The SG Notebook

I got an ad in the mail about this magazine and went to its website to check it out. I thought it looks interesting, perhaps my kind of magazine. I don’t have as much time these days, but some years back I would have jumped at this, as its creator, Sandra Lee, apparently features lots of neat ideas for decorating cheaply with unusual materials found around the house. Also, there are interesting menu ideas. The ad stated that each issue contains some sort of feature on creating your favorite restaurant recipes at home. That also may be something I would like.

I’m passing this info on because it sounds like a good idea for a gift! Go here for more information and see what you think. You may even want it for yourself. Hint, hint to hubby, daughter, or sister for Christmas.;)

Blessings,
Maxine

I think rabbits are the cutest things! But for some folks with a garden, they CAN present a problem. Someone who passes by may find this article at The Old Farmers Almanac.com very helpful. I gave up on my gardening a couple of years ago, because our yard is overrun with squirrels. I wish I’d had this article before. Who knows? Maybe I’ll try again in the future.

Helping your family live,

Maxine

Just wanted to stop by to tell folks we have a few new items which are simple designs, each intended to let you show how thankful you are for someone or which will encourage another person along the way. Want to tell a dear person how much you appreciate them? Want to encourage a fellow saint who is going through a trial, or give a friend a little boost? Check these new little products out! On a couple of them, you even get to pick from a few cards that we happen to have on hand which have sweet messages . The best part? They’re very reasonably priced. You can even buy a few to put in your gift closet or container (do you have one?*), or throw in one or two with the rest of your order. Do whatever suits you best…we’re here to serve! And we sure do want to help you live AND give!!! Doesn’t hurt to be thoughtful and economical at the same time, right? So far, we have three different items, but God willing, we’ll be adding more: Information is here.

These would also be great gifts for children to give to their moms, teachers, Sunday school teachers, or somebody who lovingly babysits them from time to time. There are surely others to add to that list!

*Check out our page entitled “About Gift Closets.”

Of the many lessons we can teach our children, one of the more important is that of how to save. Of course, saving money and resources is at the top of the list, but have you thought about how teaching them to save time and energy can factor into that equation? And when speaking about saving energy, that can be taught in a literal sense. Our local energy provider has a really neat section for kids at their website. I enjoy reading all the little tidbits myself and I think you will too.

Take your children to the site, look around, and use it as a supplement to your science work (and history), but this particular page is an informative one about energy efficiency. And learning about efficiency of any kind is always worthwhile, don’t you agree?

In hopes of helping your household to live,

Maxine

If you are like me, you often struggle to find modest but fashionable clothes. I often leave stores with nothing in my hands for this reason.

Speakable Gifts has found a new online store that we’d like to share with you. Bellissima! Modesty Boutique has lovely but modest clothing for young women and ladies. They sell skirts, tops, dresses, and accessories, so have fun browsing! The skirt pictured above is one of my favorite finds on the website.

“In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation …” I Timothy 2:9ab

In Him,
Beverly

I found a great site for your kids! I’m sure they’ll love it, and you will too. Go check it out and I have little doubt that you’ll be bookmarking it.Then, look at this short video about the book:

Enjoy,
Maxine

Trying to instill thankfulness in your children? Perhaps this video would help.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Well, wishing all who stop by a very Happy New Year and many blessings from the Lord in the year 2010. We’re off to a slow start here with much going on and not enough time in the days. So, already we are behind in much that we need to be doing. New publications are coming, but writing projects are going slowly, as is the newsletter. But we are determined to press on with God’s help! I, like many others, hesitate to make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, partly due to worrying that I can live up to them. But I sure am “hopeful” that we can be more faithful this year in keeping our friends and customers updated on what is happening and what is going to be happening at SG.

The home (particularly the children in it) is the primary emphasis here, as those of you who know us are already aware, so we sure do like to help out in the home when and where we can. As a stay at home mom, Beverly prioritizes helping out her husband by saving money, and she has even encouraged me along those lines. There are quite a few ways that this can be accomplished, but we have to give our time and attention to it. I was thinking recently that having more time aids in saving money, and that being more organized helps to save the necessary time. Hope that makes sense?

Well, I just recently came across a site that I love which is helpful in both areas and wanted to pass it along. After all, any time and any money which you save will reap bountiful blessings to you and your household. (Proverbs 31:27) Go see Molly and see what you think. I have a hunch that you will be bookmarking her site. I sure am:

Again, hope blessing will abound in your home the coming year!

For His Glory,

Maxine

I thought you’d enjoy a few pictures from our apple pie making experience. I can now attest to the absolute deliciousness of this pie! This worked great for us because there isn’t any top crust, making this easier for little chefs!

We just polished off the last of our pie tonight. Enjoy it warm, with ice cream on top!

We hope you enjoy your first weekend of Fall!

For His Glory,
Beverly

Every day that I do preschool with my daughter, we say,

“Apples big, apples small, guess what? I like them all!”

I do love apples. I love them in all flavors and in all manner of tasty desserts. When I was pregnant, I was never without my jar of applesauce. I love the fragrance that comes from my apple candle melting on my stove. And fall is almost here! Time to break out all the baking stuff. Woot!

Because I’m teaching Selena about apples this month, we’ve been reading about about apple picking, types of apples, and baking with apples.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, we’ll be going apple picking, and Lena will get to experience all these things firsthand. And next week, I plan to make apple pie with her. Here’s the recipe:

“Sliced apples, raisins and walnuts are sugared, dusted with cinnamon and nutmeg, and piled into a pastry shell. A sweet crumbly topping is sprinkled over the top. The whole pie is then loosely covered with aluminum foil, and baked until golden and brown.”

Ingredients:
1 (9 inch) pie shell
6 cups thinly sliced apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Place sliced apples in a large bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice if desired. In a small bowl, mix together white sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Sprinkle mixture over apples. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Stir in raisins and walnuts if desired. Spoon mixture into pastry shell.
3. In a small bowl mix together 1/2 cup flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter or margarine until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle mixture over apple filling. Cover top loosely with aluminum foil.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 25 to 30 minutes, until top is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

This recipe was submitted by Jackie Smith to Allrecipes.com

In Him,
Beverly