1    Stick (1/2 cup) butter or

           -margarine, softened
      1 c  Cottage cheese

  With carrots, celery, green pepper strips, cucumber slices, cherry
  tomatoes, cauliflower pieces or crackers, try any of the following:
  CHEESE SPREAD
  garlic powder
  Blend shortening with cottage cheese. A blender or baby food grinder will
  give you a smoother consistency than whipping with a fork. Add garlic
  powder to taste. Refrigerate in a covered container.
  DIP IT AGAIN
  1 (8 oz) container of plain yogurt 1 cup sour cream 1 pkg onion soup mix

  Combine and chill before serving.
  BETTER-WITH-BUTTERMILK DIP
  1 cup buttermilk 2 cups mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream or yogurt 1 envelope

  Ranch style dressing mix
  Stir together and chill. For use as salad dressing, substitute a second cup
  of buttermilk for the sour cream or yogurt.
  Hint: Use cucumber "coins" instead of crackers.
  OTHER QUICK DIPPIES that make up in small quantities:
  * Blend 1/3 to 1/2 of a mashed banana with 2 or 3 tsps of mayonnaise.
  * Whipe together 1 tsp of smooth peanut butter with 1 tsp of mayonnaise. If
  still too thick, add a few drops of milk.
  * Mix 1/2 tsp of lemon juice and 1/2 tsp of honey or sugar to 1 or 2 tsp of
  mayonnaise.
  CUTTING UP WITH KIDS
  Have your children help you cut up green onions, parsley, lettuce, cheese
  slices, fruit, etc., using a scissors instead of a knife. Using a scissors
  helps coordination (YES!) and keeps them busy for a _long_ time!
  CHERRY BALLS
  Stuff whole (or half) cherry tomatoes with cream cheese, a cheese spread,
  egg salad or tuna salad.
  Actually thinking of snacks as hors d'oeuvres - rather than desserts - will
  open up a whole new way of looking at this category.