Beat the cream cheese until light. Mix in the remaining ingredients, except nuts. Spread the nuts on a plate. With cold water dampened hands, form the cheese mixture into the shape of an oblong ball, and then set on the nuts. Coat the cheese log in the nuts, pressing them on to help them adhere. Set the cheese log on a serving plate. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up. (The log can be prepared up to a day in advance.)

To serve, unwrap and surround the cheese ball with crackers or thin slices of baguette.

Note: Unsalted mixed nuts are available in the bulk foods department. You can crush them by placing them in a thick plastic bag and hitting them with a kitchen hammer.