I'm just curious...

... if any of you can guess the inspiration for Rose's birthday cake?  

I thought it turned out cute, but I pretty much had to explain it to everyone that came to her birthday party!  :) 

I'll be back with more pictures soon... We had so much fun!  

The Birthday Girl

One of my "Favorite Things" has been galloping around the house all morning on her brand new "Cream Colored Pony!"

Our company left early this morning, it just started snowing like crazy, the boys are headed to their Lego Robotics competition, and I have a cake to decorate before tonight's party...  

Happy 3rd Birthday Rose! 

Santa Lucia Day in the Morning {Our 2012 Celebration}

Night walks with a heavy step

Round yard and hearth,

As the sun departs from earth,

Shadows are brooding.

  

 

There in our dark house,

Walking with lit candles,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

 

Night walks grand, yet silent,

Now hear its gentle wings,

In every room so hushed,

Whispering like wings.

Look, at our threshold stands,

White-clad with light in her hair,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Darkness shall take flight soon,

From earth's valleys.

So she speaks 

Wonderful words to us:

A new day will rise again

From the rosy sky…

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Our little Chiquita had a lovely name-day celebration this year and just loved her pretty new statue!  We are also very blessed to have dear friends visiting from from the midwest.   It was a lovely morning in honor of this beautiful saint of light!

Visit the 2012 Santa Lucia Day Link-up at Catholic Cuisine 

to see more Santa Luica Day Celebrations!

Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe!  

We have dear friends visiting from out of state for the rest of the week, but I wanted to hop online and share a few pictures from this year's celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe!   In addition to reading the two books pictured above, we enjoyed another Tea in Honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  The kids helped set up everything while we anxiously awaited their arrival this afternoon!

Our Lady of Guadalupe by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
Our Lady of Guadalupe Pop-up by Francis Serrano

All ready and waiting for our guests to arrive! 

.: Aztec Chocolate :.

(not quite) Mexican Hot Cocoa (but it is organic!) ;)
Remembering the many innocent lives that were sacrificed by the Aztecs

.: St. Juan Diego :.

Gingerbread Marshmallows for our Mexican Hot Cocoa

.: St. Juan Diego's Sombrero :.

 Pringles with a little round of string cheese

.: Tepayac Hill :.

This year I decided to skip the food for this item and create "Tepayac Hill" with an upside down bowl, some Our Lady of Guadalupe Fabric, and a statue of Our Lady as a centerpiece for the table.

.: A Woman Clothed with the Sun :.

Sun Taco Dip

2 cans refried beans, topped with 1 package cream cheese mixed with 1 cup of sour cream and 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning, and then topped with cheddar cheese.  Surround with chips to create the sun's rays.   (Before serving, I did pop it in the oven to melt the cheese.)

.: A Crown of 12 Stars :.

Peppermint Dipped Pretzel Snowflakes Stars

.: Crescent Moons :.

Crescent rolls

.: Supporting Angels :.

Chocolate Lindt Angels 

.: Praying Hands :.

Praying Hand shaped tea sandwiches

.: The Tilma of Roses :.

Tortilla and Cream Cheese with Tomato and Turkey Roses

.: Bishop Zumarraga :.

... leftover from St. Nicholas Day! 

.: Crushed Serpents :.

Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe, mystical rose, intercede for the Church, protect the Holy Father, help all who invoke you in their necessities. Since you are the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from your most holy Son the Grace of a firm faith and sure hope amid the bitterness of life, as well as an ardent love and the precious gift of final perseverance. Amen.

Hold the Bridge!

As I was pulling up our driveway, after dropping the boys off at their Lego Robotics class this afternoon, I noticed something just off to the side.   After parking the van I grabbed my camera and walked back down for a closer look...  I took a few pictures to share with you all!