Author Archives: Terry Sweeney

NATIONAL HAMBURGER DAY – May 28

 

NATIONAL HAMBURGER DAY

National Hamburger Day is celebrated each year on May 28.  This day is set aside to honor a classic sandwich, the hamburger.  National Hamburger Day is part of National Hamburger Month.


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For Some Fun Hamburger Trivia See: http://www.foodreference.com/html/fhamburgers.html

It is most likely that the hamburger first appeared in the 19th or early 20th centuries and there is much controversy over it’s origin.  The true origin might not ever be identified with certainty.  Over the years, the hamburger has become a culinary icon in the United States.

From early on, the hamburger was prepared with all of the now typically characteristic trimmings. including onions, lettuce and pickles.

Since the beginning, many different variants of the hamburger have been created, some of which have become very popular.  Much of this diversity comes from restaurant chains that have tried to reproduce the success of other very famous and extremely successful hamburger chains.

NATIONAL BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE DAY – May 26

NATIONAL BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE DAY
(this is an unofficial holiday…)

National Blueberry Cheesecake Day May 26

Each year on May 26, people across the United States, celebrate and enjoy National Blueberry Cheesecake Day.

Cheesecake is a sweet dessert that is a mixture of soft fresh cheese, cream cheese or cottage cheese, eggs and sugar on a crust made from crushed graham crackers, crushed cookies, pastry or sponge cake. Cheesecakes can be prepared baked or unbaked and are often served topped with fruit, chocolate or whipped cream.  There are many flavors in which cheesecakes can be prepared however this day honors the Blueberry Cheesecake.

CELEBRATE:

Enjoy a blueberry cheesecake at your favorite restaurant.  Make your own blueberry cheesecake from your own recipe our from one of the “tried and true” recipes:

Post photos of your celebration on social media using #BlueberryCheesecakeDay.

Memorial Day – Monday, May 25th

Memorial Day

Memorial Day was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states then others followed. It is now celebrated nationwide each year on the last Monday in May.  On Memorial Day weekend people visit cemeteries to honor those who have died in military service, placing flowers and American flags on graves and in parks. 

This holiday weekend is also known for family gatherings, trips to the beach and participation in parades. For many Americans memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer.  Families enjoy picnics or barbecues and open the swimming pool for the summer season.  Typical Memorial Day food includes hamburgers, fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, grilled meats and all sorts of pies.

Children can be a part of Memorial Day too.  Here are some links to children’s activities:

http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdykws.htm

http://sunniebunniezz.com/puzzles/memdymcr.htm

http://www.usmemorialday.org/activities/flag/index.htm

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”  ~Maya Angelou 

Celebrate Mother’s Day this Sunday May 10th

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Mother’s Day ~  Celebrated  the Second Sunday in May

Did you know? The first Mother’s Day was May 10, 1908 in Philadelphia.  Everybody has a mother and absolutely no one is more special than mom. Mother’s Day is a wonderful day for celebrating the women who helped raise us and turned us into independent, successful adults. They’ve been there for us over and over again, from taking care of our every need in infancy to keeping food on the table, clothes on our back and a roof over our head. Often taken for granted, they are always our strongest supporter and our biggest fan!  You can’t do wrong in Mom’s eyes. When you are hurt, or not feeling well…there is no one else that can help you more than Mom.

Here’s the real secret of Mother’s Day: It’s not the expense of the gift that really matters but the thought and time spent on the gift that counts.  Having said that what most moms truly cherish the most though is your time.  The gift of time is the most precious gift you can give.  If you absolutely can not be there, take time for a long phone call. Flowers, cards, candy and gifts are all part of the day but a sincere heartfelt “Thank you Mom” goes a very long way.

For some cute ideas to do with your children in preparation for Mother’s Day check out this website:  http://www.pinterest.com/aupairinamerica/mother-s-day/

May Day Breakfasts – A Rhode Island Tradition

It’s time again for the unique Rhode Island tradition of May breakfasts. On May 1, which is May Day – often on the first Saturday in May – these spring breakfasts are held in church halls, fire stations, community centers and grange halls – a tradition that dates back to 1867 when the first May breakfast was held.

Golden yolked eggs served sunnyside up, pancakes dripping with maple syrup, decadent crispy bacon… no one can deny the allure of breakfast food. Rhode Islanders love morning munchies so much that we have a special May tradition specifically dedicated to the first meal of the day. This month, party with fellow breakfast lovers while supporting a number of good causes at any one of these May Breakfast events.

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A complete listing of May breakfasts in Rhode Island can be found at www.quahog.org.

Today is King’s Day in the Netherlands

Today the Dutch celebrated King’s Day (formerly known as Queen’s Day).  The Netherlands turned out in orange today and the famed national football team wasn’t even playing. Monarch Willem-Alexander turned 48 and the whole country celebrated King’s Day.

Each year the monarch goes to a different city to set off a full day of celebrations, this year under sunny skies, among thousands of well-wishers in orange-colored outfits.

The celebrations end with hundreds of evening parties across the nation of 16.8 million. The highlight of the daytime celebrations were an armada of pleasure boats going down the river as Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and their three daughters were taken around in a vessel turned out with orange flowers.

Celebrating the monarch’s anniversary has been a tradition for several generations in the Netherlands.

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In Amsterdam boats crammed the famed canals to join the party to honor the king.

Promoting Au Pair in America

IMG_6315My little helper joined me at the East Bay Chamber Merchant Fair at Kickemuit Middle School in Warren, RI.  There was a hot air balloon, face painting, a balloon man and lots of booths from local vendors.  A great event and we met a ton of great new potential families!

Easter

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Celebrating Easter 

Easter Sunday is this Sunday, April 5th.  It is celebrated throughout the world by the followers of Christian community. It is believed that this was the day when Christ resurrected after crucifixion. This day is of great significance in the Christian community. 

Church services and festive celebrations blend together during the Easter weekend. On Easter Sunday in New York and other cities, large Easter parades are held.   The popular trend of Easter symbols such as the Easter bunny and egg tree were introduced to the American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. Gradually American people took to crafts such as egg and Easter tree decoration. Easter in the United States is also a time to enjoy special Easter foods such as baked ham, potatoes and vegetables. Several special recipes are made at each home. Easter parties are also organized where traditional Easter delicacies are served and people enjoy wonderful get together along with Easter games and music. 

Check out Easter crafts and Activities on the Au Pair in America Pinterest page https://www.pinterest.com/aupairinamerica/hop-into-easter

 

March Cluster Meeting – Making Healing Hand Cream

PicMonkey CollageAt this month’s cluster meeting we had a guest who taught a class on how to make your own healing hand cream.  The au pairs were taught how they can treat the children’s scrapes and bumps by using these creams. We all enjoyed the different smells and sampled a variety of essential oils as well as ingredients that make up the base of the cream like coconut, beeswax, and jojoba.  At the end of the class the au pairs went home with 2 jars of cream and a salve!