A Pinecone Cheeseball and Puppy Treats

 I made this pinecone cheese ball for a friend's party the other day. A day ahead mix together:

 8 oz. cream cheese
 8 oz cheddar cheese grated
 4 oz grated smoked cheese (optional)
 1 minced small onion
 2 minced garlic cloves
 1/3 C. mayonnaise
 3 sweet gherkins cut in small cubes
 1/4 cup minced fresh chives
 salt and pepper to taste
1 T. tomato paste

Place this in a plastic wrap lined bowl and refrigerate until the next day.

 Using your hands, shape the cheese ball into the shape of a pinecone and stud it with smoked almonds.  Use rosemary as a garnish.

 This is the recipe for the treats I make for Winnie:

1-1/2 C. rolled oats
1 C. flour
3/4 C. grated cheddar cheese
1/4 C. shredded smoked cheese
1 egg
1/2 C. chicken stock
1 grated carrot

Mix this all together and spread it out on a greased cookie sheet. Cut it into strips.  Bake at 300 degrees for about an hour until crunchy.  Store in ziplock bags.

 These are Winnie's faves.

 She loves it when I offer her one.

 She flings them in the air.

 Then she grabs them....

and runs down the hall to eat them as far away from me as she can get.  I think she is afraid I might take them back.