“When it rains it pours.” We’ve all heard it said before, and Ryan and I certainly experienced the oft-cited phrase this weekend. Our water heater broke on Saturday evening, soaking our basement carpet AND THEN our car broke down in Denver today….just hours before a scheduled engagement photo shoot back in Colorado Springs. Thankfully, our car choose to malfunction in perhaps the best possible place–the parking lot of a Whole Foods–so Lucy and I strolled around the aisles (picking up chocolate bars, bags of popcorn, and soft pretzels) while we waited for my sweet sister to make the 60 mile drive from the Springs to rescue us.
So here we are on Sunday evening, tired and overwhelmed with unexpected money woes. How are we going to afford a new water heater? Are we going to have to replace the carpet? Is it time for us to retire my Jeep (I’ve had the car since I turned 15 and its wracked up an impressive 280,000 miles)? Do we even have enough money in the bank to buy another used car?
It’s also been said that couples fight most over money and kids. Thankfully, Ryan and I didn’t even raise our voices this weekend. Perhaps it was the blue sedan we saw on the way home from Denver that stymied any possible fight. A car had flipped off the interstate, and we drove past it just moments after the accident must have happened. The windows were blown out, and we couldn’t see any bodies in the car. A state trooper pulled off the highway to assess the scene. We all looked at each other and remembered the car accident that had taken my oldest sister and nephew’s lives two years ago. A car accident eerily similar to the one we were seeing as we drove home. How quickly we realized that all these “problems” really amounted to nothing. We’ll figure these messes out, and as my dad has always said, “Money comes and money goes.” We had each other, and we were safe. What a precious gift that truth is!
But if I ever needed a cheesecake bar, it would be after a weekend like this one. These Almond Streusel Cheesecake bars are the perfect pairing of creamy and crunchy. The graham cracker crust and the spice-laden streusel sandwich a thick layer of sweet and creamy cheesecake. You couldn’t ask for a more decadent treat. They’d be lovely on a holiday dessert table (or as a gift for a friend who survived a stressful week). I hope you make these for happy circumstances though. I don’t wish a broken water heater or car on any of you! (And look at this picture below…this really is all that matters in our world)
Almond Streusel Cheesecake Bars
3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold butter, cut into chunks
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, mix together crumbs and melted butter. Press firmly into bottom of a parchment-lined 9-inch square pan. In a medium bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon in medium bowl. Cut in cold butter with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in almonds. Set aside.
Beat cream cheese, granulated sugar, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended and smooth. Add eggs; beat just until blended. Pour over crust. Sprinkle streusel mixture evenly over cheesecake mixture.
Bake bars for 45 minutes or until center is almost set and topping turns golden brown. Cool bars in pan on a wire rack and then refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Once chilled, cut into bars and store any leftovers in refrigerator.
That’s one delicious cheesecake bar and thanks for reminding us all what’s really important 🙂
Well I am definitely just thankful you guys are safe but it is a bummer about the water heater and your car! Fingers crossed it will all be figured out soon!!
In the meantime, these almond streusel cheesecake bars sound like a tasty and absolutely delicious way to celebrate life!
Oh luv, what a hard, scary, and overwhelming weekend. XO I’m SO glad you have each other. We had one of those weeks too, with one stressful thing after another. We had to take deep breaths and remember that it is US that matters, whether we’re dirt poor or car-less or any of those things, we have each other and we like each other. 🙂 That is good. Love the comfort food you made. 🙂
I’m sorry to hear that all these challenges are presenting themselves to you but it’s good to hear that you are looking on the brighter side and having hope that everything will work itself out in the end. That beautiful precious picture of Lucy definitely reminds us of what is important 🙂
These cheesecake bars sound so good and that almond streusel topping looks incredible!
Hoping you have a better week Monet, take care.
I always know moments like those are a true sign from God.
Like you and Ryan, we are feeling financial strains too. I am taking your post as my reminder. Love those yummy cheesecake bars. Thanks for sharing!!
My Dad also had his own saying: “Money is paper”
I always think about that in tough times, which happen, and are hard to go through, but you know what matters, and it’s definitely not money
I cannot stop being amazed at the energy you have to bake and keep your blog going – sometimes I think I have a few SuperWoman genes in me, but yours are more and expressed to a higher level, says the molecular biologist in me 😉
Oh noes! I hate it when that happens! It always seems to happen in threes for me haha
These look deliiiiicccciiiiooouuuusss! I may or may not be drooling
I hope that your week goes better than your weekend! You are correct concentrating on the things that truly matter. These bars look amazing 🙂
Oh darling. A sucky weekend indeed! But it says a lot that you made it through without fighting.
And something good came out of it all… These bars, which totally have me drooling.
Sounds like a rough weekend. Here’s to a better week!
Moset,
A stressful weekend deserves these yummy, crunchy, cheesecake bars. Your sweet picture of your darling daughter, puts everything in perspective:) And this too, shall pass. that’s what my Mom always used to say!
Hugs
I do know how to spell Monet:)
It’s funny how life always comes back around and reminds us what to be grateful for. Money comes and goes, trust me on that one, as long as you guys handle it like you did, it will all work out. I know it sucks having everything go wrong at once. At least you had these bars, they would have soothed my spirit. I hope this week goes much better.
Hugs,
-Gina-
It’s so true that things only go wrong all at once! I’m sorry that you had a bad weekend…but it’s so true how other peoples’ much worse problems have a way of putting your worries into perspective. I do wish that you didn’t have these annoying and expensive issues, but I’m so happy that your little family is safe and sound 🙂 And these cheesecake bars sound great- I love almond flavor but have never combined it with cheesecake!
Thanks for the reminder that most of us have so many blessings…just like your sweet, swaddled princess. These cheesecake bars are another blessing…they look spectacular!
What an awful weekend! I’m glad you three made it home safely, but I’m sorry to hear about your car and water heater 🙁 (As an aside, your Jeep sounds like a record-breaker – it’s lasted you such a long time!) I hope this week goes much, much better for all of you, and I think beginning it with these gorgeous cheesecake bars will help. And of course, the beautiful smile of a contented little Lucy is the best think in the world 🙂
That’s so true about when it rains it pours – we had a similar situation last year when our water heater broke … and then we had a leak in the ceiling … and a few other random things that all happened way too close to each other! But you’ll get through it : ) And these cheesecake bars seem like a perfect way to help brighten your week!
So sorry for your poor luck this weekend, Monet! Life tends to throw so many unexpected turns, good and bad, our way no matter how we might try to plan every step. Hope your week goes better than your weekend did! In the meantime, pour a cup of tea and enjoy another one of these cheesecake bars for me. What a great recipe!
I’m really sorry to heat that you had such an awful weekend, but thanks for reminding us what is important in life. Money doesn’t matter if your family and you are all together and safe! Although I hope it all gets better for you soon! I’m sending big hugs your way xx
And these cheesecake bars look amazing, by the way!
Here’s wishing you a great week and I hope it all works out well. Those bars would help anything and so would sweet Lucy!
Gosh I would have ate the whole pan under stressful situations. I understand your pain, the hot water heater is about to give out in our town house and they can cost a pretty penny. It is good to know you two handle a situation like that so well instead of taking your anger out on each other. Life can be hectic sometimes.
Oh, what a major bummer having your car break down. Isn’t that the way things always happen…everything at once 🙁 Now I can see how these cheesecake bars would make anyone feel better. Creamy and decadent…Here’s to a better week!
Hate that you had such a bad weekend, but I am impressed by your grace and maturity in handling it and thank you for reminding us to count our blessings and focus on the things that really matter. Your little girl is an absolute doll. Love the picture of her swaddled!
Almond is one of my favorite dessert flavors. Would love to try this recipe! Hope you have a wonderful week to make up for the weekend!
Breathe deep. Life happens and through it all, we feel so grateful for what we have. I know you know this too. So glad you are all safe. The carpet will dry, the water heater will get replaced, and when you need it, a new car at the right price will materialize. In the meantime, I want to make a GF version of this. Been working so hard I haven’t gotten into the whole pumpkin thing yet.
Oh my, look at those eyelashes on that beautiful little girl. That alone is enough to remind us of what is important in life. Things will get better, they always do. In the meantime, keep your chin up and bake on. These bars are the perfect antidote to a rough day.
Monet, I’m so sorry that your family had such a trying weekend. I’m sending positive vibes your way! I’ve always been so impressed at how you remain collected and strong even in the midst of an onslaught of obstacles. It’s inspiring, my friend!
These almond streusel cheesecake bars look scrumptious! I’ve always loved almonds, and I’m sure I’d like them even better on top of a delicious cheesecake bar!
They look amazing! I will be trying this lovely recipe out very soon.
Life is so precious and beautiful…this is what your cute baby and your story conveys. And it’s the truth. We should feel happy that we are alive and healthy! Touchwood!!
These streusel bars look so tempting! I must try these soon.
Dear Monet,
I will keep you and yours in my prayers. The Lord always seems to bring us through these trying times.
The cheese bars look comforting and delicious!
Lucy is beautiful.
Blessings dear. Catherine xo
p.s. Please stop by I am having a giveaway. Thank you.
Oh, the almonds sound divine in these bars!
Oh boy, so sorry to hear about the bad circumstances, Monet! I hope good things are coming your way now.
Your cheesecake bars look phenomenal! And that last pic of Lucy is just precious. I remember when I used to swaddle my son like that because he would just jump and wake himself up all the time – swaddling helped him (and us)! Take care!
I hope better things are coming to you in the future, it happens my friend unfortunately, you have got to be strong in these circumstances!
On a nicer note, these bars are perfect to relax you!
Cheers
CCU
The crunchy almonds on top sound so yummy paired with the soft apples within the bar. They look great! Your blog is lovely, I’m subscribing.
Totally agree with your Dad’s wisdom. I hope everything will soon be sorted out 🙂
The cheesecake bars look fabulous and that almond streusel so delicious.
Oh no! So sorry for your random troubles. You can console yourself with these amazing looking bars!
I think one of the most difficult things about going through tough times is to try and shift our mind set to the positive so that we can invite more favorable energy and beautiful happenings into our lives. xo
Definitely a trying time for you 3. I feel you on those pains. If we can help in any way please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve had a similar situation recently that involves my dad’s health and the realization that all these money issues are nothing when a loved one’s health is at risk. You’re right, those cheesecake bars would be great on a not-so-great day or weekend.
Too bad about the water heater and the car! You’ll figure stuff out, but no one enjoys facing those aggravations. Gotta say, though, these great cheesecake bars would help sooth any problem! These really are terrific – thanks so much.
First visit here. I find a nice reading, deep, real and sincere to leave me thinking about priorities in life and things that matter. I find a beautiful recipe (love the vivid colors) and great shots. Nice to meet you, Monet. It will be a pleasure to come back.
such gorgeous looking bars.. Beautiful pics!
I hope your week is much better today – I cannot agree more when they say “when it rains, it pours”. I am so proud of you taking the positive note of this situation – XOXO
You’re totally right, Monet. No matter how dire things look, it could always be worse. We should be thankful for what we have and if it’s a matter of money, it’s a much better problem to have than one’s ill health. Love your positive attitude, girl! I love these beautiful creamy cheesecake bars too. Perfection!
My heart goes out to you and your family Monet, after such losses. Life has a way of showing us what’s important, always. And that picture of Lucy is stunning, that pout!
The bars are beautiful too!
I’m so so sorry for all the woes, Monet. But you are so right about coming out safe. We have to count the blessings that it could always be worse.
Sigh, after reading this post, I NEED a few of these cheesecake bars myself.
I’m hoping the weekend turned into some big smile smiles for you and things cheered up! These cheesecake bars are a work of magic, swooning at them. Swooning!
i have a thing for bars…always looking around for new inspiration, that was inspiring thanks !