Cranberry Cheesecake Bars

Ok, so I should not be sitting down to type out this recipe and post it on my blog. Right now, I should be drying my very damp hair and applying my Mary Kay face before I go out in public to retrieve my firstborn at school. However, Bennett is down for a nap again and I just satisfied my sweet tooth with a yummy treat I made the other evening and I must share it with you.

It's out of The Taste of Home Cookbook, called:

 Cranberry Cheesecake Bars.

36 Servings

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling

            

30 45                Ingredients

• 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 cup quick-cooking oats
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1 can (14 ounces) fat-free sweetened condensed milk
• 4 egg whites
• 1 teaspoon Spice Islands® pure vanilla extract
• 1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, oats, brown sugar and butter; mix until crumbly. Press 2-1/2 cups of the crumb mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the milk, egg whites, vanilla and remaining flour. Spoon over prepared crust. In a small bowl, combine the cranberry sauce and cornstarch. Spoon over cream cheese mixture.
• Sprinkle with the remaining crumb mixture. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until the center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack before cutting. Yield: 3 dozen

Here is an updated picture of my darling boys.

Bennett will be 8 weeks old on Saturday. The time is going so fast. I am still struggling with milk production. Or at least, I think I am because he's still having to eat every 2 hours and sometimes sooner than that - when I pump, I can't get an ounce.  Monday, I weighed him and he's 11lbs. 2oz. So, that is good. I'm taking Fenugreek and also drinking Mother's Milk tea. He pees and poops regularly...but sometimes, it's a little exhausting to have to feed him so often. Any advice? I am paranoid about drying up. That happened with Jacob. Nice how I slipped this irrelevant subject from title of post, eh?

These are the Days

I have been consumed the past 6 weeks with my newest little man and soaking in my family. I am sure you understand why I haven't been blogging. However, the blog bug is beginning to awaken again. I don't know what I'd call this "piece" I'm about to share with you. It's not finished, but I want to share it with you, as it sums up my focus, my devotion and my mission...right now. I hope this post finds you well. Remember with me Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." I'm praying for a renewed vision of what this scripture means and the power in it to steer and direct our own lives. There is so much more to us than the daily grind.....

Love, Beth

These are the days when every moment is a new beginning.

On a cold November morning, I lay my sleeping baby in his bed. I love the feeling of his tiny head on my shoulder.

These are the days that I can never get back – so I cherish every kiss, every touch, every giggle, every “I love you.”

These are the days, when no one can harm my darlings and their innocence is protected and encouraged.

Oh What love, I now know – and it’s not in the receiving, it’s in the giving, selflessly giving to these little lives, these little hearts, these little dreams. Before loving my little men, I was incomplete.

As I feel their breath, on my neck, while they sleep, I bask in the knowledge that these are the days I was created to create, their births have sealed my fate. Forever I will be, in awe of the Wonders and Princes they are.