Nestled in the Woods

2 heads of brocolli, cut into small bite size pieces
1/4 c. black olives, slices
1/4 c. green olives and pimento sliced
1/4 of a large red onion sliced thinly
2 Tbs.  sherry vinegar
1 Tbs. honey
3 Tbs. mayonnaise
1/2c. craisins
3 sections of hearts of palm, sliced
1/2 tsp.  salt

mix well and refrigerate several hours before serving

Dark…gloomy…what a night!
We settled down to watch the sheep,
and knew that there would be no sleep,
expecting night be long and deep,
but blackness became bright.

Hark! Light now fills the sky!
An angel bathed in light appears.
We fall upon our faces. Fears
that as the heavenly choir nears
we’ll perish where we lie.

Dark? Gloomy? Night is gone!
The angel says we need no dread:
The Christ is born in manger bed.
“Go see the infant…good news spread,”
the angel choir swelled.

Why infant, not a king
to bring fair rule upon the earth?
And why with such a humble birth?
Could not He bask in worlds of worth,
brought on an angel’s wing?

Why? Why not a feed box?
By humble birth He comes, a man,
indentifying with our clan…
(It was the Father’s perfect plan)
low, with sheep and ox.

 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father…Philippians 2: 5-11

Ingredients:
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup pumpkin pie mix (already sweetened)
1 cup skim milk
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped English or California Walnuts
1/2 cup raisins

Grease loaf pans with solid shortening within 1/2 inch of rim
Preheat oven to 350 F
In large mixing bowl combine 1 cup of the flour with brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices; work with fingers until fine and meal-like texture;
add pumpkin pie mix, milk, eggs, and oil; beat with mixer on low setting until well mixed; increase to high speed for 2 minutes; add remaining flour and mix well; add nuts and raisins;
bake in 1 9x5x3″ loaf pan 50-60 minutes, or 4 mini loaf pans 40 minutes; cool on rack for 10 minutes; remove from pans.