Has been fixed! Good Heavens, I don’t know how that got past me, but many thanks to Rachel for bringing it to my attention!

So now when you click on “Magazine” above, the link will actually take you to the right place!

Just a quick note from the desk to say that the link from “Email List” above has been fixed. I’m SO sorry to those of you who clicked on it and went to nowhere land… If you would like to join the email list, we would LOVE to have you! Just click here.

Also, you may notice that the “Forum” link is now gone from the header. It is with a twinge of sadness that I have decided to close it. There were a whole host of challenges with it, not least was the software itself which required a special server…

Oh… and I finally figured out how to get paragraph breaks on this theme. It wasn’t in the style sheet at all. *sigh*

I’m going to try a new format with Simple Gifts Podcast. I’m interested in the exchange between women on various topics of relevance to us - from books to babies, celebrations to current events. The first of these talks is scheduled for 4 December at 2 PM EST and the topic is “Keeping Christ in Christmas”.

How to participate:

Call in:
Dial: (724) 444-7444
Enter: 76562 # (Talkcast ID)
Enter: 1 # or your PIN

Join from your computer:
Become a TalkShoe member
Download and install TalkShoe Live client

If you don’t want to call in, you can text message me during the talkcast - right from Talkshoe. You can also simply listen in. Please, spread the word about the talkcast to anyone you think would be interested, or whom you think would like to contribute to the conversation.

Blessings!

Then come on over and join the Simple Gifts email list! We have a nice group of ladies there with lots of Faith, wisdom, and humour to share.

I’m looking forward to seeing you there!

Anna Detore! Congratulations Anna, you will be receiving a free subscription to Simple Gifts Magazine.

The survey told us that the vast majority of you wanted to see Simple Gifts in print, rather than online. The margin was veeeery narrow, however, when it came to size, with 8.5″x11″ just barely squeezing by 6″x9″.

Now, layout begins and we will ship the lot off to the printer and - Please God! - you will have your first issue of Simple Gifts in your hands before Christmas.

And don’t forget, you can still earn yourself a free subscription by volunteering to be a neighbourhood hostess. Hurry and reserve your subscription so that you don’t miss a single issue!

For mentioning our magazine!

I noticed that PRWeb also has the story this afternoon.

Oooh, look! My Home Management Book is all pretty and getting some use.

I’m making some plans for the rest of this month, while I enjoy a steaming mug of ginger tea and a horseshoe cookie from last night.

Here’s what is on my agenda (besides biscuit crumbs):

- Thanksgiving Dinner
*Post recipes
*Turkey Placecards
*Order fresh flowers for centrepiece
- Advent Calendar Tutorial
- Make Liturgical Year Boxes for our Homeschool Faith Centre
- Crocheted Basket Tutorial (as requested)
- Make Stocking and Fillers for Swap
- Send Felt Pin Swap
- Send Christmas Chocolates Swap
- Handmade Christmas Gifts
*Waldorf Dolls
*Slippers
*Mittens
*Teddy Bears
*Monk Dolls (maybe another tutorial)
*Book Thongs
*Rosaries (going to try handmade beads from lavender buds, hand-knotted)
*Hand-creams
- Mom and Dad G’s Anniversary (39 years!)
- Send magazine to the printer
- Upload items to the shop
- Post Preparations for Fit in 40

And that’s all around two Thanksgiving services, one a Mass, the other an Ecumenical service. Cate, Jack, and I are scheduled to ring bells. Carrie will be singing with the choir.

Rehearsals for bells, choir, and the Christmas pageant begin later this month as well. Diaconate discernment finishes in just 2 more weeks! Then we have Advent and Christmastide off before Formation begins in January. We don’t have another Baptism Preparation until January, so our Advent will be free to anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ Birthday!

I can hardly believe that the month is nearly half gone already. I suppose that having babes down with nasty colds and pneumonia would make anyone lose track of time. I hope the rest of your November is BLESSED!

Only 5 Days Left to nominate your favourite homeschool blogger!

Take a look at the categories:

1. Best Homeschool Mom Blog
2. Best Homeschool Dad Blog
3. Best Blog Design
4. Best Artistic Content Blog
5. Best Crafts, Plans & Projects Blog
6. Best Family or Group Blog
7. Best Encourager
8. ‘Live-What-You-Believe’ Homeschool Blog
9. Best Unschooling or Eclectic Homeschooling Blog
10. Best Geographical Blog
11. Best Current Events, Opinions or Politics Blog
12. Best Homemaking or Recipes Blog
13. Best Teen GUY Blog
14. Best Teen GAL Blog
15. Best Teen GROUP Blog
16. Funniest Homeschool Blog
17. Best Cyber-Buddy Blogger
18. Best Curriculum or Business Blog
19. Best Variety
20. Best Thrifty Homeschooler
21. Best SUPER-HOMESCHOOLER
22. Best Nitty-Gritty Homeschool Blog
23. Best NEW Homeschool Blog

See complete decriptions of all 23 categories . I’m sure you know someone who would fit into one of these categories, let them know you love their blog by filling in a nomination!

Homeschooling can sometimes be a lonely pursuit. It’s lovely to get periodic affirmation. Thanks to the Homeschool Blog Awards gals for all they do to bring the greater homeschooling community together!

Would you like to bring the gift of simplicity to your parish or women’s group? By volunteering to distribute free copies of Simple Gifts Magazine, you are giving the gift of inspiration for returning to a gentler way of life, filled with Faith, beauty, encouragement, as well as things more practical. And you will be giving yourself the very same gift - free for one year.

Please, only one volunteer per parish/group. To apply to be a Neighbourhood Hostess, please click here.

We welcome hostesses from outside the US!

I love swaps. Simply LOVE them. So I’m hostessing a Christmas Stocking Swap. The stocking must be handmade in any good quality fabric. You could refashion a beautiful old wool blanket, or knit one, make a crazy quilt one, whatever you like. You may decorate them with hand or machine embroidery (please, no glitter glue), buttons, beads, etc. Then fill the stocking with treats and treasures that fit your partner’s profile (which will be emailed to you). Fillers can be hand-made or purchased. Be imaginative! Please make sure that these fillers are of a quality you would like to receive.

Please only join the swap if you can participate, I am unable to angel anyone who can not or does not send. Besides, imagine your own disappointment if you were expecting a lovely pressie that never comes.

LAST DAY TO SIGN UP: Sunday, 18 November
SWAP MUST BE SENT BY: Saturday, 8 December

Please email me:

Your Name
Your Address
A little about yourself (married/children/grandchildren, etc.)
A List of your hobbies, interests, and favourites (music, movies, books, colours, styles, objects to collect, etc.)

THIS IS AN INTERNATIONAL SWAP. Keep this in mind as you may be sending your package overseas. Spread the word, the more the merrier. You will have ONE swap partner.

Q: I was wondering if newbie-sewers were welcome to participate.
A: Absolutely! We were all beginners once!
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Q: What would the cost be to fill the stocking (not including shipping)Is there a price range?
A: I purposely did not set a price range. I want the swap to be accessible to anyone who is interested. Some will purchase fillers, some will make fillers, most will do some of each.
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Q: The whole stocking needs to be handmade? Or can you start with a plain purchased one and embellish/fill it?

A: The stocking itself must be handmade (see above). The reason for that is twofold. First, I am trying to encourage women away from being consumerist. And second, I want people to take joy in creating something by hand, thus imbuing their work with blessings, which the recipient will surely feel.
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Q: Can one specify “USA swap only”?
A: I’m sorry, I can’t take requests for “USA only” because I do have many readers from abroad. If I were to honor all the requests for a USA only partner, my international readers might be left without a partner for the swap.
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