Saturday, December 24, 2011

Jesse Tree

 I went to the thrift store and got a couple of ornaments for our Jesse Tree they were $1.00 or less. A wooden lion, a wooden camel, 4 wooden stars,a fuzzy sheep, and a golden angel I was so pleased with each of them since we won't have time to make an ornament each day.


I found this list including the scripture references here.


The Symbols:
Earth
Apple & Snake
Mary
Ark & Rainbow
Camel &Tent
Lamb
Colorful Coat
Doorway With blood
Tablet With 10 Numbers
Cluster of Grapes
Stick With bronze serpent
Whale
Sheaf of Wheat
Slingshot
Scroll
Stump With Leaf
Lion & Lamb together
Dove & Crown
Shepherd’s Staff
Cross
Heart With Writing
Bethlehem
Fiery Furnace
Brick Wall
Star
Candle or Light
Angel
Baby in Manger
Advent Jesse Tree scripture quotes from the Revised Standard Version:
The Jesse Tree represents Jesus’ family tree.  It takes us through that first long Advent, which lasted from the Fall to the Incarnation with a collection of Scripture meditations to prepare for the coming of Christ at Christmas.
1. In the Beginning (Symbol: planet Earth)
Genesis 1:1-3, 27, 31
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The
earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face
of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the
waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he
created him; male and female he created them.
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was
very good.
John 1:1-5, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things
were made through him, and without him was not anything made
that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not
overcome it.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and
truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the
Father.
2. The Fall (Symbol: apple)
Genesis 3:3-6, 9-11
But God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree which is in
the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.”
But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die. For God
knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you
will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw
that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the
eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she
took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband,
and he ate.
But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are
you?” And he said, “I heard the sound of thee in the garden, and I
was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” He said, “Who
told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which
I commanded you not to eat?”
1 Corinthians 15:21-22
For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the
resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ
shall all be made alive.
Romans 5:12, 14-15
Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death
through sin, and so death spread to all men because all men
sinned. … Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over
those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who
was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like
the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much
more have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of that
one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
3. Mother of All Living (Symbol: Mary)
Genesis 3:14a, 15, 20
The Lord God said to the serpent, “I will put enmity between you
and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall
bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother
of all living.
Luke 1:26, 28, 31, 38
In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of
Galilee named Nazareth. … And he came to her and said, “Hail,
full of grace, the Lord is with you! … And behold, you will conceive
in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.”
… And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be
to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
John 19:26-27
When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved
standing near, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.”
Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that
hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Revelation 12:1-2, 17a
And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with
the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of
twelve stars; she was with child and she cried out in her pangs of
birth, in anguish for delivery.
Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make
war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the
commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus.
4. Noah and the Ark (Symbol: ark and rainbow)
Genesis 6:5-8; 7:15-18; 9:8, 15-16
The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth,
and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only
evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on
the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, “I will
blot out man whom I have created from the face of the ground,
man and beast and creeping things and birds of the air, for I am
sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of
the Lord.
[The creatures] went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all
flesh in which there was the breath of life. And they that entered,
male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him;
and the Lord shut him in. The flood continued forty days upon the
earth; and the waters increased, and bore up the ark, and it rose
high above the earth. The waters prevailed and increased greatly
upon the earth; and the ark floated on the face of the waters.
Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, “… I will
remember my covenant which is between me and you and every
living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again
become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds,
I will look upon it and remember the everlasting covenant between
God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.”
Matthew 24:36-39, 42
[Jesus said,] “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the
angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. As were the
days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of man. For as in
those days before the flood they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered
the ark, and they did not know until the flood came and swept
them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of man. … Watch
therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”
I Peter 3:20b-21a
In the days of Noah, during the building of the ark … a few, that is,
eight persons, were saved through water. Baptism, which
corresponds to this, now saves you.
5. The Blessing to Abraham (Symbol: camel)
Genesis 12:1-3; 17:5
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your
kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and
make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless
those who bless you, and him who curses you I will curse; and by
you all the families of the earth shall bless themselves.
“No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be
Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of
nations.”
Hebrews 11:8, 12
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place
which he was to receive as an inheritance; and he went out, not
knowing where he was to go.
Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born
descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as the
innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.
Matthew 1:1
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the
son of Abraham.
6. Sacrifice of the Son (Symbol: lamb)
Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13
After these things God tested Abraham, and said to him,
“Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said, “Take your son,
your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah,
and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains
of which I shall tell you.” … When they came to the place of which
God had told him, Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood
in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon
the wood. Then Abraham put forth his hand, and took the knife to
slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven,
and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here am I.” He said,
“Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I
know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son,
your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and
looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by
his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up
as a burnt offering instead of his son.
Colossians 1:15[Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all
creation.
John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that
whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
7. Joseph in Egypt (Symbol: colorful coat)
Genesis 37:3-5, 8a, 18-19, 23, 28
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children,
because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a long
robe with sleeves. But when his brothers saw that their father
loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him, and could
not speak peaceably to him.
Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they
only hated him the more. … His brothers said to him, “Are you
indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to have dominion over
us?”
[One day] they saw him afar off, and before he came near to them
they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another,
“Here comes this dreamer.” … So when Joseph came to his
brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the long robe with sleeves
that he wore. … Then Midianite traders passed by; and [the
brothers] drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold
him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver; and [the
Ishmaelites] took Joseph to Egypt.
Genesis 41:41; 42:6; 45:4-5
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, I have set you over all the
land of Egypt.” … Now Joseph was governor over the land; he it
was who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers
came, and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the
ground. … So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, I
pray you.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother,
Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed
or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent
me before you to preserve life.”
Matthew 2:13-15
Now when [the wise men] had departed, behold, an angel of the
Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the
child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there till I tell
you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
And he rose and took the child and his mother by night, and
departed to Egypt, and remained there until the death of Herod.
This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, ‘Out of
Egypt have I called my son.”
8. Passover (Symbol: doorway with blood)
Exodus 12: 3, 5a, 6b-8, 11-13
Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this
month they shall take every man a lamb according to their fathers’
houses, a lamb for a household. …Your lamb shall be without
blemish, a male a year old. … The whole assembly of the
congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs in the evening. Then
they shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two doorposts
and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them. They shall eat
the flesh that night, roasted; with unleavened bread and bitter
herbs they shall eat it. … In this manner you shall eat it: your loins
girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and
you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s passover.
For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will smite
all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on
all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The
blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and
when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall fall
upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
John:1:29; 6:4, 52-54
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said,
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. … The
Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this
man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly,
I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink
his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks
my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”
1 Corinthians 5:7b
Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed.
9. The Ten Commandments (Symbol: tablet with 10 numbers)
Exodus 20:1-4a, 7a, 8, 12-17
And God spoke all these words, saying, “ am the Lord your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of
bondage. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not
make for yourself a graven image. … You shall not take the name
of the Lord your God in vain. … Remember the Sabbath day, to
keep it holy. … Honor your father and your mother, that your days
may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you. You
shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall
not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your
neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox,
or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Matthew 5:3-10
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be
satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are
the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed
are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is
the Kingdom of heaven.
9a. The Promised Land: Canaan (Symbol: cluster of grapes)
Genesis 17:7-8
And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your
descendants after you throughout their generations for an
everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants
after you. And I will give to you, and to your descendants after
you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an
everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Numbers 13:1-2a, 17-18a, 20, 23,27

The Lord said to Moses, “Send men to spy out the land of
Canaan, which I give to the people of Israel.” … Moses sent them
to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up into the
Negeb yonder, and go up into the hill country, and see what the
land is … and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there
is wood in it or not. Be of good courage, and bring some of the
fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe
grapes.
And they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and cut down from there a
branch with a single cluster of grapes, and they carried it on a
pole between two of them; they brought also some pomegranates
and figs. … And they told him, “We came to the land to which you
sent us; it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.”
Revelation 21:1-3
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven
and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of
heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband;
and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the
dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they
shall be his people, and God himself will be with them.”
9b. Bronze Serpent (Symbol: stick with bronze serpent)
Numbers 21:6-9
Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit
the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people
came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken
against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord, that he take
away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And
the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole;
and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So
Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it on a pole; and if a
serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.
John 3:13-15
No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from
heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever
believes in him may have eternal life.
9c. Jonah (Symbol: whale)
Jonah: 1:15-17, 2:1-3, 7-10, 3:2-3a, 5
So they took up Jonah and threw him into the sea; and the sea
ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the Lord
exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made
vows.
And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah; and
Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish,
saying, “I called to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered
me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and thou didst hear my voice.
For thou didst cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas,
and the flood was round about me; all thy waves and thy billows
passed over me. ... When my soul fainted within me, I
remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to thee, into thy holy
Temple. Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their true
loyalty. But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to thee;
what I have vowed I will pay. Deliverance belongs to the Lord!”
And the Lord spoke to the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the
dry land.
“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the
message that I tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh,
according to the word of the Lord. … And the people of Nineveh
believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from
the greatest of them to the least of them.
Matthew 12:38-41
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher,
we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil
and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be
given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was
three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the
Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the
earth. The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this
generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of
Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”
10. Ruth and Boaz (Symbol: sheaf of wheat)
Ruth 1:16; 2:2, 8, 10-12; 4:13-14
But Ruth said [to Naomi], “Entreat me not to leave you or to return
from following you; for where you go I will go, and where you
lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God
my God.”
And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me go to the field,
and glean among the ears of grain after him in whose sight I shall
find favor.” And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.” … Then Boaz
said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in
another field or leave this one, but keep close to my maidens.”
Then she fell on her face, bowing to the ground, and said to him,
“Why have I found favor in your eyes, that you should take notice
of me, when I am a foreigner?” But Boaz answered her, “All that
you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your
husband has been fully told me, and how you left your father and
mother and your native land and came to a people that you did
not know before. The Lord recompense you for what you have
done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of
Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”
So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife … and the Lord gave
her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to
Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without
next of kin; and may his name be renowned in Israel!”
Matthew 1:5b-6a
Boaz [was] the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of
Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king.
11. David and Goliath (Symbol: slingshot)
1 Samuel 16:1, 13a; 17:3-4, 8-9, 45, 47-49
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul,
seeing I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your
horn with oil, and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for
I have provided for myself a king among his sons.”
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of
his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David
from that day forward.
And the Philistines stood on the mountain on the one side, and
Israel stood on the mountain on the other side, with a valley
between them. And there came out from the camp of the
Philistines a champion named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was
six cubits and a span.
He stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why have you come
out to draw up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not
servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come
down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will
be your servants; but if I prevail against him and kill him, then you
shall be our servants and serve us.”
Then David said to [Goliath], “You come to me with a sword and
with a spear and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of
the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have
defied. … All this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with
sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give you
into our hand.” When the Philistine arose and came and drew
near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to
meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag and took
out a stone, and slung it, and struck [Goliath] on his forehead; the
stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.
Revelation 22:16
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to you with this testimony for the
churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright
morning star.”
11a. God’s Forgotten Scroll is Found (Symbol: scroll)
2 Kings 22:2, 23:1-3
[King Josiah] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and
walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside
to the right hand or to the left. … Then the king sent, and all the
elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him. And the
king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men of
Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests and
the prophets, all the people, both small and great; and he read in
their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which had
been found in the house of the Lord. And the king stood by the
pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord
and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his
statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of
this covenant that were written in this book; and all the people
joined in the covenant.
Psalm 119:33-35Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I will keep it to the
end. Give me understanding, that I may keep thy law and observe
it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of thy
commandments, for I delight in it.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the
man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy art thou to take the
scroll and to open its seals, for thou wast slain and by thy blood
didst ransom men for God from every tribe and tongue and people
and nation.”
12. Prophecy: A Shoot From the Stump of Jesse (Symbol: stump
with leaf)

Isaiah 11:1-5, 10
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a
branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the Lord shall
rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of
counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the
Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not
judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but
with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity
for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod
of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the
wicked. Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and
faithfulness the girdle of his loins. … In that day the root of Jesse
shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; him shall the nations
seek, and his dwellings shall be glorious.
Acts 13:16, 22-23
So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of
Israel, and you that fear God, listen: When [God] had removed
[Saul], he raised up David to be their king; of whom [God] testified
and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my
heart, who will do all my will.’ Of this man’s posterity God has
brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.”
13. Prophecy: The New Creation (Symbol: lion and lamb together)
Isaiah 11:6-10
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down
with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and
a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall feed; their
young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the
ox. The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the
weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not
hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of
the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day
the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; him
shall the nations seek, and his dwellings shall be glorious.
Revelation 21:4-5a
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be
no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any
more, for the former things have passed away. And he who sat
upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
14. Prophecy: Prince of Peace (Symbol: dove and crown)
Isaiah 9:2, 6-7
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those
who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government
will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful
Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Everlasting Father,” “Prince of Peace.”
Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no
end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish
it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this
time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do
this!
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world
gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let
them be afraid.”
John 18:33, 36a, 37bPilate entered the praetorium again and called Jesus, and said to
him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” … Jesus answered, “My
Kingdom is not of this world. …You say that I am a king. For this I
was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness
to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice.”
15. Prophecy: Good Shepherd (Symbol: shepherd’s staff)
Ezekiel 34:2b, 4-5, 10-12, 15a, 16a, 23-24
Thus says the Lord God: “Ho, shepherds of Israel who have been
feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? … The
weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed,
the crippled you have not bound up, the strayed you have not
brought back, the lost you have not sought and with force and
harshness you have ruled them.” So they were scattered,
because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the
wild beasts.
Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against the shepherds; …
I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be
food for them.” For thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I, I myself
will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd
seeks out his flock when some of his sheep have been scattered
abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will rescue them from
all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and
thick darkness. … I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep. ... I
will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind
up the crippled, and I will strengthen the weak. … And I will set up
over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed
them: He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord,
will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among
them; I, the Lord, have spoken.”
Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Luke 7:21b
[Jesus] cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and
on many that were blind he bestowed sight.
John 10:11, 16, 27[Jesus said,] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays
down his life for the sheep. … And I have other sheep, that are
not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my
voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. … My sheep
hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
16. Prophecy: Suffering Servant (Symbol: cross)
Isaiah 53:4-7, 9, 12b
Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we
esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was
wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his
stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we
have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord has laid on
him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the
slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, so he
opened not his mouth.
And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in
his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no
deceit in his mouth.
He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the
transgressors.
John 19:1, 15-18Then Pilate took Jesus and scourged him. … They cried out,
“Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them,
“Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have
no king but Caesar.” Then he handed him over to them to be
crucified. So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own
cross, to the place called the place of a skull, which is called in
Hebrew Golgotha. There they crucified him, and with him two
others, one on either side, and Jesus between them.
17. The New Covenant (Symbol: heart with writing)
Jeremiah 31:31-33
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “when I will make a
new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
not like the covenant which I made with their fathers when I took
them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my
covenant which they broke, though I was their husband,” says the
Lord. “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of
Israel after those days,” says the Lord: “I will put my law within
them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.”
Hebrews 9:13-15
For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and
bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of
the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through
the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify
your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who
are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a
death has occurred which redeems them from the transgressions
under the first covenant.
18. Bethlehem Prophecy (Symbol: Bethlehem)
Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the
clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be
ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.
Luke 2:4-7
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth,
to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because
he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with
Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were
there, the time came for her to be delivered. And she gave birth to
her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid
him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
19. Exile and Persecution: The Fiery Furnace (Symbol: fiery
furnace)

2 Kings 17:23
The Lord removed Israel out of his sight, as he had spoken by all
his servants the prophets. So Israel was exiled from their own
land to Assyria until this day.
Daniel 3:19, 21, (Az 1,26,) 28Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression of his
face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was wont
to be heated. ... Then these men were bound in their mantles,
their tunics, their hats and their other garments, and they were
cast into the burning fiery furnace. … And they walked about in
the midst of the flames, singing hymns to God and blessing the
Lord.
But the angel of the Lord came down into the furnace to be with
Azariah and his companions, and drove the fiery flame out of the
furnace.
Nebuchadnezzar said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered
his servants, who trusted in him, and set at nought the king’s
command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and
worship any god except their own God.”
Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and
utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice
and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men
persecuted the prophets who were before you.
19a. Return to Jerusalem (Symbol: brick wall)
Nehemiah 1:3; 2:18; 6:15-16
And they said to me, “The survivors there in the province who
escaped exile are in great trouble and shame; the wall of
Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
And I told them of the hand of my God which had been upon me
for good, and also of the words which the king had spoken to me.
And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened
their hands for the good work.
So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul,
in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the
nations round about us were afraid and fell greatly in their own
esteem; for they perceived that this work had been accomplished
with the help of our God.
Revelation 21:10-14
And in the Spirit he carried me away to a great, high mountain,
and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of
heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most
rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall,
with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the
gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were
inscribed; on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the
south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of
the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of
the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
20. Christmas Star (Symbol: star)
Numbers 24:17-19a
I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: A star shall
come forth out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it
shall crush the forehead of Moab, and break down all the sons of
Sheth. Edom shall be dispossessed, Seir also, his enemies, shall
be dispossessed, while Israel does valiantly. By Jacob shall
dominion be exercised.
Matthew 2:1-6, 9-11
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of
Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to
Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the
Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to
worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests
and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ
was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is
written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of
Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from
you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel.’”
When they had heard the king they went their way; and lo, the star
which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to
rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star,
they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house
they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and
worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him
gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
21. Light of the World (Symbol: candle or light)
Psalm 27:1-3
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The
Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When
evildoers assail me, uttering slanders against me, my adversaries
and foes, they shall stumble and fall. Though a host encamp
against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me,
yet I will be confident.
John 1:9, 8:12
The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the
world.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world; he
who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of
life.”
22. Angels Proclaim the Miraculous Birth (Symbol: angel)
Genesis 18:1-4, 8b-10a
And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at
the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes
and looked, and behold, three men stood in front of him. When he
saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed
himself to the earth, and said, “My lord, if I have found favor in
your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be
brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.”
… And he stood by them under the tree while they ate. They said
to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the
tent.” The Lord said, “I will surely return to you in the spring, and
Sarah your wife shall have a son.”
Luke 2:8-14
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared
to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for
behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all
the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find
a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!”
23. The Birth of Jesus (Symbol: baby in manger)
Isaiah 7:10-14
Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God;
let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will
not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear
then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that
you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you
a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall
call his name Immanuel (that is, God is with us).”
Luke 2:1, 4-12
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the
world should be enrolled. … And Joseph also went up from
Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and
lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was
with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to be
delivered. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped
him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there
was no place for them in the inn.
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared
to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for
behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all
the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find
a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” wrapped
him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there
was no place for them in the inn.
And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping
watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared
to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they
were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Be not afraid; for
behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all
the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,
who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find
a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.




Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Salt dough ornaments

Recipe for salt dough

  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 cups white flour.
  •  preheat oven to 200 degrees
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine one cup salt and one cup of water until the salt has dissolved. 2. Gradually stir in at least 3 cups of flour. To make a stiffer dough add more flour.
If  your dough gets crumbly, add in a little more salt water at a 1:1 ratio. If your dough is just too sticky, add in a little more flour.
3. Sculpt your salt dough and put each finished ornament on a baking sheet.
4. Bake your salt dough sculptures in a 200-degree oven for at least two hours, and it is completely dry. Thicker sculptures will take significantly more time to dry than flat ones.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

What my christmas tree means to me

I just got home from work and am sitting in the dark looking at my decorated tree. I lost some of my children and mine handmade ornaments a few years ago and I cried. So a friend gave me little beaded grandmas ornaments, her other Christmas ornaments, and garland so those remind me of friendships gone. This year the little kids and I have made several ornaments and they are so precious to me. The first year Aaron and I spent together he made ornaments with us and they are all on the tree I smile at each one. The kids each have ornaments with their names from the Grandparents and they are on the tree. The red bows are from Jessica's spruce tree that she planted when she was two. We would decorate that little tree every year outside at my mom and dad's house. The tree is taller than the house now. Both my parents are gone but the bows remind me of them. The little bells are from when the cat would try to climb the tree and look like the one in polar express that came out long after the bells made it on our tree. The angel was a gift from Camryn's grandma Nola when she moved to Florida and remind us of her at Christmas. The glass pine cones and Blue bulbs were bought to celebrate out first Chrismas in our new home in 2006. Candy canes never seem to stay on the tree long but I see a couple hiding in the branches. The little red satin bulb is the last one the cat didn't shread from the year camryn was one and we couldn't have any glass on our tree. The small colored glass bulbs are from my trees growing up. There are several gift tags and christmas cards that have tranformed into ornaments with dates on the back. I love my christmas tree memories.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

ornaments

I found this little beaded bell ornament at the thrift store and just had to have it. We have been reading a lot of Longfellow this year and so it just fit.

I heard the Bells on Christmas Day
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing singing, on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men!

Monday, December 12, 2011

Nuts and bolts

Nuts & Bolts

INGREDIENTS:
- 1 box of  Wheat Chex
- 1 box of Cheerios
- 1 box of Crispix
- 1 bag of Pretzel Sticks
- Peanuts 1.5lbs
- 1 botle of Worstershire Sauce (284ml)
- 2 Cups of Mazola or Canola Oil
- 1 tbsp Seasoning Salt
-1 tbsp Garlic Salt
- 4 large plastic freezer bags to store nuts & bolts in freezer (yum!)
-Aluminum pans for mixing and baking (I use two roasting pans that equal the width of my oven.
*The ingredients above filled the two roasting pan size that I used.

STEPS:
1. Mix all the cereals and peanuts into your pans. Use your hands to stir them together.
2. Add the pretzel sticks.
3. Combine your garlic salt and seasoning salt into one shaker. Equally shake the salts onto your pans. Use your hands to stir.
4. Pour your oil in equal amounts over the pans. Mix with a spoon.
5. Pour the Worstershire Sauce in equal amounts over your pans as well. Mix with a spoon.
6. Bake for 2 hours at 200 degrees F. (Bake only 2 pans at a time if you are making a large batch or using more pans.)
7. Stir ingredients every 15 minutes while baking. Yes, I know it’s a lot, but it’s very, very important to stir well and often.
8. Leave the pans to cool down before storing in plastic freezer bags or plastic containers in the freezer until needed.
I was so excited to find this recipe as my mom used to make it for me at Christmas.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Christmas surprises!

My special Christmas surprise came in the mail today and it is perfect! She will never suspect! It wasn't on her list! She will be thrilled. I couldn't believe myself when I found it. Aaron thinks he knows what I got him but he's wrong! Too funny. I love Christmas surprises!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Handprint ornaments

I found clear and frosted glass ornaments at the thrift store for a $1.00 a box so I bought both boxes. Tonight when our friendsmGary and Erica were over with their kids I put each childs hand print in green on an ornament so when E., Z., and R.A. went home they had ornaments to take with them. Ours is hanging on our tree. So pretty but some of the hand prints didn't look like hands. R.A. was clenching her little fist. Little-man's hand looks like a mitten because his fingers are so close together. The kids have loved making our ornaments each night. I bought a couple more for our jesse tree at goodwill yesterday. I even found one with aimee's birth year on it to send her for her tree. I hope she likes it. I gotta get some mail out today to the kids. I love homemade ornaments. I saw another I want to try on pinterest and can't wait till I can go to the store and get the materials. (More clear bulbs)

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Light One Candle

Light One Candle
(each week of Advent add one more verse)

1. Light one candle for hope One bright candle for hope 
He brings hope to every heart He comes! He comes!

2. Light one candle for love One bright candle for love 
He brings love to every heart He comes! He comes!

3. Light one candle for joy One bright candle for joy 
He brings joy to every heart He comes! He comes!

4. Light one candle for peace One bright candle for peace 
He brings peace to every heart He comes!
He comes!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Quote for the day

"Each of us is an innkeeper who must decide if there is room for Jesus" Neal A. Maxwell

Monday, December 5, 2011

Christmas Book Basket

We gathered up our stash of Christmas  books when we cleaned and moved the book shelf from the living room to the dining room. I seem to have a heavy set of the Clement Clarke Moore poem The Night Before Christmas this is because I had to memorize it in french for high school. I have loved it ever since I mastered it in both languages.
Here is the list of the ones we found:
  1. Jesus and the Very Best Birthday by Sunny Griffin
  2. The Night Before Christmas, board book illustrated by Donald Mills
  3. A Very Special Night by Gill Davies illustrated by Gill Guile
  4. Kitten's Christmas byDick McCue illustrated by Lisa McCue
  5. Disney's Winnie the Pooh's Twelve Days of Christmas
  6. Disney's Winnie the Pooh's Jingle Bells
  7. Disney's Winnie the Pooh's Night Before Christmas
  8. The Night Before Christmas illustrated by Jan Brett
  9. Grandpa's Christmas Tree by Grandma Janet Mary
  10. The Christmas miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski  

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Lifeskills


Life Skills

  • Auto mechanics
  • Baking
  • Canning
  • Changing a car tire
  • Changing a lightbulb
  • Checking the car’s oil
  • Cleaning: mirrors, sinks, toilets, tubs and showers, baseboards
  • Clearing the table
  • Cooking
  • CPR
  • Driving a car
  • Drying: clothes, dishes
  • Dusting
  • Electrical wiring
  • Emptying trash
  • First Aid
  • Folding: clothes, towels, sheets
  • Mopping
  • Mowing the lawn
  • Organizing: closets, cupboards, sheds, attics
  • Painting a room
  • Plumbing
  • Raking leaves
  • Setting the table
  • Sweeping the floor
  • Vacuuming
  • Vegetable gardening
  • Wallpapering
  • Washing: clothes, dishes, windows, car
  • Welding

Life Skills but also Business Skills

  • Computer skills
  • Keyboarding/Typing
  • Tracking personal finances

Saturday, December 3, 2011

If at first you don't succeed try try again...

 I have only succeeded in making rocks every time I try to make bread but I still continue to try so when I found this dough recipe I thought I would try again.
I found this dough recipe here:
  • 8 Cups of Flour (I prefer to use a combination of White Wheat and All Purpose Flour)
  • 3 Tablespoons of Instant/Fast Acting Yeast
  • 3 Tablespoons of Brown Sugar
  • 2 teaspoons of Sea Salt
  • 3 Cups of Hot from the tap Water
Note: This recipe makes a large batch of dough (enough to make 2 large loaves).
I use a stand mixer with a dough hook.  I add 6 cups of the flour and the remaining dry ingredients.  I mix them for just a few seconds, then I add the water slowly as it is kneading.
Once you’ve added all your water and it has mixed in, you will need to add your remaining 2 cups of flour.  Depending on the humidity or alignment of the Earth, you may or may not need all of the flour.  Add flour slowly until the dough is “cleaning” the sides of your bowl.  You can knead this for as long as you prefer.  I just mix it thoroughly until it makes a dough ball on my hook and call it good.
Next, place your dough ball in a large bowl.  I spray mine with oil and make sure it coats the entire dough ball.  Cover with a warm damp hand towel to aid in rising.  Sometimes, I turn my oven on for just a few minutes and then turn it off.  I  place my bowl in the oven during the rise time.  Do not put your bowl or dough in a hot oven to rise, it could melt your bowl and cook your bread.  You just need a warm oven.  Use common sense here.
Once your dough has risen for 15 minutes, punch it down.  Divide your dough.  Shape it and you are ready for cooking. 
With this recipe you have two cooking options, which is another reason I love this recipe. 
Option 1 – Put your shaped dough in a COLD oven and turn it on to 400 degrees.  Check on it in 20 minutes.
Option 2 – Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  While it is preheating, cover your shaped dough and let it rise on the stove until the oven is ready.  Check on it in 20 minutes.
I love this recipe because it consistently yields good bread.  It freezes well and is quick.
I liked how the author "likes how it consistently yields good bread" This encouraged me to try again.

Friday, December 2, 2011

handicrafts

I have always been a list maker. I found this alphabetized list of handicrafts and felt the need to check these off. I am good but my kids are not even close to having been taught a majority of these. I am ok with that! My kids have had to learn more social skills and they are delayed in motor coordination. Makes sense that we haven't checked many off our list plus there are alot of these skills that my kids are just too young to try yet.

 

 

Handicrafts

  • Beading
  • Calligraphy
  • Carving
  • Ceramics
  • Chalk drawing
  • Charcoal sketching
  • Clay sculpturing
  • Crocheting
  • Cross-stitching
  • Embroidery
  • Finger painting
  • Flower arranging
  • Gardening
  • Iron sculpturing
  • Kiting
  • Knitting
  • Latch-hooking
  • Leather tooling
  • Loom weaving
  • Macrame
  • Oil painting
  • Pencil sketching
  • Photography
  • Picture framing
  • Pottery
  • Quilting
  • Robotics
  • Rubber stamping
  • Scrapbooking
  • Scroll sawing
  • Sewing
  • Spinning fibers
  • Spool-knitting
  • Videography
  • Watercolor painting
  • Weaving
  • Weaving pot holders
  • Whittling
  • Woodworking


Thursday, December 1, 2011

Count Down to Christmas

Here is my Christmas 
Bucket List
Do not Stress out about all things I wish I could do and enjoy the ones I do
Deck the halls! Set up the tree and get it decorated
Set out the Navity minus the Baby Jesus until Christmas Day
Buy the Shelby Lynne Christmas album and listen to it over and over again
Make Christmas Playdough for the kids
Mail out Christmas Cards with the kids
Read a Different Christmas Story Book every night to the kids in December
Wrap Christmas presents and put them under the tree
Make a new Christmas salt dough decoration with the kids
Color a Christmas picture with the kids
Make yellow tissue paper Star of Davids and hang in window
Cut out blue tissue paper snowflakes
Make hot chocolate and stir with candy canes
Take the kids to the Santa House
Decorate cut out cookies with the kids
Make plates of Cookies for friends and deliver them with the kids
Drive around and look at the Christmas lights with the kids
Watch a Polar Express and eat popcorn with the kids
Read a story or watch a movie about the birth of Baby Jesus
Make a plate of cookies and leave out for Santa Clause
Recite "The Night Before Christmas" without looking at the book
Enjoy Christmas with my kids

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Jesse Tree

This year in a big push to put CHRIST back in CHRISTmas I am doing a Jesse tree. I found a geat explaination at Ramblings of a Crazy Woman . I am using some of her great ideas to make ornaments with the kids. So we will have four of each on our Jesse Tree I needed a rather large tree branch. I am headed to Michals to get the wooden pieces we will need.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Waldorf window star

I so have been wanting to make a Waldorf window star and here is a tutorial with pictures that even I can follow here. I am looking for kite paper locally. I think the craft store in the next town might have some.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

To do list is done

Now I can give thanks, my clean up is done and the turkey is in three gallon ziploc bags---one bag of turkey breast and stuffing in the freezer as a meal ready for another day, one of dark meat in the freezer for turkey and noodles, and one of meat for sandwiches in the fridge for this week,the mashed potatoes and corn are in baggies to make a Shepherd's pie to freeze for another night, one bag of gravy in the freezer for supper another day, turkey carcass is in the pot boiling with pepper, salt,celery,onions, and carrots for stock to make turkey and noodles. (I cut the celery,carrots, and onions when I did the relish tray veggies and bagged them in the fridge --left over relish tray fixings works great for this too.) I wish I had a pressure canner small enough to fit under the hood of my stove. I would can my broth stock for easy storage and use. Our freezer is full of venison and I even sent some home with my daughter Jessica when she was here. We always had home canned venison stew when I was growing up. It tastes great over noodles.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Pumpkin Dump Cake

Pumpkin Dump Cake
15 oz pumpkin
1 cup evaporated milk
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
Mix and put in greased 9 x 13 pan
Sprinkle dry yellow cake mix on top
Spread on pecans
drizzle on 1 cup melted butter
Bake 350 degrees for 50-55 minuets or until golden brown.

So easy and tastes like pumpkin pie.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

November is National Adoption Month

I counted my kids the other day. Sounds weird to have to count them to know how many you have but..I have given birth to four, I have 1 step daughter from my first marriage, 1 stepdaughter and 1 stepson from my second marriage, 1 "step"daughter and 1 "step" son from my 11+ relationship with Camryn's biological father, 2 "stepsons" from my relationship with Aaron the love of my life. I don't need a piece of paper to love my "step" children. I have legally adopted 3 children. And there is another young girl I have adopted without any paperwork that Aaron and I call our "other daughter". I have 1 son-n-law that has been one of my kids since he was in high school. That's around sixteen by my count. I love my kids ALL my kids no matter the paper work or not! No we are not the Duggar's by any means but who am I to criticize them for their lifesyle. I was raised as an only child with 2 grown brothers and 1 grown sister when my parents oopsed and had me. I always said I would have 7 children and the youngest would be a son. Well, God has blessed me with more than I dreamed of having. The other day Aaron talked about another. I told him to be careful what he wished for because things like that seem to have a way of happening to me. November is national adoption month you know. Families are created all different ways. And I want to leave you with my quote for the day "Friends are Family you choose for yourself"

Monday, November 21, 2011

Blessings in disguise

I saw a similar post and thought I should do one just like that because so many of my blessings come in disguise too. So here is what I am thankful for...
Today, I'm thankful for:

1.  The Chaos and Noise in My House:  It means that I am surrounded by my four youngest happy children.

2.  The Mess That Takes Over the house:  It means that we've had a fun day filled with learning and crafty activities.

3.  The Piles of Dishes:  It means that we've had plenty of food to eat.

4.  The Never-ending Laundry:  That giant pile in the middle of the family room waiting to be folded means that we have clothes to wear, sheets on our beds, and towels for bathing.

5.  The Lack of Sleep:  It means that my children feel safe enough to call out for me, and that they trust me enough to know that I'll come to them when they're scared, or hungry, or in pain.

6.  The Bills - It means we've had running water, electricity, and a roof over our heads.

7.  My Hectic Schedule - It means I have a wonderful family, great friends, and an active rich life.

8.  My  commute - It means I have a job to pay the bills and health insurance for our whole family.

9.  My Phone- It means people care enough to call me and tell me about the things going on in their lives.

10.    The Little Trials In My Life - It means that God's not through teaching me and molding me to be the wife, mother, and woman that he wants me to be. I have more potential.

Christmas count down

I know its barely almost Thanksgiving and already I am thinking about Christmas right? Well not really because I am cleaning for Thanksgiving this weekend. I had to move a bookshelf in my living room to rearrange the furniture for company on Thursday. Jessica my oldest is bringing a BOY home from graduate school! I want a clean living room. Notice there is no hope for  an entire clean house. We have had sore throats ans ear aches, myself included, all weekend. I have dreams of getting the furniture moved but Aaron won't help me and it is too awkward to move alone. I will not let cleaning stress me out. OK maybe I am a little crazy stressed. Everything I have organized Aaron has come along and moved back or taken the table I was putting stuff on until I could find it a home!!! So I am a little irritated right now. It is Monday and I feel sabotaged right now. I  have to work Tuesday and Wednesday. I AM STRESSED! Anyway while moving the book case out of the living room into the kids playroom-homeschool room I pulled out all the Christmas books. Every year for about seventeen years now I have made a basket of Christmas books to read a different one each day in December to the kids since Taylor was a baby. I see posts where people wrap them like presents but there is no need to waste paper wrapping them. We just love reading them and rarely can we stick to just one! Back to stressing out cleaning today. No fun computer time for mamma today.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

native american studies

I found the pattern to make these medicine bags. I think it will fit with our Native American emphasis this year. I found it here. I think it will be great for our nature walks to keep things we find in. I also grow sage which I will dry and put in each of the bags for the kids. Native Americans used sage for many things and it might have been found in a medicine bag. Last year we studied Pilgrims and found out one of my ancestors came over on the Mayflower. This year we are taking a closer look at our Native American Heritage. One of my ancestors is Phillip Ream founder of Reamstown, PA and I believe there might be a link to our Indian heritage there. A mention is made that they lived with the Indians on the land that he bought. My mom looked Native American and was always asked what tribe she was from not to mention that from the day she was born she was nicknamed the papoose. We suspect but have no way to prove it.It's just fun exploring family history. Three of my children may have a little Cherokee in them as well. So it is fun to study our history.

How do I "do" geography?

I found this sight doing the great little map idea and children of the world printables. I just had to share the idea before I lost where I found it at  .http://noorjanan.blogspot.com/2011/11/children-of-world.html
I love how they did the map i want one for my post cards but not up on the wall all the time this is perfect it folds up when not in use. Time to head to the store to make this map.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

crock pot recipes

Tammy's Crock Pot Potato Soup

Peel and Cube about  7 large  potatoes or 15 small ones (any variety)
1 box of chicken stock 
Salt and pepper to taste
1-2 T dried Parsley 
1 sprig fresh Thyme or 1/4 tsp dried
1 to 2 tsp. Poultry Seasoning (This is my secret ingredient)
1 1/2 cups of whole milk (or milk and whipping cream mixed)
4 tablespoons of butter

Add the potatoes, broth & seasonings, to your crock pot, along with more broth to bring liquid almost to the top of veggies. Set crock pot on high and cook for 6-8 hours until potatoes are cooked through. When the potatoes are cooked, I like to add potato flakes instead of mashing some of the potato soup. It makes a bigger batch of soup for our large family. While still having chunks of potato and creamy soup. See below for instructions on adding the potato flakes.

About half an hour before you serve the soup, scoop out about a cup of the hot soup broth and put it in a sauce pan, along with 1 1/2 cups of milk and 4 Tablespoons of butter, heat on medium high, stirring often until butter is mostly melted and milk is fairly warm. Then add the milky mixture to the soup and stir until incorporated. It is important at this point to turn down your crock pot, because you don't want the soup to boil after the milk has been added.(It might curdle)

If your soup is too thin you can add about 1/4 cup of instant mashed potatoes. This acts as a  thickener instead of flour. I always add more potato flakes.

I like to use any leftover Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner  mashed potatoes and whipping cream to make a left over potato soup. the cream makes it thicker and richer. Sometimes I make extra just to do this soup. To do this I just add hot broth to desired soup consistency and stir in my spices. And heat up on low. Everything else is already in my left -over mashed potatoes-butter, milk, cream, potatoes.

I also double the recipe for our family. Leftovers make good lunches for work.

I found a crock pot recipe here andit inspired me to make over my old stove top version for the crock pot using her directions to see how it turned out. So the above recipe is a combo of my stove top recipe and the post I found.

Friday, November 18, 2011

30 days of giving

I found another blog doing a linky also about 30 days of giving so I linked up. Here are some ideas I found for our 30 days of giving between Nov. and Dec for us here in the middle of the mitten.
1. Donate old books and videos to the library.
2. Salvation Army Angel Tree hats and mittens
3. Feed the Need, through Christ for Youth donated crackers for food baskets
4. Operation Christmas Child Boxes, Samaritans Purse, We made 2 boxes this year
5.We gave 4 sets of hats and gloves to S.A. for her secret Santa project
6. Pet shelter make toys and drop them off
7. Send out the money we have collected for Houses for Haiti
8.Send Care packages to our older kids
9.Send a soldier a care package
10. Threw a baby shower for a new mom to be, my daughter Aimee
11.Made a baby quilt for a baby in the hospital, pray for Christopher
12.Gave homemade apple butter to old friends and new friends
13.Gave the kids my time this month by taking my vacation day time to be with them
14.Processed a Deer for someone who couldn't do their own so he could have venison in his freezer too.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.

As you can see we are still looking for ways to give! Please post any ideas you have into the comments thank you.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Basic Layette for baby

We are expecting a new grandson in February. Our first grandchild so I looked up the basic layette so I know what Aimee will need for Alijah. I love lists, as you know if you read my blog very often. I just wish there were a few more sales of baby stuff. this is all one NEEDS for a baby.

 Baby Needs: Clothing and Layette
  • 5-10 onesies or kimono style t-shirts
  • 5-7 baby sleepers or nightgowns  (these are the best for small babies)
  • 1 cold weather sleeper if necessary
  • 5-7 pairs of baby socks
  • 1-2 newborn hats,babies loose heat through their heads keep 'em covered
Baby Needs: Diapers and Bath Items
  • 2 packs of disposable diapers or enough cloth diapers for at least two days. Newborns can soil up to 10 diapers per day. One estimate is babies need 350 disposable diapers in the first month!
  • 1 pack of disposable wipes or 10 cloth wipes
  • Waterproof pad for diaper changes (In my family a blanket on the table or floor works just as well.)
  • 3-5 baby washcloths
  • 1-2 hooded towels, if desired. Regular towels will work, too.
  • Baby nail clippers
  • Digital thermometer
  • No Tears Shampoo
  • Baby Wash
Baby Needs: Bedding and Feeding

  • 3-4 fitted sheets for crib, cradle, bassinet, or traditional bassinet
  • 5-7 lightweight blankets
  • 1-2 heavier blankets, depending on climate
  • 10 burp cloths
  • 5-8 bottles, if you're bottle feeding
  • 8-10 bibs (I never really used these)
  • Breastfeeding pillow, Boppy is a great one!
  • Binky, pacifier,plug what ever you call it you will need 3 if using these
Baby Needs: Gear and Furniture
  • Car seat
  • Crib, Cradle, Bassinet, Co-Sleeper or other safe sleep space for baby to sleep
A special homecoming Outfit

Quote for the day

"The woods are lovely,
Dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep."
- Robert Frost

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

November 15th

In our family growing up we celebrated Deer Season. Yes CELEBRATED it! Thanksgiving as you know comes right in the middle of it and is just a bother anyway. (As an adult I love thanksgiving but that's another post). I always went hunting with my dad saw a few deer, once in 20 years shot one when I was with him. He shot many every year just not when I was with him. I have a tender heart you know. My kids are also learning the joy of being in the woods and hunting our winter food. Shocking but food doesn't come in plastic from the store.The last two years I have taken time off to process our deer myself and put it in the freezer for winter. I really enjoy this and can't wait to show the kids the deer. The antlers, the hide, the meat. Nothing tastes as good as fresh venison tenderloin fried in a little butter after being rolled in flour, sprinkled with salt and pepper. We appreciate the whole animal and the meat it provides. This year during early youth hunt my daughter got her first deer. We are so proud of her. She has the skills to provide for her family in the future.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

"rowing" Boxes for Katje

Tonight we made boiled dinner in the crock pot. To go along with the book we made cabbage and potatoes (with carrots and venison and spices). Did I mention I cannot stand the odor of cooking cabbage. I can eat it if I don't have to smell it! AUGGGHHH! It was an aweful smell. But I never let the kids see my face.  Tippy-toe is like me. I will reheat it tommorro for dinner. We were gone today so it was a good day to cook a meal ahead. Boiled dinner is always better heated up anyway.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Quote for the day

May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love.
- Traditional Irish Blessing

Sunday, November 13, 2011

How do we "do" gym?

Sunday our local bowling alley had all you can bowl for $5.00 each. We bowled for 5 hours total. We ate 3 pizzas. Our Friends Gary and Erica brought their three kids including new baby R. Everyone loved seeing the tiny baby. I guess this is called socialization too isn't it? Tippy-toe made friends with the boy his age bowling on the lane beside us. It was a good time. All our right arms are sore. Mine are just from holding baby R. I really did enjoy her. Then the kids came home and put in a kids exercise video. I wish I had their energy. I must say I wasn't up to doing an exercise video after bowling for 5 hours.

Artist Study-Henri Matisse

With our "rowing" of Boxes for Katje we are studying artist Henri Matisse. We looked at several of his collages and compared them to the illustrations in our book.  Then we used my scrapbooking paper stash to make some collages. I also found this coloring page here.

How do we study art? Well it may sound crazy but I bought a calender of art and scanned it into my computer. I downloaded the pictures to a digital photo album that I hung in the playroom. I call this "subliminal art learning". I have been dying to try this since we bought a digital photo frame for Grandma last Christmas. I knew it would be a great way to introduce some art images to the kids with little effort on both our parts. I change the photos in it monthly. Think of it like a slow flashing bulletin board. The bonus is it takes up less room than a wall of art all hung in individual frames. We focus on just one artist at a time. Please realized that I have my copy right on this original idea and if I see it on a page without a link back to me I will enforce copyright infringement! [You know who you are--- cause you stole from me once already----- "mama" (name changed to protect the guilty) Don't think you can dare steal another idea from me just because your blog is bigger! Take notice my oldest is in law school now!] That is why I try to link everything I use that I find on somewhere else back to the original place I saw it. Anyone else also hesitate to share great ideas because you saw your idea posted on a bigger blog the same week as your post with no link back and a claim that it was their idea? Sorry for the soap box, getting off the box and back on topic again. No pun intended since this is boxes of soap for Katje not soap boxes for Mitten Mom.

A Short Biography
Henri Matisse was born in France in 1869. He first studied Law. At age 20 he underwent surgery on his appendix. During his recovery his mother gave him a paint box. Matisse discovered a love of painting and became an artist. He is know for his use of bright colors. After he became wheelchair bound in his old age, he did collages with paint backgrounds and cut paper.  This is called drawing with scissors. Source-More about Matisse

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Thrifting again

I made another trip to the thrift shop again I found a little wicker turkey for us to put our thanksgiving "what we are thankful for" notes in on our nature table. The little wicker gobbler cost only 39 cents but then he was half off making him only 20 cents and a real deal! I also got this little acorn shaped wooded box for only 49 cents and it was half off making him a quarter, another great deal.  The box looks like something little-man could use for an open close activity tray. We haven't done one of those in a while for little-man. I love my thrift shop bargain hunting but no more baskets for me. I am out of places to store my Montessori tray collection of things.

Friday, November 11, 2011

St Martin of Tours

I am not Catholic but for certain reasons this Saint has appealed to me this year. It may be because he fits into our giving theme this year. Giving to the poor who need it more than we do. I too have heard God speak to me. I also did as God Commanded. I visited Tours and yet I don't remember running in to St. Martin although I saw so much in such a little time I must have made his acquaintance in my week I spent sight seeing. I do remember visiting the monastery where he is buried. So today on his feast day I will tell the kids his story as I have found it written online. I have also found a couple paintings depicting him to show the kids.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Mashed Potatoes

 Mashed Potatoes
1 10# bag potatoes, peel and cut into pieces, boil and drain
1 stick butter
1 cup sour cream
pinch of salt and pepper to taste
Mash and blend together adding milk until smooth. (Can be made the day ahead, refrigerated, and reheated in the crock pot.)

Grape Salad
1/4# seedless grapes (about 3 cups) various colors make it prettier
1 cup sour cream ( I omit this)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup cream cheese
Toss grapes with sour cream slowly add in sugar and melted cream cheese. Chill. Can be made a day or two ahead and refrigerated until serving.

Cherry Jello Mousse
3 cups boiling water
1 pkg jello ( we like cherry)
1 tub cool whip
Mix, chill until firm, may also make this a day or two ahead and store in refrigerator until serving.

Green Bean Casserole
2 cans green beans
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can mushrooms chopped
Mix together. Top with 1 can french fried onions
Bake at 350 degrees until browned.

Christmas punch recipe

This is part of a small series of recipes for my daughter Aimee who is planning her first Thanksgiving Dinner.

Christmas Punch
1 cup sugar disolved in
6 oz lemonade and add to
1 qt cranberry juice,
2 cups apple juice,
1 cup orange juice
Chill until ready to serve then add 1 liter 7 up
Freeze more apple and cranberry juice to make and ice ring. Aimee you could use a small bowl if you don't have a jello mold for the ring.

My scalloped corn casserole

I am doing a series of recipe posts for my daughter who is planning her first Thanksgiving Dinner.
Scalloped  corn
2 cans corn drained
1 tsp dried mustard
about 1 cup milk
1/2 a stick of butter
Mix  in small baking dish. Top with crushed ritz crackers. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown about 40 minuets.

Grandma's Stuffing

Bread Stuffing
Save all the crusts and heels of bread. Set out to dry or toast in the oven. Stale bread from the outlet works great for this.
4 cups dry bread cubes
3 Tblsp chopped sweet onion
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
2 to 3 dried sage leaves
1/3 cup melted butter or margarine
1 cup chopped celery
About 1 cup chicken broth to moisten bread
Mix together add broth last enough to moisten. Bake at 350 degrees until top is browned. About 30 minuets to an hour.
Aimee for the number of people you are talking about I would double this recipe. You can use stove top in place of the bread and spices and adjust the recipe a bit to follow the directions on the box. For example use broth instead of water and add celery and stale bread crusts on hand to make it go farther.


Turkey Basting
1 stick melted butter
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Brush lightly with butter mix frequently during roasting.

Tammy's Own Chocolate Pie
1 precooked bottom pie crust or graham cracker crust, put 1 cup marshmallows, and 1 cup chocolate chips in bottom.
cook 1 pkg instant chocolate pudding with milk following pkg instructions,
pour hot pudding into pie crust.
Chill.
You can make the day before and chill until serving.

Grandma's Pie crust

No one usually asks for my pie crust recipe since the one time I cheated and used premade ones from the store and didn't know to take the wax paper out. My family was picking paper out of a very soggy apple pie. That being said my daughter and her husband are hosting friends for Thanksgiving and she is asking for some recipes. So here goes my mother's pie crust recipe.
Pie crust
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup crisco shortening
4 to 5 Tblsp cold water
sift dry ingredients together. Cut in shortening until pea sized pieces form. Sprinkle water a Tblsp at a time mix gently repeat until all is moistened. Roll into a ball. Let rest several minuets. Divide dough in half. Roll out into a round shape. Always roll from the center out. Roll up onto rolling pin and tranfer to pie pan.

For top of crust just before baking brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

Apple Pie filling
5-7 large tart apples (mixed varieties work best)
1 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons flour
pinch of salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 Tablespoons butter
pare apples and slice, mix sugar, flour, salt,spices pour over apples and mix to coat. Fill pie pan, dot with butter, top with crust. Freeze if making ahead. Take out of freezer and brush crust and sprinkle sugar. Bake fresh or  frozen pie at 400 degrees 50 minuets. Until golden brown and bubbling.

tip: put cookie sheet under pies to keep them from dripping in oven and smoking.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

How do I "do" geography?

We have found a great way to "do" our geography. It is kind of a variation of Flat Stanley Project with my own twist. I joined one of those postcard club sites but it just flooded my in box with email. So now when ever a coworker or family member is going on vacation I beg ask them to sent the kids a postcard addressed from Flat Stanley. We have received post cards for many US States, Rome, Paris, and various Caribbean Islands. Flat Stanley really is quite the world traveler and the kids love getting the mail. We look on the map to see where Flat Stanley is now. We post the card on the bulletin board. We look up the state or country and study a little about it. It takes us many places and costs us very little. After we are done with each card we place it in order in a small photo album that cost me just a dollar at Walmart. Then we can pull cards out later if we are studying the same place again. I also bought a box of old postcards at an auction sale and have included these in the book as we study those states with Flat Stanley. The kids love looking at the cards and getting mail. Best of all no flood of emails! No strangers with my mailing address! And if we get the same place twice no worries we just get a new card and call it review time. This has really been fun for everyone envolved. My coworkers love being part of the kids education and enjoy hearing my Flat Stanley stories about how amazed the kids are the Flat Stanley took another trip.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

November is National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month. Adoption is a subject close to my heart. It runs in my family you might say. My great-grandfather McNeill adopted two boys. One of those boys later took in my dad when he was a 10 year old boy. I have several cousins who are adopted (too many to count). My brother Jim and his wife Carolann adopted four kids from foster care. My other brother David and his wife Patti has adopted a cousins baby boy by direct adoption. I adopted my last three children from kinship foster care.  We helped my second cousin's birth mother get to the hospital for his delivery and she stayed with my parents for two weeks prior in case she went into labor without a phone. My cousin Denise and her husband Phil have adopted all three of their kids using agency adoption. As I was walking out of a program for my older daughter I was given just minuets to witness to a man, he and his wife were thinking of adoption. I often get asked about my adoption. Usually because these people are thinking about adoption but don't know where to start. I recommend Bethany Christian Services who helped us with our last adoption. There are also several state websites that show kids who available for adoption from foster care. Adoption is a great way to make your family complete. If you are thinking about adoption just ask the good people at Bethany Christian Services here in Michigan.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Windmills





 I have two plates hanging on the wall in the dining room where we do school that are blue delft. They depict windmills in the Netherlands.  Near where we live giant modern windmills for wind farming have popped up almost overnight so we have taken the kids to see them. It is kind of a weird looking thing all these wind towers. We also have an old style giant windmill near us north of St. Johns, Michigan. I couldn't resist taking the kids so they could see the difference. We also made our own  pinwheels. This led us naturally into a study on the wind and weather. We are really enjoying "rowing" Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming. The "rowing" style of reading a book seems to be really working for us. We plan on doing the Homeschool Share lapbook to go with this book too and I have printed out all the pieces and put them in folder for the kids to lapbook on the last day of this book. They enjoy coloring and using their lapbooks to remember all the things we did while reading each book.