Hogmanay…Danish Style

31 December 2009

Last day of the (rather good, if I say so myself) year. Started the day off with a bit of pampering (long shower with my new bath goodies, mani and pedicure) and double-checked our supplies for the New Year party at my best friend’s house. The kids had friends over to play, DH watched them and I got to nip off to the local shopping centre for a bit of window shopping and a chai-cino at Baresso. And just enjoyed the silence. And being alone – but not lonely 😉 – for a whole hour for the first time in two weeks…

I had a siesta in the afternoon because celebrating New Year in Denmark is a serious business. The celebrations start at 6 o’clock. You watch the Danish Queen “Daisy”‘s speech on the telly, standing up and enjoying a drink.

We had mojitos…cheers! 🙂

The kids (and dads) were desperate to get started with the fireworks, so they went outside to fire off a few as soon as the speech was finished.

The mums got their pinnies on and got going with the starter. This year we decided to let a catering company Gastronomiet supply the food. All we had to do was put it on the plates and take all the credit! 🙂 The grown ups started with this…lobster, champagne sauce, terrine of veggies

And the kids got this…prawns, veggies, vol-au-vents, tomato dip

More fireworks – and a full moon 🙂

Then the second starter for the grown ups…ballotine on ‘gingerbread’, salad, apple relish…absolutely delicious! 🙂

And the kids’ second starter…chicken meatball, chicken, veggies, bacon crumble, apple relish

Then it was time for a few more fireworks so the dads went out while the mums washed up 😉 and got the main course ready. The grown ups got…medallions of beef, potatoes/beetroot chips, green cabbage salad with cranberries – also yum!

The kids woolfed down chorizo sausages, small steaks and potato wedges

And you’re not interested in our dessert, are you?? Mazarin/blueberry cake, cherry pannacotta, vanilla icecream with crushed macaroons and mint sauce – double yum! 🙂

The kids loved theirs…chocolate brownies, icecream and fresh strawberry sauce

We put on some good music, chatted and, before we knew it, it was time to ‘jump’ into the New Year. Pick your chair! 😉

As soon as we heard the first chimes of the clock from Copenhagen’s townhall, we jumped, hugged, kissed and opened the champagne. Then we all piled outside (goggles on, champagne in hand) for the grand finale of fireworks. It lasted over 30 minutes 🙂

Then we warmed up again with hot coffee and kransekage (marcipan cake) before finishing off the champers…

Finally got to bed at about 2.30am. So all that’s left for me to do is to say “Happy New Year”! Thanks for following the blog and look forward to seeing you all again in 2010! 🙂