These past few months have been busy. And there is exciting news to be told regarding many different areas of life. I have been working hard with a couple of colleagues to open a new coffee shop concept right in the heart of Helsinki. Cabana de Empanadas will bring a ray of sunshine and color into the Nordic. Our empanadas include classics as well as flavors inspired by nature that surrounds us in the Nordic. But that is really is the essence of an empanada. It is a little handpie that has traveled across the globe beginning in the Arab region and Persia. Then they were called Sanbusak. With time they made their way to the Iberian Peninsula, Galicia and Portugal. From there they traveled with the Conquistadores to South America. With each stop, new flavors were introduced. And now as they make their way into the Nordic, we are leaving our handprint on the recipes as well.


And as often happens with new ventures, schedules are sometimes a bit delayed for various reasons. But sometimes it pays to wait.

Big changes in life tend to happen in clusters, and often it is not because it has been planned this way. But rather it is a conglomeration of events, all stringed together.
Anyday now little one, as it’s past due. “Sometimes you have to wait a long time for something good to happen, the longer the wait the better the benefit. ” -Unknown
Hope your Easter time was spent with your close ones! This is all that is left of our snow fort, the sun has been shining in full force and the roads are just about thawed. Spring is on its way!
Follow the story of Cabana de Empanadas as it unfolds on Instagram and Facebook. www.cabanaempanada.com
i wish you the best in this new venture. 🙂
Thank you, Imelda 🙂
So many things, so little time:) Hope all is a “go” soon! hugs
I hope so too…feels like this baby is in no rush to meet the world. Occasionally there are a few signs and then they stop…a tease for sure!
So much exciting news for you and the family! Sending well wishes your way 🙂
Yes, there are butterflies in the tummy. 🙂 Thank you so much, Heather!
Congratulations all around! You’ve been one busy mom these past few months for sure. I hope all goes well with the arrival of your new cafe and baby this spring.
Thank you Laura! It seems like exciting things all come at the same time…without asking for any permission 😉
Wow, congratulations! All the best with the birth of both your new ‘babies.’ 🙂
Thank you, Juli! Can’t wait to share the news when the time comes. 🙂
Looks delicious. Very best wishes for your surprise you are awaiting, and much success with your other new endeavor! xx
Thank you Ardys. I’ll let you know when something happens. Hopefully anyday now…or really any hour.
Oh WOW Laila! Such exciting news. Couldn’t stop smiling through this post. HUGE congratulations on your baby. Your cafe sounds just amazing – I shall have to save my pennies and come and visit one day. Love the interior design, especially that spectacular gold cactus, and the wall mural. Those oozing empanadas with dulce de leche need to be in my tummy right now! All the very best. x
🙂 Thank you Saskia! I love the interior design as well. Elisa from Ester Visual is so talented. I have admired her work for years. And yes, the wall mural brings so much life to might otherwise be a boring wall space. The gold cactus is from H&M home collection and so it was quite easy on the pocketbook. Do you have H&M in Australia? You are welcome to stop by…if you would happen to make it to Helsinki 🙂
H&M came to Australia 2 years ago, but it’s definitely not as good as the ones I know in Holland. Reduced range I think, sadly! Must be SO much fun planning your cafe. All the very best with the opening. I’d love to visit Helsinki one day. Husband has distant family members there!
I am very excited for you Laila on both counts, the cafe and the new baby. Wishing you the very best, the cafe sounds like a wonderful idea with delicious food.
Thank you Suzanne, I really appreciate it 🙂
Wonderful news! Wishing you all the best, on both accounts (not sure ehatbI love more, babies or empanadas…but my babies love the latter the best!)
🙂 Thanks Ginger! My babies really like tunafish empanadas.
PS. Laila, I read this article in our local paper today, and thought of you! http://www.smh.com.au/national/this-is-why-finland-has-the-best-schools-20160324-gnqv9l.html
Oh, thanks for the link…great article 🙂
Exciting news, Laila! Good luck to you with the new business, and of course, the new baby too!
Thank you Nancy! We had our little one last week and now are enjoying the cuddles and scents of babies…and the work with the new business continues forward at full speed! 🙂
So impressed Laila with your new cafe concept – on my list if I make it to Helsinki!
Thank you so much! Hope you make it someday!
So many good things coming to fruition at the same time. Wishing you the best of luck at the cafe and when you welcome the newest member of your family. 🙂
Thank you John, we welcomed Jasmin Yvonne last week into our family. And work with the coffee shop continues full blast ahead. In between we have enjoyed sweet baby cuddles. She has been a satisfied baby…now I’m just keeping my fingers crossed that she does not catch the bug the older kids had with a cough and cold!
A Springtime baby. Such wonderful news!!! Congratulations to you and your lovely family.
Soo excited for you!! The photos are on point, as always, Laila!
Thank you Patty 🙂 Our little princess joined our family last week and we getting to know her now. And can you believe it! She started smiling at only 4 days! I could hardly believe my eyes!
So exciting! Congratulations all around!
Congratulations! Can’t wait to see pictures of the newest precious bundle.
Good luck with everything!!
So very happy for you and your family, Laila. I can’t wait to see photos of your new baby daughter, she must be absolutely beautiful. Best of luck on your new adventure as well…I’m sure it will be popular.