Tuesday evening and two days since we got back from one of the best vacations I have ever had. We went to Costa Rica and stayed at an All Inclusive Resort, RIU Cunacaste. If you had told me a year ago that we would do that I would have said No way. It was sooo great! Relaxing and good in every way. Super hot every day and the food was totally acceptable. Lots of fruit. Papaya, Mango, Pineapple, Bananas plus so much more and super fresh. The girls had a great time as well. We went with another family with kids the same ages.
What about my cafe' you are thinking...Our staff took good care of everything. I had prepped as much as possible of course but they really did an awesome job! Thanks guys if you read this!
The picture is taken right before we started the mandatory zip lining. It was fun. Not super scary but a bit weird to send your 9 year old daughter away flying upside down high up in the air!
Beaches Bakeshop & Cafe' is continuing selling semlabuns a couple of more weeks. We will add Hot Cross buns this weekend and have them until Easter as well. The recipe for the carrot cake I made a few weeks ago will be posted- I promise, Anne!!
Ok, have to print some recipe booklet for a cooking class!! No Rest! We are also starting to renovate!!! I will get a new kitchen!!! Long way till it's done but very exciting!! I'll keep you up to date on that progress as well!

Really time for an update. Can't believe it's 2 months since the last one...
Olympics 2010 in Vancouver, BC was a big hit and Canada got more medal, golds in particular, than anyone ever before. Congrats to Canada.
Beaches Bakeshop & Cafe' is chugging along with really busy days and some not super busy. I am now making a really good carrot cake. Never thought I'd make that but I kind of like it. Lots of carrots, crushed pineapple and pecans. I am not a big fan of walnuts. I might omit the nuts completely actually. The article I have posted here is from a magazine called Local. It is what the name says a local magazine. Very well written articles and we have had lots of customers commenting on it. A new cafe opened down the street this week. I have not been in yet but I am telling myself that competition is great. The more the merrier and so on...Welcome new neighbours!!
Well, this was just a short update this morning- have to get ready and take on today. It's going to be a great one!!
Let me know you were here!

God Morning!!
A Saturday morning in mid January and it's cold outside. For once it is even colder in Europe and Sweden than here in Toronto. It is 6.38am and a big part of the family is on their way to Collingwood skiing. Can't believe how easy it is for Mark, Sigrid and Pippi to get up superearly when skiing is on the agenda. ASk them to get up on time any day of the week and it is a like scratching nails on a blackboard- a painful process!! But this morning they were all ready and out at 6am! I am sitting here sipping tea and contemplating my day ahead with Jojo and the cafe'. First heading to the St. Lawrence Market of course.
I think it's time to make semla buns at the cafe' as well! I wonder if cafe's in Sweden has started already?? Have to call someone and ask. This past week has been a pretty slow one and as usual that makes me restless! We try to make the most odf it and take care of things that were neglected during busier times. Don't know how well i did at that do. It is so easy to slip in to a slower mode all around and I don't like that- HAVE TO STAY FOCUSED! Our regular customers are great though, they show up and brighten our days- Thanks!!
Did I mention my iphone? Yeah, I did but it's worth mentioning again- I love it! Last night I downloaded the SKYPE application! How cool is that?? Now I guess I can call my friends all over the place for free as long as they have a SKYPE account! It should be free to call iphone to iphone! I could call Sissi in NYC all the time!!
On February 2nd we have scheduled our premier "Tuesday Lunch FOOD TALK". I am really excited about it. 10 lunchguests at the cafe' chatting about a common interest- FOOD! What little tricks do you want to share?? I will show how to treat Quinoa, file' orange and grapefruit and probably some other little fun things. Show the difference in intensity of spices if you grind them as you go compared to buying already ground. Have any other suggestions? I'll keep you posted about how it went but I am sure it'll be great! We already have 5 people signed up!
Ok, have to wake up Jojo and head to the market in the freezing cold! Stay warm and in touch! Let me know you stopped by!