Our Jesse Tree

Our Jesse Tree

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luke 2: 8

a camel and the stump of Jesse
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots. Isaiah 11:1

This little wire basket holds our Jesse Tree ornaments as they wait their turn to go on the tree.

Decking the Halls---Traditions

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We have many family traditions especially around this time of year.  Today I thought I would share just a couple of them.  Every year since moving out to the country we have tried to decorate with some greenery from our property.  Early last week I asked the big guys to gather some for me, but Jackson (7) decided he would tackle the job alone.  He got a small saw and cut down two pine saplings.  Then he got the loppers and trimmed all the branches off, loaded them into a box and brought them to me.

Devin made two swags like this one with just one small branch, two cinnamon sticks, a rubber band and a length of ribbon.  Very simple and I am ALL about simple these days!

I put two large wreaths together by using a wire wreath form.  I tied the pine branches on the form with florist's wire.  Jackson then searched for small pine cones and we added those to the wreath as well.

Every year since our oldest daughter was born my mother has purchased each grandchild an ornament.  We have also purchased each of our children an ornament and we do the same for our grandchildren.  My mom started purchasing the pewter ornaments from Avon several years ago and they are gorgeous.  Jeff and I try to get ornaments that reflect an interest of each child or as a remembrance of a special trip or vacation.  Some years it is hard to find that one special ornament and when that happens I choose some of our favorites...for the boys...trains, nutcracker soldiers....for the girls....angels or snowmen.  Here are this year's selections.

Jordan got a pig ornament to help him remember the night we had to chase two hogs that had escaped their pen.  It wasn't a whole lot of fun at the moment, but later it sure has brought us many laughs!

 The snowman was this year's selection from my mom.  All seven of the children have one just like it!

Kaelan has actually selected several of her own ornaments and she tends to love bird ornaments.  This year I found this cute owl that is a huge jingle bell!

Jackson declared himself the "chicken tender", so this beautiful rooster was perfect for him this year!

As a young woman, Devin is at a time that she is making decisions that will affect the rest of her life.  This simple angel with the word FAITH will help her remember to have faith that God will lead her if she will follow.

This year Aaron recieved another nutcracker ornament to add to his collection.

Caedmon has loved dressing up in cowboy gear this year,  so this cute little ornament was perfect for him.

Lauren and her family will soon be moving into their new home and are not putting a tree up until then, so I haven't given them their ornaments for this year.

Our tree is full of beautiful ornaments that bring back so many memories for us.  As our children grow and leave our home they will receive their own box of ornaments to take with them.  Lauren treasures her ornaments as keepsakes from childhood.  When her home was destroyed by tornado earlier this year (they were on an overnight trip and were not harmed at all) the first things that she wanted to find were her ornaments and her books.  Her ornaments were fine, but sadly she lost most of her books.

What are some special family traditions that your family has during this holiday season?  Do you celebrate Advent, have a Jesse Tree, sing carols, have a special holiday snack?  I would love to hear about YOUR family traditions!

 

Preparing for the Holidays

We are crazy busy here the last few days working hard on some decluttering, getting ready for a yard sale in a few weeks, preparing for a visit from my mom and my brother and his wife who have been away from the states for the last 15 months or so, dehydrating, canning, cooking, laundry closet makeover, painting, schooling and well, just life!!  I thought I would repost this from two years ago.  These are some of our favorite all-tiime holiday recipes and will be on the menu again for this season.  

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When we were poor college students and Jeff was minister of music and youth at our first church a dear friend made this pie several times and shared the recipe with me when we left for seminary in Texas.  It has become a favorite and is much requested by my chocolate-loving children.  (Thanks for sharing ALL those many years ago, Debby P.!)  Jeff even won a men's baking contest with this pie at one of our churches.

Chocolate Chess Pie


4 whole eggs
3 cups sugar
one stick melted butter
4 T cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
12 oz can evaporated milk

Mix all in the blender and pour into 2 unbaked pie shells.  Place a cookie sheet on the lower rack of your oven to catch any drips.  Place the pies on the middle rack (or mid-oven) and bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes or until set.  Remove and let cool.  These pies freeze well.



My mother-in-law introduced me to this recipe many years ago and it has become a must for me at all turkey and dressing meals.  I do omit the pecans as we have allergy issues with nuts!  This exact recipe is also from a former church member.  Church folks sure know how to cook!!

Cranberry Casserole

1 c. peeled raw apples, chopped
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 c. uncooked oatmeal
2 c. fresh or thawed from frozen cranberries
1 stick butter, melted
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Butter a loaf-shaped glass dish. Put a layer of apples, half of each sugar, half of oatmeal, and half of nuts.  Repeat layers.  (Oatmeal is next to top layer and nuts the very last top layer.)  Pour melted butter over all and bake in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.  Serves 8-10 people.
I use a little less sugar and you can par-bake this and freeze so make your Thanksgiving morning a little less stressful!

I cannot remember a time that we have not had this pie at any holiday meal.  My mom made this pie when I was growing up and I gladly carry on the tradition.  It is simple and oh, so delicious.


Blueberry Cream Cheese Pies

2 baked pie shells
2 blocks of softened cream cheese
powdered sugar
1 can blueberry pie filling
chopped pecans
whipped topping

Mix some powdered sugar into the cream cheese until it is sweet enough to your taste.  Yes, you get to taste it!!  When satisfied, spread the cream cheese mixture into both pie shells.  You may then put on a layer of chopped pecans, if desired.  I do not unless my mom is coming!  Pour the blueberry pie filling over the nuts, dividing evenly.  Top all with whipped topping  and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Simple and so yummy!!  It is even great for breakfast the next day if you can eat it without your children seeing you eat pie for breakfast.  I can't wait!!


Sweet and Sour Green Beans


This is another recipe that I grew up with and it is so good!!  This recipe can be multiplied and you probably will need to if you are having a crowd or have a big family like me.

2 14.5 cans of cut green beans
8 bacon strips
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vinegar

Fry the bacon in a skillet (iron works better).  Remove bacon, but leave grease.  Let cool slightly and add sugar and vinegar.  Stir until sugar melts.  Add DRAINED beans.  Cook until the beans are slightly shriveled.  Crumble bacon on top (if there is any left at this point!  My kids always sneak bites off it while my back is turned!!)  This is not a recipe for every day, but it is so good.  Perfect for a holiday meal!

Last night we had a simple turkey casserole that I pulled from the freezer.  Most of the children really liked it and Kaelan insisted that she MUST have the recipe for when she gets married.  I will share it with you now so that you can use it for your turkey leftovers.  As you can tell a lot of my recipes are not exact.  This is one of those.

Jalapeno Turkey Noodle Casserole
You will need 2-4 cups of chopped turkey or chicken.  Prepare 6 or so cups of macaroni.  Drain.  Mix turkey and noodles with 1-2 cans of cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup.  Add some chopped jalapeno peppers, salt and black pepper to taste.  Pour into greased casserole dishes.  Top with grated cheese and a layer of buttered Ritz crackers.  Cover and freeze or bake at 350 until bubbly.  Instead of adding cheese to the top you can mix it in with the noodles and meat mixture.  Simple and easy!!


Now, I am off to get busy with the laundry and then to the kitchen where the girls and I will get some more of our cooking done and in the freezer.  I am so very thankful for my helpers.

Are you hosting a Thanksgiving meal in your home?  Do you go all out with table settings and decorations?  If you are posting about your Thanksgiving traditions leave a comment to let us know what you are doing!

Linking up with Mary Joy at Learning to Live a Surrendered Life.  Check it out for some wonderful Thanksgiving ideas.

Read Aloud

Do you read to your children?   Do you share great stories of adventure?  Do you read stories to your children that encourage them to live lives that glorify God?  Do you read the Bible to your children?

Reading aloud to my children is  a big part of our day.  I generally have a historical fiction and a biography that I am reading to the children in addition to our daily chapter in Proverbs and Psalms.  Caedmon and Jackson get extra time as we snuggle on the couch to read picture books together.

I found this sweet poem that depicts a child's view of what happens when mother reads aloud and thought I would share with you today.  If you are not reading aloud to your children I encourage you to do so.  I have so many precious memories of time spent with my children and a good book.

When Mother Reads Aloud
  Anonymous


When Mother reads aloud, the past
     Seems real as every day;
I hear the tramp of armies vast,
I see the spears and lances cast,
     I join the trilling fray;
Brave knights and ladies fair and proud
I meet when Mother reads aloud.


When Mother reads aloud, far lands
     Seem very near and true;
I cross the desert's gleaming sands,
Or hunt the jungle's prowling bands,
     Or sail the ocean blue.
Far heights, whose peaks the cold mists shroud,
I scale, when Mother reads aloud.


When Mother reads aloud, I long
     for noble deeds to do--
To help the right, redress the wrong;
It seems so easy to be strong,
     So simple to be true.
Oh, thick and fast the visions crowd
My eyes, when Mother reads aloud.
     


Now the little boys have removed the cushions from the couch and are preparing a nice, cozy spot on the floor for our time of reading together.  Grab a book and join us!!  Do you have a favorite book that you have shared with your children?  A book that has inspired you?  A book that has blessed your family?  I would love to hear about it!!

The Unveiling

The weekend after Thanksgiving is our traditional time of decking the halls for the Christmas and Advent season.  One of our traditions is getting each child and grandchild a new ornament each year.  When they marry they will take the ornaments to their new home.  We now have so many ornaments that we are not able to put them all on the tree!  I think I will look for another tree on clearance this year so that we can put up another one....somewhere!

This is always an exciting time, waiting to open the ornaments.

I try to get ornaments reflecting the interests of the children or depicting a family trip.  Jordan has developed an interest in homesteading, so his ornament has a cow, chicken and sheep stacked on top of each other.   We laughed as we put ornaments from years past on the tree.  My mom had found one with a little boy on the computer when Jordan was five years old and we had just gotten a computer and he played some educational games.  Now he is on the computer a lot writing his book, editing photos, doing schoolwork or researching homestead information.  

It's fun to watch the reactions of the younger children as they are not too concerned with image yet.

Christmas cookie "j" for Jackson!

"a" is for Aaron!

Caedmon gets some help.

What can it be?

Oh, my!

It's Noah's Ark!  I think all of the boys have a Noah's Ark ornament.

Watching everyone else open their ornaments.  When did he grow up?

A sweet "k" cookie for a sweet Kaelan!

Hanging the ornaments one by one!

Trying to find the perfect spot.  I stay out of the way!  I unwrap the ornaments and pass them out, but I don't touch the tree.  The ornaments generally stay where the children put them.

Yes, I know he needs a haircut!

Hanging a hand knit ornament made by my sweet friend Anna B.

Hanging another unbreakable ornament!

A view from Caedmon's eyes.

A phone booth from England..one from my mom's travels.

Another unbreakable ornament that formerly contained a silver dollar from my mom.

More family traditions and recipes coming up in the next few days.

Away in a Manger

Jackson's favorite Christmas carol this year was "Away in a Manger". He wanted to sing it every night during the Advent season. When Kaelan was younger her favorite was "Go Tell It on the Mountain." We sing Christmas carols around the Advent wreath every night before Advent devotionals. Usually it is on the dining room table, but here, in the floor of the den, campfire style.

Away in a manger,
no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down his sweet head;
The stars in the sky
looked down where he lay,
The little Lord Jesus,
asleep on the hay.

Traditions

Our family photo on Thanksgiving Day. We rarely take the time to get everyone in the picture....and still missed Lauren and her family! They arrived a little later...when it was too dark to take more outdoor pictures.



For Lauren's first Christmas my mom decided to start a collection of Christmas ornaments for her. As the grandchildren kept coming, she kept up the tradition. She now has twelve grandchildren! Jeff and I have also added to the children's collections each year. The older children have at least one box full of ornaments. When Lauren and James got married three years ago, we gave Lauren her box of ornaments. Our tree is still very full!! Our plan is that all of the children will take their ornaments with them when they marry.

We always save decorating the tree for Sunday afternoon after Thanksgiving. That way I can assure that we will have on nice clothes!! We try to get ornaments that reflect each child's interest for that year. Jordan has been working on a pirate treasure story on his blog at homeschoolblogger.com/middengard, so his ornament is a treasure chest. Devin is into hats and scarves this fall (accessorizing, she says) and of course shopping, so her ornament is a young lady garbed in hat and scarf with an armload of gifts.

Kaelan has actually gone ornament shopping with me the last two years and has chosen her own ornaments. Both have been beautiful birds.

Caedmon needed a little help hanging his ornament. It is the typical first Christmas ornament which will include a small picture of him.. Right now he is only interested in sleeping, nursing and talking to his mom.

Jackson loves to help Jeff work around the house and follows any "worker men" that are around. His ornament is a handyman's shop with a hammer hanging from the sign. One day when "working" with Jeff on the barn, he spent a very long time hammering nails into a piece of scrap wood. He loved it.

Aaron still likes to ride our pony "Little Lady", so his ornament has a horse riding theme.

Over the River, Shopping Frenzy and Decking the Halls...Fa La La La La

Our long Thanksgiving weekend has been a blur! Our original plans had been to go "Over the River and Through the Woods" to Grandmother's house, but an early phone call on Thursday morning changed our plans. Grandmother wasn't feeling well...Hope you are better now! The children were disappointed and quickly wanted to know what we were going to do! I turned over for a little more sleep, but plans were formulating in my sleepy brain.

I had dressing and pies in the freezer and various ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving feast on hand, but the turkeys in my freezer would not thaw in time for a dinner on Thursday. Thankfully, Jeff was willing to head out to Kroger for a fresh turkey and ham. While Devin and I worked in the kitchen, Jeff took Jordan, Aaron, Kaelan and Jackson out behind the barn for some shooting practice. Our dinner was complete and we had our fill and were out the door for a family photo shoot before 4:00. Just as it was getting too dark to take more pictures, Lauren and Chase arrived. ( I think Lauren planned it that way!! Her brother-in-law had taken lots of pictures of them earlier in the day...I think I will get a CD of those.)

My mom and her husband arrived later in the evening and we had sandwiches and more pie and fudge! Some of us went to bed early in order to take advantage of Black Friday sales. Lauren, Devin, Caedmon and I left home at 4 a.m. and returned around 10:30. My mom, Kaelan, Lauren, Caedmon and I were back out by noon and returned with a Chinese dinner just after 5. A good break from the turkey and ham!!

My extended family always plays games when we are together. However, I was so tired I went to bed early with Caedmon while some of the others played Rummikub....usually my brother wins, but he wasn't able to come home for Thanksgiving.. This time Jordan won....We may have a new game champion around here.

Saturday afternoon and most of Sunday was spent in decorating. By Sunday evening things were pretty much in order and we were able to sit down to a good dinner and then have our Advent/Jesse Tree devotions.

We have been celebrating Advent for many years. We purchased our Advent wreath at a roadside shop/bakery that was part of John Michael Talbot's monastery in the Ozarks. This has made our Christmas season much more Christ-centered as we reflect on the coming of Jesus every night during our devotions. A few years ago we also added the Jesse tree. We have a 3 foot Christmas tree with lights and small manger scene ornaments. Every day in December we have a devotional and time of singing that tells of Jesus beginning in the Old Testament. We hang an ornament with a picture symbolizing each devotion. The first reading is about the Creation, so the ornament has a picture of the earth.

Resources that we use each year are Jotham's Journey or Bartholomew's Passage by Arnold Ytreeide. These are Advent storybooks that have devotionals at the end of each day's reading. The Advent Jesse Tree by Dean Meador Lambert is used for our Jesse Tree. You can find Jesse tree ornaments and devotionals on the internet. It's not too late if you want to incorporate them in your Christmas traditions.

What are some of your family's favorite Christmas traditions? Leave a comment to let me know!