A "Monster" of a Good Day Today!

Happy Friday everyone!! We had dress up day at work today for Halloween. I didn't participate last year but decided at the last minute (like on Tuesday of this week) to give it a go this year. We also do a Spooky Snack Day with finger foods and I am always required to bring my Monster Cheeseball. I have shared this recipe with y'all in the past but I am going to post it again here so if you need a quick and tasty, not to mention way too cute, appetizer for this weekend, here ya go!!



Ranch Cheeseball

2 8 oz. packages cream cheese (I let mine soften on the counter for about 30 minutes before I make this. This makes the cheese easier to work with.)
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese (The amount is up to you. A little or a lot ~ both work just fine!)
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing mix

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. (I use my hands, it's much easier!)
Shape into a ball. Cover with shredded cheese, chopped dried beef, chives, or whatever you desire! Top with a cherry or green olive. Refrigerate. The longer this is refrigerated, the better the flavors meld. Serve with crackers.

To make my Monster, I made the basic recipe and then I spread whipped cream cheese all over it. I then took two Dorito chips and placed them on the sides for his ears. I used two small slices of a green pepper for his eye brows and two small triangles of red pepper for his eyes. I usually use green olives for his eyes, but I didn't have any so I improvised. For his nose, I used a pepperoncini and for his mouth I used another slice of the red pepper. For his hair, I used some of the shredded cheese that I mixed in to make my cheeseball. Shredded red cabbage or lettuce would work well for this too. Here's a pic of my monster friend:



I dressed as a Dalmatian puppy for work today. I took a white sweat suit and cut out different sizes of black felt "spots" and hot glued them all over the sweat suit. I used a regular plastic head band and made me some ears and hot glued them on. Then I painted my face with a black spotted eye, black puppy nose and mouth. I fixed my office up as a doghouse and I made peanut butter cookies which I cut out with a dog bone cookie cutter, striped them with some pale orange icing and topped with sprinkles. I individually wrapped each one and tied them up with orange curly ribbon and a dog bone tag that read: "Happy Halloween from Donna's Doghouse!" I put them in a real dog food bowl and handed them out to all the trick or treaters (co-workers) that stopped by my "doghouse". They were a big hit!





What made today even better was the fact that I won a $50 prize for the most creative costume! That was really exciting! All the employees got to vote for the most creative, ugliest costume, prettiest costume and best decorated department. It was a really fun day!

I'm super excited about tomorrow. A friend and I are going to have a "girl's day out". We are going to a Women's Expo and then to Cracker Barrel for lunch! I can't wait!! And now I have an extra $50 to spend. Woohoo!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and a Happy Halloween!

Until next time. . .