Happy Holidays

It’s a rainy Saturday here, I can’t imagine if this was snow!

I’ve spent most of my day so far in the kitchen and I’m happy to do so.  It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been comfortable cooking.

I had fun rummaging through my cookbooks and the internet to find the perfect Christmas Eve menu for my family.  I knew I wanted to make some sort of soup.  When I was a kid we always had clam chowder on Christmas Eve.  Obviously, that meal is out of the running these days so I had think outside the box.

I love the Minimalist Baker.  Her recipes are simple and delicious.  I usually have most of the ingredients on hand already.  I made her summer corn soup, which I found on her website.  My husband said it was one of his favorite soups ever.  I think I’m going to make a New Year’s resolution to make more soup…

I paired the soup with Chloe Coscarelli’s Italian quesadillas.  They were a big hit!  I didn’t think it was going to be a lot of food but we were stuffed.

Over the course of the day I also cranked out some English muffin breads (so much work, so much flour everywhere!) and a fruit salad.  Phew!

I was most pumped about the lack of queasiness all day.  I was a little nervous about chopping an onion for the soup but I was able to pull it off.  I’m so grateful to be feeling a little bit back to myself.  16 weeks tomorrow!

Of course now the lower back pain is starting to kick in a little bit.  I had my husband rub my back for me last night and that seemed to help.  I love a good back rub so I guess I have a pretty excuse to ask for one now!

I also ventured into the maternity section at Target this week.  I’ve been eyeing some dresses there, and guess what…they were on sale this week.  I went back yesterday and bought a pair of jeans as well.  I had been wanting to buy a pair of dark grey jeans since before I got pregnant but I hadn’t found a pair I liked.  Well I bought a maternity pair yesterday.  Guys, maternity jeans are awesome.  I think I’m going to wear them for the rest of my life.

Tomorrow our parents are going to find out if they’re going to have a grandson or granddaughter.  We’re so excited to share the news, and even more so to not have the secret anymore!  Happy holidays!