Yearly Archives: 2022

Around the World in 80 Days – Hahnchenschnitzel

Breaded Chicken (‘Hähnchenschnitzel’) – Germany

 Amount depends on how many Schnitzel you want to make.

  • Chicken breast 
  • Flour
  • Egg
  • Milk
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Oil

Mix the eggs with a splash of milk and stir it. Put flour on a plate, bread crumbs on another plate and the egg-milk-mixture on a deep plate (or a large bowl). Then dredge the chicken breast in the flour, dip it in the egg-milk-mixture (and allow it to drip off for a few seconds) until you bread the chicken breast with the bread crumbs.

Put (lots of) oil in a pan, heat it and put the breaded chicken breast in the pan. Fry the chicken breast on each side (it literally has to swim in the oil) and turn them. A perfect Schnitzel is golden brown and often served with a lemon slice. Before serving, put the chicken breast in a paper towel to drain the oil off.

Photo by: WordRidden {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Norway

NORWAY

Europe
Capital: Oslo
Languages: Bokmal Norwegian, Nynorsk Norwegian, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities

Diet

  • Most young people in Norway eat meat.
  • Vegetarianism is not common.
  • The typical diet in Norway includes seafood, meat, dairy and fruits.

Religion

  • The most common religion in Norway is Lutheran.
  • Most young people in Norway do not practice their religion regularly.

Education

  • Approximately 50% of young women continue their studies at university.
  • Those who do not attend university study in professional schools, or work in offices or retail stores.
  • The academic year in Norway starts in August and ends in June.
  • University is free is Norway. The most important educational opportunity is to improve their English.

Famous Things:

Norway is famous for it’s fjords and the northern lights! No where else can match Norway on the fjord front – there are more than a thousand of them dotting the country’s coastline. Most people visit at least one, but it’s worth trying to visit classics like Lysefjord and Hardangerfjord (home to the Trolltunga rock formation). No trip to northern Norway would be complete without spotting the northern lights. You can see the aurora pretty much anywhere in the central or northern parts of the country, as long as the weather is good.

Photos by: Patrick Nouhailler {flickr}; Gunnar Hildonen {flicker}

Around the World in 80 Days – Spanish Shrimp & Rice

Spanish Shrimp and Rice: 

Ingredients:  

  • 3 tablespoon olive oil 
  • 2 cloves garlic 
  • 1 small onion (chopped) 
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric 
  • 1 medium tomato (chopped) 
  • 1 small carrot (diced) 
  • ½ red pepper (diced) 
  • 1 lb. of shrimp 
  • 1 ½ cup converted rice 
  • 1 tablespoon parsley 
  • ½ cup peas 

Instructions: 

  1. Heat oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, turmeric and cook for about 3 minutes. 
  2. Add tomato, carrot, and bell pepper and cook until tender.
  3. Add ¾ teaspoon of salt and pepper and shrimp. Cook for about 1 minute.
  4. Add 2 cups of water, rice, ½ tablespoon of parsley and bring to a boil.
  5. Lower heat to medium low, and cover skillet for about 15-20 minutes.
  6. Add remaining parsley and ½ peas and cover skillet for 5 minutes.
  7. Fluff rice and serve. 

Photo by: www.bluewaikiki.com {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND 

Oceania
Capital: Wellington
Languages: English, Māori

Au Pairs in General

  • The idea of being an au pair is not well-known in New Zealand.
  • Applicants from New Zealand are motivated by cultural curiosity.
  • The job potential of an au pair improves upon her return to New Zealand.
  • Applicants do not have difficulty affording the program fees.
  • Young people in New Zealand have the freedom of their family to socialize and date.
  • Curfews are not common.
  • Young women are accustomed to sharing in household chores.
  • The people of New Zealand describe themselves as reserved, friendly, and hard working.
  • Others may consider New Zealanders’ style of communication confrontational. This stylistic  cultural difference should be taken into consideration when they are encouraged to speak their mind.
  • The academic year in New Zealand starts in February and ends in November.

Photos by: Pedro Szekely {flickr}, John Fowler {flickr}, Bernard Spragg NZ {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Netherlands

NETHERLANDS

Western Europe
Capital: Amsterdam
Languages: Dutch, regional languages
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Dutch applicants are open and down to earth.
  • They are hard workers.
  • They are polite, friendly and social.

FUN FACTS:

  • The colors of the Dutch flag are red, white, and blue. Red stands for the people, white for  the church, and blue for nobility.
  • Dutch people are on average the tallest people in the world. (Women 5 ft 7 and men 6 ft).
  • The total length of all roads together in the Netherlands is 132,397 km. That’s about four times around the world!

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             Hoe gaat het?
  • Fine, thanks.               Goed, dank je wel.
  • My name is…              Mijn naam is…
  • Nice to meet you.        Leuk je te ontmoeten.
  • Thank you.                  Dank je wel.

“It’s a life changing experience. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about everything I’ve learned, all the amazing times I spent with friends and family and all the people I met. Being an Au Pair in America is my story of success so far – more are to come!” – Jodie – au pair from the Netherlands

Photo by Crash71100 {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Polish Chrusciki

Polish Chruściki (Angel Wings) Recipe:  

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of flour 
  • 4 egg yolks 
  • Pinch of salt 
  • Small spoonful of vinegar 
  • 2 tablespoon of sour cream 
  • Oil for frying 

Instructions: 

  1. Mix flour, egg yolks, salt, vinegar and sour cream. 
  2. Beat the dough with a rolling pin once ingredients come together. 
  3. Roll the dough as thin as possible
  4. Fry pieces in deep oil.  

Photo by: Blazej Pieczynski {flickr}

Around the World in 80 Days – Brazilian Lemonade

Let’s get cooled off with some Brazilian Lemonade!

Brazilian Lemonade Recipe

Ingredients: 

  • 4 juicy limes
  • 4 cups cold water 
  • 1 can sweet condensed milk 
  • Ice 

Instructions: 

  1. Wash your limes and peel two of them. Cut them into 8 wedges and remove the white pith.
  2. Combine the lime wedges and water in your blender and pulse for a few seconds (10  seconds maximum). 
  3. Strain the juice through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the pulp to extract all the juice.
  4. Return the liquid to the blender and add the sweet condensed milk. Blend until creamy and frothy. 
  5. Serve immediately with ice!

And there you have it — Brazilian lemonade!

Camp Au Pair – Let’s Go Outside

Let’s get our creative hats on! This week we have a variety of creative outdoor activities! Whether you are walking in the woods or in your own neighborhood, we can have all kinds of fun together!

Feeling creative? Check out the Au Pair in America Pinterest boards for some great ideas to get you started!

Field Trips:

Due to COVID19, please discuss any field trip options as a family and decide if this is an activity you are comfortable participating in before heading out!

Annmarie Garden :

Enchanted Summer at the Garden

Through September 5, 2022

Enjoy a safe, outdoor, engaging experience during Annmarie’s Enchanted Summer at the Garden!  You will find a variety of low-touch, no-touch fun along the trails and paths of the Sculpture Garden.  Grab your bug spray, pack a picnic blanket or chairs, and spend your summer with us! Admission.

During the Enchanted Summer, daily visitors can:

-Explore the galleries

-Search for over 100 fairy houses

-Play in the Fairy Lolly nature play space

-Build your own fairy house in the forest

-Search for gems and fossils at the Fairy Grove Mining sluice (additional fees apply)

-Try the Wild Rumpus Run

-Enjoy unique photo ops along the trail

-Find the hidden Dragons Nest

-Search for the hidden tree pop paintings

-Pack a picnic to enjoy in the park or enjoy our Food Truck Fridays

-Create your own artwork in the artLAB creative reuse studio

-Enjoy the sculpture throughout the park, including the Creature in the Garden exhibit

Gold Petal Farm:

Goldpetal Farm is Southern Maryland’s ONLY living maze. We design, plant and manage two unique mazes, providing about six weeks of beauty, nature and family fun. Admission.

Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum:

Explore the grounds, trails, Indian Village and more of Jefferson Patterson Park! The grounds and outdoor facilities are open. Enjoy 560 Scenic acres along the Patuxent River in Calvert County, more than 65 identified archaeological sites! Check out the Visitor Center full of interactive exhibits, enjoy the trails, the educational programs or exhibits, find the beach areas, the hidden playground and so much more! No admission.

 

Books:

 

Photo credit: Chalk art – Walter {Flickr}; Sach1tb {Flickr}; Cynthia Chan

Around the World in 80 Days – Mexico

MEXICO 

North America
Capital: Mexico City
Languages: Spanish
Predominant Religion(s): Christianity (Catholic)

COMMON CHARACTERISTICS:

  • Mexican people describe themselves as hospitable, family oriented and warm.
  • Most Mexicans have very strong family ties.
  • Tradition, culture and Mexican food are very important for Mexicans.

FUN FACTS:

  • Mexico is the 14th largest country in the world!
  • The Aztecs used cacao seeds as a form of currency.
  • The world’s largest pyramid is in… Mexico!

USEFUL PHRASES:

  • How are you?             ¿Cómo estás?
  • Fine, thanks.               Bien, gracias.
  • My name is…              Me llamo / Mi nombre es…
  • Nice to meet you!        ¡Qué gusto conocerte!
  • Thank you.                  Gracias.

 

Around the World in 80 Days – Chinese Children’s Books

Lon Po Po, by Ed Young, is the Chinese version of Little Red Riding Hood.

The Seven Chinese Sisters, by Kathy Tucker, tells the story of six sisters with unique talents who must use them to save the seventh sister after she’s kidnapped by a dragon!

The Seven Chinese Brothers, by Margaret Mahy, is a retelling of the classic Chinese tale about a family of brothers who must work together to triumph over the corrupt emperor.

Dim Sum for Everyone!, by Grace Lin, is about a family with three daughters visiting a restaurant for a meal of dim sum. Childr learn about Chinese culture and traditions.