Saint Nicholas & the Nine Gold Coins
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| Saint Nicholas & the Nine Gold Coins by Jim Forest |
The feast of St. Nicholas is coming up on December 6th, a week from tomorrow! I already shared the list of new Christmas books our children will be receiving this year and you can find lists of our additional St. Nicholas theme books in my Advent & Christmas Book Collection, in my post of Christmas Gift Ideas, or in our December Book Basket (which I still need to update for this year).
Here is a little peek inside our copy for those who would like a closer look…
Bargain Priced Books :: Puffin in Bloom Collection
The Puffin in Bloom Collection
A collection of classics with stunning cover art by renowned stationery brand Rifle Paper Co.’s principal artist, Anna Bond, now available as an exquisite gift set! Featuring all four Puffin in Bloom classics with illustrated covers by Anna Bond in a charming keepsake box designed in her signature style.
Right now Amazon is offering The Puffin in Bloom Collection at a 40% discount, PLUS right now you can save an additional $10 (30% off one book, up to $10) with coupon code HOLIDAY30! I’ve been keeping an eye on this set, hoping to get it for my girls, and this is the lowest price I’ve seen it listed. I think I’m going to order it to include in one of my daughter’s Stacks of Books this upcoming Christmas.
Sean and I were at Barnes & Noble one night last week and I happened to see the brand new addition to The Puffin in Bloom Collection commemorating the 150th anniversary of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland this month!
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is larger than the other Puffin in Bloom titles, and filled with lovely illustrations! However, after seeing the $30 price tag, I placed it back on the shelf. (It was too expensive, even with my Barnes & Noble Educator Discount.) With the 50% discount that Amazon is offering (up from 40% yesterday!) I am reconsidering it for this Christmas.
Cinnamon Roll Turkeys
Last Thanksgiving we started the morning with a yummy brunch, including Pillsbury’s Cinnamon Roll Turkeys! I doubled the recipe to make 10 cinnamon rolls for our family. My kiddos ‘gobbled’ them up! I am planning on making them again this year, perhaps using Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Rolls instead.
Ingredients:
- 1 can (17.5 oz) Pillsbury Grands! refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
- 10 slices bacon – We used TURKEY bacon! 😉
- 5 candy corns (Update: we use these now for a food coloring and corn syrup free option)
- 5 red mini candy-coated chocolate candies (we used Little Secrets for food coloring free here)
- 10 candy eyeballs
- 15 mini pretzel sticks, cut in half
Directions:
Heat oven to 350 F. Line cookie sheet with cooking parchment paper.
Set icing aside. Separate dough into 5 rolls; place about 3 inches apart on cookie sheet. Unroll each roll about 1 inch; tuck dough into roll to create neck of turkey.
Bake 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack; cool 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook bacon until crisp; drain on paper towel-lined plate. Cut bacon slices in half. Tuck 4 halves of bacon into back of each cinnamon roll so they stick up and look like tail feathers.
Drizzle tops of rolls with icing. Decorate turkeys with candy eyeballs, candy corn and candy-coated chocolate candies. Before serving, place halved pretzel sticks underneath each turkey to resemble turkey’s feet.
Let the kids have fun decorating their turkeys with extra sprinkles and candy corn. Look for the candy eyeballs in craft stores near the candy/cake decorating section.
Turkey themed veggie or fruit platters provide a healthy and creative Thanksgiving appetizer for children which are always quickly ‘gobbled’ up too! I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Christmas Gift Ideas {Plus a Sleighful of Giveaways}
Around this time of year the questions start pouring into my inbox from other mothers who are looking for gift ideas and book suggestions. I always enjoy sharing about my “fun finds” each Advent and our ever growing book collection as we begin to prepare for Christmas!
Earlier this year I put together a list with 100+ Easter Basket Stuffers & Catholic Gift Ideas {Plus a Basketful of Giveaways!} and I thought I would do the same for Christmas! I decided to gather some of our favorite gifts from over the years into one (ginormous!) post. Almost everything listed below are things we have either purchased for our family or have been given over the years, with some new additions for this year and a few things on my “wish list.”
Before I get started, could I ask you all for a little favor? Last Monday my mom received the results from her recent MRI. They found a 1.4 cm Acoustic Neuroma tumor. It is a rare benign (non-canerous) growth that develops on the eighth cranial nerve, leading from the inner ear to the brain. Her doctor has recommended that she travel to San Francisco or Portland sometime soon to have it removed. She is looking into her options now. Could you please offer a prayer for her? Thank you!
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of 31 PRIZES, from my generous sponsors here at Shower of Roses, with a combined value of over $1,200!
Note: Links to Amazon are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
.: Advent – Preparing for Christmas :.
- Advent Candle Set (makes one set) – Here is another option we have used in the past, ‘Make Your Own’ Beeswax Advent Taper Candle Kit, which makes 3 complete sets.
- The Jesse Box (I’ve blogged a little about this here.)
- Kurt Adler Wooden Nativity Advent Calendar with 24 Magnetic Figures
- Mauve Pearl St. Andrew Chaplet from Mary Devotions
- Music for Advent Including: Advent at Ephesus, Adventus (Tracks 1-5 for the First Week of Advent), and Legends of Nicholas.
- St. Andrew Christmas Novena Bracelet in Bronze from Loreto Rosaries (on my wish list)
- Rustic Wooden Jesse Tree Ornaments from Jesse Tree Treasures (We use these beautiful ornaments in addition to our Felt Jesse Tree. You can find my No-Sew Picture Tutorial here.)
- Nativity Fabric Advent Calendar
- 100% Beeswax Advent Taper Candles (Our candles from The Cloister Shoppe have sold out for this year. Other options include: Toadily Handmade Beeswax Candles, Honey Candles, or these from Big Dipper Wax Works. I’ll be using 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.
- Saint Nicholas Statue
- Saint Nicholas Gold Coin Soaps from Saintly Soaps
- Saint Nicholas from Shining Light Dolls
- PLAYMOBIL Christmas Parade Set (or the St. Nicholas and Christmas Angel Play Set)
- Saint Nicholas by Naturally Catholic
- St. Nicholas from Tiny Saints
- St. Nick Goat’s Milk Soap
- DIY: St. Nicholas Chocolate Coins
- Saint Blessing Blocks from Almond Rod Toys
- The Baker’s Dozen: A St. Nicholas Tale (I blogged about the book and our cookies here.)
- St. Nicholas: A Closer Look at Christmas (coffee table style book)
- The Legend of St. Nicholas by Demi
- The Legend of St. Nicholas by Anselm Grun
- Saint Nicholas & the Nine Gold Coins
- Nicholas of Myra: Giver of Many Gifts
- Saint Nicholas and the Mouse of Myra (comic book style)
- Kersti and Saint Nicholas by Hilda Van Stockum (chapter book, originally published in 1940)
- Nicholas: The Boy Who Became Santa DVD (also available from Catholic Child)
- Hand Painted Wooden Saint Lucy 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’m so happy that she is painting again! I love her dolls!)
- Lucia Saint of Light
- St. Lucy from Naturally Catholic
- Saint Lucy from Tiny Saints
- Saint Lucia Christmas Postcards from Audrey Eclectic
- Starboy Hat and Star Set
- Saint Lucy Articulated Paper Doll in Color from Stella Marigold Art
- Lucia Pewter Ornament
- Saint Lucia Dress & Wreath from The Little Habit
- Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Cloak of Roses – Our Lady of Guadalupe from Regina Martryum Productions
- Our Lady of Guadalupe and Crown from The Little Habit
- Mañanitas CD or MP3 from Casa Maria/Sister Servants
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Puzzle
- Our Lady of Guadalupe from Prayer Pillowcases
- Our Lady of Guadalupe from Shining Light Dolls
- Juan Diego: Messenger of Guadalupe DVD
- Our Lady of Guadalupe Pop-Up Book – We also really love The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress of the Americas.
- Christmas Mosaic (read more about Christmas Mosaic and find the featured book list here)
- Bambinelli Sunday
- Bethlehem (Catholic Edition)
- Mary’s Song
- The Miracle of St. Nicholas
- Katy’s Christmas Gift (peek inside the book here)
- Manger (peek inside the book here)
- Song of the Stars
- The Nativity
- Who Is Coming To Our House?
- Stable in Bethlehem: A Countdown to Christmas
- One Night In Bethlehem (A Touch-And-Feel Book)
- Who’s Hiding? A Christmas Lift-The-Flap Book
- The Saving Name of God the Son
- Christmas in the Manger
- My First Pictures of Christmas (you can also find the new Christmas! by same author here.)
- Little Blue Truck’s Christmas
- God Bless Our Christmas
- Heaven on Earth Jigsaw Puzzle (1,000 pieces)
- Stained Glass Jigsaw Puzzle (500 pieces)
- Stained Glass Window Jigsaw Puzzle (1,000 pieces) – similar to this one in the archives.
- Stained Glass Nativity Jigsaw Puzzle (1,000 pieces)
- Holy Family Jigsaw Puzzle (1,000 pieces)
- Stained Glass Holy Night Jigsaw Puzzle (1,000 pieces) – new for this year!
- Glorious Nativity Jigsaw Puzzle (1,000 pieces) – more pictures in the archives.
- Forest Nativity Shaped Jigsaw Puzzle (1,000 pieces) – new for this year!
- “A Christmas Angel” Jigsaw Puzzle (1,000 pieces)
- Little People Nativity
- Nativity Puzzle by Flipzels (a new gift for our soon-to-be four year old!)
- Playmobil Nativity (we have an older style)
- Wooden Nativity Blocks from Almond Rod Toys
- A Child Is Born from Naturally Catholic (new for this year! So beautiful!)
- Hand Painted Wood Peg Doll Nativity from Make the Scene
- Kurt Adler 10.5-Inch Hand-Carved Child’s 1st Nativity Set
- Schleich Nativity (No longer made, but worth searching ebay.)
- Wooden Nativity Scene from Armadillo Dreams (Pictured in the archives: Roses for Baby Jesus)
- Saint Joseph from Shining Light Dolls
- Mary & Joseph Journey to Bethlehem from In the Loft
- Mary, Blessed Mother from Tiny Saints (SAVE 20% with coupon code ROSES20)
- Holy Family Soft Saint Doll Set from Trendzilly
- Holy Family Set – Zelie Dolls from Family Cloister Learning Center
- Nativity Soft Dolls from Baby Steps to Jesus
- Saint Michael the Archangel from Baby Steps to Jesus
- Saint Therese Felt Saint Doll from Sanctus Stitches (I love the Saint Lucia too!)
- Saints ‘N Stitches Pillow Doll from Waltzing Matilda Makes…
- Cathedral
- St. Peter’s Basilica 3D Puzzle
- Scattergories – Catholic Edition
- Catholic By The Number
- Saint Memory Game (You can also make your own Saint Joseph Memory Match Playing Cards with Printables in the Archives!)
- Lord of History Card Game
- Church Windows
- ‘Tis the Season, Christmas Trivia (A friend gave us this last year and we enjoyed trying to answer all the questions!)
- Catholic Trivia: Traditional Version
- Stratego Original
- Ticket to Ride (I’m considering ordering the Nordic version as a Christmas gift!)
- The Settlers of Catan and Expansion Sets (See our Settlers of Catan Birthday Party here.)
- Axis & Allies 1942
- Monopoly: The Classic Edition
- Say Anything
- Guess Who? (Patron Saints Edition!)
- Bird Bingo
- Bug Bingo
- Christmas Coloring Book
- The Childhood of Jesus Coloring Book from Holy Heroes
- The Holy Imitation Series: Eucharistic Adoration, Life of Jesus, Mother of God, Holy Name of Jesus, Choirs of Angels, and Communion of Saints.
- Crayon Rocks in a Red Velvet Bag
- Nativity Stained Glass Coloring Book
- Branch and Twig Colored Pencils
- Coloring Book About Christmas (available at Sacred Heart Books and Gifts)
- Saints of Christmas Activity Book
- Nativity Sticker Activity Book
- White Infinity Veil from Robin Nest Lane
- Embroidered Scapular from Mary Devotions
- Hand Embroidered/Sewn Scapulars and Medals from StellaMarigoldArt
- Miraculous Medal Necklace from Blessed Beans Boutique
- Crocheted Wool Rosary Roses from The Fig and Thimble
- Ave Maria Crown Earrings from Gail’s Designs
- Madonna and Child Tapestry Rosary Pouch or Nativity of Jesus Rosary Pouch(many additional designs available including: Sacred Heart with Immaculate Heart, Crucifixion, and more)
- Infant of Prague Rosary from Loreto Rosaries
- Sheet Music Beaded Bracelet from Art Angel Gallery
- Enesco Pillars Advent Wreath 5-piece Set
- Heritage Lace Silent Night Runner (or Silent Night Table Cover and Mantle Scarf)
- Joseph’s Studio by Roman Holy Family Triptych Figurine
- 18″ Madonna and Child Statue
- Infant Jesus in Manger (still looking for the link – I purchased from Catholic Child)
- Christmas in Harvard Square
- Oplatki Wafers (I blogged more about these here.)
- Nativity Ornaments including this Holy Family with Baby Jesus
- Nativity Set Cookie Cutters (or from Catholic Child!)
- Baptism Set from Our Father’s House (pictures of my son using his set here)
- White Vestment Set from Interior Castle Goods
- Miniature Mass Kit from Our Father’s House
- Monk Rag Doll: Brother Hubert from Jacob’s Toy Box and Books
- Wooden Mass Kit from Almond Rod Toys
- Priest Rag Doll: Father Martin with Vestments from Jacob’s Toy Box and Books
- Saint Francis of Assisi from Shining Light Dolls
- Child Size Priest Vestments from Jacob’s Toy Box and Books
- Hand Painted Wooden Saints from Catholic Folk Toys
- Saint Therese the Little Flower Costume from Our Coats of Many Colors (Princess costumes are great gifts too. This is one of my girls favorites!)
- Subscription to St. Mary’s Messenger
- Saint Habits and Accessories from The Little Habit
- Immaculate Heart and Sacred Heart Cross Stitch Patterns
- Saints ‘N Stitches Embroidery Kits from Waltzing Matilda Makes… (LOVE these! One of my daughters also has the Klutz Tiny Stitches book, which I’ve seen them referencing lately when practicing their embroidery. I think I might get Doodle Stitching for them this year, along with some new embroidery kits and some sewing supplies.)
- Nativity Silhouette Cross Stitch Pattern
- I haven’t ordered this St. Therese Doll doll or seen it in person, but it might be a great alternative to other 18″ dolls!
- Marian Grotto Craft Kits from Catholic Child
- Zelie Dolls (these are so beautiful, but they do need to be ordered in advance)
- Schleich Portable Barn with Accessories with Schleich Animals
- Wheely Bug Cow, Small and Large
- Castle Block Set
- Leather Swords and Shields from Made by Alejandro
- Melissa & Doug Deluxe Folding Medieval Castle
- Wooden Shield and Sword from Frost Lane
- Tug Bowl Kid’s Dinner Set (not exactly a toy, but definitely a favorite!)
- Tree Finger Puppet (and our whole collection of Folkmanis puppets!)
- Large Elements Set (I blogged more about these here.)
- Tree Trunk Fairy Home
- Children’s Tin Tea Set and Retro Pink Play Kitchen (not pictured, we have an older version)
- Calico Critters
- Melissa & Doug Fold & Go Wooden Doll House
- Melissa & Doug Castle and Castle Furniture
- Wooden Doll Stroller from Nova Natural
- Play Silks in a Variety of Colors
- Corolle Babicorolle Dolls (we also LOVE these Pink and Red Kathe Kruse Dolls)
- Grimm’s “Little Flower” Wooden Puzzle Stacker
- Perplexus Original and Epic
- Deluxe Hockey Goal Set
- LEGO Architecture Sets including Trevi Fountain
- The Art of the Hobbit, Letters From Father Christmas, A Dictionary of Tolkien (I’ve ordered Frodo’s Journey to give one of them this Christmas.)
- Metal Earth Model Sets (Note: These are challenging to assemble. My 13 year old loves them, but our 15 year old isn’t a fan.)
- The Brotherband Chronicles and Ranger’s Apprentice Books (including the new release: The Tournament at Gorlan (Ranger’s Apprentice: The Early Years)
- LEGO Creator Sets including Mountain Hut
- Risk (We have the Lord of the Rings Middle Earth Conquest Edition)
- Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones and Bose Mini BlueTooth Speaker (The boys love the prizes they won from the 2015 NPLTW Contest! The earphones have been so great for our oldest son, who has auditory processing challenges and listens to lots audio books. They were the perfect prize for him!)
- 12 Days Card Game
- 12 Days of Christmas Ornaments from Jesse Tree Treasures (find our 12 Days of Christmas Dinner Party here.)
- 12 Days of Christmas Jigsaw Puzzle (more pictures in the archives)
- Three Wise Men Tumbler Candle from The Cloister Shoppe
- Three Kings Gifts The Original Gifts of Christmas Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh Deluxe Box, Set of 3
- Playmobil Three Wise Kings
- The 12 Days of Christmas: The Story Behind A Favorite Christmas Song
- 12 Days of Christmas Cupcake Favor Kit (pair with a pretty apron and baking supplies!)
- The Twelve Days of Christmas by Laurel Long
- Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy 2016 Calendar (TAN)
- 2016 Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter Liturgical Calendar (FSSP – Extraordinary Form)
- 2016 Catholic Calendar – 10th Anniversary Edition, Queen of Heaven (Saints Galore)
- 2016 Saints Calendar & 16 Month Planner (TAN)
- 2016 Liturgical Wall Calendar (Michele Quigley)
- 2016 Catholic Daily Planner™ (Michele Quigley)
- Mary and the Saints 2016 Wall Calendar (TAN)
- The Life of Our Lord 2016 Wall Calendar
- The Angels 2016 Wall Calendar (TAN)
These all make great gifts too:
Prize #1 – Complete Set of all 20 Catholic Treasure Box Books sponsored by TAN Homeschool (value $80.00, $100 when purchased individually!)
Prize #2 – Deluxe Wooden Christmas Blocks – 15 Piece Set sponsored by Almond Rod Toys (value $65.00)
Prize #3 – St. Nicholas, Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Joseph, Our Lady of Częstochowa and The Virgin Mary Around the World! A Pilgrimage of Faith sponsored by Shining Light Dolls (value $61.95)
Prize #4 – Infinity Veil and Girls Veil with Headband sponsored by Robin Nest Lane (combined value – $59.50)
Prize #5 – Set of Four Books sponsored by St. Augustine Academy Press (Includes: The Voyage of the PAX, The Cave by the Beech Fork, The Sheriff of the Beech Fork, and The Little Children’s Prayer Book with NEW COVER! – some of these are also available at Amazon here, here, and here – value $58.60)
Prize #6 – Jesus & Mary Earrings sponsored by Gail’s Designs (Amazonite Stones, Solid Bronze Earrings with Brass Filigree Bead Caps – value $55.00)
Prize #7 – Set of Three Pendant Necklaces sponsored by Art Angel Gallery (Includes: value $52.00)
Prize #8 – Our Lady of Guadalupe Package sponsored by Catholic Child (Includes: value $50.80)
Prize #9 – Poor Clare Habit and Monstrance sponsored by The Little Habit (value $50.00)
Prize #10 – Red Priest Vestment sponsored by Interior Castle Goods (value $50.00)
Prize #11- Ten Tiny Saints of the winner’s choice sponsored by Tiny Saints (value $50.00)
Prize #12 and Prize #13 – $50 Gift Certificate sponsored by Regina Martyrum Productions (two winners, value $50.00 each)
Prize #14 – My Catholic Faith Audio on USB Flash Drive sponsored by My Catholic Faith (Instant Download value $49.95 – As an added BONUS for the giveaway, the winner will receive a USB Flash Drive with all the audio files already loaded onto the Drive!)
Prize #15 – Brother Hubert Doll, A Sister Marie Story: Saint Philomena, Help! and A Sister Marie Story: Saint John Bosco and the Dog sponsored by Jacob’s Toy Box and Books (value $47.98)
Prize #16 – “My Jesus” Personalized Crucifix and Personalized Bell Ornament sponsored by Naturally Catholic (value $43.00)
Prize #17 – Hand Painted Saint Louis Martin and Saint Zelie Martin sponsored by Catholic Folk Toys (value $40.00)
Prize #18 – Two Personalized Pillowcases from Prayer Pillowcases (winner chooses styles, free personalization included – value $39.90)
Prize #19 – Sacraments, Rites of Faith and CHRISTmas Carols Ornaments Set sponsored by Jesse Tree Treasures (value $39.90)
Prize #20 – St. Nicholas Soft Doll sponsored by Baby Steps to Jesus (value $35.00)
Prizes #21 – Advent at Ephesus & Christmas in Harvard Square sponsored by De Montfort Music (value $24.88)
Prize #22 – Set of FIVE Miracle of Life Coloring Books sponsored by Culture of Life Studies (value $24.75)
(Didn’t respond to emails… Runner up has been contacted!)
Prize #23 – Saint Nicholas Hand Embroidered Saints ‘N Stitches Pillow Doll sponsored by Waltzing Matilda Makes… (value $24.00)
Prize #24 – Bringing Advent Home sponsored by William Gil (value $20.00)
Prize #25 – The Paradise Project sponsored by author Suzie Andres (value $18.95)
Prize #26 – Saint Magnus, The Last Viking sponsored by author Susan Peek (value $15.95 – You can also enter her giveaway for two more copies here!)
Prize #27 and Prize #28 – Teaching from Rest, A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace sponsored by Sacred Heart Books and Gifts (two winners, value $12.95 each)
Prize #29 and Prize #30 – The Rosary in Song CD sponsored by acclaimed mezzo soprano Valerie Nicolosi (two winners, value $12.00 each)
Prize #31 – Blue Madonna Christmas Post Cards sponsored by Audrey Eclectic Folk Art (value $10.00)
New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas
Every year on December 6th, the feast of St. Nicholas, our children wake up to find new slippers (or sometimes as new pair of shoes for winter) filled with treats and chocolate gold coins (last year the bags from Trader Joe’s worked perfectly so I picked up seven more bags last week), along with a new Christmas picture book to add to our ever growing collection.
This year, while I was creating the labels for our Advent Book Basket, I made some little Saint Nicholas labels as well. You can download them from my Dropbox (Black Text or Green Text) if you’d like to use them too.
Here is the list of books my husband and I choose to give our children this year, in addition to Saint Nicholas & the Nine Gold Coins which is in this year’s Advent Book Basket:
I know that our all-things-Irish loving oldest son will get a kick out of this book! I found myself laughing as well. 😉
Originally I had planned to give her Katy’s Christmas Gift, until I realized we already had it under the old title of The Christmas Bird. I don’t like this one as much, but it’s a simple, sweet story that any little bird lovers will enjoy. Bird Bingo is a favorite game around here, so I think my little ones will especially enjoy the illustrations of all the different birds in this book.
With a forester for a daddy, I think our little Bud with love this new addition to his Little Blue Truck collection.
This year I have a copy of the hardcover edition of The Twelve Days of Christmas to give away to one of my visitors!
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below:
For additional Christmas book suggestions you can find some of our lists in the archives:
Our 2015 Advent Book Basket and Printable Labels {and a Christmas Mosaic Giveaway!}
Feasts & Seasons :: Advent & Christmas Collection
35 Favorite Christmas Picture Books for Children
New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas (2014 Edition)
Stacks of Books on Christmas Morning (2014 Edition)
You can find the rest of our booklists here or scroll through all our past St. Nicholas Day Celebrations in the archives.
{pretty, happy, funny, real} :: Rose’s First Lost Tooth
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| {real} Last Sunday, while I was wrapping Christmas books for Advent, I heard Rose crying. I ran out of my bedroom to the hallway to find two of her brothers trying to comfort her and reassure her that losing a tooth really isn’t such a horrible thing… The look on Snuggles face! He is such a loving big brother! |
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| {happy} That tooth has been close to falling out for months now, and was even closer Sunday night hanging on by a thread, but she was very happy when she was able to prop it back up… She did not want to lose that first tooth! |
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| {pretty} Today, on the traditional feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, our little Rose lost her first tooth! I’m surprised it hung on for so long – she has been carefully eating her food all week, cutting everything into tiny pieces – but it finally fell out this afternoon! She was so relieved that it wasn’t nearly as bad as she thought it might be. My baby girl is growing up! |
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| {funny} My dad was working in the area and happened to stop by just after it fell out! After she showed her grandpa her tooth, he asked if she had ever heard the story One Morning in Maine, a story he always read to my siblings and I when we were growing up. She hadn’t so I pulled it off the shelf. Watching him read it to her was so special! Hmmm… I wonder if that story has anything to do with her losing that tooth for a second time this evening… She is really hoping we find it soon! 🙂 We seem to be losing everything this week! |
Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Pray for Us!
Christmas Mosaic :: A Review & Featured Book List
Like Catholic Mosaic: Living the Liturgical Year With Children, author Cay Gibson’s Christmas Mosaic, An Illustrated Book Study for Advent and Christmas is so much more than just a book list! It was an invaluable resource for me when I was building our family’s collection of Christmas books and, in the meantime, trying to sift through all the books at our local library and decide which ones were worth bringing home to read to our children.
In addition to the included book list “as endless as the possibilities for Christmas tree decoration” (over 200 suggestions!), Christmas Mosaic also provides study guides for 30 picture books about Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany! Vocabulary Words, Discussion Questions, and Copy Work are provided for each of the featured selections. On the “Parent’s Help Page” for each title you will find observations, discussion answers, and enrichment activity suggestions. The appendix in the back has a number of crafts, recipes, and coloring pages which may be reproduced by the original purchaser for your family or classroom.
I purchased my copy of Christmas Mosaic when the first (spiral bound) edition was published in 2007 and still return to it every Advent for ideas and inspiration. I am sure I will continue to do so for years to come.
ADVENT WEEK ONE
Theme: Advent/ Decoration/ Preparation Stories
- The Christmas Cobwebs by Odds Bodkin/ Terry Widener*
- Cobweb Christmas by Shirley Como/ Jane Manning *
- The Cobweb Curtain by Jenny Koralek/ Pauline Baynes*
- Waiting for Christmas by Kathleen Long Bostrom/ Alexi Natchev*
- The Twenty-Four Days before Christmas by Madeleine L’Engle/ Joe DeVelasco*
- The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski/ P.J. Lynch*
- A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote/ Beth Peck
ADVENT WEEK TWO
Theme: Giving/St. Nicholas/Santa Claus
- The Christmas Coat by Clyde Robert Bulla/ Sylvie Wickstrom (OOP)
- The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans/ Jacob Collins*
- The Shoemaker’s Dream by Masahiro Kasuya/ Mildred Schell
- Why the Chimes Rang by Raymond MacDonald Alden
- The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry*
- The First Christmas Stocking by Elizabeth Winthrop/ Bagram Ibatoulline*
- The Bears’ Christmas Surprise by Bruno Hachler/ Angela Kehlenbeck*
- A Small Miracle by Peter Collington*
- Santa’s Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki/ Ivan Gantschev*
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| A Small Miracle tells a beautiful story using only illustrations. My children love that their Dad will make up his own story each time he “reads” this book to them! I feel bad that I didn’t include it in our books to unwrap this year! |
ADVENT WEEK THREE
Theme: Family
- An Orange for Frankie by Patricia Polacco*
- Silent Night by Will Moses*
- The Christmas Promise by Susan Bartoletti/ David Christiana (OOP)*
- One Christmas Dawn by Candice Ransom/ Peter Fiore (OOP)*
- Night Tree by Eve Bunting*
- Toby Belfer never had a Christmas Tree by Gloria Teles Pushker (Hanukkah)
ADVENT WEEK FOUR
Theme: The Nativity/Epiphany/Angels
- The Christmas Bird by Sallie Ketcham/ Stacey Schuett*
- The Christmas Donkey by Gillian McClure (OOP)
- The Christmas Bird by Bernadette Watts (OOP)*
- Mortimer’s Christmas Manger by Karma Wilson/ Jan Chapman*
- Father and Son: A Nativity Story by Geraldine McCaughrean/ Fabian Negrin*
- The Trees Kneel at Christmas by Maud Hart Lovelace*
- Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers by Andrew Clements/ Kate Kiesler*
- Danny and the Kings by Susan Cooper/ Jos. A. Smith (OOP)
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| The Christmas Bird by Bernadette Watts has been reprinted as Katy’s Christmas Gift! I had no idea when I posted about the deal last week… No wonder the author/illustrator’s name sounded familiar. It’s one of my favorites! I wish I would have bought more copies while it was priced so low. It is definitely worth adding to your collection, or at least checking out from the library. |
*Books in our family’s Advent & Christmas Collection
Our 2013 Advent Book Basket was almost completely filled with the featured selections from Christmas Mosaic. You can view additional pictures of these books here.
Note: Remember, this list is only of the “Featured Selections”. There are so many other wonderful books mentioned in the complete Christmas Mosaic book list, as well as reflections, poetry selections, and even a section on “Celebrating December Birthdays” which I need to go reread now that we have two birthdays in December!
Our 2015 Advent Book Basket and Printable Labels {and a Christmas Mosaic Giveaway!}
Last year I had trouble finding the usual purple and pink wrapping paper at our local stores and ended up wrapping our Advent books, for our annual Christmas countdown, in simple (and easy to find!) brown paper, adding labels I created for each day. I loved how they turned out and decided to do the same this year, updating the labels and using purple and pink ribbon instead of the white.
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| Saint Nicholas & the Nine Gold Coins by Jim Forest |
Our family’s collection of picture books is not included, but you will also recieve a copy of Cay’s new planner: The Seasonal Beehive (winter edition)! Be sure to watch Cajan Cottage Press on Facebook and Etsy for the release of the spring edition.
Christmas Mosaic :: A Review & Featured Book List
For additional Christmas book suggestions you can find some of our lists in the archives:
Recent Talk on the Liturgy from our Archbishop
I’ll be back soon with this year’s Advent Book Basket and Printable Labels. In the meantime, I wanted to share the recent talk on the liturgy that was given by our Archbishop. It’s long and I haven’t had the time to listen to the whole thing yet, but from what I hear (my husband has already listened to all of it) it is great!
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| From Instagram – Nov. 8th |
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