High Calorie Giveaway

A 500th post giveway on a quilting/crafting blog is usually something crafty - patterns, fabric, notions, a finished project.

And this giveaway might eventually include one of those type of items. Heck - it WILL include some of those items.

But it is going to start with a cookbook - not just any cookbook but one that was being sold by a local medical office as a fundraiser for a recent American Cancer Society Relay for Life event.

It's your typical local group produced cookbook - lots of recipes your mom, neighbor, aunt, husband, or the lady at all the local potlock suppers might have in their stash. Some you may already have.

There IS a recipe for peanut butter pie!!!

But it is so much more! It is the effort of a few people, giving of their time to create something that can make a difference, however small, in the lives of so many affected by cancer.

Not just the patients, but the families -the sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, aunts, spouses, grandparents, co-workers and friends that are affected every time a diagnosis has to be made.

Entry into this giveaway is simple.

For ONE entry - just leave a comment on this post. No need to be a follower.

For FIVE extra entries - please post a message or image on your blog with a link to the online giving page of the American Cancer Society or any other cancer research charity of your choice. Post me a message with the corresponding link, please. (if you don't have a blog - but are on Facebook, post there instead).

and for TEN extra entries - please consider making a gift of your own - in any amount - to ACS or any other cancer research charity. Just post me a message that you did - no need to tell me how much.

I'll take entries until my Mom finishes her current round of chemo... I will have to get back to you on that exact date.

...for Mom ... because there would not be 500 posts here without her love and support.

Passing Skills Along the Generations

I have written before about how the Matriarchal Sister taught me to sew, but there are so many other things I learned from her, from my other siblings, from my parents, and from others that I still do today. I still make meatloaf based on Mom's recipe, and repot plants using techniques she taught me. I'm comfortable in the woodshop, and even on the roof, after a summer helping Dad with some work around the house. The list could go on and on...

This morning the Munchkin learned something important - passed down from generation to generation in my family - the proper way to assemble a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. He watched with intensity as we selected and laid out the bread, carefully spread the strawberry jam (not homemade - sorry Mom), and chose between crunchy and creamy. Sides were joined, and sandwiches were cut and packaged for lunch - all while he carefully munched on a small version and observed carefully.

Next week we will introduce him to the variations - peanut butter and swiss cheese, anyone???