My Daybook :: On the Traditional Feast of St. Thérèse

*I started this Daybook post this morning and worked on it a few minutes here and there throughout the day.

Outside my window... it is a rainy day.  Perfect for curling up on the couches with blankets and books!

I am thinking... about baby names.  We really don't even have a list started for this little guy.  Of course we had a name picked out for a girl, but naming boys has always been so hard for us!

I am thankful... for the sweet woman that was standing next to me in the video section at the grocery store last night, as my husband and I were trying to choose a movie after our dinner date.  She totally made my day when she turned to me and said "You have the perfect pregnant tummy!"

From the kitchen... For breakfast this morning I got up extra early and made my Mom and Grandma's simple "crepe" recipe to serve, along with maple syrup and strawberry roses, for this traditional feast of St. Therese!  I was even able to get the first couple off the grill quick enough so that Hubby could have some before having to leave for work... They are one of his favorites!

Learning all the time... Only two more weeks and the four oldest will be finished with the first of six "units" for the year!   They have really been enjoying their study of the Early American Explorers, with the addition of the Kaya books for the girls.   Yesterday the girls made and served lunch, as their State-by-State Baking project (though it didn't include any actual baking this week) for New Jersey and Georgia and Snuggles LOVED his Little Saints Alphabet Fun!  I've been too busy posting about Little Flowers and Feast Days, but perhaps I will find the time to post a few pictures soon.

Living the Liturgical Year at Home... The past few days have been filled with celebrations!  St. Therese, the Holy Guardian Angels, and our Anniversary.  Tomorrow is the feast of St. Francis and then later this week we will celebrate the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.   I was asked to bring treats for after Mass next Sunday, so I am leaning towards the cupcake rosary.   We'll see.

I am creating... a list for tomorrow.  I have my monthly OB check-up in the afternoon, and plan to stay in town afterwards to run errands and maybe pick up some groceries.

I am (or rather have been) wearing... this long sleeve maternity t-shirt.  I originally just bought it in Evergreen, but when they went on sale for buy-one-get-one 50% off, I went back for the White and Ruby Red.   It is so comfortable!  I have a dress to return, so I may just exchange it for a couple more, maybe the Black and Eggplant (perfect for Advent!), or maybe this 3/4 sleeve shirt in Antique Mauve that I almost bought the last time I was at the mall.  I know I only have a few months left, but I'm bigger than ever all my old maternity clothes must have shrunk!

Speaking of maternity clothes, if any of you are looking for some comfy skirts, I have also been wearing this one and this brown one and love them!

I am reading... tons of emails, and all the lovely comments over at Catholic Cuisine.  If you haven't entered the giveaway for the gorgeous St. Therese Apron, click on over and leave a comment!

Pondering these words... from the 2nd reading at Mass yesterday:

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, 

with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding 

will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

Noticing that... I probably should book a hair cut appointment soon, since my gift certificate will expire in a couple months.   I am trying to decide what I would like to have done, and I am just not sure...

Towards personal care... The Babybelly Band seems to be helping, but I still haven't been sleeping much lately.  For some reason lying down has been the most painful, and I am not able to stay in bed for more than a 4-5 hours at night.  I am really hoping that my midwife has some great advice for me tomorrow!

I am listening... to my boys investigating and discussing "Biomes" as they work on their Zoology 1 Notebooking Journals.

Around the house... we have been spotting all sorts of wildlife.

Our kids went crazy last night when they saw this guy walking past our dining room sliding door.   I posted a picture on Facebook asking if anyone was missing a ram, and my sister Julianna had me cracking up with her comment:

"Hahaha this made my day. But how random....or should I say ramdom :P"

And here is a picture of this morning's excitement.  The kids were still all reading on the couch, when these two bucks started fighting right outside the window!  

This picture is a little blurry, since I was on the other side of the glass when I snapped it...

Next we had this little one, outside the window as well.   Twinkle Toes said,"Wow!  All the animals are coming out with this Water Weather!"  lol!

I am hoping... that I never again find a baby lizard in my bedroom!   Actually the kids spotted him first, and with that discovery, I have officially had enough "excitement" for today!

I am praying... for a safe, natural, delivery and healthy baby.

One of my favorite things...  Don't you just love this PlanToys Plan Preschool Alphabet A-Z?!? Snuggles has been having so much fun with it!  I think I might have to save and get him the Number Set as well. Maybe for when we get to "Number Fun" with Little Saints!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

• Monthly check-up with my Midwife
• Tutor for 4 hours on Wednesday
• First Friday Mass
• Bring treats to Mass next Sunday

A Picture thought I am sharing:

Taken yesterday, on our 12th Anniversary ~ October 2, 2011

Celebrating the Feast of St. Therese

"My mission-to make God loved-will begin after my death.

I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.

I will send a shower of roses."

Saturday afternoon, in honor of St. Therese, we had a "Shower of Roses" Tea Party.  It was just the children and I, since my husband was working on a fire engine for the day, and I actually nearly skipped doing anything special (other than letting the kids work on some of the printables I had created) since I had a low grade fever on Friday and still wasn't feeling completely back to normal - thinking we would just wait until today, her traditional feast to celebrate.

However, dear St. Therese must have come to my rescue once again... I started feeling a little better that afternoon, and decided to try and pull together a simple little tea party.  After a quick trip to our local market (to try and find some eclairs, ingredients to make our own eclairs, or maybe some cream puffs) everything just fell into place, and our "Shower of Roses" Tea Party turned out much lovelier than I had imagined!

~ On the Menu ~

St. Therese of Lisieux Tea

Red Rose Naturally Decaffeinated Tea

Cream and Sugar Cubes

Heavenly Rose Garden Tea Sandwiches

Fruit and Veggie Platter

"The Story of a Soul" Cookies

Saintly Symbols Cupcakes :: St. Therese of Lisieux

Rose Petal Scones

French Vanilla Rolled Wafers

Éclairs

St. Therese of Lisieux Tea

 I pulled out my St. Therese Tea from Sancti-Teas, a couple precious statues, and my rose tea pots to get started!  I purchased the tea awhile back, and use it for special occasions only, so I still have plenty.  I also made a decaffeinated Red Rose tea that my children like as well. 

Heavenly Rose Garden Tea Sandwiches

I then started working on some Tea Sandwiches.   I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to make, but wanted to try to come up with a Rose themed sandwich and ended up with these "Heavenly Rose Garden Tea Sandwiches!"  They turned out so pretty and were not only delicious, but healthy as well!   The perfect alternative to all the sweets, especially for this pregnant momma who has been gaining weight a little quicker than I would like! 

I then went on to make some more Rose Tea Sandwiches, using Turkey Roses and Snap Pea Leaves - some with the Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese that I had used for the first tea sandwiches, and some with plain cream cheese for my younger children. 

"The Story of a Soul" Cookies

These "Story of a Soul" cookies were a last minute addition, when I happened to see a package of Rose Colored (Strawberry) Bar Cookies on an end cap at the market.   I put a little icing on the top of each (left over from my Little Flowers Meeting) in addition to a small mini candy rose, after deciding that it would take forever to write on them all with my Easy Writer Food Decorators.   

Saintly Symbol Cupcakes :: St. Therese, the Little Flower

I haven't posted about them all yet, but this is another one of the "Saintly Symbol Cupcakes" that I came up with for Wreath IV of Little Flowers, in honor of St. Therese, decorating the cupcakes with gold sprinkles, mini candy roses, and a chocolate cross.

Rose Petal Scones

I had recently run across this recipe for Rose Petal Drop Scones and considered making them, but honestly didn't feel up to baking, nor was I able to find Rose Water, or edible Roses for that matter.  Instead I purchased a little package of freshly baked Orange Cranberry Scones (the cranberry's at least look somewhat like Rose Petals!) from the bakery, and placed them on one of my daughters Rose Tea Platters.

French Vanilla Rolled Wafers

Since St. Therese was French, these French Vanilla Rolled Wafers from the cupboard were a great addition to our tea. 

Éclairs

Of course, our tea had to include Éclairs, St. Therese's favorite treat, and I was happy to find four at the bakery.  (In the past we have made our own, but our local market doesn't carry the ladyfingers.)  We already had plenty of treats to choose from, so each of my children split them, just one half each, which was plenty. 

While I prepared the tea, the children rounded up some of our books about St. Therese, in addition to a few of our St. Therese dolls to display on the hutch.   Afterwards they each choose a book to read during quite time and throughout the coming week.

I scattered rose shaped and pink tea lights over the table, which was covered with a light pink tablecloth and then our Angels and Roses lace tablecloth, while the boys set out our China and tea spoons.  

Then it was finally time to say another little prayer to St. Therese and enjoy our tea!  

Oh!  I took a picture of my little Teapot Tea Infuser to share with you all!  I purchased this awhile back at a little local tea shop, and rarely use it, since most of the time I opt for tea that comes in tea bags, but isn't it so cute?!?  

Rose absolutely loved that we let her have a china cup for the tea party... 

... and it was so cute watching her pretend to give her doll tea from her spoon. 

Everyone had such a great time, especially our little one, who just couldn't stay awake for the whole party! 

St. Therese, the little flower,
please pick me a rose from the heavenly garden
and send it to me with a message of love; 
ask God to grant me the favor I thee implore 
and tell Him I will love Him each day more and more.

St. Therese, the Little Flower, 

Pray for us!

Wedding Memories on our 12th Anniversary!

*I am reposting this from 2008, with a few updates.   This was such a fun Meme!  

Awhile back I saw this Marriage Meme on someone's blog and I thought it would be fun to do for our Anniversary this year. Here are my answers:

1. Where/How did you meet? We first met at a youth group meeting I attended while home for Christmas break from Christendom College. He was there helping out that night. We were reintroduced by my parents the following summer.

2. How long have you known each other? almost 14 years

3. How long after you met did you start dating? We went on our first (official) date one year later, on January 31st, Super Bowl Sunday. My parents did invite him out with us, a couple weeks prior, for my 21st birthday.

4. How long did you date before you were engaged? Not long, it was only three months! :) After we had been dating 2 months, I prayed a novena to St. Therese to send me a rose if he was the man I was suppose to marry, since I had a feeling he was. On March 17th, the last day of my nine day novena, I opened my apartment door to find a single red rose sitting on my doorstep from hubby. It was the very first time he had given me flowers and he had no idea about my novena!

5. How long was your engagement? Not quite six months.  We were engaged on April 24th and married on October 2nd.

6. Did you have a bridal shower? My friend Trina drove 11 hours to give me a wonderful bridal shower!

7. What was your favorite Bridal Shower gift? This is an easy one!! My Aunt Bridget gave me Our Wedding Anniversary Memory Book, which we pull out every year and just LOVE! I love it so much that a few years back I bought a Christmas Memories Book as well. Thank you again Auntie B!

8. How long have you been married? It has been 12 years today! Happy Anniversary my love!

9. How old were you when you got married? I was 21 and hubby was 26.

10. What is your anniversary? We had hoped to marry on either October 1st or October 3rd (the new or traditional feast of St. Therese) but our parish only allowed weddings on Saturdays at the time, so we were married right in between on October 2nd, the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels.

11. Where was your wedding? Inside a beautiful Roman Catholic Church.

12. Did your spouse cry during the ceremony? I think he teared up. ; )

13. How many people came to your wedding? Approx 350

14. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding?

The flowers were a gift from a friend of mine. I wasn't picky at all, except when it came to my bouquet. I had seen a picture in a Martha Stewart magazine and asked the florist to recreate it... It was perfect!

15. Describe your wedding dress. I am going to skip this one, since I think I have posted enough pictures for you to see it... It did have a nice long train which you can't see in the pictures, and I loved all the bead work on the front. For some reason it doesn't look as pretty in the photos.

16. How many people were in your wedding party? Best man, maid of honor, five bridesmaids, five groomsmen, ring bearer and three flower girls. (I also had two more of my brothers serve the Mass, and Hubby's oldest brother did the readings -- he was in the seminary at the time and could not be a groomsman-- we did our best to have all (15) of our siblings in the wedding. My two youngest brothers were the only ones not in the wedding party... They were in the picture though!) I could have kept going too... I had a few friends that I really wish I could have had as bridesmaids as well.

Three of my little sisters were the most adorable flowers girls!

17. Are you still friends with them all? Yes, although we have not stayed in touch (other than Christmas Cards) with 2 of the groomsman, and one of my bridesmaids -- we did attend her wedding last October though! In fact, one of the groomsman ended up marring my younger sister/maid of honor. The photographer even ended up positioning them next to each other for pictures! (They are just to the right of me in the above picture.)

*Since I first wrote that in 2008, we have started seeing one of those 2 groomsman a little more often, and he and his sweet wife are our little Rose's Godparents!  

18. Are your wedding bands engraved? No, but they were blessed again this past summer by our best man, who is now a priest!

*I now have a gorgeous updated wedding set that was a gift from my husband on our 10th Anniversary. 

19. What did you dance your first dance to? I could Not Ask For More by Edwin McCain.

We came straight from the church -- after photos -- to find a maze of people blowing bubbles--the DJ's idea, and a surprise to us!-- leading to the dance floor for our first dance! We thought, with so many guests if we got the dancing started, it would give everyone something to do as they all waited to eat! It was perfect!

20. What kind of cake did you serve? Each tier was a different kind: Chocolate, Marble, White with Strawberry filling, White with Chocolate filling. We went with a simple design and extra sheet cakes to help keep it affordable, but it was SOOO YUMMY!

21. What did you serve for your meal? The Catholic Daughters catered, and I really can't remember exactly what was served... Isn't that awful!

22. Most special moment of your wedding day? The moment when the priest said "I now pronounce you Man and Wife."

23. Any funny moments? I loved seeing my father-in-law, brother-in-law, and grandfather doing the hokey pokey.

 Awww!   I sure miss my Grandpa!  :'(

Everyone also laughed at this same bil's toast... It was a quote from a movie my hubby and his brothers love. It went something like "Marriage. This responsibility is like a big rock that weighs a ton!! It bends them, and it twists them until finally it buries them under the ground. And there's nobody says they have to do this. They do it because they love, and because they want to. I have never had this kind of courage." Or something like that... You had to be there, it was pretty funny!


24. Any big disasters? Well... About a month before the wedding, my soon-to-be hubby was sent on a 21 day fire assignment. Right before he left he asked me to take the Marriage license to the priest. Well, what I needed to do was take it to the courthouse and have it validated and then take it to the priest... I didn't realize that, and no one caught the mistake. When we arrived home from our honeymoon we had a message from Father asking us to call him. He said that we were validly married in the church and the eyes of God, but that the state wouldn't recognize the marriage. We headed down to the courthouse and sure enough, they would not recognize our wedding ceremony as legally binding. I couldn't believe it. We then had to validate a new marriage license and then "wait 3 days" in which time hubby had been dispatched on another 21 day assignment to another fire. During that time I visited him on the fire and since it was close to Reno, we joked about heading there to "get married"... After the assignment was over we renewed our vows with a couple witnesses once again. So, although today is the anniversary of our marriage, our legal anniversary is not until sometime in November. I bet that will be confusing to some descendant of ours trying to peace together their family tree many years from now!

25. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change? It was perfect, but there are two things I would change... Although I loved my dress, I wish that I would have chosen one with sleeves.  I also wish I would have asked my favorite auntie to be a bridesmaid.  An official marriage license would have been nice too! ;)

*I also wish we would have purchased more of the pictures... I contacted our photographer this past year to ask about purchasing more, or buying the negatives, and he no longer has them.  They had said they would contact us before getting rid of them, but they never did... 

26. Do you have a favorite wedding gift? Yes, lots of favorites, actually! One that stands out particularly in my mind is the beautiful Pieta statue carved by Santini that was a gift from one of our groomsmen... (The groomsman that, shortly after the wedding, started dating and then married my sis!) It is absolutely beautiful.

*You can see a picture of it at the bottom of this post.  

27. Where did you go on your honeymoon? We went on a cruise to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

28. How long were you gone? Just over a week.

29. Greatest challenge as a couple? Finding time to talk to each other, just the two of us... (As well as finding babysitters!)

30. Greatest strength as a couple? Our Catholic Faith.

I so enjoyed being reminded of all these wonderful memories through doing this meme! Have a great day, I will see you all sometime tomorrow.

Happy Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels!

Happy Nameday...

... to our little "Rose!"

We celebrated with a lovely "Shower of Roses" tea party this afternoon, and will continue our celebration on Monday (the traditional feast of St. Therese) with a special breakfast and dinner. 

I will be back later with some pictures, but in the meantime you can click over to Catholic Cuisine to see the "Heavenly Rose Garden Tea Sandwiches" we enjoyed today!

Printable Activity Sheets in honor of St. Thérèse

Since the printable activities for St. Thérèse that I had linked to in the past are no longer available, I spent a little time last night creating some of our own.  I uploaded them to share, if any of you are looking for any additional activities to celebrate this dear saint's feast day(s) with your children!

• St. Thérèse of Lisieux Word Search
• A St. Thérèse Crossword
• The Story of St. Thérèse (Fill in the Blanks)
• Quote from St. Thérèse on her deathbed (Pick the correct letter)

You can find all sorts of other ideas for celebrating this feast in the archives! 

Happy Feast of St. Thérèse! 

Links for October :: Month Dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary

October 1st (New) and 3rd (Trad) ~ St. Thérèse of Lisieux:

• A Novena to St. Thérèse beginning on her Feast Day
• Nine Day Novena in honor of St. Therese
• Novena to St. Therese
• A Morning Prayer Written by Saint Therese (2015)

Compilation posts of Ideas for celebrating this beautiful feast:

• Plans for the Feast of St. Thérèse (2008)
• Ideas for Celebrating the Feast of St. Thérèse (2010) 

Past Celebrations in honor of St. Therese:

• Little Flowers for St. Thérèse (2007)
• A Shower of Roses (2008)
• Roses for St. Thérèse (2008 - Summer with the Saints)
• Celebrating the Feast of St. Thérèse ~ 2009
• Highlights from "T" Week (2010 - Alphabet Path)
• Celebrating the Saints on First Fridays (Feast of St. Thérèse 2010) 
• A few more pictures from the Feast of St. Thérèse (2010) 
• Celebrating the Feast of St. Therese (2011 - Tea Party)
• My Daybook :: On the Traditional Feast of St. Therese (2011)
• B is for Buttercream :: Happy Feast of St. Therese (2012 - Buttercream Rose Cupcakes)
• My Daybook :: On the Traditional Feast of St. Therese (2012)
• In Honor of the Feast of St. Therese :: Apple Roses, A Novena & Another Giveaway! (2013)
• On the Traditional Feast of the Little Flower (2013)
• The Catholic Child and the Saints :: The Little Flower (2014)
• Rose Cupcakes for St. Therese (2014)

Specific crafts/projects in honor of  St. Therese:

• Chocolate Roses for St. Thérèse
• Getting Ready... (Rose Cupcakes)
• St. Thérèse Lap Books:  Twinkle Toes and Chiquita
• St. Thérèse and Her Family Paper Dolls
• St. Thérèse Sacrifice Beads
• Printable Activity Sheets in Honor of St. Therese and Updated Post
• Little Flowers Bingo: Flowers and Gems

Pinterest Board:  St. Therese of Lisieux

October 2nd ~ Holy Guardian Angels (New, Trad.):

• A Special Day.. for more than one reason! (2007)
• Plans for the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels (2008)
• Little Saints Pre-School :: Colors/Guardian Angels (2011)
• Angel of God, My Guardian Dear (2013)
• 15 Years Ago on the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels (2014)

October 4th ~ St. Francis of Assisi (New, Trad.):

• Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
• Wolf Paw Cookies
• In Honor of St. Francis of Assisi (Summer with the Saints 2009)
• Highlights from "F" Week (Alphabet Path - 2009)
• On the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (2010) 
• Francis Woke Up Early... (2011)
• Celebrating the Saints :: St. Francis of Assisi (2013)

Scroll through all posts for St. Francis of Assisi. 

October 5th ~ St. Faustina (New):

• Jesus, I Trust in You!

October 7th ~ Our Lady of the Rosary (New, Trad.):

• In Honor of the Most Holy Rosary (2008 - Coloring Pages, Craft and Snack)
• On the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (2009 - Snacks and Coloring Pages)
• On the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary (2010 - White & Blue Candy Flowers) 

Scroll through all posts for Our Lady of the Rosary.

October 12th ~ Columbus Day:

• Happy Columbus Day!
• Columbus Day 2008
• Columbus Day (2008 - List of plans and suggestions)
• My Daybook: October 19, 2009  (2009 - Baked Potato Boats)
• Fall Baking :: Pumpkin Thumbprint Cookies
• Stargazing and Spanish Cocoa on Columbus Day... (2010)
• Chocolate Caliente on Columbus Day (2011)

Scroll through all posts for Columbus Day.

October 15th ~ St. Teresa of Avila (New, Trad.):

• Plans for the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila
• "Wisdom of the Saints" Journal
• St. Teresa of Avila Little Flowers Meeting

October 18th ~ St. Luke (New, Trad.):

• Our Lady of Czestochowa by St. Luke (2015)

October 25 ~ St. Crispin:

• "Upon St. Crispin's Day" (2010)

October 27th ~ St. Telka

• A Saint and his Lion

October 31st ~ All Hallows' Eve

Our Annual Saint-O-Lanterns:

• Reminiscing (pictures from 2006)
• Saint-O-Lanterns (2007)
• We have a winner, or THREE! (2007)
• Another Saint-O-Lantern (2008)
• Ascension-O-Lantern
• Carving our Saint-O-Lanterns ~ 2009 Edition
• Carving our Saint-O-Lanterns (2010)
• Happy All Hallows' Eve!  (2010 - Saint-O-Lanterns) 
• Carving our Saint-O-Lanterns (2011 - Patron Saint Symbols)
• Happy All Hallows' Eve (2011 - Saint-O-Lanterns at night)
• Carving our Saint-O-Lanterns (2012) 
• Happy All Hallows' Eve (2012 - Saint-O-Lanterns at night)
• Carving our 2014 Saint-O-Lanters (2014)
• Happy All Hallows' Eve (2014 - Saint-O-Lanters at night)

Saintly Costumes:

• Saintly Costumes  (lots of ideas and suggestions!)
• Reminiscing (pictures from 2006)
• Our Cast of Saints (2007)
• Our Cast of Saints ~ 2008
• A Costume for St. Maximilian Kolbe (2009)
• Our Cast of Saints (2009)
• Getting Ready to Celebrate the Feast of All Saints (2010 - includes costumes from older years)
• Almost) Wordless Wednesday (2010 - Our Lady of Guadalupe)
• Our Cast of Saints (2010) 
• A Costume for St. Catherine of Alexandria (2011)
• Our Cast of Saints (2011)
• Oktoberfest/Costume Party (2012 - not a saint theme)  
• {this moment} (2012) 
• Our Parish All Saints' Party and Costume Contest (2012)
• Our Cast of Saints (2012)
• St. Michael the Archangel (2012)
• St. Joan of Arc, Maid of Lorraine :: All Saints' Day Costume (2012)
• Celebrating the Saints: Our 2013 Costumes 
• Celebrating the Saints: Our 2014 Costumes

Saintly Games:

• Saintly Games
• Getting Ready to Celebrate the Feast of All Saints (2010)
• St. Martha's Cake Walk (2010)
• All Saints Bingo :: A 30 Card Printable Bingo Set (2011)
• All Saints' Day Party Games :: A Saintly Jigsaw Puzzle Race (2012)
• All Saints Scavenger Hunt {A Printable Party Game} (2012)
• All Saints' Day Party Games :: Saint Themed Guessing Jars (2013)
• 12 More Saint Themed Guessing Jars (2014)
• All Saints Scavenger Hunt {Another Printable Party Game Featuring 16 Additional Saints & New Clues!} (2014) 

Decorations: 

• All Saints' Day Banner Tutorial {including Printable!} (2012)
• An Alphabet of Saints :: B is for Blocks (2012)
• An Alphabet of Saints :: Painted Wooden Peg Dolls

Fasting and Feasting:

• Fasting and Feasting for All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Day and All Souls Day
• Making Cookies (2008) and Holy Ghost Cookies (2009)
• Candy Math (2009)

Past All Hallows' Eve and All Saints' Parties:

• All Saints' Party (2008)
• All Hallows' Eve (2009)
• A Few More Pictures... (from our 2010 All Saints Party)
• Sanctifying Halloween :: Celebrating the Saints (2011 Party - Hosted at Home!)
• {pretty, happy, funny, real} (2012)
• Celebrating the Saints :: Our Annual All Hallows' Eve Party (2012)
• Celebrating the Saints :: Our Annual All Hallows' Eve Party (2013)

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Catholic Cuisine : Recipes for October ~ Month of the Holy Rosary
• Feasts & Seasons :: Our October Book Basket

Little Flowers Girls' Club ~ The Gift of Wisdom

I can't believe that we are already beginning the 4th, and final, YEAR of the Little Flowers Girls' Club!  It seems like just yesterday that my girls were just 3 and 5, and I was preparing for our very first meeting...   As always, they were very excited!

Thankfully, this year, I had a chance to prepare over the summer.   Since Wreath IV was created with older Little Flowers in mind, I had quite a bit of modifying that needed to be done for the younger girls in my group - mainly when it came to them being able to complete the monthly assignments to earn their patches.   This resulted in the creation of a Wreath IV Lap Book - allowing them to simply (or with lots of detail, depending on their age and ability) fulfill some of the assignments from the Member's Guides.

Like I have done in the past, our meetings this year will consist of Prayer, Coloring Pages, a Lesson on the virtue (or rather Gift of the Holy Spirit, since Wreath IV is all about the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit), Notebook Pages, the new addition of the Lap Book Mini Books, Snacks, and sometimes Games (when time allows).   It is going to be another great year!

The meeting just flew by, with all the fun plans I had made that kept us pretty busy, that I kept forgetting to take pictures.   Thankfully I did take a some before the meeting started, and a couple during, so I do have a few to share with you all today!

~ Coloring Pages ~

St. Teresa of Avila from Waltzing Matilda (used for our craft!)

St. Teresa of Avila from Catholic Artworks Faith Keepers CD

St. Teresa of Avila Coloring Book

~ Lesson on the Gift of Wisdom ~

Wisdom: The Pearl of Great Price

I had asked this wonderful priest to come and give a talk to the girls on Wisdom, but unfortunately he was transfered, after just two months of being in our area, before we were able to have our first meeting, so I had my girls watch this homily in preparation for the meeting.  During our meeting,while going over the mini books, we talked about the gift of Wisdom and St. Teresa of Avila.

Wisdom is similar to knowledge and comprehension yet is it different. Wisdom offers us guidance and understanding of the really important things in life. Wisdom helps us to make good choices. It is like a compass within us. Conscience is a part of wisdom. We are born with wisdom but we learn how to listen and use it better as we grow and age. Sometimes we gain a deeper appreciation of wisdom and use it better as a result of making mistakes and learning from them.

Additional Resources:

Teresa of Avila: Joyful in the Lord

The Young People's Book of Saints

A Holy Card Prayer Book -Volume I and II: A Compilation of Saints and Holy People

~ Wreath IV Lap Book Mini Books~

I started by introducing the girls to the concept of Lap Booking, this will be the first Lap Book for most of them, and showed them the sample Lap Book I created over the summer.    I loved how excited they were to see the project!

Prior to the meeting I printed out all the supplies we would need for the whole year.  I also thought that I would pre-make the actual Lap Book, but decided to have the girls do this during the meeting, so that they could see how it is done.    I asked each of the girls to share something from the "My Catholic Faith" mini-books (which I had emailed to the moms for the girls to complete before the first meeting).

It was fun to see all the variety, stickers, artwork, and pictures that the girls included as they completed the pages for their Birth, Baptism, 1st Holy Communion, Patron Saints, etc.

We then went on to get started with assembling the Lap Books and adding the mini-books for this meeting:

• Color the Cover and add to Lap Book
• Add Definition and Motto for the Gift of Wisdom
• Complete the Saint Profile
• Complete the Convert Profile
• Add the correct Jewel to the Treasure Box
• Choose and write down your favorite "Quote from the Book of Wisdom" to share at the next meeting

We didn't have nearly enough time to finish everything, but with all the extras necessary to get started, I figured we would run out of time.   The girls went home with some unfinished mini-books to continue working on at home between now and our next meeting in a couple weeks.

~ Notebook Pages ~

For the notebook pages, I used the motto for Wisdom, A Love Song by St. Teresa of Avila, an image of St. Teresa of Avila, a definition on the gift of Wisdom from the wonderful book My Catholic Faith, a prayer to St. Teresa of Avila, and acrylic gemstones. You can download my document here.

Here is a picture of the sample page I created:

Here are the girls completed notebook pages:

~ Craft ~

Since one of the symbols for St. Teresa of Avila is a "Book," I came up with a "Wisdom of the Saints" Journal for the girls to make as our craft, in which they can record their favorite quotes from the saints! 

Directions can be found here:  "Wisdom of the Saints" Journal

~ Snack Time ~

Saintly Symbols Cupcakes :: St. Teresa of Avila

White Cupcakes baked in Jasper Colored Cupcake Holders, topped with Buttercream Frosting and a chocolate Book (a symbol of St. Teresa of Avila) and a white candy Dove (for the St. Teresa of Avila quote below). 

Served with Apple Juice  - our meeting was on Michaelmas after all! 

"Then I saw over my head a dove, very different from those we usually see, for it had not the same plumage, but wings formed of small shells shining brightly. It was larger than an ordinary dove; I thought I heard the rustling of its wings. It hovered above me during the space of an Ave Maria. But such was the state of my soul, that in losing itself it lost also the sight of the dove. My spirit grew calm with such a guest; and yet, as I think, a grace so wonderful might have disturbed and frightened it; and as it began to rejoice in the vision, it was delivered from all fear, and with the joy came peace, my soul continuing entranced. The joy of this rapture was exceedingly great; and for the rest of that festal time I was so amazed and bewildered that I did not know what I was doing, nor how I could have received so great a grace. I neither heard nor saw anything, so to speak, because of my great inward joy. From that day forth I perceived in myself a very great progress in the highest love of God, together with a great increase in the strength of my virtues. May He be blessed and praised for ever! Amen.

On another occasion I saw that very dove above the head of one of the Dominican fathers; but it seemed to me that the rays and brightness of the wings were far greater. I understood by this that he was to draw souls unto God."  - The Life, Chapter XX.

~ Group Photo ~ 

Be sure to check the Shower of Roses Little Flowers Girls' Club link-up during the next few weeks, as all of the girls that are "joining" our group online/at home share pictures from their first meetings for this year!  

Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal. 

St. Teresa of Avila, 
pray for us!