Apple, Pear, Raspberry Cobbler gluten free

 

Apple, Pear and Raspberries by ET Charles

3 Granny Smith apples, small

1 Bartlett pear

2 cups frozen raspberries

1 teaspoon sugar, optional

Topping

½ cup sweet butter (1 stick, unsalted butter)

½ cup oats

¼ cup cornmeal

¼ cup unblanched/raw almond meal          

1/16 teaspoon or less nutmeg

1/16 teaspoon or less lavender salt

Directions for topping: In a mixing bowl add dry ingredients: oats, cornmeal, almond meal, nutmeg and lavender salt. Stir thoroughly. Slice butter into approximately tablespoon size and add to dry ingredients. Cream thoroughly. Scraping the sides of the bowl to mix all ingredients. Set topping aside.

Wash and dry apples and pear. Slice fruit into quarters. Peel fruit. Slice peeled quarters into half inch sized pieces. Using the butter wrapper, grease a 10.5-inch diameter baking dish. Spread the apple chunks across the pie dish. Then evenly distribute the pear chunks amongst the apples. Next place the raspberries individually on top of the tree fruit, concentric semicircles are nice. If the raspberries are tart, sprinkle one teaspoon of sugar on top of the berries and adjacent apple and pear pieces. Spoon topping on the fruit.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes. Red berries will punctuate the lightly browned topping and cream-colored tree fruits, making this a visually appealing dish.

Let cool at least ten minutes. Serve with whipped cream.

Serves 10 people. 

The Phone Book: Interview with Jessica Speer

 

 Jessica Speer has written The Phone Book, published by Familius, a social emotional learning guide to cell phones with additional fun facts and puzzle games. Lesley Imgart illustrated the text. I wish that I read this years ago. However, it is here now and others may learn from it. This is a nonfiction book that could be passed through families as each child turns of phone age or likewise through neighborhoods again slightly before a child receives their first phone. One can skip to the case studies for faster learning. The intent of the book is twofold: a less vulnerable child/person and a kinder, better world.

One Question Interview with Jessica Speer

ETC: Welcome, Jessica.

What advice would you give students in K – 12 who would like to write books?

JS: Years ago, I attended a writing conference, and author Matt de la Pena shared the following during his keynote session.

 “It’s not about writing what you know; it’s about writing what you want to know.”

 Wow! That was a shift for me. I thought I had to be an expert in the subject before I started writing. I thought I needed to know all the facts or how the story might end.

Matt’s wisdom encouraged me just to begin, to start the book, to explore an idea. Through writing, we become experts. Like anything, it requires practice and persistence.

But as you practice the craft, you improve. As you research, you learn. As you revise, you grow. And as you write, you expand your expertise on the topic. You become the expert on your story and how it ends.

Start with what you want to know, then begin.

ETC: Thank you for the excellent advice, Jessica.

Visit author Jessica Speer

Visit illustrator Lesley Imgart

Visit author Matt de la Pena

Visit your local bookstore Second Star to the Right Books

Cloaked in Courage: Interview with Beth Anderson

 

Cloaked in Courage illustrated by Anne Lambelet

Beth Anderson has written Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson Patriot Soldier, published by Calkins Creek. Forward thinking, Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man and fought in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. In telling this story Ms. Anderson also depicts the life of poor children in New England and the life of an enlisted soldier; stories that are seldom told. By its absence, the story becomes an endorsement for free public K-12 education and free lunch. Anne Lambelet drew and painted with traditional pencils and paint and then combined these in a digital program, Adobe Photoshop. As always Ms. Anderson includes primary sources and secondary sources in the back matter.

One Question Interview with Beth Anderson

Hello Beth. Welcome.

ETC: What do you find most helpful to your writing?

BA: Most helpful to me in my writing is….other people! We often think of writing as a solitary pursuit, but I couldn’t do this without so many people in my life that help carry me along this journey. My critique partners are vital to pushing my thinking and helping me solve problems within a manuscript. And that works both ways as critiquing their work allows me to grow, too. More kid lit peers create opportunities for learning, whether it’s in online groups, at a conference, webinars, or sharing experiences. My agent provides honest feedback, suggestions, and takes care of the side of the business that’s not my favorite. Editors are a constant source of knowledge and see the boulders and holes in a story path. In addition to all those essential people in the writing world, encouragers like family and friends keep me going when the mojo fades, and share the joy when everything comes together. And of course there are the kids who read the stories. That’s a lot of people! Truly a village!

ETC: What an inclusive and joyous response. Thank you so much for visiting.

Visit Beth Anderson

Visit Anne Lambelet

Visit National Women's History Museum

Visit Colorado History Center

Visit your local bookshop The Wandering Jellyfish Bookshop 

Beth Anderson's Educator guide to Cloaked in Courage 

Beth Anderson's Persuasive writing USPS stamp campaing