Happy New Year 2016! / Bonne Année 2016!

No, I didn't forget we started a new year... I was just busy!

Non, je n'ai pas oublié que nous avons commencé une nouvelle année... J'étais juste occupée!

In English

En Français

4 Menus de Noël Faciles / 4 Easy Christmas Menus

A Noël dernier, nous ne sommes pas allés voir notre famille et ils ne sont également pas venus nous visiter. Mais ce n'est pas pour cela que nous étions "seuls". Nous avions invité des amis pour partager l'esprit de Noël avec eux. D'ailleurs, je pense que c'était l'un des meilleurs Noël que nous avons eu depuis que Jonathan et moi nous connaissons.
Last Christmas, we didn't travel to see our family and neither did they came to visit us. But that's not why we should have been "alone". We invited friends to share with us Christmas' spirit. And I think it was one of the best Christmas we had since Jonathan and I know each other.

Sur quatre jours, j'ai préparé 4 repas de "fêtes", mais simples à cuisiner, pour plusieurs personnes. Ne pouvant agrandir d'un coup de baguette magique mon réfrigérateur et mon congélateur, j'ai dû ruser pour avoir tous les ingrédients nécessaires pour ces 4 repas, ainsi que les dîners et petit-déjeuners.
For four days, I prepared 4 festive meals, but easy to cook, for several people. As I couldn't make my fridge and my freezer bigger with a move of a wand, I had to ruse to have all the ingredients for thos meals, plus the dinners, breakfasts, etc.

J'en entends déjà qui me disent "Mais tu pouvais aller au supermarché en face de chez toi!" Ben non. En Hesse, les magasins ferment tôt le 24 décembre (jour férié), et les 25 et 26 décembre sont également fériés et très peu de personnes travaillent ces deux jours-là. Bref, il faut savoir stocker au mieux les victuailles! Et gare à celui/celle qui a oublié quelque chose... à moins d'avoir des voisins très sympas (je veux bien passer un paquet de beurre, quelques épices et des serviettes en papier, mais ma pintade ou mes marrons vous ne les aurez pas! ou alors on fait repas en commun ?)
I already hear some people saying "But you just had to go shopping at the supermarket in front of your house!" Nope. In Hessen, the shops close early on December 24th (it's a holiday) and they are definitly not opening on December 25th and 26th which are also Holidays. It's rare to work on those days. So, storing provisions is an art! And beware for those who forget something... uless you have kind neighbors (I will gladly share butter, spices and paper towels, but my guinea fowl or my chesnuts you won't have them! or we have a common meal?)

Donc voici quatre idées de menus "simples" et faciles (c'est-à-dire Entrée, Plat, Dessert + plateau de fromage) pour les fêtes de fin d'année.
So here are four simple and easy menus ideas (starter, main dish, dessert + cheese plate) for the Holidays season.

Un repas sans lactose (pour 6 personnes) / Lactose free meal (for 6 people)

• Pâté de porc au piment d’Espelette et salade d’avocats. / Pork's pâté with Espelette chili and avocado salad.
• Crevettes cuites au lait de soja avec carottes cuites au curry et riz. / Shrimp cooked in soja milk with carrots spiced with curry, and rice.
• Gâteau aux pommes (sans lactose) et salade de fruits frais / Apple cake (without lactose) and fresh fruit salad.

Repas à la française / French meals:


Réveillon du 24 décembre (pour 8 personnes) / Christmas Eve (for 8 people):

• Foie gras, chutney de figues et salade fraîche / Foie gras, fig chutney and fresh salad.
• Pintade rôtie dans une cocotte servie avec pommes duchesses et haricots verts à la ventrèche pimentée / Guinea fowl cooked in a cast iron cocotte, served with potatoes "duchess" and french beans cooked with spicy smoked bacon.
• Tarte aux poires amandine et glace à la vanille. / Pear almond tart and vanilla ice cream.

25 décembre au midi (pour 6 personnes) / Christmas lunch (for 6 people):

• Foie gras, confit d'oignons et salade fraîche / Foie gras, onion confit and fresh salad.
• Rôti de bœuf cuit en cocotte, avec pommes de terre en papillotes au four, courgettes moelleuses et marrons cuits. / Roast beef cooked in a casserole, with potatoes cooked in tinfoil, soft zucchinis and chesnuts.
• Gâteau glacé festif. / Festive ice-cream cake.

26 décembre au midi (pour 6 personnes) / 26th of December, lunch (for 6 people):

• Saumon fumé sur toasts, sur lit de salade / Smoked salmon with toasts and salad.
• Filets de dinde marinés dans du citron et de l’ail, accompagnés de pâtes au pesto et de tomates au four. / Turkey tenderloins marinated in lemon and garlic, with pesto pasta and tomatoes cooked in the oven.
• Tourte aux pommes et glace / Apple pie and ice-cream.

Vous avez sans doute remarqué que nous avons mangé deux jours de suite du foie gras. Bon, ce n'est pas un produit que nous mangeons au quotidien et comme mes enfants l'aime tout autant que leur père et moi, on s'était fait plaisir. Pas de plainte non plus de nos invités à chacun de ces repas.

Précision également: jamais plus je ne cuisinerais de l'agneau (sauf les côtelettes). C'est la viande que nous aurions dû manger le 26 au midi et ce fut un désastre de mauvaise cuisson... Même après l'avoir refait cuire, le goût était trop fort pour mes enfants, et mon mari et moi avons dû nous forcer pour la finir. Bref, si je ne connais pas la viande, je ne fais pas de "test" un jour de fête. Mieux vaut se faire la main auparavant.
You have surely seen that we have eaten two consecutive days "foie gras". Ok, it's not a food we eat everyday and as the kids love it as much as we do, we indulged ourselves. No complaints from our guests either. 
A precision: never again I will cook lamb (except chops). It's the meat we should have eaten on the 26th and it was a calamity... Even after I cooked it a bit more the next day, the taste was not liked by my children and my husband and I we had to force feed ourselves. So, if I have never cooked a piece of meat, I won't "test" it when we have guests. Better to practice beforehand.

Kind acts at Christmas time (2015 edition)

This Christmas season, I decided to participate in several projects showcasing more kindness, more charitable acts and more love. Of course, my family is also involved!

* Ornaments swap. In the Multicultural Kid Blogs community, members, who wished for it, have bought or crafted ornaments to send /share to the others entrants. 1 ornament + 1 card: a lovely way to connect with our fellow members on MKB.
I have made with my children those three stars: wooden sticks, golden paint, rope and markers (different colors). They have already been sent (and I hope received!) to California, Texas (USA) and Switzerland. I choose "stars" ornaments because of our family's Christian belief and the role of the "bright star" who guided the sheperds to baby Jesus and later the wise men to a toddler Jesus.
I'm eager to discover the ones I will receive from three different bloggers and the story behind them.

I was a bit too enthusiaste with the paint spray and painted my fingers... It was proof that I made them by myself (and the help of my daughter who cut the rope and pass me the sticks).

* Care package between expats.
Thanks to Oui In France and her kind idea, I have prepared a package that I sent to Singapore to an expat I didn't know (but I had some infos about what she liked...). I will also receive one before Christmas from someone else.
As you can see on the picture below, I bought a mix of food and goodies: marzipan from a reknown company in Lübeck, chocolates in a package decorated with a picture of my town, a stollen, a magnet, a armband with a lucky angel, a card and small candles.

Oui In France: Facebook page, or twitter.

From Oberursel, Germany, to Singapore.

* 3 week-ends of family kindness
Three weeks ago, I saw a post in my FB news feed about a project one of the MKB member wanted to organize. It's the project #beSanta by Hanna Cheda  (+ use of the famous #randomactsofkindness). The idea is rather simple: chose three week-ends in December and do a generous act with the whole family. I have talked with my husband and my children and after hearing that they found the project great, I told them of what I had in mind for our kind acts.

- Sending a postcard to a French class learning about the countries this year (see the article in French): a primary school teacher has posted on her FB page a message for help. Her students (23 kids from 6 to 11 years old, living on the isle of Noirmoutiers, France) have for topic this year "Countries of the world". So she asked her friends to share her message "Send them postcards from your country / town". They have already received around 5000 postcards (+ some presents).
My son will write his postcard this Saturday (with my help, he's learning to write only for three months) and the children of Noirmoutiers will receive it before St Nicolas' Day.

- preparing homemade gifts for the neighbours. That's my second time to prepare gifts for the neighbours. My first Christmas in Germany, I had packed a mix of Christmas cookies and hung them on their doorknob. Last year, we just moved from our rented flat to our current (owned) flat and I had no time to come up with something.
This 6th of December - St Nicolas' Day -, I will surprise them with homemade candle jars + chocolates (bought, I'm not a chocolatier). I have one week to finish decorating the last four jars. My daughter loves to help with that activity. My son prefers to wait for the third one.

- making toys for the animals at the shelter. Yeap, you read right. We're going to cut some old jeans, sew some fabrics, and create toys! I have found many DIY on Pinterest and the kids chose the jeans braid + t-shirts toss and tug toys for the dogs and cardboard balls + rolls with metallic paper cover (cats love shiny things). This activity will take us several afternoons next month and that's perfect for me.


Be on the look out, I will post pictures after our different projects will be completed.

I invite you this Christmas season to take care for the people in your life AND for those you don't know. Kindness doesn't always require lost of hours and difficult work. Most often, it demands just an open heart and a will to serve. Of course, we can't be everywhere. So chose a few charitable deeds you know you can do and act!

Les 5 Piliers de l'Islam vus par des Saints des Derniers Jours / The 5 Pillars of Islam from a LDS perspective.

Expliquer une autre religion à mes enfants: 

les Cinq Piliers de l'Islam.

Explaining another religion to my children: 

the Five Pillars of Islam.

Je pense que certains lecteurs se demandent pourquoi une "mormone" participe à une série d'articles sur le Ramadan et l'Islam. Et bien en fait, c'est assez simple. Je considère que mes enfants doivent recevoir non seulement une éducation religieuse au sein de notre foi, de notre Eglise, mais qu'ils doivent aussi être à même de comprendre le monde qui les entoure. C'est pourquoi je leur parle, selon les occasions qui se présentent (on passe à côté d'une synagogue ou d'une Eglise protestante, on parle de l'ancienne assistante maternelle de Gabriel qui est musulmane, etc) des autres religions existant dans le monde.
I think some readers will ask themselves why a "mormon woman" takes part in a series about Ramadan and Islam. Well, it's rather simple. I consider that my kids have to receive not only a religious education about our Faith, our Church, but also that they have to be aware and understanding of the world they live in. That's why I talk to them, on occasion about other religions existing in the world (like when we walk near a synagogue or a reform church, or when we speak about Gabriel's past nursery assistant who was muslim, etc).

Tous les Lundi soirs, nous avons une "soirée familiale" au cours de laquelle nous chantons des cantiques avec nos enfants, nous abordons un sujet concernant notre famille (lié en principe à l’Évangile), nous lisons une histoire tirée des Écritures et nous jouons à un jeu. Le Lundi 22 juin, alors que le mois de Ramadan avait déjà commencé, j'ai choisi comme thème de discussion en famille les "Cinq Piliers de l'Islam" et les correspondances que nous pouvions faire avec nos propres croyances.
Every Monday evening, we have a "family home evening" during which we sing hymns, children songs together, we talk about subjects important to our family (and linked to Gospel's principles), we read stories from the Scriptures and we play a game. On Monday 22th of June, while the Ramadan month had already begun, I chose for our talk's topic the "Five Pillars of Islam" and the correspondences we can make with our own believes.

Je me suis appuyée pour notre discussion sur un livre emprunté à la bibliothèque municipale d'Oberursel: Islam, par Neil Morris, collection "Die Weltreligionen".
I used as support for our talk the book borrowed at Oberursel's library: Islam, by Neil Morris, collection "Die Weltreligionen".

J'ai introduit les cinq devoirs essentiels que tout musulman fidèle (et ayant l'âge requis) se doit d'accomplir dans sa vie, pas vraiment dans l'ordre habituel, mais cela avait pour but de parler en dernier du jeûne et de l'aumône. Puis j'ai fait le lien avec nos pratiques et nos croyances, en lui posant des questions et lui rappelant certains principes de notre Eglise:
I introduce the five essential duties every faithful Muslim (and old enough to follow them) has to accomplish in his life, not really in the usual order, but it was to speak about fasting and offerings at last. Then, I draw parallels with our believes and practices, asking him and making him remember our principles:

1 - la Profession de foi : la Shahaada.
C'est ce qui est le plus important pour un musulman: l'attestation de foi de l'unicité de Dieu et du fait que Mahomet est Son prophète. Elle doit être dite sans contrainte et en toute connaissance de cause. Voici le texte de la Shahada en arabe (elle doit être dite en arabe pour être valide):

أشهد أن لآ إلَـهَ اِلا الله وأشهد أن محمدا رسول الله / Ašhadu an lā ilāha illa-llāh, wa-ašhadu anna Muḥammadan rasūlu-llāh

La traduction en français: Je témoigne qu'il n'y a de divinité que Dieu. Je témoigne que Muhammad est le messager de Dieu.

Pour nous, Saints des Derniers Jours, rendre témoignage de notre foi en Dieu, de ce que l'on croit et sait être vrai, est aussi un acte important. Il est recommandé d'étudier les Écritures, de prier à propos de chaque point de l’Évangile et de nourrir notre témoignage des réponses reçues à l'issu de ces prières ou lors d'expériences vécues. Une fois par mois, après l'ordonnance de la Sainte-Cène (équivalent de la communion chez les Catholiques...), des membres de l'assemblée qui en ont le désir peuvent se rendre au pupitre et rendre leur témoignage sur un point de doctrine.

The Profession of Faith: the Shahaada. 
It's the most important for Muslims: the testimonial of faith about the unicity of God and the fact that Mahomet is His prophet. She has to be said willingly and with a full knowledge of what it entails. Here is the text of the Shahada in Arabic (it's the language required to profess it for its validity):

أشهد أن لآ إلَـهَ اِلا الله وأشهد أن محمدا رسول الله / Ašhadu an lā ilāha illa-llāh, wa-ašhadu anna Muḥammadan rasūlu-llāh

The English translation: [ I testify that ] there is no god (allah), but God, and [ I testify that ] Muhammad is the messenger of God. (from Wikipedia)  or other version: There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.

For us, Latter-day Saints, to give a testimony in our faith in God, about what we believe and know to be true, is also a very important act. It's recommanded to study the Scriptures, to pray about each principles of the Gospel and to nourish our testimony with the answers we receive, after a prayer or during an experience we lived. Once a month, after the ordinance of the Sacrament (like the communion for the Catholics...), members of the assembly who wishes to do it can go to the pulprit and share their testimony on a doctrine point.

2 - la Prière quotidienne (5 fois par jour): le Salat (As-salaat).
Les musulmans prient cinq fois dans la direction de la Kaaba, qui se situe à La Mecque. Il n'y a pas d'endroit précis pour faire la prière, seuls comptent l'orientation, les mots / le texte, l'intention et la gestuelle.

Notre famille prie plusieurs fois par jour ensemble: le matin, avant chaque repas, avant de se coucher... Il y a également des occasions plus uniques telles un voyage en voiture, pour prendre une décision, pour demander de l'aide, etc. Nous prions aussi personnellement et en couple. Si les musulmans ont des prières écrites qu'ils doivent réciter, nos prières sont spontanées, à l'exception de la prière pour bénir le pain et l'eau lors de la Sainte-Cène chaque dimanche. Le début est une adresse à Dieu ("Cher Père Céleste" par exemple) et elle se termine par "Au nom de Jésus-Christ, Amen". Le reste, c'est au bon vouloir et besoin de chacun.

The daily prayers (5 times a day): the Salat (As-salaat).
Muslims pray five times in the direction of the Kaaba, located in Mecca. There's no precise place to do the prayers, what is required is the orientation, the text / words, the intend and the body movements.

Our family prays together several times a day: in the morning, before each meal, before we go to bed... There are more unique occasions too, like a long drive in the car, to take a decision, to ask for help, etc. We pray also in couple, and on our own. If Muslims have written prayers they have to recite, our prayers are spontaneous, at the only exception of the prayer for the blessing of the bread and water during Sacrament each Sunday. We start with an address to God (for example "Dear Heavenly Father") and end with "In name of Jesus-Christ, Amen". The need and the goodwill of each one will dictate the rest of the prayer.

3 - le Pèlerinage à La Mecque: le Hajj. A faire au moins une fois dans sa vie, si la personne a les moyens physiques et financiers le permettant, le pèlerinage déplace chaque année des foules de fidèles entre les 8 et 13 du mois de  Dhû al-hijja (douxième du calendrier musulman).

J'ai fait le rapprochement avec notre préparation et notre désir d'aller au Temple au moins une fois dans sa vie pour faire des Alliances avec Dieu, dont le Scellement des familles (familles unies pour l’Éternité). Pour beaucoup, cela demande comme pour nombre de musulmans de voyager loin, de se préparer spirituellement et d'être en accord avec les principes divins.

The pilgrimage to Mecca: the Hajj. To do at least once in a lifetime, if the person has the physical capabilities and finances to permit it, the pilgrimage move each year a huge crowd of faithful believers between the 8th and the 13th of Dhû al-hijja (twelveth month of the Muslim calendar).

I made the link with our preparation and our desire to go to the Temple at least once in our life, to do Covenants with God, among them the Sealing of the family (families are united forever). For many, it asked like for many Muslims to travel far away, to be spiritually prepared and to agree with the divine principles.

4 - le jeûne du mois de Ramadan: le Saoum.
Jeûner commence au lever du soleil et ne se termine que lorsque le soleil est couché. Après, il est de coutume de rompre le jeûne en famille ou entre amis. Pour plus d'informations sur ce que mangent les musulmans durant Iftar (le repas durant lequel on casse le jeûne chaque soir), je vous conseille cette liste de recettes et menus pour Iftar (en anglais).

Dès que j'ai parlé de jeûne, mon fils a dit "Papa aussi il le fait!" Bon, Maman jeûne également... quand elle n'est pas enceinte ou qu'elle allaite. En fait, c'est une fois par mois, en général le premier Dimanche de chaque mois, pendant deux repas consécutifs. Pas d'aliments ni de boissons, si bien sûr la personne en est physiquement capable. La raison de ce jeûne est la même que pour les musulmans: se rapprocher de Dieu, être plus en phase avec nous-même et notre environnement, s'ouvrir aux autres...

The fast during the month of Ramadan: the Sawm.
Fasting begins as soon as the sun rises and end when after the sunset. After the fast, it's customary to break it with the company of family and friends. For more informations about what Muslims eat during Iftar (the meal that breaks the fast each evening), I advice you to read this list of Iftar menus and recipes.

As soon as I have talked about the fast, my son said "Daddy do it too!" Well, Mommy fasts too... when she's not pregnant or breastfeeding. In fact, we do it once a month, usually the first Sunday of the month, during two consecutive meals. No food, no drink, if of course someone is physically able to do so. The reason behind this fast is rather the same as for Muslims: to grow closer to God, to be more in tune with ourselves and our surrounding, to open ourself to others...

5 - la Charité avec les aumônes: la Zakat. 
Bien souvent, cet impôt volontaire est payé au moment du Ramadan et représente environ 2,5% des revenus. Toutefois, la Charité est également développée en famille en rendant des services autour de soi.

Dans mon Eglise, il est demandé (mais c'est au libre-choix de chacun) de reverser le montant des deux repas jeûnés chaque mois au "fond de jeûne". L'argent récolté sert en premier pour aider les familles nécessiteuses de la paroisse ou du pieu (regroupement de paroisse, équivalent d'un diocèse), ou des personnes hors de l'Eglise lors de catastrophes naturelles. [Un fond humanitaire spécial a d'ailleurs été créé il y a trente ans à cette fin. Voir mon article sur le blog anglophone Interfaith Ramadan qui paraîtra le 7 juillet.]

The Charity with the yearly alms: the Zakat.
These alms are often given during Ramadan, are always based on the will of the people and represents roughly 2,5% of their wages. However, Charity is also developped at home by serving others (see this lovely article C is for Charity).

In my Church, it is asked (but it's based also on free-will) to offer the amount we would have paid for the meals during fast to the "fast offerings fund". The money received will be used primarily in the ward (=parish)  or the stake (= diocese) to help the needy families, or it could also be used in case of natural disasters. [A humanitarian fund has also been especially set up 30 years ago with this goal. You can read my post on Interfaith Ramadan that will be publish on the 7th of July.]

Je tiens à vous parler d'Amanda, auteure du blog MarocMama et américaine convertie à l'Islam, qui a réalisé en novembre 2013 une série d'entretiens croisés avec une blogueuse "mormone". Je vous conseille vivement de lire leurs articles, qui sont par contre en anglais. Carissa (la "Mormone") a écrit les articles suivants. Amanda a quant à elle publié sur le blog de Carissa des textes expliquant l'Islam, comment elle élève ses enfants, et aussi démystifiant certains préjugés. Elles ont toutes deux tiré de cette expérience de belles leçons de partage, d'amitié, de respect et le désir de lutter contre les discriminations qu'une personne d'une autre foi, un autre avis que le nôtre, peut rencontrer.

I want to talk to you about Amanda, author of the blog MarocMama and american woman converted to Islam, who realized in November 2013 a few crossed interviews with a "mormon" blogger. I deeply recommend you their posts. Carissa (the "mormon" mom) wrote these articles and Amanda published on Carissa's blog these posts explaining Islam, how she raises her kids and fighting misconceptions. They have both learned from this experience lessons about friendship, respect, sharing, and the desire to fight against discriminations faced by someone from a different faith, a different opinion.

Pour des idées d'activités créatives sur les Cinq Piliers de l'Islam, voir les liens suivants:

* carillon en perles "Cinq Piliers de l'Islam"

* magnets (à l'achat)

* et toutes ces idées pour enfants: tableau Pinterest

For craft ideas about the 5 pillars of Islam, here are some links:

* Wind chime "Five pillars of Islam"

* magnets (you can buy them)

* and all those ideas for children: Pinterest board.

Dans le livre que j'ai utilisé avec mes enfants, plusieurs autres caractéristiques de l'Islam sont aussi abordés:
In the book I used with my children, several other characteristics of Islam are explained:

Table des matières, livre Islam, Neil Morris.
J'apprécie toujours lorsqu'un livre pédagogique a de belles illustrations.
Table of contents, book Islam, by Neil Morris.
I really like when a pedagogic book has many beautiful pictures.

Double page sur la prière: comment un musulman prie, dans quel lieu, les occasions de prière, etc.
Double page about prayer: how a muslim pray, where, for which events, etc.

Double page sur les fêtes dans l'Islam.
Double page about the Islamic festivals.

J'ai encore deux semaines pour finir de lire ce livre avec mon fils (ma fille de trois ans ne reste pas en place pendant les explications...mais bon, elle est encore bien jeune!). J'espère qu'après il aura envie de se renseigner un peu plus sur le sujet ainsi que sur d'autres religions. Je vais essayer de trouver un livre sur le judaïsme à notre prochain arrêt bibliothèque, mais ce n'est pas gagné. Il y a surtout des livres sur le christianisme au rayon enfant... En tout cas, je suis heureuse de voir que mon fils ait pu voir le parallèle, les similitudes entre l'Islam et notre Eglise. 
I have still two weeks to finish this book with my son (my 3 years old daughter can't stay put during the reading...but well, she's young!). I hope that after this book, he will want to know more on this topic and about other religions. i will try to find a book on Judaïsm next time we go to the library, but it's not a safe bet. There are mostly books about Christianism in the kids section... All in all, I'm happy that my son could see the parallel, the similarities between Islam and our Church.

Il va sans dire que les différences sont bien réelles, mais que notre attitude face au divin est assez semblable. Nous louons et reconnaissons Dieu pour Sa bonté, Son pouvoir et Sa Création, nous faisons des sacrifices (matériels, de temps, de nos talents, etc), et nous essayons de devenir plus humbles, plus fidèles et plus charitables. Il est bon de s'en rappeler, tout particulièrement lors de ce mois de Ramadan, marqué par tant d'informations horribles sur les actes perpétués par des êtres qui osent se prétendre "religieux". Puissent mes sœurs et frères qui ont à faire face à ces situations, et ce quelque soit leur confession,  se rapprocher et faire ainsi front commun. Que nous puissions tous être unis en prière pour repousser ce mal et faire briller nos vraies croyances et l'Amour divin.
It goes without saying that the differences are quite real, but our attitude toward the divine is quite the same. We praise and recognize God for His kindness, His power and His creation, we make sacrifices (material, time, talents, etc) and we try to be more humble, faithful and charitable. It's good to remember this, especially during this ramadan, darkened by the amount of horrific informations about the things done by beings who pretends themselves "religious". May my sisters and brothers who face these situations, and whatever their faith is, be able to come closer and stand their ground together. May we unite in prayer to repell this evil and make our true beliefs and God's love shine.

Check out all the other posts of this series on the main page on Multicultural Kid Blogs.

DIY with a small budget / Faites-le vous-même avec un petit budget

Ce soir, j'anime, lors de notre réunion mensuelle entre femmes de ma paroisse, une petite présentation sur le thème "Avec peu, faites plus" dédiée aux activités créatives qu'on peut faire avec ce qu'on récupère au quotidien...

Je vais donner l'exemple d'un tableau pour chambre d'enfant réalisé à partir d'un rectangle de carton, de papier crêpon, de colle, de serviettes en papier et de stickers (ou autres choses qu'on peut coller dessus). Bien sûr, c'est encore mieux quand les enfants participent!

Coller ce que vous voulez sur le carton, quand la colle a séché.
On peut ajouter des rubans, des personnages découpés dans des journaux, des boutons, etc.
C'est selon votre envie (et celle de vos enfants!)
Ne pas oublier de coller avec du scotch bien solide le papier crêpon au dos du carton!
Glue on it, after the glued paper is dry, what you want: stickers, ribbons, pieces of cut paper, buttons, etc.
Your choice, and your kids' choice too!
Don't forget to stick firmly the crep paper on the back of the cardboard!

Afin de pouvoir "laisser quelque chose" aux participantes, j'ai créé un Tableau Pinterest avec des idées pour améliorer / récupérer / réutiliser ce qu'on a déjà dans nos placards, caves, greniers... Bien sûr, je continuerai à ajouter de nouvelles idées au fil des semaines.

Si vous souhaitez être collaborateur sur ce tableau, merci de me laisser un message: en commentaires, sur Pinterest, par email ou Facebook.

Abonnez-vous au tableau DIY with a small budget de Eolia Disler sur Pinterest.

Tonight, I will host during the women monthly meeting at my Church a quick presentation on the topic "With less, do more" about craft activities we can do with unused and found things...

I will give some examples, and one of them is a picture made from cardboard, crep paper, paper napkins, glue, stickers, and whatever you wnt to glue on it. It's even better when the kids make it with us. A fun family activity! (see pictures up)

To let the "guests" have something from my talk, I created a Pinterest Board with ideas to better / upcycle / re-use what we have in our cupboards, cellar and attic... Of course, I will keep adding more ideas along the weeks.

If you want to collaborate on this board, please leave me a message in the comments section, by email, on Facebook or on Pinterest.

Nepal Tragedy: Fundraising Campaign for CHOICE Humanitarian

Sometimes in life, you feel a pull, a call, to do something you didn't planned. I'm not talking about eating the last piece of chocolate on the bar at 11pm. I'm talking about doing something altruist, generous, perhaps time-consuming... Something that brings us nearer to God or the Divine (whichever you prefer).

After hearing about the earthquake that shattered so many lifes in Nepal and North-India, I have looked for NGO raising funds to help the victims. As I was trying to decide which one was the more "suitable", I stumbled on an article advising people to be cautious on how to give and remind us of what happened to a part (a quite big one) of the humanitarian help provided after the disaster in Haiti in January 2010. This article in the French newspaper Le Monde relates the situation in Haiti 5 years after the earthquake and it's not a nice picture.

Of course I know that rescue teams, helicopters, shelters, food, water, medical help, etc are needed right now in Nepal. And that without funds, it's not possible. BUT emergency situations (when it's a natural occurence) are nowadays quite well planned or managed by governments and international NGO.

What is not planned or enough secured, is the aftermath, the rebuild of the country. How many money have been "lost" or "hijacked" after the massive and spontaneous international help for the numerous calamities throughout the world these last ten years? Earthquakes, tsunami, flooding, famines due to heat-waves, storms and cyclones... in all the continents!

That's why I have chosen to spend my money and time - and heart - on an organization that was already on site and is aware of the needs of the people in the epicenter region of the earthquake:

CHOICE Humanitarian. 

They have worked with them for many years on various aspects, one of the main goals being self-reliant and self-developing communities. It's the core of the programms for nearly 30 years at CHOICE Humanitarian. As the quote from Maimonides says: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." And this organization applies this principle. They also empower and educate women and girls, so that they can stay healthy and feel as equal citizens with their work and contributions to the community.

Building desks for a school.

As you can see on the maps below (click on the enclosed documents), the regions of Ghorkha and Lamjung with whom the organization works have greatly felt the earthquake. This article on a USAID page (a US Government agency) explains rather well which part of Nepal have been victimed of the quake(s).

Map Nepal earthquake 1

Map Nepal earthquake 2

Map districts in Nepal

In the latest blog post on their website, Bishnu Adhikan, the In-Country Director for Nepal has given some informations about the situation in the Kathmandu Valley and the areas of Lamjung and Ghorkha (earthquake's epicenter). You can check what is happening in Nepal with CHOICE Humanitarian by following this link: blog Nepal. If you want to know a bit more about Bishnu, you have a quick video on youtube from a documentary he took part in, and here below another of him explaining his work and his wishes:

Helping women with a healthier life: implementing biodigesters to eliminate nocive smokes in the kitchen, see video below.

And now on the fundraising campaign:

if you wish to help CHOICE Humanitarian, you just have to click

HERE

I have set a personal goal of 500$ until the 31st of May 2015. 

This money will serve the populations of Nepal in their dire and present needs but most important, it will be used to rebuild and set goals for the future. Tents and temporary shelters are ok, however it will never be as good as building again houses and facilities. Schools have been destroyed, health centers are damaged, etc. the sooner the Nepali will start rebuilding, the better their life will improve.

Make a wish on their future, donate!

Update 28th April:

Etre doux / Being meek

Pour ceux qui me connaissent version "vie quotidienne", je suis plutôt souriante et généreuse mais le terme de "douce" ne me viendrait jamais à l'esprit pour me décrire! Et surement pas au vôtre non plus...

For those who know me in the "everyday life", I'm rather smiling and generous but the word "meek" would never come to my mind to describe myself! And surely not to yours either...

Il est pour moi assez difficile d'être "douce", physiquement parlant. Cela ne semble pas l'un de mes attributs. Alors quand je lis des textes qui expliquent que la douceur n'est pas seulement le ton de la voix ou les gestes apaisants, cela me rassure. Je tenais à vous partager ce discours car il m'aide dans les moments où je doute de pouvoir améliorer certains de mes comportements et lorsque je souffre. J'espère que vous pourrez vous-aussi y trouver du réconfort.

It's for me quite difficult to be "meek", in a physical way. It seems it's not one of my attribute. So, when I read texts telling that meekness is not only about the tone of the voice or a soothing gesture, it reassures me. I wanted to share this talk because it helps me when I doubt I can better some of my behaviours or when I suffer. I hope you will find too some solace.

Etre doux et humble de coeur, discours d'Ulisses Soares

Be meek and lowly of heart, a talk by Ulisses Soares

Thanks Cards as Place Settings [Festive Family Holiday]

When we invite people to our home, for a festive occasion or just to be together for a few hours, we usually are happy to have them over. They are certainly grateful for the invitation and have perhaps brought some flowers, drink or even a dish, meanwhile we thank them to be our friends or family members. Why not let them go back home with a sweet reminder of their visit?

My mother-in-law makes each year for Christmas place settings for the guests. As the host, she spends time to write a menu and cook the dishes. She decorates the table, brings the presents under the tree during the night (we open them on Christmas morning) and prepares the small cards with the guests' names. I love them. They are colorful, with pictures or stickers about all things Christmasy and most importantly, she writes a personal note. She quotes the Scriptures and tells something kind to the recipient. The kids are always eager to look at their place setting. Of course, we have to make them wait to read the note right before we have lunch... It's part of the tradition!

As you can see, it's very easy to make during "family time": parents and children together, thinking about the people they like and creating simple and lovely thanks cards. It must be a quick, meaningful and fun activity. Don't try to imitate the professionals if you're not one... Draw your creative and time limits, so less stress and everyone will remember it in a positive way (and hopefully, you will be able to do it again!)

You will need:

Sheets of papers (A4) in the colors of your choice

Pencil

Ruler

Pens in the colors of your choice (like gold, silver, glossy, etc)

Pictures cut in Holiday Season magazines OR stickers OR masking /washi tape

• Depending on the size you want for your cards, you will draw two or three columns. I choose to divide it in 3 columns and 5 rows. One piece for a small place setting, and two pieces for a bigger one.

• Write a kind note inside the card or a famous quote / Scriptures quote.

• On the front, decorate however you wish, but don't forget to leave some place to write the name of your guest on it! 

Here in Germany, they have many craft supplies quite "cheap", especially if you look in the discount supermarket such as PennyMarkt, Lidl or Aldi. It's even more difficult to not buy  some of their products when I go shopping for food than to find something you like! (I totally "indulge" myself on Monday... now I have all the children and I need for our Christmas and New Year's cards!)

Yeah, I already prepared some for the friends I will invite around Christmas time... So for the intended, you know you have to save one evening in December to come in our (very soon new) flat. And you will have to wait until then to know what is written on it! 

***§§§***

Festive Family Holiday: Blog hop and Giveaway

I've partnered with 30+ fabulous bloggers to bring you a special holiday series packed with crafts, activities, and festive family traditions. We've put together a phenomenal giveaway to help knock out your holiday shopping. From 11/3–11/17, you will have the opportunity to win 1 of 4 prize bundles for men, women, kids, and babies! The 4 prize bundles, valued at over $1,800, include gift certificates, toys, jewelry, and more!

For more informations about these very special two weeks, 

go on the main page on Bare Foot on the Dashboard, the creator and host of this event.

Today's posts are about

Thankful Traditions

Create a Thankful Tree with Your Kids from Bare Feet on the Dashboard

Thanks Cards as Place Settings from La Cite' des Vents

A Thankful Display from Hand Made Kids Art

Lego Thanksgiving Activities from Gypsy Road School

365 Days of Thanksgiving from Lemon Lime Adventures

Simple Ways to Teach Gratitude and Thankfulness Daily from A Mother Far From Home

20+ Family Gratitude Activities from Bits of Positivity

Creative Ways to Encourage Gratitude from P is for Preschooler

Cooking with Kids on Thanksgiving from Peace But Not Quiet

Thanksgiving Activities to Encourage Gratitude from Are We There Yet?

Thanksgiving Gratitude Photo Wreath from Totschooling

Thanksgiving Gratitude Activity from Sugar Aunts

Free Printable for Teaching Kids Thankfulness from Happy and Blessed Home

Family Thankfulness Jar from The Realistic Mama

You can also find all the posts on our Pinterest board:

Follow Becca Eby ~ Bare Feet on the Dashboard's board Festive Family Holiday on Pinterest.

And of course, enter the Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Charitable Act: Shoe boxes filled with presents [Festive Family Holiday]

This year, one of my friend organized for our church ward to take part in one of the biggest charity Christmas project there is in Germany: Weihnachten im Schuhkarton. It means "Christmas in a shoe box" and targets children in need in East European countries.

What does it entail? Well... See for yourself:

1/ Grab a shoe box.

2/ Put some Chritsmas wrapping paper on the box. The top and the bottom must be wrapped separately. [Not easily done as you can see on the picture on the right top corner...]

3/ Then, you can choose if the box will be for a boy or a girl, and also the age target [picture on the right bottom].

4/ Fill the box with small presents: gloves and scarfs, winter thights, socks; teddy bears, plush toys, small puzzles, games; basic hygiene products such as tooth brush, toothpast, comb, elastic hairbands... There's some fordidden things to put in the packet like liquids (shampoo for example), toys needing battery, breakables, etc.

5/ You can add a Christmas card - home made or bought - and write a note for the kid who will receive your gift. And even if they do not understand your language, it seems that many children write back (you will have to be patient, it can take nearly a whole year). A woman who was in our ward the day we presented the project told us that she was from Düssedorf, that she did it last year and that she received a nice letter not too long ago. [I totally forgot to take a photo of my 3 cards]

6/ When you have filled your box, put the sticker on the top and use an elastic band or a ribbon to close it.

7/ Finally, gather your box and 6€, and bring them to one of the pick up point. (for me, it's my chapel...) The 6€ will cover the cost of the "delivery" and all the other requiered tasks (finding local associations that know the needs of the population, advertisement, stickers we have to stick on the boxes, etc)

I know that this concept of gifts in a shoe box is not only used in german speaking countries but also in many others. In fact, it comes from the USA and it works since 1990 (see informations here). Depending on where you live, the presents will be delivered in different countries (East Europa for Germany, Austria and Switzerland for example).

• For USA, I have found the Operation Christmas Child organized by Samaritan's Purse International Relief.
• For Australia and New Zealand, you can also prepare a box for Samaritan's Purse.
• In the following countries, Operation Christmas Child is also present: Canada, Finland, Japan, Spain and UK / Ireland.
• For UK, your can also help Smile International, an association doing the same thing for children in need in the whole world. For this year, it will be a bit late, but save the information for next year!

For me, Christmas time has always been a reminder of the value of giving and sharing, of Love and Service and of course of Jesus' example. Each year, my husband and I give something to an association. This year it will be Operation Christmas Child. And you, whichever the Holiday you hold dear to your heart, will you be generous with others?

***§§§***

Festive Family Holiday: Blog hop and Giveaway

I've partnered with 30+ fabulous bloggers to bring you a special holiday series packed with crafts, activities, and festive family traditions. We've put together a phenomenal giveaway to help knock out your holiday shopping. From 11/3–11/17, you will have the opportunity to win 1 of 4 prize bundles for men, women, kids, and babies! The 4 prize bundles, valued at over $1,800, include gift certificates, toys, jewelry, and more!

For more informations about these very special two weeks, 

go on the main page on Bare Foot on the Dashboard, the creator and host of this event.

Today's posts are about

Sharing the Joy of the Season

Five Ways to Simplify the Holiday Season from Bare Feet on the Dashboard

 Free Printables for Nativity from Happy and Blessed Home

Charitable Act: Shoeboxes Filled with Presents from La Cité des Vents

Joyful Christmas Crafts for Kids from Handmade Kids Art

Give a Little Bit from Gypsy Road School

Joy Comes from the Inside… But Not of a Package from A Mother Far from Home

Welcome to the Festive Family Holiday Giveaway from Peace but Not Quiet

Sharing Joy & a Giveaway from P is for Preschooler

Share Some Joy this Holiday Season from Are We There Yet?

Thankful Turkey Wreath Tradition from Mom Inspired Life

Christmas Sensory Play Ideas for Kids from Still Playing School

Unique Kits for Kids that Won’t Break the Bank from Lemon Lime Adventures

Holiday Tradition Ideas for Families from Sugar Aunts

Gratitude Stones: A Thanksgiving Nature Craft for Kids  from Fireflies and Mudpies

Montessori Monday - Montessori Inspired Thanksgiving Ideas from Living Montessori Now

Finding Joy in the Holidays Even During Difficult Times from ALLterNATIVElearning

Christmas Shadow Puppets Play from Adventure in a Box

Sharing Joy through a Holiday Giveaway from Kids Yoga Stories

Family Thankfulness Jar from The Realistic Mama

Gratitude and Thanksgiving Books for Preschoolers from Totschooling

Festive Family Holiday from In the Playroom

You can also find all the posts on our Pinterest board:

Follow Becca Eby ~ Bare Feet on the Dashboard's board Festive Family Holiday on Pinterest.

And of course, enter the Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway