Gold Maple
Dear Friends
I enjoy giving gifts. My parents have criticized my generosity out of general concern for my own well-being. However, my partner decided if I earned the funds to purchase these gifts, I should just enjoy the giving.
I cannot remember a year when I did not give a gift of time or money to UNICEF to support them in feeding and providing health services for the children of our Global Community. To me, this is about children helping children in the world.
Several years ago I stopped working to focus on caring for my mother. This year, because my finances are limited and I have no money to donate to UNICEF, I got creative.
I posted a harvest potluck announcement on my Blog to invite readers to share their favorite recipes. I was blessed with a wonderful response, receiving dozens of yummy ways to prepare the food they love to eat. My task has been to organize these “gifts” into an eBook that people can download for sharing food and friendship and to increase awareness of UNICEF’s relief efforts.
I recall a wonderful story about a traveler who arrives at an isolated village, feeling very hungry. The villagers are not willing to share any food with this traveler. As a matter of fact, they are preoccupied with hiding what little food they have from each other and thus, they are starved for connection and friendship. The traveler, being a clever sort of fellow, mentioned that he has a magic recipe for STONE SOUP, which will feed everyone until their bounty is ready to harvest.
The villagers offered up a large kettle and the traveler built a fire in the town square. He filled the kettle with water and when it started to boil he added his magic stone. For the stone to work its magic other ingredients were needed. And so with the traveler’s encouragement, first one and then another villager offered up a carrot, an onion, and then a meat bone. Many of the residents offered up their last bits of food with the promise that the stone would produce soup until the harvest.
Low and behold, the aroma of the soup enticed the villagers from their homes and they gathered for a feast of warm soup and good company – each helping the other. Music was offered up and the children danced while the villagers celebrated their bounty and the nourishment the traveler had brought to them with the magic stone.
I share this story with you now because, despite my limited budget, I still had a hunger to give a donation to UNICEF children’s fund this year.
So I’ve offered up my version of the magic stone and received a bountiful harvest of recipes from other bloggers, friends, neighbors and folks around the world; people like those villagers, who wanted to put something on the table.
I am deeply grateful and thankful for every contributions, and for all the kind words of encouragement, I’ve received. Together we’ve worked our own bit of magic here. So much know-how and expertise has been shared with me and in turn, it is extended to the world for others to enjoy and share in helping UNICEF to feed children and provide medical supplies.
These recipes evoke love and hope, offered as a “gift” and to bring awareness to the cause of feeding hungry children. To download your free copy of the ebook, click here.
I hope this will bring you as much comfort, satisfaction and joy as it has brought to me. Thank you very much.
Patricia Hamilton
PS – Special thanks to Pete Wuebker (Extras) and Kim Tremblett (Golden Maple for Cover) for their fantastic photographs! Many thanks to Davina for her fantastic editing at the last minute -you folks are a blessing.
If you would like to place a copy of the Harvest Potluck icon on your Web page please copy and paste the following code:
<a href=”http://patriciaswisdom.com/2009/11/harvest-potluck-unicef-fundraiser/”><img src=”http://patriciaswisdom.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/harvestpotluck.png” width=”125″ height=”125″ border=”0″ alt=”Harvest Potluck E-Book”></a>
on Nov 22nd, 2009 at 11:23 pm
The cover is not quite right… We are still working on it; I just wanted this up and running.
I apologize if I have missed anybody. Let us know and we will edit!
Happy Thanksgiving! Happy eating.
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 12:31 am
I haven’t heard the stone soup story in ages. I like it.
Great job on giving in a way that makes the most of what you’ve got.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..What 16 Movies Can Teach Us About Life and Leadership =-.
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 12:32 am
Hi Patricia … WELL DONE – big hugs from here in wet England. I really congratulate you – the layout looks wonderful: so clean and precise ..
I am sure we will all contribute to UNICEF and share your joy and your giving .. I’ll be doing just that. Children deserve our care and love.
Fantastic news – brilliant achievement ..
Happy belated thanksgiving to you – enjoy today after a well deserved sleep – Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..What is a Persian Palette…? Turquoise, Seagreen, Magenta … =-.
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 8:02 am
Hi Patricia. I’m downloading this book as I write this comment and feel all excited like a kidlet on Christmas morning. I can’t wait to see this and all the recipes. *rubbing hand together with anticipation*
Good for you for putting this together. It was my pleasure to help.
.-= Davina´s last blog ..A Yogi Twists A Business Pitch =-.
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 8:42 am
JD,
Many thanks – you are inspiring
Hilary,
Thank you for your support and contribution. I am going to take the day off on Thursday for our Thanksgiving and just sit back! I so enjoy learning something new and keep thinking of things I could add or change. It is not wet in San Francisco but understand it is extremely wet at home…I keep hearing about your weather on the news – stay dry.
Davina
You are a blessing and I do not think you will be disappointed. I could not have done this without your help and I need to write a whole post about Geek Girl SF 20 hours of teaching to finish project.
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 10:08 am
Patricia, you have made a gorgeous cookbook! Thanks to everyone for supporting such a wonderful cause. I’m so excited to try out the recipes! The format is lovely! You and Davina have done a fantastic job.
.-= Talon´s last blog ..It’s beginning… =-.
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 11:48 am
Talon,
The thanks for the formatting and layout goes totally to Geek Girl SF or Whitney…My IT extraordinaire…who has spent hours and hours showing me how…and then at midnight finally putting all the pieces in right order.
Thank you for your beautiful photographs and recipe…a village effort here for sure and certain.
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
What a wonderful project you dreamed and pulled together, Patricia! I’m in awe of your determination and enthusiasm. Thank you so much for doing this, for sharing it. Many hugs to you. ~ Julie
.-= Julie´s last blog ..More in Love Than Usual: Celebrating Fall =-.
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Well done Patricia! You inspire me.
.-= vered | blogger for hire´s last blog ..Genetic Testing for Children: Would You Do It? =-.
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
I knew I recognized that gorgeous golden maple from somewhere!!
Bring on the Waldorf Salad! (Very, very good with the kind of champagne you sent that I am saving to open.)
Now to that download….
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Julie,
I need to say WE did it – I would not have been able to do this if I did not have everyone’s contribution and food love. Kudos to you too, and I would not have done this without so much support.
Vered,
Thank you – the feeling is mutual
jannie,
I had to make your Waldorf Salad for the picture in the book – very yummy in deed! We could not get permission from the photography group. My IT keeps me on focus with the details.
Oh this salad and champagne I am sure would be a tremendous successful duo…computer back working? Download okay?
.-= patricia´s last blog ..Harvest Potluck UNICEF Fundraiser =-.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 6:47 am
You are wonderful and inspiring, Patricia!
.-= Mama Zen´s last blog ..How Rogue Would You Go? =-.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Patricia,
We are blessed to know you as a fellow blogger and change maker. Happy Thanksgiving. You’re the best! And thanks to your helpers as well. You are the change!
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Patricia,
What a wonderful idea! It sounds like you harnessed the power of many people to create this book… and for such a wonderful cause. I hadn’t heard the Stone Soup story in a long time and it was nice to be reminded of it. Congratulations on a wonderful project to help others. Job well done!
Jeanne
.-= Jeanne´s last blog ..Inspiration =-.
on Nov 24th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Mama Zen,
Thank you – everyone was so helpful and encouraging – not a lone effort
Tess.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Thank you for your encouraging words
Jeanne,
Thank you – I could not have done it alone, definitely a team effort, and the recipes are so fun and diverse – a feast!
on Nov 25th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Hi Patricia .. Have a good Thanksgiving ..
when I’m back from my course I must put the ebook on my blog (somehow!)
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Witches, Hazels and helmets … =-.
on Nov 25th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Hi Patricia – I love that story about the soup a long long time ago – but I don’t remember where.
I’m looking forward to your book – well done putting it all together. It must have been a huge task.
on Nov 25th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Have a wonderful holiday weekend, Patricia! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
.-= Talon´s last blog ..Grey November =-.
on Nov 27th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Hilary,
Thank you – I just had a great Thanksgiving and am about to get on the train for the journey home. Hope all is going well with you and some drying out of the weather?
Cath,
I think the Stone Soup story has been around for many, many years, we have used it at our church for at least 50 years. Hope you will enjoy the e book…conversions for metric can be googled! It was bigger task than I thought it would be.
Talon,
Thank you for your good wishes…and as we get on the train to head home the rain has arrived here. Looks like we are drying out a bit at home. I wish US Thanksgiving was closer to Canadian Thanksgiving. You would not believe all the folks shopping this Black Friday. Since about midnight last night – overwhelming.
on Nov 29th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Hi Patricia,
I was just paging through your ebook (cookbook). You did an amazing job. It turned out beautiful.
Thank you for all you do for others. May it come back to you ten fold. You are truly a blessing.
((hugs))
P.S. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..The Battle Over Comments – Part 2 =-.
on Nov 29th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Barbara,
I had a great Thanksgiving thank you….I have to say it is a joint effort this ebook and was very fun and very hard for me…we could not get all the stunning photographs in…but were able to get the links set up if folks needed more directions
I just hope it makes some money for UNICEF! and brings as much food as it did effort for me
Thank you for coming on by…
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 1:14 am
[...] what I am asking is for those who are reading this to go to Patricia’s blog on which she is offering a beautiful free ecookbook, and download [...]
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 3:17 am
Hi Patricia. I’m not a cook (or much of an eater, in any formal, civilized sense) but I love what you’re doing here so will definitely retweet this. Good luck!
Delia Lloyd
http://www.realdelia.com
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 8:41 am
Hi Patricia .. I can’t see how I stumble it for you .. a learning curve coming up ..
Thanks Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..What Christmas memory comes back to you at the beginning of December? =-.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 8:48 am
Stumbled!
xo
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Getting To Know Him… Getting To Know All About A Wonderful Blogger. =-.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 9:46 am
Delia,
Thank you…thank you for the retweet…this challenge is getting the juices flowing….it is very fun!
Hilary,
At the bottom of the post is a green share button, click on that and you can stumble or tweet or facebook, etc and share the post…
Jannie,
You are the bestest! Thank you
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 9:53 am
Patricia,
Stumbled again.
Jeanne
.-= Jeanne´s last blog ..Would You Like A Pair Of Angel Wings? =-.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I’ve always loved the stone soup story since I first saw a version of it on an episode of Little House on the Prairie. How fitting it is to use it to encourage feeding others.
I reviewed this at StumbleUpon and found they had your site seriously miscategorized as objectionable adult content. I submitted a correction for you and hope it goes through soon. Until it does most will never see the Stumbles there.
I’ve shared a couple different Tweets of my review there and it will also go to my FriendFeed and Facebook so that may help. I’ll retweet from other accounts as well in hopes you can meet your goal for the matching funds donation.
.-= Internet Strategist @GrowMap´s last blog ..MEME: Share What Makes You Feel Thankful =-.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Thank you, Thank you Thank you….
Wow I wonder how I got to adult content????
Also someone said that when they opened my blog their computer froze?
And we are having trouble getting the icon to download on other blogs…it is not reading correctly…
Hope Geek Girl SF can help me figure this out….I would hate for this not to work for UNICEF and the donations…
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Hi, Patricia. I’m new here, I followed the link from Barbara at Blogging Without a Blog. You inspired me, so I just put a post up on my blog linking to your story here. I hope you get all the hits you need and lots of donations to Unicef.
.-= Jodith´s last blog ..Employee or Independent Contractor =-.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Jodith,
Welcome and thank you for putting up the link….I think we will get some good donations and maybe even the big prize?
It is a worthy cause and great contributors…and I wish to help the children.
on Dec 1st, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Patricia: The ebook is beautiful, you did an amazing job. And the recipes inside look delicious. Thank you for the acknowledgment on the last page, I’m glad my tutorial on writing an ebook helped.
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 2:58 am
Hi Patricia .. I’ve stumbled it .. and also changed the classification to cooking and self development …
(however it still shows as porno .. – perhaps when Barbara stumbled it, she forgot to tag it .. it’s taken me a while to work out what’s what .. not sure I’ve got it right; also I didn’t see “Internet Strategists” stumble (per his comment above).
I can open the avatar at the top if that’s the right phrase, but it just takes you straight to the post – then you need to scroll down to actually see your highlight link to open the ebook.
I’ve asked my sister-in-law to twitter for me ..as I’m not good at that yet .. Let’s hope you make it .. love H
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..What Christmas memory comes back to you at the beginning of December? =-.
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 9:42 am
Hey,
this is such a fantastic idea! I downloaded the book and am encouraging others to do so!
It’s a pleasure to help and it’s nice to know that there are people out there with hearts as big as yours! I hope that you reach your goal!!
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 11:05 am
Marelisa,
Thank you for your nice words…actually within the ebook I gave you several shout outs for your excellent work and guidance with your How to book. Thank you
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 11:07 am
Hilary,
Even if we do not make it we will certain have put some energy into a good effort!
Thank you for all your assistance…and yes one must scroll down the post to open the book – that was the best way I could figure out to open it….Thank you so much for everything.
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 11:08 am
Hi Patricia – I just clicked over from BWB and downloaded the book. Thank you for this! The recipes look wonderful, and I too love to love the stone soup story. It warms my heart each time I hear it.
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 11:50 am
Patty,
Thank you so much we are at 392 reads just this morning – all the good referrals for online folks are helping…with 3.5 days to go I truly believe we will get the $1000 for UNICEF.
I just love the stone soup story myself…Hope you enjoy the delights inside too – they are warm gifts
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 11:58 am
Allie,
Thank you for your download and referrals…I hope you enjoy the lovely recipes. I am optimistic that we are going to make the goal…
so much love in the project
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Hi Patricia,
When I Stumbled your post, it was classified as porn. I thought I had deleted that tag, but hadn’t, although I had also added three other tags to it.
I was just on SU and changed it + also recategorized your site to humanitarianism, as did Internet Strategist. It says it takes 24 hours + to see that be effective.
I was just reading your comments and see you’re getting closer to 1000. I have my fingers crossed.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Save Time – Copy & Paste A Post =-.
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Barbara,
Thank you – yes Hilary found it was still listed as PORN this morning. I have attempted to change it also. Hope in 24 hours we will get some results? I do not wish to be porn…
Thank you for your good shout out… and the offer only has to be 1000 reads – not just downloads….and I am thinking we will make it…as of this mornings fine offerings. Maybe it is like those things one must vote for everyday….????
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 6:14 pm
That’s a wonderful idea; a special gift with much efforts from you and everyone who contributed and at the same time rising the awareness. This will surely make a wonderful gift.
.-= BK´s last blog ..WW: It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas =-.
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 6:50 pm
BK,
Welcome and thank you for coming on by…I think it will make a lovely gift too and hopefully fill up some children’s tummies with good food
Thank you
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 pm
[...] go, I’d like to mention that Patricia, of Patricia’s Wisdom has put together an awesome Harvest Potluck cookbook as a fundraiser for UNICEF. It’s a free ebook, but you have the opportunity to donate to the [...]
on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 8:05 pm
[...] be doing this Christmas? If you have no idea, maybe you would like to be involved with this great ecookbook idea from Patricia Wisdom; her creative way of helping to spread word on UNICEF. Do hop over to [...]
on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Patricia, you are awesome! I can’t wait to try the recipes. I already know that Vered’s pitas are amazing, we had them last night as a matter of fact. My kids love helping me make them, especially since the leftovers get turned into build your own pizzas for lunch the next day.
on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I am also super eager to try Barbara’s scones!
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..It’s like Schadenfreude, only like for nice people =-.
on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Thank you so much for putting this together and for including me
It’s so great to have a cookbook with recipes from online friends and to be supporting such a great cause.
.-= Kim Woodbridge´s last blog ..Gigantic Apples: Time for Country Captain Stew =-.
on Dec 3rd, 2009 at 4:55 pm
Tracy,
Thank you for your delicious contributions and we all made this stone soup….yes the pita are wonderful and make up in Gluten Free flours too …and the scones…awesome
Kim
Thank you for your gifts and I have tasted the Broccoli loaf and our household loves it…what a grand joint effort…things are better when combined
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..Tripping and Reading the Light Fantastic =-.
on Dec 18th, 2009 at 10:28 am
[...] has a Harvest Potluck book for [...]
on Dec 22nd, 2009 at 3:53 am
[...] Harvest Potluck UNICEF Fundraiser: My friend Patricia came up with the idea for this wonderful free book with dozens of recipes donated by friends. The book is free to download but if you like it, donations to UNICEF are appreciated. [...]