Reese's Pieces Cookies

Target is starting to stock Halloween stuff. I can't believe it's almost the holidays and this time next year I'll have a little munchkin to dress up. I loved dressing up when I was little. Of course my favorite was a princess costume. Did you dress-up when you were little?
In sticking with the Fall theme, I picked up a bag of Reese's Pieces on a pregnancy whim and decided when I got home they would be yummier as a cookie. I used the Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip recipe (omit the chocolate chips and nuts), added 1/4 C of unsweetened cocoa and about 3/4 of the bag of Reese's Pieces. Yummy and festive. I'll be baking them again for Halloween treats.

In other news, I'm just now fitting into maternity clothes. I had no idea how comfortable pregnancy jeans could be. I don't see why women don't wear these all the time. No buttons or zippers...heavenly comfort. I also bought some cute yoga pants which I immediately change into when I get home from work.
I have an ultrasound next week to find out if the baby is a boy or girl, cross your fingers that the position is right and the tech will be able to tell us. So exciting!

Lala's Argentine Grill

Recently I was invited to watch a friend compete in a Roller Derby Tournament down in LA. Wow, are those girls tough! It was really fun to watch but there is no way I could ever participate. I'm just not aggressive enough and I'm sure after my first fall I'd be crying in the corner. Congratulations to Laura's team for the win.
Before the tournament we had dinner at Lala's Argentine Grill. It's one of my favorite restaurants in LA. There's a couple locations to choose from. I prefer the one in West Hollywood but Studio City was closer this time.

 Be prepared, like most places in LA, it's valet parking only.

Bread dipped in chimichurri is so delicious. I used the chimichurri on my sandwich as well.

Don't miss out on the sangria. It's so good that I had to have a little sip of my hubby's. I'm sure if I were leaving in Europe I would have ordered my own but American doctors frown on that when you're pregnant.

If you like garlic, you'll love the mashed potatoes.

And if you really really like garlic...have the steak smothered in garlic and parsley. YUM!

Have you ever been to a Roller Derby? What did you think?

Feeling Autumn

Do you say Autumn or Fall? I say both but I think Autumn sounds prettier. Fall is one of my favorite times of year. Mostly because I love wearing big wooly sweaters, eating lots of soups and stews, plus the scents of cinnamon, apple and pumpkin...yum! Also, I squealed with delight when I saw Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin is back at Bath & Body Works. I love this stuff and have been waiting for it to come back in season. Do you have a favorite lotion?

In other news, I'm just into my 2nd trimester and feeling well enough to be in the kitchen for a little while. Long enough to make banana bread at least. I hope I continue to feel better cause I really miss cooking.



And for a little humor. What is up with this?!? Does anybody else have a spouse that does this? Is it clean? Is it dirty? And if the clothes are dirty, is it really that hard to lift the lid and insert clothes?!?

Happy Friday!

Cupcakes and Cravings

I must say, I had no idea how challenging pregnancy. Before I was pregnant, I used to think "oh it'll be a breeze." What was I thinking? I'm tired all the time. I'm nauseated almost all the time and when I'm not nauseated, I'm eating. I never thought I'd ever say it but I'm tired of eating. How is that possible? This doesn't mean I'm cooking though. Oh no, being in the kitchen for about 15-20 minutes is about all I can stand. It's the running joke now when my husband asks what's for dinner that I'm going to say frozen pizza. The silver-lining...at the end of this we'll have a baby. I'm told it's worth it LOL
So let's talk cravings. Any mommies out there with any craving stories? My cravings come on super strong but usually only lasts a few minutes and then I'm over it. I was at Trader Joes and desperately wanted a cupcake. No way I was making them from scratch so I picked up a box of mix but by the time I got home I was too tired to bake. The next day the cupcake craving was back and I found enough energy to make a batch. The mix is actually really good. Not as good as homemade but close. I proceeded to eat 2 and then just looking at them made me nauseated. What is up with that? How can I want something so badly and then it turns my stomach? Just posting the photos for this blog makes me a little queasy.

The one constant craving- pizza. I could eat pizza all day. In fact, I think it's time to order delivery.

I heard an old wives tale the other day that if the mother denies herself something she's craving the baby will have a birthmark that looks like that food. Hilarious!