On Saint Valentine’s Day {and Baby Update}
I started this post last week and it’s taken me a whole week to get back to finishing it. Anyway…
My girls were the creative ones this year, with their Little Way Valentines and Nutter Butter Heart Cookie Valentines! Here’s a picture of my simple contribution to this year’s St. Valentine’s Day celebration with friends. I love our collection of bundt pans. (This particular heart pan is currently 48% off!) They made cake decorating so easy when I’m low on time. I had hoped to add lots of red berries, like I did for our daughter’s When Calls the Heart birthday cake, but was never able to get to the store so I simply topped it with a holy card.
Meanwhile our little ones colored a couple St. Valentine coloring pages. Someone couldn’t find anything red to wear so he decided that green was the next best option, after all St. Patrick’s day is coming up soon! 😉
While our kids were at the party I had another ultrasound followed by another appointment with my doctor to check on the baby. Despite the never-ending nausea our little girl is healthy and well!
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| Still enjoying the beautiful St. Valentine’s Day roses from my husband. |
Little Way Valentines
Our oldest daughter finished creating these rose heart covered pretzels and chocolates last night for today’s St. Valentine feast day party while I made up some labels for the treat bags! We all had to be extra creative this year, using stuff we already had in our pantry and decorating stash since I haven’t been able to get to the store, and she did such a great job!
- Rose Hearts Pretzel Mold (can’t find the exact link, similar to this one)
- Red Candy Melts
- Green Candy Melts
- White Candy Melts (she used White for the multicolored pretzels and Bright White for the solid white pretzels)
- Pretzel Rods
- Pretzel Treat Bags
Nutter Butter Heart Cookie Valentines
On the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
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| Our Lady of Lourdes Marian Grotto • Bernadette, The Little Girl from Lourdes |
Note: The older girls used regular glue and many of their gems eventually fell off and had to be regaled on. It also took forever to dry in between steps. To save some time I helped Rose glue the project together with the hot glue gun. I added the glue and she placed the popsicle sticks and gems. It turned out lovely!
Snowy Mountain Ski Resort Birthday Cake
Today is Ranger’s 15th birthday! His birthday celebration started a day early (the ski resort is closed today) with a day trip up the mountain and his very first ski lesson. Today we continued the celebration at home. His cake didn’t end up quite like I originally envisioned, but I managed to pull it off despite my pregnancy nausea, and really love how it turned out. So did the birthday boy!
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| He, and his older brother, also had a blast skiing for the first time! More pictures coming soon. |
Supplies:
- 2 – 9″ Round Cakes
- 2 12-oz cans Betty Crocker Fluffy White Frosting
- Wilton White Sparkling Sugar
- Snowflake Sprinkles
- Wilton Sugar Sheet, Black
- Light Cocoa Candy Melts
- Bright White Candy Melts
- Wax Paper
- Wilton Decorating Bag
- Wilton Decorating Tip, No. 7
Directions:
Prepare and bake cakes according to directions. Cool.
Once the cakes have cooled, slice off one edge of each cake as shown in picture.
Frost the bottom of one of the larger cake pieces with 1/2 cup frosting. Top with the second larger cake piece, bottom side onto the frosting. Place these, cut end down, on cake platter or serving tray, then place one of the smaller cut pieces in front of the two larger pieces, securing with some additional frosting.
Spread a thin layer of frosting on the top and sides of the cake to seal crumbs. (Opt: place in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. This make spreading the final coat of frosting so much easier.) Spread remaining frosting evenly over the sides and top of the cake.
Cut two skier silhouettes from a black Wilton Sugar Sheet and place on cake. You can download the silhouettes I used here.
Decorate the cake with White Sparkling Sugar and Snowflake Sprinkles. I also went around the base of the cake creating dots of frosting with Wilton Decorating Tip, No. 7.
Melt candy melts according to directions. Place melted candy in a disposable decorating bag or baggie and snip off corner. Using the melted candy, create trees on wax paper. I just made these freehand, starting with the brown tree trunks first on some followed by the white snow covered branches, and then switching it up by starting with the white branches first and then finishing with the brown tree trunks. I made 15 trees of various sizes. I also added White Sparkling Sugar to some of them for extra sparkle! 🙂
You can scroll through all our past birthday cakes and party themes here.
Sponsor Love:: Quarterly Update & Current Specials {scroll to the bottom for a feast day giveaway!}
It’s time for another quarterly update on all my amazing sponsors here at Shower of Roses. I also have some great coupon codes to share with you as well! Be sure to scroll to the bottom for a chance to win a little gift package from me which will include books for a couple upcoming feast days including a copy of Saint Valentine and the brand new Paddy and the Wolves: A Coloring Book about Saint Patrick When He Was a Boy!
Please welcome my new sponsors:
Request information today!
www.OurCEOMom.com
Prayer Pillowcases
… 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.
Catholic Child
“Our goal is to help you find the finest resources to help you nurture the faith of your Catholic child and strengthen him or her for the challenges of the journey ahead. Each one of the hundreds of items you find here has been chosen by us with care, reviewed for faith and quality, and has been child and parent approved. When you buy from Catholic Child Catalog you are supporting an independently owned, personally run business that remains committed to searching out products to guide, inspire and delight the young Catholics in your life.”
American Life League’s Culture of Life Studies Program (CLSP)
The Culture of Life Studies Program has two outstanding new studies—Pro-Life Prints and The Power of One.
Pro-Life Prints is the perfect mix of fun and learning for students in grades K-2. Children learn basic culture-of-life lessons like helping others and realizing their own unique value while working through a super cute keepsake booklet.
The Power of One was just released and features the life and legacy of March for Life founder Nellie Gray. This lesson is geared toward students in grades 7 and up, but can easily be adapted for younger students as well.
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.
Behold Publications, LLC
“Behold Publications, LLC is more than just a publisher! Family owned and operated since its founding in 1999, we have developed great Catholic clubs like the Little Flowers Girls’ Club and Blue Knights Catholic Boys’ Clubs for Catholic girls and boys ages 5 and up. What makes these clubs unique is that they are at their core faithfully Catholic. We don’t “tack on” Catholic identity as other clubs might, but begin and end with a Catholic world view. We also believe that local clubs best operate the way they see fit, so there is no national organization, policies, registration or dues. Groups can easily adjust the program to fit their local needs. Behold Publications also produce a line of historical fiction based on American history and American saints for ages 7-15.”
Regina Martyrum Productions
“Regina Martyrum Productions produces the finest works of Catholic audio theatre. With emphasis on the lives of the Saints, these products are edifying, and entertaining.”
Be sure to subscribe for emails or follow on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google+, and Instagram for sales and updates.
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.
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| Beautifully illustrated brand new storybook about St. Patrick (left) and new St. Patrick Coloring Book (right) |
“Our shop provides families ornaments and tools to share the traditions of the different seasons of the church year, like the Jesse Tree, O Antiphons, Advent, Lent, Easter and other aspects inspired by Jesus. We create ornaments that would help others share their faith with their children and last for years to come.”
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| Jesse Tree Treasures offers many beautiful products for Lent and Easter including the Jesus Tree – Walk with Jesus through Lent, Parable Pouch, and Holy Week/Easter Ornaments. |
Visit Catholic Folk Toys for beautiful hand painted wooden saint dolls and more! Custom orders are welcome! In addition to the hand painted wooden dolls and jewelry, Tammy is also making silver rosaries, rosary bracelets, and painting wedding and baptismal gowns. Custom paintings are available and also prints and cards of paintings.
Kolbe Academy
“Kolbe Academy was founded in 1980 by three families who experienced first-hand the rapid decline of the public school system and who were looking for a wholesome, academically challenging educational environment. The founders anticipated the need to form young Catholic citizens who could effectively defend their Faith through a thorough understanding of doctrine and regular reception of the Sacraments. They also foresaw the growing need for better, more individualized and intensive instruction in basic education. Kolbe Academy Home School became an outgrowth of the day school in 1993 when parents who lived too far away to commute asked for our help with home schooling their children. Recently Kolbe Academy merged with Trinity Grammar and Prep to become Kolbe Academy/Trinity Prep, which educates students from Pre K through high school. With a focus on providing an education that is Ignatian in Method, Classical in Content and Loyal to the Magisterium in a small-class size environment or at home, Kolbe Academy continues to thrive.”
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| We gave this Our Lady of Fatima Puzzle from Naturally Catholic to our children On the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima – May 13, 2016. It is perfect for the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima this year! |
Robin Nest Lane
Specializing in high quality veils and mantillas for ladies and girls. Robin is a Catholic mother of 15 ( 7 with Our Lord ) who spends her days serving, loving, praying, and sewing. Robin started making veils for her daughters and wanted to share with others. She truly loves creating veils to serve Our Lord!
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.
Visit Almond Roy Toys at Etsy and follow the Facebook page!
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| Last Supper Wood Blocks are perfect for Lent. We even included them around our Pentecost Cake last year! |
“Et Corde means “open heart”. I create rosaries, bracelets and necklaces using the hand wire wrap technique with beautiful antique reproduction medals. I hope that my pieces can be an heirloom that can be passed down in your family.”
Catholic Cuisine ApronsAs you are shopping for Easter and Mother’s Day gifts this year, don’t forget the beautiful Catholic Aprons available over at Catholic Cuisine! 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. Designed with two large pockets and 1″ wide neck and waist ties, with adjustable neck strap, they measure 22”W by 30”L.
Win a couple picture books for upcoming feast days including Saint Valentine and Paddy and the Wolves: A Coloring Book about Saint Patrick When He Was a Boy!
I only have one medium sized ad left for February/March/April!
On the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
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| Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Rosary Flip Book |
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| Hand-painted IHS Candle from SaongJai |
On the Feast of Saint Brigid
We filled our February Book Basket this afternoon and read a short story about Saint Brigid from Saints for Girls for today’s feast. Happy feast of Saint Brigid!
Pro-Life Prints :: Helping Others
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| Horton Hears a Who! |
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| Roses in the Snow: A Tale of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary |
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| LOVE from The Very Hungry Caterpillar |
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| Roses in the Snow: A Tale of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary LOVE from The Very Hungry Caterpillar • Horton Hears a Who! |
Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon {Autoimmune Paleo}
- 6 pieces grassfed filet mignon (4-6 ounces each)
- 6 pieces pastured, sugar-free bacon
- 6 toothpicks
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, bacon grease, beef tallow, or other cooking fat
- 1 onion, diced
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup bone broth
Directions:
- Wrap the bacon around the outside of each piece of meat and secure with a toothpick. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Over medium-high heat, melt cooking fat and heat until shimmering.
- Place meat in pan and cook for 3-4 minutes, then flip and cook 3-4 minutes on the other side for medium rare. (For medium cook an additional 1-2 minutes; for medium well cook an additional 2-3 minutes, and for well done cook an additional 3-4 minutes.)
- Remove meat from pan. Tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.
- Cook onion and mushrooms for several minutes in now empty pan, stirring constantly.
- Pour bone broth into pan and use wooden spoon to loosen browned bits. Continue cooking until reduced by about ½.
- Pour over steaks and serve immediately.
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