Cafe 1217 Apple Lemon Ginger Juice

2 cups + 3 cups water
2 cups sugar
1 quart good apple juice
3 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice
6 oz can of frozen cranberry juice
3 tbs fresh grated ginger

Heat 2 cups water and sugar over low heat until sugar is dissolved to make a simple syrup. While syrup is cooling, place the rest of the ingredients in a pitcher. Stir in syrup. Refrigerate. Serve over ice with mint sprigs.

Suzy's Marinated Cheese

8 oz. cheddar cheese
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup (or less) good olive oil
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
2 tbs fresh chopped parsley
3 tbs chopped green onion
1 ts sugar
1/4 ts dried basil
1/2 ts salt
1/2 ts freshly ground pepper
1-3 cloves minced garlic
2 oz jar diced pimentos

Slice cheeses in 1/4" to 1/2" even slices. Stack slices, alternating cheddar and cream cheese, until it looks like a block of cheese. Place block in a shallow or lidded dish. Mix all ingredients, except pimentos, in blender. Pour marinade over cheese and sprinkle on pimentos. Cover and let stand for 4-6 hours before serving. Or cover and refrigerate overnight, letting the cheese sit at room temp. for at least 3 hours before serving.

Serve with crusty bread or crackers.