Fantastic Giveaway in 7QT

I know that I have been posting all week about the homeschool conference, this is the culminating and I promise, last post.  I am so thankful to get to share this discovery.

1

Meet Elizabeth, a beautiful, talented, and lovely young lady!  She has created a line of 18" doll clothes called Novel Designs, exquisite outfits based on classic literature.

2

Once I saw her gorgeous creations, I could not stop thinking about them!  I had to buy one and by gum, I was going to find a reason why.   Then I thought of you, my readers, and my giveaways. Surely, one of these dresses was meant for one of you.

3

I am a doll lover!  My dolls were some of the best cared for creatures around when I was a child.  It was all I thought about. I still secretly dream of having a genuine American Girl of my own. (Mattel redesigning the dolls has tempered that a bit.) I can remember begging my mom for a Samantha doll...she said no...because I was 13 and the doll cost almost $100--which could buy a heck of a lot of things at the time.

I'm fairly certain that these lovely models are indeed the doll of my dreams.

4

This dress is based on Ever After, one of my all time favorite films. If you haven't seen it, please do!

And then there is this beauty, the most charming doll dress, EVER! The photo does it no justice.

You know I have always thought that I would have a child with red hair, who loved dolls AND books. Perhaps meeting Elizabeth was just meant to be, after all there are no accidents, nor coincidences with God. It's all one, big, marvelous plan.

5

Narnia, anyone?  Can't you just imagine one of these lovely gems wrapped up with a matching, hardbound classic. The perfect gift! So much beauty.

6

Elizabeth and her sister also make Catholic Clay, well crafted, clay figurines of beloved saints. They are only $5 each and include a prayer card.

7

Now for the giveaway....

One of my readers, will win The Jane Austen! Just comment below and tell me which dress is your favorite. Elizabeth can be reached by email here.

UPDATE:  Elizabeth now has an etsy store!!! Yay, Elizabeth!

Winner to be announced May 16th!

God bless!

Linking up with Kelly, again!

{p, h, f, r} Chaplet 2015

Pretty

This parish was absolutely gorgeous!  So much beauty.

Happy

I was happy to get to meet Kelly Mantoan at the conference.  She is absolutely lovely and down to earth. I was also happy to know that I'm not the only one who has family who doesn't understand this whole online blogger friends thing.  Can't wait for Kelly's new book Rosaries Aren't Just for Teething.  Some of the best bloggers out there all in one book!

Funny

So within the first hour of the conference, the spacious bag on wheels I had brought along was overflowing. I had to make a trip out to my car. Yes, I am a book addict aficionado.  They are my true weakness--so much so that my husband and I have banned ourselves from bookstores entirely!  Used book sales are where we get our fix, at least they only come up a few times a year.

I piled the books in my trunk, arranged artistically, and set up the shot.  Pretty funny, but all I could think is, "This can be my funny photo!"  Strange how blogging makes you think in terms of posts even when loading your trunk....lol

Funnier still, is the fact that as I was paying for the stack of books that put my load over the edge, I heard Kelly and Michelle Quigley conversing only a couple feet to my left. It was very hard to concentrate.  I was jumping with joy inside at the thought of two Catholic blogging giants standing within ear shot, almost close enough to touch them.  Breathe, Jennifer, breathe!  I thought of rushing over there and telling them what a great fan I am and asking for a photo and autograph, but that seemed so silly and childish.  It reminded me of when I went to a London pub with some classmates, one of which grabbed my arm and said, "Jennifer, just stay calm, act cool, don't freak out."  I had no idea why she was nearly hyperventilating. Found out when we got back to our flat, that the less than impressive guys who were sitting at our table were the then very popular band Oasis. How much happier I was to meet Kelly and Michelle!

Real

Real candles (oh, how I love real candles), Latin Mass, a quiet sanctuary to wrap up my prayers of the Novena. This Church was a real delight!

Linking up with Auntie Leila.  Please remember to enter the giveaway and come back tomorrow for another one!

Homeschool Conference Five Favs

As I mentioned, I attended a wonderful homeschooling conference on Saturday. I have more to share about it, including a fabulous giveaway on Friday, but today I thought I would focus on my five favorite reasons to attend a conference.

1

Books, books, books, books, and more books!  There are so many resources out there and honestly, everything looks and sounds good in those beautiful curriculum catalogs. It is so nice to get to see and experience books before buying them.  Then, there is the used book sale--book lover's paradise.  It's a win-win, homeschool mom A makes a few bucks, homeschool mom B saves a bundle!  I found the entire Land of Our Lady history texts for $24, each book retails for that much!

2

Inspiring speakers encourage you to press on. By late spring, I am completely depleted and unsure of what I am doing or if I'm succeeding. Hearing encouragement, strategies, inspirational ideas, and validation that homeschooling really is a valuable choice helps immensely. Even if none of the information is new, experiencing it anew is so edifying.

Visit the CHAPLET channel on YouTube for more inspiring talks.

3

"Where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came."  So, they don't all know my name, but it is gratifying to be surrounded by people just like you. Even the most well connected homeschooler can feel isolated. Going against the tide continually is tiring. It makes me think of the first time we took the kids to a homeschooling conference. The first vendor asked Cowgirl how school was going, she immediately felt compelled to explain, "I'm not missing school, I'm homeschool. I did my homework in the car on the way down."  I leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Honey, it's a homeschooling conference, everyone here is homeschool."  Sigh...being just one of the crowd feels good.

4

Meeting the superstars of the homeschool world rocks!  You see their books, read their blogs, use their planner...build up in your mind images of homeschooling perfection and rocket scientist children who graduate at ten with three degrees, impeccable manners, and the first chair violin in the Philharmonic.  Then..gasp..they are standing right in front of you. While it is so wonderful to meet "celebrities," it's even better to realize they are normal homeschooling moms just like you.  

5

Did I mention the book sale?  Hello, my name is Jennifer and I'm a book-aholic

Actually, aside from all mentioned above, my favorite part of conferences is experiencing new entrepreneur who have such great and diverse ideas to share. Many of our favorite homeschool resources Have come from small, family businesses with big ideas and big hearts. On Friday, I will be featuring one such vendor and offering her absolutely stupendous product as a giveaway!  Please visit and enter.

Linking up with Rachel.

Joyful Penitence and a Homeschool Conference

This past weekend, I was blessed to attend the Chaplet Homeschool Conference. I have much to share about it and will be doing so in the coming days, but the great highlight for me was getting to hear TWO traditional Latin Masses in one day!

The morning Mass was a High Mass, a real treat, as I have not experienced a High Mass of any kind in quite awhile.  I can remember, as a child, regularly having High Mass in the Ordinary Form, however it does not seem to be as popular now.  There is just something so moving and holy about sung prayers. After all, the angels sing God's praises without end, and whenever someone is scripture is greatly blessed by God, they sing!  Perhaps that is where the saying, "Singing is praying twice." originated.

Before morning Mass, we walked a procession across the grounds of the parish, to a grotto with a large crucifix. As we walked, we sung the traditional Litany of the Saints.  Despite it being Easter Season, the priest wore purple and it was considered a day of penance.

I felt as if the sermon was written for me. I needed to here the words that penance and prayer can deliver us from evil. I needed to be reminded that invoking Our Blessed Mother and the intercession of the saints can turn the tide and triumph over darkness.  The words, "After all, it took only one person to save Nineva." spoke right to my heart. It was the Sermon that wrapped up my novena and slated any doubts of whether or not it had been a good idea.  It was the type of Sermon that I wish I could have recorded and played over and over.

I have decided to start praying the Litany of the Saints daily for triumph over evil. There sure seems to be a lot of darkness out there.  If you are interested in joining me, the entire litany in English and Latin is listed below, courtesy of Fish Eaters. God bless!

Litany of the Saints

Lord, have mercy on us. (Lord have mercy on us.)  Christ, have mercy on us. (Christ have mercy on us.) Lord, have mercy on us. (Lord, have mercy on us.)  Christ, hear us. (Christ, hear us.) Christ, graciously hear us. (Christ, graciously hear us.)  God the Father of heaven, (have mercy on us.)  God the Son, Redeemer of the world, (have mercy on us.)  God the Holy Ghost, (have mercy on us.)  Holy Trinity, one God, (have mercy on us.)
Holy Mary, Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, All ye holy Angels and Archangels, All ye holy orders of blessed Spirits, St. John the Baptist, St. Joseph, All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets, St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Andrew, St. James, St. John, St. Thomas, St. James, St. Philip, St. Bartholomew, St. Matthew, St. Simon, St. Thaddeus, St. Matthias, St. Barnabas, St. Luke, St. Mark, All ye holy Apostles and Evangelists, All ye holy Disciples of the Lord, All ye holy Innocents, St. Stephen, St. Lawrence, St. Vincent, SS. Fabian and Sebastian, SS. John and Paul, SS. Cosmas and Damian, SS. Gervase and Protase, All ye holy Martyrs, St. Sylvester, St. Gregory, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, St. Jerome, St. Martin, St. Nicholas, All ye holy Bishops and Confessors, All ye holy Doctors, St. Anthony, St. Benedict, St. Bernard, St. Dominic, St. Francis, All ye holy Priests and Levites, All ye holy Monks and Hermits, St. Mary Magdalen, St. Agatha, St. Lucy, St. Agnes, St. Cecilia, St. Catherine, St. Anastasia, All ye holy Virgins and Widows,	p r a y f o r u s
All ye holy Saints of God, (Make intercession for us.)  Be merciful, (Spare us, O Lord.)  Be merciful, (Graciously hear us, O Lord.)
From all evil, O Lord From all sin, From Thy wrath, From sudden and unlooked for death, From the snares of the devil, From anger, and hatred, and every evil will, From the spirit of fornication, From lightning and tempest, From the scourge of earthquakes, From plague, famine and war, From everlasting death, Through the mystery of Thy holy Incarnation, Through Thy Coming, Through Thy Birth, Through Thy Baptism and holy Fasting, Through Thy Cross and Passion, Through Thy Death and Burial, Through Thy holy Resurrection, Through Thine admirable Ascension, Through the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete. In the day of judgment.	d e l i v e r u s
We sinners, That Thou wouldst spare us, That Thou wouldst pardon us, That Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to govern and preserve  Thy holy Church, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve our Apostolic Prelate, and all orders of the Church in holy religion, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to humble the enemies of holy Church, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to Christian kings and princes, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to the whole Christian world, That Thou wouldst call back to the unity of the Church all who have strayed from her fold, and to guide all unbelievers into the light of the Gospel That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in Thy holy service, That Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, That Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, That Thou wouldst deliver our souls, and the souls of our brethren, relations, and benefactors, from eternal damnation, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest to all the faithful departed, That Thou wouldst vouchsafe graciously to hear us, Son of God,	w e b e s e e c h T h e e, h e a r u s
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, (spare us, O Lord.) Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, (graciously hear us, O Lord.) Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, (have mercy on us.)  Christ, (hear us.) Christ, (graciously hear us.) Lord, have mercy, (Lord, have mercy.) Christ, have mercy, (Christ, have mercy.) Lord, have mercy, (Lord, have mercy.) [Our Father inaudibly] And lead us not into temptation (but deliver us from evil.)

Latin version:
Litaniae Sanctorum

Kyrie, eleison (Kyrie, eleison.)  Christe, eleison (Christe, eleison.)  Kyrie, eleison (Kyrie, eleison.)  Christe, audi nos (Christe, audi nos.)  Christe, exaudi nos. (Christe, exaudi nos.)  Pater de caelis, Deus, (miserere nobis.)  Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, (miserere nobis.)  Spiritus Sancte, Deus, (miserere nobis.)  Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, (miserere nobis.)
Sancta Maria, Sancta Dei Genetrix, Sancta Virgo virginum, Sancte Michael, Sancte Gabriel, Sancte Raphael, Omnes sancti Angeli et Archangeli, Omnes sancti beatorum Spirituum ordines, Sancte Ioannes Baptista, Sancte Ioseph, Omnes sancti Patriarchae et Prophetae, Sancte Petre, Sancte Paule, Sancte Andrea, Sancte Iacobe, Sancte Ioannes, Sancte Thoma, Sancte Iacobe, Sancte Philippe, Sancte Bartolomaee, Sancte Matthaee, Sancte Simon, Sancte Thaddaee, Sancte Matthia, Sancte Barnaba, Sancte Luca, Sancte Marce, Omnes sancti Apostoli et Evangelistae, Omnes sancti discipuli Domini, Omnes sancti Innocentes, Sancte Stephane, Sancte Laurenti, Sancte Vincenti, Sancti Fabiane et Sebastiane, Sancti Iohannes et Paule, Sancti Cosma et Damiane, Sancti Gervasi et Protasi, Omnes sancti martyres, Sancte Sylvester, Sancte Gregori, Sancte Ambrosi, Sancte Augustine, Sancte Hieronyme, Sancte Martine, Sancte Nicolae, Omnes sancti Pontifices et Confessores, Omnes sancti Doctores, Sancte Antoni, Sancte Benedicte, Sancte Bernarde, Sancte Dominice, Sancte Francisce, Omnes sancti Sacerdotes et Levitae, Omnes sancti Monachi et Eremitae, Sancta Maria Magdalena, Sancta Agatha, Sancta Lucia, Sancta Agnes, Sancta Caecilia, Sancta Catharina, Sancta Anastasia, Omnes sanctae Virgines et Viduae	o r a (te) p r o n o b i s
Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei, (intercedite pro nobis.) Propitius esto, (parce nos, Domine.)  Propitius esto, (exaudi nos, Domine.)
Ab omni malo, Ab omni peccato, Ab ira tua, A subitanea et improvisa morte, Ab insidiis diaboli, Ab ira et odio et omni mala voluntate, A spiritu fornicationis, A fulgure et tempestate, A flagello terraemotus, A peste, fame et bello, A morte perpetua, Per mysterium sanctae Incarnationis tuae, Per adventum tuum, Per nativitatem tuam, Per baptismum et sanctum ieiunium tuum, Per crucem et passionem tuam, Per mortem et sepulturam tuam, Per sanctam resurrectionem tuam, Per admirabilem ascensionem tuam, Per adventum Spiritus Sancti Paracliti, In die iudicii,	l i b e r a n o s, D o m i n e
Peccatores, Ut nobis parcas, Ut nobis indulgeas, Ut ad veram paenitentiam nos perducere digneris, Ut Ecclesiam tuam sanctam regere et conservare digneris, Ut domum Apostolicum et omnes ecclesiasticos ordines in sancta religione conservare digneris, .  Ut inimicos sanctae Ecclesiae humiliare digneris, Ut regibus et principibus christianis pacem et veram concordiam donare digneris, Ut cuncto populo christiano pacem et unitatem largiri digneris, Ut omnes errantes ad unitatem Ecclesiae revocare, et infideles universos ad Evangelii lumen perducere digneris, Ut nosmetipsos in tuo sancto servitio confortare et conservare digneris, Ut mentes nostras ad caelestia desideria erigas, Ut omnibus benefactoribus nostris sempiterna bona retribuas, Ut animas nostras, fratrum, propinquorum et benefactorum nostrorum ab aeterna damnatione eripias, Ut fructus terrae dare et conservare digneris, Ut omnibus fidelibus defunctis requiem aeternam donare digneris, Ut nos exaudire digneris, Fili Dei,	T e r o g a m u s, a u d i n o s
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, (parce nobis, Domine.)  Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, (exaudi nos, Domine.) Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, (miserere nobis.) Christe, (audi nos.) Christe, (exaudi nos.) Kyrie, eleison. (Kyrie, eleison.) Christe, eleison. (Christe, eleison.) Kyrie, eleison. (Kyrie, eleison.) [Pater noster silentio] Et ne nos inducas in tentationem. (Sed libera nos a malo.)

Winner of Giveaway #1

I have a few new posts that I am working on but I wanted to post our winner.
Congratulations, Becky D.!  I will be emailing you do I can send this out.  Stay tuned for an absolutely fabulous giveaway this Friday!

"There are so Many Stephen's"

Here is the wrap up of our novena in seven super quick takes!1

1

Please read what the Pope had to say about our Church's history of martyrs.

2

Just last month the Adminstrative Committee of the USCCB called for prayer and action in response to the widespread and bloody persecution of Christians.  Let your prayers not end with the end of this novena, please, please continue to pray!

3

Did you hear about the Bishop in Nigeria who had a vision of Christ?  Jesus handed him a sword and when the Bishop took it, the sword turned into a Rosary.  Prayer is our greatest weapon.

4

Then, There is the Bishop pleading for the world to notice and take action as Boko Had an (an Islamic extremist group that has joined forces with ISIS).  If you are wondering what you can do, make sure to read #3!  Also, encourage our leaders to acknowledge the tragedies occurring around the world. Ask your priests to have public prayer for the persecuted.  Find reputable charities to aid victims of persecution.

5

For Day 8 of the novena, please pray nine Memorare prayers, one Hail Holy Queen, and one St Michael Prayer. Please also pray the Mary, Undoer of Knots prayer for the intention of an end to violence.

Source

6

Since I will be at a homeschooling conference tomorrow without internet access, here are the final prayers for tomorrow.

Please pray nine Memorare prayers, one St Michael Prayer, One Rosary, and the Mary, Undoer of Knots prayer for the defeat of enemies of Faith and humanity.

Please continue to storm Heaven for the end of this advancing evil!

7

Next week, I will once again sponsor a giveaway. In the meantime, please check out and enter Giveaway #1 that ends at midnight, and Giveaway #2 that ends next Friday. Thanks.

Novena Day 7

Sorry, but this is a super short post to just remind you to pray.  I wonder how many people are actually following along with this. Anyway, please pray for those who work to stop injustice and serve the persecuted.  Thank you.

Pray nine Memorare prayers, one Hail Holy Queen, and one St Michael Prayer. God bless.