Fireworks over Copenhagen

The sky was crisp and clear in Copenhagen last night and the moon was as full as could be. At 12 o’clock the tradition is to go out into the streets and celebrate the beginning of a new year with fireworks. If you take fireworks as a measurement of a Country’s economy; Denmark is not in crisis. They went on for over an hour and were absolutely all around us. This was the first year that our girls managed to stay awake and see the New Year in with us, so it was a special night.

This picture was taken with my iphone, so its not the best, but you get the general idea. Moon, fireworks…the only thing missing was the sound of teeth chattering, at -8 degrees celcius…it was a little colder than our usual Californian climate!

We hope you enjoyed your New Year celebrations. May it be a very special year for you and your loved ones!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

We’re really lucky to work in a building that is nestled at the bottom of a hill. The view from out of our window is full of trees, making for a peaceful and unusual place to work. It also makes for a perfect playground for our new friend Bob, the bobcat.

Bob sat outside my window last week for a few hours as he thought about how to catch a squirrel or a mouse or perhaps even a leaf that caught the sunlight. He was pretty serious about his stalking, he crept deftly along the ground as the hair behind his ears stood to full attention.

After some serious scientific research and calculation, the office is divided between thinking that he weighs 40 lbs (us) and 20 lbs (them). Let’s just say that Bob is a big ole cat. He did seem really friendly, and at the end of the day, I think he just wanted to lay in the sun for a bit. I can’t really blame him.

I don’t know if bobcats can read, or even if they would read a blog if they could…but if you’re reading this, Bob, you are welcome back anytime. I would have left a snack out for you if I had known you would be here…

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I found a recipe for a Danish omelet that actually comes from the beautiful island my mother-in-law grew up on – Bornholm.  The recipe included radishes – I’ve never been a huge fan (is anyone?), so I wasn’t sure that I would enjoy it.  I can happily say that the Bornholm Aeggekager turned out fantastic and there wasn’t a radish left…Of course, none of the kids ate any – they were all about the fresh bread and chocolate slices (Galle & Jessen Pålægschokolade) and Danish pastries, and my saving grace – a lot of fruit.

I didn’t find much help on the web for a Danish Brunch, so if anyone would like more ideas on what we did, or you would like to share yours – get in touch!

For the Bornholm Aeggekager Recipe…

6 tomatoes

½ cucumber

12 radishes

chives

5 frankfurters

2.5 oz butter (Lurpak of course)

8 large eggs

4 fl oz milk

pepper

Slice tomatoes, cucumber and radishes. Chop chives. Slice frankfurters and sauté in ½ oz of butter. Beat eggs and whisk in milk. Season with pepper. Heat remaining butter in non-stick frying pan and pour in egg mixture. Add the sliced frankfurters, cook and stir until set. Season to taste.

Note: I cooked each omelet on just one side until almost set and then I transferred them to an oven proof serving platter and kept them warm in the oven on a very low heat until all 8 individual omelets were ready and then I added all of the remaining raw ingredients and served it up.

It is a very healthy, fresh and different (in a good way) sort of omelet. I hope you enjoy it!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

I guess I’m getting to that age where I’m actually becoming quite a seasoned veteran attendee of baby showers. Though, for as many baby shower games for which I’ve participated, I’ve yet to win! I do have a few favorites, however, that I’d love to share along with a few new ones which I was introduced to last week. If I’ve missed any of your favorites, please feel free to comment with yours!

1. Guess Who? Baby Photo Game. A classic and very appropriate for the occasion. On the invite, ask each guest to bring a baby photo of themselves. As guests arrive, carefully (because some of these photos are priceless!) put them all on display. If there’s a chance not all of your guests know each other, list each name in random order somewhere. Allow guests to write down which baby photo belongs to who. (This is an excellent ice breaker!) After all have been revealed, tally up and announce who got the most right! (And of course, have a token prize the winner. ) Supplies: baby photos, tape, pen, paper.

2. Dress Baby. In teams of two, dress a baby doll (diaper and all) with one hand behind your back. A stop watch helps determine the winner. The team to dress their baby the fastest wins! Supplies: 1 baby doll, 1 diaper, baby clothing, stopwatch.

3. Pass the Dirty Diaper. Fill a diaper with partially melted chocolate for good effect. Play as you would musical chairs, only whomever is left holding the dirty diaper when the music stops is out. Last one not holding the dirty diaper wins! Supplies: 1 diaper, partially melted chocolate, music.

4. Memory. Fill a tray with as many baby-related items as possible. Let guests study it for an allotted bit of time before covering and having guests write down as many items as they can remember. The person who remembers the most accurately wins! Supplies: 1 tray, various baby-related items, a blanket or towel to hide the items, paper, pens.

5. Guess the Chocolate. Select various chocolate bars to slightly melt and strategically place in diapers labeled by numbers or letters. Pass each diaper around to allow everyone to “study” (tasting is allowed!) and decide which kind of candy bar is in each one. The person who correctly identifies the most chocolate wins! Supplies: diapers, various chocolate bars (partially melted), papers, pens

6. Make A Baby. Hand everyone a cube of bubblegum (we used Bubblicious) or play dough with a paper plate to sculpt on with instructions to “make a baby” in an allotted amount of time. Display all finished “babies” on the paper plates with artists’ names written on the bottom. Let the mom-to-be decide which wins based on her own criteria. Supplies: bubble gum or play dough, paper plates, pens.

7. Pregnant For A Day. Place chairs in a large semi-circle and ask participants to have a seat. Hand each a balloon and, to those who do not have shoelaces, a 12″ string . Everyone must begin with their “laces” tied in a bow before racing to untie and remove their shoes, blow up their balloons (to a pre-agreed upon size) in order to place beneath their shirt like a pregnant belly — all before replacing their shoes and tying the laces in a bow. This all must be accomplished without any feet lifting from the ground or popping the balloon, grounds for disqualification! Supplies: chairs, balloons, string, scissors.

8. Suggestion Box. Shower attendees are invited to write words of wisdom, advice, encouragement, tricks and tips for the new mom-to-be. Our hostesses thoughtfully provided some pre-cut colorful index cards for us to write on and place in an adorable box which was hand decorated. (See photos for details.)

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Mike has been with Bebe au Lait since the beginning, so it was truly wonderful for us to share in his and Erin’s happiness.

We would all like to wish them a lifetime of wedded bliss!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Pick One!

With Ronnie and Claire leaving for holiday next week, we squeezed our end of the year company holiday party in last night. Even booking way back in August, we were only able to secure a Thursday night for the much anticipated event: bowling at 300 San Jose in the Back 9! If you’re not familiar with the entertainment venue (there are a few locations nationwide), they promote themselves — and the Back 9 especially –as an all-in-one “trendy club/hot new bistro/upscale sports bar” so there’s a little bit of something for everyone and their dates.

After grabbing appetizers and drinks we spread out four to a lane which allowed everyone to get in plenty of games in between bites of our catered “Smokehouse BBQ Buffet” and brownie dessert bites. Special thanks to Suzanne and the event staff in the Back 9 who did a stellar job communicating with me to pull the night together. And, of course, thank you to Ronnie and Claire for hosting the event! Check out photos below:[[Slideshow]]

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

After sampling our dishes which included roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade lasagna and an array of salads and baked goodies, we all drew numbers 1 through 16 and exchanged holiday gifts White Elephant style. If you’re not familiar with this entertaining yet inexpensive way to exchange gifts with a fair amount of people, we follow this version. Our theme this year was “tacky yet useful” which keeps things simple and stress-free in terms of finding a gift to give in order to participate. Everyone was invited to bring either something from home that’s never been used or to make a “tacky yet useful” purchase of no more than $10. The most popular (i.e. “stolen”) gifts this year? A colorful bird-shaped vegetable peeler, a handle of sake, a collection of children’s storybooks and a slinky-yoyo set.

Thanks for stopping by our blog and Happy Thanksgiving to you all from everyone at Bebe au Lait!

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Margo in Bebe au Lait

We had quite an ensemble gathered just a week ago for our third and final photo shoot of 2008. About seven little ones clamoring around with their mommies in tow greatly outnumbered our professional models, especially whilst shooting at our first location in the morning.

Throughout the day we captured many beautiful photos to represent Bebe au Lait and our new products. Our Double Bibs are scheduled to arrive very very soon and we can hardly contain ourselves with excitement! If you’re signed up for our newsletter, keep checking your in-boxes for an announcement when they will be available for you and our retailers! If you’re not signed up yet but you’d like to, you may do so here.

Finally, many appreciative thanks to all who helped pull together this photo shoot![[Slideshow]]

Bookmark It

Hide Sites