Heart Kolaches: Double Duty for St. Valentine and Sts. Cyril andMethodius

I had an idea to make a treat that would honor both St. Valentine, the infamous Roman martyr who performed marriages for Christians in secret, and the OTHER saints of the day, who always seem to get left behind. St. Cyril and St. Methodius were two Greek brothers who spent their life evangelizing and ministering to the Slavonic nations.  Kolache is pretty popular in that area, so I decided to attempt some heart shaped versions as a double duty snack. They didn't stay in their heart shape as much as I hoped, but it still worked out pretty well!  What's more, with only 2 ingredients, they are SUPER easy to make!

Ingredients
Frozen yeast-style dinner rolls
jelly or jam

Let your frozen rolls thaw and rise according to package directions.  Place them in a round pie dish, and create a well in the center with a spoon.  Add the jelly, and push down on the tops to make the rolls more heart-shaped.  Then cook according to package directions.

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Presentation of Our Lord Snack

I put together a fun snack today in honor of the Presentation of Our Lord. I was inspired by this lovely tea.

Warm Milk 

The white symbolizes Mary and Joseph's purity.

Pretzel

Simeon's arms folded in prayer.

Cheese Dove 

The doves Joseph brought in offering at the temple.

Olive

Black represents Anna as a widow.

Candle

Represents Jesus being "a light of revelation to the Gentiles".

Strawberry Heart With Toothpick

Mary's heart pierced with sorrow.

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St. Brigid Irish Soda Bread

My friend shared her delicious Irish soda bread recipe with me for the feast of St. Brigid and is graciously allowing me to share it here.  It is sweeter than some of the more traditional recipes, but that is how we like it!  I halved the original recipe and cooked it in a round cake pan to make it more like scones (original version below).

Irish Soda Bread
2c flour
3/4c sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1-2 c raisins
2 tsp caraway seeds
1 egg
1 c buttermilk (or 1T lemon juice w/ milk to equal 1c)
1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted

Whisk dry ingredients together, and wet ingredients together seperately.  Mix together.  Dough will be sticky.  Place in pan and bake at 375 for 25-30m in pie tin or baking sheet, or 45-50 in loaf pan.

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February Saints and Feast Days

General February Links

February Activities for Catholic Families @ Real Life at Home

10 More February Activities for Catholic Families @ Real Life at Home

February Saints and Feast Days Word Search @ Real Life at Home

February 1^st – St. Brigid of Ireland

St. Brigid was a converted pagan Irish saint in the style of St. Patrick.  She evangelized, founded convents, and was generous to those in need.  Read more about her at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Brigid @ Waltzing Matilda

St. Brigid @ Saints to Color

Activities:

St. Brigid’s Cross @ Catholic Icing

St. Brigid’s Day Playdate @ Real Life at Home

School:

St. Brigid Poem @ Training Happy Hearts

St. Brigid Story @ Catholic Saints

Food:

St. Brigid’s Bread @ Catholic Cuisine

Cultured Irish Butter @ Catholic Cuisine

Irish Cheese Toasties @ Catholic Cuisine

St. Brigid Vegetable Soup @ Catholic Cuisine

St. Brigid’s Oaten Bread @ Catholic Cuisine

Boxty @ Catholic Cuisine

St. Brigid Irish Soda Bread @ Homeschool is Where the Heart Is

Prayers:

15 Prayers of St. Brigid @ Catholic Culture

Litany of St. Brigid @ Catholic Culture

February 2^nd – The Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas)

This feast celebrates the presentation of the Lord in the temple 40 days after his birth.  Read more about this feast at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

The Presentation at Ray-Chill’s World

Presentation @ St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Activities:

Candle Napkin Folding @ Our Domestic Church

Presentation Puppets @ Catholic Inspired

Toilet Paper Roll Candles @ Family at the Foot of the Cross

Candlemas Crafts @ Our Domestic Church

Votive Cover @ Waltzing Matilda and Under Her Starry Mantle

Food:

Candlemas Tea @ Catholic Cuisine

Candle Cake @ Catholic Cuisine

Savory Candles @ Catholic Cuisine

Candlemas Crepes @ Catholic Cuisine

Candlemas Cookies @ Catholic Cuisine

Presentation of Our Lord Snack @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is

Prayers:

Pray the 4^th Joyful Mystery

Bring the year’s liturgical candles to the church for the priest to bless.

Read Luke 2:22-35

Read St. John Paul II’s Homily @ Vatican

Prayer for the Feast of the Purification @ Catholic Culture

February 3^rd – St. Blaise

St. Blaise was a bishop and physician in Armenia and patron saint of throat diseases and illnesses.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Blaise @ Catholic Playground

St. Blaise @ Waltzing Matilda

Food:

St. Blaise Cookies @ Catholic Cuisine

Any of the recipes from Candlemas on Feb. 2^nd

Fish Bone Apple Snack @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon)

Prayers:

Prayer to St. Blaise @ Catholic Culture

February 5^th – St. Agatha

St. Agatha was martyred and tortured by having her breasts removed and being raked over coal.  Read more about her at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Agatha @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (coming soon)

Activities:

Fire Safety @ Equipping Catholic Families

Food:

St. Agatha Rolls @ Catholic Cuisine

St. Agatha’s Gold @ By Sun and Candlelight

February 6^th – St. Paul Miki and Companions

St. Paul Miki was a Japanese Jesuit, martyred along with 23 companions.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Paul Miki and Companions @ Snowflake Clockwork

Activities:

Origami Cross @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon)

Food:

Japanese Style Steak @ Catholic Culture

February 8^th – St. Josephine Bakhita

A Sudanese born slave who converted to Catholicism.  Read more about her at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Bakhita @ Catholic Playground

St. Josephine Bakhita @ Waltzing Matilda

St. Josephine Bakhita @ Snowflake Clockwork

Food:

African Inspired Dinner @ Catholic Cuisine

Sudanese Cinnamon Tea & Peanut Macaroons @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon)

Prayer:

Prayer in Honor of St. Josephine Bakhita @ Catholic Culture

February 9^th – St. Apollonia, Fat Tuesday

St. Apollonia was tortured by having her teeth pulled out and martyred in Alexandria.  Read more about her at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Page:

St. Apollonia @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon)

Food:

St. Apollonia Teeth Snack @ Family at the Foot of the Cross

Fat Tuesday

Read more about Fat Tuesday at Catholic Culture.  See my Lent 2016 post for more info.

February 10^th – Ash Wednesday, St. Scholastica

St. Scholastica was the twin of St. Benedict, and devoted her life to God.  Read more about it at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Scholastica @ Catholic Playground

St. Benedict and St. Scholastica @ Real Life at Home

Activities:

Thunderstorm Art @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon)

Food:

Thunder and Lightning @ Catholic Cuisine

February 11^th – Our Lady of Lourdes

Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in Lourdes several times, proclaiming that she was “The Immaculate Conception”.  Read more about this Marian apparition at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

Our Lady of Lourdes @ Catholic Playground

Immaculate Conception @ Waltzing Matilda

Our Lady of Lourdes @ Drawn 2B Creative

Activities:

Grotto Crafts @ Catholic Inspired

Food:

French Onion Rice @ Catholic Cuisine

February 14^th – St. Cyril and Methodius, St. Valentine

Sts. Cyril and Methodius were brothers who worked diligently to convert the Slavonic nations.  Read more about them at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

Sts. Cyril and Methodius @ Catholic Playground

Food:

Pirogs @ Catholic Culture

Pierogi @ Catholic Culture

St. Valentine

St. Valentine was a Roman martyr who married many couple in secret in direct disobedience of Emperor Claudius’ decree.  Read more about him at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

St. Valentine @ Catholic Playground

St. Valentine @ Waltzing Matilda

Before My Eyes @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

A Friend Loves @ Look to Him and Be Radiant

Activities:

Spiritual Boquet for Valentine’s Day @ Catholic Icing

Heart Napkin Fold @ Catholic Playground

Love Is Minibook @ Drawn 2B Creative

Valentine Thankful Craft @ Catholic Inspired

St. Valentine Placemat @ Real Life at Home

St. Valentine Word Search @ Real Life at Home

Socks of Love Service Project @ Family at the Foot of the Cross

Valentine Saint Game @ Catholic Culture

Catholic Valentines @ Homeschool Is Where the Heart Is (Coming Soon)

Food:

Valentine Bible Verse Candy Heart Cookies @ Catholic Playground          

                               

February 20^th – Blesseds Jacinta and Francisco Marto

Two of the children whom Mary appeared to at Fatima.  Read more about them at Catholic Culture.

Coloring Pages:

Beatos Francisco y Jacinta Marto @ Familia Cristiana

Our Lady of Fatima @ Catholic Playground

Food:

Portuguese Meat @ Catholic Cuisine

Quindao Dessert @ Celebrations in the Catholic Home

February 22^nd – The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle

Celebration of the papacy as instituted by Christ.  Read more about this feast at Catholic Culture. 

Coloring Pages:

P is for St. Peter @ Saints to Color

The Chair of St. Peter @ Snowflake Clockwork

Food:

Edible Chairs @ Catholic Cuisine

Golden Chair of St. Peter Fruit Salad @ Catholic Cuisine

Thanks for reading!