Updates, Baby Gender Reveal, the Holidays and What's to Come!

Wow, where does the time go?  It flies by, just like the expression says.   I decided I needed to come on here and give a few updates. 


I did more cooking and prep work in the past two days than I've done within the last three months!  I pureed broccoli and carrots.  I boiled and chopped up three cups worth of chicken.  I made my better for you baked spaghetti and meatballs and froze half for later.  I also made my fiesta-style beef and veggie soup (from my cookbook) which I froze 3/4 of it for later.  I made banana waffles for breakfast this morning and even baked ginger snap cookies too.  Then I even made a meal plan for the week, something I haven't done in a long time! 


Sunday - Spaghetti and Meatballs, garlic bread
Monday - Beef and bean enchiladas, salad
Tuesday - Balsamic Chicken Wraps, sesame green beans
Wednesday - Leftovers or sandwiches
Thursday - Black bean burgers, baked chips with salsa
Friday - Homemade pepperoni pizza
Saturday - Eat out or leftovers

Besides all the cooking I did, my husband and I cleaned out rooms, threw out a bunch of trash and tidied up like we hadn't done in weeks.  I guess you can say I'm officially "nesting" now.  I'm now 19 weeks pregnant and doing great.  We just had the gender reveal on Friday too.   It's a.............

It's a BABY!  Hahaha!




It's actually another GIRL!  Yay!  GIRLS RULE in my house now!   Years ago when I had two pets and a husband, I was outnumbered.  Now we're down to two males (my hubby and our dog) and we'll be three girls in the house now. 
 
Hooray!  Another Girl for the Fernandez family!  I am soooo, soooo happy!   Even though I tried to remain gender neutral throughout the pregnancy, the closer we arrived to our ultrasound day, the more I wanted another girl.  Maybe it's because my daughter Vivian has said she's wanted me to have a girl all along.  Every time I asked her, she would say that she wanted a sister.  Or maybe it's because so many people (my husband, father, even my mother-in-law and friends) wanted me to have a boy and I like to be opposite of the majority.  Or maybe it's because a big part of me has always wondered what it would be like to have a sister since I didn't have one.  Whatever the reason, I'm just overjoyed to be having another girl. Girls are what I know.  I can reuse all the same things.  And I can watch Vivian make a best friend for life, someone who understands her as a woman and she can share secrets with growing up, something I didn't have.  I'm soooo, soooo thankful for another precious girl in my life!   Woo-hoo! 


With working and preparing for this baby, I really haven't thought much about holiday baking or cooking.  In fact, we'll be visiting family over Christmas so I won't be doing any cooking.  (Yay!)  I can take it easy and let someone else do the work for the change.  I'm looking forward to relaxing.

I've also decided NOT to participate in any Christmas parties or cookie exchanges this year.  My heart just isn't in it this year and I don't want to spend hours making 100 cookies.  I also don't want 100+ cookies around to tempt my already pregnant, overeating self this year!  No, I'm happy to take off from the hustle and bustle exchanges this year so I can just focus on my family and do my own prep work for the coming months when I become uncomfortable and don't even feel like lifting a finger.


So what does all this mean for this food blog, Learn-Laugh-Cook???  I'm not exactly sure!  I am still around cooking and baking but I've not really made anything new lately.  I've also not wanted to spend an hour blogging in my precious time off.  Yes, sadly it usually takes me about an hour to do each blog post by the time I type it, proofread it, include any photos and more.  Therefore, I'm not sure how much I'll be around in the beginning of 2012 and beyond.  I won't completely go away though either.  I'm just busy and focused on other things.  I still try to share or post weekly on my Facebook page though!  It's easier to jump on there and chat or share a link than it is to post here on Blogger. 


All I know is that I'll follow my gut and my heart.  If I want to be here, then I will be.  If I have something to share, then I will.   But if I'd rather play with my two girls or just curl up for a few rare moments alone, then I'll do that too. 


I'd like to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!  There are so many great food sites out there and Pinterest and other venues now where you can find tons of recipes, ideas, meal plans and more.  You don't really need me anyway.  But when I need to share more with you, I'll be back!  Until then, take care of yourself.  Have a wonderful Holiday Season!  I know I will. 

From my family to yours, love and best wishes always!

Extending My Vacation....

How was your Memorial Day holiday weekend?  I hope it was fabulous! 


Mine was very nice but a bit hectic.  We entertained five visitors at our house from Friday to Monday.  I did a ton of cooking beforehand - made three pizzas, cooked two pounds of meatloaf, baked brownies and two batches of lemon bars.  We also barbecued so I marinated steaks, chicken and sausage.  I made homemade salsa then made a cookie cake.  It was a bit non-stop in the kitchen.  I enjoyed playing hostess even though I was washing towels each day!  I did manage to find time to sit and kick back several beers each afternoon though.  :-)


So yes, I ate way too much food over the weekend.  I also absorbed too much sun from our beach trip and now my back is sunburt badly.  Oh well, at least it was only my back and not my entire body.  The redness and the soon-to-be peeling is worth the time I spent enjoying the sun and the waves and especially watching my three year old laughing nonstop for an hour when the water splashed her knees. 


That being said though, I am feeling very worn out.  I didn't take time to meal plan or even research or read blogs over the weekend for ideas this week.  I'm just going to wing it or throw together last-minute meals for dinner.  My freezer is still very stocked so I can dig into that for supplies as well.   I'm working longer hours at work this week while my boss is on vacation.  Therefore, I decided to extend my vacation and take the rest of this week off....  I will not be blogging or posting a meal plan.   Actually, I will try hard to avoid the computer altogether.  I have a book I want to finish reading and return to my friend who let me borrow it.  And I just need some down-chill time after talking, cooking and entertaining so much for four days.



So this is a quick hi and then a pause until next week when I'm feeling reenergized and refreshed about life and cooking again.  Until then, enjoy yourself and stay well!


Remember, it is good to take a break from time to time.   I know I need this one and that I'll be a new and improved Mandy ready to learn, laugh and cook again soon!


Cheers!

A Vacation, A New Job, Easter And Preparing For It All!

Although this is a blog about food and my experiences of learning, laughing and cooking in the kitchen, I should let you know about some changes that are on the horizon for me.  I have a few personal things happening that will affect my life and reflect the direction of this site.

First, I'm going on vacation next week!  HOORAY!  It will be the first trip I take without my daughter.  I'm mostly excited but a little nervous too.  I know Vivian will be in good hands with her grandparents who have kindly agreed to watch her and housesit for us while we're on the Pacific Coastline.  I've just had a rather hectic time writing down instructions, preparing lists and thinking of everything that could happen or need to be explained during my absence.  The fridge and freezer is stocked full of ready-made meals that can be pulled out and heated for them.  I've sent my parents three separate word documents already with details on where they can eat out (if they chose to do that), what they can do to entertain a three-year old and how they can manage the diva's schedule.  (They've successfully raised two kids, including myself, I know.  But since they live in another state and only see us every few months, they don't know our usual routine). 

I'll be spending time in San Diego and Orange County, California.  I'll be visiting with an amazing friend who I can't wait to see!  I'll be taking my first ever train ride!  I have a lot to be thrilled about and I am really looking forward to the time away! 

In other BIG NEWS - I'm returning to the outside workforce!   Provided all the initial screenings and paperwork goes smoothly, I'm starting a new job in May!  I don't want to use the phrase, "I'm going back to work," since I've clearly been working my tail off as a stay at home mom for the past year and a half.   It has been a wonderful experience spending time with my daughter and taking a break from the same work routine all the time.  We've gotten closer and we sure appreciate each other better now.  I've had a lot of fun playing tourist in my community too and spending time with friends and fellow moms.   I also wrote a cookbook which you may remember?  :-)  So I can't say that I've been the typical, often boring "stay at home" mom who sat around for over a year.  Quite the contrary actually! 

Yet I feel the time has come for me to enter into a new phase in my life and career.  I have been very selectively job hunting for the past several months - only looking at places where I really thought I'd fit into or applying for jobs that I feel reflect my personality and culture. 

Recently a phone call from a place I admire then turned into a job interview.... Then not long after that, a job offer was made to me that I happily accepted!  A few of the details are still being worked out but all looks good for me to begin in early May.  I am thrilled at the opportunity presented before me and can't wait to see where it leads me next.  I've enrolled my daughter in a preschool/ day care program that looks amazing, somewhere that I believe (and hope) she will be happy until she starts school.  My girl is so smart and loves being around other children so I think it will be a great move for her, after the initial transition of course. 

So there is lots happening in my life right now!  Big changes that are on the way but things I hope (and trust) will be even better for my family!  :-) 

What will all these changes mean for this Learn, Laugh, Cook blog?  Well, probably not a lot will change here, except that I may be posting a little less and visiting your sites a little less once my new employment begins.  I still plan to keep up with my meal plan and post that here. 

I will need to be organized now, more than ever, with returning to work outside the home!  I'll still be making new dishes and desserts but my creativity may be more limited to weekends instead of the middle of the week. 

Only time will tell how things will really play out.  I only know that I'm looking forward to the new opportunity and the new direction that my life will go!  However, I will happily accept any good wishes, thoughts and prayers that you'd like to send my way in the meantime - just good vibes to help us get through the beginning changes and issues that may arise as we switch to a new schedule. 

I'll still be around and I will continue to share funny, educational culinary stories and more, whenever I can!  Thank you for being with me on this journey and for reading this site!  I created it for me but I sure do love sharing my stories with others!

Now that I'm done blabbing, I want to wish you a Happy Easter! 

May you have a great upcoming holiday and coming days!  I'll be back in over a week to post a recap of my vacation and what I'm doing to help make my life easier when I start the new job.  I already have a lot of prepwork and pre-cooking ideas that should save me time and money in the kitchen!  I look forward to sharing those insights with you! 

Eat well and Stay fabulous!