Bandon-by-the-Sea
We began our 2014-2015 school year with a camping trip to a little seacoast town and ended up finishing our school year by heading back to Bandon-by-the-Sea! One of our favorite priests in our diocese was planning a Corpus Christi Mass & Procession at his parish and had asked Sean and our older boys to help so we quickly packed for the trip and left immediately after our End-of-School party!
Despite the crazy coastal winds, it was a beautiful day and it was such a joy to have the opportunity to attend a Corpus Christi procession this year. Here are the rest of the pictures from our weekend at the coast.
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| Morning Prayers with Dad while Mom makes Breakfast |
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| Veggies sautéed with Coconut Oil and Trader Joe’s Garlic Salt and Sausage … one of my AIP breakfast staples. Yum! |
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| It was way too windy and sand kept getting in her eyes… Time to head back. In the meantime borrowing my sunglasses helped put a smile back on her face. |
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| We are able to pack along 5 bikes with this bike rack! |
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| Quick and Easy Crock Pot Chicken (chicken tenderloins covered with BBQ sauce) cooked in the tent while we were out playing all day! Not AIP friendly for me, but the rest of the family enjoyed it along with the grilled veggies. |
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| While the kids roasted marshmallows I stuffed a couple bananas with cocoa nibs and coconut. They were, um, definitely not s’mores… 😉 |
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| After four days of camping at the coast… All camped out! |
Sponsor Love :: Quarterly Update & Current Specials
It’s time for another quarterly update on my amazing sponsors here at Shower of Roses.
I have a few new sponsors to introduce you to this quarter which include an inspiring new book for Catholic mothers, the coolest saint charms ever, and a website with darling dolls and books for children.
I decided to take this opportunity to share some pictures I’ve taken this past year that have not yet made it onto the blog. Don’t miss all the specials and coupon codes included as well!
Please welcome my new sponsors:
See You In Heaven
The Life and Writings of Rosie Gill
“This book is more than a daughter’s beautiful tribute to her mother. I believe that the Catholic Church will recognize that it is the story of a saint. A saint is a model Christian, someone who shows us how to live the Christian life by actually living that life herself, someone we can follow because she has followed Christ. Rosie Gil’s story is pure and simple but abundantly profound and deeply moving. A true inspiration.” – Dale Alhquist, President, American Chesterton Society
“Rosie knew that motherhood was the highest vocation for a woman, and she gave all her heart to that vocation. This story of her life is a creative and inspirational-handbook-for Christian Mothers everywhere!” – Father Angelus Shaughnessy OFM Cap.
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| Sitting on the front porch swing and reading this past March while watching the children play in the yard… I paused to take a picture of my new book and Bud popped up saying “Peek-a-boo!” #ilovemylittlephotobomber |
Tiny Saints
Check out the coolest saint charms ever at www.shoptinysaints.com!
I first ordered a couple of these cute little saint charms to include in our older boys’ Easter Baskets this year and featured them in my 100+ Easter Gift Ideas post. My boys LOVED them!
In fact, our oldest son loved his little St. Patrick charm so much that he told me, “I know you and Dad are going to have a lot of extra expenses this summer with our camps and road trip… There is only one thing I want for my birthday this year… Could you please get me a couple more of those Tiny Saints?!?” I just love this boy of ours!
We ended up getting him more than just one gift, but I made sure to tuck a few more Tiny Saints (St. James, St. Ignatius, and St. Maximilian Kolbe) inside the pockets of his new backpack. Here are a couple pictures he took recently (on the feasts of St. James and St. Ignatius!) of his new saints attached to his backpack zippers:
(Hint: These would make PERFECT prizes for All Saints Day Parties in a couple months!)
Jacob’s Toy Box and Books
In addition to the website you can also follow the Facebook page for updates!
Prayer Pillowcases are 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.
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| In addition to a new prayer book with an embroidered cover, Snuggles also received a personalized Prayer Pillowcase for his First Holy Communion on July 24th. He was pretty excited! |
Catholic Child
Be sure to visit Catholic Child to find inspiring gifts for Catholic youth – from toddlers to teens!
The Monks of Norcia
BENEDICTA: Marian Chant from Norcia is the latest release from De Montfort Music!
“Inspiring, beautiful music of Chant at it’s very best – from Italy by The Monks of Norcia. BENEDICTA: Marian Chant from Norcia is the title for this new recording of 33 tracks of Gregorian chant, including favorite Marian antiphons such as “Regina Caeli” and “Ave Regina Caelorum” but also previously unrecorded chant versions of responsories and a piece originally composed by the monks ( Nos Qui Christi Iugum, ) Some pieces are sung by the entire group, some by smaller ensembles of monks and others by soloists, imbuing ‘BENEDICTA’ with a variety of sound. Recorded on location at the monastery in Norcia, Italy, the album was produced by 11-time Grammy Award-winning producer Christopher Alder and engineered by Grammy-Award winning engineer Jonathan Stokes.”
Jesse Tree Treasures
creates beautiful handcrafted gifts for the liturgical seasons including Advent, Lent and Other Seasons. Now is a great time to start making plans for Advent and Christmas!
Gail’s Designs
In addition to her Etsy shop, Gail has recently launched a brand new website for her business. Please keep Gail’s Designs in mind when looking for beautiful and unique Catholic gifts!
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| One of my beautiful rosaries created by Gail |
Many of you have noticed that my Little Flowers Notebook Pages are no longer available for download here at Shower of Roses. If you have sent me an email asking about them and I haven’t responded to it yet, please accept my apologies… I just haven’t been able to keep up!
I recently signed a contract with Behold Publications to incorporate my supplemental notebook pages into the official Little Flowers Girls’ Club ® program! Now that the pages will be used commercially, it has been necessary to remake each page (in the very little free time that I’ve had) with new high-resolution saint and flower images for which the publisher has reproduction rights. I’m almost done with all the pages, including pages for the new Wreath IV! The new updated pages should be available from Behold Publications soon. Thank you all for your patience!
“A unique collection of American folk art created in the heart of the Oklahoma prairie. My inspiration comes from literary classics, spooky tales from the past, the pioneering spirit, my home town, Scandinavia and other lands far away.” You can also follow Audrey Eclectic on Facebook and Instagram!
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| Our original Saint Clare painting from Audrey Eclectic – You can order prints of this painting here! |
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| Here are some of the saints I’ve hired Tammy to paint for our family over the years… I love them all! |
“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. Stories hold our attention, teach us morals, and can teach a moral lesson while entertaining. We all love stories. Here at Regina Martyrum Productions, we provide high-quality, fully-dramatized Catholic stories. From Old Testament scenes to New Testament saints, we provide the best, timeless stories for today’s Catholic audiences. Engaging the power of your imagination while listening, you and your children will walk through the pages of the Church’s history. These are not your run of the mill “books on tape!” Every production is packed with full cast, great music, and realistic sound effects! They are great in the car at story time, or at anytime!” You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
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| Chiquita on Easter morning 2015, trying on her brand new veil from Robin Nest Lane and looking through one of her new Easter Books – A Nest for Celeste (I can’t believe I never had a chance to post pictures from Easter… or Christmas for that matter! As the children get older it is getting harder and harder to find time to blog! ) |
Almond Rod Toys
AlmondRod 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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| One of Bud’s Blessing Blocks also made a great toy camera on one of our recent family road trips! |
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| Christmas Morning 2014 – Transforming her American Girl Doll into St. Therese! |
Gail’s Designs {Sponsored Giveaway}
In addition to Gail’s Etsy shop and Facebook page, Gail has recently created a brand new website for her business. You can visit it here!
Aurelius Cabrini {Sponsored Giveaway}
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| Prize #1 – Vintage Handkerchief Bonnet, four Holy Sisters Vocation Dolls, and a Calla Lily Boutonniere |
As we work on settling back in and catching up after being away from home for most of the month, I have a couple giveaways for all of my visitors here at Shower of Roses!
The first giveaway is sponsored by Aurelius Cabrini, an Etsy shop created by my sweet friend Jennifer over at Veils and Vocations, which specializes in baby boutonnieres, handkerchief bonnets, and “Holy Sisters” peg dolls!
Holy Sisters Vocation Dolls
Nurture vocations and delight your little ones with Holy Sisters dolls. Each one is handcrafted with love and includes the name of the order on her “leg.” The pictures above are suggestions, any order is available. Please tell me which order you would like or just say, “Surprise me!” Either way, all dolls are custom made and built for gentle play. Buy four dolls, get one free!
Baby Boutonnières
These tiny treasures will make any special occasion even more special. Designed for babies to wear under adult supervision, these will quickly become family heirlooms. All corsages/boutonierres have wrapped stems and feature durable pin backs with safety latch. White stems are hand wrapped in white satin ribbon. Green stems are hand wrapped in green floral tape. Custom orders welcome.
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| Prize #2 – Four Holy Sisters Vocation Dolls, a Vintage Handkerchief Bonnet, and White Rose Baby Corsage |
On the Feast of St. Christopher
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| “There’s another river!” |
First Communion Day
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| Prayers after his First Confession |
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| “Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, be my Salvation.” with Bread of Life Cake Topper |
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| Great Uncle Tom, lots of new friends, and “Uncle Father!” |
End-of-School Interviews for 2014-2015
A number of years ago I was inspired by Sarah (who we finally got to meet in person this past week!) to start creating these End-of-School Interviews for each of my children and we’ve been making them every year since. Here are this year’s interviews:
Our summer is flying by so quickly… and I still need to finalize our plans for the upcoming school year. How are your plans coming along?
{pretty, happy, funny, real} :: Amongst Lovely Things
Teacher Appreciation Gifts {with Free Printables!}
End-of-School Party at the Family Fun Center
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