Tag Archives: Westchester

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Westchester Au Pairs Celebrate an American Thanksgiving

On November 19th Au Pairs from five clusters got together to share an amazing dinner and dessert buffet dinner as a prelude to Thanksgiving they would later share with their host

The Dinner Buffet table

The Dessert Buffet

families and friends. Counselors provided four very large and perfectly roasted turkeys along with gravy, apple cider and other beverages. Au Pairs were asked to bring vegetables, salads, other side dishes and desserts and, once again, they outdid themselves with an unbelievable variety of dishes representing their country or favorite food.

To see the entire album of International Thanksgiving Dinner photos, go to http://s791.photobucket.com/user/MS-APIA/slideshow/November%202014%20-%20International%20Thanksgiving%20Dinner

Annual Au Pair in America NYC Scavenger Hunt

Group 4x6 - 100 dpi

New York State APIA au pairs about to start the 2014 Scavenger Hunt!

Check-in table t end of the hunt

Check in table loaded with Halloween goodie candy bags for the au pairs who completed the Scavenger Hunt

A wonderful day spent in NYC with hundreds of au pairs from Au Pair in America.  All of these au pairs live on Long Island, in NYC or Westchester.  14 Community Counselors from APIA organized the event and met the au pairs on the steps of the main NYC library.  They had a list of 26 items to find!  1st, 2nd and 3rd prize certificates and prizes awarded.  Also 4 raffle winners for wearing their APIA t-shirt.

1st Place - 4x6 - 100 dpi

1st place finishers with their counselors

2nd Place - 4x6 - 100 dpi

2nd place finishers with their counselor

3rd Place - 4x6 - 100 dpi

3rd place finishers

Raffle winners 4x6 - 100 dpi

Raffle winners

Counselors 4x6 - 100 dpi

APIA community counselors

 

 

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

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/

Au Pairs enjoy a Gala Holiday Dessert Party

On 21 December several Au Pair in America’s Westchester clusters gathered for an amazing dessert buffet to celebrate the holiday season. The delicious diversity of international creations was a testament to the culinary skills of the au pairs who prepared their favorite treats to share. Everyone ate too much because there were simply too many temptations and so many interesting new desserts to taste!

Here’s the link to photos from this evening: http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/Gala%20Holiday%20Dessert%20Party%20-%202011/?albumview=slideshow

2011 International Thanksgiving Dinner

This year’s Thanksgiving dinner was amazing. Au Pair in America counsleors provided the turkeys, that were skillfully carved by Jim Hamlin, and lots of apple cider. Au Pairs, who were asked to bring side dishes and desserts, outdid themselves with a wonderful array of treats from around the world. We all ate well, some discovered new foods, and everyone agreed that it was a most enjoyable evening.

Here’s the link to the 2011 International Thanksgiving Photo Album: http://s791.photobucket.com/albums/yy197/MS-APIA/2011%20International%20Thanksgiving%20Dinner/?albumview=slideshow

Hello everyone!

Welcome to “Westchester Connections – Maralyn’s Cluster blog.” This is the place for us to connect and share news and information on many topics (school, travel, life in the U.S., events and activities, photos, etc.),  and a place to ask questions about the Au Pair in America program. I ‘ve tried to include many useful links and will be happy to add more as they turn up. Do add our blogsite address to your  list of  favorites or bookmarks,  visit often and know that your thoughts, suggestions and contributions are most welcomed.