Wooden Saint Dolls & Nesting Blocks
When our old schoolroom became the younger boys’ bedroom a couple years ago I had to find new homes for everything that was kept in there previously. These awesome blocks, that had been displayed on the shelves and played with occasionally, ended up being placed in a basket in the living room and are now played with nearly every day. They are the perfect size for our various wooden saint doll collections, the small dolls I handprinted years ago and the larger dolls that have been handprinted, purchased or given to our family. The German-made wooden nesting blocks are worth the expense and have held up beautifully!
Our nesting block collection includes:
“Little Flower” Wooden Puzzle Stacker – Large
Wooden Tree Nesting Blocks (first birthday gift)
Fire Flames Wooden Nesting Blocks – Large
Rainbow Stacker Wooden Nesting Blocks – Large
Stone Caves Wooden Nesting Blocks – Large
Water Waves Wooden Nesting Blocks – Large
Casa Sole Fantastical Stacking Blocks
Wooden Fairy Tale Village Block/Puzzle Set
These sets make excellent gifts for birthdays and Christmas!
Summer Skirts
When I first started the Auto-Immune Protocol (AIP) diet last March a friend encouraged me to reward myself in some way for every ten pounds lost… I loved the idea! In addition to the benefits that come from feeling better and reaching new goals, rewarding yourself for your healthy efforts can also help reinforce those new habits and inspire you to continue working towards your longterm health goals.
After losing that first ten pounds, which didn’t take long with my 100% AIP diet, I had a hard time deciding what to do as a little treat for all the hard work. I didn’t want my reward to be food related. I wasn’t due for a hair cut and I also didn’t want to buy any new clothing yet, since I still had a very long way to go. I ended up splurging on a darling pair of gold summer sandals (pictured below) during a special sale over at Garnet Hill telling myself I’d eventually purchase a new skirt to go with them once I had lost at least another ten or twenty pounds.
By the beginning of summer, after losing quite a bit more weight and weighing less than I had weighed in many years, I was in need of much more than just one new skirt and ended up going on a little shopping spree in preparation for our summer road trip. I’ve continued to lose weight, averaging about 1 pound per week and am getting really close to hitting the next big milestone!
I am planning to share some more details on how I’ve survived on this strict diet for so long (lots of you have been asking!) sometime soon, perhaps starting with a list of snacks that helped me survive nearly a month on the road without gaining any weight!!! In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite summer skirts from this year in seven quick takes.
I love my Style J Denim Skirt! However, last summer it was way too small (couldn’t even get it over my hips) and now it’s too big! I’ve been wearing it anyway. I plan to order another one once I stop losing weight, either the one pictured here or maybe the Fabulous ‘N Pockets version! I wore mine with the prAna Lucy top and my Joanie pumps for the 4th of July at Grand Teton and Jackson Hole, WY!
Mt. Thielsen, Mt. Mazama and Craters of the Moon: The First Two Days of Our Summer Road Trip
Mount Mazama is a stratovolcano in the Oregon segment of the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the Cascade Range located in the United States. The volcano’s collapsed caldera holds Crater Lake, and the entire mountain is located within Crater Lake National Park. When it last erupted, the eruption was 42 times greater than the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980.
Mazama’s summit was destroyed by a volcanic eruption that occurred around 5,677 (± 150) BC. The eruption reduced Mazama’s approximate 12,000-foot (3,700 m) height by around a mile (1600 m). Much of the volcano fell into the volcano’s partially emptied neck and magma chamber. At 8,159 feet (2,487 m), Hillman Peak is now the highest point on the rim.
Anne of Green Gables, beautifully read by Kate Burton, kept us “as happy as queens” during the first long stretch of our summer road trip through Eastern Oregon and Southern Idaho.
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| “It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept of to.” |
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| Parking for the night. |
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| Another day on the road. (He was listening to Band of Brothers soundtrack with his new headphones. His prize from the #NPLTW contest!) |
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| Craters of the Moon National Monument |
Our older children each have (very small and private) Instagram accounts (with a few close friends and some extended family) and Captain started sharing photos of his LEGO Camper Van at the beginning of our road trip. It didn’t last long, there were just too many interesting things to see and do at the National Parks, but it looks like he finally made it back home yesterday!
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| Hometown: The mini figures inside the R.V. are glad to be back in their hometown. |
Craters of the Moon formed during eight major eruptive periods between 15,000 and 2000 years ago. Lava erupted from the Great Rift, a series of deep cracks that start near the visitor center and stretch 52 miles (84 km.) to the southeast. During this time the Craters of the Moon lava field grew to cover 618 square miles (1600 square km.).The smaller Wapi and Kings Bowl lava fields also formed along the Great Rift during the most recent eruptive period (approximately 2000 years ago). – Source
RV Road Trip Checklist & Tour
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| We bring along a Crucifix as well to hang in the RV when we are parked. Oh, and holy water for blessing campsites! |
Kitchen & Dining Essentials
Pack the cabinets in the kitchen very tightly so that when the RV is in motion, the items won’t fall all over the place. Avoid glass articles if at all possible.
Paper/Plastic Cups and Black Sharpie for writing names
Styrofoam Cups
Coffee Mugs
Paper Plates, Trays, Bowls (large and small)
Napkins
Paper Towels
Plastic Utensils
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| I stock up on paper goods at Costco. |
Trash Bags
Ziplock Bags (snack, sandwich, gallon)
Aluminum Foil
Saran Wrap
Crock Pot Bags (if bringing crock pot)
Clorox Wipes
Counter Spray
Dish soap
Glass Spray
Hand Soap
(I love the Mrs. Meyer’s Counter Spray and Hand Soap.)
Potholders
Apron
Kitchen Towels/Dishcloths/Sponges
Small Broom/Dustpan
Tablecloth (outdoor)
Placemats (indoor)
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| The RV stove is not quite big enough for a family of nine, or my pots and pans… Cooking in batches! |
Utensils
Spatula
Cooking Spoon
Slotted Spoon
Peeler
Salad Tongs
Ice Cream Scoop
Whisk
Cheese Grater
Bag Clips
Skewers
Paring Knife
Knives
Kitchen Shears
Matches and/or lighters
Tupperware
Bottle opener
Can opener
Corkscrew
Mixing bowls and spoons
Pots – large and small
Strainer
Frying pan
Griddle
Wok
Cutting Board (large and small)
Water Bottles
Disposable Aluminum Baking Dishes
Coffee Maker (We bought a Mini Keurig for the RV and it’s perfect!)
Crock Pot
Electric Kettle (This is the one we have. So nice for quickly boiling water when we have hook-ups.)
Toaster (We don’t have one for the RV yet, but it would have come in handy.)
Additional Campsite Essentials:
Propane Stove (not necessary with RV stove, but definitely helpful at times with a large family!)
BBQ Grill (we also have the Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill as another option for camping trips)
Fuel for Stove/Grill
Roasting Sticks for Marshmallows
Extra Bin for washing dishes
Lanterns
Fire Wood
Cooler
Ice
Food (separate Food Checklist)
Water Bottles/Drinks
(We always buy a couple cases of Water Bottles at Costco, in addition to some gallon sized jugs that can be refilled, and store them in the bottom of the closet.)
Bathroom/Medicine Cabinet
Soap
Shampoo and conditioner
Baby Wash
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Mouth Rinse
Flossers (and Retainers!)
Shaving Cream
Deodorant
Bath Towels
Hand towels
Washcloths
RV Toilet paper
Brushes
Combs
Hair Dryer
Curling Iron
Mom’s Makeup Bag
Dad’s Toiletry Bag
Kids’ Toiletry Bags
Hair Accessories
Nail Clippers
Sunscreen
Insect Repellant
Allergy Medication (Zyrtec, Benadryl)
Fever Reducer (Tylenol)
Arnica
Zanfel, Tecnu, Calagel (for Poison Oak)
Emergen-C
Additional Vitamins and Meds
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| I’d love to find some nice containers to help keep things organized inside the Medicine Cabinet… We also packed along the potty chair since our 3 year old decided he was ready to potty train (or at least start) the day before we left! Thankfully we had the RV for the trip. |
Sleeping
Sheets for all the beds
Pillows and pillowcases
Extra blankets and/or sleeping bags
Mat for on the floor
Tents, poles, stakes
Tent footprint (ground cover for under tent)
Extra tarp or canopy
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| Extra blankets and pillows get piled on the bed in the back of the RV. |
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| Where do we all sleep? Usually, when we are camping locally, we pitch tents for the older boys and then there is plenty of room. However, on this last trip, everyone slept inside while we were at Grand Teton and Yellowstone. Sean & I (and sometimes our 3 year old) had the bed in the back, our two teenage boys had the bunk over the cab, the three girls had the table bed, and the two youngest boys were on a mat on the floor. It doesn’t leave much (any!) room for walking around. 🙂 |
Relaxing & Playing Outside
Lounge chairs
Books
Cards and Games
Pens and Paper
Journals
Coloring books and crayons
Sunglasses
Hat or visor
First Aid Kit
Backpacks
Bikes and Scooters (we have this bike rack)
Helmets
Frisbee
Football, Soccer Ball, Volleyball
Lawn Games
Binoculars
Fishing Poles
Beach Towels
Life Jackets
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| Apples to Apples, Ticket to Ride, Say Anything Family, Farkle, Spoons, NHL Spot It, and Pass the Pigs were some of the games the children choose to bring on this road trip. |
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| Beach towels & sleeping bags are stored in the cabinets under the table. |
RV Essentials
Flashlights
Batteries
Scissors
Fire extinguisher – Rechargeable
Ropes
Shovel
Water hose
Tool kit (hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, etc)
Road Flares
Trash and recycling cans and/or bags
Leveling blocks
Outdoor Rug
Extra Washers
Propane
Duct Tape
Gloves
Jumper cables
Tire pressure gauge
Light bulbs
Extension cord
Tarp
Oil for your RV, a gas can, rags
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| Plastic Containers are great for organizing batteries, flashlights, and other small items. |
Electronics
Camera, Extra Lens, Battery Charger
Laptop, Charger, External Hard Drive
iPad, charger
iPhone, charger
Walkie Talkies
Audio Books
DVDs
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| Each of our children has always had their own little suitcase. On this particular trip they used those for all their clothing, except for their Mass clothes which was hung in the RV closets. The older children also pack a backpack as well with some of their other personal items. The suitcases are stored up above the cab and in various other places in the RV. |
Clothing
For this particular trip we were on the road for twenty-five days, from July 1st through July 25th. The first 10 days of our road trip were spent in National Parks and the remaining two weeks our children attended summer camps. I wasn’t sure how often I would have access to laundry facilities so we packed enough clothing for 10 days. I ended up doing three loads of laundry before leaving Grand Teton (Day 6), two loads of the older boys laundry just before their summer camp began (Day 12), four loads at an RV park in Idaho in preparation for the girls camp, and then another 4 or 5 loads at the same RV park sometime after the boys camp ended. It all worked out and seemed to be just the right amount of clothes.
For the Girls:
2 Mass outfits
1 Chapel Veil
6 skirts and tops or play dresses
1 nightgown
1 pajama/sweats
1 sweatshirt
1 jacket
1 swimsuit
10 pairs of underwear
4 camisoles
4-6 pairs of socks
3 pairs shoes (Mass, sandals, hiking)
1 pair flip-flops (for camp showers)
For the Boys:
2 Mass outfits (collared dress shirts, dress pants, belt, tie)
7 bottoms (5 shorts, 2 jeans)
1 belt (older boys)
10 tops (8 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve)
2 pajamas/sweats
1 sweatshirt
1 jacket
1 swimsuit
10 pairs of underwear
8 pairs of socks
3 pairs shoes (Mass, sandals, hiking)
1 pair flip-flops (for camp showers)
Dad’s Clothes/Shoes
Mom’s Clothes/Shoes
Laundry Soap
Laundry Hamper and/or Basket (I didn’t have this and it’s on the list of things to bring next time!)
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| My husband and I use the cabinets above the bed in the back for our clothing and for storing some extra blankets, baby diapers, etc. This last trip we hung all the boys/men Mass clothing (and our 8 year old’s First Holy Communion outfit!) in the smaller of the two closets. All of my tops and skirts, along with the girls’ Mass outfits, went in the larger of the two closets along with the water bottles and other kitchen supplies. |
Baby/Toddler
Diaper Bag (Diapers, Wipes, Plastic Bags, Hand Sanitizer, Extra Sunscreen)
Potty Chair
Other: Toys, Pack-n-Play, Baby Carrier, Stroller, and Sippy Cups (We only brought a few toys… My baby isn’t such a baby anymore!)
Before we leave:
Schedule someone to feed cat/check house, water plants
Stop Mail
Cancel Trash P/U
Pay bills/set up online bill pay
Turn down water heater and a/c
Lock the house
Don’t Forget:
Purse/Wallet
Daily Planner, Mama’s Notebook
Mass Bag – packed with veils, missals, etc
Rosaries
Maps, area information
Campsite reservation confirmation #
Campsite phone numbers
Helpful Information/Apps:
Avenza PDF Mobile Maps (PDF Maps of Parks, this is so awesome!)
GasBuddy.Com (Check for cheapest gas, download the App here)
SaniDumps.Com (RV dump locations, download the App here)
Bandon-by-the-Sea
{We’ve been stuck indoors since last Friday, due to a local wildfire that has caused smoke filled skies and unhealthy to hazardous air quality, so I’m sorting through pictures today and trying to finish up a few posts that have been sitting in my drafts folder. Looking at these pictures has me wishing we could go back to the ocean (or anywhere with blue skies!), and praying that this doesn’t happen anytime soon!}
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!” |
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