24 November 2009

In this issue:

• Gratefulnesse: My favorite poem by George Herbert
• Favorite Cranberry-Orange Relish Recipe
• TOS Black Friday and our Thanksgiving Sale
• A Website You May Enjoy

Dear Friend,

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of all. Not only does it remind us to be grateful for the many blessings we've received from our Creator, it's a time to enjoy family and reach out to others who may be far from family and friends. I don't do as much of that as I need to, but it's something we want to do more of.

I was asked to share my favorite gratitude poem, Gratefulnesse by George Herbert, and my cranberry-orange relish recipe once again, so that's what you'll find in this issue of the e-zine, along with news of our Thanksgiving sale, a Black Friday promotion from the Old Schoolhouse Magazine, and a link to The Beehive Cottage, a delightful grandmother's website with many handcrafts and recipes (if you don't care for the music that plays when you visit the site, you can scroll down and turn it off at the bottom of the page).

GRATEFULNESSE

by George Herbert (1593- 1633)

Thou that hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, a grateful heart.
See how thy beggar works on thee
By art.

He makes thy gifts occasion more,
And says, If he in this be crossed,
All thou hast given him heretofore
Is lost.

But thou didst reckon, when at first
Thy word our hearts and hands did crave,
What it would come to at the worst
To save.

Perpetual knockings at thy door,
Tears sullying thy transparent rooms,
Gift upon gift, much would have more,
And comes.

This not withstanding, thou wenst on,
And didst allow us all our noise:
Nay thou hast made a sigh and groan
Thy joys.

Not that thou hast not still above
Much better tunes, than groans can make;
But that these country-airs thy love
Did take.

Wherefore I cry, and cry again;
And in no quiet canst thou be,
Till I a thankful heart obtain
Of thee:

Not thankful, when it pleaseth me;
As if thy blessings had spare days:
But such a heart, whose pulse may be
Thy praise.

Black never looked so good! It’s the Black Friday sale event in the Schoolhouse Store. The more you shop, the more gifts you receive—Up to $1400 in gifts! Plus, receive 10 gifts when you subscribe for only $7.95 (U.S.). November 25-29. Get details here!

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe

Fresh Cranberry-Orange Relish

2 bags fresh cranberries (frozen is okay)

3 juicy Valencia oranges, unpeeled, cut in eighths

2-3 handfuls of shelled walnuts

Sugar to taste

Chop or grind the cranberries and orange pieces in a food processor or old-fashioned crank-type food grinder. Chop the walnuts with a knife (definitely not the food processor– trust me on this) and add to the fruit. Add about a cup of sugar to start, stir, and keep adding sugar until it’s perfect.

This recipe is delicious when made the day before, as the flavors blend nicely. If you do this, you’ll need to keep it out of sight, or you may have a problem with poachers. Whatever you call it--relish or salad, it’s been a family favorite ever since I can remember pouring berries through the grinder when I was a little girl. Yum!

I found The Beehive Cottage website, and thought you might enjoy it too. If you don't have a cozy grandmother of your own, you may want to adopt her!

Last, we have a Thanksgiving sale with some very good deals if you've been waiting to buy Transcripts Made Easy, Get a Jump Start on College, Excellence in Literature, or Grammar Made Easy. Don't miss it!

***

I wish you a joyous Thanksgiving!

Janice

(c) 2009 Everyday Education, LLC