Category Archives: Uncategorized

Au Pairs gather for a New Year's Brunch

On January 12th the au pairs in Maralyn’s Cluster got together at their counselor’s home for a brunch to welcome 2014. Prior to socializing and dining on bagels, lox, salad and dessert, everyone gathered for this group photo…12 January brunch - 100dpi

In response to many requests, here’s the recipe for the Cream Cheese Squares dessert:

Cream Cheese Squares

2 packages refrigerator crescent rolls
2 – 8 oz packages cream cheese at room temperature
½ plus ¼ cup sugar
1 egg, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped walnuts
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Grease an 8″ x 12″ or 9″ by 13″ pan. (I use 8″x12″ foil pans for no clean up!)
Line the pan with one package of the rolls, patting the perforations together.
Mix the cream cheese, ½ cup sugar, the egg yolk and vanilla together. Beat until creamy and spread over the rolls.
Top with the second package of rolls, patting the perforations together.

Topping: Beat the egg white until foamy and fluffy. Spread over the top and sprinkle with a mixture of the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon and the nuts.

Bake 25-30 minutes.

This may be put together, refrigerated overnight and baked in the morning or it can be baked when prepared.

Westchester Au Pairs Celebrate Thanksgiving

On November 20th, the Westchester Clusters of Au Pair in America gathered to share an International Thanksgiving dinner. Counselors provided four large roasted turkeys and a variety of beverages and Au Pairs contributed side dishes and desserts for all to share. Working together, we created an amazing feast for the eyes and taste buds in keeping with the tradition of an American Thanksgiving. Everyone there agreed that it was a most delicious dinner and a wonderful way to start off the this year’s Holiday Season. Come share the evening with us…Thanksgiving 2013-2

Here’s the link to the library of photos from the 2013 International Thanksgiving Dinner. All the photos are of high quality for printing:

http://s791.photobucket.com/user/MS-APIA/library/2013%20November%20-%20International%20Thanksgiving%20Dinner

For easy viewing, here’s the link to a slideshow of all the photos from the evening:

http://s791.photobucket.com/user/MS-APIA/slideshow/2013%20November%20-%20International%20Thanksgiving%20Dinner

Westchester Au Pairs Celebrate Summer

Ice Cream Party 2-7Ice Cream Party 9-17Ice Cream Party 27-40

Pizza Party 2Pizza Party 10Pizza Party 12

The Westchester clusters of Au Pair in America launched summer with a sweet and yummy “Make your own Sundae Ice Cream Party” and concluded with a delicious “All You Can Eat Pizza Party.” Such get togethers are not only great fun, they’re provide opportunities for au pairs from around the county to meet, mix, mingle and forge new friendships.

Above are some event photos and below are the direct links to the albums and slideshows for all the photos from these events. All photos are of high quality and may be downloaded and printed.

June Ice Cream Party Album:  http://s791.photobucket.com/user/MS-APIA/library/2013%20June%20-%20Ice%20Cream%20Party

Ice Cream Party Slideshow:  http://s791.photobucket.com/user/MS-APIA/slideshow/2013%20June%20-%20Ice%20Cream%20Party

August Pizza Party Album:  http://s791.photobucket.com/user/MS-APIA/library/2013%20August%20-%20Pizza%20Party

Pizza Party Slideshow:  http://s791.photobucket.com/user/MS-APIA/slideshow/2013%20August%20-%20Pizza%20Party

Au Pair is America is a program of the American Institute for Foreign Study which has a world-renowned reputation for excellence in the field of cultural exchange since 1964.  Au Pair in America (APIA) was established in 1986 to help American families meet their child care needs; it is the first and largest organization of its kind to be designated by the United States Department of State. Today APIA recruits from more than 60 countries and has placed over 84,000 au pairs in  27 years. More than 175 professional community counselors, with an average of 10 years in the program,  provide support services to host families and au pairs in communities throughout the U.S. What do American families think of APIA? 94% of host families would recommend the program to a friend!

Westchester Au Pairs Enjoy a Delicious Holiday Dessert Party

Every December, local au pairs put on their baking caps and create wonderful treats to contribute to the dessert table at the annual Holiday Dessert Party for the Westchester clusters of Au Pair in America. This year, the variety of desserts was extraordinary and it was impossible to choose a favorite. Not that that was necessary as everyone wanted to taste everything!

Here’s the link to the Holiday Dessert Party photo album: http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/2012%20December%20-%20Holiday%20Dessert%20Party/

Westchester Au Pairs Enjoy an American Thanksgiving

On November 14th, the Westchester Clusters of Au Pair in America gathered for an American-style Thanksgiving Dinner that everyone helped to prepare. Counselors provided four very large roast turkeys (excellently carved by Jim) and lots of Apple Cider, and Au Pairs brought an amazing variety of side dishes. The bountiful and delicious feast was enjoyed by eveyone present as witnessed by the following photos:

 

And here’s the link to all the photos from our Thanksgiving dinner: http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/2012%20November%20-%20International%20Thanksgiving%20Dinner/?albumview=slideshow

Sandy is coming — Be prepared!

Do not worry about the hurricane, but it is important to be careful.

• Stay home with your host family during the storm and follow their advice and direction
• Keep your own families at home informed about your location and personal status during/after the storm
• Talk to your host family about any travel plans you or they have for this week and cancel/reschedule
• If you have an emergency during the storm, please call our emergency line 1-973-413-1372

There is a possible hurricane coming this week. Do not be afraid, but it is good to go over emergency procedures with your host parents.

We may lose electricity during the storm. Sometimes it takes a few days to get the power back on. Please know that you will be safe and that your host parents are prepared for these kind of situations. Stay inside in a hurricane and stay together.

Here is a list of things to have on hand in the event of a natural disaster like a hurricane:
• Food and water
• flashlights and batteries
• a battery operated radio
• charge your cell phones before the storm
• cooler and ice for food to be stored
• hand wipes
• a first aide kit
• activities to occupy the children
I hope the storm isn’t too bad, but if you lose electricity, do not worry, it will come back on. Trust your host parents to know what to do and help anyway you can, especially with the kids!
If you have to evacuate with your host families to another location, you must:
Take your important documents. This includes passport, Form DS-2019, Form I-94, Social Security Card, Financial Records, plane ticket, checks, credit cards, etc.)
Take contact numbers and e-mail address of your community counselor
Take SEVP and Department of State contact information. SEVP email address: SEVIS.Source@dhs.gov.; Department of State e-mail address: Jvisas@state.gov.

Luncheon Get Together at Maralyn's

An important part of the Au Pair experience is getting to make friends from around the world, and informal cluster get togethers play an vital role in making it possible for Au Pairs to meet one another. With more than 30 new summer arrivals, Maralyn hosted a welcome lunch at her home. The weather was perfect as everyone gathered in the backyard for a group photo…

Lunch Bunch 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here are two of the recipes we enjoyed:

South-of-the-Border Rice and Bean Pie (8 servings)

2 medium or 1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, chopped
1-2 peppers (red and or green), chopped
Several stalks celery, chopped
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
1- 2 tablespoons chili powder (sweet or hot or combination – adjust to your taste)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon salt
2-10 ounce cans beans (I used combination of red kidney and black beans), rinsed and drained
4 cups cooked brown rice
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar, Colby, Jack or “Mexican” combination
1 ½ cups milk
4 beaten eggs
¼ cup cilantro, chopped (optional)

In a saucepan, sauté the onion, garlic, peppers and celery in the olive oil until tender, but not brown. Stir in chili powder, cumin and salt. Cook for a minute more. Cool.

Stir in beans, cooked rice, cilantro, cheese, milk, and beaten eggs.

Put a little oil in a 9″X13″ baking dish or spray with a non-stick cooking spray. Spoon mixture into the pan and bake, uncovered, in a 350° oven until the center is set, about 35-45 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Can be made ahead and reheated. Can also be frozen.

Chocolate Biscotti

3 Eggs
1 Cup sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
3 Cups flour
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
¾ Cup Oil
Chopped nuts (optional)
Handful (about 1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted.
1 cup chocolate chips (whole, not melted) 

Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla till well blended.

Sift flour and baking powder and add to egg mixture, alternating with oil.

Stir in whole chocolate chips and nuts, if desired, and then cut in melted chocolate with a knife.

Form two loaves on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350° for ½ hour.

Cool 10 minutes.

Cut loaves into slices slightly less than 1/2 inch thick. Lay slices on cookies sheet and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Return to ovenand bake for 10-15 minutes.

Westchester Au Pairs enjoy the delicious pizza at Frank Pepe's

On 23 August more than 60 pizza-loving au pairs came together for an “all-you-can-eat” evening at Frank Pepe’s.  This event was sponsored by the Westchester clusters of Au Pair in America to bring together au pairs from around the county for an evening of fun and fellowship.  As they munched on yummy pizza and chatted, lots of phone numbers were exchanged and friendships launched. Here are a few photos from the evening…

 

And here’s the link to the complete album of Pizza Night photos:  http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/August%202012%20-%20Pizza%20at%20Pepes/

Is there anything more delicious than an Ice Cream Party?

On May 16th the Westchester Clusters gathered for an annual “Make Your Own Ice Cream Sundae” Party. Au Pairs tell us that ice cream is their favorite sweet treat, and  judging by the smiling faces and empty ice cream and topping containers, they’re not kidding! Here are some of the photos from the evening get together:

And here’s the link to the entire photo album: http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/2012%20May%20-%20Ice%20Cream%20Party/