I’ve had a lot of things going on in the past month and a half. As I said before it was kind of a rollercoaster at times. My grandson was born October 4th and my hopes to meet him at Christmas were not looking good. My son is in the Army and his Christmas leave was denied. Well, we all kept a positive attitude, even though we were saddened by that news. We just said when it’s meant to happen, it will happen.
I also have not met my son’s wife, Crissy. I talk to her…a lot! But, we have never met. So, this made me sad too. We would have to wait longer until we met. In the last three days though, things changed. My son’s Christmas leave was approved. Derek (my son) and his wife discussed things and then made a surprise phone call to me. How would I like to spend Christmas in Texas with them? How would I like that?? I would LOVE that!! I was literally jumping up and down on the phone!
We have most of the details worked out, I don’t have the exact dates yet but, will soon. I just am thrilled to be able to spend Christmas with my son and his beautiful little family. I can’t wait to hold my grandson. I can’t wait to meet Crissy. I can’t wait to hug my son (it’s been over a year and a half). I can’t wait to cook for them. I can’t wait to kiss all of them. I can’t wait to hug all of them. I JUST CAN’T WAIT!! I have a perma-smile on my face as I type this.
It’s not a Miracle on 34th Street but, to me it’s a miracle at Apartment 1313!
I have my bags packed to stay 3 months but, shhhh don’t tell them. They don’t know this part yet 😉 I don’t think they’ll mind, I’m a good cook…ha ha ha!
If you seen my post on facebook, please forgive the repetition but, personally I think everyone needs to hear this story a few times. Just kidding 😉
So, that is my happy news and with that I’ll leave you with an easy cheese ball recipe for the upcoming holidays. I made this for Halloween when friends were over and it was a hit. I’ve made it since then just to enjoy it again. It’s really good but, so simple!
Pineapple Ham Cheese Ball
2 (8 oz.) packages softened, cream cheese
1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple
1 c. thinly diced ham
2 cups finely chopped pecans, divided into two 1 cup portions
1 bunch finely chopped green onions
2 t. Lawry’s seasoning salt
Crackers of your choice
Drain the pineapple and then strain the pineapple in cheesecloth to get rid of the excess water. You don’t want that or your balls will fall apart!
Mix all the ingredients, using 1 cup of the pecans. Divide into two balls or two logs.
Cover tightly in wax paper and refrigerate overnight.
Remove cheese balls from fridge and unwrap.
Spread remaining 1 cup pecans on a plate, roll cheese ball/log into pecan pieces. Sticking loose pieces to the cheese ball.
Put cheese ball/log onto a new, clean plate and serve cold with crackers.
*Note: This made quite a lot. I actually made two cheese logs and froze one, I just used it at a later date. It was just as good as when I originally made it. So as a time saver you can always freeze the ball/log, unthaw, roll in pecans and serve when needed. A great idea for unexpected guest too!
twodogsinthekitchen 
I’m so thrilled for you, I didn’t know that you had never met Chrissy, how wonderful that you are going to Texas to visit them and meet that very handsome Grandson. You needed some positive news and I am thrilled that your son’s leave was approved. Good for you and hoping your health continues to improve also!
Oh I got carried away with your visit to your son and family and forgot to mention how I love your ham and cheeseball recipe. Delicious!
I think my whole blog got carried away with my upcoming visit Suzanne! Lol! I’ve talked to Crissy since they were dating, we talked a lot when he was in Afghanistan and we are very close, we just haven’t met. She loves to cook too, so I’m looking forward to cooking for her and with her! I can’t wait to see them all 🙂
I’m so happy you will get to finally see them all. I LOVE me some cheeseballs. This one looks savory and sweet! YUM!
Thanks Renee, I can’t wait! (As if you can’t tell from here or fb…lol!). This originally didn’t have ham in it but, I thought pineapple and ham…yummy! And it worked 🙂
You have a grandson!? So not possible! 😉
Aww…I’m blushing 😉
Suzie, what wonderful news, I’m so…. happy for you. I know it will be a very special time for all of you. It’s funny how we never know what’s right around the corner, do we!? Your cheese ball looks delicious, a perfect recipe to have in hand with the holidays coming up!
You’re right, we just never know what’s ahead! This was such shockingly good news, I’m still a little flabbergasted 🙂 We had the same idea today…quick and easy appetizers!
Ahhh congrats! That is so exciting!!!
Thank you Jane, I hope you are enjoying your trip!
It’s crazy but cheese balls are something I discovered only 5 or 6 years ago–we just didn’t ever have them growing up but now? I want to reach in and smear it all over my hand and lick it off, not even bothering for crackers. Looks beautifully stuffed and soft with all the different flavors going on–yummy, Suzie!!!
It’s funny what is common to one person is not with another, it all depends how we’ve grown up and where we’ve been 🙂 I’m glad you’ve had them though now, they are pure deliciousness 🙂 I could so eat this without crackers!
Maybe they won’t notice the 3 months stay if you make them lasagna soup!! So excited that things worked out for you!!
My step-son is getting married the day after Thanksgiving, put in Texas and a private ceremony, just the two of them. They’ll be coming to Chicago for FOUR short days and while my husband thinks he’s going to have all this time with his son, I have read my future step-daughter in laws itinerary while they are here and we will be lucky to get a dinner with them!
It’s all good though!
Lol!! Great idea Biz 😉 But, I must come back and get my butt back to work. It’s the perfect way to end my time off work though! I couldn’t ask for anything better.
My son and his wife got married like your step-son. He had returned from Afghanistan and on his first day off, they got married! 🙂 I’m sure your new step-daughter does have an itinerary that doesn’t involve much sitting still, especially if they are not from the area. I hope you do at least get dinner and a bit of time with them! Also, congrats to you and Tony for gaining a daughter-in-law!! 🙂 It’s great!
The cheese ball looks delicious! And I am SO glad you get to spend your Christmas with your son and his new family. There is no better way to spend it. Looking forward to adorable pics of the grandson!
I am excited! It will be so nice to see all of them. Pictures of my Grandson are great but, it’s nothing like snuggling and holding and hugging him 🙂 I’m sure I will have loads of pictures girl!! xoxo
I’m just so thrilled for you that you’ll get to see them! Your three months comment made me laugh! This cheese ball sounds so good. I’m such a sucker for cheese balls or anything I can put on a cracker. Thanks for the tip on freezing it-good to know! And Suze, yous gots to stop cutting those cuticles! Bad girl. But I noticed you don’t have ridges–is that b/c your potassium is normal now? Look at me all up in your busnatch! (that’s Vraklis for business-lol)
I’m waiting for Crissy to see the 3 month comment…lol! She’ll laugh 🙂 Yes, I’m still cutting the heck out of my cuticles, sadly that picture is not even bad! The ridges are still there it’s just camera trickery. The potassium takes months to make the ridges go away. I love me a cheese ball too and this one is a new favorite, I want to make it again already!
You might scare her! haha! Why do you cut them, force of habit? Do they look gross to you when you leave them alone? If you buy cuticle oil, it keeps them soft and you can gently push them down so that they look nice.I don’t cut mine and they are hardly visible and it’s so much better for your nails Missy!
They just bug me when I leave them alone. It’s just a dumb habit that I’ve had since very young. I have the oil and will do good for a week at a time, then it’s back to my old bad ways…lol! I did do good for about 2 months and then…well, you know 😉
How cool that you get to spend some time with your son!
Can you believe that I have never made cheese ball before? Looks absolutely delicious with some homemade crackers.
Homemade crackers would go perfect! 🙂
This is our favorite family cheese ball (sans the ham and green onions and adding dried onions and dried green peppers). Sooooo goooood! I have been known to send a cheese ball kit to my brother-in-law when we couldn’t spend Christmas together. I am so happy you will get reunited with your son, meet the daughter-in-law and your grand baby!!!!!!!!
Thank you I’m super excited! The original recipe had green peppers, so I switched that for green onion, since I’m not a pepper fan. I thought of pineapple and ham pizza and that’s where the ham came in. It turned out really good and I haven’t seen any recipes like it, so I figured I’d share it. I bet your BIL was happy to get that in the mail 🙂 What a great idea too.
What a wonderful news Suzie, very happy for you.
Thank you! 🙂
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I came looking for a recipe and found a sweet story to go along with it. It actually made me tear up a bit. All the best to you and your family.
Thank you 🙂