"Let's Go Back To Where We're Happy"

When my boys were ages 14, 13, and 9, we took a ride to a town about 40 minutes from our house to see a more affordable place to live.

I worked full-time and, to supplement my income, hosted international students - anywhere from 1 to 6 students at a time - who attended English language classes at a nearby college. We rented a large house. It was quite a circus sometimes with my full-time job and commuting each day into into Boston, working part-time doing wine promotions, making meals for everyone, driving my kids and students here and there, helping everyone with homework, and keeping it all together. My boss used to tell me that I burned the candle at both ends.

We drove to a neighborhood in a town that we weren't familiar with in order to check out the area where the house was located. 

As we drove around a bit, not getting out of the car but scouting out the area, my oldest said to me, "Let's go back to where we're happy." And so, we did.

Twelve years later, that quote still sticks with me.

Let's go back to where we're happy.

Sometimes, we can't really go home again. But we can do things to remind ourselves of good times gone by.

Today, I'm featuring a recipe that my dear sister Dottie used to make when she hosted Christmas Eve dinner. Dottie went all-out for Christmas Eve with an antipasto, roast beef, mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls, and desserts galore. The dinner started with a cheese ball. Do you remember the "cheese ball" craze of several decades ago? No fancy cheese here - just a blend of tasty, simple ingredients. Dottie whipped up this cheesey delight and we loved it.  

Cheese Ball

8 oz. package cream cheese

8 oz. cheddar cheese

2 TB worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

ground walnuts

Grate cheddar in a food processor. Switch to mixer blade and add cream cheese. Whip up and then add worcestershire sauce - starting with about 2 tablespoons, and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. Taste and adjust worcestershire sauce and garlic powder to your liking.

Using plastic wrap, form the cheese mixture into a ball. 

Roll in chopped walnuts. 

Serve with crackers.

In loving memory

Dorothy "Dottie" Greene

1941-2021