Good news for Christmas

Just before they left for their trip to Australia recently, we invited Christine, David and baby Sophie to spend Christmas with us. Christine rang today (they're back in Cambridge) and said they are coming for Christmas! We are so excited, it will be lovely to spend the time with them and meet Sophie. They arrive Saturday 24th December and leave Wednesday 28th December. MK has Saturday and Sunday (Xmas Day) off, then working afternoon shift the rest of the week. Now we can plan a slap-up Xmas lunch ;)

Had my second French lesson with Stephanie today. It was 1.5hours and she asked me if this was OK which it definitely is for CHF50. Good price, good teacher. At the beginning of the lesson she raised the possibility that I work towards the Alliance Francaise exam in about 6 months, but a lot will depend if we are still here then. And geez, the thought of an exam doesn't thrill me. But she called me a Fake Beginner a couple of times which I took as a compliment!

I have just finished baking my orders for tomorrow, good thing too as tomorrow is going to be busy. In the morning, Teresa has invited us round to her place for a playdate. Then in the afternoon is the PM Children's Xmas Party which is always fun/hectic/crowded/worth going to. Both girls will get gifts this year which is fun for them.

What a luxury

Today Yasmine picked Lily up from school for the first time...and everyone loved it. Michael and I went to Aligro (after letting the cleaner in and getting ourselves sorted) and basically spent the morning there. We are such suckers for a good supermarket. And like the good ol' days we drove up to garderie just as the bells were tolling noon. So civilised.

This afternoon Lily and I visited Aussie Jen and Katia (and Chloe who was mainly sleeping) in St-Prex. Jen and I chat, and the girls play happily. It was snowing on the way there but the roads were clear.

This week is so busy with orders - tomorrow is David's cookies (which I made tonight - Choc Chunk Peanut Butter Cookies) then Wednesday 1 doz Choc Chunk Peanut Butter Cookies and 1 doz Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies for one person and 4 doz Best Ever Chocolate Brownies and a Chocolate Mousse Cake for one of my regulars (a guy who is a dream to do business with, so complimentary and easy-going).

On Friday I have a huge order for 2 doz Apricot and Coconut Balls, 2 doz Creamy Caramel Slice, 2 doz 1/2 size White Chocolate and Macadamia Cookies, 2 doz 1/2 size Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies and a Family Chocolate Cake with Happy Birthday Daniel on it. Also on Friday David is picking up a Chocolate Truffle Cake, a request from his wife for her birthday (and a recipe I've never made and seems incredibly fiddly and time-consuming).

Saturday I have pick-ups for 2doz Apricot and Coconut Balls for one person and Vegan Brownies (dairy-free) and 2 doz Cupcakes (with frosting and sprinkles) for another.

And Monday I have an order for an Eggless, Butterless, Milkless Cake from the same woman who orders the Vegan Brownies for her daughter who can't have dairy or eggs.

Thank god for Lily going to garderie after school - I am going to need every minute of that time.

More snow

The snow from Friday has hung around, but slowly started to melt. Then today we got a top-up...it snowed a lot of the day. Later in the afternoon we went downstairs with Elizabeth and her daughter Sophie (our neighbours) and made a snowman. Well Elizabeth made a snowman, Sophie played and the the girls and I stood around...snow isn't really my thing. My favourite part of being in the snow is coming inside and getting warm.

Michael worked 12 hour dayshifts yesterday and today. We survived. Seemed the girls were keen to spend time inside as they never got that urge to go outside. Might have been because of the weather, but I also think it's because they do things during the week (including 4 mornings) so appreciate some inside time. Suits me. I made pancakes for lunch today. Not totally nutritious but I did use half wholemeal flour.

And the baking orders keep coming. I notice I spend evenings doing my business 'paperwork' - updating and checking my orders spreadsheet and responding to emails. Plus I often bake in the evenings. Yesterday a friend of a friend rang and asked if I wanted to cater for their work Xmas party - 150 Saffron Buns and 150 Gingerbread Cookies. Apparently both Swedish recipes. I turned it down...having not made the buns (yeast), not even heard of them. I would have made the cookies but she said she could get them from Ikea. No problem to me, the party is the same week as the AWC event with 125 people that I'm baking for.

First pee pee in the toilet

Charlotte did pee pee in the toilet for the first time tonight. She always asks to go on the toilet before bath (copying Lily's pre-bath routine) but there is never anything. But tonight there was a result. I went crazy and called Michael in, then we went crazy together, clapping and saying 'bravo' (a word Charlotte's started using herself). Then she sticks her tongue out and says 'tongue' very pleased with herself.

It's a funny thing seeing your baby do pee pee for the first time in the loo. Genuine excitement and happiness. Certain surrealness (like so much of parenting). Almost a primitive response. Sorta hard to explain. But there it is before you, concrete evidence that 2 years of exclusive nappy wearing is over. It's the beginning of the end of nappies, which are such a symbol of babyhood, complete independence, lack of control over bodily functions. And the beginning of a whole new ballgame.

I have to brag

This is part of an email I just received from a woman I know

The ginger cookies for the Twig morning were FANTASTIC. They looked so perfect that you would think they were fake, and the taste - wow, delicious and brought back all the good Christmas feelings! You are an excellent baker.

First snow!

Lily was the first to see that there was snow this morning...lots of it! The balcony has a thick layer and they are out shovelling the walkways and paths.

Well, they were forecasting snow for Friday and here it is.

She is so good to us

I was telling Yasmine at garderie today how much of a pain it is to have to be back at school to pick Lily up at 11.25am (leaving home at 11.20am). After dropping Charlotte off at garderie at 9am, I go for my walk, have a shower and by then I barely have an hour to do anything (cleaning, shopping, baking, phone calls) before I have to be back at school. Well, Yasmine offered to collect Lily from school. Every day. Starting next Monday. And she said if she can't do it, Anya will. And if she can't do it, one of the other woman will. Yasmine said she wouldn't do it for just anyone, but she loves Lily and it's different. What a great woman. Again, she steps in to help us out. Lily was there when we were having the conversation and she was really happy with the idea of Yasmine picking her up. So, it'll be just like before when I pick both girls up at from garderie at noon. The only difference is, before we could drop them both at garderie by 8.30am (if we were that organised) but now I drop Lily off first by 8.45am then go to garderie so I'm not away from there till 9am. 9am till 12noon is good though...I am definitely not complaining.

Tonight I watched American Beauty, the first time I've seen it since early 2000. Then it changed my life in a way no other movie has or probably will. I've been reluctant to see it in case it didn't meet my expectations of what I remembered it being (a powerful, provocative film). Glad I saw it tonight, though...still a great film. But not likely to drive me to quit my job like it did last time.

Normally

I'd be out on my walk right now...but it is so incredibly freezing that there is no way.

I just wish I could muster the same energy for the exercise bike.

Another busy day

So I'm writing this after midnight so the entry will say Thursday 24th (Happy Thanksgiving!) but I'm talking about Wednesday...

We had friends here all day - from 9.30am till 7pm continuously. Lucinda and Stefan first thing, then Nina and Emma joined us around 11am. The kids all had fun playing together (esp Charlotte and Emma, they are such good friends and play so happily together...except when C is using Emma as a trampoline, then it's not pretty). Lucinda left around 1pm, I think, and Nina and Emma stayed on. Nina went and did a few things around here and we looked after Emma. I had a pick up (Classic Fruit Cake and Ginger Chewies) in the afternoon then one around 6pm (Gluten free Brownies and regular Cupcakes with frosting and sprinkles) plus I made Fudge Brownie Cookies and Best Ever Chocolate Brownies. The cookies were a thankyou to Russell for coming round and fixing our lights (which he did mid-afternoon) and the brownies for Yasmine's b'day tomorrow.

And still the orders keep coming...both pick ups today ordered more stuff.

Nina and Emma stayed for dinner, then MK ran them home at 7pm.

It's been like the Bourke St Mall (Rundle Mall? Grand Central Station?) here today.

First French lesson

So now it's not just bitterly cold, there are these strong gusty winds. And they are forecasting snow for Friday! Yikes, someone told me they think it's going to be a cold winter. No sh*t Sherlock.

I had my first French lesson with Stephanie today (not first French lesson ever - this will be my third attempt at learning the language). She came here at 10am (well, 4mins before 10 and of course I was still getting dressed but she was alright) and we spent the next 50mins hard at it. Today was her chance to see where I was, so in all these areas she marked me either beginner or intermediate (no advanceds!). It was good...I think I will like her teaching style and she enjoys doing this. Her kids are also at garderie and she seems flexible and understanding about what's realistic (ie homework). We'll have another lesson next Tuesday same time.

Crazy busy with baking, and the orders keep coming. Kelly deV just IM-ed me and amongst other things, ordered a cake for this Sunday. So I added it to my spread sheet. I've had another enquiry for Pancakes at Home so I sent my Pricing Info off to her tonight. I have removed the shopping and preparation fee. I still haven't heard back from the woman who enquired a couple of weeks ago, and the first enquiry was a no-go so I've adjusted my price. It doesn't worry me...all part of the learning process.

Lucinda and Nina are coming round tomorrow morning, with their kids. Last get together for Nina before they leave for good on Friday. That's Expatia* for you - people moving on.

*Expatia - my name for this state/circumstance/environment we live in...I'd lik to write an entry on it, but not now...too late and time for bed.

Happy Birthday Brad

Saul's (not Sal's!), Berkeley, Sept 2005

Big order finished

The big order has gone...and as always there are things I wasn't happy about/learnt from. Like don't leave the (uncut) brownies out on the bench for a day or two. It seemed they dried out a bit. I should have at least wrapped them in foil. They were safe and clean, but a bit dry. And something went wrong with the chocolate on the top of the second batch of Caramel Slice. Not sure what?? Was spotty and blotchy, like it dried funny. So I drizzled another 100grams of milk chocolate over it and it looked fine. Just different to the first batch. Shouldn't have affected taste.

Aussie Jen picked it all up and bought Katia with her, which Lily liked. They left us and went straight to the party.

Another totally blue sky and freezing cold day. I went for a walk this morning and it was pretty but bitterly cold. Now MK is outside with the girls (around the fountain) and it's started to get dark so it will be getting chillier. Roast pork and vegies (pumpkin, sweet potato and red onion, plus steamed zucchini) for dinner, courtesy of our trip to Carrefour yesterday.

Shopping in France

Amazingly enough, Charlotte didn't wake once last night...plus I got to sleep in! I went to bed just after 11pm and got up at 8.45am. MK had gone to bed an hour earlier (tired from work plus he's sick with a cold/sore throat thing) but unfortunately was up about 6.30am when Charlotte woke.

Yesterday I got a lot done for this order so this morning I made one Caramel Slice (made the other tonight) then around 11am we got going. First drove to Jim's British Market and stocked up on Self Raising Flour (Jim said I could have 6 bags, but was OK with 7 when it was put on the counter) and some other bits n' pieces (the girls get to pick a can of spaghetti or whatever and today they chose a can of meatballs with onion sauce...at 3.50 euro per can!!). The total bill came to 44.90 euro and Jim gave it to me for 40 euro. He's supportive of my business and has twice now mentioned putting up eye-catching posters in his shop.

There were no fish n' chips today (starts again on Tuesday) so we headed off to Carrefour in Segny (or is it Cessy?) and by now the kids were pretty cranky. A cheese baguette didn't help so we suffered through the hypermarche. Even Lily was whiny. But didn't stop us blowing a sh*t load of euros on two trolleys. As usual we go for two reasons - the variety and the lower prices. Cereal is our big variety item, always has been.

Tonight I frosted/decorated the Barbie Cake and made the other Caramel Slice so tomorrow all I have to do is frost the Family Chocolate Cake and cut the Slice and Brownies. Pick-up is sometime after 1pm.

Headache

I don't get them very often but I've got one now...maybe this lack of sleep is catching up with me. And I probably should drink heaps more water. And maybe the freezing cold weather doesn't help (although there's not a cloud in the sky).

I was up with Charlotte twice around 3am, she wanted her sheet and blanket put back on. And then she woke again at 5.40am (that magic hour when I think she hears MK in the shower), but when I took her into bed with me she didn't settle well. Crying and seemed uncomfortable with her cold. Maybe tonight...

At 1pm today I started on the big baking order for Sunday. The woman has ordered a Family Chocolate Cake (in the oven now), Barbie Cake (choc flavour with pink buttercream), 4 doz Caramel Slice and 4doz Best Ever Chocolate Brownies. It's for her daughter's b'day party and it looks like Aussie Jen might pick the order up on Sunday morning.

MK has taken Lily to swimming lesson and thankfully taken Charlotte with him. It is so peaceful here now. Off to get dinner ready - Bean Stack.

Right now

I am cleaning out the cupboard in the kitchen as more and more small moths have been flying out...and now I see I have weevils :( Is that what they are called? Those small grubs that eat nuts, flour, grains etc etc. What a pain.

Michael is downstairs with the girls - they are changing the tyres on the car. From summer tyres to winter tyres. The beginning of this week was the start of the cold weather. And it's really chilly. We've been lucky with the milder weather up till now. Today is sunny, but very cold and a bit windy.

Soon I'll take Lily to ballet. Starts at 4.30pm. She enjoys going and looks forward to it. And today we got the letter in the mail advising of the Spectacle in the Octogone Theatre in Pully. Wow, Lily is going to be on stage. December 11th I think it is, a Sunday, at 6pm. I'll get the rest of the letter translated at ballet today by the woman I chat to.

This morning I dropped the girls off to school and garderie then walked to the PM Coffee Morning at Chateau d'Ouchy. Mainly along the Lake. Cold but clear with the sun on my back. So many good memories around the Ouchy area and along the Lake front. At the coffee I just spoke with Russell and John, two Australian guys who's wives work for PM. Russell is going to come round and fix our lights next Wednesday. And John warned me about a 'new' crime he read about in a Lausanne paper recently - people on motorbikes opening your car door while you're stopped at the lights and taking your bag. Unfortunately he and Nicola expeienced it in Provence recently but they had most of the bag contents returned to them. So must remember to keep car doors locked while driving at all times.

Last night Charlotte woke around the time I went to bed, 10.30pm, but she settled after some milk (is that a bad habit I'm encouraging). Then I was up three times with them during the night (and once for MK) but never for long. Still, an uninterrupted nights sleep eludes me.

Back to the kitchen to put all the stuff away in my dried cupboards.

Could I be any more tired?

Oh my god, I am soooo tired...and I've felt this way all today. The night before last when we went out for dinner was lovely but I felt pretty spaced out and sick. The restaurant was good (Lyrique, on the road opposite Lorretta's just up from Billy's). I'd like to go back there with MK, there was a lot of Greek food on the menu which was yummy. Our shared starter was delicious. Unfortunately Lucinda wasn't well so couldn't make it, so there was Lorretta (who looks phenomenal for having a 4 week old baby), Pam, Christine C, Nina and I. A good number.

MK had looked after the three girls, who were all in bed by the time we left. Nina was concerned that Emma mightn't settle but she was perfect and there wasn't a peep from her apparently. We got to bed around midnight, then I was up with Charlotte not long after this and didn't get to bed till 1am. I heard Emma during the night, once, but don't think I was up again.

So yesterday, Nina and Emma walked with us to school then kept going to their place (to let the packers in for the last time). I dropped C off to garderie went for my walk, showered then started baking. I didn't stop (well, briefly for dinner) till I went to bed at 1.30am last night. I had so much to do...well, not just baking but everything else that needs to be done. Nina and Emma came back around 12.45pm and had lunch. When MK came home from work around 2.30pm he drove them back to their temporary apartment and dropped my cookies off to David.

Thing is, even when I did eventually get to bed last night Charlotte woke not long after and I was up with her till 2am (I ended up moving her bed into the spare room. She protests, but for some reason sleeps better in there). So I really went to bed at 2am...then Charlotte woke at 6.30am this morning. Not a good look.

The girls were good though, and MK had helped do some decorating last night so I didn't have too much to do. But it still took all my time right up until 10am when the party started. First to arrive were Christine and Alessandro, then Aussie Jen with Katia and Chloe (still jetlagged from the trip home from Australia on Sunday), and we also had Nina and Emma and Lucinda and Stefan. I had also invited Teresa, who came with her two girls, but she didn't stay long as she felt sick and nauseous. She kept running to the bathroom, poor thing, so she packed her stuff and left. I felt sorry for her as she's keen to meet new people.

So, last night I'd made a bear-shaped cake (chocolate with buttercream frosting) which looked very amateur-ish and confirmed that I don't enjoy decorative cakes for two reasons - I lack creativity and patience. But it was for us so it wasn't stressful. I also made cut-out sugar cookies in the star and heart shapes, and decorated them with gel outline and sugar glaze frosting. Today the kids were able to decorate them with the pens I bought in the States made of edible 'ink'. I also made butterflies out of pretzels (and caramels and chocolate), Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies (left over from an order the other day) and different shaped vegemite and cheese sandwiches (stars, hearts and bears). I also bought marshmallows and kangaroo shaped salty snacks. And I think that's it. For party favours, I tied a bottle of bubbles with a tube of Smarties (both about the same size) together (well, actually MK did it) plus I put bon bons (lollies) in an edible basket (like a waffle ice cream cone but in basket shape).

It was a lovely day...Charlotte had a great time, and Lily loved seeing Katia. The kids and adults all ate, in fact I think I could have made more Chocolate Cookies and the adults would have eaten more. Charlotte opened her gifts and had a smile and thankyou for everybody. She was beautiful to watch. Alessandro and Christine gave her three puzzles, Katia and Chloe gave her a Shelly doll (small) and a beaded bag (Jen had seen how much C had like Chloe's one when we visited so got Charlotte one). Emma and Nina gave her a back pack on wheels (like an old person's shopping trolley, and the back pack is detachable. It's really great) and Lucinda and Stefan gave her an adorable soft doll that has a zip up her back for pj's. Charlotte gave the doll a big hug as soon as she opened it. She can be so tactile and enjoys hugging and touching different textures.

We cut the cake and everyone enjoyed that. Charlotte did a great job of blowing out her candle, including the second time for the camera. Where would she have seen how to blow out a candle? Christine and Alessandro left, then a bit later Jen and the girls left. Then Lucinda and Nina stayed on till just after 3pm. The place was a mess, but the kids were happy enough (Emma and Lily watching Hairy Maclary on dvd and Stefan and Charlotte playing independently) so we had a chance to chat.

Michael came home from work and saw, maybe for the first time, the sort of chaos and mess that one of these parties create!

Charlotte had no nap today, so both girls fell asleep quickly. I really hope for a peaceful night's sleep.

Friends staying overnight

Another busy day running all day, it feels. Firstly, Charlotte woke last night with one of those coughs that sounds like she's bringing a lung up. That woke her and she continued to be unsettled so I got her up for a while. Meant I didn't get to bed till just before 1am though. Then I was up with her once again (briefly) then she woke just after 5.30am calling for 'ereal' (she might have heard MK who was up early for work). I bought her into bed with me and we slept till 7.45am. Yikes, had to put the skates on to get to school and garderie on time.

We made it to school just after the bell went so all the kids had gone downstairs already. I explained to Lily that she'd have to go down by herself, and that the kids would only be taking their shoes and jackets off. She said I'd have to give her a kiss and a hug, which I did, and she happily went downstairs by herself. I was so pleased for my big girl.

After dropping Charlotte off (with the b'day cake I'd made last night), I zipped home and cleaned for the cleaner. When she arrived I went for my walk, then by the time I got home and had a shower it was time to collect Lily.

This afternoon Nina and Emma came round...Darren is away tonight and this was their last day in their apartment and supposed to be the first night in their temporary apartment. They leave to go home (for good) Friday week. So Nina and Emma will spend the night here.

The kids are getting ready for bed, then Nina and I are joining some others for dinner out tonight for Nina's farewell dinner. I don't feel well though...my throat feels funny, my head doens't feel good and I'd like to do nothing then go to bed. Oh well, I might liven up once I'm out.

And sometime I have to do David's cookies for tomorrow, bake for Charlotte's b'day party on Wednesday and do some Apricot and Coconut Balls and Fudge Brownie Cookies for an order (pick up at the party).

Happy 2nd Birthday Charlotte!

Wow, our baby is two! What a special day...

We all got to sleep in till around 7.30am, then it was time to rip into the presents (that's what I enjoy!). Charlotte had fun opening cards and gifts, with help from Lily. We gave her a white soft, fleece-type blanket from Ikea, a book (in French about baby animals), and a couple of wooden toys from Prague (small roll along animal and a person-shaped pencil holder). Lily gave her the soft toy cat. Mum and Dad gave her a jogging stroller and Nan and Poppa gave her the baby to go in it. Mike and Joanne gave her Peek n' Play Eyeore (which gave all a start when he flapped his big ears and started talking!) , two dvd's (Hairy Maclary and Bear in the Big House) and an outfit (matching pants and zip up jacket). Allan gave her money (and Lily received the same for her last b'day so we must buy something for the two of them). Angela, Leif and Keely gave her a Fisher Price Pop-Onz Bake n' Build Sweet Shop, fairy skirt and ballet slippers. Plus, Ange gave Lily some stickers...and wrote Lily the most wonderful poem. I cried my eyes out reading it. I hope it's OK with Ange as I'm going to post it in another entry.

And Mum and Dad bought Lily a cash register, which is very groovy with it's scanner and card machine, grocery items and money. Not sure why Lily needed a gift, but it did prove very popular with both of them today. As did the pram. Lily never had a pram and Charlotte loves this one, so there was a bit of fighting over the pram.

Nina and Emma called round for a while (picking up a cake for Darren's b'day today) then we went to the little park, via the boulangerie where we picked up lunch.

Quiet the rest of the afternoon. Mike and Joannne rang this morning, then Mum and Dad later this afternoon.

We had lamb and roast vegies for dinner. It's so funny watching Charlotte with MK's red wine glass. She asks 'smell smell' then sticks her nose right into the glass. She's been doing it for a while...a young wine appreciater!

Michael's b'day trip

I forgot to mention that MK enjoyed his trip away. He walked in the door 9.15pm on Wednesday night. Pretty good considering I'd asked him to be home around that time. He was tired but had covered a lot of ground. He'd been to the Porche museum, some big transport museum and Frankfurt airport. And driven through some wine country. I think that ticks a lot of his boxes.

Last day Charlotte can fly cheap

So this is the last day Charlotte only pays, what is it? 10% of the airfare? Tomorrow, 75%. Oh well, good things come from not having a baby anymore. Bye bye baby, tomorrow hello big girl.

This cold has knocked me around a bit and I haven't been sleeping well. Last night it took ages to fall asleep. Even when I got up to Lily around 3am I felt I hadn't been properly asleep. So I slept in till 9am. Yikes, don't do that often. Later in the morning we all went into Lausanne and I dropped David's order off (Hazelnut Caramel Slice for Marianne's b'day) and gave him some Apricot and Coconut Balls for his b'day last Thursday.

Lily asked if we could have a look around town, so we went for a walk and asked her where she wanted to have lunch. She said where the play area is, which means either Manor or Coop. Manor was closer so we went there. It was packed, unsurprisingly, but we got a table straight away. The girls both had the menu enfant and I picked their vegies. Charlotte ate a lot which was good as it was healthy - fish and vegies. Lily didn't eat half as much but gobbled up all the dessert (cake) which Charlotte didn't touch. They were both pretty good during lunch.

Charlotte had a late nap (2pm) but wasn't down for long. I took Lily to Migros and told her she could pick out a present for Charlotte's birthday. She chose a soft toy - a cat. Appropriate as they both like playing cats together (or mermaids, both involve being on the floor). So while I took Charlotte to the video store*, Lily wrapped the cat with Michael.

I had a text message from Jenifer Z saying she had the baby - William was born yesterday morning (11/11). I phoned her briefly and she sounded good. She was very happy with Clinique Cecil.

*the dvd I got out was Sahara - MK's choice. I wanted Bewitched but they were all taken. MK had mentioned Sahara when I left so I surprised him with it. Definitely not my choice, but I sat through it.

Food presentation workshop

Yesterday I went to a workshop on food presentation at the AWC clubrooms in Lausanne (where Jen and I first met!). A woman called Corinne ran it and a guy did a presentation on wine and food matching. Corinne does cooking classes and catering...I'd heard about her ages ago but never come across her before. Anyway, it was pretty interesting. She showed us some ways to make food look better (ie salads, soups, mains and desserts) then we had the chance to build our own salad. Mine was the model of restraint - I used one of her rings (the exact same type Mum is looking for) to layer proscuitto, Peppadew, mozarella then topped off with some green leaves and finally some alfalfa, then drizzled round the edge of the plate with pumpkin oil. It looked good. I normally would have done the salad some other women did - pile on as much as I could, but that was the opposite to what she taught us! We had two glasses of white with our salads, then a white chocolate gateau on a nut crust. In theory it was divine - smooth creamy richness of the white chocolate contrasted with the crunchy walnut base but in reality there was an after-taste (walnuts?) and the white chocolate top had more texture than flavour. Marie F was there and she came and whispered 'what did you think of the cake?'. As I was saying 'uhhhhh' she laughed and said I thought so and walked off!

Anyway I was sitting next to Debbie, a woman from the UK who I remembered I'd met before (and she'd rung me earlier this year asking for a specific chick-decorated cake for her young daughter's b'day). Anyway we chatted a bit and then yesterday afternoon she sent me an email saying she's wanting to do breakfast as a Xmas treat for her friends. She proposed some dates and asked for my prices. So I sent her the info late last night and am wating to hear back from her.

Questions, questions, more questions

Lily is still full of questions...the Why? can go on and on and on. If you think about it, you ask a question then ask Why to everything the person responds and you've got an on-going conversation. Which suits Lily.

There have been a lot of questions about where babies come from, how do they get in your tummy, what's it like in your tummy. So we deal. Well, not 'we' as MK hasn't encountered one of these questions yet. Lucky guy.

We saw some graffiti today and once again Lily asked me about it. After I told her what it was she wanted to know why they did it. I said I didn't know and she said 'Maybe they didn't have any paper'.

Interesting meeting

This morning I met with Marie F (at the restaurant in our local Migros) to discuss the catering for the AWC Xmas lunch of Dec 13th. She is going to do the savouries, hopefully with another woman who has expressed interest but is away at the moment. Anyway they are planning on 120 people, made up of 6 tables. I suggested a plate per person with small things on it, which is how Marie is going to do the savouries. On the dessert we agreed on Mini Mince Pies, Shortbread, Apricot and Coconut Balls, Mini Xmas Puddings (if I can get the ingredients), a piece of Fruit Cake (if I can't get the ingredients for the Puddings) and a store-bought chocolate Santa. Plus I might do Star Tree Cookies for table decorations.

Marie has recently mentioned the possibility of us working together in some sort of catering capacity. So we talked about it more today. She had her own catering business for 17 years in the States and is keen now to do something in the area. Maybe like going into people's homes and doing dinner parties, functions, parties, that sort of thing. I'm interested. I'm sure I could learn a lot from her, and it would give me a chance to see what it's like.

We agreed to see how the AWC event goes and to think more about it. I want to make money doing what I love, and this would give me the chance to discover more about what I love.

Coffee morning, coffee afternoon

This morning the girls and I went to the monthly AWC Coffee Morning at Chateau d'Ouchy. Met a couple of nice women, talked about Now Baking, got the girls out of the apartment...result.

This afternoon went to Michele's for coffee. Grainne was there and met a new woman, Teresa. She's from Atlanta, Georgia in the States. Only been here a week. She has two girls (3.5 years old and 13mths) and Lily enjoyed playing with the older girl (Sidney). I invited them to Charlotte's party next week. Continue the tradition of inviting someone I've met the week before to my kid's b'day party.

Funny thing is Teresa's husband is the guy who calls my Apricot and Coconut Balls insane. Michele had told me about his comment ages ago and it made me laugh. It's a compliment apparently. Anyway Teresa told me today that he took some Balls back to the States with him and they all ate them, including Teresa's parents who lost their house in Hurricane Katrina. Anyway, Teresa is keen to order more Balls plus some Fudge Brownie Cookies. She's a fun person, plus she orders my stuff. This could be the start of something good.

Cold doing the rounds

Charlotte woke up with a cold the day Mum and Dad left. Not long after Lily caught it. Now I have it. My nose is running like a tap and I can feel the pressure in my head. Uggghhh, I can't be sick. I don't want to be sick. I have an order pick-up tomorrow night (Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Best Ever Chocolate Brownies), a meeting with Marie in the morning to discuss the catering for the AWC Xmas lunch, ballet for Lily in the afternoon. But most importantly I want a good night's sleep. And the kids have been sleeping well, and I want to too.

Michael will be home soon, so that's a good thing.

Service with a smile

I was sitting on the toilet the other day and Charlotte was keeping me company (nothing new there) and the conversation went

CPK: Paper? (pointing to the toilet paper)
Me: No thankyou
C: No?
Me: No
C: Bookie? (pointing to the magazine)
Me: No thankyou
C: No?
Me: No thanks
C: Loap? (pointing to the soap)
Me: No thankyou
C: No?
Me: No thankyou.
C: OK

Road trip day two

Survived another day...but I have no idea how women who's husbands are away all the time cope. I suppose you just get into a routine.

And I am big on routine. And tidiness. Anyway, got the girls off to school/garderie on time, did my walk, showered and took the cookies into David. Picked up some more baking powder at Globus, popped into Interio and bought a couple of tins with see-through lids. Perfect for Apricot and Coconut Balls as gifts. On the bus in time to pick Lily up from school.

On the bus, though, the ticket inspectors got on. Not a problem. I had a ticket (one hour) and my half price abonnement card. He checked my ticket which said 10.15am (the time I got on). And looked at his watch which said 11.15am. Yeah, not a problem I thought...I got on the bus in Lausanne about 11.05 or 11.08. But no, my ticket was no good (or something similar in French). Hang on, I thought so long as you started your journey under the hour you were OK? But I don't have the language skills to ask this (although I tried with mime by showing him on his watch what time I got on in Lausanne). Tough, I had to get off the bus and buy another ticket. Thank god the bus waited for me (I was super fast). And it was only 2CHF. But it was the principle. And the stupid thing was when I did end up getting off the bus (at the stop near Lily's school) it was 11.18am. All that for 3 minutes. Stupid Swiss follow-the-rules BS. What a pain - I'm not going to buy my ticket to the absolute last minute, right before the bus is due to leave. (But knowing how ruthless they are here the driver would probably end up leaving without me...I've had that before. Standing with my back a couple of centimetres away from the bus door buying my ticket, I turn around and the bus drives off).

So this afternoon we went up to the Deer Park (Yasmine said she was going to be there) and saw Stephanie as well. We have agreed to start French lessons Thursday of next week, 9.30am, my place. And after that on Monday mornings. She also said she'd be happy being paid in cakes and things like that. That would suit me...although we'll see.

And Lily had her first French lesson at school today. Another little boy was with her and the teacher. It sounds like it was ok...I think they were naming animals and numbers.

And tonight there was no problems with dinner, bath, book and bed thank goodness.

Here's hoping for another quiet night.

No go on the brunch

Had an email tonight from the woman who was enquiring about brunch for her friends on the 24th to celebrate a 40th saying

Thank you for all of your information. However, after discussing the brunch with my friends, we've decided to do things ourselves and apply the saved ChF towards a finer gift.

I don't mind...there are other things in store for me.

Road trip day one

Michael left this morning just after 10am. I've had a couple of text messages from him (telling me about dinner amongst other things). Tonight is Stuttgart. Girls have been good. I picked them up from school and garderie, they had baked beans and a bread roll for lunch, Charlotte went down for her nap at 1pm and Lily watched the Wizard of Oz (Mum and Dad bought it for her on dvd and she loves it. When they were here she said she was Dorothy, Dad was the Wizard, Mum the Scarecrow, Charlotte the Tin Man. I think Daddy was the Lion and I'm not sure who I was!). This afternoon I went to the post office with them, then they played downstairs around the fountain. Lily has started climbing through the bushes (she discovered this on Sunday) and calls it fairyland. She was not happy when I said we had to come upstairs but it was getting cold and Charlotte was refusing to wear her coat.

Tonight they weren't so impressed with the lamb stew but the noodles went down a treat. Bit of fruit then Charlotte ate multiple bowls of Special K with red fruit and Lily had custard. Bath, book, bed no trouble.

I've made David's cookies for tomorrow (Blue Chip Chocolate Chip Cookies) so I'll be all ready to go once I've done the school and garderie drop-off/been for my walk/had my shower.

Now I should get ready for bed...notorious for staying up late when MK isn't here.

Charlotte's quirks

I find Charlotte so funny - she has such a great personality. There are so many things she does that makes me laugh. So I am going to add to this post when I can...

She is fascinated by money. Loves it. Goes looking for it in our wallets, and can say 'money' and 'coin' no problems. But she also loves stashing it places. The latest was in some obscure part of the exercise bike. Along with Migros jetons for the trolleys (little orange plastic discs). Tonight as I was undressing her a couple of jetons fell out of her pocket. I said something like 'Charlotte!' and all she said was 'moon' and pointed out the window. I looked out and couldn't see it. It was like she was scamming by distracting me!

Totally loves her cereal. Will eat it for breakfast, snack and after meals. Knows exactly which one she wants at any one time (points to it high up in the cupboard) and always insists on the cereal box sitting on the table with her while she's eating (by saying 'cereal' and 'table').

Has rhythm, loves music. Dances on command.

Calls flowers 'luggies' and drink 'gigi'.

Not interested in tv at all but sings the Fimbles theme song (in her own way). Would much rather be active and on the go than watching tv.

Into Barbie. When she had the choice of which plate when I was buying them one each in the IperCoop in Tuscany she chose the Barbie plate (Lily chose Princess). She loves using it. And she often takes a Barbie to bed with her. Yesterday she was playing with a Barbie ball outside and was running around saying 'Barbie ball Barbie ball Barbie ball' which amused the local youth.

Can be very helpful. Asks for paper towel ('paper') to clean up spills and messy hands/face and will put stuff in the bin when asked.

Game she loves at the moment is 'come to Mummy'. I crouch down with my arms outstretched saying 'come to Mummy' and she goes as far away as she can (sometimes walking backwards) then runs towards me and throws herself into my arms. Over and over and over.

Is happiest being carried. 'Up, up, up, up' is a common chant. Will put her head on your shoulder if you say 'rest your head'.

Still loves her raggy (cloth nappy of which we have several although supplies are dwindling). 'Aggy aggy aggy' is a familiar call around her. It is often the first thing she wants if she is hurt or upset (before Mummy or Daddy). Always goes to bed with raggy and takes one most places.

Was calling all the adults at garderie Anya, even though there is only one Anya. I think she loves Anya the best.

Loves touch. I gave her a foot massage, then a back massage the other day while she was sitting on my knee. She was so still the entire time I knew she was blissed out.

Will go in the pram to garderie but refuses to get in it on the way home.

Says ca-ca lot! If she sees a bottom, points to it and says 'ca-ca'. Same with someone on the toilet. Seems interested in using the toilet although yet to see a result. Happy to go through the motion (not that sort of motion) of sitting then using toilet paper.

Speaks in that stilted way small children do. So when she says a two-word sentence it comes out slightly stilted. Very cute. But also loves playing with words - when she says 'ag-oo Mummy' I say 'that's alright Charlotte' then she'll say 'ag-oo Mummy' again but in a different tone. This game can go on and on, back and forwards always a different volume or tone, and can be quite funny.

Anorak trip

Well, that's what Michael called it...

For the last couple of years, MK's birthday present has been a trip away. In 2003 he went to London and Cambridge (stayed a night with Christine and David) and last year he went to Amsterdam with Ken. It's only for a couple of nights but it's something special. And tomorrow he leaves for this year's trip. But this time it's a Road Trip and he's going to Stuttgart and near Frankfurt. Visiting a car museum, a transport museum and Frankfurt Airport. Hence the anorak reference. So he'll be away from Monday to Wednesday.

And next time I hope we all get to visit Frankfurt so we can catch up with his aunt and uncle and cousins.

Anchovy sandwiches

Lily mentioned the other day that the kids at school don't like her blueberry muffins. She was laughing and might even said something about them being silly and that was the end of it. Not for me. I've been thinking about it and am convinced they are saying things because the muffins are different to what they eat. Like foreigners food. Like in the 50's when immigrants kids took anchovy sandwiches to school in Australia. MK reckons it wouldn't have been anchvoy, more like garlic. But you know what I mean. And truth be told I don't want her to have that experience of being different. I want her to fit in. Ugghhh, how shallow and meaningless is that.

So tonight I am making Oaty Anzac Biscuits (Donna Hay Modern Classics Book 2) and I know the kids would never have seen those but at least they are cookies. And all kids love cookies.

Oh, and another thing that will help her fit in (not that she feels this need, just me) is French lessons. We received a note from her teacher on Friday saying that the lessons start this Tuesday. Hooray!

edited to add: I just found this cool quote...not sure how or even if it relates to what I've been feeling but here it is anyway

"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion, and avoid the people, you might better stay home." -- James Michener

Zermatt photos

First photo is Charlotte looking up at me while she was rummaging around in my bag (at breakfast). I wanted to capture that look on her face. Next two are on the cable car going up to Trockener Steg to view the Matterhorn. Then Mum and I on our side by side balconies (in order to go from one room to the other, though, we had to go down to either the first or ground floor and catch another lift up to the fourth floor. Strange). And the last one of Michael and Lily at Trockener Steg. Lily really wanted to play in the snow so MK took her out in it and took this pic.

Been too long

I have actually tried to post twice but both times I had trouble with the site...

So, Mum and Dad left on Thursday which was sad. Such a short visit. On Wednesday morning they saw Lily ice-skating and she was able to do some skating without her frame (only second time ice-skating). I reckon if I keep taking her she'll build confidence fast. And then for lunch we went to Movenpick for our traditional celebration lunch (Xmas this time).

I had a nightmare order for Thursday, a sugar free carrot cake with sugar free cream cheese frosting for a one year old's birthday. The woman provided the recipe and from the start it looked odd. And ended up being the most labour intensive, expensive and yucky tasting cake. Everything that could go wrong did, right down to the frosting which pooled liquid and dissolved the pretty sprinkles. So she came to pick it up, said it looked awful (it did) so I offered to re-do it with full-fat cream cheese (the low fat cream cheese was just weird, plus the gelatine and apple juice...yuck). But it meant using icing sugar which she agreed to (no other choice really). Anyway she wrote a nice email that night saying

just a quick thank you for the delicious cake! The cream cheese frosting worked very well. The sprinkles made it so pretty. Everyone enjoyed the cake. Thanks again.

I just can't believe that everyone enjoyed it, then Kelly deV left a message saying that her babysitter went and reported that all the kids gobbled it up but the adults thought it was disgusting! I had de-briefed with Kelly Thursday afternoon and she had guessed who the woman was even before I told her. High maintenance woman.

I've had an email enquiry from a woman wanting to do brunch for her friend's 40th birthday (there will be 8-10 of them). I sent my pricing information and waiting to hear back from her. It's for Nov 24th Thursday and I told Yasmine about it. She immediately offered to pick Lily up from school and keep them both for lunch (and Lily to stay for the afternoon if she wants). She's a champion.

Michael has just worked 12 hour dayshifts today and yesterday. I hate these weekends.

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

We got our act together, booked a hotel (Hotel Couronne), packed and were on the train that left here just after 10am yesterday. Took us three trains and nearly three and a half hours but just before 1.30pm we arrived in Zermatt. Glorious, mild, clear day...perfect view of the Matterhorn. Checked into our hotel (we had a Junior Suite and Mum and Dad had a double, both with a fantastic view of the Matterhorn and balcony) then went to lunch. Long lunch at the Sports Club (chosen because of the playground right next door) sitting outside. Afterwards we wandered round Zermatt (not big) till it got chilly and we returned to the hotel. After a while (and a bottle of red MK bought along) we ordered some takeaway from the restaurant attached to the hotel for the girls, and Dad and MK went and got pizza and salad for us. After we bathed the girls in Mum and Dad's room, we returned to our room where the girls fell quickly asleep (especially CPK) and MK and I enjoyed our pizza in peace.

This morning was clear enough but the clouds shifted in mid afternoon. We had a lovely breakfast in the hotel conservatory with stunning surround views. Once we could drag ourselves away (it took a ca-ca nappy from CPK) we caught a cable car then a gondola to Trockener Steg. This was nearly 3000 metres and we were told not to go any higher than this because of Charlotte (being under three years old). This was still high enough and had a good view of the Matterhorn although there was high cloud that hung around. We spent some time outside on the terrace then went in for lunch. We spent ages here eventually leaving just after 1.30pm. Charlotte had a sleep in my arms on the way down.

When we got back to Zermatt we returned to the hotel, re-packed our coats, scarves and gloves and the porter drove us to the train station. We stored our bags and had one last look round Zermatt. Caught the 3.30pm train out of there and after three trains we were home by 7pm.

The kids did well over the two days although Charlotte had a melt-down on one of the trains (the first one from Zermatt to Visp) and an older woman asked me (pleasantly enough) to take her out somewhere else. Well, she copped a mouthful from three of us! Dad said why don't you leave? MK said something to her (like we didn't have far to go) and I asked her if she was a a parent! Well, her and her friend (female) did leave but I don't think they were impressed at all. I wondered afterwards what was the right thing to do. I was doing my best to calm CPK but was having no luck and she was screaming very loud. Maybe another more proactive parent would have gone into to the in-between carriages section. If nothing else to change the scenery in hope of a change of behaviour. So maybe she had a point. But it struck a nerve (and not just with me) and we stayed. And CPK eventually settled and resumed being happy and cute. I really don't like being told what to do, no one does. Maybe that was the point. And someone has told me there is a police officer in every Swiss.

Home now, kids in bed and getting ready for making an early morning batch of Mixed Berry Buttermilk Muffins (an order that came through while we were on the train in Zermatt waiting to leave this afternoon) and thinking about which cookies to take into David tomorrow...there was a request for peanut butter so I'll check my spreadsheet to see what I've made in the past.