I'm not a homeschool mom that makes homemade bread everyday (partly due to the fact I would be tempted to eat too much of it :) ), but each year our homeschool group gathers to make bread, usually sometime in the month of February, to prepare for a beautiful March 19th feast day, the feast day of St. Joseph.  You can see my last year's post and more pictures about our annual breadmaking HERE.

Below are pictures from this year's fun as each child and parent made their own creations to decorate our future St. Joseph's altar.  Our homeschool families will gather on Sunday, March 18 in honor of St. Joseph.  To see last year's great celebration click HERE.

Bread samples! 

Last week for my 4 year old's Alphabet Box we did some activities with the letter "L".   When I got the idea to use handprints to make a Lion and a Lamb from Our Crafts-N-Things, I thought this would be a fun and easy craft for my 4 year old (and my 7 year old always loves to jump in on the fun too!) Here is the post for the Lion and the Lamb that I used to make our own versions.

This Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012,  I'll be heading to Raleigh, NC for the 10th annual Ignited By Truth Catholic Conference.  I'm very excited to attend this year again as I have been to a few in the past and have always enjoyed the powerful and inspiring speakers!

At Ignited By Truth on Feb. 14, 2009, I met and took pictures with some wonderful Catholic speakers and role models....


Then I was able to meet and take a picture of Phillip Rivers, the quarterback with the San Diego Chargers.  My husband has followed Rivers' football career ever since he played in college for NC State Wolfpack, our Alma Mater.  It was great to tell my husband that I was spending Valentines Day in 2009 with Rivers :)  He spoke on faith, family, and football as he is a devout Catholic with 6 children.  He said in his talk that he was more nervous speaking at the conference than playing in any NFL game. :)  He also talked about how he and his wife use Natural Family Planning to plan their family size.   That was awesome to hear!


Have a blessed weekend and I look forward to learning more about my Catholic faith this weekend at Ignited By Truth Catholic Conference.

This afternoon, we were blessed to spend time with dear friends and enjoy J.H.'s beautiful and delicious King Cake. From what she tells me it's a true labor of love to make such a treat!  It was beautiful and oh so yummy!  One tradition is to stick a plastic baby (represents Jesus) in the cake and the person who gets the piece with the baby, is suppose to have a year of extra blessings.  My son picked the lucky piece and all the kids were laughing because the baby looks breeched :)

 
Here are my cupcakes and their friends.  Dear J.H's parents, this picture is for you! :)

It's always fun to search my blog posts from the past to see what I blogged about.  So as to not "reinvent the wheel" I'm linking up previous Lenten posts below. Just click on the title to direct you to the post. 
As we journey through Lent, I hope to be inspired and maybe try more Lenten traditions from other bloggers and families! If you have Lenten traditions to share, please leave your link(s) in comments and I'll look forward to reading them!

Ash Wednesday and the Holy Season of Lent 2011

Magnetic Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross Bags and Pretzels for Lent

This afternoon we will be heading to a friend's house to eat her homemade King Cake to celebrate Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, the last day before the Lenten season begins in the liturgical calender.  Pictures of my friend's King Cake will be posted soon....

Here is a picture of the King Cake that I found HERE with information about the meaning behind this delicious tradition. 

I will be posting our Lenten traditions soon since Lent starts tomorrow with Ash Wednesday!

Miracoli Rosaries
Mountain of Grace
Wondering
Ladies Of Our Lady: Denver
Mountaineer Country
Hair Bows 4 Life Bowtique
A Slice of Smith Life   (that's me and I'm so glad I could support this great giveaway in a small way!)
Happy Saints
From The Pews
Catholic Homeschool Support
Conservamom
Through My "I"s
Our Village is a Little Different
Blossoming Joy
My Life's a Treasure
The Rosary Chick
Crafolic ~ Catholic Crafts and More!
Day by Day in Our World
A Catholic Life
Equipping Catholic Families (Arma Dei)
Homeschooling With Joy
Raising {& Teaching} Little Saints

Go HERE to read more details or enter to win below with Rafflecopter!!!!!!!  
Hurry! Giveaway ends on Feb. 27!