Easy Cheese Ball

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
2 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans  

In a medium size bowl, mash cream cheese. Mix dressing mix and Cheddar cheese into the cream cheese. Shape the mixture into a ball. Roll the ball in the chopped nuts. Refrigerate covered until ready to serve. Serve with crackers of choice. I prefer ritz.

Wassail

1 Gallon apple cider
2 C. Cranberry juice
1/2 C. Honey
1/2 C. Sugar
2 Oranges sliced into circles
Whole Cloves
1 apple, peeled and diced
Allspice
Ginger
Nutmeg
2 cinnamon sticks (or 3 Tbs. ground cinnamon)

Set your crock pot to its lower setting, and pour apple cider, cranberry juice, honey and sugar in, mixing carefully. As it heats up stir so that the honey and sugar dissolve. Stud the oranges with cloves (stick them into the orange circles), and place in the pot (they will float).  Add the diced apples. Add allspice, ginger and nutmeg to taste--usually a couple of Tblsp of each is plenty. Finally snap the cinnamon sticks in half and add those as well.  

Cover your pot and allow to simmer 2-4 hours on low heat. Yummy!!