Reese's Valentines {with free printable}

We were going to try and come up with a book theme like her other sibling's who choose The Hobbit, Chronicles of Narnia, and Ferdinand themed valentine cards this year, but we were out of time and had lots of leftover Reese's from a recent birthday so we made these instead to give out at our homeschool group exchange this afternoon. 

 

 

You are welcome to download our printable Reese's valentines if you'd like to use them too! 

Hobbit Hole Valentines :: An Unexpected Adventure

In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort...

 

While trying to come up with ideas for homemade valentines for our homeschool group's party tomorrow (it's early this year, since St. Valentine's day falls on Ash Wednesday) some of our children decided to focus on their favorite books.  For our ten year old, that would be The Hobbit. 

He especially loves reading his illustrated edition while curled up in his custom blanket from Sweet Sequels that he received for Christmas.

What kind of Adventure? How about a Lenten Adventure! 

We had a package of leftover Fudge Stripes from this year's Candlemas Cookies so I asked if he wanted to decorate Hobbit Hole Cookies! We modified our original cookie, using what we had on hand, and used some melted green candy to attach a green candy melt and yellow sprinkle to each cookie. We printed this image from Guemozart and attached them to each treat bag.  So easy! 

Next he needed to come up with a Valentine Mailbox. I told the kids they had to be creative with things we already have around the house, since it’s just too hard to get to the craft store. He is pretty excited with the Hobbit Hole Mailbox we made to match his Valentines using the Costco sized Quaker Oatmeal box, some felt, a wooden block, cotton ball, and rocks from our driveway! 💚

I'll be back soon with some more of our valentines for this year. In the meantime you can scroll through past Valentines in the archives. Some of my favorites are the Madonna and Child Valentines, Bible Candy Valentines, and Little Way Valentines. 

{this moment}

She is so loved ❤ Favorite Blankets from Lulujo and Sweet Sequels (these were Christmas gifts and a huge hit!)

Morning Prayer 

by St. Therese

O my God! I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of Its Merciful Love.

O my God! I ask of Thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all Eternity. Amen.

Escape the Dragon's Lair :: 16th Birthday

Yesterday we spent the day celebrating Ranger's 16th birthday! Other than booking an Escape Room for the birthday boy and some of his friends/family, I hadn't done much to prepare before hand, but it all came together and he had such a fun day. 

After breakfast, and while the cake was cooling, he and I headed to town. Our first stop was the DMV! Even though he hadn't started studying for the test we decided to give it a shot. The long wait was worth it (he studied the manual while waiting) and we left with his Learner's Permit. He's excited to finally start driving! After that we got him his birthday Freeze from Dutch Bros, picked up take-and-bake pizzas, and stopped at the store for party supplies and cake decorations. 

Next on the schedule was the Escape Room with his older brother, dad, two uncles and four friends! 

What are Escape Rooms? They are like real-life video games or mysteries where you and a group of friends are put inside a room with 1 hour to figure out how to get out by finding clues and solving puzzles. Requiring team work, cooperation, and intelligence, Escape Rooms are a challenging and exciting game unlike anything else you have ever played.

Last year they completed the DaVinci's Secret: Search for the Holy Grail for one of their friend's birthdays so we picked Escape the Dragon's Lair!

Can you survive and escape from one of the most fearsome creatures in existence?
For centuries there have been stories of dragons. All over the world, nearly every culture has myths and legends about these huge creatures.

While traveling you and a group of friends heard about another legend: The King’s Gold. The legend said that the gold could be found in the lair of a dragon. Reading through the legends, you are certain you have figured out where the gold is hidden. Is it really guarded by a dragon? If so, what chance do you have of ever getting the gold…or even escaping with your life?
Why just play a game when you can live it!

After making the rounds to pick up friends and drop them off at the Escape Room, I headed back home to quickly finish the cake and start cooking the pizzas.

The birthday boy requested a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake and I decided to turn it into a "Piñata Cake" filling it with his favorite candy, following the "Escape" theme!  The cake itself was just three 9" gluten-free chocolate layers filled with Reece's Pieces. I used the Peanut Butter Frosting and Chocolate Peanut Butter Glaze recipes from Smitten Kitchen and then decorated it with Reece's Pieces, Reece's Minis, and Reece's Miniatures.

The girls and I also made a Veggie Dragon... 

... a pile of gold (Nacho Cheese Popcorn)...

... and a couple Salted Caramel candy Keys. 

The little kids all had fun getting dressed up while they waited for all the boys (and Ranger's godparents) to show up for the rest of the party! 

The birthday boy's main gift was some money to put towards golf clubs for this upcoming season, but we did put together this little tower of treats for him too! He also received some gift cards from his friends, Sushi Go! - The Pick and Pass Card Game from his older brother (the teens had a blast playing it until after 11pm last night), and the LEGO Architecture Arc De Triomphe. 

Happy 16th Birthday! 

Sponsor Love :: Quarterly Update & Current Specials

It's time for another quarterly update on all my wonderful sponsors here at Shower of Roses. Please keep these businesses in mind when shopping for Lent, Easter, and any spring Sacraments you might have coming up!

Please welcome my new sponsors:


Rycraft Cookie Stamps
My favorite Rycraft product is the 2" HEIRLOOM COLLECTION Terra Cotta Cookie Stamp! They are available in eater square or round, are available in colorful glazes in over 400 designs, and come with FREE recipes! The Rycraft Cookie Stamps are not just for cookies. Browse their website for more additional ideas as well!

I have more pictures to share of the cookies we made in December (including an AIP version!) sometime soon.

Right now you can SAVE 15% OFF on ALL rycraft.com products with coupon code: save15 

(Valentine Sale prices end February 14, 2018)

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Catholic Schoolhouse
Bring unity to your homeschool by creating a Domestic Catholic Schoolhouse! To support you we have made the chapter art and science books available to you, as well as other resources as we are able. Catholic Schoolhouse goes beyond memory work–it is a comprehensive scope and sequence; a foundation to build a true one-room schoolhouse for your family.

Catholic Schoolhouse is flexible . . . classical . . . accessible . . .you can do it!

Learn more about Catholic Schoolhouse here. 

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Sacred Heart Books & Gifts
Lindy Meyer and her family purchased Sacred Heart Books & Gifts and it is remaining open!

"We've been working hard to rebuild the inventory and have the products you need available on our website. We recently added all curriculum books from Memoria Press as well as all of the Ignatius Press Critical Editions. We are currently working on the books lists from Memoria Press and Mother of Divine Grace. Always know that if you are looking for something that isn't listed you can always give us a call or email and we will be happy to order it for you. We'd love to hear from you about what products are most needed. Send us an email and let us know!" 

Read the rest of their current update, including gift ideas and this year's conference schedule!

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A special THANK YOU to all my continuing sponsors!



Prayer Pillowcases

... more than just a pretty place to lay your head! Prayer Pillowcases are a practical way to bring Catholic art and prayer into your home and inspire family and friends. Honor a special occasion or make any occasion special with the gift of a joyful, lasting (and personalizable) Prayer Pillowcase! 

We're always working on new designs and hope you'll visit us soon to see all the beautiful ways we can help your loved ones grow in prayer this Lent.

Is your Catholic group looking for a Spring fundraiser? One of our favorite things is helping Parishes, Catholic Schools, and youth groups (hey Little Flowers & Blue Knights Clubs!) raise funds using our faith-filled product. Give us a call!

Like them on Facebook then shop PrayerPillowcases.com with code: IHeartPP and Joseph will personalize your Prayer Pillowcase purchases FREE of charge during February!

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Catholic Child
"After 22 years of building a well trusted “go-to” on-line Catholic store, CatholicChild.com, Joseph and Leane have felt the call to focus on their beautiful prayer pillowcases. With their desire to keep Catholic Child as a family run Catholic business, we are truly blessed that they would entrust us with the opportunity to take the reins and continue the legacy..."  Read more about the MacKinnon Family and their vision for Catholic Child here. 

Visit often, We're Adding New Products Daily 

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American Life League's Culture of Life Studies Program (CLSP)
On February 20, the Culture of Life Studies Program will offer a free online pro-life workshop to help moms like you use stories to teach pro-life values to your children. Head on over to prolifepicturebooks.com and secure your spot!

Shower of Roses readers can always save 20% off their entire order using the code: ROSES20

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Gail's Designs

Gail's Designs has been creating unique, elegant jewelry and cherished rosaries since 2009. Gail has been an artist for most of her life and is grateful for her faith and being able to make elegant jewelry and cherished rosaries for people of the Catholic faith.

Right now you can get FREE SHIPPING on all order over $20 with coupon code WINTER18

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Behold Publications, LLC

"Behold Publications, LLC is more than just a publisher! Family owned and operated since its founding in 1999, we have developed great Catholic clubs like the Little Flowers Girls' Club and Blue Knights Catholic Boys' Clubs for Catholic girls and boys ages 5 and up."

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Peanut Butter & Grace
The mission of Peanut Butter & Grace is to help Catholic parents raise children who know and love Christ and his Church. We do this by providing digital and print resources that assist parents in forming their children in the faith within the daily life of their family. All of our products are made for Catholic parents—either to use themselves, or to hand to their kids.

Check out all the new titles available including: Stations of the Cross for Children, Mission Christian: February-March (Lent) and The Catholic Family Book of Prayers

Offering free shipping on orders of $10 or more,

a 45-day return policy, and secure payment via Amazon,

credit card, Paypal, or check.

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Kolbe Academy
All three of our high schoolers are currently enrolled with Kolbe Academy and working towards the Magna Cum Laude Diploma. In addition to all the benefits of enrolling, I really love the flexibility that Kolbe offers and that we can continue tailoring our curriculum to our family's preferences and our children's needs.

In addition to visiting Kolbe Academy's website, you can also follow them on Facebook or Twitter for updates and specials!

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Robin Nest Lane
Specializing in high quality veils and mantillas for ladies and girls. Robin is a Catholic mother of 15 ( 7 with Our Lord ) who spends her days serving, loving, praying, and sewing. Robin started making veils for her daughters and wanted to share with others. She truly loves creating veils to serve Our Lord!

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Lisieux Nail Polish
Lisieux Nail Polish is a young Catholic company with a passion for sacred scripture, church traditions and the New Evangelization. We love our Catholic faith and decided to bottle some of it up so women could always have a holy reminder with them and a new and fun way to share the Catholic faith with others. We chose nail polish because it is the only cosmetic you can enjoy without looking in a mirror. All of our nail polishes are named after Biblical events, saints or Catholic traditions. We also really enjoy celebrating the liturgical year and feast days so, in addition to our regularly stocked polishes, try to have special edition polishes around popular feast days.

Our polish is 5 Free, Vegan and Cruelty Free. In addition to the website, you can also follow Lisieux on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for updates!

Right now you can SAVE 10% with coupon code ROSES

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Sleightholm Folk Art
"Welcome to Sleightholm Folk Art, formerly known as Audrey Eclectic, a unique collection of American folk art created in the heart of the Oklahoma prairie. My inspiration comes from faith, folk lore, family and good books."

You can read more about Heather's work here.

In addition to the Etsy Shop you can also find Sleightholm Folk Art on Facebook and Instagram!

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Almond Rod Toys

Almond Rod Toys makes Saint Blocks that are just the right size for little hands and can be used for imaginative play, building, stacking or collecting. The front has a print of original watercolor artwork. The back has a quote or a prayer chosen to inspire little ones and the one that cleans up behind them. The saint's name, feast day and patronage are also listed; just enough to be a reminder and an inspiration for further learning.

Visit Almond Roy Toys at Etsy and follow the Facebook page!

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Shining Light Dolls
Saints are an amazing part of the Catholic faith; they show us what it means to live the life of Christ no matter who you are, what time in history it is, or where in the world you live. They are our role models!

Perfect for Easter Baskets! All Marian apparitions featured in our award winning board book now available! All TEN of the new dolls are now available on Amazon!

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Catholic Cuisine Aprons

All of our aprons are embroidered, not screen printed, giving them a rich, elegant, look! Our durable 100% cotton-twill aprons, with soil-release finish for added stain protection, provide ultimate full length cover and comfort.

Visit the Catholic Cuisine Apron page to order!

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Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all of my sponsors and visitors for your support! May God bless you all!