Captain America’s Shield :: An Avenger Themed Birthday Cake {Dye-Free}

by | Jul 21, 2016 | , , | 5 Comments

After making a Thor’s Hammer for Ranger’s Thor Birthday Party earlier this year, I knew I had to make Captain America’s Shield Birthday Cake for Captain’s 16th birthday! After looking through various ideas (and being inspired by one of Charlotte’s recent cakes!) I decided to make an M&M’s version (the M&M’s Archery Cake I made last year was easy and turned out great!) but this time I wanted to use Little Secrets Chocolates instead with “NO ARTIFICIAL ANYTHING.”

Supplies: 
To get started decorating I lightly pressed a star cookie cutter into the center of the cake and then did the same thing with a round cereal bowl, to use the marks as guides for the candy. I filled in the star with white candies, inserting one side of each candy into the frosting, surrounded the star with a circle of blue candy, then created three rings – two red and one white – to finish Captain America’s shield.
It wasn’t as quick as the Captain American Berry Cheesecake, but still pretty quick and easy, and apparently “really impressive!” according to one of the boys’ friends who came into the kitchen to get a drink of water when I was just about finished!
I purchased the candy locally at Natural Grocers. Little Secrets are also available from Amazon. I didn’t have enough of the white peppermint candies in the cupboard and they are currently out-of-stock at my local store (the red & white peppermint might be a seasonal flavor?) so I filled in the star with white M&M’s, found on clearance from the 4th of July.
Next time I use Little Secrets to decorate a cake I need to make sure and decorate it the same day as the birthday party. I made this one the night before, while the boys were enjoying a Captain America Movie Night with their friends, and when I took it out of the fridge for the party the next evening it looked like it had been in deep freeze with Steve…
You can find the rest of Captain’s 16th birthday pictures here:
and here:

Captain America Movie Night & Birthday Golf

by | Jul 21, 2016 | , , , | 0 Comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life with Like Mother, Like Daughter. ~

{pretty}

Wednesday night: “{very} Last minute plans for a movie night with friends {who leave for vacation in the morning} on the eve of our oldest son’s 16th {!!!} birthday. I’m baking a cake to decorate for tomorrow night, but decided to quickly decorate one more for tonight as well! Let the party begin!!!”

It only took about 5 minutes to decorate! I used a star cookie cutter as a guide when placing the berries and ended up just leaving it on the cake until I replaced it with the candles just before serving.

{happy}

I made the boys some “Captain America” inspired popcorn for the pre-birthday Movie Night – the boys were determined to watch both Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain America: The Winter Soldier before one of the boys needed to go home at midnight! Thankfully Captain America: Civil War hasn’t been released yet! 😉 

Twinkle Toes, who happens to be allergic to Red 40, was so happy that I made a special batch for her using Milk Chocolate Little Secrets. I discovered these last Christmas and she was so excited when she found some RED & white peppermint “M&M’s” in her stocking! I used these for his birthday cake too, which I’ll post about soon.

Captain America Chocolate Popcorn 

  • Popcorn, popped
  • Red & Blue Milk Chocolate Little Secrets (or Red, White & Blue M&M’s) 
  • Mini Marshmallows
  • Melted Chocolate

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper and cover with popcorn. Sprinkle chocolate candy and marshmallows over popcorn. Drizzle with melted chocolate. Let set until chocolate hardens. Serve.

{funny}

In between the two movies the boys took a break for birthday cake! Captain was only able to blow out 15 of the candles… The kids all teased him that he had to wait until his actual birthday to be able to blow out all 16!

{real}

Thursday afternoon: Sean was able to get off work early today so that we could take the birthday boy (and Ranger) golfing! My first time… ⛳️ 😬😂😂

I had some AMAZING shots! My favorite was the one that landed over in the trees, IN A HOLE (but not the right hole) and under a stick! :/  I also managed to land behind a building and roll into the water. It was so awesome! I managed to score a 72, which isn’t really that bad, at least not when you are playing 18. We played 9. Even the squirrels were terrified. It was so much fun!

After golfing we headed back home to get ready for all the extended family who were coming over for pizza and cake. I’ll be back with the rest of the pictures soon. Happy 16th birthday, Captain!

A Soldier Surrenders: The Conversion of Saint Camillus de Lellis {Book Review & Giveaway}

by | Jul 18, 2016 | , | 0 Comments

Happy feast of St. Camillus de Lellis! In honor of today’s feast, author Susan Peek has generously offered to send one of my visitors here at Shower of Roses a copy of the second volume in her series
God’s Forgotten Friends: Lives of Little-known Saints: A Soldier Surrenders: The Conversion of Saint Camillus de Lellis.

Yesterday afternoon I pulled my son’s copy of A Soldier Surrenders (we actually own the out of print 2007 edition published by Ignatius Press) off his bookshelf to skim through before posting the giveaway. Here is an excerpt from the introduction written by the author’s husband Jeff Peek which caught my eye:

“If you, while skimming these words, are casually standing in your local bookstore browsing for a good book to read, but you feel you are already well advanced on the road to sanctity, this book is probably not for you. No, this book is a story for the rest of us, the common herd – we folk who, when entering the confessional, still find we have some actual sins to confess. Saint Camillus is for us. He is our champion. He could be aptly described as the unofficial patron of strugglers.” 

Well, that would be me. I read through the rest of the introduction, then the first chapter, and then wasn’t able to put the book down. I’m looking forward to finishing it this week today. It is excellent! I have always loved reading historical novels about the saints. The books by author Louis de Wohl were some of my favorites as a young adult and Susan’s books are just as intriguing and inspiring!

At last . . . a saint for strugglers! Soldiering, gambling, brawling, drinking. As a young man, Saint Camillus excelled at them all. Add to that his fiery temper and innate knack for getting in trouble, and Camillus de Lellis seems the last person who could ever achieve holiness! But God had plans for the stubborn young soldier, whether Camillus liked it or not . . . 

“This novel for adult and young adult readers will introduce them to a great saint – a physical giant who had to contend with many personal struggles, much weakness, and repeated failures before he could become a moral giant. The story of Camillus de Lellis’ conversion will leave no reader unmoved, and those that feel hopeless about themselves will find new hope, a hero, and a friend in Christ.”

– Michael O’Brien Bestselling Catholic Author

Back in print by popular demand, this fast-paced and inspiring story of the wayward soldier-of-fortune who became an intrepid Soldier of Christ will appeal even to those who don’t normally like to read!

In addition to A Soldier Surrenders: The Conversion of Saint Camillus de Lellis, recommend for ages 15 and up, Susan Peek has also written Saint Magnus,The Last Viking, the first volume in her series God’s Forgotten Friends: Lives of Little-known Saints, which was awarded the Catholic Writers’ Guild Seal of Approval in June 2015, and Crusader King: A Novel of Baldwin IV and the Crusades, which made it onto the list of the Top 50 Most Popular Homeschooling Books in 2013.

Susan is also the author of several children’s books including Animals of God Volume 1, Animals of God Volume 2, and Small for the Glory of God: Saint John the Dwarf, the first book in her new series God’s Forgotten Friends: Little-known Saints for Children.

You can visit Susan Peek’s website for more information and to sign up for her newsletter.
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter Box below:

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Glorious St Camillus, turn your merciful eyes upon those who suffer and those who care for them. Grant to the sick Christian resignation and trust in the goodness and power of God. Make those who take care of the sick be generous and lovingly dedicated. Help me to understand the mystery of suffering as a means of redemption and the way to God. May your protection comfort the sick and their families and encourage them to live together in love. Bless those who dedicate themselves to the infirm. And may the good God grant peace and hope to all. Amen.

St Camillus de Lellis, pray for us!

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Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

by | Jul 17, 2016 | , , , | 0 Comments

Whosover dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire. 
Scapular promise given to St. Simon Stock, July 16, 1251
I, the Mother of Grace, shall descend on the Saturday after their death and whomsoever I shall find in Purgatory, I shall free. 
Sabbatine Priviledge given to Pope John XXII, 1322
Happy Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel! This feast day has always been one of our family’s favorites and Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the patron we choose for our homeschool, many years ago, when we first started homeschooling our children. One of these years I would love to bake and decorate another scapular cake (you can see our first one back in 2008 here and our second scapular cake back in 2009) but this year I kept it simple since the three oldest were gone with their dad all morning (their golf team was hosting a tournament/fundraiser) and I wanted to spend some time baking something I could enjoy too. We are about to pray our family rosary, but first here are some pictures from various times throughout the day: 
.:  Picture Books :. 
I had to do some searching, but I finally found one of our copies of Garment of Grace. I love this little book. I started reading it aloud to our four youngest and pretty soon everyone was listening! (The older three were home by this time.) This book contains some incredible true stories about miracles that have happened to those wearing the brown scapular. 

“Look, Mom! This saint is in the little book you gave me!” 
(I brought him home a new little saints book from the conference last weekend.) 
Rereading some of those amazing stories on his own, despite all the distractions! 😉 
Note: Our children have all been invested in the brown scapular as babies, but they don’t usually start wearing them until they are about 6 or 7 years old. My husband has found that knotting the boys’ scapulars (as you can see in the picture above) makes them last so much longer, since that way the knots take the brunt of any “rough and tumble” abuse. 😉 
.: Coloring Pages :. 

There are many free coloring pages available online (including the lovely Our Lady of Mount Carmel coloring pages over at St. John the Baptist Religious Ed, which my boys choose to color) but my personal favorite is this one from StellaMarigoldArt over at Etsy. 
(Note: We also have some gorgeous scapulars from StellaMarigoldArt, and MaryDevotions too!) 

.: Catholic Cuisine :. 
I also made some {AIP approved!!!} treats for myself:
{sugar-free, grain-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free}
Brownies with Salted Honey Caramel Sauce! 
Oh yeah! I think I have found my new favorite feast day treat. These will be perfect for other Carmelite saints, including the feast of St. Therese! 
Although I’m not sure I’ll be able to wait until October to make them again…  
{I will try and share the recipes over at Catholic Cuisine soon!}

Even some of the dolls joined today’s feast day celebration!
“Wear the Scapular devoutly and perseveringly. It is My garment. To be clothed in it means you are continually thinking of Me, and I in turn, am always thinking of you and helping you to secure eternal life.” 
~ Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Celebrating the Saints :: Sts. Louis & Zélie Martin

by | Jul 13, 2016 | , , | 0 Comments

Today is the very first time we celebrate the feast of Sts. Louis & Zélie Martin as canonized saints! Our family has had two jam-packed days, since I arrived back home from my wonderful trip to Colorado late Sunday night, with driver’s ed classes for our oldest each day, quite a few hours catching up at the office, heading back to the airport to pick up my delayed/damaged luggage, a birthday party for the five oldest to attend yesterday afternoon, braces (day 1 of phase 2) for our oldest daughter this morning, and golf practice for the older boys this evening. Despite all the time in the car or at the office, I managed to pull together a quick and simple, yet still beautiful celebration for today’s special feast.

.: Story Time :. 

Our nine year read the story of “A Little Girl Named Therese” to his younger siblings from Catholic Children’s Treasure Box Book 1.

.: Arts & Crafts :. 

I printed out five copies of this beautiful (free!) Sts. Louis & Zelie Martin Coloring Page from my friend Aleesa’s blog, Life, Love, & Sacred Art. We handed out copies of these coloring pages at the workshop I offered last weekend, at the Rocky Mountain Catholic Home Educators Conference, to go along with the supplies for everyone to make Rose Filled Lace Sachets and take home to have on hand for today’s feast. 
I also pulled out a darling new Blessing Block of St. Zélie Martin which I had been saving for today. 

 .: Catholic Cuisine :. 

I had hoped to make another French Vanilla Cake and Cupcakes in Honor of the Watchmaker and Lace Maker, but we are currently out of eggs and I really didn’t have any extra time to bake anyway, so I decided to just twist open some Oreo cookies that happened to (miraculously) still be in the pantry, turn them into watch faces with some melted chocolate, and serve them on “lace” doilies. 

You can find my post over at Catholic Cuisine here: 

.: Prayer :. 
“My God, I offer you my heart; take it, if You like, in such a way that no one else might possess it but You alone, my dear Jesus.” 
~ St. Zelie Martin’s daily offering with her children

Sts. Louis & Zélie Martin, Ora Pro Nobis! 

{pretty, happy, funny, real} Instagram Recap

by | Jul 8, 2016 | , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life with Like Mother, Like Daughter. ~

{pretty}

My schedule has been way too full lately, but at least I have a gorgeous new planner (August 2016-July 2017) to continue keeping track of it all! I have been using this beautiful planner for years and didn’t think I could love The Catholic Daily Planner any more than I already did, but it’s even prettier this year with all the new cover options and full color pages inside!
{happy}

{Tuesday morning} I had to go to the office and work for a little while early this morning… this is what I came home to ♥ Ticket to Ride is still a favorite! 
{funny}

“Let me in!” (photo credit: Twinkle Toes)
{real}

{From last Sunday’s every-other-month Extraordinary Form Mass}
O MY dear Jesus! wash me clean from every stain of sin. Help me, I beg of Thee, to keep my body and soul purer and whiter than snow.

Instagram: ShowerOfRoses

Celebrating the 4th of July

by | Jul 5, 2016 | , | 0 Comments

.: 4th of July Handprint Flags :. 
I love art projects that double as keepsakes! 
This was such a fun and easy craft. I posted more here:

.: Star Spangled Berry Cake :. 
We celebrated with a simple BBQ at home. I made some salad, sweet potatoes, and sautéed veggies to go along with the steaks and hamburgers that Sean grilled. 
The girls baked a cake and decorated cupcakes! 
.: Flag Cupcakes :. 
.: Shooting Stars :. 
When I grabbed a box of these “Shooting Stars” at Trader Joe’s, I didn’t notice the caution… 
… the kids asked their Dad to open the box and make sure they were safe! Hahaha ♥
.: Happy Independence Day! :. 

4th of July Handprint Flag

by | Jul 5, 2016 | , , | 2 Comments

This 4th of July Handprint Flag made such a fun and easy craft to celebrate Independence Day!
I pulled out some red and blue tempera paint and white card stock, showed the little ones how to paint one hand with the paint, and then let the older girls take over helping them with the art project while I got back to work in the kitchen.
He ran back to his bedroom to bring out his copy of Our Flag so he could count the red stripes and make sure he painted the correct number.
A certain little Texas lovin’ boy wanted to:
 “make a TEXAS FLAG too, because my Godmudder and Godfadder live in Texas!!!” 
Even the big kids couldn’t resist joining the finger painting fun. The white card stock wasn’t quite big enough for their 4th of July Handprint flag. They used 12″x18″ white construction paper.
🎶You’re a grand old flag, You’re a high flying flag, And forever in peace may you wave.🎶
Happy Independence Day!

Molly McIntire :: An American Girl Birthday Party

by | Jul 3, 2016 | , , | 0 Comments

I’m determined to eventually catch up on all the past birthday posts that haven’t made it onto the blog yet… With the 4th of July coming up tomorrow, I thought it’d be the perfect time to finish up this post and finally share Twinkle Toes’ 12th birthday party from last August. We celebrated with another American Girl theme, this one inspired by Molly McIntire!

(Note: I purchased Molly & Emily along with some of their accessories when they were put on sale and discontinued a few years ago, saving them to give to the girls for Christmas and birthdays. I don’t love all the changes that have been taking place at American Girl and I’m not purchasing anything new from them anymore, but I DO love the new Dolls from Heaven and I’m really excited to see what they have planned next. I have this stashed away to give a certain little girl later this year.)  

We reused the banner I made for Ranger’s 12th Birthday Filled with Surprises!
You can download my document there if you’d like to make one too.

The older boys helped hang streamers and decorate the night before, while I baked and decorated the cake. Her birthday started with birthday hugs, discovering her cake and gifts in the kitchen, and sweet Instagram posts from her friends!

After Mass Sean and I took her out for a birthday cocoa and then out to lunch, just the three of us! 

Later in the day she got to FaceTime with her best friend in Nebraska and then meet up my parents, who gave her some pretty stationary, a notebook, journal, and manicure set for her birthday!
.: Meet Molly – 1944 :.

growing up on the home front in America during World War Two

.: Miss Victory Star Treats :.

…photobombed… 
I also mixed up something red, white, and blue (and AIP approved!) for myself, to enjoy as a special treat on top of some greens. I picked up some more strawberries, blueberries and flaked coconut so I can make this again tomorrow for the 4th of July! 

.: Molly’s Cherry Coke :.

In Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front, the girls go to an ice cream parlor and are disappointed that they are out of ice cream, but they decide to get cherry coke instead.
  
.: Hurray for the U.S.A.! :.

.: Camp Gowonagin S’mores :.

S’mores Maker (Christmas gift from Grandpa & Grandma G) 
.: Birthday Gifts :.

In addition to Molly’s Party Dress and Birthday Set (overpriced now that they have been discontinued), the birthday girl also received a set of gel pens (Costco), a pink scientific calculator set (also from Costco, and needed for the new school year), Tiny Stitches, a pink rain jacket (REI Clearance for $6!), the LEGO Toy & Grocery Shop (currently 25% off!), and a beautiful original painting of her patron saint from Audrey Eclectic (you can find reprints here).

Tiny Stitches Craft Kit (55% off right now!) 
Gel Pens (similar to these) and LEGO Toy & Grocery Store

.: Molly’s All American Chocolate Cake :. 

“My very favorite birthday thing, I mean what I myself like the best, is a big layer cake. It’s not a birthday without a cake. And Mrs. Gilford has even saved enough of our cocoa ration for chocolate frosting this year. I know you’ll like it.” 

I decided to try and make a replica of Molly’s little (toy) birthday cake. 
It didn’t turn out perfect but the birthday girl loved her cake! 

“Anyway,” said Molly, “everyone mostly just eats the ice cream and cake at a birthday party.”

 Happy 12th Birthday Twinkle Toes!  

Bargain Priced Books :: Saint Magnus The Last Viking

by | Jul 1, 2016 | , , | 0 Comments

The Kindle edition of “Saint Magnus, The Last Viking” is currently FREE over at Amazon!

Come back in time 900 years, to the fierce and desolate Northern lands, where Norsemen ruled with ax and sword. A dying king, a shocking death-wish, his heirs divided with an oath of blood . . .

In this fast-paced new novel by the highly popular Susan Peek, the conflict unfolds between Magnus Erlendson, a heroic young prince aflame with the love of God, and his outlawed cousin Hakon, who blames Magnus for his banishment from their kingdom. What follows is a tale of betrayal and revenge, bravery and forgiveness, as Magnus seeks to restore his father’s vanquished kingdom to its rightful hands.

Entertaining and inspiring from start to finish, a must-read for all those who thrill to learn the life of a saint we never knew existed!

From the archives: 

Celebrating the 4th of July

Celebrating the 4th of July

by | Jul 5, 2016 | , | 0 Comments

.: 4th of July Handprint Flags :. I love art projects that double as keepsakes! This was such a fun and easy craft. I posted more here:4th of July Handprint Flags.: Star Spangled Berry Cake :. We celebrated with a simple BBQ at home. I made some salad,...

4th of July Handprint Flag

4th of July Handprint Flag

by | Jul 5, 2016 | , , | 2 Comments

This 4th of July Handprint Flag made such a fun and easy craft to celebrate Independence Day! I pulled out some red and blue tempera paint and white card stock, showed the little ones how to paint one hand with the paint, and then let the older girls take over helping...

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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