Thanks to all who voted for Pete’s From the Garden Pumpkin Pie on the Squidoo Thanksgiving Charity Cookoff. It won! If you’re planning your holiday dessert menu, Pete’s pie recipe, which uses fresh pumpkin, can’t be beat. Our friend, Julie Riddle of Random Meanderings, made the pie and posted this comment on my Facebook: Betsy, I followed Pete’s pumpkin instructions and his recipe. The BEST PUMPKIN PIE I’VE EVER HAD! Phenomenal! 
Thanks, Julie!
With over 23% of the 3001 votes cast, the pie lens pulled ahead of a competitor to finish strong, although it was very close for some time. Pete had another lens, How to Roast a Wild Turkey, qualify for the competition and it siphoned some votes away from the pie! He didn’t get much sleep on Monday night! Thank you, thank you. Your votes mean a $5000 donation to Wildlife Forever from Squidoo. Check out all the great recipes submitted in this competition here.
Speaking of Recipes and charity . . . our friend Patricia at Patricia’s Wisdom has been busy compiling some favorites from our blogging friends into an e-book, Harvest Potluck (free download here). Patricia envisioned this as a gift from her to you in exchange for your voluntary donation to UNICEF: These recipes evoke love and hope, offered as a “gift” and to bring awareness to the cause of feeding hungry children.
Now there’s a delightful twist! A generous group of Secret Santas has come forward and offered a $1000 donation to UNICEF if her e-book is downloaded 1000 times by Friday, December 5th. How cool is that?! If you go here for the free download, then click to save, you’ll have 50 pages of delicious recipes and Patricia will reach the goal. Note: Pete’s Recipe for Scallops with Jade Sauce, a meal that changed my life, is included along with some of our photographs. Thanks, Patricia!
Remember our friend, Becky Blanton, whose personal experience with homelessness we profiled in Into Invisibility with Breathtaking Speed? Well, just at a time when we’re looking to do for others, Becky’s free e-book, Homeless for the Holidays is here. Becky’s guide is a resource that helps you get beyond a financial donation and into the business of meaningful giving.
There is so much great advice and information packed into this amazing product, and it’s free! Learn about God’s Pit Crew and Angel Food Ministries. Meet folks like Tellman Knudson, who is running barefoot across America to fundraise, and Mark Horvath, who created Invisible People TV. Acquaint yourself with panhandling etiquette, and understand just how much work it is to stay clean, safe and presentable when you’re on the move.
Becky reminds us, “No one plans to become homeless. It happens. They may see it coming, or fear it, or find themselves spiraling toward it as a result of bad decisions, or unexpected events, but no one sits down and says, ‘Gee, I think I’ll go be homeless and destitute for a year or so.’ . . . no one in their right mind wants to live on the street, moneyless, starving, cold, hot, lonely, attacked, belittled, disrespected.”
Did you know Steven Pressfield – super Marine Corps strategist and author of The Legend of Bagger Vance, Jim Carrey, Kelly Clarkson, Martin Sheen, Hillary Swank and Cary Grant were all homeless at one point in their lives? Becky’s philosophy is that we can wage the war on homelessness in the arena of economics, instead of morality.
In The Wisdom of the Sands, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote, In giving you are throwing a bridge across the chasm of your solitude. As we enter this season of giving, we’re grateful we can join with you in celebration and donation to these worthy efforts.
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Peter and Betsy Wuebker are location-independent professionals who share what they know about travel, simplicity and integrating work with life. 
I’m so glad Pete won, Betsy. That pie is fabulous! And so incredibly easy! I’d no idea… I’ll never use canned pulp, again. Please thank him for sharing it, and big hugs to you for passing it along.
(And thank you for the mention, too; what a lovely surprise.)
.-= Julie´s last blog ..A Different Thanksgiving =-.
How generous of Pete to share his recipes! I have Patricia’s cookbook and now the pumpkin pie one, too. (I’m not worrying about the wild turkey, as I can’t eat a whole turkey, even a wild one.) This post is full of energy, positive energy and just plain energy. You’ve both been busy! Thanks for all the links — I’ll be working on them.
.-= Dot´s last blog ..Comment on Full Disclosure by Jannie Funster =-.
Congratulations to Pete and I bet it was the best pie recipe ever….and thank your for your great shout out to out little adventure in charity…the ecookbook . We had 392 reads this morning and we have Until SATURDAY midnight PST to meet the goal…I think we just may make it…not everyone needs to download – the SS group is just wanting reads…
Have a second or third helping I always say!!
I agree with Dot this is just full of fabulous energy…Thank you
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..Tripping and Reading the Light Fantastic =-.
Yay Pete! I’m so glad he won.
I bet Patricia’s gonna make it to 1000 for Unicef! You are both so amazing.
Hilary Swank — really? I bet that (and all) are amazing stories.)
Blessing, you sweet lady you!
xo
.-= Jannie Funster´s last blog ..Getting To Know Him… Getting To Know All About A Wonderful Blogger. =-.
Hi Betsy,
Your post is filled to the brim with good stuff.
Congratulations to Pete for the big win. That’s fabulous.
And Patricia’s ecookbook. That’s another great source for good food.
And thank you for sharing the link to Becky’s book. It sounds like it will be a fascinating read.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..Save Time – Copy & Paste A Post =-.
Betsy that is fantastic — $5 to Wildlife Forever!!! Congrats Pete! I’m rooting for Patricia’s ebook too. How did you insert that link to Patricia’s ebook post? I’m liking that.
.-= Davina´s last blog ..Poem #2: Grandmother’s Spark =-.
Arghh… I meant $5K to Wildlife Forever!
Thank You everyone. These voting for donations are a hot marketing strategy right now for companies in the for-profit area.
.-= Pete´s last blog ..A Potluck Full of Do and Feel Good =-.
You and your post make great examples of the spirit of the season. Thank you for the information.
And way to go Pete!
.-= Lori Hoeck´s last blog ..How adventurous books and tv fed my passion =-.
Congratulations Betsy and Pete & Patricia and Becky – You’re all awesome.
Call me dim but we don’t use pumpkins over here much ‘cept to make Halloween lanterns. I think it’s cos most folk in the UK don’t really know what to do with them. Is pumpkin pie something you would have for dinner or pudding? What do you eat it with.
Now I have to check out your other links.
Pumpkin pie is an American tradition as dessert for after Thanksgiving dinner and almost always for after Christmas dinner. Turns out it makes a good breakfast, too.
.-= Pete´s last blog ..A Potluck Full of Do and Feel Good =-.
Quick comment as I have a lot of links to click through on this awesome post, but just wanted to say “thanks” for all that you do in helping to raise awareness.
Love & joy to you!
Hi Everyone – Thanks for your positive reactions. This was a great way to kick off the holiday season.
Our tradition is blackberry pie for after Christmas eve dinner of split pea soup….I have no blackberries this year…so copied your pumpkin pie recipe and am roast pumpkins – last 6 baby ones as I type…yummy stuff
.-= Patricia´s last blog ..Book Review: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet ~Jamie Ford =-.
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