New Year’s Daybook
Outside my window…
Happy New Year! We haven’t had any snow yet this winter, unlike the major snow storms we had last year, but on New Year’s Eve we were surprised at midnight with quite the fireworks show over at the neighbors. We had a great view from our front porch!
I am thinking…
How did I keep up with blogging when our last babies were born?! I have been slowly working on this post since New Year’s Eve and keep asking myself that question… I guess back then we didn’t have three high schoolers with all their extra activities, the babies were easier and slept better, and I wasn’t working outside the home. I miss blogging and am hoping to figure out how to make a little more time for it each week. In the meantime at least there is Instagram for sharing little snippets!
Learning all the time…
When she started pulling herself up on Christmas Day I told the other kids not to encourage her – I’m not ready for this yet – but there is no slowing this one down!
Celebrating the liturgical year…
The celebrations have been extra simple this year, but still fun and memorable. Here are a couple pictures I shared over on Instagram.
From the kitchen…
I went back to 100% Autoimmune Protocol on January 1st. It’s time to focus on getting my health back after a really hard year. It has been really hard, especially the first week, but so far I’ve been able to stick with it without cheating at all! I think I had started to rely on sugar for energy and that has been an adjustment. I am now tired all. the. time. but at least it’s forcing me to rest a little more!
Ingredients:
1/4 cup + 2 tbsp coconut oil
1/4 cup palm shortening
1/4 tsp + 1/8 tsp Himalayan pink salt
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Instructions:
Place ingredients in either a high powered blender (I use the Vitamix) or a food processor.
Blend or process until it looks like a creamy nut butter. You may have to stop and scrape the sides during blending/processing. Enjoy!
It’s been hard to juggle working and home educating (and a new baby, and blogging, and, and, and…) but I’ve really enjoyed working for my Dad and brother Brian the past couple years! Sean and I (and the baby!) had so much fun at the Murphy Electric Christmas Party!
I am creating…
My mom loves giving everyone a family photo album for Christmas, collecting photos from all my siblings and putting them together in a book with a couple pages or so for each of the kids. The only problem is she doesn’t know how to make them and is always trying to recruit one of us girls to put it together… I made the album back in 2013 and then
Last April 16th my parents celebrated their 40th Anniversary! I was born exactly nine months after their wedding which means I’ll be turning 40 on January 16th. I didn’t think it would be a big deal but all of a sudden I’m a little emotional about that…
to figure out a way to get our oldest son to the Archbishop’s Discernment Retreat. Even though he’s not quite 18 yet (he will be this summer!) he was invited by the Director of Vocations to attend and would love to go. I wish it wasn’t so far away! (Update: He ended up getting a ride with friends and will even get to go to the 2018 March for Life in Portland. I can’t wait to hear all about it when he gets back home!)
I am praying…
for the repose of the soul of Joyce Sample, our dear Archbishop’s mother. She was such a sweet woman. May she rest in peace +
I am reading…
The kids all unwrapped this year’s stacks of books on Epiphany and I’ve been reading aloud some of the picture books to our little ones. So far one of the favorites has been Mr. Ferris and His Wheel.
Pondering these words…
from St. Alphonsus:
Around the house…
I’m just not ready to think about taking the Christmas decorations down yet. So cozy! We will leave the nativity up until Candlemas, but the tree is starting to dry out quickly and will need to come down soon.
One of my favorite things…
I recently got to spend a little time (all by myself, which has been very rare this year) walking around one of my favorite towns and then (finally!) visiting the day spa for the last of the three prenatal massages Sean gave me last Christmas! Here are a few more pictures I snapped while walking around this historic little town. I owned the local phone book here once upon a time.
A little peek at last year…
The year of Grace! Born on the feast of Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces, just two days after the death of her grandfather, our little “Grace” has been such a blessing. She definitely stole the show (and our hearts) this year making it into all of my #2017bestnine pictures including my sibling re-enactment the weekend before she was born!
- October 31st – Our Lady of Guadalupe 💙✨ {This favorite costume – made by her Grandma for one of her older sisters over 10 years ago- was a little big on her, but I’m pretty sure it will be too small next year so we made it work!}
- June 8th – Thank you all for the prayers! Our beautiful little girl is here! Everything went really well and she arrived at 1:56 AM this morning weighing in at 6 pounds 15 ounces and measuring 19.5 inches. God is Good! #deogratias #37weeks6days #countingthedaystojune24
- October 31st – Happy All Saints’ Day! Can you guess who our children choose to dress up as this year? Answers are over in today’s blog post with additional pictures. 😇🙏🏻✨
- December 8th – Our baby girl ❤️ #startedcrawlingtoday #sixmonthsoldtoday #feastoftheimmaculateconception
- June 10th – I could not be more in love with this little beauty! 💕 {New post over on the blog with all the details.} #threedaysold #number8bornonthe8th #countingthedaystojune24
- December 6th – Happy Feast of St. Nicholas! #wideawakeat3am #saintnicholas #orapronobis
- June 3rd – ALL of my siblings are in town this weekend for a Murphy family reunion! It’s the first time all 12 of us have been together at the same time in over 13 YEARS! I figured this would be the day I’d go into labor… #murphyslaw … but I made it and we were even able to get some family photos including a fun reenactment of one from 21 years ago! #ilovemycrazyfamily #firstbornoftwelve #sixgirlssixboys #37weekspregnant
- June 8th – A few more pictures ❤️ So grateful her Daddy was here for her birth. So was Grandma Murphy and Aunt Mary. I’ll share more later, after we get some sleep and introduce her to her siblings later today! 🌹#daddyshands #countingthedaystojune24
- August 21st, watching the solar eclipse – All Eight! 💙💙💗💗💙💗💙💗
Happy Birthday, Baby Jesus!
The Year of the Hanging Advent Wreath
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| A Time to Keep by Tasha Tudor |
I briefly mentioned in this year’s Advent Book Basket post that I hoped to modify the activity suggestion in Catholic Mosaic to go along with St. Francis and the Christmas Donkey and make an “Advent Calendar” path for St. Joseph, Mary and the Donkey to travel. The girls did a lovely job creating the Advent path and every morning, before I made it out to the kitchen/dining room, our little ones had already moved St. Joseph, Mary and the Donkey to the next spot along the way! They also ended up adding other wooden figures for the feasts of St. Nicholas, St. Lucy, and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Six Months
Saying Goodbye For Now
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| After receiving his law degree at Notre Dame University, my grandfather served in the Marine Corps from 1953-1957, achieving the rank of Captain. My dad was born at Camp Lejeune while he was in the Marines. |
On December 3rd, the first Sunday of Advent this year, I woke up to the news that my grandfather had passed away early that morning. So many emotions and tears, both sad and happy… Sad that he is gone, but happy that he had long faith and family filled life, and I can’t help smiling at the thought of him seeing my grandmother again. She passed away in 1990 and I still miss her dearly.
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| Dancing with Grandpa on my wedding day • Party following my baptism and my grandparent’s 25th Anniversary Mass Grandpa holding me sitting next to his mom when I was almost a week old • My grandparents on their wedding day |
I had really hoped to make the trip to his funeral, but when it was scheduled for our daughter’s 8th birthday, combined with how hard it is to travel with the baby and not getting enough sleep, I decided to stay home… but early Thursday morning, after getting a decent nights sleep (six hours or so, two three hour stretches!) I decided that I just couldn’t miss my grandfathers funeral. I made some last minute plans, packed my bag and the diaper bag, and got on the road with two of our teens and the baby, to make the long drive to California.
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| My Dad is standing next to my grandma in this picture. |
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| My oldest son laughed when he saw that his grandpa, my dad, had his famous “head tilt” even as a child! |
Despite the sad circumstances, it was so great to see all my aunts and uncles together again, and see many of my cousins and childhood friends as well!
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| My Grandfather’s 10 children in birth order. My Dad is the oldest son. Three of my uncles (including the twins) and one aunt were adopted as babies. I loved hearing the story of how my Grandpa flew from CA to South Dakota with my one week old auntie, and just a diaper and a bottle, when he brought her home to meet the rest of her family after her birth. |
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| I’m the oldest grandchild and I’m standing next to my 13 year old cousin Byrce who is the youngest. My uncle asked Bryce and I to do the readings for the funeral Mass. Out of my grandparents 28 grandchildren, 17 of us were able to make it to Grandpa’s funeral. A few cousins had to leave before we snapped a picture.
        
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Richard R. Murphy (Richie, Dick), of Stockton, 88 years of age, was born and raised in rural Iroquois, South Dakota, and received his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN. He went on to receive his law degree at Notre Dame University, South Bend, Indiana, where he met JoAnn Baltes (1929-1990), whom he married in 1953. They raised 9 children together in Orange County, CA, Dell Rapids, SD, and Stockton, CA, where they owned and operated West Lane Tennis Club as a family business. After JoAnn’s death, Richard married Mary Berry of Susanville, CA, and they had a son, Richard B. Murphy, in 1993. In 2006, Richard married Darlene Gunda, and they enjoyed 11 years together.
Richard served in the Marine Corps from 1953-1957, achieving the rank of Captain. He enlisted after he completed his law degree. Richard practiced law for over 50 years in Southern California, South Dakota, Northern California and Indiana. Richard was very devoted to his faith, and took pride in helping others, both professionally and in his personal life. He relished raising his family and enjoying his grandchildren. He loved athletics and was an avid racquetball and basketball player. He also enjoyed watching the University of Notre Dame football games.
Richard is survived by his wife, Darlene Gunda-Murphy; 10 children: Shannon, Pat (Josephine), Tom (Cheryl), Sean (Lori), Jeb, Tad, Kelly (Jackie), Casey (Tonia), Bridget (Shawn), and Richard B. Murphy. Richard also had 28 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
Santa Lucia Day
Santa Lucia (St. Lucy) was a young Italian girl who was martyred for her faith in 304 AD. During Advent in Sweden, one of the biggest celebrations is Santa Lucia’s Day originating from the stories told by the holy Monks who first brought Christianity to Sweden. Traditionally ‘Lussekatter’, St. Lucia’s Day Buns flavored with saffron and dotted with raisins, are served by a girl dressed in a white dress with a red sash around her waist and a crown of candles on her head.
As I mentioned over on Instagram, I wasn’t able to make our annual Saint Lucia Braided Bread, a festive bread inspired by the candle-covered crown she is said to have worn to light her way as she brought food to the persecuted Christians hiding in the catacombs, last night or early this morning. It’s the first time in ten years (look at the girls back in 2008!) that I haven’t and I was feeling awful about it. Our children are all so great though… We woke up this morning to our twelve year old, who celebrates a nameday today, in the kitchen baking traditional Lussekatter (Lucia Buns) completely on her own! I’ve always wanted to make them and never have. She did an amazing job!
O Antiphon Ornaments & Gift Package Giveaway
Ever since our oldest children were very little, we have been implementing an old monastic custom in our home by providing special treats, representing each of the “O Antiphons” on the days leading up to Christmas. The O Antiphon prayers begin on December 17th and end on the 23rd, which is the last Vespers of Advent, since the evening prayer on the 24th is the Vigil of Christmas.
The Benedictine monks arranged these antiphons with a definite purpose. If one starts with the last title and takes the first letter of each one – Emmanuel, Rex, Oriens, Clavis, Radix, Adonai, Sapientia – the Latin words ero cras are formed, meaning, “Tomorrow, I will come.” Therefore, the Lord Jesus, whose coming we have prepared for in Advent and whom we have addressed in these seven Messianic titles, now speaks to us, “Tomorrow, I will come.” So the “O Antiphons” not only bring intensity to our Advent preparation, but bring it to a joyful conclusion.
Each night, following our family rosary, we pray the O Antiphon for the day, sing O Come, O Come Emmanuel, which was inspired by this ancient tradition, and then give the children a special treat.
The “treats” have varied from year to year. Some years it has been little gifts or activities for the family, some years it is all food related, and some years it is a mix of both, depending on our schedule and budget. It doesn’t need to cost much or even anything at all! Be creative!
Sometimes the treats are a bit of a stretch, but my goal is try and find gifts that will either help increase our faith (Catechism books, holy family, saints, prayer, etc) or encourage family time (games, puzzles, going to look at Christmas lights, etc). You can find some of our past O Antiphon treats by scrolling through the archives and visiting Catholic Cuisine.
Our family loves this tradition. It is such a fun way to teach the children about these beautiful prayers of the church and also increase their excitement as Christmas gets closer.
Once again I am hosting an O ANTIPHON GIVEAWAY! One lucky visitor here at Shower of Roses will receive a gift package which will include one complete set of O Antiphon Ornaments and one themed gift for each of the seven O Antiphons! Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post to enter.
sponsored by St. Augustine Academy Press
- Bible Cookies or Bible Candies
- Brain Food (Dark Chocolate, Deviled Eggs, etc – I’m hoping to tuck some of the Theo Christmas Bars into stockings this Christmas.)
- Play a Trivia Game (Christmas Trivia, Catholic Trivia, Cranium)
- Play Memory with Catholic Words Memory Match, Saint Memory, or Catholic Quiz games (Scattergories-Catholic Edition is fun with the older kids too!)
- Bookmarks or Holy Cards
- Family Prayer Book, Catechism, or other Book (The Christmas Book, The Catechism in Pictures with review here, Jesus Make Me Worthy, My Catholic Faith, A Catholic Child’s Picture Dictionary, Around the Year: Once Upon a Time Saints, etc… The possibilities are endless.)
Additional Ideas:
- Ten Commandment Cookies
- Cookies made with this Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter or this cute 3-D Mini Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter made by Sweet Creations, emphasizing the word “house”
- Pull out the Smore’s Maker or light a bonfire and Roast Marshmallows, in reference to “Moses in the burning bush”
- Decorate Gingerbread Houses (we might use this pan this year, a Christmas gift from my girls)
- Notre Dame 3-D Church Puzzle, Forest Nativity Shaped Puzzle (shaped like house), or this Stained Glass Holy Night
- Father Leopold Lego Set or Architecture Blocks would also tie in nicely
sponsored by Shower of Roses
From Jesse, the shepherd, to Jesus, the Good Shepherd…
I thought Shepherds would tie in nicely this year!
- Root Beer Floats or Carrot Cake
- Roasted Root Vegetable, Hearty Healing Beef Stew or Hamburger Stew (pictured)… Yum!
- Purchase a Christmas Poinsettia (In the past we have also incorporated other Poinsettias: 12 Red Glitter Poinsettia Ornaments, Miracle of the Poinsettia, The Miracle of the First Poinsettia and Poinsettia Cupcakes)
- Play some sort of Gardening or Nature Game as a Family (perhaps Wildcraft! An Herbal Adventure Game, Gathering a Garden, or The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game!)
- A new “Family” Ornament
- Old Fashioned Root Beer Drops
- Bonus: You could even have a Jesse Tea!
Catholic Songs for Children CD and Sheet Music Book and St. Cecelia Doll
sponsored by St. Augustine Academy Press and Shining Light Dolls
This year’s gift incorporates music “keys” again…
- Key Lime Pie
- Special drink with dinner. Since this is initially a monastic tradition, and on this night, the monk in charge of the wine cellar would provide a special bottle of wine.
- Surprise the family with tickets (“key”) to something local – Christmas play, the Nutcracker, etc. A few years ago I took our older children to see A Christmas Carol at the theatre.
- Key Puzzle/Brainteaser
- Tiny Saints Key Hooks (One year I purchased a couple key hook rails to use to hang our Rosaries. You can see them in our home in this post.)
- Advent At Ephesus, Caroling at Ephesus, or this Music of Midnight Mass!
- O Dayspring Ice Cream
- Non-Alcoholic Mimosas or Texas Sunrise with Breakfast
- Decorate a Christmas Candle (We use a tiny wax baby Jesus I purchased years ago along with Stockmar Gold Decorating Beeswax.)
- Our favorite tradition for this O Antiphon is to pile in the car after dinner with hot cocoa and drive around to look at all the Christmas lights. We have also added these to our tree: Kurt Adler 10-Light Candle with Gold Dish Light Set
- Candles from The Cloister Shoppe
- Grimm’s CASA SOLE Stacking Blocks (The set we have, pictured, isn’t currently available. Other options can be found online and over at Etsy including: Sun Block Wood Toy Stacker and these)
- Crown Cake, Cupcakes or Cookies
- Bake Cookies using the Wise Men Cookie Stamp from Rycraft, Inc –This is what our family will be doing this year! We’ll probably be painting our finger nails too with the lovely polish above.
- Assemble a Three Kings Puzzle and this beautiful Stained Glass Nativity Puzzle
- Listen to King of the Golden City CD
- One year I picked out one of the beautiful sets of Three Kings Gifts – we pull it out every Christmas!
- Twas the Evening of Christmas Picture Book – Our daughter will receive this on the feast of St. Nicholas. It’s such a lovely book!
sponsored by Shower of Roses
- Make a Chocolate Nativity Scene for Christmas
- Decorate Nativity Cookies to give as gifts or Cookie Cutters Tell the Christmas Story
- 500-Piece Stained Glass Jigsaw Puzzle or Holy Family Puzzle
- Decorate Chocolate Christmas Coins using this FREE Printable
- Children’s Nativity Set – you can find some of our favorites in this post and more of our collection here (scroll down a bit)
- Christmas picture books, coloring books including the beautiful Eucharistic Adoration: With Saints And Symbols Of The Eucharist coloring book, or this BRAND NEW CD Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring: Christmas with The Dominican Sisters of Mary.
On the Feast of St. Andrew
Thanksgiving Daybook
Our beautiful mom with five of her six daughters on Thanksgiving Day 🍁🍂 The rain let up long enough for a quick picture outside. You’d never know it by this picture, she always looks amazing, but our mom is recovering from a broken arm and still dealing with her brain tumor which grew a little more as of her last MRI. We are grateful that she has been able to avoid surgery so far.
I am thinking…
about Advent and hoping everyone is healthy again by next Sunday. Some of the kids were sick the week before Thanksgiving, then a few more were sick over Thanksgiving and ended up staying home, by this past weekend the rest of us were sick with this cold/flu-like virus. We all stayed home from Mass on Sunday and today is the first day my husband has made it back to work. Lots of bone broth, vitamins, and essential oils getting diffused around here!
I am thankful…
last Thanksgiving we shared the news with the rest of my siblings that they had another niece or nephew on the way… this year we got to introduce her to a couple more of them! We are so thankful for this precious baby girl. She has us all wrapped around her tiny little fingers!
Learning all the time…
one of his favorite things to do? Stack ALL the animals! He has asked for an “All God’s Creatures” birthday theme inspired by his favorite song A Place in the Choir. Any ideas? 🙂
Celebrating the liturgical year…
November 25th is the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria, a very special day in our home. We always bake heart shaped cake (or cakes) to celebrate. This year it was gluten-free chocolate cakelets topped with caramel.
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| Saint Catherine of Alexandria • A Story of Saint Catherine of Alexandria Original Painting of St. Catherine by Sleightholm Folk Art |
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| Bud (5) insisted that I take a picture of the St. Catherine block he went to find too! |
From the kitchen…
I needed to work the day before Thanksgiving so I asked our 12 year old if she wanted to get started on the food preparations… 30 minutes later… Homemade Cranberry Sauce that is AIP compliant!
Cranberry Sauce
- 16 oz fresh cranberries (or frozen)
- ¾ cup orange juice, freshly squeezed (about 3-4 oranges)
- ¼ cup water
- 2-3 Tbs maple syrup
- Pinch salt
- Pinch cloves
- Pinch cinnamon
Instructions:
- Add cranberries, orange juice, and water to a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil.
- Let boil for 2-3 minutes until cranberries start to pop.
- Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer until sauce thickens and most of the cranberries have popped, about 10-15 minutes.
- Stir in maple syrup, salt, cloves and cinnamon.
- Let cool and then place in fridge to cool completely.
She loves to bake and is such a great help in the kitchen. She also baked a couple AIP Pumpkin Spice cakes with Gingersnap crusts, one to take to my parents and one to keep at home, and a loaf of Cranberry Bread (using her favorite recipe) to use up the rest of the cranberries.
I am working…
From home as much as possible. I do need to go into the office at least a few times each week, but I am so grateful for such a flexible job that allows me to work from home some of the time. I do miss the days of “just” homeschooling and having the time for blogging frequently and other hobbies, but the extra income has helped us pay off the Suburban and get back to being debt free other than our home.
I am creating…
Cinnamon Roll Turkeys for brunch on Thanksgiving Day after watching the parade! This year I did remember to pick up pretzels, but we completely forgot to use them! We used food coloring free Little Secrets and Yum Earth Candy Corn for some of the decorations.
I am going…
outside to calm the baby down with another walk and enjoying the sunshine before it starts raining again ☀️🍂🍁 #heretheycome We both love her Tula Free To Grow carrier. She’s not quite big enough to use my other carriers without an insert (which she isn’t a fan of) but we have gotten a lot of use out of this one!
I am hoping…
Santa Lucia day isn’t until next month, but I had to make sure the sleeper I order a couple months ago is going to fit. It’s still big, but it will work! I also have matching pink pajamas that I’ve been saving for a couple years for her sister! My favorite time of the year is right around the corner!
Pondering these words…
from Mother Teresa, Love: A Fruit Always in Season:
I am listening…
I love it when Dad plays his guitar and sings. So do his grandchildren!
Around the house…
we are preparing to prepare… Lots of signs that Advent is about to begin!
One of my favorite things…
Chubby cheeks and baby toes ♥ So kissable!
A little peek at our Thanksgiving day…
2017 Christmas Gift Ideas & Stocking Stuffers {Plus Another Sleighful of Giveaways}
It’s time for this year’s list of “Christmas Gift Ideas” and another “Sleighful of Giveaways” from my amazing and generous sponsors! (You can the lists from the last two years here and here, as well as even more Catholic gift ideas listed in my past Easter posts as well: 100+ Easter Basket Stuffers & Catholic Gift Ideas and Easter Symbols: Catholic Gift Ideas.)
In last year’s Christmas Gift post I shared with you all that we were expecting a surprise baby! It’s been a long hard year – between Hyperemesis Gravidarum (just thinking about it makes my stomach churn… you know it’s bad when your children’s letters on the Eve of St. Nick say “I want you to help mommy stop throwing up… because I know how it feels to throw up!”), debilitating back issues (which I’m still struggling with but are slowly improving), and adjusting to a challenging newborn – but we somehow survived and are all so very grateful for our little “Grace!” She is as cute as can be, but doesn’t like to be put down much so once again I’ve asked our children to help me with this year’s gift guide! Like last year, I had them each list nine of their past favorite gifts for me to share with you all. You’ll find each of their picks below along with other favorites for Advent and Christmas. Even with their help this post has taken pretty much every free moment for the past couple weeks to finish the post and finalize the giveaway, but I’m SO EXCITED to share it with you and send so many of my visitors here at Shower of Roses gifts this upcoming Advent!
Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Advent Candles: The last couple year’s we’ve been using the 100% Beeswax Advent Taper Candles from The Cloister Shoppe but this year they are only offering them locally… Other options include: Big Dipper Wax Works (I’m considering these), Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles, or Honey Candles. We also use these pillar candles in pink and purple for our large wreath. If you are looking for less expensive candles these might be a good option. Our children have also enjoyed this Advent Candle Craft Kit but the candles burn very fast.
- The Wonder Story and The Wonder Days from St. Augustine Academy Press (These sweet books for children are part of a set of four by the same author, which have been lovingly restored from the 1920s originals. Intended for little hands, they all have large, thick, durable pages (not quite a board book, but a step up) and lots of full color illustrations. The Wonder Story tells the tale of Christ’s coming to earth as a little child; this story is then continued in The Wonder Days, which shows us His Hidden Life in the home at Nazareth.)
- Shepherds and Sheep from Naturally Catholic (This will be one of our O Antiphon gifts this year! I’m hoping to share more about the rest of our O Antiphon picks, along with one last giveaway, next weekend. It’s such a lovely addition to our A Child Is Born Nativity Puzzle Scene and Three Kings Wise Men Puzzle Scene)
- Rooted in Hope – I haven’t seen this in person but it looks lovely. “Specially created for Advent 2017, this beautiful book integrates Bible study, journaling, and thoughtful planning for the season.”
- Nativity Cookie Stamp from Rycraft
- The Bayberry Christmas Eve Candle and Christmas Tree Creche Candle from The Cloister Shoppe (I also have this Peppermint Foot Cream on my wish list.)
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring: Christmas with The Dominican Sisters of Mary (Our collection of music for Advent and Christmas also includes: Advent at Ephesus, Adventus -Tracks 1-5 for the First Week of Advent, Legends of Nicholas and Caroling at Ephesus.)
- FSSP Christmas Card Novena – These aren’t new, we’ve used them many times over the years, but I wanted to share them with you all! I love that they are available online now.
- The Christmas Book from St. Augustine Academy Press (Also available on Amazon here) – So happy to see this available again! We have an old OOP edition. “This book unfolds the story of the celebration of Christmas. Beginning with its gospel and history, the author leads us through the festivities of the Middle Ages, to the decline and eventual revival of Christmas customs in Europe and in America.”
- New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas
- St. Nicholas Nail Polish from Lisieux (So many fun colors perfect for all the liturgical seasons and holy days!)
- St. Nicholas Holy Card or Wood Magnet from Portraits of Saints also available as a Wood Plaque (10% of all sales is donated to FSSP! So many beautiful saints to choose from!)
- Wholesome Organic or TruSweets Organic Candy Canes (One of our children is allergic to Red 40. Love that theses are made without food coloring! I bought a couple boxes from Thrive. If you don’t have a Thrive membership, here’s my referral link to save you 20%! With how hard it is for me to get to the store, our membership has been a blessing!)
- Saint Nicholas and Lucia Cookie Stamps from Rycraft
- Honeycomb Cake on the Feast of St. Ambrose – Here’s a less expensive option (only $3.95!) on the cake pan we have. Here’s another option as well.
- Lussekatter Buns and Wooden Christmas Candle to go along with the Saint Lucia Dress and Wreath from The Little Habit
- Lucia Sleeper and Long John Pajamas (Instagram: picture here and new customers can save 20% with my refer a friend link) You can find our “My First Lucia Crown” here.
- An Introduction to the Liturgical Year and The Way to Bethlehem (Available directly from the publisher.)
Here are some past favorites that are still available to purchase:
- The Invitation (Noah’s Ark – perfect for with Jesse Tree) – more pictures in the archives
- Stained Glass Window Jigsaw Puzzle – similar to this one in the archives
- Glorious Nativity Jigsaw Puzzle – more pictures in the archives
- Stained Glass Holy Night Jigsaw Puzzle
- Forest Nativity Shaped Jigsaw Puzzle
- Holy Family Jigsaw Puzzle
- Heaven on Earth Jigsaw Puzzle
- Stained Glass Nativity Jigsaw Puzzle
- Midnight Mass (Our NEW puzzle find for this year! Can’t wait to start!)
- Mary on Donkey and Joseph Walking
- Nativity Set Cookie Cutters and Cookie Cutters tell the Story of Christmas
- Kurt Adler Wooden Nativity Advent Calendar with 24 Magnetic Figures
- Nativity Fabric Advent Calendar
- A Child Is Born and Three Kings from Naturally Catholic (New for this year: Shepherds and Sheep! So beautiful!)
- Playmobil Nativity (we have an older style)
- Wooden 5-Piece Nativity scene Puzzle
- Childrens Nativity Blocks Starter Set and Deluxe Wooden Nativity Set from Almond Rod Toy
- Ostheimer MINI Nativity – I purchased some of the pieces during a sale early this year and am so excited to start collecting this beautiful wooden nativity. I’m thinking about tucking a few of the pieces into shoes/slippers on the feast of St. Nicholas and maybe a few more into Christmas stockings. We’ll see!
Please note: In addition to their stockings, our children usually unwrap three gifts from my husband and I on Christmas morning – something they need, something they want, and one other gift which is usually faith based. We draw names on the first Sunday of Advent for Christkindl and end with a family Christkindl gift exchange. It’s always the first thing they want to do after our morning prayers (or morning Mass if we didn’t make it to the Midnight Mass) on Christmas Day! They also receive a stack of books either on Christmas or Epiphany. The gifts listed below have been received over a number of different years/occasions.
- This Peanuts fan of ours jokingly started his list of picks by quoting Charlie Brown Christmas: “Please note the size and color of each item, and send as many as possible. If it seems too complicated, make it easy on yourself: just send money. How about tens and twenties?” – He won’t be getting “cold, hard cash!” but gift cards for activities are always a great pick for teens… lift tickets for skiing, bowling, paint ball, ice skating, etc.
- Favorite Sports Team Clothing (He loves the beanie his Dad picked out for him last year – similar to this one or these. He’d love this Hooded Sweatshirt, but the price would have to drop… a lot!) and/or Sports Gear (ski mask, gloves, socks — last year he got these Captain America Golf Balls)
- FOOD (Beef Jerky, Coffee and Restaurant Gift Cards, Gas Gift Cards – I’m considering some Subway, Red Robin, and Cold Stone Gift Cards for this year for our teens.)
- T-Shirts (He got this Coffee T-Shirt in his Back-to-School Schultute this year. He also has this Chemistry themed tee along with some great Catholic T-shirts including St. Benedict Medal, The Lord Be With You T-Shirt, and St. Patrick.) New This Year: Get Holy or Die Tryin’
- Catholic Bible with Custom Cover
- The Brotherband Chronicles and Ranger’s Apprentice Books (He doesn’t know about the brand new release of The Caldera coming out this month… I have already pre-ordered a copy. Shhhh!)
- Music CDs (Keith Harkin and Celtic Thunder are a couple favorites)
- Wish List: MacBook (He’ll probably just end up getting a Flash Drive… though we do need to help the boys get laptops sometime in the next year and a half… before they head to college!)
- Sacred Passion of Jesus Rosary from Loreto Rosaries
- LEGO Creator Expert Detective’s Office – definitely his favorite out of all the Modular sets. He also loves Architecture and Creator sets.
- Bear Grylls Folding Sheath Knife and/or Survival Hatchet
- DVDs: The Monuments Men, Valkyrie, For Greater Glory, The Count of Monte Cristo, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Hobbit Trilogy, Thor, to name a few…
- Catholic T-Shirt Club – The boys have really enjoyed sharing this subscription. One of their favorite shirts for the year is currently available without subscribing: St. Benedict T-Shirt
- ENO Hammock with Suspension System (He received the OneLink Hammock Shelter System for his birthday earlier this year. I got it for an amazing price – over 60% off – last year on Cyber Monday.)
- St. Augustine Quote Mug
- Bose Mini BlueTooth Speaker (Noise Canceling Headphones are still loved and used frequently by our highschoolers, especially for their online classes. They have this pair and this pair.)
- Black Diamond Spot Headlamp
- Gnarly Tees Men’s I’m Only Nerdy Periodically T-Shirt (I’ve been having fun picking out t-shirts for the kids this past year including some fun science related tees as they study Chemistry and Biology. Clothing is always needed and makes a great/practical gift – American Eagle Flannel Shirts, Dress Shirts, Slim Straight Jeans, etc – Watch for sales and I always make sure to click over from Ebates first to earn cash back on purchases!)
- Marrying Mr. Darcy Board Game (She had a Jane Austen themed birthday this year and this was one of her gifts. The girls have really enjoyed playing it together! I’m hoping to surprise her with the Emma Expansion for Christmas.)
- Jane Austen: The Complete Works
- Emma and Lizzie Prints from Sleightholm Folk Art
- Be Yourself!: A Journal for Catholic Girls paired with Gel Pens (check Costco) or Colored Pencils
- Who’s Your Hero? “Heart” Premium Girly Tee (from this year’s Easter Basket)
- Catherine of Siena Quote Mug
- Heartland Sterling Silver Large Triple Slide Rose with Miraculous Pendant (she received this from her Grandparents for Confirmation this year)
- Kindle Paperwhite with Leather Case and Vera Bradley E-Reader Sleeve (great sales directly from Vera Bradley)
- 24 Days of Clinique (She enjoyed this Advent Calendar last year after turning 13. I got last year’s version at an amazing price on Cyber Monday. So much fun! Beauty Supplies in general are great stocking stuffers – Hair Brush, Curling Iron, Manicure Sets, Burt’s Bees Lip Balm and Lip Shimmer, Nail Polish, etc.)
- Basket filled with a sketchbook, journal, watercolor crayons and water brushes. (She also loves Paint-byNumber Kits including Chickadees and Lilacs and Goldfinches.)
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Pillowcase
- Kipling Syro Crossbody Shoulder Bag (I had a little debate with the sales clerk when I bought this “so plain and boring” purse for my soon-to-be 12 year old, but I knew it’d be perfect for her and it has been. She loves it!)
- The Chronicles of Narnia Box Set: Full-Color Collector’s Edition (The Little House on the Prairie collection, audio, and The Little House Cookbook were also included on her list of favorites.)
- Bible, Custom Bible Cover and Letter Board
- The Texas Panhandle Series: The Good Land, The Wide Horizon, The Wind Blows Free (They seem to be out of print but Kindle versions are available of the first two.)
- Vera Bradley Grande Laptop Backpack in Northern Lights with matching Lunch Bunch (Even though we homeschool, my kids all use and love their backpacks – currently 50% off direct from Vera Bradley!)
- St. Benedict Medal Bracelet
- St. Lucy Doll from The Little Rose Shop and St. Lucia Original Painting from Sleightholm Folk Art
- Playmobil NHL Hockey Arena with Zamboni Machine and favorite players (The boys are fans of all of our Playmobil, especially soldiers and boats: Soldier Boat, Viking Longboat, Royal Ship of Egypt, and Roman Galley)
- Will Rider #1: The Relic of Perilous Falls (He hasn’t read book #2 yet.)
- Cool Story Bilbo Navy Kids T-Shirt (to go along with his favorite book: The Hobbit: Illustrated Edition)
- Ostheimer Dragon and Black Knight on Red Horse (aka St. George!)
- Zing Air Storm Fire Tek Bow, Red (An awesome birthday gift from Uncle Brian and Aunt Meagan. The older boys loved it too!)
- LEGO Creator Sets (Beachside Vacation and Apple Tree House are a couple favorites.) Lakeside Lodge and the Van & Caravan are a couple favorites!)
- St. Michael Archangel Missal Cover made to fit A Young Catholic’s Daily Missal with his name embroidered on the back (He also loves his St. Michael T-Shirt.) I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s worth mentioning again: Miniature Mass Kit and Baptism Set from Our Father’s House (pictures of my son using his Baptism set here and kids playing Mass here and here. The boys also love all their vestments including their White Vestment Set from Interior Castle Goods.)
- What About Baseball Board Game (Definitely a hit! The kids all loved this game after he received it on his birthday this year.)
- Hyper Tough 3+1 LED Work Light
- Fairy Tale Cottage Dollhouse with Wooden Ostheimer Figures
- Playmobil Toys – We especially love our sets that came with miniature Advent Wreaths and Nativity Sets! Definitely worth watching for. You can find more pictures in the Archives: The Dolls Christmas
- Classic Red Cloak (also available in Celestial Blue, Teal Leaves, and Floral)
- Rapunzel by Sarah Gibb
- Her Baby Sister… and other Dolls, Clothing & Accessories (Saint Habits and Accessories from The Little Habit are favorites! She also loves her Therese doll, paperback book, and her accessories plus Sunday Best from Dolls from Heaven. I posted a review here.)
- Princess Matching Game
- Jellycat Bashful Lamb
- Hape Happy Harp Kid’s Wooden Musical Instrument
- St. Therese Fabric Doll from The Little Rose Shop (She loves all her St. Therese dolls including this Saint Therese from Trendzilly and a Saints n’ Stitches pattern available here.)
- Ostheimer Noah’s Ark, Figures, and Animals – Like all handcrafted wooden toys, these are an investment, but they are so beautiful and definitely heirloom quality. Last year I was given a generous Christmas bonus from work to put towards gifts and I splurged on these for the December birthdays and Christmas. We’ve added additional figures to our collection on Easter and a couple birthdays this year and I’m planning to add some more this Christmas. I’ve watched for sales and have ordered some additional figures them from Bella Luna Toys and The Wooden Wagon. They are played with nearly every day and I love seeing them around our home! Note: The Ark is huge.
- Wild Republic 12″ Red Fox (He actually doesn’t have this but fell in love with it when I purchased it to give to one the seniors on his older sister’s soccer team. I think I’m going to order another to give him for either his birthday or Christmas this year!)
- Saint Blocks from Almond Rod Toys (and the rest of our stacking blocks… I blogged more about them here.)
- Melissa & Doug Deluxe Folding Medieval Castle
- Tegu Magnetic Wooden Blocks (A gift from his Godparents – so much fun!)
- Little Unicorn Cotton Muslin Blanket Quilt- Rolling Hills
- Leather Swords and Shields from Made by Alejandro
- Wheely Bug Cow, Small and Large (This has been a favorite for years. It’s still a favorite. Eventually I’d like to get the Ladybug for Grace!)
- Hand Painted Wooden Saints from Catholic Folk Toys (custom orders available – Tammy’s hand painted saint dolls were the very first I ever saw online many years ago and inspired me to paint my Alphabet of Saints. I love her dolls!) with Miniature Birettas from Michele Quigley
- Sugarbooger Silicone Teether, Matryoshka Doll
- Jellycat Stuffed Animals – She has this Bashful Bunny in Tulip Pink and Cream
- Pink Guardian Angel
- Skip Hop Baby Treetop Friends Activity Gym
- Wooden Camera Rattle – Also pictured: DockATot and Grace Floral Hooded Towel
- FanFan the Fawn Teether – We have Sophie but I think FanFan will be in her stocking
- Wish List: Double Pink Chews Life Rosary from Chews Life Rosary
- Tula Free-to-Grow in Blossom – Best carrier I’ve ever had! She loves it too.
- Peek-A-Boo Forest Soft Book, Sir Prance A Lot is another favorite
- DockATot (hasn’t been quite as awesome as the reviews, but I don’t regret the purchase)
- “I love you most ardently” Pride & Prejudice Onesie
- Moses Basket with Sheepskin Natural Baby Blanket
- Muslin Blankets including this Bamboo Muslin Swaddling Blanket, Hearts by Lulujo Baby
- Pack ‘n Play with Portable Napper, Changing Station and Bassinet with Washable Bamboo Changing Pad Liners (love these liners!)
- Little Unicorn Cotton Hooded Towel & Wash Cloth Set (also love this Grace Floral Hooded Towel)
- Calming Baby Bubble Bath and Soft Baby Bath Washcloths from Copper Pearl
- My Brest Friend Deluxe Nursing Pillow
- Rock ‘n Play Sleeper (Borrowed from a friend – so awesome!)
- Black + Gold Infinity Veil from Robin Nest Lane
- IHS Devotional Candle and Rosary Flip Book
- St. Joseph Rosary from Loreto Rosaries (A recent gift to my husband – he loves it!)
- St. Therese Rose Earrings from Gail’s Designs
- Hand Embroidered/Sewn Scapulars and Medals from StellaMarigoldArt
- St. Therese the Little Flower Rosary Bracelet from Loreto Rosaries
- Drinking with the Saints: The Sinner’s Guide to a Holy Happy Hour (Another past gift for my husband! I enjoy reading though it. Great book!)
- St. Therese Apron from Catholic Cuisine
- Crocheted Wool Rosary Roses from The Fig and Thimble (In the archives: Roses for Baby Jesus)
- 2018 Traditional Latin Mass Calendar from FSSP (Extraordinary Form)
- 2018 Catholic Calendar – 160th Anniversary of Lourdes from Saints Galore (Extraordinary Form)
- 2018 Drinking With the Monks from TAN (Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form – I think I want to get my husband this one this year!)
- 2018 Saints Calendar and 16 Month Daily Planner from TAN (Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form -My husband and I both use this every year!)
- The Catholic Daily Planner™ from Michele Quigley (Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form – I miss using this one this year!)
- 2018 Scripture Coloring Calendar from Someday Saints Designs (My 14 year old will love this!)
- 2018 Mary and the Saints Wall Calendar from TAN (Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form)
- 2018 The Life of Our Lord Wall Calendar from TAN (Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form)
- 2018 Angels Wall Calendar from TAN (Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form)
Links for Advent Planning from the Archives
Congratulations, Angela!
“So many nice gift options all in one place”
Book 1: The Book of the Holy Child
Book 2: The Life of My Savior
Book 3: The Life of the Soul
Book 4: Before Christ Came
Book 5: The Vine and the Branches
Book 6: The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Book 7/8: The Highway to God
Prize #1 – Saints on the Go! and The Virgin Mary Around the World! A Pilgrimage of Faith PLUS a set of the TEN newest Shining Light Dolls: St. Hildegard of Bingen, St. Cecilia, St. Rose of Lima, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, St. Pope John Paul II, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Raphael the Archangel, St. Gabriel the Archangel, Our Lady of Vailankanni sponsored by Shining Light Dolls (value $159.84)
Prize #2 – Family pack of American Life League’s brand new pro-life t-shirt (for up to 10 people from the same family – winner chooses the sizes ranging from youth XS to adult 2XL) sponsored by Culture of Life Studies Program (value $150.00)
Prize #3 – The Catholic Family Book of Prayers Ovenbird Bindery hand-bound edition, plus four softcover copies sponsored by Peanut Butter & Grace (value $137.00)
Prize #4 – $50 Gift Certificate for Essential Oils or $50 credit towards an essential oils Kit, consultation to select the best oils for your needs, and a hand-crafted aromaROSARY that holds and diffuses essential oils sponsored by Lena @ JOYfilledWELLNESS.com (value $119.00)
Prize #7 – $50 Gift Certificate for Custom Missal & Breviary Covers, Rosary/Pray Together Apron, and Catholic Cuisine Apron sponsored by MissalCovers.com (value $110.00)
Prize #8 – Lovely Pearls hairband with standard black elastic, Poinsettia u-pins, Poinsettia bobbies, an extra small Poinsettia flexi clip, and a medium Prancer flexi clip sponsored by Christine at Lilla Rose (value $98.00)
Prize #9 – Includes (1) 8×10 St. Teresa of Calcutta Print, (1) 8×10 Sacred Heart Print, (1) 8×10 St. Francis de Sales Watercolor Print, (1) St. John Paul II Phone Case – You choose your size, (1) Sheet of Be Not Afraid Temporary Tattoos written in St. John Paul II’s ACTUAL handwriting, and (3) Fiat Car Magnets sponsored by Just Love Prints (value $89.00)
Prize #10 – With friends & family on their minds Joseph & Leane at Prayer Pillowcases tucked 5 favorite designs inside a special Our Lady of Guadalupe tote bag for this Family Gift Pack. (value $80.00)
Prize #11 – Includes (1) 8×10 You Are Beautiful Print, 8×10 St. Frances of Rome Print, (4) 5×7 Liturgical Year Prints, and 2018 Scripture Coloring Calendar sponsored by Someday Saints Designs (value $72.50)
Congratulations, Sarah!
“How to choose! I would love any of the gifts but think 5, 12, 18, and 19 are my favorite!”
Prize #13 – Christmas Nativity Print Flutter Sleeve Dress with two additional layering pieces sponsored by Paradise Jewelry (value $65.00)
Prize #14 – Our Lady of Guadalupe Book and Bow Gift Package sponsored by Hair Bows 4 Life (value $60.00)
Prizes #15 – Scapular necklace and then my newest Catholic Prayers Digital Print Bundle (5 – 8×10 digital water color prints of Catholic Prayers) sponsored by Saong Jai (value $60.00)
Prize #16 – Our Lady of Fatima The Graphic Novel, Coloring Book, 16 GB Our Lady of Fatima Flash Drive, and 8GB St. Joseph Flash Drive sponsored by The Deo Gratias Co. (value $59.96)
Prize #18 – Playmobil Nativity Set and Wisemen Set sponsored by Catholic Child (value $57.90)
Prize #19 – Wooden Mass Kit sponsored by Almond Rod Toys (value $56.00)
Prize #20 – Christmas Angel from Trendzilly (value $53.00 including s/h)
Prize #21 – 8×10 Annunciation, 8×10 Santa Maria, and set of 4 “Our Lady” notecards sponsored by Sleightholm Folk Art (value $51.00)
Prize #22 – 3 Month Subscription sponsored by Ani-Mail (value $50.00)
Prize #23 and Prize #24 – $50 Gift Certificate sponsored by Regina Martyrum Productions (two winners, value $50.00 each)
Prize #25 – “I am Therese” Book, “She is Joan of Arc” Book, He is John Paul Book, and The Easiest Way to Jesus: Marian Consecration for Children Gift Pack sponsored by Dolls From Heaven (value $50.00)
Prize #26 – Set of Three Vintage Holy Card Pendants sponsored by Art Angel Gallery (Includes: The Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a yellow-tone Madonna and Child, and Our Lady Queen of Peace. value $50.00)
Prize #27 – Jesse Tree Ornaments (or apply towards custom set of your choice) sponsored by Jesse Tree Treasures (value $42.95)
Prize #28 – (1) Catholic Apron of Your Choice sponsored by my other blog Catholic Cuisine (value $29.99+s/h)
BONUS! Each of the TWENTY-NINE winners will also receive: 2017 Advent Activity Pack sponsored by Saong Jai (value $5.00 each)
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