Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Cute Cheese Balls for Fall! (Part #97 of "Playing With Our Food" )


Hello, everybody!! The Fresh Pioneer is back and I know most of you (it seemed like the ENTIRE WORLD) were off playing at the ACFW conference but I've been home.... writing and cooking and writing and cooking.
 
 
 
OK, that's not really accurate. I've been writing and eating and writing and eating. Either way, there's been a lot of writing. But in between those times of writing (and eating) I've been hanging with the fam.
My husband made an awesome fire pit. We saw a few for sale. We saw some nice ideas on Pinterest. But in the end, he broke apart an old BBQ grill and dropped it into a hole. (The hole was prepared with rocks, like we saw on a tutorial) And then he placed slabs of broken concrete around it that were leftover from when he tore up the old patio when we were building on to the house. I don't always love everything hubby does in the yard. (Oh, the stories I could tell!!) But this just tickled me. All repurposed and it was so rustic! We've had a fire almost every night since and we're using up all the old storm debris from last spring. Bonus!
 Well, we ate about 3/4 of a box of apples and they started to get bruised. So... time for some apple cider!
 Choppity, chop, chop, chop.
 Hi there, juicer!! How I love thee!!!
 When I started juicing, the kids were watching this and I could HEAR them thinking, "No WAY am I drinking that."
 It looked even worse in one of my gorgeous blue vintage Ball jars!
 
 In the ATLAS gallon jars, it was sooooo pretty! A hundred year old jar holding cold pressed cider just like they used to make in the olden days! (Fine, except for the fancy juicer...)
 My husband's parents and his brother have come to visit. There's been a lot of cactus around. (It's already been defanged here and is ready to grill.) They're used to cooking on an open flame so good thing it's summer. We just eat everything that way and everybody's happy.
                                                                 NOM NOM NOM

 My husband and his dad. Funny, I always think hubby is SO Mexican. And then his family comes to visit and I start thinking, "Dude, you are SO American." I mean, all you have to do is check out the hats. Point made.
 His younger brother, Rodrigo. Isn't he adorable? He was about 11 when we got married so when I look at him, I get a shock. In my head, he's just a little kid.

OK, so on to the recipe! I saw this on facebook. Have I mentioned how much I love facebook?? I just do. So many friends, so much FOOD.
 You'll need:
-two bell peppers
-two packs of cream cheese
-3 TBS green onions
-two cups shredded cheddar cheese
-2 TBS paprika
-1/4 tsp cumin
-1 cup crushed Dorito chips or some other unnaturally orange-colored chip
 Add green onions to the cream cheese.
 Kids love cooking. Kids love learning how to make something delicious. But mostly kids love cooking when there is crushing and mashing involved.
 Adding the shredded cheese. (I know, I probably don't need to show every step. But we all love pictures, right? Skip to the end if you're bored.)
 Add the seasoning. (*prods readers awake*) Don't skip this next step or you'll have an interesting mess on your hands. Chill the cheese blobs for about 20 minutes.
 Wake UP! It's the really exciting part! Sprinkling on the Dorito crumbs!!
 We pressed in the tops of the green bell pepper (use the rest for a salad or something) and then sprinkled on a bit more. Serve immediately. Oh, aren't they adorable??? Ready for a Fall party!
Have a wonderful Wednesday wherever you are!
And now...
Back to writing...
And eating...
And writing...

27 comments:

  1. wow I perked up when Rodrigo's pic came up! yes I'm way too old..sigh...
    these are cute too!
    Susanna

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    1. HAHAHAHAHAHA! I know!
      And he's so soft-spoken. He's just adorable. Shy, polite, lets my kids hang all over him. We need to find this boy a nice girl!

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  2. Love how that fire pit turned out, great idea! Those cheeseballs are making me want to snack...

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    1. I'll post a better picture sometime but I'm just loving it! Fits right in with our grapevines right beside it.

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  3. Rodrigo looks a lot like Cruz :) Those cheese balls are cute! Fall treats are so fun to make, and you make it look easy! Great pic of Mr E working the rolling pin :D

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    1. I think his brother Misael is the one who really looks like him. Almost like twins! Rodrigo really looks like his mom, to me.
      And you KNOW Mr. E had a great time crushing those chips. We need to crush food more often!

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  4. Your father in law is so cute. I had to laugh at your comparison!

    Yep, I stayed home writing and being with family. Wouldn't have had it any other way.

    I bet lentil chips would work for my version but oh how I miss corn chips.

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    1. I thought of you when I opened this bag!

      Corn allergies are the work of.. well, let's just say I really have sympathy.

      Does it help if I say I can't eat them either because of MY allergy? Really, MSG kills me.

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    2. Sorry, forget that 'kills me' part.

      It gives me a migraine, which makes me want to DIE.

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    3. Virginia, speaking of migraines, you are going to love this weekend's post.

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  5. Gosh this was a fun little peek into your world. I imagine you are going a teeny weeny bit nuts trying to write with company. Prayers!!

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    1. THANK YOU!!

      It's been... crazy. Writing to 3AM and then up at 7. But I didn't get to choose the visit dates and I'm between a rock (deadline) and a hard place (deadline) and a lowering ceiling (starting a class). Think trash compactor in Star Wars.

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    2. Oh no, I totally relate. I have company coming in a week and a half and have 2 deadlines and am in the middle of a Scrivener Class. But I love company and especially this company so it will all shake out.

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  6. Wow! We need to look no further than your family for hunky heroes.

    And the cheese balls look good too. You had me at cream cheese and Doritos. Love Doritos, don't indulge very often. I'd eat the entire bag and have orange fingerprints everywhere.

    Oh, and I like the writing and eating part too. That is, until I step on the scales. Why does food have to taste so good?

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    1. I heard you were a presenter at ACFW? Is that right? Great job, Mindy! And now Casey Herringshaw is taking over some big role? When do you gals have time to write???

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  7. Oh my stars, Rodrigo is adorable and that smile!!!! HERO MATERIAL.... AND I'm the gal to do it, LOL! Warn him, please... and then when I do it and he says "Ugh" we can remind him I TOLD HIM I WAS GOING TO DO IT.... and I have a hot Latino hero coming up so have him give you a few serious looks and send me the pics. Doesn't matter how he's dressed, I just want serious "soldier" type looks, 'kay? We might get him a Love Inspired cover!!!!! WONDERFUL!!!!

    I'm laughing at your company, the family, the crazy. I am reliving it mentally and then grabbing a cup of coffee and hoisting it in your honor. God bless you all and what a beautiful family!!!

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    1. Isn't he??? And the great thing is that my son took that picture. That's why the great smile.

      When an adult waves a camera at his face, he just gives them the eye.

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  8. Sounds like such a blast. Family time is amazing.

    I saw the recipe on Facebook too, but haven't taken the time to try it yet. I think I will...

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    1. It's a little early for pumpkin recipes.... NOT! It's never too early!!

      When I saw that I grinned because I've been waiting for Fall recipes for MONTHS.

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  9. Such cute little pumpkins!! And so very tasty. I love this idea! Thanks for sharing. :)

    Oh, and as always, enjoyed the photos of the little ones helping you cook!

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    1. They're pretty good! I made a tiny one without the crushed chips and with wheat thins, it was delish!

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  10. Virginia, you always leave me in a tizzy! LOL. Love this glimpse into your exciting life and absolutely LOVE this recipe. How fun is that? And easy? And something I can use to impress folks the next time I need to bring something impressive to. :-)

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  11. Heehee! I was tempted to try and make a few different varieties and make mini pumpkins. Wouldn't that be cute? A whole row and different flavors? MMMMMM!

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  12. These are so cute, and sound so good!

    And I'm with everyone else on Rodrigo! How old did you say he was? Would he mind a Presbyterian girl? (Don't tell my daughter I'm guy-shopping for her online....)

    It looks like you're having such good family time! And sleep? It's overrated. You can sleep when you're old :)

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    1. I knew I'd forget to comment on the cider! Kudos! Before we found out we were moving away from Kansas (and leaving our apple orchard behind), we were planning to buy a cider press...there's NOTHING like fresh cider!

      But now we just buy the pasteurized stuff from the store. Sigh.

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    2. There's really nothing like it! And I'm very tempted to leave a quart in the way back of the fridge and let it become apple jack.

      He's 26. As for the nice Presbyterian girl, she will fit right in as long as she loves BBQ, tacos, hot sauce, and lots of family! Bring her on down! I had hopes of fixing him up with our long-time babysitter, and even had them as godparents together for #5! But two shy people are hard to push together... And she's married and expecting her own baby now. 3 years went by fast!

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  13. this looks great and maybe I can get Jackie to help crush the chips. Well it was a fleeting moment in time. I want to try this out. Looks great

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