{pretty, happy, funny, real}

by | Oct 4, 2013 | , , , , | 11 Comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~
{pretty}

It’s so exciting when our copy of Catholic Digest arrives in the mail each month and we can flip to my submission to see which pictures (including some that I submit with the article) were chosen to go along with the text.   Doesn’t it look so pretty?!

“If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient, but I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future.” 
-St.Thérèse of Lisieux
Even though I choose the quote for today months ago, St. Thérèse must have known I would need to hear these words this week, as we struggle with my husband being sent home without pay until further notice due to the current government shutdown.   

Here is another inspiring quote that I ran across this week, 
while flipping through the pages in the St. Thérèse the Little Flower Daily Journal:   

“It is very well for great souls to soar high above the clouds when the storm is raging, but for us, we have merely to bear the showers with patience.” 
-St.Thérèse of Lisieux

I’m trying my best to not panic and bear the “showers” with patience and trust in God’s providence… 
{happy}
Look what arrived in the mail this week! The boys had loaned a friend a few of their Ranger’s Apprentice books and they were sent back with a box full of Pumpkin and Candy Corn Cookies and some special sticks for me to make some more of our own!  Visit ELM’s blog for the recipe and details.  BEST. SUGAR. COOKIES. EVER!

The boys are also very happy and excited that the next Ranger Apprentice book, The Royal Ranger, is coming out next month. They can hardly wait!

{funny}
So… Who wants to see my Cupcake Fails from earlier this week?  I had extra cupcakes from Michaelmas and wanted to turn them into lions for the feast of St. Jerome… I had run across these adorable lions and thought I’d give them a try, only using things I already had in the cupboard. Yeah.  Easier said than done.  Here are my results before giving up and keeping it simple: 

Nope… And it’s WAY too Orange.

And this one?  Wow.  I gave up before even finishing and nearly died laughing.  Just ask Charlotte.  She was laughing too, when I emailed her the picture of my “crazy caveman” cupcake.

Twinkle Toes told me to step aside and she’d show me how it’s done.
Hers is such a cute kitty!
{real}

Real Science 4-Kids Focus on Elementary Chemistry and Focus on Middle School Chemistry has been such a hit this school year. Today we had a blast making marshmallow molecules!
I’ll post a few more pictures soon, but here is one I snapped with my phone using Instagram.

I’ll be back soon with a few more pictures from today’s feast and another giveaway! 

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment.

Angel of God, My Guardian Dear…

by | Oct 3, 2013 | , , , , | 68 Comments

I love you, good angel, 
My guardian dear.
I know that I’ll always 
Be safe while you’re near.

Enjoying his new colored pencils… 
… while coloring this beautiful Guardian Angel Coloring Page! 

Stay with me, angel, 
Through daytime and night. 
Help me especially to 
Do what is right. 

Illustrating an Altar from A Catholic How-to-Draw For Ages 3-Up…
… with Guardian Angels on each side.  

And at last, my dear angel, 
When this life is o’er.
Just set me down safely
At heaven’s gold door. 

I hope you all had a very lovely and blessed feast of the Holy Guardian Angels!
 (…which also happens to be our 14th Wedding Anniversary!) 
Catholic Treasure Box Book 1 and Angel in the Waters 

For today I have two sweet children’s books to giveaway:  Catholic Treasure Box Book 1 and Angel in the Waters!   These books are always pulled out in our home during the month of October in honor of the Holy Guardian Angels and Respect Life Month!  If you would like to be entered just leave a comment on this post, and make sure your email address is either linked on your profile or included in the comment so that I am able to contact you if you win. 
A Study Guide for Angel in the Waters  can be found in Catholic Mosaic
I’m hosting a number of little giveaways this week including a copy of Catholic Mosaic, a copy of St. Therese the Little Flower Daily Journal, and still have a couple more items to give away tomorrow and Friday, so be sure to check back! The giveaways will all be open through Sunday, October 6th and I will update each post and contact the winners next Monday, October 7th.

UPDATE:
Thank you all for participating!

“When tempted, invoke your Angel. He is more eager to help you than you are to be helped! Ignore the devil and do not be afraid of him: He trembles and flees at the sight of your Guardian Angel.”
~St. John Bosco
Holy Guardian Angels, Pray for Us! 

In Honor of the Feast of St. Thérèse :: Apple Roses, A Novena & Another Giveaway!

by | Oct 1, 2013 | , , , , | 94 Comments

I just finished posting the recipe for these Heavenly Garden Apple Rose Pastries over at Catholic Cuisine! 


I also have a copy of the Saint Thérèse the Little Flower Daily Journal to give away!  If you would like to be entered just leave a comment on this post, and make sure your email address is either linked on your profile or included in the comment so that I am able to contact you if you win.

I will be hosting a few more giveaways throughout the week, so be sure to check back! The giveaway will be open through Sunday, October 6th and I will update this post and contact the winner next Monday, October 7th.

UPDATE:
Thank you all for participating!
“If He permit that all the flowers of your desires and of your good will fall to Earth without fruit, be not troubled.  At the moment of your death He will know well how to bring to perfection […] beautiful fruits on the tree of your soul.”
-St. Thérèse, Counsels and Reminiscences
(This is just one of the many inspiring quotes found in the journal!) 

St. Jerome and the Lion

by | Sep 30, 2013 | , , , | 157 Comments

The oldest two boys are off having fun with their grandma today, watching my youngest brother (both Kevin and David are on college golf teams this year!) compete in one of his college golf tournaments!  My boys have only gotten to watch their uncle golf one other time and they were so excited, and more than willing to get a jump start on their school work for the week yesterday afternoon after Mass!

In the meantime, the girls have been helping me decorate some cupcakes for today’s feast of St. Jerome!

“lie-lie!” (aka: lion) 

After the littlest ones are up from their naps we will all read and discuss St. Jerome and the Lion by Margaret Hodges, using Cay’s excellent study guide found in Catholic Mosaic and the coloring page in Fenestrae Fidei!

Speaking of Catholic Mosaic, I have a copy to give away! My well-loved copy of Catholic Mosaic is the original spiral bound version, but this full color copy was sent by Krista (who happened to have an extra) for me to pass along to one of my visitors here at Shower of Roses.  Thank you Krista!

If you would like to be entered in this giveaway for a copy of Catholic Mosaic (my copy of St. Jerome and the Lion is not included), just leave a comment on this post, and make sure your email address is either linked on your profile or included in the comment so that I am able to contact you if you win.

I will be hosting a few more giveaways throughout the week, so be sure to check back!  The giveaway will be open through Sunday, October 6th and I will update this post and contact the winner next Monday, October 7th.

UPDATE:
Thank you all for participating!
“So valuable to heaven is the dignity of the human soul that every member of the human race has a guardian angel from the moment the person begins to be.”
St. Jerome

St. Jerome, Pray for Us! 

Celebrating Michaelmas

by | Sep 30, 2013 | , | 10 Comments

St. Michael the Archangel Statue

.: Baking Michaelmas Cupcakes :. 

We have been making Devil’s Food Cake and/or Cupcakes to celebrate Michaelmas since 2008!  Assisting St. Michael in defeating the Devil by stabbing “the Devil” with a cocktail (or more commonly Playmobil) sword is looked forward to by all the children, especially a certain little boy who celebrates his “name-day” on this feast! 

I had lots of helpers this year, including St. Michael! 
(which Snuggles received for his birthday this year)

Yes, that was me back behind the church in the mud and rain (we currently are having the rainiest September, ever) after Mass, cutting a few blackberry branches to use as decorations! 😉

.: Coloring St. Michael:. 

Thank you, Miss Charlotte, for the Archangel coloring pages! 

.: Michaelmas Blackberry Cobbler :. 

I ended up making a blackberry cobbler too since, according to tradition (and Joanna Bogle in her Book of Feasts and Seasons), “blackberries are no good to eat after September 29th because ‘the Devil spat on them when he was cast out of Heaven into Hell on Michaelmas’!” I just posted the recipe over at Catholic Cuisine! 
.: Apple Puff Pancakes :. 

We usually make Apple Chicken, Steamed Carrots, and Angel Hair Pasta for Michaelmas, but Snuggles requested Apple Puff Pancakes and breakfast for dinner sounded perfect today! 
(Especially since Sean worked all weekend, trying to get in as many of this pay period’s hours in case we do have a government shutdown this coming week… Praying hard for this intention and trying not to worry…)

Once again I had lots of help…

Thankfully I had some big helpers who helped with the dishes and the last of the clean up, so I could take a little break from the kitchen!  
.: A Few More Pictures :. 

And because we look for any excuse to blow out candles in our home… we lit seven candles for Snuggles 7th name-day and everyone took turns blowing them out! 🙂 

After that it was time to draw the swords! 

Happy Michaelmas! 

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

by | Sep 27, 2013 | , , , , , , | 20 Comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~
I haven’t been feeling very well this week, but had to pop in to say hello and share a few pictures.   Also, in your charity, could you please say a prayer for my husband’s Uncle Frank, my father-in-law’s brother, who passed away yesterday afternoon. 

 Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. 
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

{pretty}

I’ve been eyeing these adorable Shining Light Dolls for awhile now and finally ordered a few to save for the girls’ stockings this upcoming Christmas!

{happy}
My mom celebrated her birthday this past weekend and we met her at the Farmer’s Market with a smoothie and a gift!  This year we decided to surprise her with a lovely hand-painted bookmark of her Confirmation Saint along with a copy of the Walk with the Saints Journal.  She loved it!  

{funny}
The kids loved spending some time with their grandma on her birthday and walking along the railroad tracks.  I couldn’t resist snapping a couple pictures! 
{real}

It seems like nearly every one of my packages has been arriving damaged lately…. (“Damaged Doll Deliveries” wasn’t exactly what I had in mind for D week!)  Last week one of these dolls arrived with the package smashed.  I called Amazon and they said they would send another, and to just keep the original.  The second arrived in even worse condition than the first!   I wasn’t going to call, since the actual doll inside the box was still okay, but decided to let them know anyways.  This time they insisted on not only refunding the money, they also gave me a $10 promotional credit for the hassle and said to wait a few days before ordering again (if I choose to do so) so that the shipping department could make any necessary adjustments to protect future orders.   Note: That was a few days ago, so if anyone places an order they should arrive in better shape, but I am not making any promises! 😉  However, even with smashed up packaging, they are still just as pretty as can be!  (Oh, and the next day?  That stone I had ordered arrived in three pieces.  Seriously?!)

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment.

Happy Birthday, Caroline! :: An American Girl Party

by | Sep 23, 2013 | , , , | 8 Comments

At the end of last month we celebrated Twinkle Toes 10th birthday!   Last Christmas she had received Caroline along with a matching dress and had been looking forward to a “Caroline” themed birthday party all year!  Even though I wasn’t feeling well that day (which seems to be a theme for birthdays this year!), and had an appointment with my dentist, we still managed to pull off a fun-filled day for our oldest daughter.   I had a few activities planned and Sean took all of the older children on an afternoon outing while my mom came over to help me make dinner.  It wasn’t as elaborate as some of the past birthday parties we have had (at least I didn’t think so until I started to compile all the pictures in this blog post!) but the birthday girl absolutely loved her special day!

.: Meet Caroline – 1812 :.

a daring, self reliant girl who learns to steer a steady course
 amid the challenges of war

 The first thing Twinkle Toes did when she woke up was put on her Caroline outfit, I curled her hair, and then she came out to the kitchen to see her cake and enjoy and eat breakfast! 

She had requested “Old Fashioned Oatmeal” with cream, brown sugar, and raisins, in addition to mugs of hot cocoa to drink! 


“When Caroline woke, sun was sreaming through the window.  The scent of frying bacon drifted into the bedroom. She tossed the quilt aside and jumped to her feet.  If she didn’t hurry, she’d be late for breakfast.” 

.: Caroline’s Color and Crafts :. 
“Embroidery was considered an important skill for girls. Some girls, like Caroline, enjoyed this work.” 
~ Meet Caroline: An American Girl

Even though this Embroidered Pillow Kit was made for Felicity it ties in nicely for Caroline too!  The girls had received these kits last Christmas as well and still hadn’t started making them yet.  They got started on the embroidery, but are still working on completing the project.


I had also ordered a copy of Caroline Color & Craft which kept all the kids busy while I ran to town.

.: Racing Hoops :.

“I like racing hoops too,” Caroline said.  She blew out the lamp and slid into bed.  “Last year we had hoop races in the village on Independence Day.”  It had been great fun to roll big wooden hoops over the grass, while little children practiced nearby.” 
~ A Surprise for Caroline

Large hoops are set into motion and the person runs along side it, keeping it rolling with a stick. Hoop-rolling contests can be held to see who can roll their hoop for the longest amount of time or who can roll it the farthest.

.: Inkpot Cookies :.
“Inkpot, her black cat, must have found the carpet comforting, too. He was curled into a ball in a patch of sunlight, fast asleep. Caroline scooped him up and nestled one cheek against his soft fur.  Papa had brought Inkpot home when he was no more than a scruffy stray kitten.  “sailors believe black cats are good luck,” he’d told Caroline.” 
~ Meet Caroline: An American Girl

After Racing Hoops the girls came inside and helped bake “Inkpot” Sugar Cookies!  We kept it quick and simple by just using a package of refrigerated Sugar Cookie dough with a cat shaped cookie cutter.

I thought the Wilton Cookie Cutter made a perfect version of Inkpot! 



.: Birthday Feast :.
“Mama and Grandmother had prepared a feast: stuffed whitefish, lima beans, cabbage and apples, carrot pudding, and two desserts – an apple pie and a burnt-sugar cake.”
~ Caroline’s Secret Message

It worked out perfectly that my mom (grandmother!) stopped by to help me pull together dinner while Sean was out with all the big kids! When everyone arrived home the Apple Cider was simmering on the stove and we have Sailboat Eggs, whitefish, lima baked beans, cabbage and apples and two desserts all ready! 
“Caroline Abbot leaned over the rail and laughed with delight.  “Isn’t this wonderful?” she asked her cousin Lydia. Sailing on Lake Ontario was fun anytime, but being permitted to come aboard the sloop White Gull on its very first voyage was an extra-special treat.” 
~ Meet Caroline: An American Girl
.: Birthday Gifts :.

“After the plates had been cleared away, Caroline received several gifts.” 
~ Caroline’s Secret Message

“Caroline jumped up so fast, her chair almost fell over.  She ran around the table and hugged Mr. Tate.  “What a wonderful gift,” she said.  “Thank you.””

Twinkle Toes received such a fun variety of gifts including Caroline’s Birthday Dress and a couple other American girl items from Sean and I, a miniature Saige doll from Grandma & Grandpa for our horse loving freckled girl, a super sweet card and gift from her other grandparents, a couple new pajamas, a bunk bed (to go along with their own new bunk bed!) for her Calico Critters from Chiquita.  

I also gave her a couple books I loved when I was her age – The Secret Garden (she received the version illustrated by Tasha Tudor) and Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott.  I also gave her a copy of Caddie Woodlawn!  (I loved that a couple of them matched the cover of A Surprise for Caroline, and tied in Ice Skating to the party, since our original plans to go ice skating were changed when we found out that the rink was closed for their annual deep cleaning.  I’m sure she will loves these as much as I did!

.: Caroline’s Bonnet Birthday Cake :. 

I already posted about Caroline’ Bonnet Birthday Cake here. 

And I had to share the following four pictures… I didn’t notice what Snuggles and Rose were up to until I uploaded the pictures! Too funny! 
“Caroline heard the murmur of conversation from the next room, where people she loved had gathered to honor her birthday.  She reached for her grandmother’s hand.  “Come along,” she said.  “Let’s go back to the party.”

 Happy 10th Birthday Twinkle Toes!  

An Early Anniversary Gift

by | Sep 20, 2013 | | 19 Comments

This year, for our 14th anniversary which is coming up on October 2nd, we decided to purchase a new dining table, with matching chairs for our family!  Out first table was given to us by one of my husband’s brothers when he entered the seminary, and then in 2008 we purchased the oak table with 6 chairs from my parents old neighbors when they moved.  Since then we have been using the oak table with a combination of the oak chairs and the white school room chairs which were also from my parents neighbors.   This is the first table we have ever purchased new and it was delivered yesterday afternoon!  

It is a little longer and narrower than our old table and it came with 10 chairs, although we did order two extras.  I wasn’t sure at first about the gridback chairs, but they are rather unique and, along with the two-tone Oak Espresso finish, match our home so nicely.

In the picture above you can see the shelves from the old school room in the corner… They are there temporarily until I can find new homes for everything.  Still working on that…  Someday I’d like to replace the white hutch with a dining buffet and also find a painting (my husband would like a large tuscan style painting of a monastery – maybe something along these lines – any suggestions?) for between the windows on the back wall.

Last night I added felt pads to all the chairs and tonight we will all use our new dining table for the first time!  It is such a blessing (thank you overtime) and we all love it! 

If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, 
it would be a merrier world. 
― Thorin, The Hobbit

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

by | Sep 19, 2013 | , , | 17 Comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~
{pretty}
I love my pretty Catholic aprons.  I’m hoping to host another apron giveaway sometime soon!  The feast of St. Therese is right around the corner, after all! 🙂 
{happy}

Pumpkin Pie Latte… Yum!!  With $1 Drinks for Teachers and Students for September, I think I have to come up with a couple excuses to make some extra trips to town! 
{funny}

Apple Smoked Bacon, Sweet Italian Sausage, Sautéed Portobello Mushrooms, Yellow Peppers, Fresh Parsley, Olive Oil, Organic Chunky Tomato Sauce and a little tiny bit of Mozzarella… Oh my, YUM!  Ever since our last trip to the coast and dinner with Cassandra’s family (she made amazing homemade pizzas), I’ve been having so much fun baking our own “Artisan Pizza” at home.   I have quite the wish list growing on Amazon, including a copy of the soon-to-be released The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, Artisan Pizza and Flat Bread in Five Minutes a Day, this nifty little Oil Cruet, Dough Containers, a Baking Stone that can handle high temperatures (I already cracked/shattered my well seasoned Pampered Chef stone – whah…), and this incredible Super Peel (I’ve already gone through a whole box of parchment paper). In the meantime I am finding ways to make it with what I do have in my kitchen… and Sean let me order a replacement for my stone! 

{real}

Seeing Quick Takes like this (#1 and #5) reminds me how much I love about our home state, despite the challenges… No place is perfect, right?!  Our biggest challenge is the lack of traditional masses in our area, but we do have another Latin Mass coming up the first Sunday of October!  It is the 4th in the series of “Quarterly Masses for a Year” that our pastor agreed to this year.  Please keep this intention in your prayers.  My husband will be meeting with him again following this next Mass to discuss any future masses to be scheduled.    (And did you happen to see Bud’s little apperance on Father Z’s blog!  You can click back to my original cake post here.) 

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment.

St. Jerome and the Lion

St. Jerome and the Lion

by | Sep 30, 2013 | , , , | 157 Comments

The oldest two boys are off having fun with their grandma today, watching my youngest brother (both Kevin and David are on college golf teams this year!) compete in one of his college golf tournaments!  My boys have only gotten to watch their uncle golf one other...

Celebrating Michaelmas

Celebrating Michaelmas

by | Sep 30, 2013 | , | 10 Comments

St. Michael the Archangel Statue.: Baking Michaelmas Cupcakes :. We have been making Devil's Food Cake and/or Cupcakes to celebrate Michaelmas since 2008!  Assisting St. Michael in defeating the Devil by stabbing "the Devil" with a cocktail (or more commonly...

An Early Anniversary Gift

An Early Anniversary Gift

by | Sep 20, 2013 | | 19 Comments

This year, for our 14th anniversary which is coming up on October 2nd, we decided to purchase a new dining table, with matching chairs for our family!  Out first table was given to us by one of my husband's brothers when he entered the seminary, and then in 2008...

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

by | Sep 19, 2013 | , , | 17 Comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~{pretty}I love my pretty Catholic aprons.  I'm hoping to host another apron giveaway sometime soon!  The feast of St. Therese is right around the corner, after all! 🙂 {happy}Pumpkin Pie Latte......

Prayer of Mothers

Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.


Our Family

Sean & Jessica, Captain-25, Ranger-24, Twinkle Toes-22, Chiquita-21, Snuggles-18, Rose-16, Bud-14, Grace-8 and Joy-6 (blog nicknames)

A Little About Me

Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

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