Scropino – Cheers!

Yesterday we ended a very successful Christmas dinner with a ‘Scropino’. I’d never heard of it before, but it is basically a grown-up smoothie – extremely yummy and easy to make!

3 scoops lemon sorbet

1 shot vodka

150 ml champagne

Mix it up, serve, and enjoy!

xxx

Esther in Amsterdam

Sugar Cookies

It’s funny how I can really hate the cold, dark winters in London, but not be so bothered by them when I am “home” for the holidays ( all cozied up in a big house with a fire)! I love sitting around in my pajamas, listening to Christmas music and watching the rain splash against the windows (I’m in rainy Seattle, after all).

And of course, nothing makes sitting inside more enjoyable than a big plate of Christmas sugar cookies on the counter!  Every single year at this time we make these cookies (frosted in red, white and green colors), and every year they disappear off the counter more quickly than anything else!  These cookies are a tried ‘n true favorite.  They are one of my favorite things about Christmas (and fun to make with your kids).

Here is the recipe…

If Paris does not come to the mountain…

……the mountain will come to Paris.
This is exactly what has happened in front of the Hotel de Ville in the 4th.  An ice skating rink and sledge lane have been erected in front of the town hall, and taking into account the sub-zero temperatures here in Paris, you might as well be in Chamonix. The sledges (or sled lanes) are only for kids under 12 and everyone gets a 10 min turn. Kids under 6 need to be accompanied, (but watching the parents going down the lane, it really did not seem like a chore). There is also a merry-go-round which my daughter loved even more than the sledge.
And the best thing of all: It’s free.

This alpine entertainment will be around ’til the 9th of March, so there is plenty of time to go and enjoy yourself.

Happy sledding!

– Emilie in Paris

A destination very far away

I married my husband out of love, not because of the country he comes from, as it is possibly the most unpractical country to travel to from Europe: New Zealand.
New Zealand certainly has a lot of advantages, namely it is 30 degrees there at the moment (not 2 degrees as in Paris), and the New Zealanders were the original inventor of the Ugg boot!  They also host important cultural events like the international gum boot throwing competition and the world famous golden shears championship!
I am actually really looking forward to being in New Zealand. It is the getting there with the 2-year-old toddler that fills me with dread. How do you keep a 2-year-old happy and quiet for a 24-hour flight there and back??

Plan City

In this tiny flat I share with my three boys (one husband and two sons), space is a scarce commodity.  That’s why it’s a huge wonder that we have an entire room (and a good-sized one, in London terms) devoted to toys!  What used to be a semi-respectable reception room, has been converted to a playroom paradise.  Those boys have more toys than they know what to do with.  (It’s actually a bit ridiculous).

It’s ridiculous because of all his many toys, my 2-year-old really only plays with a few favorites, and the rest lie around collecting dust (and taking up precious space).

So I’ve decided, (since it’s holiday time and you’re sure to fill your houses with silly toys), to tell you all about my son’s most favorite toy: Plan City.

 

Fun for kids in Paris

So you are visiting Paris and decide that shopping is not enough and it is time to do something cultural. Or alternatively, you are living in Paris and have decided it is time to finally do something cultural. You drag the whole family to the Louvre or the Musee d’Orsay and after approx. 45 minutes your toddler decides she has seen enough art, thank you very much, and it is time to answer her needs.
I have just discovered a solution.

Sinterklaas- A Dutch Tradition

Here in the low-lands, we have a funny holiday called Sinterklaas. I know I’ve been trying to explain the concept to you before, but I thought I’d give it one more try.

St. Nicholas was the bishop of Myra (Turkey) in the third century. He was known for his goodness and generosity: he was quite rich but used his entire fortune to assist the poor. Furthermore he was known for his love for children and as such he became their patron saint. Apparently he was also very concerned about the welfare of sailors and ships but that has nothing to do with this. He died December 6 AD 343, and the anniversary of his death has (weirdly enough) been celebrated ever since. In Holland, we like to be different and celebrate St. Nicholas day (‘Sinterklaas’) on December 5th. But for weeks leading up to that, Sinterklaas keeps everybody busy!

What is it with this time of year?

I suddenly get nostalgic and start craving my childhood treats! It must have something to do with the cold weather and the early nights. All I want to do is curl up on a sofa, preferably in front of a fire, and eat!
Anyway, this is my latest craving that I want to share with you: Vanille Kipferl (I dare you to pronounce it), my favourite ever German Advent Cookie. It is super easy and really fun to make with kids…..

Me too!

Since we’re all mums that like to travel,  I have to tell you girls about the perfect baby/toddler seat for on-the-go. THIS IS IT: the Phil&Teds Me Too Chair.

It’s light (less than 1 kilo /2 lbs), it’s flat (2,5 cm /1 inch when folded), it fits on nearly every table and it looks really, really good.

Best of both worlds

At this time of year, I spend, spend, spend on presents and sometimes have a guilty conscience, as a little part of me feels that I am being a bit wasteful. But it is really hard to find beautiful presents that also make you feel like you are supporting a good cause, and there is no point giving something ugly just because it is politically correct!

Thanksgiving

 It is America’s Thanksgiving Day today!

So, as an American (not living in America), we will be celebrating… (er, sort of).  My 2-year-old went to nursery, my husband went to work, I’m not surrounded by extended family, and there is no parade to watch!  But, nonetheless, we will be feasting on the usual turkey fare tonight with some of our obliging European friends!

In addition to the turkey dinner, Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks. 

Ex-pat moms

Here is an article an American friend of mine living in Paris wrote. It made me laugh, as it rings very true. I thought you guys might like it as we have all been, or are, expat moms!

click here for LA Times article

-Emilie in Paris

Holiday Cards

It’s that time of year again… Holidays. Can you believe it?

And thus, time to pick out my holiday cards! (Is this just an American tradition, or do the Europeans do it too)??

Every year of my childhood (and even still now), my parents would send out personalized holiday cards, with a photo of their 5 charming children, to all their friends, family, colleagues, etc.

And so now that I have (charming) children of my own, I feel obliged to send out the traditional holiday card.  (And you all know me- I love this sort of thing)!

I had chosen the photo. All I needed was the card.  I could send out personalized holiday cards (with photo mounted on top), which costs around $550 (for 150 cards). OR, I could order the generic boxed holiday greeting cards (which is what I did last year, and I still spent almost $500).  Ordering holiday cards is easy:  you just go to www.crane.com and choose your selection. (I’m always a fan of their stationery, and their website is straight-forward and good). 

Perfect… if you’re not on a budget!

Sooo… what to do, what to DO?!

Halloween

As an American living in London, I don’t usually cling defiantly to my roots and flaunt my “American-ness”.  It’s not that I’m ashamed. It’s more like I’m trying to fit in among the general (more reserved) British public.

But today is an exception.  Today is Halloween! The fantastic American (Hallmark) Holiday where every American child dresses up and goes out “trick-or-treating”.   (Yes, the Brits have made a respectable go of catching on to the American tradition, but it’s simply not the same here). 

In America, you don’t have to ask where the trick-or-treating neighborhood is; every neighborhood is a trick-or-treater’s paradise: houses decorated, pumpkins lit, bowls of candy waiting for little hands to dig in.

But alas, it is Halloween and we are NOT in America! We are in London. So, what do you do with your two children on this fine day?

First: You order your costumes from the states. (I spent hours searching on-line for something decent in this country, and I simply can’t find anything).  The best costumes (for children under 5) are found at www.oldnavy.com.  They are cheap (especially if you get them in September for surprisingly huge discounts) and they are well-made, cozy, and oh-so cute! (See photo above).

Secondly: You take your children over to the lovely Kensington neighborhoods where the Americans (and obliging British) live.  Head to Palace Gardens Terrace (and the surrounding streets) or Upper Phillimore Gardens (and the surrounding neighborhood).  Nearly every house will have their lights on and decorations up!

My two boys both have terrible head-colds, and what they DON’T need is to spend two hours out in the cold.  But we are American, after all, and we will be there tonight!

Happy Halloween!

 -Courtney in London