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by | Dec 29, 2022

Snow White and Rose Red Birthday Party

Today our baby girl turned 7 years old! She is growing up so very fast. This year she choose a Snow-White and Rose-Red birthday party. Such a fun and perfect theme for our little “Christmas Rose!”

From Instagram this morning: I have a helper at the office this morning! Can’t believe our baby girl is 7 years old today! We stopped at the mall last night so she could “pleaassseee, pick out an outfit to match” her birthday theme.  (60% off clearance!) I was up extra early to finish decorating her cake, and she was up early getting all dressed up! ❤️❄🌹️🎉 #happybirthday #mylittlechristmasrose

We didn’t plan on having a big party, but after getting off work I called my parents and sent text messages to all my siblings that are currently in the area (four brothers and one sister, plus sister-in-law and two nieces) and EVERYONE was able to come over for dinner and cake!  The birthday girl was very excited.

.: Snow White & Rose Red Birthday Cake :. 
There was once a poor widow who lived in a little cottage with her two children, Snow White and Rose Red. They were so named because they were like the flowers on the two rosebushes which grew in front of the cottage… – Snow White and Rose Red by Brothers Grimm

…The rose bushes by the cottage were replanted in front of the palace. Every year they brought forth beautiful red and white roses in honor of Snow-White and Rose-Red. Snow White and Rose Red by Brothers Grimm
.: Enchanted Forest :. 
After we got home again from the office (and getting her birthday smoothie from Dutch Bros!) she played Enchanted Forest while I got busy working on the rest of the preparations for the party.
.: Piñata & Pop-Ups :. 
Though the two girls often roamed about the woods searching for berries and wild mushrooms, no wild beast ever harmed them.
Rose Red & Snow White retold by Ruth Sanderson
A couple years ago I purchased a red & white mushroom piñata (similar to this one) for her 4th birthday, but we ended up not using it for some reason.  It tied in beautifully to this year’s theme so I pulled it out of my closet and filled it with candy I picked up for a steal right after Halloween. It’s not the best time of year for piñatas, but thankfully we had a little break in the rain this afternoon! 

She also loved this Snow White Pop-up (purchased used) I had set up with her gifts and piñata. 

.: Bear Paws :.

One evening, when snowflakes were falling, there was a knock at the door. Rose-Red drew the bolt and a great bear poked his head in!
– Snow White and Rose Red by Brothers Grimm
Ingredients: 
  • 1 box Milk Chocolate Brownie Mix
  • ¼ cup butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp. water
  • 60 peanuts split into halves (about ⅓ cup peanuts) or almond slices
  • 30 chocolate candy kisses
Tip: Have chocolate kisses already unwrapped and peanut halves at hand when you roll the dough into balls; this will help you decorate the cookies quickly and easily. If you wait very long to decorate the dough balls, their surfaces will begin to dry out and the peanut “claws” may not stick as well after baking.

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large bowl combine brownie mix, water, butter, and egg; stir with a fork to combine into a stiff dough. Dough will seem dry, but will completely moisten as you stir. (Knead briefly by hand, in the bowl, if preferred)
  3. Working with 1 even tbsp. of dough at a time, roll dough into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets about 2″ apart. Cover the remaining dough in-between batches to prevent drying.
  4. Press candy pieces, points down and flat surfaces up, into the center of the uncooked cookies. Press four peanut halves, split sides up, into the edge of each cookie to form claws.
  5. Bake at 350°F for 11 minutes or just until the edges are set. The cookies may appear slightly under cooked, but do not over bake. Cool 1 minute on pans. Transfer to wire racks with a thin metal spatula and cool completely.
Variation: Use any flavor chocolate candy kisses you like, or a mix of flavors.

.: Snow White & Rose Red Wild Berry Tea Sandwiches :.

Often the children would run deep in the forest to gather berries…
Snow White and Rose Red by Brothers Grimm
.: Chili for a Crowd & Veggies :.

In the winter, Rose Red lit the fire and put on the iron kettle.  

– Rose Red & Snow White retold by Ruth Sanderson

.: Make Your Own Trail Mix :. 

Fish Crackers (Smore’s Goldfish)
Snow White’s Snow Balls (Trader Joe’s Mini Marshmallows)
Fish Crackers (Chocolate Mint & Pretzel Goldfish)
Eagle Talons (Cashews)
Rose Red & Snow White Chocolate (Peppermint Little Secrets)
Bear Claws (Dry Roasted Peanuts)
Bear Cookies (Chocolate Teddy Grahams)
Snipped Off Ends of Dwarf’s Beard (Coconut Flakes)
Rose Red’s Wild Berries (Freeze Dried Raspberries)

I also had some of the wicked dwarf’s stolen treasures:

.: Creamy Snow White Punch :. 

.: Piñata Time :. 

It took some extra duct tape, but everyone got a turn, even all the big kids… and Dad & Grandpa too!

.: Birthday Gifts :. 

The birthday girl received so many thoughtful gifts! The first she opened was the hand painted dolls (Snow White, Rose Red, and the Dwarf) that three of her siblings painted for her. 

Next it was a beautiful journal, little lantern and some chocolates from Aunt Mary. When Aunt Mary was seven, she and her twin were flower girls in our wedding… Now she’s 24!

Grandpa and Grandma surprised her with Snow White (DVD) and Uncle Brian & Aunt Meagan gave her all sorts of fun accessories.  She also received a lovely card/gift from her other grandparents.

Her final gift was from us. We gave her a Fairy Tale Cottage along with some figures, dwarves, and animals to go with it. Her older sisters share their dollhouses with her, but this is her very own.

.: Seven Candles :. 

Happy 7th birthday to our beautiful little “Rose!”

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Santa Lucia
by Katherine Hyde
based on traditional Swedish lyrics
Night treads with heavy step
Round yard and hearth
Woods brood in darkness now
Sun’s gone from earth
But through the darkness comes, 
With brightness glowing, 
Saint of the heav’n-ly light, 
Our Savior showing
Maiden so sweet and fair, 
Bright candles in your hair, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!
Child of the holy light, 
Banish the dark of night, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Night now goes great and mute
Silence rules all things
What is that murmuring
As of an angel’s wings

There on our threshold
White-robed and shining 
Comes she with bread to spare
Our need divining


Maiden so sweet and fair, 
Bright candles in your hair, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Child of the holy light, 
Banish the dark of night, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!
Darkness shall soon depart
From vale and mountain
She brings good new to us
Light like a fountain
Soon day shall rise anew
Daystar is coming
In skies of rosy hue
Salvation’s dawning

A Special Nameday Gift – St. Lucia Original Painting from Sleightholm Folk Art
and St. Lucia Doll from The Little Rose Shop (I’ve been dying to give her this doll since I placed the custom order for it based on one of Heather’s paintings earlier this year!)
Maiden so sweet and fair, 
Bright candles in your hair, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Child of the holy light, 
Banish the dark of night, 
Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!
Santa Lucia and Star Boy Coloring Pages from Waltzing Matilda

Here’s the link to the recipe for Saint Lucia’s Braided Bread.
Scroll through all our past St. Lucy posts here

Santa Lucia, ora pro nobis! 

Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Lemon Elegant Heart Cakelets (birthday gift earlier this year)
St. Catherine of Alexandria from Catholic Folk Toys (from our collection)
St. Catherine of Alexandria from The Little Rose Shop (this year’s name day gift for our daughter) 

“In Northern France it is a custom on St. Catherine’s day to give heart-shaped cakes to unmarried women who have reached the age of twenty-five. The idea is to encourage them in their search for love (and a husband).” ~ Cooking with the Saints
We always celebrate the feast of our daughter’s patron saint with heart shaped cakes. This year, since the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria was the day after Thanksgiving, we celebrated a couple days late on the first Sunday of Advent. Instead of making one heart shape cake we ended up using her Elegant Heart Cakelet pan (birthday gift at her When Calls the Heart party this summer) and made darling individual cakes instead!

St. Catherine of Alexandria, Pray for Us!

Thanksgiving Daybook

(I started writing this Daybook post Thanksgiving night, but fell asleep and never got back around to finishing it. I’m just going to delete all the writing prompts I missed and post it anyways…)  

Outside my window…
A beautiful Thanksgiving day! My sister Mary arrived to our home early and we headed outside so she could take a few family pictures for us. If we don’t have another chance between now and Christmas, one of them just might end up on this year’s cards.

I am thinking…
I couldn’t believe I got talked into hosting Thanksgiving dinner… I can’t even look at uncooked meat without getting sick at the moment! 😉 Thankfully my mom brought the turkey and sweet potatoes, and sister-in-law brought all the desserts and rolls. That just left the ham and other side dishes for me my kids to cook! It all came together. So grateful for lots of help!

I am thankful… 
The kids had so much fun sharing our recent news with their youngest Uncle who hadn’t head yet!

Celebrating the liturgical year…
The feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria is tomorrow… We usually bake a heart shape cake but this year I think we are going to use Twinkle Toes’ new pan (from her When Calls the Heart Birthday Party) and make heart shaped cakelets instead!

From the kitchen…
Cinnamon Roll Turkeys for brunch! This year we skipped the pretzels (I forgot to pick them up) and used dye-free Pumpkin Spice Little Secrets for some of the decorations.

I am praying…
for this little surprise baby of ours.

Pondering these words…
from St. Therese Lisieux:

“Prayer is an aspiration of the heart. It is a simple glance directed to Heaven. It is a cry of gratitude and love in the midst of trial as well as joy.”

I am listening…

Around the house…
Family ♥

One of my favorite things…
Roses ♥

    A little peek at my day…

    Honeycomb Cake on the Feast of St. Ambrose

    Today my little ones helped bake a Honey Bun Coffee Cake in our Honeycomb Pull Apart Cake Pan for after dinner in honor of the St. Ambrose, the honey-tongued doctor. 
    Legend says that when St. Ambrose was a baby, a swarm of bees flew in the window and clustered around his mouth, indicating that he would grow up to become a famous writer and speaker, one whose words would be as sweet as honey. 
    He is the patron saint of beekeepers, bees, and candlemakers.
     

    I just shared the recipe over at Catholic Cuisine

    While it baked we read the story of St. Ambrose and the Bees in Brother Wolf, Sister Sparrow: Stories about Saints and Animals from our December Book Basket.

    Saint Ambrose and the Bees from Brother Wolf, Sister Sparrow: Stories about Saints and Animals
    Penitential Prayer of St. Ambrose
    O Lord, who hast mercy upon all,
    take away from me my sins,
    and mercifully kindle in me
    the fire of thy Holy Spirit.
    Take away from me the heart of stone,
    and give me a heart of flesh,
    a heart to love and adore Thee,
    a heart to delight in Thee,
    to follow and enjoy Thee, for Christ’s sake, Amen
    – St. Ambrose of Milan (AD 339-397)
    St. Ambrose, ora pro nobis! 

    O Antiphons 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! 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.

    This year 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. 

    I have listed each of the prizes below, as well as additional ideas (food, activities and gifts – or simply decorate chocolate coins) for each of the O Antiphons: 
    .: December 17th :.
    O Wisdom that comest out of the mouth of the Most High, that reachest from one end to another, and orderest all things mightily and sweetly, come to teach us the way of prudence!

    O Sapientia (O Wisdom) – An Alphabet of the Altar
    sponsored by St. Augustine Academy Press

    Since the symbol for wisdom is a book, I usually choose a new Catholic book for our family. This year I’m planning to give our family a copy of An Alphabet of the Altar, a brand new release from St. Augustine Academy Press.  I’ll also be including a copy provided by St. Augustine Academy Press in the giveaway below! This book is gorgeous! I can’t wait to read it to my children later this month.

    “This is perhaps the most beautiful book we have come across in a long time, and it was a labor of love to reprint it for you. Each lavishly illustrated page is mesmerizing in its detail but even more so for its love of the beauty of our Faith. Printed in a deep, rich brown ink on cream paper, with a cloth hardcover and dimensional gold embossing, this is a book that will make you feel proud to be Catholic. Preorder yours today and save–this will make the perfect Christmas gift–even for those who already know their alphabet quite well.”

    Additional Ideas: 

    .: December 18th :.
    O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!

    (We already have this cookie cutter, I purchased two at the time so I have an extra to give away!)
    In the past we would emphasize the word “house” in this Antiphon, and have made our Gingerbread Houses or Gingerbread Cookies on this night.  Now that we have two birthdays this week (and two birthday cakes to bake and decorate!) we usually wait until Christmas Eve, or sometime during the 12 Days of Christmas to decorated Gingerbread Houses. We have also incorporated Moses and the Ten Commandments.

    Additional Ideas: 

    .: December 19th :.
    O Root of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at Whom the kings shall shut their mouths, Whom the Gentiles shall seek, come to deliver us, do not tarry.
    O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse) – Jesse Tree Kit
    sponsored by Sacred Heart Books & Gifts
    Additional Ideas:

    .: December 20th :.
    O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel, that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth and no man openeth, come to liberate the prisoner from the prison, and them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death.

    O Clavis David (O Key of David) – Tiny Saints Key Hooks 
    (Duplicates of a couple we already have. Hope the winner likes them as much as we do!) 

    Additional Ideas:
    .: December 21st :.
    O Dayspring, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death!

    O Oriens (O Dayspring) – Candle from The Cloister Shoppe
    (I love these candles! I bought a couple of this scent, one for me and one to give away.) 

    Additional Ideas:

    .: December 22nd :.
    O King of the Gentiles, yea, and desire thereof! O Corner-stone, that makest of two one, come to save man, whom Thou hast made out of the dust of the earth!

    O Rex Gentium (O King of the Gentiles) – King of the Golden City
    sponsored by St. Augustine Academy Press

    Additional Ideas:
    This year our kiddos will be unwrapping this darling Wise Men Puzzle Set to go along with the Nativity they received last year.  I’m still in love with all the toys from Naturally Catholic!

    .: December 23rd :.
    O Emmanuel, our King and our Law-giver, Longing of the Gentiles, yea, and salvation thereof, come to save us, O Lord our God!

    O Emmanuel (O With Us is God) – Prayer Pillowcase Color-Me: Prince of Peace
    sponsored by Catholic Child

    Additional Ideas:

    .: O ANTIPHONS GIVEAWAY :. 
    O Antiphon Ornaments (Rustic) sponsored by Jesse Tree Treasures 

    This giveaway is sponsored by Jesse Tree Treasures, St. Augustine Academy Press, Sacred Heart Books and Gifts, Catholic Child, and Shower of Roses.  (Combined value of $140+) 

    Enter the Giveaway using the Rafflecopter Box below: 

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Now that I have these all wrapped and ready to send to someone, 
    I need to finish up our gifts for this year and get them wrapped up too! 🙂 

    If you are looking for gift ideas, you can find my lists of Christmas Gift Ideas & Stocking Stuffers here (2015) and here (2016)

    Celebrating the Saints :: Saint Andrew Cupcakes

    Today is the feast of St. Andrew! We had a very full day today, between co-op classes for all the big kids and an afternoon at the office for the three little ones and I, but we had another nameday to celebrate! On the way home this evening we stopped at our local market for eggs, a can of Marshmallow frosting, and some Fudge Brownie Goldfish Grahams so we could decorate some cupcakes for this special feast. (We already had a box of cake mix and some Trader Joe’s Honey Wheat Pretzel Sticks in the pantry.) I simply stuck two pretzels into each cupcake at an angle to create an X shaped cross and added a few fish grahams to the base. So simple to decorate and I loved how they turned out!

    Our little guy loved his two nameday surprises: St. Andrew the Apostle from Naturally Catholic and his very own St. Andrew Chaplet from Mary Devotions.

    Dearest Patron, St. Andrew the Apostle, in baptism I received thy name and was put under thy special care. Oh, teach me to be like thee! Help me to avoid sin and to practice virtue. Be always at my side to guide me and protect me, and bring me safe to Heaven, that I may be ever happy with thee in the presence of God. 
    Saint Andrew the Apostle, Ora Pro Nobis! 

    Saint Andrew Novena

    St. Andrew Christmas Novena

    Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

    It is piously believed that whoever recites the St. Andrew Christmas novena prayer fifteen times each day from the feast of St. Andrew (November 30th) until Christmas Eve will obtain the favor requested. Our family has a very special intention this year… Here is a picture of our littlest one taken on Monday at 10 weeks 2 days. A little too soon to get all the measurements they were looking for, so I’ll get another peek next week! So far everything looks perfect and baby is due June 24, 2017! ♥

    Thank you all so very much for all the love, encouragement and prayers! 

    P.S. There is still time to enter the Christmas Giveaway: 

    Bargain Priced Toys :: Shining Light Dolls

    Ooohhh! Looks like you can save 23% on all qualifying Shining Light Dolls today! That brings them down to $10 each, with Prime shipping. The discount shows up during checkout.  The Saint Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) and St. Thérèse of Lisieux are two of Rose’s favorites. She’ll be receiving Our Lady of Mount Carmel for either her birthday or Christmas.

    If you haven’t already, you can also enter for a chance to win your choice of six Marian Shining Light Dolls along with a copy of The Virgin Mary Around the World! A Pilgrimage of Faith (Board Book) in this year’s Christmas Giveaway.


    Our Family

    Sean & Jessica, Captain-24, Ranger-22, Twinkle Toes-21, Chiquita-19, Snuggles-17, Rose-14, Bud-12, Grace-7 and Joy-5 (blog nicknames)

    A Little About Me

    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.

    My Other Blog: Catholic Cuisine

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    Prayer of Mothers

    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.


    Our Family

    Sean & Jessica, Captain-24, Ranger-22, Twinkle Toes-21, Chiquita-19, Snuggles-17, Rose-14, Bud-12, Grace-7 and Joy-5 (blog nicknames)

    A Little About Me

    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.

    My Other Blog: Catholic Cuisine

    Please Visit My Sponsors…

    This Week's Popular Posts

    Shower of Roses Affiliate Links

    All About Spelling
    All About Reading
    All About Reading Pre-reading
    All About Reading Giveaways
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Our Advent & Christmas Books

    Shower of Roses Christmas Gift Guides

    Looking for Something?

    looking-back

    • 2024 (17)
    • 2023 (30)
    • 2022 (48)
    • 2021 (48)
    • 2020 (57)
    • 2019 (61)
    • 2018 (90)
    • 2017 (128)
    • 2016 (148)
    • 2015 (172)
    • 2014 (227)
    • 2013 (238)
    • 2012 (308)
    • 2011 (297)
    • 2010 (313)
    • 2009 (486)
    • 2008 (564)
    • 2007 (148)

    Posts About:

    Shower of Roses Alphabet of Saints

    A Papal Unit Study & Lap Book

    Shower of Roses Easter Gift Guides



    All Saints Party Printables

    All original photographs and written material are ©2007-2025 Shower of Roses. I'd love for you to link back to me, but please do not copy or take content from this blog without permission. Click here for my Copyright Terms & Conditions. Thank you for visiting!