Olive, Onion & Almond Cheeseball

Olive, Onion & Almond Cheeseball

This is a perfect snack for New Years Eve or for the big game on New Years Day & it's so easy to make!!!

 
 

Printable Recipe

2 packages of cream cheese (at room temperature)

1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)

1 cup Colby-Jack cheese (shredded)

1/2 cup pimento-stuffed olives (chopped)

2 tablespoons shredded onions

1/2 to 1 1/2 teaspoons Indian Red Chili Pepper (ground) or substituted cayenne pepper (add according to your spicy likeness)

1 cup Almonds (thinly sliced)

Prepare the ingredients as listed above (shredding & chopping).  In a large mixing bowl and with an electric mixer (or in a food processor) - mix together the 3 cheeses (cream cheese, cheddar & Colby-jack cheese) until combined.  Now add the olives, onions & pepper and continue beating until it resembles the first picture in the collage above.  Spread the almonds on a plate and scrape the cheese mixture out of the mixing bowl (make sure you use a spatula to get every bit of the delicious cheesiness) onto the almonds (see top right picture above).  Gently roll the cheeseball around until it is completely covered in the almonds (see bottom left picture above).  Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours but preferably overnight.

Serve with your favorite crackers & ENJOY!

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Chocolate Christmas Tree Ornament - My Memory Portal

Chocolate Christmas Tree Ornaments - My Memory Portal

It was a few weeks before Christmas and I was on a hunt to find "Hirschhorn Salz" (an ingredient that I needed to make Pfeffernuesse Cookies).  The only place in my area that has German items for sale is a little authentic German Meat Market called "Kilgus Meats."

As I entered the store I looked around and realized that it looked exactly the same as it did eight years earlier, which was the last time that I had been there.  In the middle of the store is a double-sided shelf with non-meat items.  As I walked around this shelf I passed  German rye bread, Zwieback Crisps and some noodles before I found the baking area.  There I found Vanilla Sugar, pudding mixes, yeast and as I was rummaging through these baking necessities I glanced to the left where the chocolate and cookies were located.  Flimmersterne!! - chocolate Christmas Tree ornaments that always hung on my Omi & Opi's  (or Oma & Opa - German for Grandma & Grandpa) Christmas Tree!!   I had not seen or thought of these decorations in literally decades!!  Tears suddenly began to well up in my eyes - I quickly shook them away and proceeded to take another turn around this middle shelf.  As I glimpsed these chocolates a second time my eyes again flooded with tears - "I must have these!" I said out loud.  I hurriedly purchased this Holiday Treat (even though they were $5!!  Five Dollars!!!) and rapidly left the store.     

 

A few days later I opened the bag from the Meat Market;  looked at these ornaments and I was immediately transported to my childhood.  There I sat on the Berber carpet in my Grandparent's living room watching TV.  My grandfather was a carpenter and he created this cubbyhole in the bedroom closet that butted up against the living room and he transformed it into a TV cabinet of sorts.  It was perfect for lounging on the floor and watching television because your neck wasn't strained from having to look up.  Did I mention that this TV was in color?!!  Just above the TV on the wooden shelves that he created was the tiny dinner bell.  That was my job - to announce that dinner was ready.  I would ring that bell and proclaim "Komm und essen"!! (which means "come and eat").

Christmas Eve dinner was always super special, actually any meal made by my grandmother was special because she was a master cook and baker (at least that's what I thought).  I remember always making sure not to eat too quickly because if you had a blank spot on your plate my grandmother would fill it with more food whether you asked or not!!  Don't get me wrong, as I said earlier we all loved her food but there is a limit to how much one can eat.  We learned to hover over our plates in hopes that we would create a protective dome.  However, somehow my grandmother always found a way to zoom in and drop another potato bomb on our plates - Nobody ever left her house hungry! 

While we were sitting around the dining room table eating I recall looking to the left at the Christmas Tree and staring at the Flimmersterne (shiny stars).  After dinner we all helped ourselves to a few sweet treats from the tree before eating Christmas cookies or "Coffee & Cake".  Maybe it was the motion of looking to the left and seeing these treats from my past that transported me to an earlier time.  Whatever the reason I am thankful for this opportunity to time travel with you.

ENJOY!!

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Merry Christmas! - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

 

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

Now turn with me to number 87 in your hymnals and let's sing:

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

From Latin, 12th century                             Ancient plain song, 13th century
   

1.  O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.  Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

2.  O come, Thou Wisdom from on high, And order all things, far and nigh;  To us the path of knowledge show, And cause us in her ways to go.  Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!


1.  O come, Desire of nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind;  Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease;  Fill the whole world with heaven's peace.  Rejoice!  Rejoice!  Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel!

A special thanks to "Paul Thompson" for posting this on YouTube




First of Advent 2013 - Angels We Have Heard on High
Second of Advent 2013 - Angels from the Realms of Glory
Third of Advent 2013 - Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming
Fourth of Advent 2013 - We Three Kings of Orent Are

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Fourth of Advent 2013 - We Three Kings of Orient Are

 

  

"After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.' When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people's chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. 'In Bethlehem in Judea' they replied, 'for this is what the prophet has written:

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.' After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with this mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route." Matthew 2: 1 - 12

Advent Wreath

All 4 candles have been lit on the Advent Wreath

Please listen to the YouTube video of this beautiful Christmas Carol below the lyrics.

Now turn with me to number 112 in your hymnals and let's sing:

We Three Kings of Orient Are

John H. Hopkins, 1820-1891                                John H. Hopkins, 1820-1891
   

1.  We three kings of Orient are:  Bearing gifts we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.

CHORUS

2. Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.

CHORUS

3.  Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh; Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.

CHORUS

4.  Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom:  Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

CHORUS

5.  Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice; Alleluia, Alleluia!  Sounds thro' the earth and skies.

CHORUS

Chorus

O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading, still proceeding.  Guide us to Thy perfect light.


A special thanks to "urkindofmusic15" for posting this on YouTube


First of Advent 2013 - Angels We Have Heard on High
Second of Advent 2013 - Angels from the Realms of Glory
Third of Advent 2013 - Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming

Planning for Extended Stay Company - BEVERAGE

 

 Meal Planning for Extended Stay Company - BEVERAGE

It's that time of year when our houses are full of family & friends.  Whether it's an unexpected visit from Cousin Eddie or the dreaded yearly visit from Fuller McCallister - Meal planning is essential!  This post is the last of a six part series on Meal Planning for those types of visitors.

Today it is all about BEVERAGES - Drinks.  I included Smoothies in this category even though technically Smoothies are a meal not something that you drink with a meal - so please keep that in mind.  These are my top 10 Beverage recipes in order of my preference (Look at the picture and if something looks interesting to you then find the number below & click on the title to view the entire post)  ENJOY!

1.  Holiday Punch

 

2.  Chai Tea Made from Scratch

 

3.  Cranberry Walnut Smoothie

 

4.  Homecanned Grape Juice

 

5.  Cinnamon Apple Cider Smoothie

6.  Ginger Coconut Pear Smoothie

 

7.  Stevia Sweetened Lemonade Slushy/Icey

 

8.  Berry Almond Cacao Smoothie

 

9.  Blackberry Apricot Smoothie with Green Tea

 

10.  Celery'n Applesauce Smoothie

 

Also see:
BREAKFAST ideas for Holiday Company
LUNCH ideas for Holiday Company
DINNER ideas for Holiday Company
DESSERT ideas for Holiday Company
SNACK ideas for Holiday Company

 

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Third of Advent 2013 - Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming



All roses in this picture were grown by my dad & all photos were taken by me:  Angie Ouellette-Tower

 

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' - which means, 'God with us.' When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus." Matthew 1: 18 - 25

 Advent Wreath


Three candles have been lit on the Advent Wreath

NOTE ABOUT THIS SONG:  This Christmas Hymn is so near and dear to my heart for two reasons -
1.  I am half German and heard this song in my grandparent's home often during Christmas time - hearing this song brings me tears of joy & tender memories
2.  Because my dad is a master rose gardener - the symbolism & comparison of Jesus' birth to that of a tender rose opening into glorious splendor is amazing!


Please listen to the YouTube videos below the lyrics.  I also included a German version "Es ist ein Ros entsprungen" - please listen & watch the German version because the literal translation is a little different and somehow means so much more in the original German tense.

Now turn with me to number 90 in your hymnals and let's sing:

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming

Traditional by Theodore Baker          16th Century Melody by Michael Praetorius, 1571-1621
   

1.  Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming From tender stem hath sprung!  Of Jesse's lineage coming As men of old have sung.  It came a flow'r-et bright, Amid the cold of winter, When half spent was the night.

2. Isaiah 'twas foretold it, The Rose I have in mind, With Mary we behold it, The Virgin Mother kind.  To show God's love aright, She bore to men a Savior, When half spent was the night.

A special thanks to "rexlibris99" for posting this Christmas hymn on YouTube



A super special thanks to "gatoz56" for posthing this on YouTube & for translating


First of Advent 2013 - Angels We Have Heard on High
Second of Advent 2013 - Angels from the Realms of Glory

Fourth of Advent 2013 - We Three Kings of Orent Are 

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Pinwheel Christmas Cookies

Pinwheel Christmas Cookies

These are some of the most beautiful Christmas cookies & a great way to use some of that jam & jelly that you made this past summer.  I grew up making these cookies with my mom - it is my mom's recipe.

The cookie cutter that you see below can be found on Amazon.com

This recipe is difficult because you have to use icing sugar (powdered sugar) for rolling instead of flour - this makes the dough very sticky & it is just not so easy to roll out.  However, it will be worth the effort once you taste these lovely cookies.

Printable Recipe

1 cup sifted flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup whipping cream

2/3 cup apricot jam (you may use other flavors of jam & jelly)

powdered sugar (for rolling & to dust on top)

1.  Sift the flour & baking powder into a large bowl. 

2.  Cut the butter into the sifted ingredients until crumbly (it will resemble a crumb topping).  3.  In a different bowl - beat the whipping cream with an electric mixer until whipped & stiff.  4.  Stir the whipped cream into the flour mixture until combined to make a stiff dough. 

5.  Wrap the dough in wax paper & chill several hours in the fridge. 

6.  Cut the dough into 4 pieces & only roll out 1 chunk at a time.

7.  Dust your rolling surface with a little powdered sugar & roll out 1 chunk of the dough until it is about 1/8 " thick. 

8.  Use your Pinwheel cutter & cut as many cookies as you can from the rolled out dough.  9.  Moisten your finger & dot every other point with some water.  Now fold (but do Not crease) every other point into the center of the cookie (see the top 4 cookies in the picture below starting at the left - every other corner is folded down into the middle).

10.  (Now you have 2 options - you can bake the cookie with the jam in the middle or place the jam in the middle afterwards).  (the jam will run a little if baked) Place a little jam on top of the overlapped points in the middle of each cookie.

11.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes or until desired texture & golden brown color is achieved.

12.  Repeat steps 7-11 until all of the dough has been used up.

13.  Allow cookies to completely cool & then dust with powdered sugar.

 ENJOY!!

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Second of Advent 2013 - Angels from the Realms of Glory

 

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.' When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.' So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2: 8-20

 Advent Wreath

Two candles have been lit on the Advent Wreath

Please listen to the YouTube video of this beautiful Christmas Carol below the lyrics.

Now turn with me to number 107 in your hymnals and let's sing:

Angels From the Realms of Glory

James Montgomery, 1771-1854                                Henry Smart, 1813-1879
   

1.  Angels, from the realms of glory, Wing your flight o'er all the earth;  Ye who sang creation's story, Now proclaim Messiah's birth:

CHORUS

2. Shepherds, in the field abiding, Watching o'er your flocks by night, God with man is now residing;  Yonder shines the infant Light:

CHORUS

3.  Sages, leave your contemplations, Brighter visions beam afar;  Seek the great Desire, of nations;  Ye have seen His natal star:

CHORUS

4.  Saints, before the altar bending, Watching long in hope and fear, Suddenly the Lord, descending, In His temple shall appear:

CHORUS

Chorus

Come and worship, Come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King.

A Special thanks to "Reawaken Hymns" for posting this on YouTube


First of Advent 2013 - Angels We Have Heard on High
Third of Advent 2013 - Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming
Fourth of Advent 2013 - We Three Kings of Orent Are

 

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Olson Family Date Nut Bread

Olson Family Date Nut Bread

I had never had Date Nut Bread until I married my husband - this recipe is actually from my mother-in-law's Swedish side of her family (she is the top left girl in the picture below) (and YES I have her permission to share this recipe with you all).

Did you know that this fruit - "Date" comes from a special Palm Tree that is native to North Africa & the Middle East? - I never knew that.  Dates are good for us - they are full of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese & copper.  They also contain "Zea-xanthin" which is said to help prevent Macular Degeneration.  Dates are rich in dietary fiber and are full of antioxidants!  (again - I'm not a doctor - please see my "disclaimer" at the bottom of this post)

Click for Printable Recipe

1/2 cup butter (softened)

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 cups chopped dried dates

2 cups boiling water

2 teaspoons Baking Soda

2 teaspoons Baking Powder

3 cups flour

pinch of salt

1 cup walnuts (chopped)

In a medium bowl combine the dates, baking soda & boiling water - set aside until later (make sure that you do this step first) (see picture below).  Prepare ingredients as listed above (chopping dates & nuts etc).  With an electric mixer - cream the butter & sugar until fluffy (a few minutes), then add the eggs & beat until combined.    

With a wooden spoon stir the flour, baking powder & pinch of salt into the butter mixture - stir until combined  (it will look like the picture below).

Now stir in the date/water mixture from the first step.  Finally stir in the nuts.  Spray or butter 1 Extra Large Loaf Pan or 2 Small Loaf Pans.  Pour the batter into the pans (split evenly if you are using 2 small pans). 

Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 1+hour (or until toothpick inserted comes out clean).  NOTE:  The time will vary depending on whether you are using 2 pans or 1 large pan - you will need more baking time for a large loaf - just keep checking your bread). 

Cool completely on a wire rack before turning the loaf upside down to release the bread (always take a dull knife around the edges before inverting the pan).

Slice, serve & ENJOY! 

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