Monday Morning Recipe

Best ever cheese ball I'm not sure how many of you are getting your Christmas on by planning early, but I am one of those types that gets things going sooner than later so I don't have to deal with ANYTHING in December.  This recipe for a cheese ball is easy and delicious.  It's a sweet cheese spread and, in my opinion, pairs well with a buttery cracker like Ritz.

INGREDIENTS

-1 Brick of cream cheese

-2 Cups shredded old cheddar (orange)

-2 Tablespoons dried cranberries

-2 Tablespoons old port

-1/2 cup chopped roasted pecans

-2 Tablespoons maple syrup

-1/4 Teaspoon orange zest

Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature.  Place pecans in naked frying pan (don't add oil or butter) on medium heat and cook until browned and fragrant.  Take them off the stove and let cool.  Meanwhile place cream cheese in medium size bowl.  Add shredded cheddar, cranberries, port, and zest.  Mix well.  Roll into ball, wrap in plastic and chill.  When ready to serve, roll the ball in the pecans to cover the surface.  When your guests arrive, pour the syrup over the ball.

This cheese ball is a little sweet but because of its simple ingredients you can eliminate the syrup or even the cranberries.  The choice is yours.  So if you're a Christmas keener like me, you might have your menu planned already.  If not, maybe this little appetizer can get you going.  If that doesn't work, just know that there are 5 Saturdays left till the 25th.  That's right, I'm that guy with the constant reminding.... :)

Peace

the fresh perspective...

Winter is coming We're almost there folks.  Almost submerged in the freezer-like winter.  What have you done to prepare yourself for this?  Did you pull out all your winter clothes?  Did you dig out that toque?  I have just purchased some waterproof winter gloves.  This is different for me  because I'm a leather glove kinda lady.  Apart from being a leather glove kinda lady, I also loathe the cold.  The leather, simply isn't cutting it anymore.  It isn't warm enough and they stiffen in the extreme cold.

While we are all going to be thinking of ways to keep our bodies warm while looking stylish in a parka, let us not forget about our hair, skin, and nails.  The temperatures we're about to face can be really damaging to our hair, skin, and nails trio.  Are you prepared?  Got your cuticle oil already? How about a hair treatment to do every two weeks while the snow falls?  Maybe a once a month scrub down with a body scrub?  Don't forget about our trio being exposed to the temperatures and winds.  Prepare yourself.  Get ready.  That's the fresh perspective...

Wordless Wednesday

Pom pom toques... We like 'em!

Remember

It's crazy how much things have changed.  I found these while I was cleaning out some files.  As soon as all the dust has settled, I'll post some photos of the place as it is currently.  Stay tuned...  

Peace

the fresh perspective...

The fresh perspective is now going to be  a place where I can get on my soapbox a little bit and tell you all how I really feel.  Is this a good idea?  I am very passionate about a lot of things.   If I feel like sounding off about how much 'stuff' we consume, or how I think that face tattoos are a joke, I may offend some people.

I do not mean to offend.  I realize that my opinions are my own and I'm very aware that they may not be popular.  I will say, I find it hard to dispute that any person with a face tattoo CANNOT be taken seriously.**  I'm a little old school and prefer paper cards over e-cards, and I think hair is meant to be changed (it grows back so no worries right).

In light of all the changes we've been going through, I'd like to change things up. TFP started out as a review thing, then a 'favorites' thing, and now it's a soapbox?  Here we go!  That's the fresh perspective...

**If your face is tatted.... I'm sorry.

Wordless Wednesday

Mustaches... We like 'em!