The SG Notebook

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

Did you receive our newsletter last week? We hope that you are enjoying meaningful mealtimes with your family. We had a lovely family dinner last week as my parents and sister joined us for my daughter Selena’s birthday. Talking, togetherness, and tasty food are all wonderful components to a successful meal!

Speaking of tasty food, here is a great resource for children’s recipes. I was excited to see that there are even recipes that preschoolers can participate in! The Happy Face Sandwich is something we might try soon. If your child enjoys pizza, the Breakfast Pizza will tickle their fancy!

What fun things have you eaten lately?

In Him,
Beverly

Free Original Clipart at Designed to a T

Well it’s that time again, and it is so hard to believe that it is here already. Yes, our kids are going back to school. Whether your children go to school outside of the home or are homeschooled, you might be starting to think about organized lunch making. Here are some websites that may be helpful:

Lunch Ideas

Article on Essential Vitamins and Minerals Kids Often Miss (and how to get them!)

Paper Bag Lunches

8 Healthy Lunch Box Ideas

We hope these links are helpful to all of you as you thinking about feeding your children healthy and energy providing foods!

In Him,
Beverly

“Instruction, advice, and commands will profit little, unless they are backed up by the pattern of your own life. Your children will never believe you are in earnest, and really wish them to obey you, so long as your actions contradict your counsel.”

~ J.C. Ryle, From The Duties of Parents

We’ve said over and again, that here at Speakable Gifts, we have a heart for children. Both my mom and I have a commitment to finding and providing wholesome resources for these little ones. When my mom wrote Bright Gems For His Crown, she definitely poured her heart and a lot of love into every section. For those of you who are parents, I think we’d all agree that we want our children to develop important character qualities from an early age. From time to time, we’ll be suggesting books that we feel will be wholesome for your children.

I post over at another blog, the Christian Children’s Book Review with a group of lovely ladies who have this same commitment. I’d encourage you to follow this blog, as it is a great resource for parents.

I reviewed a book that I’d like to share with you. It’s called Sammy and His Shepherd, and SG recommends it. You can read the review here.

With Love,
Beverly

Spring cleaning has just gotten a little bit easier for me in the past week.  We have two girls age 2 years and 6 months old, and you may be able to imagine that messes abound in our house. I also have chronic hip pain, and lugging our reliable but heavy vacuum cleaner around really takes a toll.

The Dirt Devil Versa Power All-in-One Vacuum Cleaner is four pounds, my friends. Four. Pounds. When it arrived last week and I first picked it up I could have danced. This little friend isn’t for heavy duty cleaning, but it is perfect for households with little children and/or pets. It works wonderfully on those crumbs, tiny “bits” of whatever, hair on the bathroom floor, or stairs. It also has one attachment that gets in corners or atop dusty baseboards.

Things I like about my new friend:

·         Its four pound lightness!

·         The fact that it can be a stick vac, hand vac, and utility vac – whatever  you need

·         It doesn’t use a vacuum bag – it has a dirt cup that you empty

·         My two year old actually vacuumed her room with it – all by herself.

Any of you moms out there have a favorite household “friend?” Tell us about it! And while we’re talking about spring cleaning, don’t forget to check out our Spring Sale! We are offering great items for your young ones – my favorite deal is the Dover Activity Books (9 pack) for only $4.50!

In Him,

Beverly

Believe it or not, I’ve just discovered ANOTHER helpful blog with craft projects to do with your kids! You’ve got to go there and check it out. I just heard about it on one of my homeschooling groups and wanted to pass it on to folks here as well. Lots and lots of free gift ideas, recipes and printables. As Vicki from the group said, this is a VERY talented grandmother who is giving of herself on her blog. You know how I am, I’m always ready to put in a plug for a grandmom who is doing something constructive with her life!

As soon as you can, go over to see “Happy Bird” at her Crafting Haven. I’ve already bookmarked it on my computer for future reference. I will be very surprised if you don’t do the same. Here’s yet another resource for helping your kids learn the fine old art of making things themselves. Those of you who are homeschooling will especially love it!

Blessings and Happy Crafting,

Maxine, a/k/a Nanna

In last May’s newsletter, I wrote an article about how children might honor their moms and dads by making homemade cards for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, with a few included links to help out. If you’d like, you can read this article in the newsletter archives at our site.

My reason for writing now is to tell you about a great blog which I just discovered. There you will find good ideas for crafting cards and other nifty things. Try some of these projects with your older children–there are some lovely ones which I think you may appreciate .. The blogger is Kelli and the site is “There is No Place Like Home.” Apparently there are lots of neat activities that will capture your interest, such as giveaways and a weekly show and tell. Scoot on over!

For His Glory,

Maxine