Catholic Women Rejoice in Seven Quick Takes
The last stop on our recent road trip was Portland/Vancouver for the Catholic Women Rejoice! conference. It was my first time attending and I was so excited to finally get to meet Danielle Bean, my editor at Catholic Digest! (I have a deadline this upcoming week for the Jan/Feb issue which will begin my 3rd year of writing the Quiet Moments/Celebrate section!) After nine very full days on the road I was exhausted, but I’m so glad I was able to attend the conference and it was so great to meet Danielle!
Danielle gave a talk all about how “God Equips The Called” which was excellent, and it was really interesting to hear Teresa Tomeo’s testimony “From Secular Anchor to Media Evangelist.
Our Visit to the American Girl Store
Ever since our girls received their very first American Girl dolls on Christmas morning in 2010, they have been requesting American Girl birthday parties, collecting additional Historical dolls (and accessories, clothing and furniture) received as gifts on their birthdays and Christmas (you can see how we organize it all here), dressing their dolls up as saints, completing unit studies and lap books based on the Historical dolls, and dreaming about someday visiting an actual American Girl store…
That dream finally came true during our recent visit to Seattle a couple weeks ago!
“Mom! Stop taking pictures so we can go explore!”
I was disappointed that we didn’t have an opportunity to visit before all the recent new “Beforever” changes to the Historical doll line, but the girls loved seeing all the new outfits including Kit and Addy’s new “rich clothes!” See, even a 9 year old can tell that the new “Meet” outfits look way too expensive for the cooresponding time periods! 😉
However, even I couldn’t argue that Samantha does look so much prettier in pink… and just look at that darling Lacy Parasol! ♥
Next Twinkle Toes went searching for Caroline…
… and Chiquita headed straight for the Josefina display.
Being a weekday during the school year we pretty much had the whole store to ourself!
We had a little time before our reservations at the Bistro so we visited the Doll Salon to make an appointment for Josefina.
Caroline and Emily just needed a new brush, but the kind hair stylist offered to “show us how to use the brush” on their hair as well and soon everyone was looking their best for our Afternoon Tea and Craft!
I had never told the girls much about the American Girl stores and the “oohs” and “aahs” when we walked into the PINK Bistro, and when they realized that even their dolls would get there own seats, were so cute!
The girls all opted for Pink Lemonade instead of Tea and started working on the Beforever Bracelets.
Tea arrived on three tier trays and looked pretty, but it really wasn’t anything special and didn’t taste that great. The girls all agreed that their mom’s teas are more creative and taste SO. MUCH. BETTER! 🙂 (That made me so happy!) If we ever visit again we’d probably just skip the meal and order a dessert to share.
After we had finished our tea it was time to shop! The girls had been saving their sticker charts for months. (Last spring I started a new sticker reward system for extra chores, summer schoolwork, etc and each completed sticker chart equals a certain amount of money for them to put towards activities or things they would like to purchase.) The sticker charts combined with some birthday gift money from their grandparents and a little extra spending money I gave them for our trip allowed them each to pick out some things from their wish lists!
Rose kept pulling me back to all the beautiful ROSE COVERED (It was during my novena to St. Therese and roses were turning up in random places each and every day!) furniture and accessories in Samantha’s collection and we ended up choosing Samantha’s Holiday Set to take home. Isn’t it precious?!
We had such a fun filled afternoon creating special memories that will Beforever! 😉
Seven Quick Takes from Seattle
When I realized that we had a couple nights to fill in between our time in Idaho and the Catholic Women Rejoice conference the following weekend I sent an email to my Aunt/Godmother to see if we could visit. We arrived at her home just outside of Seattle on Wednesday night and stayed until Friday morning. She had a prior lunch commitment on Thursday, but the girls and I had some sightseeing and shopping plans to fill our day. Here are 7 Quick Takes from Seattle!
The first place we headed was to the Space Needle! I’m from a very small town and I don’t think I’m ever going to get use to driving in big cities, but somehow we managed to find our way downtown, find a parking spot, parallel park on a steep hill, and figure out how to use the parking meter after searching all of our purses for some coins…
The girls were not interested in riding to the top, and we really didn’t have time since it took us so long to find, but we enjoyed seeing it in person and visiting the gift shop.
The International Fountain was originally built as a modernist water sculpture in 1961 for 1962 World’s Fair, but it was completely replaced and expanded in 1995. With over 20 spouts, the fountain goes through programmed cycles of shooting water patterns, accompanied by recorded world music which is chosen to coordinate with the water patterns.
We spent the afternoon shopping (more about that later) and arrived back at my Aunt’s home for dinner around 5:00. She had invited my cousins, her four children along with all their spouses and children, over as well and it was so nice seeing them all again and meeting the new little ones!
{pretty, happy, funny, real} :: Road Trip with the Girls!
The floating boardwalk in Coeur d’Alene is really long! In fact, at 3,300 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 10 feet deep, with a 60-foot-long bridge on the west side, it is the longest floating boardwalk in the world. The girls and I stopped to check it out just before Mass on our way out of town!
I’ll be back soon with some pictures from our next stop!
The Boys of St. Paul’s Choir School: Christmas in Harvard Square {Christmas Gift Idea & Giveaway!}
I had a package arrive in the mail this afternoon, from one of my new sponsors, and just had the pleasure of listening to the beautiful sacred music created by The Boys of St. Paul’s Choir School!
Note: When you purchase this recording you are also helping the The Choir School with their many funding needs.
To thank you for helping me promote and spread the word about this new recording I have three review copies to give away to my visitors here at Shower of Roses! Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below:
Feasts & Seasons :: Our October Book Basket
At the beginning of each month I fill a basket with books featuring the the various saints whose feast days will be celebrated during the month and place it in the living room. Throughout the month I will find the children curled up on the couch reading books they have chosen from the basket, either on their own or to their younger siblings. I also choose books from the basket for some of our afternoon family read-alouds. Our collection started very small and we have continued adding additional books over the years which we have either purchased or have been given as gifts. Some are picture books, some are chapter books, and some are collections of saint stories. This post is a work in progress and I will continue adding links as I sort through our collection.
Month of October – Respect Life
October 1st, St. Thérèse of Lisieux (New) (Trad. – Oct. 3rd):
- Catholic Treasure Box Books (also available from TAN)
- Therese (Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
- St. Therese of Lisieux (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- Saint Therese of Lisieux (More Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
- T – Alphabet of Catholic Saints by Nippert
- Saint Therese (Saints for Girls) by Father Gales (Neumann Press)
- The Little Flower of Jesus by Sister Julita (Neumann Press)
- Therese: The Little Flower of Lisieux by Sioux Berger
- Therese of Lisieux: Little Flower of Love by Barbara Yoffie
- God’s Little Flower: The Story of St. Therese of Lisieux by Chris Driscoll
- Saint Therese the Little Flower by Alice Joyce Davidson
Chapter Books
- Saint Therese of Lisieux: And the “little way” of love (Along the Paths of the Gospel Series)
- St. Therese and the Roses (Vision) by Helen Walker Homan
- The Little Flower by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
- The Little Queen of Lisieux (1959) by Mary Elizabeth Martin
- Olivia and The Little Way by Nancy Carabio Belanger
- Olivia’s Gift by Nancy Carabio Belanger
A Few of My Personal Favorites
- The Story of a Soul (Study Edition)
- The Story of a Family: The Home of St. Therese of Lisieux
- Therese and Lisieux by Pierre Descouvemont
- Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s St. Therese – A Treasured Love Story (also available in paperback)
- St. Therese, The Little Flower: The Making of a Saint
- Daily Journal: St Therese the Little Flower
Audio
- Praying the Rosary with St. Therese of Lisieux
- God’s Little Flower: The Story of Saint Therese of Lisieux (Glory Stories: Volume II – available from Holy Heroes)
Movies
October 2nd, The Holy Guardian Angels (New, Trad.):
- Guardian Angels (Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
- Guardian Angels (Saints and Angels) by Claire Llewellyn
- Catholic Treasure Box Books
- The Guardian Angel Prayer
(Board Book)
- The Angels by Father Lovasik
- A Book of Angels by Marigold Hunt
- My Guardian Dear: A Story of the Angels by Susan Brindle (study guide in Catholic Mosaic)
- Morning Prayer to the Guardian Angels (Saints for Girls) by Father Gales (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
- Choirs of Angles Coloring Book
- Counting On Faith
- The Guardian Angels: Our Protectors by Daniel Lord
October 3rd, St. Thérèse of Lisieux (Trad.) (New. – Oct. 1st):
- See October 1st for Book list.
October 4th, St. Francis of Assisi (New, Trad.):
- Francis of Assisi (Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
- Saint Francis and the Wolf (Legends of Saints and Beasts) by Ann Marie Jauss
- St. Francis of Assisi (Saints and Angels) by Claire Llewellyn
- St. Francis of Assisi (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- Saint Francis and the Wolf (Brother Wolf, Sister Sparrow) by Eric A. Kimmel
- Saint Francis of Assisi (More Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
- St. Francis of Assisi: Preacher to the Birds (The Book of Saints and Heroes) by Andrew Lang
- Saint Francis (Saints for Boys) by Alma Savage (Neumann Press)
- F- St. Francis of Assisi (An Alphabet of Saints) by Robert Hugh Benson (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
- F – Alphabet of Catholic Saints by Nippert
Picture Books
- The Good Man of Assisi by Mary Joslin (OOP but will be re-released April 2015)
- Saint Francis by Brian Wildsmith
- Clare and Francis by Guido Visconti
- Brother Francis and the Friendly Beasts by Margaret Hodges
- St. Francis of Assisi by Fr. Lovasik
- Saint Francis and the Wolf by Richard Egielski
- St. Francis and the Proud Cow by Bernadette Watts
- Francis Woke Up Early by Josephine Nobisso
- Francis: The Poor Man of Assisi by Juliette Levivier
- Brother Sun, Sister Moon by Katherine Paterson
- Adventures in Assisi: On the Path with St. Francis by Amy Welborn
- St. Francis of Assisi Coloring Book
Chapter Books
- Francis and Clare, Saints of Assisi (Vision) by Helen Walker Homan
- The Joyful Beggar: A Novel about Saint Francis of Assisi by Louis de Wohl
October 5th, St. Faustina Kowalska (New/some places):
- Helen’s Special Picture: A children’s story about Saint Maria Faustina by David Previtali
- Jesus, I Trust in You!: The Story of St. Faustina Kowalska (Glory Stories: Volume IV – available from Holy Heroes) )
October 7th, Our Lady of the Rosary (Victory of Lepanto) (New, Trad.):
- The Holy Rosary by Father Lovasik
- Saint Dominic and the Rosary (Vision Books) by Catherine Beebe
- The Blood-Red Crescent by Henry Garnett
- Rosary Coloring Book
- Coloring Book about the Rosary
- Rosary Meditations for Children by Christine Henderson
- The Rosary for Little Catholics
October 8th, St. Bridget of Sweden (Trad.) (New – July 23rd):
- Saint Bridget of Sweden (More Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
October 12th, St. Wilfrid of York (Hist.):
- W- St. Wilfrid of York (An Alphabet of Saints) by Robert Hugh Benson (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
October 13th, St. Edward the Confessor (Trad.):
- Edward the Confessor (Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
October 15th, St. Teresa of Jesus (Teresa of Avila) (New, Trad.):
- St. Teresa of Avila (Saints and Angels) by Claire Llewellyn
- St. Teresa of Avila (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- Saint Teresa of Avila (More Saints: Lives and Illuminations) by Ruth Sanderson
- Saint Teresa (Saints for Girls) by Eve Rouke (Neumann Press)
October 16th, St. Hedwig (New, Trad.):
- Hedwig (Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
October 16th, St. Gerard Majella (Hist.):
- St. Gerard (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- To Heaven Through the Window (The Story of St. Gerard) Audio Available from Regina Martyrum Productions
October 16th, St. Margaret Mary Alocoque (New) (Trad. – Oct. 17th):
- Saint Margaret Mary (Saints for Girls) by Father Gales (Neumann Press)
- St. Margaret Mary by Mary Fabyan Windeatt
October 18th, St. Luke (New, Trad.):
- Luke (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- St. Luke (Saints and Angels) by Claire Llewellyn
- St. Luke the Evangelist (Lives and Legends of Saints) by Carole Armstrong
- Counting On Faith (four evangelists)
October 19th, Sts. Isaac Jogues, John de Brebeuf & Comps (New) (Trad. – Sep. 26th):
- St. Isaac and the Indians (Vision) by Milton Lomask
- Ondessonk: Priest of the Red Man (The Story of St. Isaac Jogues) Audio Available from Regina Martyrum Productions
October 21st, St. Ursula & Her 11,000 Comps. (Trad.):
- U- St. Ursula (An Alphabet of Saints) by Robert Hugh Benson (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
October 22nd, St. John Paul II (New):
- A Boy Who Became Pope: The Story of Saint John Paul II
- Karol: The Boy Who Became Pope: A Story of Saint John Paul II (Neumann Press)
- Karol from Poland: The Life of Pope John Paul II for Children by M. Leonora Wilson
- Lolek: The Boy Who Became Pope John Paul II by Mary Hramiec Hoffman
- Our Holy Father the Pope: The Papacy from Saint Peter to the Present
- Blessed John Paul II: Be Not Afraid
- John Paul II: The Journey of a Saint
- Pope Saint John Paul II “Be Not Afraid” (Glory Stories: Volume XI – available from Holy Heroes) )
October 23rd, St. Anthony Mary Claret (Trad.) (New – Oct 24th):
- Aflame for Souls Audio Available from Regina Martyrum Productions
- The Heavenly Helpers (Around the Year Once Upon a Time Saints) by Ethel Pochocki
- The Angels: God’s Messengers and Our Helpers by Fr. Lovasik
October 27th, St. Tekla:
October 28th, Sts. Simon & Jude (New, Trad.):
- Saint Jude: A Friend in Hard Times by Michael Aquilina III
- Jude Thaddeus (The Twelve Apostles) by Marianna Meyer
- Simon (The Twelve Apostles) by Marianna Meyer
October 31st, St. Quentin (Hist.):
- Q- St. Quentin (An Alphabet of Saints) by Robert Hugh Benson (Neumann Press – also available from TAN)
October 31st, All Hallows’ Eve (New, Trad.):
- Father Phillip Tells a Ghost Story: A Story of Divine Mercy
- For books about All Saints see the November Book Basket
Other Links for October:
Harvey House Publishing {Sponsored Giveaway}
In honor of the feast of St. Therese during this month of October, Harvey House Publishing has offered to send one of my visitors here at Shower of Roses autographed copies of Olivia and the Little Way and Olivia’s Gift!
I’ve reviewed both of these excellent books in the past and added them to our girls’ bookshelf. Our oldest daughter recently read Olivia and the Little Way and now it’s one of her favorites! She just started reading Olivia’s Gift, which also includes dear St. Therese and is perfect for Respect Life Month with it’s strong pro-life theme encouraging a deeper respect of life.
Olivia and the Little Way
Fifth grader Olivia Thomas has moved to a new school in a new state, and is eager to make friends! Her best friend quickly becomes someone she has never seen—St. Therese of Lisieux. Follow Olivia’s trials as she tries to fit in at St. Michael’s School. With the help of her grandmother, she learns about the “Little Way” of serving God and how it can change everything!
This touching and heartfelt Catholic novel celebrates the life of St. Therese and will inspire young readers to follow her example and discover their own “Little Way” miracles. This engaging story is beautifully accompanied by Sandra Casali LewAllen’s stunning illustrations.
Olivia’s Gift
In Olivia and the Little Way, Olivia Thomas was the new girl in school when she felt St. Therese of Lisieux enter her life. Now her relationship with the Little Flower has blossomed into a beautiful friendship as she prepares to follow the Little Way into seventh grade.
School is out for the year and it’s time for a fun beach adventure. However, Olivia discovers that sometimes it can be difficult to be a good Catholic when you are in middle school—she discovers she needs God and St. Therese more than ever. In this beautiful novel that celebrates modesty and the precious gift of life, Olivia learns that it takes blind faith every day —and that God is never far away, even on vacation. This captivating story is beautifully accompanied by Sandra Casali LewAllen’s stunning illustrations.
I’ve included Amazon links above so you can read additional reviews, but these books can be ordered directly from Harvey House Publishing with optional inscriptions from the author at no additional charge and FREE standard shipping! Click here to buy the books!
15 Years Ago on the Feast of the Guardian Angels
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| “Uncle David is so little!!!” Hard to believe that he was only three when we got married and now he’s in college… |
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| Snuggles and Rose were excited to spot their Godfathers in this picture. … and Bud wanted to know why he still hasn’t even gotten to meet his! 😉 |
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| “Gampa!!!” {aka “grandma” lol} |
Rose Cupcakes for St. Thérèse
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| The Little Flower of Jesus by Sister Julita |
Two boxes of cake mix = cupcakes to celebrate three back-to-back feast days for our family of nine with just a few leftover! I baked the white cupcakes yesterday, while baking the face for St. Jerome’s lion, and decorated them this afternoon with cream cheese frosting, white roses from Wilton, and my attempt at some ribbon roses and leaves with the extra frosting… They are far from perfect but still turned out pretty!
The Catholic Child and the Saints :: Little Flower
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