I was disappointed to hear they weren’t impressed by this new inventiveness on the part of the Peeps peeps. I guess in future I’ll just get the good old-fashioned colored and sugared varieties for myself!

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