New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas {and a St. Nicholas Giveaway!}
I picked out some of this years books months ago, before life started getting really crazy with our out-of-state move, and last week I went hunting for bookstores near our new home to find a few last books to finish the list. I haven’t wrapped them up yet but plan to once again use the brown paper, red ribbon and little St. Nicholas labels.
**I might end up just giving this to all the kids and giving Snuggles the brand new book by Susan Peek, Saint Rudolph and the Reindeer.
For Rose:
Bonus – Family Read Aloud:
The darling wooden St. Nicholas toys in the above two pictures are from Naturally Catholic and Almond Rod Toys.
I’ll be hosting four Advent and Christmas themed giveaways again this year – at least that is the plan! I had hoped to get them on the blog each weekend of November leading up to Advent but I’m running way behind with the move. Here is the first giveaway in preparation for the feast of St. Nicholas!
Prize #1 – Set of Five Cookie Stamps with Recipe Booklet
a Rafflecopter giveaway
For additional Christmas book suggestions you can find some of our lists in the archives:
Saint Nicholas & the Nine Gold Coins {Beautiful book!}
Christmas Mosaic: A Review & Featured Book List
35 Favorite Christmas Picture Books for Children
Feasts & Seasons :: Advent & Christmas Collection
Our 2015 Advent Book Basket and Printable Labels
Our 2016 Advent Book Basket and Printable Labels
Our 2017 Advent Book Basket and Printable Labels {I’m planning to share our 2018 Basket and Labels soon!}
New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas:
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Stacks of Books on Christmas Morning or Epiphany:
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Even more St. Nicholas themed gifts can be found in these past posts filled with Christmas Gift Ideas & Stocking Stuffers from 2015, 2016 and 2017 including suggestions from our children!
Celebrating Martinmas
We also pulled out Snow on Martinmas to read again as well and might try and have a little bonfire this evening after Mass.
– Snow on Martinmas
On Friday morning, when I went out for early morning Mass, I realized just how unprepared we are for a winter up north… As I stood shivering in my little sweater type “jacket” a friend was telling me what type of winter coats to look for and where the best thrift shops in the area are located… Not even an hour later another woman from our new parish, after hearing that we needed coats, showed up at our doorstep with a car full of coats (14 to be exact) just before the snow hit! What a blessing!! The girls especially love their new red coats and I now have plenty of coats for winter too. Everyone at our new parish has been so incredibly welcoming. May God reward her abundantly for her St. Martin like generosity!
Prayer for the Holy Father on the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran Basilica
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| Pope and Swiss Guard Set • Vaulted Cathedral Cake |
(While the cake was baking we had our very first snowfall in our new home so I dusted the cake with powdered sugar too! The ground is now covered with snow. The kids are all thrilled and I’m trying to decide whether or not to still try and make the long drive back to Oregon tomorrow…)
Sponsor Love :: Quarterly Update & Current Specials
We are working on unpacking and settling into our new home. What a crazy month it has been! I’m hoping to share some pictures here on the blog, and I’m also working on putting together my pre-Christmas giveaways, but first I want to share a little about a couple new sponsors as well as some awesome coupon codes!
Please welcome my new sponsors:
We outfit women to beautify their domestic church with religious goods for both the home and lifestyle. We provide stylish, on trend products that are meant to convey the HOPE that we have in Christ so that others may see our HOPE and are encouraged to learn more.
In addition to visiting the website, you can also follow Grace & Grit Design Co. on Facebook and Instagram!
Ministry thru Mystery
What does Ministry thru Mystery mean?
I’m so glad you asked. Basically, it’s a simple way to describe my writing.
I’ve always had a passion for mysteries. Even as a child I was drawn to who-dunnits, spending hours puzzling out those intriguing plots. If the book also happened to include elements of humor, a touch of romance, and positive messages, then I was in heaven. Now that I’m an author, my novels include this potpourri of styles.
Stories are an incredible way to reach people and I strive to create novels that can strengthen the faith of others. Each of my books has an underlying theme: using your gifts and talents to help others, recognizing who God wants you to be, having the courage to say “yes” to a Divine call, and being a witness to others.
Sadly, our kids are inundated daily with negative and damaging messages through movies, television, music, social media, and even mainstream books. As a mother myself, I understand this problem. In fact, that is how my writing career began.
Years ago, when my children were searching for YA novels, I was having a hard time finding any that would be fun, adventurous, and also reflect our family’s values. I remember wondering why no one was writing the kinds of books I was searching for not knowing that I would eventually become that person.
God has led me on this incredible journey and I pray I can help others who may be facing the same parenting struggles that I did. Besides writing faith-filled novels, I have also started reviewing Christian and Catholic books on my website. Surrounding our children with good, value-based examples is becoming harder and harder to do but I hope to help change that culture one book at a time.
In addition to visiting www.LesleaWahl.com, you can also follow her on Facebook and Twitter!
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Prayer Pillowcases
Prayer Pillowcases are more than just a pretty place to lay your head! They’re a unique way to bring Catholic art and prayer into your home and a practical way to share the Faith with your family and friends. Our distinctive line combines original art and favorite Catholic prayers that appeal to all ages and transform pillows from the ordinary to the divine! Honor a special occasion or make any occasion special with the gift of a joyful, lasting (and personalizable) Prayer Pillowcase. We’re always working on new designs and hope you’ll visit again soon to see even more ways to help your loved ones begin and each day with a prayerful heart.
Culture of Life Studies Program (CLSP)
The Culture of Life Studies Program serves teachers and parents as they guide their students in building a culture that respects and protects the dignity of every human being regardless of age, appearance, or ability. We have two exciting announcements this Fall.
We turned our best selling 100% Pro-Life T-shirt into a super warm and comfy hoodie. Visit prolifehoodie.com and get one today! All proceeds go toward providing pro-life educational materials and support to parents and teachers across the US and Canada.
We have also teamed up once again with the Institute for Excellence in Writing to provide students the opportunity to win cash, prizes, and publication on our website for articulately expressing their pro-life knowledge. Visit prolifeessay.com for more information.
Sacred Heart Books & Gifts
We are here to serve your needs for Catholic books, curriculum, and gifts. We offer most of our products at 15% off retail. If you are looking for something and can’t find it on our site, please contact us and we will do our best to find it.
Gail’s Designs
Gail’s Designs has been creating unique, elegant jewelry and cherished rosaries since 2009. Gail has been an artist for most of her life and is grateful for her faith and being able to make elegant jewelry and cherished rosaries for people of the Catholic faith.
You can still find my revised and updated Little Flowers Crafting Pages available on their website along with so much more!
Peanut Butter & Grace
The mission of Peanut Butter & Grace is to help Catholic parents raise children who know and love Christ and his Church. We do this by providing digital and print resources that assist parents in forming their children in the faith within the daily life of their family. All of our products are made for Catholic parents—either to use themselves, or to hand to their kids.
All three of our high schoolers are currently enrolled with Kolbe Academy and working towards the Magna Cum Laude Diploma. In addition to all the benefits of enrolling, I really love the flexibility that Kolbe offers and that we can continue tailoring our curriculum to our family’s preferences and our children’s needs.
Sleightholm Folk Art
“Welcome to Sleightholm Folk Art, formerly known as Audrey Eclectic, a unique collection of American folk art created in the heart of the Oklahoma prairie. My inspiration comes from faith, folk lore, family and good books.” You can read more about Heather’s work here.
Almond Rod Toys
Almond Rod Toys makes Saint Blocks that are just the right size for little hands and can be used for imaginative play, building, stacking or collecting. The front has a print of original watercolor artwork. The back has a quote or a prayer chosen to inspire little ones and the one that cleans up behind them. The saint’s name, feast day and patronage are also listed; just enough to be a reminder and an inspiration for further learning.
Catholic Cuisine Aprons
All of our aprons are embroidered, not screen printed, giving them a rich, elegant, look! Our durable 100% cotton-twill aprons, with soil-release finish for added stain protection, provide ultimate full length cover and comfort.
The 100% Beeswax Advent Candles from The Dominican Nuns that we’ve used and shared and used in the past are available again in limited quantities over at The Cloister Shoppe!
These never last long!
New Books for October: The Complete Illuminated Rosary {Sponsored Review and Giveaway!}
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| The Complete Illuminated Rosary (hardcover edition) • Chews Life Pink Rosary |
The month of October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary. Gracewatch Media has provided me with review copies of their newly revised Illuminated Rosary series that has just been released.
With sacred art images for every single prayer of the rosary, these books are an excellent aid to help avoid distraction and reflect on the various mysteries of the Rosary. It would make a lovely and inspiring gift for the whole family!
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post to enter for a chance to win a copy of The Complete Illuminated Rosary!
Available in three editions including The Complete Illuminated Rosary (hardcover) and Individual softcovers (pictured above – The Joyful Mysteries, The Sorrowful Mysteries, The Glorious Mysteries, and The Luminous Mysteries), as well as the The Complete Illuminated Rosary (softcover) which is pictured below in giveaway. The complete editions include all four mysteries in one 370-page book.
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| Chews Life Pink Rosary • The Joyful Mysteries: An Illustrated Rosary Book for Kids and Their Families |
Also pictured in this post are a couple of our little Grace’s rosaries made by Chews Life! You can find them on their website as well as a variety available with free prime shipping on Amazon as well.
Saint John Paul II called the Rosary his “favorite prayer” after the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours. During this month dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary make an extra effort each evening to pray the rosary as a family if you don’t already!
– St. John Paul II
The publisher has provided me with a copy of The Complete Illuminated Rosary (softcover edition) to send to one of my visitors here at Shower of Roses! (Retail value of $64.00)
Think of it as a “printed rosary,” where each page stands for one bead except the “beads” are works of sacred art! Each decade features a Scripture-based introduction to the mystery being prayed.
Enter the giveaway in the Rafflecopter Box below. Winner will be announced here in this post on Saturday, October 27, 2018.
Saint Francis and the Wolf
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| Saint Francis and the Wolf by Jane Langton • Saint Francis from Catholic Folk Toys • Ostheimer Wolf |
Since one of the famous stories of St. Francis tells how he tamed the wolf that was terrorizing the people of Gubbio, Wolf Paw Cookies make a fun treat for this feast day. Here are this year’s cookies, made by our girls while I was running errands in town! The directions can be found over at Catholic Cuisine.
The book we read this year, pictured above, is Saint Francis and the Wolf by Jane Langton. You can find lots of other options in our October Book Basket.
Scroll through the archives for more ideas for celebrating the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
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| While I was taking pictures, our six year old insisted on sharing his favorite Saint Francis of Assisi Pillowcase from Prayer Pillowcases with you all too! |
Roses from St. Therese {and we bought a house!}
I finished praying my nine day Novena to St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus on September 30th, the anniversary of the death of St. Therese and the eve of her feast day on the new calendar. I was praying for reassurance that we were making the right decisions (buying the house we are buying without our current home selling yet) and that this home will sell soon. 🙏🏻
We were originally supposed to close escrow on October 8th, but the lender needed to close earlier, due to some terms on our loan, and the title company ended up sending the mobile notary out for us to sign closing documents on October 1st! I couldn’t help grinning (and sneaking a picture) when she arrived with roses on her shirt!!! 🌹
We wired the down payment and closing costs yesterday and got the notice from the lender this afternoon that our loan has funded! Looks like we bought each other a new house for our 19th anniversary this year!! 🥂
Novena to Saint Teresa of the Infant Jesus: Day 9
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| Brown Scapular bearing the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Little Flower hand-embroiderd by StellaMarigold Art over at Etsy • Blessed Be God Prayer Book |
The Little Flower of Jesus
Prayer for Each Day
O GLORIOUS TERESA of the Infant Jesus, through whose unshaken confidence God was so glorified, obtain for me the same filial trust and love which animated thy innocent heart and soul. Grant that I may practice self-abnegation, patience and confidence, and that my confidence may be a fountain of blessings which God pours out upon me. As confidence was for thee the key to the greatest treasures of God, so it may induce me to throw myself into my Saviour’s arms and say with David: “In Thee, O my God, I put my trust, let me not be confounded.” Amen.
O MY dear Lord, grant me as much filial veneration and love for Thy faithful foster-father and Thy most holy and immaculate Mother, as Saint Teresa of the Infant Jesus cherished in her simple and child-like heart. And thou, O my little Saint, address thyself to my great protector and father St. Joseph, and my most holy Mother Mary, and entreat them to obtain for me the grace of dying in the arms of Jesus and uttering thy own words: “O, I love Him . . . My God . . . I . . . love Thee.” Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, and Gloria…
MY LORD and my God! O Most Blessed Trinity! I desire to love Thee and to make Thee loved by mankind. Since Thou hast loved me so much as to give me the only begotten Son for my Saviour and my Spouse, the infinite treasures of His merits are mine. These merits I offer to Thee with joy, beseeching Thee to behold me only as in the Face of Jesus, and in His Sacred Heart burning with love. Moreover, I offer Thee all the merits of the saints – in heaven and on earth – together with their acts of love, and those of the holy Angels. Lastly, I offer Thee, O Blessed Trinity, the love and merits of the Blessed Virgin, my dearest Mother. To her I entrust this oblation, begging her to present it to Thee. Amen.
Our Lady of Victories, pray for us.
Saint Teresa of the Infant Jesus, pray for us.
Little Flower of Jesus, pray for us.
St. Jerome and the Lion
At the end of each September, I love turning our leftover Michaelmas Cupcakes into the face of a lion for the kids to enjoy while we read the legend of St. Jerome and the Lion. You can find many options for today’s feast listed in our September Book Basket. This year we are reading Saint Jerome and the Lion from our out-of-print copy (The Neumann Press, 2000 Edition) of Legends of Saints and Beasts by Ann Marie Jauss originally published in 1954.
Celebrating Michaelmas
The feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels, traditionally known as Michaelmas, is celebrated each year on September 29th!
In addition to serving something made with blackberries, one of our favorite traditions each year (at least since 2008) is baking Devil’s Food Cupcakes to celebrate a certain nameday in our home! This year our older girls baked and decorated the cupcakes. We always serve them with little swords to stab the cupcake and help St. Michael defeat the “devil”!
We love turning our leftover Michaelmas cupcakes into a lion for tomorrow’s feast of St. Jerome!
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| St. Gabriel the Archangel • St. Michael the Archangel • St. Raphael the Archangel |
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| Our tiny baby girl, who still fits her size 6 mth pajamas from last Christmas, loves playing with Shining Light Dolls! |
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