Ants On a Log

Last Updated on July 24, 2025 by Lisa Keys

This deconstructed recipe for Ants on a Log is such an upgrade from peanut butter on a celery stick.

Sudden Loss

The sudden news of a death triggers an immediate fight-or-flight response. Your brain explodes, and your heart feels devastated. How can anyone possibly pick up the pieces and move forward? It's impossible to think, let alone act. Do you take cover or run away? You can't breathe, your heart races, desperate for answers. This inability to make decisions turns you into a robot. I was happy to hand the remote control to anyone willing to take it. Being a robot is how I survived that first week.

Thankfully, extraordinary friends stepped in. They took the remote and guided me. This is crucial when someone is utterly lost. Don't hesitate to ask, "What do you need right now to survive this?" Then, spring into action with your unique talents. Offer food, help with yard work, babysit, or run errands.

Helpful tips

Jason, the Navy chaplain who delivered the news, offered to plan the funeral. However, Dennis, a friend and pastor who knew William well, immediately collaborated. Dennis went above and beyond, traveling from his Massachusetts church during Easter week. 

Meanwhile, my friends Carol, Ann, Bev, and Diane opened their homes to any Marines and sailors attending the services. They knew how important it was to me for these special visitors to feel like family. My friend Lynn flew in from Tennessee and never left my side. She helped me get dressed, told me where to be, and made me eat. She also looked after my husband and daughter.

When Maria called, eager to help, my only response was a desperate plea. Her daughter was a close friend and schoolmate of William's. "I think I need to have a party after the funeral," I told her. "I always do all my own cooking, but I can't this time. Can you recommend a caterer?" Maria took charge. 

Soon, we were having a wake on William's 23rd birthday, followed by a funeral and a party at The Taft School. The events honored my son in ways I never imagined. Between six and seven hundred people showed up to celebrate him. He was clearly "more bad ass today (even in death) than he was yesterday." There were so many people to thank! Yes, help me keep up with the correspondence.

That "bad ass" phrase was one of William's favorites. He often used it to describe learning survival skills in the woods. I remember him wanting to read everything about Marine Scott O'Grady. O'Grady was shot down in Bosnia in 1995 and survived six days in enemy territory before his rescue. Will, at age 7, was fascinated that O'Grady evaded detection by camouflage and survived by eating ants.

When Will and Abby (Pastor Dennis' daughter) were teenagers, they spent a summer working as lifeguards at the local lake. One afternoon, Abby came home and casually asked her mom, "Mom, did you know that ants taste sour?" Naturally, her mother, surprised, responded, "No, I didn't! How in the world do you know that?" Abby's reply was simple: "Will got me to try some today."

This story perfectly captures Will's charisma and Abby's adventurous spirit! So, Abby, this deconstructed "ants on a log" recipe is for you-it might make a fun appetizer for your Thanksgiving feast!

Ants On A Log

Lisa Keys

A fun twist on an old favorite.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course appetizers

Cuisine American

Servings 5

Calories 128 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 15 Athens mini fillo shells
• ⅓ cup whipped cream cheese
• ¾ cup small dice celery hearts including the tender leaves
• 3 tablespoons raisins black ants or dried sweetened cranberries (red ants), chopped
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon bottled poppy seed salad dressing.

Instructions

 

• Fill each shell with about 1 teaspoon cream cheese. In bowl, toss celery, raisins or cranberries and salad dressing. Spoon on top of cream cheese.

Notes

If you still want an old-school appetizer fill the phyllo shells with peanut butter and top with a mix of finely chopped celery and raisins.

Nutrition

Serving: 4 piecesCalories: 128kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.002gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 128mgPotassium: 189mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 364IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 0.3mg

Keyword cream cheese, kid friendly, phyllo cups, snack time

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

If you like this recipe for deconstructed ants on a log you may also enjoy crispy cheese cups with elderberry.