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{pretty}

On the twelfth day of Christmas… {Making plans for our annual “Twelve Days of Christmas Dinner Party” which we’ll have on the traditional feast of Epiphany this year, if I can manage to pull it together and get to the grocery store tonight… Yesterday and today were just too packed with school, work, activities, and appointments to spend any extra time in the kitchen!} #Christmas2015 #twelvedaysofchristmas #stilladjustingtothisseasonoffamilylife #itmightbejustacrowncakethisyear
The 12 Days of Christmas: The Story Behind a Favorite Christmas Song

I decided to keep it simple this year and set aside our usual Twelve Days of Christmas dinner party/plans until next year, but we did bake a batch of cupcakes late last night! #CatholicCuisine #twelvedaysofchristmas #eggnogcupcakes #eggnogandrumfrosting

{happy}

Happy Epiphany! This year’s King Cake is just a ring/crown of Eggnog & Rum Cupcakes, but I did tuck a chocolate coin into three of them, one to represent each of the three gifts brought by the Magi to the baby Jesus. #Catholic #epiphanyofthelord #catholiccuisine #whowillfindthecoin
Our middle all found the coins this year and received little gifts. Bud insisted that it needed to be “the FOUR LITTLE ones!” pointing to “one, two, three, and FOUR!” being his cute little four-year-old self! 

{funny}

He noticed the stack of books I left on the kitchen island and pulled over a barstool to sit down and read ❤️

A video posted by Jessica (@showerofroses) on
I should have known he would insist on “the cupcake with the GOLDEN RINGS!!!” and start singing for us once again! 

{real}

Finally getting back to our history books and we finished the last few chapters of our current read aloud this afternoon… Perfect timing for the final chapter titled “Christmas, A.D. 800” about the crowning of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor!
Happy Epiphany of the Lord! 

11 Comments

  1. Kathryn

    The cupcakes look so good! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I enjoy getting ideas from your blog, and your photos are always well done! Jessica, is the 12th day of Christmas on January 5th, or is it the 6th? I haven't been able to find an answer.

    2016-01-07 16:41:21

    Reply
    • Jessica

      I've always been confused by that as well… I've read many different sources and some say January 5th and others say the 6th… Even Wikipedia says, "Different traditions mark the date of Twelfth Night on either 5 January or 6 January… In the past we've celebrated "Twelfth Night" on January 5th and Epiphany on the 6th.

      I recently ran across this quote which I found interesting: "By ancient reckoning, days and nights were counted separately, and the important night was often the night before, not the night of, the celebration (hence modern traditions of Christmas Eve and All Hallow's Eve, or Halloween). The 12 day count actually begins with the eve of December 25, the "first night." The day of December 26 is the "first day," the eve of December 26 the "second night," and so on. The famous Twelfth Night is the eve of Epiphany, and the twelfth day is Epiphany itself."

      Reply
  2. Guest

    God's sweet blessings! Your family is so precious and I just love how dedicated you are about living our faith and sharing such a positive experience with the kids!

    2016-01-07 18:58:32

    Reply
  3. Lauralee

    Where can I find those ornaments? and your beautiful baby Jesus statue? Face is breathtaking… Thanks.

    2016-01-07 21:25:52

    Reply
    • Jessica

      Thank you, Lauralee!

      Unfortunately I don't have links to share for either… I purchased the Twelve Days of Christmas ornaments (Kirkland brand) used at a conference years ago for just $10. I love them!! Maybe check eBay?

      And our beautiful Infant Jesus in the Manger? I purchased it from Catholic Child many years ago. They had him available again last year, but not this year. I sent them an email asking about it and they responded: "sadly we decided to discontinue that because the supplier said he was frustrated with the low quality of this year’s product. We knew it’d be disappointing to many people, but not as disappointing as getting a shabby version of such a special item. I know it’s not comparable, but we have this: http://www.catholicchild.com/BABY-JESUS-DOLL/prod… "

      I really do hope the quality is improved in the future and they start carrying it again. I would love to purchase one for each of our children when they are grown and married someday.

      Reply
      • Lauralee

        so kind of you to respond with helpful info. God Bless you and happy new year!

        2016-01-11 01:46:34

        Reply
  4. mamadenise

    Your Epiphany cake is so bright and happy! I love the kings and the coins. And that little guy singing with that cupcake – so so cute!

    2016-01-08 01:51:16

    Reply
  5. Christie

    Oh, I want to come to YOUR house for Christmas!!!

    2016-01-10 21:16:00

    Reply
  6. Jennifer H.

    Those are awesome cupcakes!

    2016-01-11 01:41:16

    Reply
  7. Amy

    can you please let me know where you bought your kings? or did you make them? I'm looking for an advent set in this style that is beautiful but hopefully less breakable! Thanks!

    2016-01-12 17:52:02

    Reply
    • Jessica

      I purchased them the year before last, as part of a nativity set after seeing Charlotte's link, along with a couple Frozen inspired dolls, from an Ireland based Etsy shop, to give our youngest daughter this past December for her birthday and Christmas. They are so beautiful!

      Reply

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Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.


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Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

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