I’m finally joining my own party. I had one of those long productive days that have you saying at 8pm, “Is this the first time I’ve sat down all day?”
The girls and I didn’t finish school until 5pm and I cooked and cleaned and decorated all day in between teaching/facilitating school.
Whew! I’m weary.
But I did manage to make my favorite cheese ball. I made it up a few years ago and make it every Christmas. Don’t tell anyone but I’ve already put it in the freezer for my company next week.
Yes, cheese balls freeze well. Pretty much everything freezes well. Other things I put in the freezer today, you ask? Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, homeade honey wheat bread, and meatballs.
I earned my ‘whew’ today.
So here’s what you need for the cheese ball.
8 oz package of softened cream cheese
8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded (don’t buy it already shredded–do the hard work and you’ll thank yourself later)
1 small can crushed pineapples
4 scallions chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries rough chopped
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion salt (or a little more if it needs more salt)
Mix together and let sit for a couple hours. Serve in a traditional ball shape or in the fun pineapple shape shown.
Invite all your foo-dog loving friends over to enjoy cheese and chinese legend.
Speaking of foo dogs (I know, I can’t let it go), my brilliant friend Annie reminded me of the ‘Chinese dog’ statuaries in Anne of the Island (3rd book in Anne of Green Gables). Anne adored them.
“Gog looks to the right and Magog looks to the left.” It’s all so grand and apocalyptic.
It’s the most brilliant timing ever. Now my foo dogs have names.
And I can tell them apart.
(Thank you Annie, you kindred spirit, you.)
good lordy, the chinese foo doggies are truly epic. of course anne adored her statuaries. of course she did.
may i please live on your porch beside that fantastic tree? oh my word.
yes you may take up residence wherever you’d like my dear—but the porch is the dreamiest.
and stevie added one of tall patio heaters which means i may never go inside again 🙂
love you and have been praying!
thems the happiest lookin foo dogs I ever did see.
I think you are my favorite cheeseball.
THAT made me laugh out loud!
Love the foo dogs! I probably like them even more because my mom probably saw them and thought “Bless Edie’s heart”. She loves you. Just questions your taste at times. Maybe that is why I love everything you do. Thanks for the inspiration.
That’s so funny – that was the first thought I had when I saw them in your last post – “Gog and Magog!”
This recipe sounds yummy and easy.
Your foo dogs are killing me. The more you look at them the more they make you smile. They are perfect in that space.
I worked on some decorating here, too. I almost have it completed. Made a few new goodies for around the house. So much fun but very tiring.
Hugs,
Ruth
I just showed my children your foo-dogs and asked them what they reminded them of. My 11-year-old son piped up, “Gog and Magog?” I love it! We’ve listened to 4 Anne books in the car while running errands and traveling hither and yon. My son claims he ‘hates’ the girl books, but he never misses an Anne reference and even sat through the 3-hour movie with me and the girls. When they catch a reference to something we’ve read, it makes me feel like I’m doing a little somethin’ right around our homeschool, sniff, sniff. You helped make my day. Thanks!
Thank you for the GREAT recipe selection. AND THANK YOU for “Delta Spirit”. I am enjoying their music interspersed with the Christmas music. Very 60’s sounding, beautiful, soulful harmonizing and such creativity with the percussion and piano! Thank you millions!
P.S. As Foos go, I must say yours look quite amiable Edie.
Merry Christmas, Trudy Royston
I’ve made the cheese ball appetizer twice now to rave reviews! My brother in law, Dan, was commenting on it and I told him I got it from this great blog called Life in Grace. He said he’s spoken with you through email as he works at ProPhoto! Small world. Blessings to you and your new home. Ceci
This not only looks beautiful, but sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try this recipe!