KEEPING CHRISTMAS 'SPIRITS' ALIVE ~ CRANBERRY VODKA & CRANBERRY SPRITZER / 'BOURSIN' PINECONE

" Christmas is a time when you get homesick -

even when you're home."

~ Carol Nelson

CRANBERRY VODKA

~ Still time to 'steep' before Christmas

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2 cups cranberries

2 cups vodka

lemon twist

Pour vodka over washed cranberries in clean glass jar. Cover tightly and hide in cool, dark place at least 2 weeks before serving. Serve on the rocks with twist of lemon.

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CRANBERRY SPRITZER

2 cups cranberry juice

1 1/2 cup chilled Sauterne

1/2 cup Triple Sec

2 cups chilled club soda

cranberries

Combine cranberry juice, Sauterne and Triple Sec. Add club soda before serving. Pour over crushed ice and a few cranberries.

'BOURSIN' PINECONE

~ Rich 'boursin cheese' topped with toasted pecans

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Herb 'boursin' cheese

1 lb. soft cream cheese

1 stick unsalted butter

6-8 cloves crushed garlic

2 tsp. parsley

1 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp tarragon

1/2 tsp. minced chives

1/2 tsp. thyme

1/2 tsp. sage

1 Tbsp. cream

freshly ground cracked pepper

2 cups toasted pecans

Fresh rosemary sprigs

• Combine thoroughly in blender or food processor. Shape into oval. Chill 2 hours.
• Beginning at bottom, work upward arranging pecan halves over herb cheese in overlapping rows. Artistically arrange rosemary sprigs at top to resemble pinecone. Serve with favorite crisp crackers.