{this moment}

 

♥ Baking With My Babies ♥

Blueberry Math

The other morning I got up early to make a sheet of Baked Blueberry Pancakes for breakfast. I serve baked pancakes frequently and asked our four year old whether she wanted me to make chocolate chip, strawberry, raspberry or blueberry this time... and blueberry it was! After breakfast I bathed the babies and got started on some to-do's for work and our school day.  I asked one of my older girls to go bring in the mail that had been sitting the Suburban and we finally got around to opening a package from a sweet friend. She had sent me a beautiful hand painted ornament of St. Therese and a berry special surprise for my little girls: a copy of one of her books titled Blueberry Math! It was an instant hit and our little "Grace" has been "doing school" and working on her "Blueberry Math" every morning since. Thank you, Aleesa! 

  

Blueberry Math: Pre-K and K Book 

(or PDF version over at Etsy)

**The Felted Wool Blueberries don't come with the book.**

(A limited number are available here.) 

Updated to add a little gift for you too from Aleesa!

 20% OFF coupon code for Etsy: ROSES20

We are all working on finishing our school week strong so we can prepare for Thanksgiving over the weekend. We are also praying for mild weather (please no snow storms next Tuesday!) in Montana so that our college kids will be able to make the long drive home next week! 

How are your Thanksgiving plans going? 

On the Feast of Saint Gertrude

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen. 

- The Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great for the Souls in Purgatory 

I love seeing our children’s Holy Souls calendars around our home every November and reading through their lists of who they have been praying for each day. Some they remember, others they know from stories or the funeral holy cards we have kept over the years. ♥

Grandma and Grandpa Gordon always start off the month (we miss them so much) followed by Great Grandparents and the souls of other departed family & friends. 

Oliver Wallace (composer and conductor who contributed music to over 150 Disney Productions) and his daughter Mary Ritch (one of our neighbors in Oregon) are often included - the children remember the stories Mary would tell them when she’d stop to visit with them at the foot of our driveway while waking her dog each day. ♪

So many new names too... Including those of four of our older children’s childhood friends. 
Thirty days isn’t going to be nearly enough...  #praywithoutceasing

Requiem æternam dona ei, Domine; 

Et lux perpetua luceat ei.

Requiescat in pace. Amen.

(You can find our free printable November Calendar and Ora Pro Nobis Candy Boxes here.)

The Liturgical Year Calendar: Christmas Cycle

My absolute favorite new resource for incorporating the Liturgical Year in our home the past couple years has been the Liturgy of the Home Calendars! 

We’ve been using them since they first shared their printable black & white versions for Lent & Easter of 2020. I loved pulling out my watercolors to paint the Easter Calendar and I always love watching my children explore the symbolism and gorgeous Catholic art. 

Once they started offering them in color I would print and paste them together to create our posters. Thankfully we have a great printer and the posters turned out great, but it didn't compare to the beautiful printed posters that Sophia Institute Press is now publishing for Liturgy of the Home!  

I will be including the calendar in my annual Gift Guide & Giveaway this upcoming weekend but wanted to share a few pictures now as well as the coupon code (expiring tonight!) at the bottom of this post. 

The first set includes four posters for the Christmas Cycle. You can sign up for a subscription to receive four calendars every three months, or you can just order the Christmas Cycle to try it out! 

I'm not an affiliate or anything, I just really love these calendars and want to keep promoting them! (I was sent this sample set from the publisher, but would have purchased it anyway.) 

Sophia Institute Press currently has a 35% OFF coupon code (and free shipping on $25+) that will expire at midnight today (11/15/21). It doesn't work on the discounted subscription, but you could try out the Christmas Cycle for less than $20 if you order right now! 

Coupon code: BLACKFRIDAY2021

New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas {and a St. Nicholas Giveaway!}

"The giver of every good and perfect gift has called upon us to mimic God's giving, by grace, through faith, and this is not of ourselves." - St. Nicholas of Myra

The feast of St. Nicholas is coming up fast! On December 6th our children always wake up to find that the letters they wrote to the Holy Child and/or St. Nicholas have been taken and their (sometimes new/replaced) slippers have been filled with little treats, oranges, chocolate gold coins, candy canes, and often times a note from St. Nicholas.

Our children (and teens!) have also always received a new Christmas book as well, which has helped us build an amazing collection over the last 20+ years. It will be so great to pass each of their collections down to them when they eventually start families of their own. 

Note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Here is the list of books we picked out for our six children who will be home for the feast of St. Nicholas this year:

.: For Chiquita - Age 16 :.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

The complete and unabridged text enhanced with more than 70 illustrations by Robert Ingpen Includes an additional story by Charles Dickens, "A Christmas Tree" 

"The perfect gift for children and adults alike, Charles Dickens’ tale of self-discovery has become one of his most famous and best loved works. On Christmas Eve the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is haunted by the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley, who warns him that he will be visited by three spirits. During the night, the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come show Scrooge the scenes of his youth, the poverty-stricken Christmas currently being endured by his loyal clerk Bob Cratchitt and his crippled son Tiny Tim—and the lonely future that awaits him if he continues in his grasping ways. He awakes on Christmas morning chastened by his nocturnal experiences, and resolves to be a better man. This volume also includes Dickens’ short story, "A Christmas Tree," with its evocative description of the delights of the season. With stunning, atmospheric new illustrations that evoke Dickensian London at Christmas time, award-winning artist Robert Ingpen has worked his wonders on this timeless tale."

St. Nick might also bring her this special surprise that I received as a "free gift with purchase" one year and have been saving to give her at some point. 

 

.: For Scout - Age 14 :. 

Christmas Blossoms

"Zhang Jian is a master artist of interior glass painting. He celebrated Christmas as a child before the Communist Revolution overturned his simple and beautiful world. But he never forgot the sights, smells, good cheer, and happy anticipation of that joyous season.

Familiarity with the enchantments of Christmas is a rare thing in China. Throughout his life, quiet Jian draws on this private inspiration to craft especially lovely Christmas ornaments for girls and boys across two oceans, bringing financial success to the glassworks factory where he is employed.

After Midnight Mass, overcome with sacred emotion, old Jian designs and paints one last ornament with the intention of inspiring the men and women of his country to understand who they are in relation to the Christ Child. 

Christmas Blossoms is an impassioned and imaginative tale that explores the fascinating irony of our most cherished Christmas objects, both sacred and secular, produced by the artists and craftsmen of Communist China. In their imaginations, in the depth of their hearts, what do these artisans think of the mangers, the shepherds, Santa Claus, and Mother Mary? Of the star, the bells, the holly, and the Wise Men? Most significantly, what do they make of the Holy Child who exists at the heart of the West?

A story for young and old, parents and children alike, this beautifully illustrated novella captures how the Christmas spirit endures and stirs hearts despite the antagonistic forces of commercialism and oppression. And it will touch your heart as well. Prepare to be swept away as you witness the precious moment when Christmas returned to China."

.: For Rose - Age 11 :. 

The Night the Saints Saved Christmas

"What happens when Saint Nick awakes on Christmas Eve with a sore throat and itchy nose? Find out in a Christmas story families and little ones will treasure: The Night the Saints Saved Christmas.

With beautiful illustrations and a memorable rhyme, this children's book tells the story of a magical Christmas Eve when the saints unite to deliver the presents and concludes with a touching reminder about the true meaning of Christmas.

Children will enter more fully into the reason for the season and learn why we give gifts at Christmas, while growing deeper in their love and appreciation for the saints who watch over us and help us."

"The gifts are a symbol 

of God's glorious love - 

undeserved graces 

sent from above." 

.: For Bud - Age 9 :. 

Joseph's Donkey

"No gift is too small for Jesus when it is given with humility and love.
Joel is seven years old and is the son of the Kings' stableman. With his Dad, he is traveling with the Magi as they follow the star to Bethlehem, to meet the newborn King. All of them are bringing very special gifts, such as gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But Joel is the only one in the caravan who isn't carrying a gift for the new King. Since he knows how to whittle wood, Joel decides to carve a little camel for the baby. Soon he discovers that his humble gift is more special than all the others."




.: For Grace - Age 4 :. 

The Gifts of the Animals: A Christmas Tale

The gentle beasts of sky and earth
prepare their stable for Christ's birth.

With a beautiful narrative by author and poet Carole Gerber and stunning and intricate art by renowned Japanese artist Yumi Shimokawara comes one of the most anticipated Christmas gift books ever published. The Gift of the Animals shares the miraculous offerings the humble animals in the manger gave to the baby Jesus.

The birds on the roof of the lowly shed
prepare a pillow for His head,
with feathers pulled from downy breasts . . .
mice carry them to where He'll rest.

.: For Joy - Age 2 :. 

The Christmas Fox

"Come!" drummed a woodpecker one cold, wintry day. "A baby is coming. There's work to be done!"

One by one, from field and forest, the animals make their way to a barn. The cow has sweet-smelling hay to offer the baby. The bluebird has the gift of song. And a lamb has soft, cozy wool. But the shy little fox has nothing to offer . . . or so he thinks.  With its gentle text and warm, expressive illustrations, this irresistible take on the Nativity story invites even the youngest child to discover the truest gifts of the Christmas season: the ones that come from the heart.

I'm also anxiously awaiting the arrival of the charming new Christmas primer illustrated by John Folley. We really loved the companion book which was published last year! 

A Child's Christmas Counting Book

"Little ones love Christmas, and they love to count. These two pleasures come together in this delightfully illustrated new title from author/illustrator team Paul Thigpen and John Folley. 

In A Child’s Christmas Counting Book, the rollicking rhyme and alliteration of Thigpen’s charming verse about the birth of Jesus will entertain young ears, while Folley's magical illustrations, rooted deeply in traditional sacred art, will engage young and old alike. 

With this companion to A Child’s Christmas ABC Book, also by Thigpen and Folley, you and your child can recall together the Nativity story as you count from 1 to 10. From “1 little Boy” to “10 tuckered travelers” sleeping in the nearby inn, the masterful craftsmanship of this book’s words and images will make it, like its companion book, a Christmas family favorite for generations to come."

Aren't the illustrations just gorgeous!?!

.: Giveaway :. 

Once again this year I will be hosting FOUR Advent and Christmas themed giveaways! Here is the first giveaway in preparation for the feast of St. Nicholas:

Prize #1 - Set of Five Cookie Stamps with Recipe Booklet 

Includes: #001 - Santa Claus, #031- Noel Stocking, #317 - Old St Nick, #357 -Santa on the Rooftop, and #413 - St Nicholas

sponsored by Rycraft Cookie Stamps (combined value $64.95)

Congratulations Laura D! 

Prize #2 - St. Lucy Special Edition Box

Special Edition box for Christmas featuring St. Lucy. It has a gorgeous book on this popular saint, a beautiful statue and mug from "Little Drops of Water" and a chance to roll 100% beeswax candles! Only available this year as a giveaway prize! 

Use coupon code GIVEROSES2021 for a 7% DISCOUNT off

from all subscription boxes. Expires December 24, 2021.

sponsored by Saints Around the World (value $58.00)

Congratulations Janice L!

Prize #3 - Collection of Saints and Christmas Stories

Includes:
Saint Rudolph and the Reindeer
The Forgotten Christmas Saint: Saint Anastasia
Animals of God Volume 1
Saint Cloud of Gaul: The Prince Who Traded Kingdoms
sponsored by author Susan Peek (value $50.00)

Congratulations Anna G! 

Prize #4 - Two BRAND NEW books from Sophia Press: Joseph's Donkey and The Beggar and the Bluebird (value $33.90)

Congratulations Angie W!

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter box below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You are welcome to download my St. Nicholas labels over at Dropbox with either Black or Green text...

And here is the link to my original St. Nicholas Chocolate Coins and the updated version I created a couple years ago! 

(You can find another option, an adaptation this original idea of mine, over at St. Nicholas Center.

I also just made an updated printable for this year which I will try and share soon!)

For additional Christmas book suggestions you can find some of our lists in the archives: 

Saint Nicholas & the Nine Gold Coins {Beautiful book!}

A Child's Christmas ABC Book {Another Favorite!}

Christmas Mosaic: A Review & Featured Book List

35 Favorite Christmas Picture Books for Children

Feasts & Seasons :: Advent & Christmas Collection

Advent Book Basket and Printable Labels: 
2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020

{I'm planning to share our 2021 Basket and Labels soon!}

New Christmas Books for the Feast of St. Nicholas: 
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Stacks of Books on Christmas Morning or Epiphany: 
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

You can find the rest of our booklists here or scroll through all our past St. Nicholas Day Celebrations in the archives.

Even more St. Nicholas themed gifts can be found in these past posts filled with Christmas Gift Ideas & Stocking Stuffers from 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020!

The Advent Season in Our Catholic Home

One of my favorite pictures from the Feast of St. Nicholas 2020