Monthly Archives: October 2013

Red Sox Win the World Series!

Loyal Red Sox fans in the DC area and around America are celebrating this morning, along with the fans in Boston who are marking that accomplishment in their home field for the first time since 1918.!  This city deserves this great joy after the tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombing!  CONGRATULATIONS!!!

“…more than six months after the terrorist attack and subsequent manhunt that briefly paralyzed Boston, the message … jubilant Red Sox fans converged on the marathon finish line on Boylston Street — the site of the attacks — to celebrate their team’s World Series win over St. Louis, some even bending down to kiss the pavement.”  Boston Globe says, “It was a moment that defined what this World Series championship meant: the crowning achievement of a team’s rise from the ashes of last year’s lost season, and a city’s rise from its darkest hours last April.”

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What is the World Series? Wikipedia says: The World Series is the annual championship series of North American-based Major League Baseball (MLB), played since 1903 between the American League (AL) and National League (NL) team champions. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and the winning team is awarded the Commissioner’s Trophy.[

It is played each Fall and is a very important sports championship event for baseball fans in  America …as advertisers have said “…as American as hot dogs, baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet”.

What is baseball? To understand the game of baseball and its importance to many Americans click here for an article on Baseball in America: A History.

Tasty Treats to Make With Pumpkin – Part 3: Savory

With sugar everywhere for Halloween, let’s try some more savory pumpkin recipes!

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But, do you believe there are 100 ways to cook a pumpkin?  Well click here to see it for yourself from the website called EndlessSummer.com

For my culinary-minded Au Pair followers, here are some simple, savory recipes after all the sweet treats of Halloween last night…

Curry Pumpkin Soup

From the Food Network: Tortellini with Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce

A twist on an international favorite: Pumpkin Queso Fundido

Servc this Spicy Pumpkin Dip (like a humus) with pita chips!

And this sounds AMAZING to make with your kids: Pumpkin French Toast for breakfast.

Alas, November is here.  So, time to start looking ahead to sharing All-American favorites for Au Pairs to try in my Thanksgiving series 🙂

Victoria

DC Region of Au Pair in America – Scavenger Hunt at the National Zoo on Sunday, October 27, 2013

What aau pair and panda 2n incredible day at the Zoo! Sun was shining, temperatures were great, the zoo was decorated for Halloween…Camila and Claire

Approximately 30o Au Pairs from all around the DC area and their 15 Community Counselors gathered on Lion/Tiger Hill early Sunday to participate in the first-ever DC Regional Scavenger Hunt at the National Zoo!

Each Au Pair team of 10, sought out specific animals as specified on a bingo card. All Au Pairs were winners and took home a 6″ Panda bear in honor of the new baby panda born at the National Zoo last month.ZOO

A wonderful day for Au Pairs and Counselors alike!

Victoria and group and pandas 2Ann and group and pandasLisaElephantPat and groupDiane and group and pandasEverybody ready for huntSigning in on cluster rosterFernanda

Tasty Treats to Make With Pumpkin – Part 2: Muffins/Scones

Pumpkin Muffins make great after school snacks or a Saturday morning breakfast treat for you Host Family…

Note: When Americans make many baked goods with pumpkin at this time of year, we use a lot of “pumpkin spice:” which includes nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves etc.

mixing pumpkin

And you can add other ingredients to a pumpkin muffin…

I love chocolate chips, so this recipe is for: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins, using canned pumpkin

Moist Pumpkin Protein Muffins

Pumpkin Apple Muffins

From a fantastic website called “Cooking With My Kids” lots of great recipes for all kinds of food you can make with the children in your home…Best Ever Pumpkin Muffins

As my family is from Scotland, I cannot help but add a Scottish favorite to be eaten with a cup of tea: Spiced Pumpkin Scones. These are very similar to the ones yPumpkin-Scones-Recipe-2ou see at Starbucks! But are from a site called inspiredtaste.com.

This is all  making me very hungry…I’m heading to the kitchen to try one of these recipes right  now!

Victoria

Tasty Treats to Make With Pumpkin – Part 1: Pumpkin Bread

After you’ve carved a great face or design into your pumpkin,
don’t throw away the “pumpkin pulp” or seeds.
This is a first in a series of recipes using the insides of a pumpkin!
pimpkin bread
#1 Easy to make Pumpkin Bread Recipes:

Wikipedia says: Pumpkin bread is a type of moist quick bread made with pumpkin. The pumpkin can be cooked and softened before being used or simply baked with the bread. Frequent add-ins include nuts, chocolate chips or raisins.

Click here for the recipe from PickYourOwn.org

and here is a recipe from the Food Network

Eggnog Pumpkin Bread with canned pumpkin puree

Eggnog in pumpkin bread sounds delicious…off to try it!

Autumn Outdoor Fun for Au Pairs and Host Families in Montgomery County, Maryland

Corn maze

So many Pre-Halloween Activities in our Area! Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, Hay Rides, Apple Picking and more…

  • MNCPPC Agricultural History Farm Park – Harvest Festival with hayrides, old-time games, music, crafts, sheep dog demonstrations, food
    18400 Muncaster Mill Road, Derwood, MD. Phone: 301-721-0312. Open: October 6th and 7th (in 2007) from 11 am to 4 pm. Cclick the link to their website for later years dates. Admission is $5 per car. There is no pumpkin patch on the property and hayrides are not given days other than for the Harvest Festival. The Farm Park is open to the public to explore the historical farm site.
  • Butler’s Orchard – pumpkin patch, 1-acre corn maze, straw maze, pumpkin coach, pony rides and more
    22200 Davis Mill Road, Germantown, MD. Phone: 301-972-3299. the pumpkin patch is open Tuesday to Friday for Pumpkin Harvest Days. the farm market is open Tuesday through Sunday. Open for Harvest Days, Tuesdays-Fridays, 9:30-5 pm; Pumpkin Festival, 10 am to 5 pm (weekends and Columbus Day, October). Admission (in 2006) is $9/person for weekend pumpkin festivals (under 2 is FREE).  Directions and map.   Evening hayrides May to December. Click here for the events calendar. Credit cards accepted. Click here for current hours and crops that are ready!
  • Gazebo Garden Center and Nursery – pumpkins, a pumpkin and straw mountain.
    13101 Clopper Rd., Germantown, MD. Phone: 301-972-1010. Through October 20, Open: Monday through Saturday 9 to 7, Sundays 10 to 6; October 21-31, Open: Monday through Saturday 9 to 8, Sundays 10 to 7. Free pumpkin patch play area with stuffed cartoon characters.
  • Great Meadows Farm – pumpkins, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, child-sized haybale maze, prepicked produce, restrooms, picnic area, tractor-pulled hay rides, petting zoo
    6901 Annapolis Rock Rd., Woodbine, MD 21702. Phone: 301-253-5038. Email us at: click here. Crops are usually available in September, October, November. Open: We are open by appointment September through November. Payment: Cash, Check. We are a family owned/operated petting farm specializing in pre-k/ special education classes. We have chickens, pigs, horses, sheep, goats, cats, a hay ride, picnic area, and maze. Children can feed and pet the animals, play games, and stay for a picnic lunch. We also do birthday parties and church events.
  • Homestead Farm – Uses integrated pest management practices, pumpkins, Pick-your-own apples, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, tractor-pulled hay rides, Honey from hives on the farm, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, farm animals, school tours
    15604 Sugarland Road, Poolesville, MD 20837. Phone: 301-977-3761. Email: Click here for a map and directions. Check our website for approximate harvest dates and other information. We use integrated pest management practices. Payment: Cash, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover. (UPDATED: May 04, 2010)
    Comments from a visitor, May 28, 2008: “My friends and I go to homestead farm (Poolesville, MD) every year for Apple and Pumpkin picking. This is the first year that we are going to do Strawberries. They have their own canned goods and cider, hayrides, and fun activities for the kids in summer and autumn.  It’s an easy ride outside of DC or from VA (and no, there are NO farms in DC to have any PYO). I love your site! thank you for your VERY valuable service! 🙂 “
  • Norman’s Farm Market – Minimizes chemical and pesticide use, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field,
    Jones Mill Road and East-west Highway, Chevy Chase, MD 20815. Phone: 301-674-9929. Email: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: See website for directions. Click here for a map and directions. We minimize use of pesticides and other chemicals. Payment: Cash, Check, Debit cards, Visa/MasterCard, Discover, AmEx. (ADDED: February 26, 2010)
  • Phillips Farm – pumpkin patch, free hayrides, petting zoo, weekend pony rides
    13710 Schaeffer Road, Germantown. Phone: 301-540-2364. Email: Fried Green Tomatoes, Marinated Fried Green Tomatoes, Grilled Sweet Corn, Taste of Summer Salad, Stuffed Pattypan Squash.
  • Pirate Adventure Corn Maze – pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, Fall festival, corn maze, haunted corn maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, wagon rides, haunted house, haunted rides, haunted trail, snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area, Bouncy castle or moon bounce, pony rides, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
    19000 Darnestown Road, Beallesville, MD 20839. Phone: 301-948-3141. Alternate Phone: 240-994-6479. Email: Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Check out our website for directions. Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, only. This unique pirate themed corn maze is 5 acres and features hay rides, treasure hunts, food, games, and more.
    (ADDED: October 27, 2009)
  • Rock Hill Orchard – Apples, beans, blackberries, cherries, flowers, pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkin patch-pick in the field, pumpkin patch- already gathered from the field, prepicked produce, tractor-pulled hay rides
    28600 Ridge Road, Mount Airy, MD 21771. Phone: 301-831-7427 And for a map to our farm, click here. Crops are usually available in June, July, August, September, October. Open: Late April through October each day 9am-5pm. Open for pick your own June through October. Call for specific dates and times. Payment: Cash, Check, Visa/MasterCard. pick your own tart cherries.
  • Rockville Flower & Garden Spot – straw maze, straw mountain, petting zoo, pony rides
    Mid-Pike Plaza Shopping Center, 11800B Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD. Phone: 301-984-3565 or 301-294-6800. Open: Through October 20, Monday-Saturday 9 to 7, Sundays 10 to 6; October 21-31, open Monday-Saturday 9 to 9, Sundays 10 to 7. Free Pumpkinville Festival takes place daily through October 31. Kids can play on a straw mountain and walk through a free, 300-foot straw maze decorated with stuffed cartoon characters. For additional fees October 21, 22 and 29, pony rides, moon bounces and other children’s activities. The Haunted Trail of Terror, an electronic walk-through attraction for ages 10 and older, additional fee required, is open Saturdays and Sundays in October.

Thanks to Pumpkinpatchesandmore.org for this abundance of information!