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Au Pairs Celebrate Flag Day

Global Awareness celebrates Flag Day with a Flag Day competition.  Au Pairs were asked to submit their creative expression of their country’s flag.  We had so many wonderful entries.  I’d like to say a big thank you to Hollie Cottrell for her entry.Holly, UK And though she didn’t take a prize, she put a huge smile on my face for taking the time and patience to make such a beautiful flag/cake!  Yum. 

 We are so proud of our talented au pairs!

 

First Place ~ Sabine Formanek, Austria

Second place ~ Lena Petelko, Ukraine

Ukraine, Olena Petelko

Third Place ~ Mia Ng, MalaysiaMalaysia, Mia

     

 

Flag Day promotes International Team Work!

The best team prize went to :  Nitzan Dorenboim, Israel and Freddy Eixner, Germany ~ see how they made a German/Israeli flag out of cupcakes!

For the history of Flag Day and what it’s all about go to:  http://www.usflag.org/flag.day.html

Drive Safely in the Rain!

 

We’ve had a lot of rain on the Shoreline, and driving can be very dangerous!  If possible, stay in!  But if you must go out, please pay attention to these driving safety tips:

1. Keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times! Keep all distractions, such as cell phones or even the radio, off and away from you. It is illegal to talk or text on your cell phone while driving!

2. Turn on your headlights.  This will make it easier for you to see what is in front of you; thus, preventing any accidents.

3. Keep a minimum of a good five car length from the car in front of you. You never know what other drivers are going to do or what could happen to you! If that feels too close or too far a rule of thumb is 1 second of following distance per 10 miles per hour. That holds true especially in bad weather.

4. Drive at or below the speed limit to the extent that you are comfortable with, and can see far enough in front of you to appropriately make driving decisions..

5. Be aware of hydroplaning. This is where your vehicle travels on top of the water and has NO or very little contact with the ground. Your traction is reduced significantly. To safely get out of a hydroplaning situation let off the gas and steer straight or slightly in the direction you must go. Do not make sudden motions and remain calm.

6. Avoid flooded roads. Never drive through standing or flowing water in a road way unless you have no choice or you are able to follow someone else to judge the depth of the water. Flooding the engine of your car can cause the engine to stall, and deep water can actually float your car and take it off the roadway.

7. Turn on the defroster if the windshield begins to fog. In hot, muggy weather, air conditioned air (which cannot contain as much moisture) will usually clear the inside of the windshield faster than non air conditioned.

8. Be aware that brakes can be affected by water. Wet drum type brakes are especially prone to decreased stopping power after driving through deep water.

9. Watch for splashing from potholes and pools of water that accumulate at clogged storm drain pipes and low areas of the pavement. Highways also develop “ruts” where the heaviest traffic tracks, and you may be able to position your vehicle while remaining in your lane to avoid these.

10. Beware of driving in the rain, especially at night. Motorcycles or even other dark-colored cars can be camouflaged amongst glistening raindrops on side windows and mirrors. It’s best to have a light colored car that isn’t easily camouflaged in the night.

Learning how to bellydance!

Our May cluster meeting for a “first” for all!  Karla, one of our wonderful au pairs, taught us how to bellydance.  Let me tell you, it is not easy.  The moves for the lower part of the body are difficult in themselves but add the upper body, scarves, and finger chimes to the mix, and we were in awe of Karla’s accomplishment with the age-old art.  Take a look!

Corinna’s mom was visiting so she joined in the fun!  What a great sport!Karla, Bellydancing, 2Karla, Bellydancing

Make a Bird Feeder with Host Children

Recycle a soda bottle into a bird feeder.  Some inexpensive wood spoons, bird seed, a cord to hang it with and a tree to hang it in is all you need.

 

Then you and the host kids can watch the birds flock to the feeder!   Have the kids color pictures of the birds that visit.  Take photos, too.  Identify the birds and keep a little photo album of the birds that visit your feeder

May 5: Tacos for Cinco de Mayo

Kid Friendly Tacos

    taco-truck-lunches-medMake lunch a fiesta by turning tonight’s leftovers into tomorrow’s tacos. With a simple make-your-own taco seasoning recipe, you can easily flavor meat from tonight’s dinner and add a variety of toppings on a tortilla. Who needs taco trucks parked in the nearby lots when you can make your own tasty tacos?

Taco Seasoning Recipe
Start with this easy taco seasoning, and add it to the meat of your choosing! The seasoning will store for up to six weeks in an airtight container, so you can make multiple batches.

Makes about 3/4 cup

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup chili powder
1/4  cup salt
3 tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon paprika (use smoked paprika for deeper flavor)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Meat, fish or beans

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Whisk together all ingredients and transfer to an airtight container.
  2. Add two tablespoons (or to taste) of taco seasoning and 2-3 tablespoons water per pound of meat, fish or beans. Stir to combine; simmer 5 minutes.

Taco Lunch Inspiration
Now comes the fun part. Use your seasoned leftovers and try some of these delicious combinations, which include adult and kid-friendly options.

Chicken

  • Adult Option: Combine mashed black beans, shredded grilled chicken, grilled red pepper slices, diced tomatoes, pickled jalapeño slices, sliced green onions, salsa and sour cream on a flour tortilla.
  • Kid-friendly Option: Season ground chicken and spoon it into a crunchy taco shell. Top it with a dollop of queso, shredded lettuce and salsa.

Pork

  • Adult Option: Lay pork on a warm tortilla and top with grilled pineapple slices, diced red onion, cilantro leaves and canned chipotles in adobo sauce mixed with sour cream.
  • Kid-friendly Option: Line a tortilla with sliced pork, and top with shredded pepper jack and cheddar cheese, diced avocado and orange sections.

Beans

  • Adult Option: Mix leftover white rice and black beans with chopped green chiles and taco seasoning. Top with greens, salsa, shredded pepper jack cheese and a squeeze of lime in a flour tortilla.
  • Kid-friendly Option: Heap refried beans mixed with a pinch of taco seasoning onto a crunchy taco shell and top with guacamole, shredded cheddar, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, sour cream and sliced olives.

Fish

  • Adult Option: Use leftover mahi-mahi, tilapia, or any favorite fish and top with shredded Napa cabbage, tomatillo salsa, sliced avocado, minced fresh cilantro and lime juice in a warm flour tortilla.
  • Kid-friendly Option: Stack a couple breaded fish sticks in a flour tortilla or a crunchy taco shell. Top with shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream seasoned with a pinch of taco seasoning and a squeeze of lime.

Tip: Eat tacos on the go! Season the meat the night before and build the ingredients in a portable container, and refrigerate overnight. Put tortillas in a plastic bag. In the morning, pack it all, with a spoon, in an insulated lunch box. You’ll have a portable taco truck at your desk or in the lunch room!

Happy New Year, Thailand!

Songkran-2013-Thailand-New-YearSongkran 2013 Dates

When: 13th – 15th April, 2013
Where: Thailand

Water Festival in Thailand (Songkran) –
You will get wet on the 13th of April – if you happen to be in Thailand. It’s a given that you won’t escape the water pistols, the water balloons and buckets of water as the Thais celebrate Songkran, the Thai New Year. Songkran festival is also known as Thailand Water Festival!

‘Songkran’ (from the Sanskrit word Sankranti, signifying the sun’s shift from one zodiac to another) heralds the beginning of the solar year and is the most important festival for the people of Thailand. The festival is celebrated over three days, ‘Mahasongkran’ on the 13th of April marks the end of the old year, Wan Nao (14th April) is the day after and April 15 is Wan Thaloeng Sok when the New Year begins. Sonkgran is akin to the Indian festival of Holi and the Chinese festival of Ching Ming. Though it is celebrated all over Thailand, it is in Chiang Mai that the Thais hold the very important ritual of bathing the Buddha and people from all over come to be witness to this event.

On Thailand New Year’s Day, people in Thailand say prayers to the Buddha, clean temples and houses, offer alms to the monks and sprinkle scented water on elders as a mark of respect. The pouring of water is symbolic of the cleansing of the spirit, mind and body. The water is also supposed to wash away bad luck – so consider yourself blessed if you get drenched! Happily, Songkran falls during the hottest time of the year and the water is a welcome relief.

Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

 
Eggs on tree, Germany
EASY HARD “BOILED” EGGS: Bake at 325 for 30 minutes. Remove with Chef’s Tongs and place immediately in an ice bath. Same temperature no matter how many eggs you… bake. Easy to peel.TIP: Place eggs on their side (so yolks stay in middle) in a mini muffin pan (so eggs don’t roll all over

 

St Patrick’s Day

“May your thoughts be as glad as shamrocks,
May your heart be as light as song,
May each day bring you bright, happy hours,
That stay with you all the year long.”

St. Patrick’s Day celebrates the Roman Catholic feast day of the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick died on March 17, 461. He was born in Roman Britain. He was kidnapped into slavery and brought to Ireland.  He escaped to a monastery in Gaul (France) and converted to Christianity. He went back to Ireland in 432 as a missionary. While Christianity had already taken hold in the country, tradition has it that Patrick confronted the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan rites, making Christianity more widespread.

Patrick became a bishop and after his death was named Ireland’s patron saint. Celebrations in Ireland were understated though. When the Irish emigrated to the U.S., they created the bigger celebrations and parades known today.  Eighteenth century Irish soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War held the first St. Patrick Day parades. The celebrations became a way for the Irish to connect with their roots after they moved to America.

For those of you brave enough to get through the crowds, take a train to NYC and watch the St Patrick’s Day Parade-lots of fun!

Fun Facts:

  • The shamrock: According to legend St. Patrick used the three leaf clover (or shamrock) to explain the Trinity.
  • Dyeing the river green: The practice of dyeing the river green started in Chicago in 1962, when city officials decided to dye a portion of the Chicago River green.
  • Corn beef and cabbage: This is an Irish American dish. Irish Americans were so poor they could not afford certain meals. On St. Patrick’s Day, the best meal they could afford was beef and cabbage. It became a staple for the holiday.

Kids activities including crafts, printable bookmarks and coloring pages to share with your kids : http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/st_patricks_day.htm