Search for the Hidden Garden: A Discovery with Saint Thérèse {Book Review & Giveaway}
The month of October is right around the corner which means the feasts (both new and traditional!) of dear Saint Thérèse of Lisieux are coming up quickly! I’ll be updating our our September book basket with books for October and have a brand new chapter book to add this year.
Like the first book in the Friends with the Saints series, The Wolf and the Shield: An Adventure with St. Patrick which my children loved reading earlier this year, the second book in the series will be another welcome addition to our collection!
Search for the Hidden Garden: A Discovery with Saint Thérèse by Sherry Weaver Smith transports the reader to historical 19th century France with a fictional story of young Saint Thérèse of Lisieux and her inquisitive companions. The story depicts the girlish adventures of a close delightful Christian friendship between fictional characters and young Therese Martin.
In addition to a “Historical Note” about St. Therese, a post-story section of “Discussion Questions” gives young readers the opportunity to thoughtfully apply their reading experience. This story is sure to captivate the minds of young girls and give them a lasting impression of The Little Flower.
Pauline Books & Media provided me with a free copy of Search for the Hidden Garden in exchange for an honest review. They also sent me a second copy to give away to one of my visitors here at Shower of Roses!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Little Saints Preschool :: Fall is Here!
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| Folkmanis Puppet Sequoia Wildlife Set • Mini Barn Owl Finger Puppet |
This week we jumped ahead to the “Fall is Here!” theme in the Little Saints Preschool Program. I pulled out all of our fall themed picture books (and favorite fall puppets!) and then headed to the library with my little ones to pick up more. We had a break from the summer heat, with a couple rainy days to welcome fall, but the sun is back and the forecast says it’s going to hit 95˚ by Monday…
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| Acorn Fairy Home • Gray Squirrel Finger Puppet • The Complete Peter Rabbit Library • Tree Finger Puppet Play House |
Nuts to You!
The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes
The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin
Where Does the Brown Bear Go?
Woody, Hazel and Little Pip
Rabbits, Squirrels, and Chipmunks
Johnny Appleseed
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World
Why Do Leaves Change Colors?
Little Saints Suggested Books from the Library:
Every Autumn Comes the Bear
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf
The Fall of Freddie the Leaf
All In the Woodland Early
Extra Fall Themed Books from the Library:
Leaf Man
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
Leaf Jumpers
Christopher’s Harvest Time
Miss Maple’s Seeds
Four Seasons Make a Year
The Little Yellow Leaf
Mousekin’s Woodland Sleepers
Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic
This fun puzzle from our collection made a nice addition this week!
September Poetry Review
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| Branch & Twig Colored Pencils • Stockmar Beeswax Stick Crayons |
We quadrupled the recipe and saved the last piece for Sean.
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Any (and every!) puddle will do… #firstrainydayinmonths |
…along with Cheese Slices, Cucumber, Red Pepper, Orange Pepper, and an Oak Leaf Cookie Cutter
We made a simple dip with some plain yogurt mixed with Deliciously Dill
I had hoped to make Leaf Rubbings and My Blessings Handprint Trees, but ran out of time… Fitting all these fun activities on top of the rest of our school schedule and the 15-20 hours I’ve been spending at the office each week has been a challenge, but so worth it… I’m really enjoying sharing these great picture books and fun activities with my littlest ones! Next week, with Michaelmas and the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels coming up, we’ll be focusing on “Colors/Guardian Angels”…
Leaf Man :: A Picture Book Inspired Craft for Fall
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| Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert |
Little Saints Preschool :: Alphabet Fun
I’m not sure how much of the Little Saints Preschool Program we will actually get to this year… However, considering it could very well be the last year we have a pre-schooler (our “baby” will turn five in December… how did that happen?!), I’m going to try and fit some of it into our schedule.
My very loose “plan” is to not let myself try and “do it all” like I crazily attempted with our first two preschoolers all those years ago, and just pick and choose from the program’s themes as I can fit some of them in, using what I have saved from the older children, and adding in additional books, toys and games from our collection. We will do what we can, keeping it simple and fun!
Our little guy will also be joining Rose in some of her studies this year (we’ve started learning about Early American History and memorizing poetry!) and Rose (as you will see in the pictures below) is loving being included in some of her brother’s “schoolwork” too… along with the rest of their older siblings on occasion. Hahaha! Who can resist all the wonderful picture books and fun pre-school activities?! Our school year is off to a great start!
I can’t believe I had never read Chicka Chicka Book Boom to him! It was his favorite this week.
You can find all our past Little Saints Preschool posts listed here or scroll through them all here.
LEGO Ideas :: Dutch Bros. Coffee Drive-Thru
Last month Ranger built this Dutch Bros. Coffee Drive-Thru to submit to LEGO Ideas!
I’ve been having so much fun, the last couple times I’ve picked up drinks, pulling out my phone and sharing the pictures with the baristas! They all have gotten so excited over all the perfect little details. “Check out the espresso maker inside!” . . . “Look! He even has our blue cup lids!” . . . “This looks more like our stand than our actual stand!” . . . “There’s [name], our delivery guy!!!” . . . One of them even said: “This is the BEST job application EVER! How old is he? Fourteen? Tell him that in two years from now, if he wants a job, he’s hired!” Hahaha!
I’ll let him tell you a little more about the set he created:
“This is a LEGO Dutch Bros. Coffee Drive-Thru. The reason I built this set is because I love Dutch Bros. Coffee, not only their drinks, but also their crazy happy and enthusiastic employees. It’s impossible to leave the drive-thru without a smile, plus a free drink on your birthday! This set would be a great addition to your LEGO town/city.
Dutch Bros. Coffee was founded locally here in Southern Oregon in the year 1991. It is now the largest privately held drive-thru coffee chain in the United States!
The Dutch Bros. Coffee menu includes hot coffees (my favorite is the Kicker!), real fruit smoothies, blended drinks, infused teas (hot and iced), sodas, hot chocolate or “Not-So-Hot”, and more!
Set includes:
- Dutch Bros. Coffee Drive-Thru
- Two vehicles (Sprinter delivery van and Mercedes Sedan)
- Four minifigures (Two Dutch Bros. Coffee employees, a deliveryman, and a customer)
- Dutch Bros. Coffee business sign
- The LEGO Dutch Bros. Coffee Drive-Thru is built on a 32×32 base plate. The roof is detachable and the inside includes a coffee machine, coffee cups and lids, a refrigerator with opening doors, and desk with computer and cash register.
The LEGO Dutch Bros. delivery van seats one and has three working doors, one in the back for loading and unloading cargo, and two doors in the front, one on each side. The LEGO Sedan seats one and features two opening doors and a detachable roof.
Please support this project! It will make a great new addition to your LEGO town. “
St. Teresa of Calcutta Back-to-School Treat
I am a little pencil in God’s hands. He does the thinking. He does the writing. He does everything and sometimes it is really hard because it is a broken pencil and He has to sharpen it a little more.
~ The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living by Mother Teresa
Our school year began last week (Sept. 6th), immediately following the canonization (Sept. 4th) and feast (Sept. 5th) of Mother Teresa. I decided to modify my Patron of Students Back-to-School Treat this year, incorporating the quote above which ties in so nicely to the candy pencil.
I modified the original tags, first changing the text to include part of the quote above and then changing the border to three blue stripes to symbolize Mother Teresa’s sari.
From the beautiful and brand new picture book Mother Teresa: The Smile of Calcutta:
The Lord said to Mother Teresa, “You will dress in simple Indian garments or, rather, dress like my mother – in simplicity and poverty. . . . Your sari will become holy because it will be my symbol.” The sisters wear a white sari with a blue border. The white represents purity. The three blue borders represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Blue is also the color of the Virgin Mary. The sisters’ sari is a witness to mankind: it is the sign of God’s love.
Here is another quote from Mother Teresa which I shared with our kids:
I don’t claim anything of the work. It’s His work. I’m like a little pencil in His hand. That’s all. He does the thinking. He does the writing. The pencil has nothing to do it. The pencil has only to be allowed to be used. In human terms, the success of our work should not have happened, no? That is a sign that it’s His work, and that He is using others as instruments – all our Sisters. None of us could produce this. Yet see what He has done.
These treats are perfect for celebrating the new school year at anytime, or even to use as prizes/favors at upcoming All Saints’ parties this year!
St. Teresa of Calcutta Back-to-School Treat
Supplies:
- ROLO®
- Hershey’s Kisses
- Printable Pencil Wrapper (or create your own with these directions)
- Scissors
- Pinking Shears
- Adhesive
- Mother Teresa Quote/Tag
- Small Circle Hand Punch
- Curling Ribbon
Download and Print My Free Documents: Pencil Wrapper and Mother Teresa Quote/Tag
Directions:
Cut out wrapper and trim the short yellow end with pinking sheers (zigzag edge scissors). Wrap around ROLO and adhere.
Cut out and cover the end with the pink circle to finish the “eraser” end of the pencil.
Adhere one Hershey’s Kisses to the other end.
Cut out, punch a small hole, and attach the Mother Teresa quote with some ribbon.
Note: I attached them to the top of this year’s Back-to-School Schultütes {Simplified}.
St. Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!
Happy Birthday, Blessed Mother
After our family rosary this evening, Rose helped decorate the birthday cake for our Blessed Mother, with her Marian Shining Light Dolls, and then she lit the candles while we sang “Happy Birthday!” ♥
Here is a beautiful traditional prayer for today from Maiden & Mother: Prayers, Hymns, Devotions, and Songs to the Beloved Virgin Mary Throughout the Year:
Encouraging Words for Parents from Archbishop Sample as We Begin Our New School Year
“Since parents have given children their life, they are bound by the most serious obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators. This role in education is so important that only with difficulty can it be supplied where it is lacking. Parents are the ones who must create a family atmosphere animated by love and respect for God and man, in which the well-rounded personal and social education of children is fostered.”
I am frequently amazed at how seriously many parents take this responsibility which God has given them. Some parents have clearly made the formation of their children in the ways of the faith the absolute top priority in their lives. I find this to be especially true among most of those in the home schooling community…
…I cannot emphasize this point strongly enough. Far too often, it seems that parents hand over the responsibility that is primarily theirs to Catholic school teachers or parish catechists. These are there to assist the parents and augment the education, faith formation, and example that the children receive in the home, within the family…
…The bottom line is that the primary responsibility of parents is not to get their children into the best schools and universities so that they can be “successful” in the world. Their primary duty is to do everything within their power to help get their children into heaven, plain and simple. That is what the Lord will be interested in at the end of our life, and that is what parents solemnly promised before Him on the day of their children’s baptism.
I thank parents from the bottom of my heart for taking this responsibility seriously. I fully realize that it is a very challenging task to raise children in this current cultural climate. You do the best you can, recognizing the free will God gave your children, and trusting that the seeds you have planted in the home will bear fruit one day in the faith lives of your children. God bless you, and please know that you are in my prayers!
Christmastime in New Orleans by The Nola Players {Sponsored Giveaway}
I had planned to share our curriculum plans this week, but over the weekend Blogger ate the post I had slowly been working on all summer… I’ve started to recreate it to share with you all, but it’s going to take a little while and I need to focus on getting our school year off to a good start. In the meantime, here is a little something from my drafts folder for the rest of you, who are most likely more organized than I, and like to prepare well in advance! 😉
This is a sneak peek of a brand new Christmas CD from AimHigher Recordings (the same producers of Christmas In Harvard Square) which is destined to be a classic (think ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas‘ CD). It will be accompanied by a one-hour broadcast special which will highlight the unusual culture of New Orleans, which lives out the liturgical calendar year round- from The Epiphany (King’s Cake-King’s Day), Mardi Gras, St. Joseph’s feast, to naming their football team The Saints- the Catholicism from French, Spanish, Creole influences (to name a few), permeates the cuisine, the history, the music and yes all united under the quiet Catholicism that is the foundation of it all. This project highlights the season of Christmas with Christmastime in New Orleans. More information to come on the special & DVD- in the meantime, the compendium to this special is a CD.
Here is a brief description of the music: A big band jazz orchestra composed of 18 of New Orleans’ finest jazz and classical musicians, The NOLA Players came together to honor their beloved city through this musical Christmas card, Christmastime in New Orleans. The latest offering from Verve/AimHigher Recordings and The NOLA Players’ first collaboration, this gorgeous and merry recording contains 14 tracks of brand new original arrangements of Christmas favorites and is sure to be a classic for this season and many to come.
It will be released this week, on September 9th, and is available to order now!
I have three copies of the CD to giveaway this week! Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below. Giveaway has ended – Congratulations Jo, Christine and Aleesa!
Commemorating the Canonization of Mother Teresa
On September 4, 2016, Mother Teresa will be canonized a saint!
I remember very clearly traveling to San Francisco in 1988 (when I was just 10 years old!) with my Grandmother to see Mother Teresa, at St. Anne’s Church, as she welcomed 11 new nuns into her order. I remember my grandmother telling me that, “one day this amazing little nun will be declared a Saint!” My grandmother passed away just a few short years after that trip. I am so thankful for those precious times we had together, and her amazing love for our Lord and His Saints that she shared with us grandchildren. – posted here on The Feast of Blessed Mother Teresa in 2008
Mother Teresa wasn’t always named Mother Teresa. She was born in 1910 into a regular family, like you or me, in modern day Macedonia in Southeast Europe. Her name was Anjezë, which is Agnus in English. When she was 18 years old, she felt called to be a nun, so she left home for Ireland and joined a religious order called the Sisters of Loreto. A nun will often choose a new name when she becomes a sister, and she took the name Sister Teresa, after St. Therese of Lisieux. She was sent to Calcutta, India, where she served as a teacher for many years.
Calcutta is very poor. Sister Teresa could look out of the window of the school where she taught and see many people on the streets who needed help. Some people did not have enough food to eat, others were sick and had no one to take care of them.
One day, when she was on a long train ride, Sister Teresa experienced a powerful moment of prayer. She heard Jesus asking her to leave the Sisters of Loreto to take care of the people who needed help on the streets of Calcutta. She had no idea how she would do it, but she knew she had to try. So she started out on her own.
At first, she cared for the people she met on the streets of Calcutta. She gave the hungry food, helped take care of the sick and spent time with people who had no one to talk to. Within a few months, she attracted followers.
Some of the students from the school where she taught came to help. These women were the first to join her new order of sisters, called the Missionaries of Charity. It was then that Sister Teresa became Mother Teresa, the founder of a new order.
There are now 4,500 sisters working in countries all over the world! The Missionaries of Charity spend many hours in prayer and service each day. Their prayer helps them remember that when they are caring for the poor, they are caring for Jesus who suffers. Jesus tells us that he is present in the poor in a special way. The sisters live very simply, without conveniences like washing machines, microwaves or—in many of their convents— even beds, because part of their mission is to live among the poor…
Mother Teresa died in 1997, but she still inspires us today. She reminds us to not be afraid to answer Jesus’ call, even when it means stepping outside of our comfort zones. And her story also reminds us to notice and reach out to people who are in need. – Source
On this special day, in the same charitable spirit exemplified by our beloved Mother Teresa, let us join in helping the needy. A trustworthy resource is your own pastor who knows of struggling families, the poor, and the hungry. He can direct you how best to apply your generosity.
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
Here are some additional ways we will be celebrating her canonization on September 4th and her first feast day as a canonized saint on September 5th:
Beautiful Dolls
St. Mother Teresa from Naturally Catholic
Teresa of Calcutta Saint Block from Almond Rod Toys
Mother Teresa habit from The Little Habit…
… and Mother Teresa Costume from Our Coats of Many Colors
(You can also find DIY costume tutorials at Blossoming Joy and Catholic Icing.)
Remember this post (and this silly post too!) from last year? ♥
Inspiring Books from Our September Book Basket
(You can read my review on the first two books here. The giveaway ends on September 3rd!)
Mother Teresa: The Smile of Calcutta by Charlotte Grossetete
Mother Teresa of Calcutta by Francine Bay
Mother Teresa by Demi
Mother Teresa (Marvel Comic Book)
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta: Missionary of Charity
The Gospel on Five Fingers: Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Glory Stories: Volume IV) available from Holy Heroes
You can find our complete September Book Basket here.
Giveaway
Works of Love Are Works of Peace: Mother Teresa of Calcutta and the Missionaries of Charity
“Let us pray that this book will draw people to Jesus, help them realize how much God loves them, and help them to want to pray. Let it be for the glory of God and the good of His people. God bless you.” – Mother Teresa From the Introduction
This beautiful and moving photo-documentary gives the reader a glimpse inside the life and mission of Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity, the order she founded. In addition to all the inspiring photographs and quotes, you will also find all the prayers of the M.C. Prayer Book, the official prayer book of the Order, included as well.
Ignatius Press has offered to give away a copy of this beautiful and inspiring book to one of my visitors here at Shower of Roses.
Enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box here.
(Giveaway has ended – Congratulations, Janalin!)
Mother Teresa Coloring Pages
Free Online Resources:
- Blessed Teresa from Waltzing Matilda
- Saint Mother Teresa from Holy Heroes
- St. Teresa of Calcutta Quote Coloring Page from Life, Love, & Sacred Art
- Mother Teresa Quote Coloring Pages and More from Look to Him & Be Radiant
Coloring Books to Purchase:
- Mother Teresa from Fenestra Fidei
- Miracle of Life Coloring Book from Culture of Life Studies
“Do something beautiful for God.
Do it with your life. Do it every day.
Do it in your own way. But do it!”
Canonization Cupcakes
I created these cupcake wrappers and toppers to hand out during one of my workshops at the 2016 Rocky Mountain Catholic Home Educators Conference earlier this summer!
You can download my FREE PRINTABLE documents here:
Mother Teresa Cupcake Wrappers
Last weekend my girls tested a recipe for the upcoming canonization: Chai Cupcakes topped with a simple Vanilla Buttercream Frosting and sprinkled with additional Chai Spice mixture. Mmmmmmmm! You can find the recipe over at Catholic Cuisine.
“Not all of us can do great things.
But we can do small things with great love.”
Fun Treats and Delicious Recipes
The following recipes can be found over at Catholic Cuisine or linked below:
- Bible Cookies (“Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.”)
- Heart and Hand Cookie Cutter (“Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.”)
- Heart Fruit Platter or Lemon Heart Cake with Berries (“Love is a fruit in season at all times and within reach of every hand.”)
- Poor Man’s Stew (“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”)
- Indian Chai Tea (My favorite has always been Oregon Chai, but I might try an AIP Chai recipe this week.)
- Naan – Indian Flat Bread (serve with Chicken Tikka Masala)
“There is a terrible hunger for love.
We all experience that in our lives – the pain, the loneliness.
We must have the courage to recognize it.
The poor you may have right in your own family.
Find them. Love them.”
Gift Ideas
There are so many great gift ideas to honor Mother Teresa. Here are a few:
- Mother Teresa Quote from Printable Prayers
- Mother Teresa Apron and Dish Towel
- Mother Teresa from Shining Light Dolls (update: and this new one too!)
- Mother Teresa Apron from Catholic Cuisine
- Mother Teresa from Tiny Saints
- St. Teresa of Calcutta Backpack Clip from SaongJai
Watch the Canonization
The Live Streaming and Archived Videos can be found on the Vatican YouTube Channel (English):
We (the older kids and I) are hoping to be able to stay awake and watch the canonizations live using the EWTN app and AirPlay. (You can view the EWTN schedule here.) We’ll see… It’s going to be in the middle of the night for us out here on the West Coast – 1:30-3:30 am!
Lord Jesus, merciful face of the Father, you came to give us the Good News of the Father’s mercy and tenderness.
We thank you for the gift of our dearest Mother, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, who will be canonized in this Jubilee Year of Mercy. You chose her to be your presence, your love and compassion to the brokenhearted, the unwanted, the abandoned and the dying. She responded wholeheartedly to your cry, “I Thirst,” by the holiness of her life and humble works of love to the poorest of the poor.
We pray, through her intercession, for the grace to experience your merciful love and share it in our own families, communities and with all our suffering brothers and sisters. Help us to give our “hearts to love and hands to serve,” after the example of Mother Teresa. Lord Jesus, bless every member of our family, our parish, our diocese, our country, especially those most in need, that we all may be transformed by your merciful love.
Amen.
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is not yet begun.
We have only today. Let us begin.”
St. Teresa of Calcutta, ora pro nobis!
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