Wonderful Pictures, Wonderful Gal!

Recently I've seen many posts on the desire for a good photographer and photos. Whether it be for chronicling a pregnancy or celebrating a family gathering, private or professional, we all need good photos, right?

Well, I know this amazing gal and photographer! She has done photos for us on a few occasions and she is just magical. She knows how to connect with her "subjects" and she can use any location to make wonderful memories for years to come.


I've shared a few of our photos from Erin here, but don't just take my word for it, check out her blog: http://www.erineagleman.com/.

Toy library? No way!

Attention all parents and grandparents!! Are you overwhelmed by the extreme abundance of toys in your house? Are most of these aforementioned toys sitting the bench? Rotation is key!

Instead of buying new toys at every single occasion, think about signing up for a toy loan program!!

Here in Saint-Louis we have what's called the Ludothèque - it's a library of toys and games for all ages. All I had to do was sign up and pay a small fee. (A regular membership costs 40 euros). Wonderful!

For more information check out this link:
http://www.saint-louis.fr/index.php/Ludothèque-municipale?idpage=44&afficheMenuContextuel=true

Also new in town (or in the US since the concept has been around the block in Europe and Canada) is online toy borrowing sites. Do an internet search and find one in your area! This, however, costs a LOT more than our local bibliothèque de jeu. Another idea is to start a toy exchange with other parents or grandparents!

I'm sure you will enjoy seeing new, not more, toys around the house too!

CAKE ANYONE??

CAKE! 

American style! Oh yes! Lots of sweet sugary frosting and moist cake! I was so looking forward to my daughter's birthday, not only to experience her joy, but to eat good old American cake! It did not disappoint, it was amazing both inside and out. 

If you are needing a fix or some help arranging dessert for a party or event, look no further than Janet Kissling-Barreto at Jay's Delights! (She delivers too!) 

This is the mouth-dropping masterpiece she created for Anne-Sophie's 2nd birthday (and for my pleasure days after). Yes, order large so you have leftovers! Yum! I can't wait until my birthday because I am definitely ordering my own special treat! 

Just contact Janet at 

http://jaysdelights.com/Jays_Delights/Welcome.html. 

You will not be disappointed AND you are supporting a local "artist"! 

The Ultimate Find: A WEDDING DRESS!

It's a "find" that excites me even to this day! Let you tell you all about how I discovered my wedding dress.

It was a miserable raining day in Vancouver, B.C. (not at all uncommon, mind you) and I was out hunting with a few of my friends. We'd been up and down the street known for wedding dresses - there were millions! But not being the conventional type nor the mass produced liking type I didn't see a thing. We were d.o.n.e and it was still raining! Every step we took landed us in puddles. I really didn't think we would find anything, it just wasn't in the cards. Finally in a really fun area of Vancouver called Gastown we jumped in and out of a few designers shops, plus a few vintage stores. I'm totally into reusing old duds.

From the outside the  shop looked much like all the rest, but it had one good thing going for it, a local designer, Ric Yuenn, made ALL the dresses. It was going to be the final heave-ho and then we'd be done for the day. It had been all so overwhelming. Hmpf- not a single thing!

Then a woman came out from the back and asked what I was looking for. I told her "flower lace". (Imagine how much having one made costs - yikes!) She said she'd have a look in back and WOW she came back out with the dress! She and the designer started talking about how they had made it for someone but that person was no longer interested. Hmmm, the wedding was called off?  I didn't take this as a bad omen, but a wonderful opportunity. It was new but used at the same time and because of this I got a terrific deal on a locally hand-made wedding dress! What a find!

http://ricyuenn.net/

After a long day of wedding fun, here I am resting in my dress.

The Silpat

Hmmmm, I wonder how it took me so long to figure this one out! It's a silpat!! Yep, one of the best creations for the kitchen! It makes finding the right baking paper (which is sometimes a trick in a foreign land) obsolete. It's simply a silicon mat you lay on your baking tray. The best bit is you save money and resources at the same time!

Here she is in action:

I use mine all the time for baking everything from pizza to cookies. Another added bonus is that the silpat indeed bakes goods more evenly than a sheet of paper on a tray. When you're done baking all you need to do is give your silpat a quick wash and, viola, you're ready for your next baking adventure (and some freshly baked yummies).

http://silpat.com/

This is just one of the many kitchen saving tips. Do you have any to share?

What a Resource: Basel Expats

Where can I find ...? Does anyone have...? How do I do....? Would anyone like to buy...? Fill in the blanks and send them off to those who know the answers. First, sign up to the yahoo group "Basel Expats".

Now, I primarily use this group to find out about good deals, but it also is the quickest way to get your question out to as many expats / locals as possible and therefore increases your chances for getting the best advice. Believe me many folks are out there just waiting to help answer your questions.

I'd like to share with you a few questions I had answered within hours of posting:

How do I get my french license? What does that involve?
Does anyone have recommendations for plasters, painter, etc...?
I'm looking for a bike trailer. Anyone looking to sell?

By far the most exciting aspect of this group is the thrill of the hunt! When we first moved into our house (well, even before since it took so long) I was up every morning checking for sales. Our house is now very well furnished with barely used wardrobes, (American) couches, chairs, lamps and wool rugs!

It's a great way to get great deals and help those in transition. When and if you end up moving away or moving this way you can look to Basel Expats for some help.

Pumpkin Festival Sept. 25-6

Don't you just love the changing of the seasons? Next up: FALL! This means harvest - pumpkin harvest!  A local family opens their farm to create a wonderful yearly event and a sale of an extreme amount of pumpkins!

It's the Pumpkin Festival at Mathis Hof in Bottmingen! 


This is not far from Basel and easily accesible by public transport/ car. I have not yet been to the festival, but have heard great things about it! There are many activities for families including a corn maze and pumpkin decorating! You will also be able to purchase eggs, apples and vegetables and much more. 


Check out the schedule and farm online: 
http://www.mathis-hof.ch/kuerbisse.php


It's just a great local way to celebrate the fall!  See you there?