Finally getting around to posting about the new business I've been working on and I'm so excited about… I'm opening up a family "play cafe" in downtown Los Altos called "Bumble." It will be open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and family style dinner seven days a week and we'll have really good coffee and espresso as well as beer, wine and champagne of course :)

Bumble is going in a cute little almost 100 year old cottage on First Street so we had out work cut out for us in the build out… construction started in October but we're putting in a full commercial kitchen, three bathrooms, ADA ramps/doors, new decks and a few fun surprises too! It's going to be a huge transformation for this cottage- one of the original structures downtown where the town librarian used to live (and four blocks from our house!)

You can "like" our page on Facebook to see updates on the process- we hope to open in a few months!

Francie loves the construction and checking out the site- even in PJ's :)

and it's certainly a work in progress- construction takes awhile! This was a picture from a few weeks ago in what will be the Fireside Lounge...

and another one more recent- still a lot of work but we are making progress!

This will be a big, step-down playroom called "Tumble" for kids to play with our staff while parents relax in the cafe lounge. Tumble will be kind of like Brilliant Babies- lots of toys, dress-up, art projects and a great outdoor deck for trikes, gardening and running around.

and this hole in the wall and hole in the ground will be the tranquil adults-only outdoor patio!

Heff is so supportive of my crazy new ventures and never complains about being right there with me through all of the trials of opening a new business- like when the giant crate from Wyoming with a huge antler chandeleir for the Fireplace Lounge came to the house instead- he hauled it by himself on a Sunday morning over to the job site! Thanks Heff :)

These will be the bathrooms- still lots of work to do

and this will be our kitchen dry storage- using every square inch we can in a small cottage

and this will be the kitchen! Can't you see it ;) We wanted a home/cozy feel for the cafe so when you walk in the front door the kitchen is right there on your left. We have a huge island counter tip for bar stools and ordering… hopefully we'll be serving you from it soon!

We have our logo and our little mascot Buzzy Bee (he needs a good name- any ideas?) designed by Alyssa Warnock- we love it!

and we've also been busy scouring the bay area for comfy, unique furniture and decor we can reupholster in Crypton fabric (virtually indestructible and water repellant for those little monsters to eat on!) Kate of Kate Collins Interiors (and a friend from growing up!) has been awesome helping me shop, find, buy and coordinate all of it! She even braved the Alameda Antique Fair in the freezing rain one Sunday while she was on crutches!! Her husband was a good sport to help and they found a few cool pieces for Bumble :) Thanks Kate!

Here is a before and after on a high back settee for the Fireplace Lounge

We've had lots of fun working on the menu- hosting focus groups and tasting parties with chefs at our house! We're working on healthy, locally-sourced, organic DELICIOUS food for kids and adults alike- lots of small bites and finger foods to enjoy while you play with your kids and enjoy the company of other parents.

and working on finding fun, creative and unique ways to serve food without tradition table-tops! The cafe will have more of a lounge feel with couches, comfortable group seating and side tables- kids can play on the floor while you kick back, eat and drink!