So for those who have asked about Cheese Straws there are a gazillion recipes but here is the one we used this year. I will place the seasoning "options" at the end.

6 Tbsps butter or margarine (NOT cornoil variety)

1/2 cup finely shredded hard cheese (usually cheddar but I am trying smokey gouda this weekend).

1/2 cup finely grated parmesan (not that crap in the green cardboard shaker it is half filler)

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour.

2-3 Tbsp water

One or more of the following:

1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard

1-2 Tbsps rehydrated dried minced onion

3/4 tsp dried dill weed

1/8 cup finely chopped pecan bits

1/8 cup real bacon bits (see crap comment from above)

1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 350

Mix butter, cheeses, water, herbs and any wet optional ingredients. Mix in flour on low just until the dough starts pulling away from the bowl. If dough is too dry add another TBSP of water).

Spray baking sheets w/cooking spray.

Use a cookie press or roll dough into large marble size balls and press with a fork to make criss crosses.

Bake about 20-22 minutes. Should be dry but only slightly browned at edges.

(I like pecans and cayenne or bacon bits)

Yes, all the comforts of home...Southern Style.

Now for MY favorite secular carol...funny choice as it has little to do with holidays in the South...must have dreamed of cold weather!

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.

Jack Frost nipping at your nose.

Yuletide carols being sung by a choir and folks dressed up like eskimos!

Everybody knows some holly and some mistletoe

help to make the season bright.

Tiny Tots, with their eyes all aglow,

will find it hard to sleep tonight.

They know that Santa's on his way.

He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh.

And every mother's child is going to spy

to see if reindeer really know how to fly.

And so, I'm offering this simple phrase

for kids from one to ninety-two.

Though it's been said many times, many ways,

Merry Christmas, to you.