Saint Joseph's Altar

Our 2022 St Joseph's Altar - simple

 As I write this, we are entering the 4th week of Lent and this week includes the feasts of Saint Patrick (3/17) and Saint Joseph (3/19). Holy week is really only days away and approaching too quickly. I haven't done as much as in years past, but there are those family favorites that I pull out every Lent. When it comes to baking, that will be the Saint Joseph's Bread and Holy Thursday's Unleavened Bread recipes. (printable below) Just the mention of it brings the memory to my lips.

The Italians' tradition for St Joseph is to create a 3 level altar, which has a statue or portrait of St Joseph on top, with candles and flowers - especially lilies. Then the next level has many shaped breads and decorative treats. That might be Sfinge di San Giuseppe (Cream Puffs of St. Joseph), breads shaped into symbols, roll wrapped Dyed Eggs called Pupa Cu L'ova to remember Easter is near, and fig pastries that represent the fig orchards of Sicily.  The lower level has food for meals, divided up for families to eat and/or donate, which typically includes 12 fish to represent the Apostles. There is a lot of examples and details of meaning to be found online, so I'll leave that info to the pros.

Our First (makeshift) St Joseph's Altar in 2020 - working with what I had.

There is a lot of planning and baking that goes into this for the Italians that really get into it. However, for our family it looks much simpler. We will have our St Joseph statue in a prominent place. We will celebrate with a hearty soup, with St Joseph's Sawdust Bread and a rich butter spread. The adults can have wine, and sparkling cider for the children. We'll pray a >Prayer to St Joseph that we will color< earlier in the day. For dessert we might have cream puffs with chocolate drizzle while we watch another episode of The Chosen series. It is also a day we intend to make a donation to the food shelf.

Certainly take a look at Cooking with Nonna's website for more ideas for Italian recipes just for St Joseph's day.

 I hope you enjoy this idea for Living Liturgically with Saint Joseph on March 19th, and maybe even enjoyed the bread. God bless you and your journey.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Easter Story Snack Mix

Whether it is to fill an Easter Basket or offer within the Easter Season, this Easter Story Snack Mix will help you share the Good News with your children. You could also use it for scripture memorization. 

As we are living liturgically in our domestic church, I am finding new ways to engage the children's senses and connect it with something of our theology, tradition or virtue. Food is often the way mothers reach their children's attention. This free printable treat label is to introduce or remind children of the scriptures of hope, forgiveness, discipleship, refreshment and joy.

We are giving this to our children in place of an Easter basket gift this year,  as they are not lacking in blessings of the sort year round. I think the greatest gift we can give is love and witness to this Good News affecting our lives. 

Have a joy-filled Easter! 

Floral Art Border by:

Jana Necasova from Pixabay

My Rule of Life

 It was last year that I was listening to a podcast, then reading a blog, later reading a book, and they all spoke about the necessity for Catholics to have a "Rule of Life" as if everyone had heard of it before. Well, I decided I got to get one of those immediately! After I browsed more online for the details, I realized it was something I've done many times in my life but this simply looked more complete. It encompasses all the aspects of my life, desires, plans and vocation at once, which makes so much sense now.

According to the Catholic Dictionary, a Religious Rule (rule of life for religious) is "The plan of life and discipline, approved by the Holy See, under which religious live in order to grow in Christian perfection and perform the works of the apostolate proper to their institute." Going back a century and a half ago, there is the most popular Rule of Saint Benedict written to bring order to the monk's habits and rhythms in their shared daily life.  A religious order's rule would include their charisms, order of the day, and responsibilities. I too have a vocation with such aspects, so there must be a rule for mothers. 

Holly Pierlot, author of A Mother's Rule of Life wrote "A Rule of Life is not just a schedule, not just a collection of activities organized into a set pattern for efficient repetition. A Rule is an organization of everything that has to do with your vocation, based on a hierarchy of the priorities that define the vocation and done with the intent to please God. It deals with the essential responsibilities of your state of life, organized to ensure their fulfillment…" 

Ah-ha! So what I had been doing was this in pieces, for separate purposes. I was checking off boxes when working on a personal goal like weight loss. Other times I was planning the ideal flow of our homeschool day. Sometimes I would write a list of tasks and priorities. I would journal about my spiritual goals. I love prioritized lists, especially since I'm a procrastinator. I also have many many piles and file folders in my home office. What can we busy mothers do to streamline this Rule of Life planning?

That's when I decided to create a "My Rule of Life" workbook, catered to my own vintage style. After some testing, the Catholic woman's My Rule of Life planner and self-tracker I designed for myself is now available to print.

Take notes of what you want your prayer and spiritual life to look like. Plan out the ideal week. Write down your commitments, personal goals, and the Saints you want to intercede for you. Think about your prayer intentions, including a memorial of souls who have gone before you. Track your progress of your goals and virtues. Take time to do a weekly examination of your life and how it aligns to God's will and your resolutions. Finally jot down any books you hope to read this month. 

No matter what your style, the details in the planning are mostly the same. It is important that is personal.  If you don't like the vintage look and want to design your own, or you have other items you want to cover, you can look at it for inspiration.  I think it most important that you take time to think these things over, no matter where you write it down.

Jenn Giles Kemper of Sacred Ordinary Days writes, "Allow your rule to develop slowly over time. Listen for God and realize that the unique expression of Christ in you, your family, and your church will look different than the expression of Christ in others. It can be helpful to remember that the kingdom is built by the whole of the church body, so you need only seek to be a faithful hand or foot. Ask God how to live your part faithfully. Consider inviting others into this exercise with you, such as a spouse, a spiritual director, or members of your community. Regard your rule as a living document—something you can review and adjust as you live it out." 

I think that's a fantastic perspective. Thanks Jenn! Now to go print a copy for my new year and see how God is calling me in my current phase of life. 

MY RULE OF LIFE planner is in my Etsy Shop as an INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF FILE.

https://homegrowncatholics.etsy.com/listing/1662850263

In the file is a cover page, 14 worksheets, and the digital use policy. There is enough room for a month of tracking. Then you can reprint whatever pages you need to add on additional months. Staple together, or put in a binder as I have.

Plan out the ideal week. 

Write down your commitments, personal goals, and the Saints you want to intercede for you. 

Think about your prayer intentions, including a memorial of souls who have gone before you. 

Track your progress of your goals and virtues. 

Take time to do a weekly examination of your life and how it aligns to God's will and your resolutions.

Finally jot down any books you hope to read this month. 

Also included are 3 Prayer Posters and 1 set of 4 prayer cards.

MY RULE OF LIFE planner is in my Etsy Shop as an INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF FILE.

https://homegrowncatholics.etsy.com/listing/1662850263

More Resources I found helpful on the subject:

Sacred Ordinary Days: Rule of Life (very through, with so many resource links)

A Mother's Rule of Life, a book by Holly Pierlot

Good Catholic: Making a Personal Rule of Life

Word on Fire: Creating a Rule of Life PDF Booklet

Need a Mom's Life Coach?

Catholic Mom Calm

The True Presence Course   {Her podcast about a Summer Rule of Life}

AS ALWAYS, I LIKE TO INCLUDE SOMETHING FREE if there is something for sale. So you can print this page by clicking on it and selecting print!

Joyful Mysteries

I've heard many times that Iconographers, those who paint or "write" religious icons, do so in a prayerful manner. It was also true for me as I prayerfully drew these Joyful Mysteries for children to color. My skillset is not strong in drawing people from my imagination. However, these images came so naturally from my hand. I found delight in every page, and my insight to this is that it is because these "characters" are as familiar as my own family. This Holy Family is my family. Their story is such an integral part of my very being. My hope is that they are also a part of your family's story.

While in the process, a theme popped up on its own which surprised me and those who've colored it so far. Each image has a dove that mirrors the story. See if you can find it!

These delightful images of The Joyful Mysteries are easy to print and color today! Wonderful for Advent and Christmastime, for reflection during a family rosary, or for a lesson. Just click on the link to my Etsy Shop for the download:

{Etsy Download: The Joyful Mysteries Coloring Pages}

The 11 page, digital PDF file includes images of The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity (Christmas), The Presentation, and The Finding of Jesus. A few bonus pages in the file include a rosary guide and rosary coloring pages. 

OTHER POSTS ABOUT THE ROSARY

Praying the Rosary

Nurturing Relationships in Hospitality and Prayer

The Joyful Mysteries for Homeschoolers

{Etsy Download: The Joyful Mysteries Coloring Pages}

Thanksgiving and Grace

 Are you preparing for the Thanksgiving Holiday,  and Advent immediately after?  This week I need grace.  Grace that replenishes, restores, revitalizes! In adoration this time last year, God spoke to my heart with these words below. It was a reminder that when I give of myself to others out of love for God and neighbor, and they do the same, it will come back to me through someone. It's a circulation of the Love of God.

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

I cannot feel fully restored with a hot bath, a new dress, or cup of coffee. It is within the community that I place myself, if it be holy and blessed with charity, that I will find refreshment. I'm so very thankful for all I've been granted through the will of my Father. I'm so very thankful for all blessings I know He will continue to provide. Shortly after reflecting on God's words to me in adoration, I read the following prayer in our church bulletin that confirmed it.

Amen. Though I must admit I'm feeling consumed more with what I need to do of my own making,  and not enough about what he's wanting to do through me. Prayerful discernment is prudent these next few weeks for myself and most busy parents. Oh the plans I have made, knowing very well I must be flexible and count it all joy if there are changes. It was just last year our whole family was sick for Thanksgiving on through all of Advent. It made for a unique experience for the season, and reminded us about it being a penitential time similar to Lent.

If I grow weary, I put this image I found onto my phone screen for a time which quotes Galatians.

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

The USA Thanksgiving is a great kickstart for the holiday/Advent season, as we give thanks for all the grace God has given us. How He's a generous giver if our eyes and hearts are open to recognizing it, especially if we are also generous with our time, talent and treasure. SO my gift to you is a short list of ideas what we do on Thanksgiving Day!

WE ARE THANKFUL FOR YOU

Here is a sample template for making place cards for your guests. Write their name on each and decorate with your own marker or watercolor paintings. Cut out and display on the table settings. Let them write what they are thankful for on the back.

We have a banner we bought a few years ago and each year we sign it and add anything we are grateful for. It has been a lovely keepsake to put up each year with whomever visits, or even if it was just us. I've seen others do this with a linen table cloth. 

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

GOBBLE GOBBLE

The traditional meal is a Turkey Dinner, with all the fixings of stuffing, potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, rolls and butter, and pie for dessert. 

The meal where you feel more stuffed than the turkey. So of course a lot of childrens' crafts include turkeys and food, so of course inspired by some art I found online, I made this coloring sheet for my children to watercolor.

They chose if they wanted to redraw it onto watercolor paper, trace it, or simply use the coloring sheet printed on cardstock. Overall, they enjoyed this simple project. Here is the sheet if you'd like to print it out.

This was enjoyed by our 7 and almost 4yo boys.

Thanksgiving Activities in our home might include:

Paper Football Game (table runner)

Crossword Puzzle Team Challenge

Stuff the Turkey - CornHole/Bean-bag Toss

Shake Your Tailfeathers

Roll-A-Turkey dice (drawing) (cut and paste) (w/M&Ms)

Cornicopia Catch (Blindfolded)

Thanksgiving Pictionary

Ping Pong in the Goblet

Table Talk Cards (or Would You Rather)

Turkey Baster Relay (blow feathers)

Traffic Yam Race (roll a yam on floor)

Hunting Turkeys (darts)

Settlers of Catan Board Game

many ideas can be found online, especially through Pinterest.

Thanksgiving Pictionary was so easy to create. I bought wide wood craft sticks that are precolored. On one side I wrote the words and the other side drew feathers,  as pictured. They are in a small pot feather side up. Everyone will choose a feather when it's his or her turn, draw the word,  and we all guess.  Whoever guesses correctly is the next drawer. What other words would you add?

In a hilarious effort,  we had to ban the drawing of a bowl first,  because otherwise people would simply guess a list of foods until they right. Here's a few examples of how much was drawn before the word was guessed.  

Friendship

Cranberries

Mayflower

Charity

My sister guessed "Plymouth Rock" before my brother had even put his marker to the board! It was the best laugh we've all had in awhile. 

This is a classic game that everyone can find enjoyable if they aren't a genuine scrooge. It was also one of those moments I was glad to have a classroom/dining room, ready with a whiteboard. 

We have a box of feathers, for the game "Shake Your Tailfeathers," whereby you fill an empty rectangle tissue box with feathers, tie it around your waist and see who can empty it the fastest. Of course, these goofs think the feathers also make good mustaches! hehe

The other day, my youngest daughter (who likes Little House on the Prairie) surprised me with this pilgrim costume she put together from the dress-up box. It brings me such joy that she still enjoys little girl things, pure things, untainted by the world today. My girls love modesty, simplicity, creativity, and I think we've only begun exploring their talents. I think dressing up modestly, or as a pilgrim or native, would be appropriate.

PRAY A ROSARY TOGETHER!

I wanted to get this out quickly, so I'm sure I'll revisit this post after the holiday and refresh with new photos of what we did, and any new ideas that emerged. We wish you all a grace-filled Advent and a blessed Thanksgiving Day. Peace be with you! O Come Emmanuel!

Brick Building Challenges

 

A long while ago my children were in an email group that had daily brick building challenges, and it was an easy way to get their imagination gears working beyond the typical house and car they'd build. I cannot recall who shared the ideas, but I kept a list and added a few of my own. Recently I made a set of cards to set out for my children, one a week, for them to try this year. Because most of the ideas are not my own, I'd like to share them free for you to print and do with your family.

>>CLICK HERE FOR BRICK BUILDING CHALLENGE CARDS<<

**If you're interested in us creating a Catholic Brick Challenge set, please comment below! 

If you'd like to share images of your creations, you can send them to homegrowncatholic@gmail.com or visit me on Facebook

Classroom Penmanship Posters

 

As I'm setting up our homeschool classroom for a 17th year, I wanted to have a small poster for handwriting/penmanship, especially with two third grade level students learning cursive. So many similar posters available online are expensive, so I created this $2 set of 6 printable Classroom Penmanship & Prayer Posters in a *you chose* green or black chalk board style. We should be spending our money on good books, not letter posters. Visit my shop for your copy! https://www.etsy.com/listing/1260874224

Read to the end for a FREE POSTER

Alphabet Primary Handwriting

 

Alphabet Cursive Handwriting

 

Alphabet Typed Font

 

Alphabet Cursive without guidelines

A School Day Prayer

 

The Our Father Prayer

All images come in a black or green option. They were created to print as 8.5x11" posters, but can be printed smaller. The main two posters of print and cursive are also included as a jpeg if you wanted to try to print them larger. 

Visit my shop for your copy! https://www.etsy.com/listing/1260874224

The wood frames I used can be found here: https://amzn.to/3J9ZScE

**CLICK ONE OF THESE BELOW TO PRINT FOR FREE!**