My Mom’s Cheeseball Recipe

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I can't decide if it was more fun eating the above or listening to my mom explain how she made it so I could tell you lovely readers.  My mom doesn't measure so much.  We all know this and that is why she gets assigned food at family gatherings.  There is no questions, because you already know ahead of time that she makes a mean cheeseball, loaded veggie tray, or beautiful salad.  She also comes up with super fun group craft projects.  Those are your options and we love her for it.

So last Friday, I hosted a birthday party for my friend.  It was a lovely night!  The next day, I was nibbling on leftover chili and cheeseball and thought, I need to take a picture of this cheeseball for the blog.  You see, if you were to turn that cheeseball around you would see half of it is gone. Ravaged, really.  I now know why these are only made for celebrations because I would eat the whole dang thing myself.  I found a similar recipe here  or you can read on to see tidbits from the phone call to my mom, Jean.

*adding my mom's comments in ( )

  • 1 pkg cream cheese (I don't use generic for this–I get the real Philly kind.  Of course it's a lot easier if it's softened.  I just set the cream cheese out and worked on gluing some magnets for Kid-O-Rama (a big kids creative event happening the next day that she helps with).)
  • 8 oz finely shredded cheese (The mixed one, cheddar and..she or I can't remember.  The finely shredded cheese is the nuts!  We used to have to shred it by hand.)
  • minced onion (But I had some left over green onions from the salad you made the other night at our house so I used those. That's what made it really good.)
  • 2 tbsp milk (But, I didn't have any milk, so I used a little water.)
  • Worcestershire sauce (I'm not sure how much—a few shakes.)
  • Chopped pecans

Put the milk and minced onion in a bowl and let it sit until onion is softened.  Add cream cheese, cheese and Worcestershire sauce and mix.  Put mixture on a bed of saran wrap and form into a ball.  Sprinkle with nuts. Refridgerate.

Me at the end, "That's it?!?"  She says, "wellll, you can add some chopped ham if you want.  Sometimes I do that."  I guess I don't get out much when it comes to making cheeseballs.

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That's me and my mom with our spiced cider.  We love spiced cider.

Wishing you a Happy Tailgating and Party Season!!

Acorn Clothespin Fairies

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Hello there!  We're Ginger and Bobby, friends of Candie's.  She asked us to pop by and tell you she's still writing her new jewelry making book for Lark Books.  We've seen the projects for it.  We're a little biased, but they are pretty great! 

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Let us entertain you with our moves from Acorn du Cirque until she comes back.

By the way, Candie and her Mom, Jean, made us for the Plaid Kids Blog.  If you want to make some friends of your own, check out the Acorn Fairies tutorial there.

Nesting Boxes

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This is a little project my mom and I whipped up for the Plaid Kids Blog.  I love them.  Check out the tutorial here.  I'm still writing, writing, writing for my book with Lark Books.  My classes at Manchester College started too.  Lots of neat projects in the works and I'm so happy to be busy with my art and work.  Am I rich monetarily?  No.  But, I have a pedal to the metal on life, and stopping to smell the roses with friends and family.  How awesome is that?

Sunday Breakfast

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Just another picture of food…sorry.  I was sitting down to eat and thought, I love this kind of breakfast.  Yogurt.  Dry cereal.  Fruit.  Done.  I also love bacon, french toast and scrambled eggs, but it's not that kind of morning.  You have to plan for that kind of breakfast.  Last night I grilled fish for dinner and that pretty much did me in on planned meals. ;) 

I prepped some photo things this morning for my new beading book, next it's over to church to hear a friend sing and back to the photographing.  It's gloomy here and Rocky has been lazy all morning. Dogs really know how to live it up on these sort of days.  I'm a bit envious. Couch.  Curled up.  Sleep.  Done.  I just heard him let out a big sigh.  It's like he knows I'm typing about him.

I'm reading The Alchemist finally thanks to a good friend putting it in my lap.  I haven't read in forever (other than magazines).  It's such a small book, but 50 pages in and already giving me so much to think about.  I love that.

I hope you are having a great weekend wherever you are doing whatever makes you happy!

Baked Apple Recipe

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Oh Fall, how I love thee.  September 23rd is the official first day of fall, but I am enjoying the cool mornings and evenings.  I think I've already said this.  This summer has been long, productive and hot.  Lots of growth in so many forms.  Thank you, World.  And thank you Fall for coming along and cooling things down.

On Monday, I spent the evening with friends.  Stir fry and baked apples and laughter and even some coloring.  It was so cozy and nice.  Again, thank you, World.   Here's a link to a baked apple recipe if you get the itch. Don't forget the vanilla bean ice cream.  

On a final note, I've gotten so many emails from readers looking for the pencil torch in my book, Metalworking 101 for Beaders.  I'm so very sad to say Bernzomatic stopped making them.  I know. (sigh)  I can't believe it myself.  If anyone wants to start a petition, begging them to make them again, consider my name added to the list.  Until then it's back to acetylene and air or a little butane torch for us, kids (or at least for me).

Labor Day Weekend Fun

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I remember as a kid that Labor Day was kind of the "last hoorah" of summer.  We always spent it at the lake.  I'm just throwing this little idea out to you kids of all ages— if you have an extra $10 in your pocket, pick up a *bubble machine and some bubbles for this weekend.  Make it a surprise for your kids, your college roommates or even your spouse that you've been married to for 40 years.  Everyone likes bubbles.  

In other news, I'm up to my ears in instruction writing and shooting how-to photos for my new book.  Things are moving right along and I can't wait to show it to you!!  Yay!

 

*I got the bubble machine at Walmart ($6.28)

Soup Recipe Book…

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I've been gone approximately five weeks out of this summer and I think this blog kind of reflects that.  It's been go, go, go with so many things….  I was teaching in a retirement home last week and my friend brought me this little batch of veggies.  I put the peppers in stir fry and ate the tomatoes like popcorn.  Oh! So good! 

Images With the cooler evenings, I can't help but gear up for soup season.  It's my favorite food to make and so to honor that, I picked up this book.  It's supposed to be here tomorrow!  Chop. Saute. Stir. I'm excited.