All Saints Guessing Jars {8 More Saints!}

by | Oct 30, 2019 | | 5 Comments

Our annual All Saints Guessing Jars are filled and ready for the party tomorrow night! This year I decide to re-use some of our past ideas/labels (there are now so many to choose from!) adding in some new ones to the mix. You can click the link to download the free printable for this year’s new labels at the bottom of this post! 
Trader Joe’s was my first stop for supplies. I love that they don’t use artificial dyes and have such fun snacks! I picked up Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies, Pinks & Whites, Fleur de Sea Caramels, Chocolatey Cats Cookies, Scandinavian Swimmers, Organic Animal Crackers, and Cinnamon Schoolbook Cookies. 

I also got some carving pumpkins for Saint-O-Lanterns!


Instead of reusing the Cat Cookies for St. Jerome, I made up a new label for St. Gertrude of Nivelles, Patron of Cats.  Instead of using the animal crackers for St. Francis of Assisi again, they are now “wild beasts” for Its. Perpetual and Felicity. 
I always enjoy browsing candy isles at the grocery store to see what else I can come up with for new ways to connect candy to the saints. 
Now that Christmas stuff is available so early, I had even more options! As soon as I saw the Kissmas Tree Hershey Kisses I thought they would be perfect for St. Boniface, recalling the picture book Kristoph and the First Christmas Tree (included in our 2015 New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas). 
 
I also had someone email me asking if I had any ideas for St. Sebastian (along with a couple other saints), and I had been planning to include him this year with Super Sports Chocolate Candy, since he is the Patron of Athletes!
I love how these three jars turned out. So fun!

I never did pick up Dove chocolates for St. Teresa of Avila, but a label is included in the new printable for this year. 
I also included labels for St. Teresa of Calcutta (any white and blue striped candy would work like these, these or these) and St. Maria Faustina (I think these could work for “Rays of Mercy”). 

All Saints Guessing Jars {Dye-Free Edition}

by | Oct 29, 2019 | | 5 Comments

I’m currently working on a few new additions for this year’s All Saints Guessing Jars, but I recently realized that I never did share the new additions from a couple years ago! I’m going to quickly share them now in case anyone would like some new ideas. 
That year (2017) we had a smaller, mostly family party, since we had such a difficult baby at the time, and I focused on jars featuring our three newly confirmed teens’ Confirmation Saints – St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Augustine, and St. Elizabeth of Hungary. We also have a teen with an artificial dye allergy, so I included some dye free options. I never did get around to making any last year, since the movers were unloading the truck at our new home on October 31st! 
Gummy Soda Bottles are perfect for St. Augustine, patron of brewers!
*I can’t remember if these were dye free or not… 
 For St. Maximilan Kolbe we used Fudge Stripes. 
This jar filled with Sun Drops Milk Chocolates (from the Health Food store) commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima and the Miracle of the Sun. 
Wooden Saints from Naturally Catholic!
*Naturally Catholic is closing shop soon for the season, 
so order now if you’d like any Christmas gifts!
Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies from Trader Joe’s for St. Fiacre
Organic Delish Fish for St. Andrew
Andes Mints for St. Teresa of the Andes
*these do include dye… 

Milky Way Midnight Minis for St. Dominic, patron of astronomers

Download my free printable jar labels here: 
All Saints Guessing Jars 2017

I’ll be back with a few more new additions soon… 

Find links to more of my All Saints Party Printables here!

A Dr. Seuss Birthday Cake for Father Gordon

by | Oct 21, 2019 | , , | 13 Comments

This past weekend we celebrated my husband’s youngest brother’s birthday! This is the first time the kids and I have ever lived close enough to celebrate his birthday with him so we were all excited when he agreed to come over for dinner! I sent him a text message the week before asking if he had any special requests…. 
I texted the boys a screenshot at college and they agreed: 
“Hahaha you could pull it off” 
Well… okay then! 
#ChallengeAccepted

A Few Supplies: 

I printed out the image on a sheet of 8×11 paper and covered it with some wax paper. 

Starting with some black candy melts, I outlined the buildings, windows, stairs, and bridges. 

Next I mixed a little of the black candy melts into some white to create various shades of gray for the stairs and filled them in with melted candy. 

Next I added the blue to some of the roofs, buildings, and the bridge, making sure to make it thick enough to not break apart too easily.

The last color I added was all the pink, filling in all the remaining gaps and covering it all with extra to hold it together. At this point I slipped it into the fridge and had no idea if it was going to turn out or not… 

It turned out! 

When Father arrived, he apologized for being late and I said, “Oh, that’s ok! It gave me time to finish your cake!” He laughed and said he had to come up with something impossible for me… but then looked towards the kitchen, spotted the cake and said “What?! You actually MADE IT!” 
Why yes… Yes I did!

He liked my little addition of the church as well, noticing the cross on the largest building. 

  

Happy Birthday Father Gordon!

St. Francis of Assisi’s Sermon to the Birds

by | Oct 4, 2019 | , , , | 7 Comments

“And as he went on his way, with great fervour, St Francis lifted up his eyes, and saw on some trees by the wayside a great multitude of birds; and being much surprised, he said to his companions, “Wait for me here by the way, whilst I go and preach to my little sisters the birds”; and entering into the field, he began to preach to the birds which were on the ground, and suddenly all those also on the trees came round him, and all listened while St Francis preached to them, and did not fly away until he had given them his blessing.

And Brother Masseo related afterwards to Brother James of Massa how St Francis went among them and even touched them with his garments, and how none of them moved. Now the substance of the sermon was this:

“My little sisters the birds, ye owe much to God, your Creator, and ye ought to sing his praise at all times and in all places, because he has given you liberty to fly about into all places; and though ye neither spin nor sew, he has given you a twofold and a threefold clothing for yourselves and for your offspring. Two of all your species he sent into the Ark with Noe that you might not be lost to the world; besides which, he feeds you, though ye neither sow nor reap. He has given you fountains and rivers to quench your thirst, mountains and valleys in which to take refuge, and trees in which to build your nests; so that your Creator loves you much, having thus favoured you with such bounties. Beware, my little sisters, of the sin of ingratitude, and study always to give praise to God.”

As he said these words, all the birds began to open their beaks, to stretch their necks, to spread their wings and reverently to bow their heads to the ground, endeavouring by their motions and by their songs to manifest their joy to St Francis. And the saint rejoiced with them. He wondered to see such a multitude of birds, and was charmed with their beautiful variety, with their attention and familiarity, for all which he devoutly gave thanks to the Creator. 

Having finished his sermon, St Francis made the sign of the cross, and gave them leave to fly away. Then all those birds rose up into the air, singing most sweetly; and, following the sign of the cross, which St Francis had made, they divided themselves into four companies. One company flew towards the east, another towards the west, one towards the south, and one towards the north; each company as it went singing most wonderfully; signifying thereby, that as St Francis, the bearer of the Cross of Christ, had preached to them and made upon them the sign of the cross, after which they had divided among themselves the four parts of the world, so the preaching of the Cross of Christ, renewed by St Francis, would be carried by him and by his brethren over all the world, and that the humble friars, like little birds, should posses nothing in this world, but should cast all the care of their lives on the providence of God.”

– Excerpt from The Little Flowers of St. Francis
The First English Translation, Revised and Emended by Dom Roger Hudleston. Source

The wooden trees and figures pictured (excluding our St. Francis from Catholic Folk Toys) are all made by Ostheimer. I purchased the Bird Tree, along with a couple birds, from The Wooden Wagon for our daughter’s birthday a couple years ago and the tooth fairy has been adding additional birds, one at a time, to her collection ever since!

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Michaelmas Daybook

by | Sep 30, 2019 | , , , | 12 Comments

St. Gabriel, St. Michael, and St. Raphael from Naturally Catholic

Outside my window…
It snowed yesterday, last night, and is snowing again today… I’ve been told that this is not normal for up here in Northern Idaho and I’m hoping we have some warmer days ahead. I’m not ready for winter yet! The picture below is the view from some of our back windows looking out at the horse pastures. Our property ends at the white fence but we’ve been admiring all the fall colors on our neighbor’s beautiful trees!

I am thankful… 
My mom just had another MRI this past week and there has been no measurable growth on her acoustic neuroma tumor this past year which means she can continue to wait/watch and postpone brain surgery! Such wonderful news!! Deo Gratias!

I am thinking…
I can’t believe it has been nearly a year since we signed papers (October 1st), took possession (October 8th) and moved in (October 31st) to this home… and yet so much has changed!

Celebrating the liturgical year…
Michaelmas, St. Jerome, St. Therese, Holy Guardian Angels, St. Francis of Assisi…
So many favorite feast days coming up this week!

From the kitchen…
our annual Michaelmas Cupcakes.

I am working…
on setting up my new laptop! My old laptop was starting to have problems, not to mention the hard drive had been completely full for the past year (I had to go through and sort/delete photos every time I wanted to try and upload more) so maybe now it will be a little easier to blog a little more often? We’ll see!

I am creating…
a list of posts that I’d like to go back and add eventually, starting with some recent sacraments and past birthday parties. This blog has always been a family scrapbook of sorts and our kids love going back and looking through the archives.  Bud isn’t happy that I’ve only blogged his first three (of seven) birthdays!

I am going…
out for a quick coffee date with Sean. We didn’t get to stay long since the coffee shop was closing in “seven minutes” but it worked out for the best since the baby was cranky by the time we got home. The girls mentioned that it happens to be National Coffee Day!

 

I am hoping…
to continue recovering from this postpartum depression and start feeling like myself again. I’ve been making some progress and doing a little better than I was a couple weeks ago. Did you know that wearing your baby may help alleviate postpartum depression? I’m not sure if it does or not, but the baby sure loves being tucked into my Moby Wrap.

Pondering these words…
from St. Frances de Sales:

“The many troubles in your household will tend to your edification, if you strive to bear them all in gentleness, patience, and kindness. Keep this ever before you, and remember constantly that God’s loving eyes are upon you amid all these little worries and vexations, watching whether you take them as He would desire. Offer up all such occasions to Him, and if sometimes you are put out, and give way to impatience, do not be discouraged, but make haste to regain your lost composure.”

I am praying…
for the soul of my mother-in-law, for Veronica Cools, for the Hatkes, and for so many others in need of prayer.


I am reading…
a chapter or two from Little House in the Big Woods to my little ones each night after we pray our family rosary. I had been neglecting reading aloud to them this past year and it’s nice to be doing it again.

One of my favorite things…
Captain’s Instagram stories, Ranger’s late night phone calls home, and our family group texting string! We are all counting the days until they come home for a visit.

Around the house… and a little peek at my day… 
I keep spotting St. Michael!

Illuminated Ink Archangel Blank Book from last month’s Saints Around the World Box

Just getting started… 
St. Michael Keepsake Box (one of Bud’s recent First Holy Communion Gifts from friends!) 
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all the other evil spirits, who wander throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Lisieux Nail Polish {Giveaway}

by | Sep 28, 2019 | , | 0 Comments

It is currently snowing … SNOWING ?!?! … but it is cozy inside our home and the girls have been painting their nails this afternoon in preparation for the upcoming feast days of St. Therese (both the new and traditional) and the Holy Guardian Angels! 

The girls have such a fun collection of color options! 

 

“Oooohhhh! Pretty!” 

Little Flower Nail Polish and St. Therese of Lisieux Quote Mug
Dress from Baby My Love Etsy

.: Giveaway :. 

We picked out three favorite colors to give away… One lucky visitor will receive Little Flower, Guardian Angel and Mystical Rose sponsored by Lisieux!

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below: 

Giveaway ends on October 3rd, the traditional feast of St. Therese.
The winner will be announced on October 4th!

Please Continue to Pray for Veronica Cools

by | Sep 23, 2019 | | 3 Comments

Update from Veronica’s Dad 🙏
“We are asking family, friends and benefactors to pray to Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen as he needs a miracle for canonization. Of course if it be God’s will.”
PRAYER TO OBTAIN A FAVOR THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN

Eternal Father, You alone grant us every blessing in Heaven and on earth, through the redemptive mission of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and by the working of the Holy Spirit. If it be according to Your Will, glorify Your servant, ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN, by granting the favor I now request through his prayerful intercession (mention your request). I make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Please Join Me in Helping a Family in Need

by | Sep 1, 2019 | | 21 Comments

Our girls with Victoria and Veronica Cools
Sometimes it feels like there is just too much suffering… I do hope to go back and share some of the more joyful moments we’ve had this past month, but first I have another serious prayer request for all my dedicated prayer warriors here at Shower of Roses. 
Shortly after moving from Oregon to Idaho we met Dan Cools and his youngest daughter Victoria at an event at our new parish. Our girls quickly became friends and we learned that his wife and second to youngest daughter, Veronica, were down in Mexico battling cancer… 

“Veronica was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in August of 2018. This aggressive cancer wrapped itself in and around her thigh bone with a high likelihood of mestastasis. Since hearing of the dreadful diagnosis, she has fought for her life. Over the course of an eight month period following diagnosis Veronica underwent extensive treatment, procedures, labs, scans, surgeries, including a full amputation of her leg.”

Three months ago this beautiful, sweet and inspiring young lady was able to come home and we were blessed to meet her. Our four teens enjoyed spending time with the Cools girls over the summer and the above picture was taken at our boys’ graduation party in July. 
Anyway… Despite all of their own challenges the Cools are so thoughtful and generous and insisted on dropping off dinner for our family the night I was in labor before delivering our little one! We were so glad they could join us the following week for the baby’s baptism. At the baptism reception we were discussing plans for getting the girls together to celebrate Veronica’s birthday, but unfortunately she received more devastating news the following day:  

“A PET scan was done and it was found that Veronica’s cancer has aggressively returned. The cancer has metastasized to both lungs, her liver, some lymph nodes and a rib. The future is uncertain, but the family is holding tight to their faith and hope for a miracle.”

 Please, please pray for a miracle for this amazing girl…

In addition to our prayers, the Cools are also in need of our financial help and support. If you can help in any way, no matter how small, it would be greatly appreciated. Together we can at least help lighten the financial burden on this dear family.

“Expenses and bills don’t stop arriving in the mailbox because of a cancer diagnosis, unfortunately. The Cools are again in addition to living expenses absorbing the cost for gas, lodging, and treatment expenses in Seattle which are coming to about $2400 a week.”

Please pray for Veronica, and the whole Cools family, that God may continue to pour His grace upon them during this difficult time. May God reward you abundantly!

Prayer to Saint Peregrine

O great St. Peregrine, you have been called “The Mighty,” “The Wonder-Worker,” because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you.
For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fibre of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favoured with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of Veronica Cools whom we entrust to you. Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.

St. Ignatius of Loyola, ora pro nobis!
St. Camillus de Lellis, ora pro nobis!
St. Therese of Lisieux, ora pro nobis!
St. Peregrine Laziosi, ora pro nobis!

Update from Veronica’s Dad: 
“We are asking family, friends and benefactors to pray to Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen as he needs a miracle for canonization. Of course if it be God’s will.”

PRAYER TO OBTAIN A FAVOR THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN

Eternal Father, You alone grant us every blessing in Heaven and on earth, through the redemptive mission of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and by the working of the Holy Spirit. If it be according to Your Will, glorify Your servant, ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN, by granting the favor I now request through his prayerful intercession (mention your request). I make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

+ Requiescat in Pace +

by | Aug 30, 2019 | , , | 12 Comments

In your charity, would you please offer a prayer for the soul of my dear mother-in-law, Luz Beatriz Gordon, who passed away on Wednesday evening, August 28th, and for our whole Gordon family…

April 2018 – A couple photos from our trip to Arizona to introduce “Grace” to her grandmother.
It’s been just over two years since my father-in-law passed away the day before I went into labor.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let 
Perpetual light shine upon her.
May she rest in peace.
May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

On the Traditional Feast of Saint Jane

by | Aug 22, 2019 | , , , , , | 31 Comments

“If we patiently accept through love all that God allows to happen, then we will begin to taste even here on earth something of the delights the saints experience in heaven. But for this we must serve God willingly and lovingly, seeking to obey the Divine Will rather than to follow our own inclinations and desires. For the perfection of love demands that we desire for ourselves only whatever God wills. Let us implore the good God unceasingly to grant us this grace!” – St. Jane Frances de Chantal

(God’s plan is so much better than our own… He knew we needed her!) 

DEAREST Patron, St. Jane Frances de Chantal, 
in baptism I received thy name and was put under thy special care. Oh, teach me to be like thee! Help me to avoid sin and to practice virtue. Be always at my side to guide me and protect me, and bring me safe to Heaven, that I may be ever happy with thee in the presence of God.

(She is such a sweetie! I’m hoping to add her birth and baptism pictures to the blog soon.)

All Saints Guessing Jars {8 More Saints!}

All Saints Guessing Jars {8 More Saints!}

by | Oct 30, 2019 | | 5 Comments

Our annual All Saints Guessing Jars are filled and ready for the party tomorrow night! This year I decide to re-use some of our past ideas/labels (there are now so many to choose from!) adding in some new ones to the mix. You can click the link to download the free...

All Saints Guessing Jars {Dye-Free Edition}

All Saints Guessing Jars {Dye-Free Edition}

by | Oct 29, 2019 | | 5 Comments

I'm currently working on a few new additions for this year's All Saints Guessing Jars, but I recently realized that I never did share the new additions from a couple years ago! I'm going to quickly share them now in case anyone would like some new ideas. That...

Michaelmas Daybook

Michaelmas Daybook

by | Sep 30, 2019 | , , , | 12 Comments

St. Gabriel, St. Michael, and St. Raphael from Naturally CatholicOutside my window...It snowed yesterday, last night, and is snowing again today... I've been told that this is not normal for up here in Northern Idaho and I'm hoping we have some warmer days ahead. I'm...

Lisieux Nail Polish {Giveaway}

Lisieux Nail Polish {Giveaway}

by | Sep 28, 2019 | , | 0 Comments

It is currently snowing ... SNOWING ?!?! ... but it is cozy inside our home and the girls have been painting their nails this afternoon in preparation for the upcoming feast days of St. Therese (both the new and traditional) and the Holy Guardian Angels! The...

Please Continue to Pray for Veronica Cools

Please Continue to Pray for Veronica Cools

by | Sep 23, 2019 | | 3 Comments

Update from Veronica's Dad 🙏"We are asking family, friends and benefactors to pray to Blessed Archbishop Fulton Sheen as he needs a miracle for canonization. Of course if it be God’s will."PRAYER TO OBTAIN A FAVOR THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD...

Please Join Me in Helping a Family in Need

Please Join Me in Helping a Family in Need

by | Sep 1, 2019 | | 21 Comments

Our girls with Victoria and Veronica CoolsSometimes it feels like there is just too much suffering... I do hope to go back and share some of the more joyful moments we've had this past month, but first I have another serious prayer request for all my dedicated prayer...

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.


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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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