Holiday Tree-Shaped Cheese Ball on Food Porn Friday

Image Source: General Mills / Betty Crocker

Cheese balls, once a staple among holiday appetizers began to get a huge yawn because that little round ball of cheese sitting among crackers or baguettes ready for your guests to include on their party plates, became the joke and bore of the party…next to the fruitcake of course.

Today, we thought why not include an easy to make recipe, for a more festive looking cheese ball than the expected nut encrusted, ball-shaped appetizer. We spotted this Holiday Tree-Shaped Cheese Ball that adds a more celebratory flavor amid your holiday appetizer spread. It’s easy to make and can be prepared and stored in the freezer way in advance of your holiday get-together.

Click here for all of the ingredients and easy step-by-step instructions for making this festive Holiday Tree-Shaped Cheese Ball.

Happy #FoodPornFriday!

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Poetry of The Peaceful Plumage

Image credit: Richard Revel

The Peaceful Plumage

I watched a feather somersault outside my window
it drifted through the air swept by a gentle breeze
in its unobtrusive presence, it gave me peace
where it landed I know not, for it floated away.

©Kym Gordon Moore

Porch Pirates: Those Grinches that Steal for the Nastiness of It

Image credit: Piotr Siedlecki

Have you or do you know someone who has been victimized by porch pirates? Oh, the boldness of these thieves who trespass on the grounds of unsuspecting homeowners and violate their property by stealing something that is not theirs and they know it. These porch pirates, the “Grinches Who Stole Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, household necessities and personal rewards” have no sense of respect for something that does not belong to them. They know they are off-limits and they are fully aware of their wrongdoing. They simply don’t care. 

Some say this act is sad. I say it is infuriating, especially when consumers already have limited funds with which to replace these stolen items and to do it in such a short period of time is horrific. If these porch pirates are bold enough to blatantly trespass and steal, then they are bold enough to suffer the dire consequences of such an egregious act when this evil comes back to haunt them in the worst possible way. Poetic justice is no joke.

Mr. Mandarin, the Duckus Causing All the Ruckus

The famous Central Park mandarin duck has been vacationing in New Jersey. (DON EMMERT / AFP/Getty Images)

Mr. Mandarin

Oh, bright perching duck

festive, multi-textural

like abstract paintings.

© Kym Gordon Moore

Where on earth did it come from people wondered? This beautiful duck whose species is found in East Asia appeared inconspicuously one day in the pond of Central Park in New York. This colorful and exotic bird is very social and began to intermingle with the community of Mallard ducks in the park. Oddly this beautiful duck usually nests in trees. 

Recently the male duck was missing from the pond which brought on a ripple of panic by onlookers and birdwatchers. Where did it go they wondered. Interestingly, the Mandarin duck was recently spotted vacationing in New Jersey. What a hoot!

Conversations of Comfort In the Grocery Aisle

My husband and I share shopping responsibilities when purchasing our staples at the grocery store. I, on the other hand, do most of the shopping, simply because who wouldn’t want to get the most for their buck these days right?

My patience with strolling down the aisles looking for good deals, no matter how long it takes is the type of patience my husband does not share with me. He, on the other hand, is very focused to go in, get what he needs, get out and on his way. I like the idea of searching the aisles more methodically, seeking for something new to try, and discovering great sales on staples to stock up on.

While the grocery store would not seem to be the most ideal place to strike up conversations and socialize, I’ve found that the conversations somehow find me. I run into many people with stories, genuine stories of heartbreaking grief, but their loneliness leads them to the grocery aisles finding themselves now making adjustments in how much they are buying. These conversations are like poetry – heartfelt stories told in an abbreviated timeframe.

Thumbing through sale items or waiting for the associate to restock products that have literally flown off the shelves, you may randomly strike up a conversation about that particular out-of-stock sale item, which leads to some intimate details of that individual’s unexpected and sorrowful life changes. Yet, in just a few moments, these conversations of loss, loneliness, and heartbreak lead me to a greater place of understanding, compassion, and gratitude.

I don’t personally know these individuals I strike up such random conversations with. I don’t know if they are rich or poor, their political affiliation, their religious convictions or educational aptitude. I don’t care if they are cultural opposites of me or even their sexual preferences. I just recognize that I am speaking to another human being, another child of God who just needs a moment to talk, and a moment for me to listen. I will probably never ever see these individuals again, but in that one moment in time there is simply an intimate connection of the spirit and shared compassion of the encouragement we genuinely give to others with sincere agape love.

What Are You Reading That’s Good?

Image Source: leegabel.com

What category of books do you gravitate to reading? What types of books have you read lately? I once listened to a forum led by Maya Angelou speaking to a crowd of writers and she said this, “In order to be a good writer, you must be a copious reader.”

One need not be confined to one specific genre, even if you have a favorite. Reading is indeed fundamental to increased learning. Each year, Goodreads.com allows you to set a goal of how many books you want to read for the current year on your account. This social site is a great tool to use for prolific readers and writers alike. Let’s connect and share on Goodreads.com.

Guess What? Curiosity Didn’t Kill All of the Cats

 

They said curiosity killed the cat. How very sad.

What they didn’t know, is that the other eight lives

learned the rules of engagement,

equipped themselves with tactical gear

for better covert operations

became more observant,

and lived to operate curiosity with greater finesse.

MEOW!