My Favorite Cheese Ball

This is today's shared recipe from my Confectionately Yours radio spot on WEEC 100.7 FM in Springfield, OH.

Sometimes I roll the cheese ball in nuts, sometimes I pack it in a country style crock. Serve with crackers and garnish with some beautiful grapes and a bunch of parsley for a pretty presentation.

MY FAVORITE CHEESE BALL

10 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
soy sauce, to taste(about 1 Tbs.)
garlic powder, to taste(start with about 1/4 tsp.)
onion powder, to taste
chopped toasted pecans, 1-2 cups

Beat cream cheese until soft and creamy. Add seasonings, then add grated cheese, a little at a time until it is incorporated. Roll into a ball and then into toasted nuts.

Refrigerate, but allow to soften before serving. Can be made 2-3 days before serving.

Toasted nuts

pecans, any amount
salt, optional

Spread onto a cookie sheet and place in preheated 350° oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes until lightly toasted. Stir often, every 3-4 minutes and watch closely as they can quickly go from toasted to burned. Remove from cookie sheet immediately after taking out of oven. Season if desired. The nuts will continue to toast if left on hot cookie sheet.

Note: I serve this recipe in shape of a pinecone at Christmastime. Make cheese ball into a tear drop shape. Use whole roasted almonds to simulate the 'petals' of a pinecone. Start at the pointed end of cheese ball and insert one end of the whole or sliced nut. Overlap one row onto the first until the cheese is covered. Use artificial pine greenery to garnish the top.

The "cheese story" that preceded this recipe from WEEC segment was as follows:

As I was making my favorite cheese ball, I was reminded of my favorite cheese story.
My son is now 20 years old, but when he was 4, he was invited to a birthday party at a kiddy restaurant that I consider is the nightmare of all nightmares for parents. There was annoying non-stop singing from puppet characters and over excited kids running in all directions. The decibel level was unbelievable!!

My son was enthralled with the guy in the giant rat costume. He chased him all over the place. The character guy finally left the play area to get away from my son and his playmates. I can still visualize the picture of that small boy with the pink cheeks and glowing eyes as he ran up to me and said, “Oh, Mommy, I just met Chucky Jesus.”

We laugh over that story every time I tell it. Now I DID talk to Andrew later and clear up his misconceptions. There WAS a difference between the guy in the rat suit and the Savior of the world, but for a few glorious moments my son thought this Jesus person he had heard about lived in an amazing place where you could play non-stop and have pizza for every meal.

It was a 4 year old's idea of heaven.

I have an idea of heaven myself and a pretty good imagination, but I don’t think I can grasp just how wonderful heaven is going to be. When I see a beautiful tree blossoming in the Spring, mountains, or an ocean view, I marvel at the ability of the Lord to create such beauty. It reminds me of Him, but then I realize….God has saved the best for last. I have heaven to look forward to.

If you know Jesus as your Savior, you do, too. Hang in there ya’ll….the best is yet to come!!!

Hospitality Redefined

 As I reflect over the concept of hospitality, I think we as Christians need to redefine it.

Our society seems to think hospitality is all about entertaining, parties, and the use of things to dress up the event.  Just check out the home shopping channels before the holiday season. 

 They try to convince us that the cookware, serving pieces, and gourmet food are necessary for a successful holiday.  They are really good at what they do. 

After entertaining in my home for 32+ years, I have finally realized that while these things are not necessarily wrong, they do not define hospitality in its real sense.

Hospitality is receiving outsiders and changing them from strangers into guests.

Hospitality is not a specialized spiritual gift that only a few people possess.

Hospitality addresses the physical needs of food, shelter, and protection. But hospitality also radically affirms the high worth and common humanity of all people.

The entire Christian life can be seen through the grid of Incarnation and Hospitality.

Incarnate-means ‘Out of flesh born’

'Incarnation' is following the example of Jesus as given to us in John 1:14 –“And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh and dwelt among us.”  It is the act of proactively entering into the world of others. We do this in an attempt to relate to them, understand them, be a friend to them, and witness to them.

'Hospitality' is the flip side of 'Incarnation'. Hospitality is the act of inviting other people into OUR world, in order to accomplish the same things.

When we invite our neighbors to church, we are asking them to enter OUR world in the hopes that they might discover Jesus and their need for a Savior, and become part of the Christian family of the forgiven. When we invite our neighbors into our homes, we are likewise inviting them to enter our world and see Christianity in action in the home, warts and all.  (Nobody's perfect!)

While it's true that some may be "better" at hospitality than others, everyone has a stake in it. As Peter is teaching 'the elect' about what it means to exercise spiritual gifts in this last age, he tells God's people to 'offer hospitality to one another without grumbling' (1P 4.9).

Hospitality is that open door to true friendship.  I shudder to think what this season of my life would have been without the support of the folks I have been friends with for years.  God uses His people to help us through the difficulties of this life.

I am grateful for my friends!!! 

                                         Confectionately  Yours,

Sue

Hospitality 101

A Pastor was coming for Sunday dinner.  The lady of the house planned her menu, shopped, cleaned, and prepared all week for this event.  She wanted everything to be just perfect for her guest.

She could hardly sit through Sunday school and the Worship hour as she ran these last minute preparations through her mind.  The family left as soon as the last amen was uttered to put the final touches on this special dinner.

As they sat down to ask the blessing on the meal, the pastor asked the youngest child, a boy, to say “Grace.”  The child looked down shyly, not saying a word, but the kindly pastor gently prodded him, “Go ahead, son, just say what you hear your mother pray.”

The little boy bowed his head and said, “Dear Lord, WHY did I invite all these people over for dinner??”

Does this sound like your actual thoughts when you entertain??  I confess, I’ve have these same feelings!!!  And I really do love having company over.  But it CAN be stressful!!!

In my younger days, I could cook, clean, and entertain in the same day.  As I have grown older, I plan my menu and cleaning schedule so that I can spread out the preparation over time.  As much as I love to cook, a fussy menu adds extra stresses that makes me wonder WHY did I ever invite all these people over for dinner.

Truly, I have learned that it is the sharing of oneself and the fellowship with those you love that make the time together enjoyable.  And simpler really is better!! Some of the best times I’ve ever had were over delivery pizza and a bottle of pop.  You don’t have to be a good cook or love to cook to entertain.

If YOU are comfortable with what you serve, your guest will be, too.  Figure out what is your style-paper plates, fine china, or somewhere in between, then relax, and have someone over for dinner soon.  You just can’t get to know folks until you make time for them.

                                         Confectionately  Yours,

Sue

The Light at the End....

I had just walked in the glass door of my workplace & was heading down the hall.  I had dreaded coming in that day.  I just didn’t feel like being there!!  Halfway down this long hall, I encountered an elderly lady hunched over a walker with wheels on it.  She greeted me with a smile, huffing & puffing as she walked toward the door.

I jokingly said, “It’s a long hallway, isn’t it?”  And she replied cheerfully, “It is, but I see the light at the end.  I’m almost there.” 

Her smile & positive attitude affected me that day.  Here I was, walking upright with no shortness of breath, dreading the day ahead & this dear lady looked on her circumstances with a smile.  There was light at the end of her "tunnel."

I was instantly reminded how Jesus is our Light.  There will be no need for sun, moon, or stars in heaven because the glory of our Savior & Lord will be so bright that there will be no more night, no more stress, no more sickness, no more death.  

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

 There will be no need for sun, moon, or stars in heaven because the glory of our Savior & Lord will be so bright that there will be no more night, no more stress, no more sickness, no more death. 

When we think positively, it shows in our attitudes, even when things are difficult!!

Today, I’m sharing a positively delicious recipe for Strawberry Salad.  It is a good recipe for any season because it uses frozen strawberries, canned crushed pineapple, & fresh bananas.  Sugar free gelatin can be substituted for those watching their sugar intake.  I often serve this at the end of the meal for a light dessert. 

STRAWBERRY SALAD
1 (6-oz.) pkg. strawberry gelatin
1 c. boiling water
1 (20-oz.) can crushed pineapple

3 med. bananas, chopped
2 (10-oz.) pkgs. frozen sliced strawberries, in syrup
 2 c. sour cream


In a medium bowl, combine gelatin and boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved.

Add un-drained pineapple, strawberries, and chopped bananas stirring to combine.

Divide in half. Pour half of the gelatin mixture into a 9 x 13 dish. Leave the rest of the gelatin at room temp. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. 

Spread sour cream over the set gelatin and spoon the rest of the gelatin over the sour cream.

Cover and return to refrigerator until set, about 90 minutes. Yield: 12-15 servings.

Note: Sugar free gelatin (6 serving size) and plain frozen strawberries with the addition of sugar free sweetener may be substituted to lower sugar for those who need

to watch their intake for health reasons. 

Confectionately  Yours,

Sue