Cheese Ball

Today I made my traditional cheese ball for Christmas. Then, I realized I had never posted this recipe. It really is a good one. It was tradition for me to fix some cheese ball on a Ritz cracker and give the first bite to my Daddy every year. Christmas can become a really melancholy time when you lose members of the family or you have loved ones far away and unable to be with you at Christmas. I would have to say that it is amazing the grace the Lord can give you under these circumstances and the peace you can find when you lean on HIM.

2--8 oz. pkgs. of cream cheese
2 cups (10 oz.) pkg. of shredded Cracker Barrell Sharp Natural Cheddar Cheese
1 Tbsp. chopped pimento
1 Tbsp. finely chopped onion
1 Tbsp. chopped green pepper
2 tsp. worchestershire cauce
1 tsp. lemon juice
Dash of pepper and salt
Chill and then roll in ball. Can be rolled in finely chopped pecans. Wrap in foil and store in refrigerator until serving time.

Frosty Treasures

1 pkg. (6oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
6 cups Crispix cereal
2 cups confectioners sugar
1. In a small bowl, combine chocolate chips and oil. Microwave on high 1 1/2 minutes or until chocolate melts. Stir in peanut butter. Pour mixture over Crispix cereal.
2. Place confectioners sugar into gallon-size storage bag. Add coated cereal and close bag tightly. Shake bag gently until cereal is thoroughly coated with sugar. Refrigerate in airtight container.

Chocolate Pleasers

2 cups Crispix cereal
3/4 cup chopped cocktail peanuts
1 cup butterscotch morsels
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
In large bowl, combine Crispix cereal and peanuts; set aside.
Place butterscotch morsels and chocolate morsels in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat on High 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute. Stir morsels until smooth.
Pour melted morsels over cereal and peanuts, stirring until cereal and peanuts are well coated.
Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Chill until firm, about 15 minutes. Refrigerate in air-tight container.

Rita's Party Mix

2--12oz. pkgs. oyster crackers
1 small package of Hidden Valley Ranch mix, use dry
3/4 tsp. lemon pepper
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 tsp. dill weed
1 cup oil
Mix all ingredients but crackers. Put crackers into a zip-lock bag. Pour over the crackers. Shake to mix well.

Caramel Popcorn

1 cup or 2 sticks butter or margarine
2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
6 qts. popped corn
2 cups peanuts
Melt butter in large sauce pan. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring for 5 min. Remove from heat. Stir in baking soda and vanilla. Gradually pour over popped corn and peanuts in 2 large shallow pans. Mix well. Bake in 250 degree oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 min. Remove from oven and cool completely. Break apart and store in tightly covered container.

Becky's Snack Mix

1 box Crispix
1 tsp. garlic powder
Pretzels
Peanuts
Mix together and shake.

Mix together in a jar:
1 pkg. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
2 tsp. dill seed
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 cup vegetable oil
Shake jar until all ingredients are mixed well.
Dump cereal, nuts, and pretzel mixture in a double paper bag. Pour oil mixture on top and shake in bag. When all ingredients are covered well, pour into serving bowl.