Monday, November 30, 2015
Online Advent Calendar from the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America  

Advent is a fairly big season in our family.  We have already brought out the Jesse Tree, the Advent calendars, and various other Advent related items.  You can see some of the ways in which our family celebrates Advent here

We really enjoy opening the Advent calendars each day throughout the season.  We have at least 4 calendars that we use each year.  (All of these are re-usable; we only used the chocolate or candy variety for a year or two.) The oldest Advent calendar we own is a simple card stock one with a picture of the Nativity.  There is a Scripture reference behind each door which takes you through the Christmas story.  The latest Advent calendar is from Caspari.  It is a large Christmas tree, and it has fun Christmas-themed pictures behind each window.  No matter what the calendar contains, we enjoy opening them each day to see what surprise is behind the window as we count down the days of Advent toward Christmas.

I have always wanted to find a good online Advent calendar, and I think that I have found one.

The online Advent calendar which I am excited about is provided by the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America.  These are the Franciscans who are Custodians of the various Shrines of the Holy Land.  Their monastery in the United States is in Washington, D.C., and it is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.  We have had the privilege of being able to visit the monastery several times.


The gardens are absolutely beautiful.  Inside the main building, they have built replicas of some of the shrines of the Holy Land including the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Outside the lower garden area, they also have a replica of the grotto at Lourdes.  It is quite impressive.  From what I understand, the Franciscans are prepared for their assignment in the Holy Land at this monastery.

I just came across their Advent calendar.  There seems to be a video with a meditation on the readings for each Sunday and the rest of the days of the week provide information about the liturgical significance of the day.  If you are looking for a way to "count down" to Christmas and prepare your heart for Christ's coming at Bethlehem, this might be a good option for you.  It can be found here.



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Saturday, November 21, 2015
Introducing Calendar Cards: Christmas Around the World  



In LightStone's Etsy Shop, we have introduced Calendar Cards.  Calendar Cards are 31 cards which cover a particular topic.  The first edition is appropriately, Christmas Around the World in anticipation of next month.

The Christmas Around the World Calendar Cards introduce different Christmas traditions which are celebrated in selected countries around the world. Each country has two days. The first day for each country describes some of the unique Christmas traditions of the country, and the second day of the country lists how to say "Merry Christmas" in the language(s) of that country. The days can be printed out or read from the PDF.

Through November 28th, the Christmas Around the World Calendar Cards can be obtained for 40% from LightStone's Etsy Shop using the coupon code  THANKSGIVING2015.

Update, as of November 30th, the Christmas Around the World Calendar Cards are also available at CurrClick and Teachers Pay Teachers.

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Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Advent will be here Soon  


Although we are still preparing for Thanksgiving, Advent will be here before we know it.

Advent is always a very special time in our home.  During the four weeks, we enjoy preparing ourselves and our home for celebrating the birth of Christ.  We generally have several Advent calendars we open each day.  We participate in Giving Tree projects for the collection of gifts, clothing, and food.  There are special feast days--Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Immaculate Conception, and St. Lucia--which we celebrate.  There are many special events, as well.  And of course, many people in our community put up beautiful decorations and lights which it is fun to enjoy.  It is always a time of high energy which we can use for preparing our hearts for celebrating the wonder of God's gift to us--His Son born as a child to the Virgin Mary.

Several years ago, I wrote an Advent and Christmas-themed Rabbit book with my then seven-year-old daughter which eventually became the second book in the Bear and Rabbit Reader Series--The Rabbits Celebrate Advent and Christmas.  For the Rabbit Family, like so many others, Advent and Christmas go together.

In this colorfully illustrated book, Tom and Martha Rabbit are excited that Christmas is only weeks away. Join them as they prepare for Christmas during Advent. And then come along with them for more fun with their family on Christmas Day.

The Bear and Rabbit Book Series is for story time, bedtime reading, and for early readers. The stories include fun illustrations on every page.

The Rabbits Celebrate Advent and Christmas is currently available as a PDF on Etsy or as an eBook for the Nook, for Kobo, and for the Kindle.

For purchases on Etsy, use the coupon code THANKSGIVING2015 to get a 40% discount!  (The coupon code is good through November 28th.)

For more information, you can visit the the Bear and Rabbit Reader Series Facebook page.

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Saturday, November 14, 2015
Looking for Discounts on Catholic Items? Check Catholic Deals Online.  


I recently became aware of a great web site which pulls together online discounts for Catholic items.  (I became aware of it via my daughter who saw it on Catholic Inspired; she is very excited about it.)

The web site, Catholic Deals Online, is run by a mother who is also a blogger and freelance writer.  On the her web site, she posts items which are on discount or have a special offer.  The items are primarily Catholic.  She also does include items that are not Catholic, but she does not include anything that would be considered anti-Catholic.  (I would do the very same.)

Currently, she is featuring items for Advent.  If you are on the ball and already getting ready for Advent, you might want to check out her site.  Even if you are not shopping for Advent, any time you you are looking for discounted items, remember to check Catholic Deals Online.

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Monday, November 09, 2015
40% off Sale on the Rabbits' Thanksgiving and other Items on Etsy  

Looking for a good children's eBook for Thanksgiving?

The Bear and Rabbit Book Series is for story time, bedtime reading, and for early readers. The stories include fun illustrations on every page.

And now on Etsy, the Rabbits' Thanksgiving eBook (PDF) is available for 40% off.  Simply use the coupon code THANKSGIVING2015 at checkout.  The coupon is good through November 28th.  It can be applied to anything in the store.  To get 40% off the Rabbits' Thanksgiving or any other book in the store, go to the LightStoneGoods store on Etsy.


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Monday, November 02, 2015
November, Thanksgiving, and The Rabbits' Thanksgiving eBook  


The month of November brings the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving, and for me, a reminder to give thanks every day.

Last year, the first Bear and Rabbit Reader book--The Rabbits' Thanksgiving--was released. I am grateful for everyone who has supported this book and the other eBooks in the series which have since been released.

In this colorfully illustrated book, the Rabbit Family celebrates Thanksgiving at school and home with their friends and family.  In this story for young readers, you can join the rabbits Tom and Martha along with their family for a fun-filled Thanksgiving celebration.

The Bear and Rabbit Book Series is for story time, bedtime reading, and for early readers. The stories include fun illustrations on every page.

The Rabbits' Thanksgiving is currently available as a PDF on Etsy or as an eBook for the Nook, for Kobo, and for the Kindle.

For purchases on Etsy, use the coupon code THANKSGIVING2015 to get a 40% discount!  (The coupon code is good through November 28th.)

For more information, you can visit the the Bear and Rabbit Reader Series Facebook page.

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