Merry Christmas! Time is getting short, and there is still so much to do in preparation for the big day. If you need some quick and easy last minute recipe ideas, try these.

Favorite Cheese Ball 2 8-oz. blocks cream cheese, room temperature 1 8½-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained very well ½ cup finely chopped green bell pepper 2 tsp. grated onion 1 tsp. season salt 1 cup chopped pecans

Drain the crushed pineapple in a colander. Use the back of a large spoon to press out any remaining liquid.

Combine the pineapple with cream cheese, bell pepper, onion and season salt. Form the mixture into two balls. Wrap each ball separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.

When ready to serve, remove the cheese balls from plastic wrap and roll in chopped pecans. Place each in the center of a serving plate and serve with crackers. Yields: two cheese balls.

Spinach Dip 1 16-oz. container sour cream 1 envelope Good Seasons dry Italian dressing mix 1 10-oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained very well 1 8-ounce can water chestnuts, drained and chopped fine ½ small red bell pepper

Allow the spinach to thaw in a colander. When thawed, use the back of a large spoon to press any remaining water out of the spinach.

Combine all of the ingredients. Refrigerate at least an hour before serving. Serve the dip with crackers or vegetable dippers. Yields: four cups.

Mock Goat Cheese 1 8-oz. cream cheese 1 8-oz. package crumbled feta cheese 2 tsp. parsley 1 TBSP. coarsely ground black pepper

Beat the two cheeses and parsley together with a mixer, until smooth. Shape the mixture into a log and coat with black pepper. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze 15 minutes. Remove from freezer and serve with crackers.

Egg-less Eggnog 8 cups whole milk 1 3-oz. package French vanilla instant pudding mix ½ cup sugar 2 tsp. vanilla extract ½ tsp grated nutmeg

In a large bowl, combine the pudding mix with one cup of the milk. Once the pudding forms, slowly whisk in the remaining milk. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Chill. Stir or shake well before serving.