Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Anglican Church in Lugano: Christmas Fayre

Enter into the Christmas spirit, in the festive setting of the newly renovated Casa Benson, located adjacent to St. Edward’s church.


Be tempted by a selection of homemade traditional specialities using finest ingredients, all lovingly prepared by the St.Edward's community.

Enjoy a glass of mulled wine whilst browsing the Book Nook's second hand books for adults and children.

Handicrafts, Preserves, Christmas Crackers, Small Gifts, Decorative Items, Treasures from the Attic, and tickets for the Christmas raffle will all be on sale. Remember to visit the youngsters' stall with their handmade angels.

Morning coffee and lunch will be served. Child Care will be provided.

Venue: St. Edward’s Christmas Fayre
Where: Casa Benson (Via Maraini 6, Lugano)
When: Saturday, December 3rd, 2011
Time: 10:00-15:00

For more info contact: Annie Horlock at anniehorlock@hotmail.com

Please stop by to show your support!
All proceeds will go to the ministry of St.Edward's Church, Lugano



Monday, November 28, 2011

Young business women of Ticino - listen up!

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any."
Alice Walker

Are you under 35? Would you like to join a group of professional women and expand your network? Then sign up for an informal aperitivo Thursday, Dec. 1st at 7 PM at the Anacapri restaurant.


The International Federation of Business and Professonal Women (BPW International) was founded by Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips in 1930. BPW International was founded on the vision of achieving workplace equality, right to vote and equal pay.

Since the launch of their triennium theme - Empowered Women Leading Business - BPW women are inspiring businesses, empowering communities and creating opportunities around the world. BPW brings you regular insights into what and how their members are creating lasting change by leading the BPW International initiatives that are firmly in place.

Their purpose is to support professional women up to 35 years old by providing unlimited access to mentors, role models, like minded career women and thousands of friends across the globe!


Should you be interested in joining BPW International and bring the voice of women to business, please click here: www.bpw-international.org.

For more information e-mail: marianduven@gmail.com

Venue: Young Business Professional Women of Ticino
Where: Ristorante Anacapri, Via Clemente Maraini, 6900 Lugano, (www.anacapri.ch)
When: Thursday, Dec 1st, 2011
Time: 19:00



Friday, November 25, 2011

Advent calendar inspiration

Need some inspiration for advent calendars? If you are planning to make an Advent Calendar for Christmas this year, it's time to start preparing. Whether you prefer to buy one, to buy a kit or to make one yourself, following are some ideas:



















Here are some suggestions of gifts for the advent calendar or stocking stuffers:
Christmas Decoration for the tree or their room
Crayons
Hairclips or hairbands
Marbles
Lip Balm
Gloves
Watch
Bracelets
Christmas Earrings
Nail polish
Manicure set
Socks
Dress up accessories, eye patch, scarf etc
Underwear
Matchbox cars
Christmas craft packs
Bubble bath
Key ring
Lollies or chocolates
Small toy
Action figures
Harmonica
Glow sticks
Lego
Card Games
Slinky
Backpack dangley label
Book
Bookmark
Wallet/purse
Doll’s clothes
Play-doh
Yo-yo
Toothbrush
Notebook
Colouring book
Stickers
Pencils
Pencil case
Erasers
Stamps and ink
Tattoo’s
Batteries for the toy’s on Christmas Day

HAPPY ADVENT!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!


T
for time to be together,
turkey, talk, and tangy weather.
for harvest stored away,
home, and hearth, and holiday.
A
for autumn's frosty art,
and abundance in the heart.
N
for neighbors, and November,
nice things, new things to remember.
K
for kitchen, kettles' croon,
kith and kin expected soon.
S
for sizzles, sights, and sounds,
and something special that abounds.
that spells THANKS--for joy in living
and a jolly good Thanksgiving.
- Aileen Fisher


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Latino evening in Lugano

"To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak."
Indian proverb

The Evening group of the International Women’s Club of Lugano ( IWCL - www.iwcl.org) has been set up for International people living in Ticino willing to get together in a friendly and casual atmosphere.

The IWCL is getting ready to party again. This a party you do not want to miss. Are you ready for a Latino evening full of rhythm and fun?

The Evening group is happy to invite you and your friends to a exotic evening on Thursday, November 24th. Not only will you enjoy and maybe discover Latin music but you'll be accompanied by a teacher who will reveal the secrets of Latino's sensual moves and dances.


Venue: Latino Evening
Where: New Orleans Club, Quartiere Maghetti , 6900 Lugano
Tel. 091/ 921 44 77
http://www.neworleansclublugano.com/
When: Thursday, November 24th, 2011
Time: 20:00
Drinks starting at : CHF 5.50 for water/sodas CHF 6.50 for beer CHF 8.50 for wines CHF 13.00 for cocktails

Please book your place fast by writing to iwcleveninggroup@gmail.com
or by phone: Sandrine Nélisse 078 751 43 75 or Sabrina Nicod 079 642 40 18

In the meantime, you can start practicing....




Monday, November 21, 2011

Swiss-American Thanksgiving recipies

This week is Thanksgiving and although I have lived thousands of miles away from the United States most of my life, rarely have I missed Thanksgiving. When I was a little girl the main reason for loving this special American holiday was that I was granted special permission to take the afternoon off from school. Today, I cook the meal myself for family and friends. Days spent in the kitchen are worth all the work when you finally sit down with a good glass of wine at hand and can enjoy your oeuvre d'art, because that is what is!

I have celebrated Thanksgiving in Zurich, Geneva, Washington D.C., Milano, Madrid and Lugano. This year we had an early Parisian Thanksgiving yesterday since Thursday is not a holiday in France.
16 Italians and 1 Swiss-American (the undersigned) gathered around a table turned out to be an animated afternoon to say the least. Lots of shouting, laughing and gesticulation combined with curiosity of discovering savoury-sweet Pumpkin/Maple syrup soup or bright orange sweet potatoe purée. A totally new culinary territory for Italians.

Over the years the following recipes have proven to be my absolute favourite. Go ahead and experiment yourself!


Maple-Roasted Turkey with Sage Butter
Ingredients:
1 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/4 bunch fresh sage, finely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (12 to 14-pound) fresh turkey, giblets, neck, and liver discarded
8 strips bacon
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons hot water or bouillon
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 320 degrees F and remove the top rack of the oven.
Put the butter and sage in a mixing bowl and mash with a fork or spoon until the sage is well incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.
Rinse the bird thoroughly inside and out with cold water, and pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle the cavity and skin liberally with salt and pepper. Using your fingers, gently lift the skin from the turkey breast and slip the remaining seasoned butter under, massaging the breast meat as you go. Truss the bird by crossing the legs over one another and tying with a piece of kitchen twine. Shingle the bacon strips over the breast so it's totally covered. Put the turkey on a rack in a large roasting pan, cover the turkey with aluminium foil, and place in the oven.
In a small bowl, stir the maple syrup with 2 tablespoons of hot water to thin. Roast the turkey for 2 hours, basting with the maple glaze every 30 minutes. Continue cooking until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the meaty part of the thigh registers 170 degrees F. The thigh juices will run clear when pricked with a knife, about 4 hours total (20 minutes per pound). About 1/2 hour before you think the turkey is done, remove the foil so that it can brown. When done take the turkey out of the oven and put the roasting pan on the stovetop. Transfer the turkey to a serving tray to rest at least 20 minutes before carving. Serve with Turkey Gravy.

Roasted Turkey Gravy
Ingredients:
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large, smoked turkey wing or 2 small ones
1 medium onion, quartered
2 carrots, chopped
1 ribs celery, chopped
1 head garlic, split through the equator
4 stems fresh sage
4 sprigs fresh thyme
6 parsley stems
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 cups chicken stock
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation:
Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the wing, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and herbs, and cook for 5 minutes. Place in the oven and roast for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and place over medium heat. Remove the wing and set aside. Add the flour and let cook for about 1 minute. Add the stock and simmer until it has reduced by about 1/4, about 15 minutes. Strain the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.




 Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh cranberries, approximately 4 cups
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup 100 percent cranberry juice, not cocktail
1 cup honey
Preparation:
Wash the cranberries and discard any that are soft or wrinkled.
Combine the orange juice, cranberry juice and honey in a 2 quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the cranberries and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. Do not cook for more than 15 minutes as the pectin will start to break down and the sauce will not set as well. Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.
Carefully spoon the cranberry sauce into a 3 cup mold. Place in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours and up to overnight.
To unmold and serve, immerse bottom of mold in hot water for 10 to 15 seconds and turn upside down on plate or serving dish. If necessary, carefully run a warm knife around the edge of the mold.




Please check out my recipe book where you'll find more Thanksgiving recipes.
Just click on Recipe book tab above this post or go directly to:
https://sites.google.com/site/expatwithkidsrecipebook/

HAPPY THANKSGIVING


Friday, November 18, 2011

Un momento italiano

Two of my favourite Italian singers have teamed up to perform a new song entitled: "Inevitabile".

Sit back and enjoy the emotions.....inevitabile!!!


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Zirkus Knie - a family tradition in every way

 "For the Love of the Circus"
by Cath "Shandy" Carpenter (Clown)

For the love of the Circus.  How much would we give?
Just twenty four hours of each day that I live
Travelling the road with one thought in mind
Each gaff will be better than that left behind.
A mere stretch of road boasting grass nothing more
Will suddenly erupt with excitement galore
and then overnight when we've passed on our way
Just memories remain to tell of our stay.
For the love of the Circus what are the rewards?
No Bouquets, Diploma's or Glittering Awards
Just knee deep in mud - the strength of the gale
Before none of these would my devotion pale.
High out of reach the adrenalin soars
When Children are laughing and hands give applause
Roll up! Roll up! Pay your Money come in
The Elixir of life is about to begin.

 It's the time of year that all kids look forward to. The time of year when the magic hits Lugano. No, I'm not talking about Christmas. This enchantment comes in the form of a circus. A circus that was founded in 1803 and is part of the Swiss patrimony. Each and every year - religiously - Circus Knie tours all through Switzerland with 347 performances and ends its wonderful journey in Lugano.



I usually try to get tickets for the last show because you can feel the special atmosphere of all the artists trying to capture the moment by giving it their very best for their last performance of the season. Also the impressive outer tent, the entrance alley, cashier wagon and the huge KNIE luminous sign that you were so dreamingly looking up to, have all dissappeared by the time you leave the show. All 200 persons from 16 different nations and over 100 animals are on their way home to Rapperswil to get a well-deserved break before starting to pratice for next year's performance.


Don't miss Circus Knie's blog (in French) about last year's adventure while driving back home through the Gotthard tunnel. Click here.


My Dad used to take me to Zirkus Knie - religiously - in Zürich in the spring when I was a little girl. I  thoroughly enjoy keeping up this tradtion by taking my kids to the Circo Knie every fall in Lugano.


So, run! Get your tickets, if you have not done so yet, because the circus is coming to town TONIGHT!!!
Tickets are available online here: ticketcorner or by phone: 0900 800 800.

Venue: Circus Knie
Where: Stadium Cornaredo
When: November 17th to 20th, 2011
Performances:
Thursday, Nov 17th - 20.15
Friday, Nov 18th - 15.00 / 20.15
Saturday, Nov 19th - 13.30 / 17.00 / 20.30
Sunday, Nov 20th - 10.30 / 14.30 / 18.00


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

InterNations Lugano Networking Aperitivo

...and you thought Lugano was tranquil after dark?

Well get ready to party and I mean serious partying!

Over 170 Internationals have already signed up for tomorrows' event. Yep. Every single International is coming out of the woodwork to prove that you can have fun in Lugano.

InterNations are happy to invite you to their November 2011 Lugano get-together, to mingle, catch up with friends, and meet new people.

The InterNations' community in Lugano has been growing very quickly over the past year and they have already reached 825+ members.

Never heard of InterNations? Doesn't matter just check out my previous post and hurry to sign up.

Once again they have kidnapped the Bar/Restaurant La Lanchetta on the shore of Lake Lugano exclusively for their event. They will be meeting on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 from 7 pm onwards.


The entrance fee of 10 CHF for basic members and 20 CHF for attendees who are not on the guest list includes one welcome drink as well as a buffet with a selection of appetizers and snack foods. After that, as usual, drinks are pay self (pay as you go / no tabs please)!


Please register and then put yourself on the guest list for this event by clicking the Accept Invitation button. Feel free to bring your international friends but please do invite them to sign up to InterNations, too. The guest list will be closed at 5PM on the day of the event.

Venue: InterNations Get-together
Where: La Lanchetta, Viale Castagnola 16, 6900 Lugano, Tel: +41 (0) 91 971 55 51
When: Wednesday, November 16th, 2011
Time: 19:00 onwards

For any additional information phone Anneke (InterNations Lugano coordinator) at 079 625 70 52.



Sunday, November 13, 2011

Make an Advent calendar

Every year when December comes around not only my kids but my hubby also look forward to receiving their Advent Calendar. I thought I'd share this tradition with my readers while giving them ideas for a home-made calendar. Preparing Advent calendars by filling them with little surprises is half the fun of it.

Following is an Advent calendar I found online by Kimberly Petersen. It is made with paper and fabric scraps, chipboard, stickers, and various knick-knacks/household junk.


Activities include:
Deck the halls!
Take photos for Christmas cards
Buy a new Christmas album and listen to it
Make the house smell like Christmas
Make Christmas Cards
Read a Christmas Story Book
Wrap Christmas Gifts
Make a new Christmas Decoration
Color a Christmas picture
Build a snowman or hang up paper snowflakes
Make hot chocolate and stir with candy canes
Make a treat and take it to a friend
Watch a christmas movie and eat popcorn
Go out for a Christmas treat
Do something nice for someone
Drive around and look for Christmas lights
Go visit Santa Clause
Do service for someone in need
Have a campout in front of the Christmas tree
Call grandma and grandpa and sing a Christmas song
Take gifts to teachers and friends
Read a story or watch a movie about the birth of Baby Jesus
Make cookies and write letters for Santa Clause
Read "The Night Before Christmas"
Christmas!!!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Missing Lugano!

“As I look back on all that's happened..growing up, growing together, changing you, changing me -- there were times when we dreamed together, when we laughed and cried together. As I look back on those days, I realize how much I truly miss you and how much I truly love you. The past may be gone forever..and whatever the future holds, our todays make the memories of tomorrow. So, my lifetime friend, it is with all my heart that I send you my love, hoping that you'll always carry my smile with you, for all we have meant to each other and for whatever the future may hold.”





Thursday, November 10, 2011

Notte del racconto 2011 - Other worlds

"La notte del racconto" (The Night of story telling) will be held throughout Switzerland on Friday, November 11, 2011.

"La notte del racconto" is based on a simple yet brilliant concept: to tell a story, to read aloud, throughout all of Switzerland, the same night. The idea is to let children and adults enjoy a special moment full of mysterious charm by returning to the ancient tradition of listening and re-inventing a model of communication which has nowadays become rarer and rarer. More importantly still than the natural pleasure of the narrative, it permits to unite generations for a fun event. Story telling, reading aloud, listening, all actions that take on a special and precious value in our time devoted to the image, speed, fragmentation, disintegration, and impatience.

The theme this year will be: OTHER WORLDS


Other worlds, meaning worlds different from ours, are at the base of this year's "Notte del racconto". The theme is broad and allows the organizers (usually schools) to move in diverse contexts: extraterrestrial worlds, fantasy worlds, real worlds, but different from ours (the life of the nomadic people, the Indians, the inhabitants of the North Pole, etc.) fairy worlds or magic worlds are some of the possibilites for those who want to attend the event.

So, don't miss this special moment and check with your local school to see where and when you can catch a mysterious story that will accompany you into your dreams tomorrow night.

Or click here to check for a list of participaring schools in Ticino: http://www.buchstart.ch/it/manifestazioni/.
The events marked in yellow are open to the wider public.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Inner peace! So easy...

I am passing this on to you because it definitely worked for me today, and we all could probably use more calm in our lives.


A renowned psycho-analyst on TV this morning said the way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started.

So I looked around my house to see the things I'd started and hadn't finished. As a result I have managed to finish off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bodle of Baileys, a butle of wum, a pockage of Prungles, tha mainder of bot Prozic and Valiuminun scriptins, the res of the chesescke an a box a chocletz. Yu haf no idr how bludy fablus I feel rite now. Plaese sned dhis orn to dem yu fee ar in ned ov iennr pisss. An telum, u blody luvum!

Just had one of those days today!!!


Friday, November 4, 2011

Trunk show at the Palazzo Mantegazza

Ever wondered what the Palazzo Mantegazza looked liked from the inside? Curious to see what this impressive and elegant project built by the brothers Sergio and Geo Mantegazza is all about?

Well, here's you're chance to check out its unique and ingenious design with the perfect excuse for some personalized shopping. 

Don't miss the next trunk show in Lugano featuring

ALICIA PERU ALPACA KNITWEAR

TIMOTITI BIJOUX & ACCESSORIES

and introducing

LOVELY CAKES by PARTY CODE


Venue: Trunk Show
Where: The Lounge, Palazzo Mantegazza (5th floor), 6900 Lugano
When: Thursday November 10th, 2011
Time: 10:00 am to 5:00pm
Parking is available in the Palazzo Montegazza

Thursday, November 3, 2011

IWCL Christmas Bazaar: Nov 8th, 2011

You are all invited to join the International Women's Club of Lugano's Christmas Bazaar on Tuesday, November 8th from 09.30 till 12.00 at the Hotel Pestalozzi, Piazza Indipendenza 9, 6901 Lugano.


You’ll have the opportunity to chat and have tea among friends. The little people are welcome too as they will have adorable babysitters ready to take care of them.

So, shop knowing that you’ll be helping our charity: Aiuto Svizzera alla Pace in Bosnia (www.swissaidbosnia.com)

Come and browse through the following Christmas stalls:
Children's toys and books from "All for Kids"
Watercolours/clothing
Jewellery/small gift ideas/Aura Soma
Christmas décor/jewellery
Ladhaki/Tibetan Products
Jewellery creations
Second-hand items
Clothes/jewellery
Alicia Peru wool wear/accessories
Jewellery-embedded T-Shirts and Cotton Candy
Masaba Coffee
Beautiful objects for Christmas
Handcrafted items
Antiques

The IWCL is looking forward to seeing you there. Come make a difference!

Venue: IWCL Christmas Bazaar
Where: Hotel Pestalozzi, Piazza Indipendenza 9, 6901 Lugano
When: Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
Time: 9:30 to 12:00

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

4 common attributes of TCK

Children who grow up overseas, whose parents' careers keep them abroad for most, or all of their formative years, are called - Third Culture Kids.

Studies show that these kids mature faster, are more independent and introspective, more sophisticated and cosmopolitan, and far more knowledgeable about the world than their compatriots from their country of birth.


There are 4 common themes that give these kids an edge or advantage in today's world.

Change - They know how to cope with high change, because of the constant change of location, friends, schools and cultural experiences they have been exposed to. They are in a continual process of adapting and relating the culture(s) they are coming from, with the new cultures they are entering every few years.

Relationships - Before the introduction of social networking, they learned to make friends quickly, and also to let them go just as quickly, because of the many relocations they went through.

However this traumatic aspect is becoming a thing of the past, with the trend to social networking sites like FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, and Skype that allow them to maintain close, day-to-day communications no matter where they are in the world. These kids are now able to keep a network of close friendships even though they are not in physical proximity.

This is a global revolution that is sure to have implications professionally, as they become adults and move into the work world. Hopefully, it will also influence the future of world affairs in a positive way. It's interesting to note that President Barack Obama was a TCK.

WorldView - They see the commonality between cultures, viewing themselves first as humans, in a Global World, rather than being connected to any particular culture. Because they have friends all over the world, they have compassion, empathy and concern for people who live in other parts of the world, whose culture they have known personally.

They understand that one can hold a personal truth, and still acknowledge the existence of other truths being held in other cultures, without necessarily being impelled to change the views of others to conform with one's own worldview.

Cultural Identity - As a consequence of their global living experiences, they are not attached to any particular culture. Third Culture Kids can feel at home anywhere on the planet. They also have the capacity to select and integrate aspects from many different cultures that they have experienced. This gives them a strong cultural openness and understanding that is beyond the grasp of mono-cultural children.

They do not feel separate or isolated, as they move around the planet. They carry an inner confidence that if necessary, they could survive anywhere. They are truly 'Inhabitants of the World' - Global Citizens who can take a job in any culture, and fit in.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

All Saints Day facts

"Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower, We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind."
William Wordsworth

November comes from the Latin word "novem" which means nine. It was originally the ninth month of the year in the Roman calendar which began with March. When January and February were added to the Roman calendar, November became the eleventh month of the Gregorian calendar. November is one of the four months that has thirty days.


All Saints' Day, often shortened to All Saints, is a solemnity celebrated on November 1st by parts of Western Christianity, and on the first Sunday after Pentecost in Eastern Christianity, in honor of all the saints, known and unknown.

All Saints Day, the day on which Catholics celebrate all the saints, known and unknown, is a surprisingly old feast. It arose out of the Christian tradition of celebrating the martyrdom of saints on the anniversary of their martyrdom. When martyrdoms increased during the persecutions of the late Roman Empire, local dioceses instituted a common feast day in order to ensure that all martyrs were properly honored.


The current date of November 1 was instituted by Pope Gregory III (731-741), when he consecrated a chapel to all the martyrs in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and ordered an annual celebration. This celebration was originally confined to the diocese of Rome, but Pope Gregory IV (827-844) extended the feast to the entire Church and ordered it to be celebrated on November 1.

The vigil or eve of the feast, October 31, is commonly known as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. Despite concerns among some Christians (including some Catholics) in recent years about the "pagan origins" of Halloween, the vigil was celebrated from the beginning—long before Irish practices, stripped of their pagan origins (just as the Christmas tree was stripped of similar connotations), were incorporated into popular celebrations of the feast.

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