Honey Walnut Cream Cheese Spread

This year, I made an assortment of quick breads for the family when we met for the holidays... banana, pumpkin, and cranberry nut. I've always liked the flavored cream cheeses at Panara's and Bruegger's and I found this recipe on the internet. I mixed up a batch to give with the breads.

Honey Walnut Cream Cheese Spread

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons honey
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 ounce crushed walnuts
Put all ingredients in a bowl, blend with hand mixer.

EAT UNTIL GONE !

PS. it was every bit as good as the name brands, maybe better !
 Will keep in the fridge for two weeks in a rubbermaid - type container.

A little inspiration motivation.....

Start Over!


When you've trusted Jesus and walked His way,
When you've felt His hand lead you day by day,
But your steps now take you another way,
Start Over!

When you've made your plans and they've gone awry,
When you've tried your best and there's no more try,
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why,
Start Over!

When you've told your friends what you plan to do,
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through,
And now you're all alone and it's up to you,
Start Over!

When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone,
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong,
And now your grandchildren have come along,
Start Over!

When you've prayed to God so you'll know His will,
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still,
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill,
Start Over!

When you think you're finished and want to quit,
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit,
When you've tried and tried to get out of it,
Start Over!

When the year has been long and successes few,
When December comes and you're feeling blue,
God Gives a January just for you,
Start Over!

Starting Over means "Victories Won"
Starting Over means "A Race well run"
Starting Over means "The Lord's Will Done:
Don't just sit there . . .
Start Over!

The Night Before Christmas - A Parent's Perspective

Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house,

I searched for the tools to hand to my spouse,

Instructions were studied and we were inspired,

in hopes we could manage "Some Assembly Required."



The children were quiet (not asleep) in their beds,

while Dad and I faced the evening with dread:

A kitchen, two bikes, Barbie's town house to boot!

And, thanks to Grandpa, a train with a toot!



We opened the boxes, my heart skipped a beat

"let no parts be missing or parts incomplete!"

Too late for last-minute returns or replacement;

if we can't get it right, it goes in the basement!



When what to my worrying eyes should appear

but 50 sheets of directions, concise, but not clear,

With each part numbered and every slot named,

so if we failed, only we could be blamed.



More rapid than eagles the parts then fell out,

all over the carpet they were scattered about.

"Now bolt it! Now twist it! Attach it right there!

Slide on the seats, and staple the stair!

"Hammer the shelves, and nail to the stand."

"Honey," said hubby, "you just glued my hand."



And then in a twinkling, I knew for a fact,

that all the toy dealers had indeed made a pact ,

to keep parents busy all Christmas Eve night,

with "assembly required" till morning's first light.



We spoke not a word, but kept bent at our work,

till our eyes, they went bleary; our fingers all hurt.

The coffee went cold and the night, it wore thin,

before we attached the last rod and last pin.



Then laying the tools away in the chest,

we fell into bed for a well-deserved rest.

But I said to my husband just before I passed out,

"This will be the best Christmas, without any doubt.



Tomorrow we'll cheer, let the holiday ring,

and not have to run to the store for a thing!

We did it! We did it! The toys are all set

for the perfect, most perfect, Christmas, I bet!"



Then off to dreamland and sweet repose,

I gratefully went, though I suppose,

there's something to say for those self-deluded,

I'd forgotten that BATTERIES are never included!

There's no place like home for Christmas....