It's Fondue season

No matter if you are off skiing or not these holidays, the season is perfect for fondue. How better to end a day than with a fondue shared with family or friends? Fondue is not just a meal it is a social gathering. It is fun and it warms your soul as well as your tummy.

There are different kinds of fondue: Cheese fondue, Fondue chinoise (where you dip meat into bubbling broth), Fondue bourguignonne (when you dip meat into boiling oil). Both of the latter versions come with an array of yummy sauces such as curry, tartar, mustard mousse, cocktail sauce, just to name a few.

Switzerland was and always will be a Fondue country. 42% of Swiss believe Fondue is the most typical  Swiss dish. Followed by Rösti which is a sort of hashbrown just better and Raclette which consists of slices of melted cheese eaten with new potatoes.

In Swiss tradition if a nugget of bread is lost in the cheese either the person offers the next bottle of white wine (because you drink white wine or hot tea only with cheese fondue) or the other rule is, should you lose your piece of bread you need to kiss everybody of the opposite sex around the table. Enjoy your company and your meal!

Check out my recipe blog for a Fondue recipes here: Expat with Kids recipes

Bon appétit!

Wondering about Tax Obligations of American Citizens?

Tax laws and banking regulations are constantly changing for Americans living abroad. Come hear about Foreign Tax Credits, FBAR, FATCA, deadlines, expatriation and more. The presentation will cover topics related to all persons filing taxes in the USA. There will be ample time for questions. Presented by Jimmy Sexton, LL.M. of Esquire Group, LLC, an international tax advisory firm he co-founded in 2005. Hosted by AWOT and Franklin University Switzerland, the presentation will be free and open to the public.

Venue: Tax Obligations of American Citizens and Permanent Residents Abroad
Where: Franklin University Switzerland Auditorium, Via Ponte Teresa 29, 6924 Sorengo
Location: Nielsen Auditorium
Date: Thursday, March 5, 2015
Time: 20:00 - 22:00
Cost: Free
Contact: Leslie Guggiari via e-mail at: lguggiari@fus.edu

Dating in the digital age

Now here is a fascinating bit of information I found on the net today. What ever happened to the old-fashion dating game of sending a Valentine's Card? How many of your received a card today and who received their wishes via internet?

Happy Valentine's Day

Carnevale in Ticino 2015

Carnevale is celebrated in almost all the the region with risotto, games, music, parades and masquerade balls.

The carnival is traditionally linked to fun and synonymous with lawlessness, transgression and excess. In a farming community such as the Ticino was until about the mid-20th century, this resulted in abundance of food, especially since the preceding period of Lent was a time of great rigour and austerity around the table.

The traditional dish of the carnival was risotto accompanied by the famous luganighe, a kind of pork sausage. Chestnuts with cream were also part of the menu. Carnival was a rare opportunity to meet for a festive occasion; music and dance favoured contact amongst young people. Bingo used to be played. The most popular game at the time was called palo della cuccagna where you had to reach the top of a "greasy pole" from which gifts and groceries were hanging. In the villages and towns the carnival season featured theater performances, dress-up parties and the publications of satirical magazines.

The end of the carnival was announced by a bell, and in some places by a bonfire. In areas of the Roman rite the last day of the festival was on Shrove Tuesday, whereas in the Ambrosian rite the festivities continue until Saturday.

In Lugano Carnevale begins the week before Mardi Gras with the visit of the King and Queen Sbroja to old peoples' homes.

On Thursday the procession of Lugano's school children is held, followed by the delivery of the city's keys to the rulers Ul Sbroja. On Monday you can taste the classic risotto offered to the city in Piazza della Reforma.

Wednesday, February 11th, 2015 - Re (King) Sbroja visits the old people's homes

Thursday, February 12th, 2015 - Risottata for the students of Lugano's public schools; Don't miss the kids' procession departing at the Parco Ciani at 14:00 and arriving in Piazza Riforma at 15:30

Friday, February 13th, 2015 - Re (King) Sbroja visits the old people's homes

Monday, February 16th,  2015 - Risottata at lunchtime in Piazza Riforma (will be held at Centro Esposizioni, in case of rain)

Click here to find the complete carnival programme here:
http://www.luganoturismo.ch/fileUpload/activities/574/carnevale2015_web.pdf

Costumes for Carnevale

Still not decided what you'll dress up as during the Carnevale. Looking for costume for your kids? Here are two addresses down town. Hurry, it looks like one of them might go out of business soon.

Fatefesta (http://www.fatefesta.ch) is a party store in Via Giuseppe Bagutti 18, Lugano which also sells costumes along with balloons and all sorts of party ware.

Centro Apollo (http://www.apollopiu.com/index.html) is specialised in costumes for kids as well as adults. You'll find them in Corso Enrico Pestalozzi 10, Lugano.

Have fun choosing your dream outfit.

The Book Thief at La Citadella

The English Film Club is opening its doors at the cinema Citadella 2000. So if you have your season ticket make sure you do not miss it. I am talking about "The Book Thief" directed by Brian Percival starring Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson.

While subjected to the horrors of World War II Germany, young Liesel finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others. In the basement of her home, a Jewish refugee is being sheltered by her adoptive parents.

Venue: The Book Thief by the English Film Club
Where: Cittadella 2000, Corso Elvezia 35, 6900 Lugano
Date: Friday, February 6th, 2015
Time: 18:15
For more info: http://www.englishfilmclub.ch/lugano.html

Celebrating 150 years of winter tourism

Switzerland is the original winter destination, thanks to a business minded hotelier in St. Moritz who wanted to attract more guests to his hotel in the Alps back in 1864.

Once people became captivated by this country's beauty during the winter, the birth of winter tourism in Switzerland had begun and there was no turning back!

Today, Swiss Tourism is celebrating "150 years of Winter" with their interactive “Swiss Winter Resort” finder.

Click here to take the test and see which resort is right for you. Based on your ‘winter profile’ responses, Swiss Tourism has some incredible destinations that will provide everything you are looking for in a resort destination!

World Nutella Day on Feb 5th

Chocaholics know that there is chocolate and then there is Nutella. The creamy and delicious chocolate and hazelnut spread has been around since 1964, and despite the many imitations that have appeared in the market, Nutella continues to be the favourite guilty pleasure of chocaholics around the world.

It is not surprising that die-hard Nutella fans decided to start the Nutella Day tradition back in 2007. This sweet celebration was launched through social networks by a blogger and Nutella fan, and soon tens of thousands of like-minded Nutella devotees showed their appreciation for the chocolatey delight online.

Nutella fans of the world unite! Celebrate the existence of this delicious chocolate spread by grabbing a spoon and getting creative with hundreds of Nutella recipes. Start your Nutella Day with a classic Nutella-on-pancakes breakfast and follow with a shaken espresso with a dash of Nutella. On this day, add Nutella to your cupcakes, ice cream, mousse, or even to savory dishes. Your imagination is the limit! For inspiration click here! Nutella Recipes

Call for volunteers at the EU pavilion at Expo Milano

The pavilion of the European Union intends to offer all young Europeans the opportunity to actively participate in a historic event, Expo Milano 2015, contributing to its activities and creating a unique learning and communication experience.

They are looking for over 900 young persons who have a passion for Europe that they would like to share with visitors to the EU Pavilion in their capacity as volunteers.

Those selected will be responsible for crowd management and easing visitor access to the pavilion as well as the dissemination of information about the contents of the EU's participation in Expo and food-related issues.

People interested must be:
- aged between 18 and 30
- a citizen of a EU country or a country participating in the Erasmus+ program
- have good knowledge of English and fair knowledge of Italian language
- knowledge of other languages ​​will be an asset

The selected volunteers will be engaged for a period of 14 or 15 consecutive days and for a maximum of 5 hours and 30 minutes per day. During the rest of the day they will be free to visit the Expo site and all its pavilions.

The site will be open every day from May 1 to October 31, 2015 from 10 am to 11pm. In their application, candidates should indicate their preferences for the time slot and also choose the role they wish to be considered for. They will also be requested to write a short motivation letter in English.

Volunteers will be trained on the content of the EU pavilion as well as on organisation, logistics and safety rules. Urban transport and food expenses will be covered by the EU. For volunteers who do not live in Milan, university accommodation will be sought at affordable prices. All volunteers will receive an official diploma at the end of their service.

By the first half of February, a dedicated website will be activated for the Volunteer Programme for Europe through which you can send your application online. Ciessevi (Centro servizi per il volontariato nella provincia di Milano) will give timely notice on its website www.ciessevi.org

Expressions of interest should be sent to volontarieuropa@ciessevi.org. Interested volunteers will be contacted shortly and will receive all the information necessary to apply online.

World’s largest database of cost of living

Yesterday's map shows the difference in living costs around the world using figures from the world's largest database of user contributed data about cities and countries worldwide.

The data was collected by Numbeo, the world's largest database of user-contributed data on costs and prices around the world. It provides current and timely information on world living conditions including cost of living, housing indicators, health care, traffic, crime and pollution.

Just type in your city and hit enter. You'll not only learn what the Average Monthly Disposable Salary is but also how much a pair of Nike shoes cost. Want to know the hourly rent of a tennis court during the weekend or how much you''ll be charged for 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff locally. Wondering how much a three course meal for 2 in a mid-range restaurant will set you back or what a pack of cigarettes cost?

Looking for concrete answers?

Click here and figure it out for yourself: http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/