Silent Night & a Cheese Ball

Silent Night & a Cheese Ball

by  Diana McCollum

Silent Night and a Cheese Ball

Oh, how I love the Holidays! Starting off with Thanksgiving, and this year 21 people for dinner, and ending with the magical Christmas holiday.

For the past five years I’ve made the “Pinecone Cheese Ball” for an appetizer at either Thanksgiving or Christmas. The first year my 12 year old grandson wanted to know if it was a football cheese ball. The shape had not hardened up or kept its shape as planned.

It may not always look pretty, but it is always a big hit. The Pinecone Cheese Ball is the one thing that doesn’t last. Oh there might be a tiny bit left, and does it make it to the next day? Never!

I thought I’d share this wonderful recipe with all of you. 

Pinecone Cheese Ball

2 pkgs (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1 pkg (3 ½ to 4 ounces) soft chevre (goat) cheese

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1. Beat all ingredients in medium bowl with electric mixer on med/low speed until smooth. 
2.  Shape mixture into upright shape like a pinecone, pointed on top, fat on the bottom waxed paper or plastic wrap 
3.  Press sliced almonds into cheese ball, sticking the almonds up at top and angled on the rest just like a pinecone. 
4. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm (2 hours but no longer than two days) 
5. Garnish with sprigs of rosemary around plate and grind up rye crisp crackers to sprinkle on almonds. Serve with your choice of crackers. 

This is a great appetizer to make a day or two in advance.

Another thing I enjoy about the season besides all the company, food and cheer, is to sit quietly with a cup of hot chocolate and the fireplace going and the tree lights on, and just ENJOY!

A Silent night and Christmas meditation! It’s wonderful!

Do you have a special tradition for relaxing at the holidays?

Am I Crazy???

It's December....which means it's time to see how far I can push the limits of my sanity. It's not just the 'holiday' rush that pushes me to the edge... it's dealing with the snow...

The tree is pulling roots and moving south...

It's endless baking....

These are all calorie free ... haha

 And then there is making the gingerbread Paw Patrol tower....

AND it falls apart

Planning for the new year....

My 2018 Vision board

And of course writing...Want something different for a holiday read??? Something with magic...

   Hot romance...

    And pirates???

        Check out my Treasure Hunt

DeLaney Black Heart is the captain of The Gypsy Princess, the most feared pirate ship on the Cannequ seas, until recently. Her long standing enemy, Falken Sands, is making good on his threat to ruin her. She is in desperate need of a large bounty to soothe her crew and reclaim her title.

Raven Kinsley is a treasure hunter. He offers DeLaney the chance to redeem herself. Only their history is stopping DeLaney from jumping on the offer. Raven abandoned her a year earlier and disappeared.

Left with no other choice, DeLaney agrees to Raven’s commission. They begin their journey to claim the lost treasure of Midas, but soon trouble surrounds them. Raven and DeLaney combine forces to battle gryphons, the possessed Falken Sands, and other creatures.

DeLaney tries to convince herself what she feels for Raven is born out of battle, not love. Raven knows he loves DeLaney, but until an old enemy is beaten, he can’t make his claim on her heart.

As secrets are revealed, they realize this is more than a mere treasure hunt. It’s a battle for their lives.

Hope everyone has a great remainder of the year! See you in 2018.