Jesse Tree & Breakfast

With so many birthdays at the beginning of December, it's just not realistic for us to start our Jesse Tree at the end of Nov.  We've decided to kick it off mid-December and do one in the morning and one in the evening.  So if you haven't started and wanted too, join in!  The printables will  make it come together quickly!

Several people have asked what age to start this activity.  I liked starting it last year when Kirkley was 3 1/2.  She wasn't totally ready for it so it gave us a year to "practice," get acquainted with it, and figure out how we really wanted to do it.  This year, she's super into it, ready to see when an ornament appears on the table, etc.  We make her retell the story before she or Jay gets to open it.

I finally found a way to avoid gift wrapping all of the ornaments -- reusing the same burlap square each time!

These advent ornaments with the names of Christ are precious too.  Maybe this would be good when K is a little older and has the Jesse tree stories down pat?  

We've also loved doing the advent wreath devotions once a week at family dinner.  Instead of doing the 25 ornaments next year, I may do one for each week to hang over the chandelier with the corresponding verse/word for each week.  This was a much easier project to get together at the start of the month!  Love this thought on candlelight dinners in Dec!

For Jesse tree kick-off morning, I happened to wake up at 2am -- a crazy side effect of pregnancy! :)  So I got a breakfast together that turned out to be a hit with the kids.  

Here are two easy, healthy breakfast ideas...

Cranberry Oatmeal Mix
This has been awesome to have on hand to make breakfast quickly and much cheaper than the little packets already ready!  Make your own packets in snack zip bags to save even more time/$!


4 c old fashioned oatmeal
3/4 c craisins (or dried blueberries, cherries, etc)
1 t cinnamon

- Shake all of this together in a container/ziploc.
- For one adult serving/two child, measure out 1/2 c of the mix in a saucepan, add 1 c water, and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Turn heat off, stirring until thick. 
- For two adult servings, measure out 1 c of the mix in a saucepan, add 1 3/4 c water, and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Turn heat off, stirring until thick. 
- Sweeten as needed.

Crustless Spinach Quiche

This reheats great for breakfast for several days -- Kirkley loves it; Jay, not so much. 

1 10 oz block chopped spinach, thawed in micro

1 16 oz container low-fat cottage cheese

4 eggs

2 egg whites

½ c to 2 c cheddar cheese (depending on how many calories you want to end up with)  :)

¼ t garlic powder

¼ t onion powder

 

- Thaw spinach completely.  Squeeze all water out.  I put in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl and push all water out with the back of a spoon really well.

- Mix all ingredients on medium, being sure to break up spinach and eggs well.

- Pour in lightly greased pie dish.

- At this point you can refrigerate overnight or freeze (thaw overnight in fridge then bake)

- Bake at 325 for one hour until set.

- Serve warm. 

"A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; 

from his roots a Branch will bear fruit."

Isaiah 11:1