Say Cheese!!

The cheese ball in the front is the one "My Boys" love the best! Each Christmas I make the Party Cheese Ball and it gets scarfed down in a hurry.  

As you can see I have "Big Boys!  It takes a lot of food to feed this crew and they each have an appreciation for good food! 

I look like a midget alongside of them, thus the very reason I have become quite feisty, even though quiet in nature! How many times I have heard, "Don't mess with mama because if mama isn't happy, nobody is going to happy!" Or if my wife isn't happy life is not worth living!" 

But I do love making my family happy! And what better way than to feed them with recipes they enjoy! Try these cheese balls!

Party Cheese Ball

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese

1 cup (I used 10 ozs.) New York Extra White Sharp Cheddar cheese 

1/4 cup minced onion

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 Tablespoon parsley flakes

I throw it all in a bowl and blend it with a mixer. Recipe calls for rolling it in parsley flakes. Yuk! have you ever bitten into a parsley flake not mixed up with something?! So I add just enough to decorate, sprinkle with paprika and chill for at least 8 hours.

Want a cheese ball that is stepped up a notch? Emeril always steps up his dishes a notch. Cayenne pepper and garlic steps this cheese ball up several notches. The recipe calls for 3 dashes of Tabasco sauce, but I didn't have any on hand. That would certainly step it up 3 times over!

Festive Cheese Ball

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese

1 cup Yellow Sharp Cheddar cheese

1 - 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 Tablespoon minced garlic in olive oil

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3/4 cups toasted pecans, finely chopped and divided

1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika

1 Tablespoon parsley flakes

Again as above throw it all in a bowl but with only about half of the toasted pecans. Mix well together with a mixer. Form into a ball and roll it in the remaining toasted, finely chopped pecans. I added a little sprinkle of parsley flakes and paprika on top. Refrigerate for 8 hours.

More on a Reflective Note

New Years Eve and New Years Day seems to be the time for many and for myself to think about the past year and getting ready for the beginning new year! I began my day by reading in a devotional from Billy Graham's "Wisdom For Each Day." It was titled, "Looking Back," referencing Philippians 3:13-14, which reads: 

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward 

what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which 

God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

The basis of the message gently leads you to determine was it a year with regret, relief? Or was it a joy of happiness and joy, success and achievement? The answer was, "No matter what your answer is, I hope you will pause and prayerfully ask yourself two important questions. First how do you think God looks on this past year in your life? Did it bring you any closer to Him? Did it expose any weaknesses, or find you wandering from His way? Was He disappointed in your responses to its challenges?"

Trust God! That was my lesson for the past year! And I learned to do it! When several events took place (life-changing events) I was overwhelmed, but God helped me to get centered again. It takes quiet time praying and reading the scriptures to overcome. There is not anything that happens that God is not aware of. He knows our every thought, pain, tear, rejoicing, thankfulness and everything! I am so thankful for the merciful, loving, stand like a rock God, Father in Heaven that I have. And I am very thankful for the supportive husband, sons and dear friends that I have too! You are loved!

Now on a Fun Note

I am so thankful for my two wins during the Quilters Gallery Blog Hop. I won two fabulous give away items and I am having fun! One was a subscription to "The Quilt Show" the other a quilting book, "The Big Book of Patchwork". I have watched several shows where Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims have interviewed some wonderful, gifted, and inspiring women. And my new wonderful book has some great looking quilts that I hope to find time to make. A big step of faith would be that I will finish all my existing quilts in progress waiting to be finished and more! Anyways this book has one quilt that I absolutely love since it tends to be on the Modern side. So pretty!


My New Year is going to be focused on all things to be grateful for - Thanksgiving all year long, continue to Trust God and find time daily to read His Word so that I can be opened to wherever or whatever He leads me toward in the upcoming year.

I received a beautiful journal book as a gift from the gal who leads the women's group at my church. She gave it for the purpose of writing down my thoughts of thanksgiving each day. I'm beginning early! Also today, I am grateful for all the squirrels that are visiting my patio who are entertaining Miss Cassie!

Wishing all a Happy New Year's Eve. Be safe and blessings to all!