Netflix Update

I still haven't gotten cable in my condo and I think I actually like the fact that I'm not glued to my TV to watch the most current shows. I catch up online or on Netflix when I have time.

So here is an update on shows I have watched on Netflix:

Chuck - recommended by my friend Tory and tho comically cheesy at times, I became a big fan. And the lead girl's name is Sarah! (Zachary Levi was so cute and geeky - Loved him)

House of Cards - this season was darker than last so it took a bit more for me to stay with it this time but excited for next season. 

Orange is the New Black - Completely and totally binge-watched the 2nd season. This was another amazing season and will waiting as patiently as I can for Season 3.

Scandal - I'm caught up except for the current season. I am a fan!

Friday Night Lights- Also recommended by Tory - I LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS SHOW. It's from the creators of Parenthood so duh! It's a heart tugger. I'm sad it was cancelled yet I never watched it when it was actually on. Clear Eyes, Full Hearts - that's all I have to say!  (Zach Gilford - super crush on this guy!)

Sons of Anarchy - I am on season 5 and had to take a break. It's really intense and its hard to believe bike clubs can do what this one does. It's almost like there are too many killings going on to keep me wanting to watch. I just heard a spoiler tho, so I'll have to watch the next to find out what happened. (Charlie Hunnam = yummy!) 

Prison Break - stumbled across this one and decided to give it a try. Wentworth Miller has perfected the whisper talk and I lost interest for a few episodes but I would be a liar if I said I didn't cry thru the last few episodes. I became attached to the characters so that's a sign of a good show to me. 

Up next:

Once Upon A Time - I used to watch this regularly and then without a DVR, it's hard to keep up, so I'm catching up now. 

Sherlock- recommended to me by a reader and I trust their suggestion so I'll give it a shot. 

Weeds - so much talk about the show I have to try it. 

Friends - New Years Day 2015 it comes to Netflix. can I just say "Pivot!" And "could I BE anymore excited?"

Not on Netflix I am watching Chicago Fire, (Leiutenant Casey is a hottie!) The Biggest Loser and Parenthood on NBC.com

I did get my Nintendo NES (yes we are talking 80s version) hooked up to my TV this week so there may be a little delay in the show catchup because I want to beat Dr. Mario and Mario Bros. 3 again!

Made it from Level 1 - 18 on my first try in probably 3 years!

Still remembered all the hidden things playing this for the first time in years!

So that's the update! I'll gladly take other suggestions you may have and if there are any current shows I need to make time for, let me know. 

From the Books: Chicken Enchilada Dip

My aunt and her family had my parents and I over for our own little Christmas with my grandparents from that side of the family just before New Year's. My dad is from a family of 11 and it's really hard to get everyone together in one house on one day anymore. So we were invited over to her house because my dad is their daughter's godfather.

We whipped together an olive dip from a mix I bought from a Tastefully Simple and added extra olives and veggie cheese spread to it to make more of it. My aunt too had cheese, sausage, spreadable cheese so we are definitely from Wisconsin :) and then this amazing chicken Enchilada Dip. One bite and I was hooked.

I asked her for the recipe right away and knew I had to make it for my friends soon. The rest of the party food consisted of salad, amazing lasagna, rolls, buttered carrots and cocktails. It was a merry time had by all. After dinner we munched on Oreo cake, cookies and dodged remote control helicopters that my cousins received from my grandparents. Many laughs were had that night and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

I was invited to a Super Bowl party this past weekend and instantly knew what I was going to bring, but I couldn't find the recipe. Luckily my dad met his brother (my uncle) for breakfast this week and I was able to get another copy of the recipe. Aunt Marianne to save the day!!!! (I didn't realize it until the second copy that it was from TasteofHome, so I could have found it online, but I wanted to make sure that I made the right one as it was soooooo good!

I boiled up a few chicken breasts and then spent a long time shredding up the chicken to the consistency that I liked.

I decided instead of using a package of pre-mixed taco seasoning to make one of my own that is a go-to from AllRecipes.com. Being that my mom and I just organized her spice cabinets, I knew that we had everything in the house. I paid my weekly ode to Penzey's and made the mix myself.

 

As for the dip, mix everything together minus the chips, nuke it for a few minutes and you are ready to serve with chips on the side.

 

 

I took a taste test bite and Kablammy!!!!! My tastebuds were on fire!!! The chili powder that I used was Hot, not mild and I couldn't handle it. I didn't even add the entire can of green chilies either! But I do have more sensitive buds than most. Some people at the party might have liked it like that, but I knew there were other buffalo chicken dishes and wanted to lower the amount of spice at the party a bit.

I opened the fridge and saw cream cheese, more cheddar cheese and then brought along sour cream. It was the perfect spice then.

The dip was a huge hit at the party as well as the BBQ pulled chicken, chili, bacon wrapped lil' smokies and taco dip. There was also buffalo pulled chicken but everyone said that one was too spicy. Chris (co-host) was a joker and chopped extra jalapenos and ghost peppers for toppings if anyone wanted it.

While we munched, we also played commercial Bingo for the Super Bowl. It was a fun game to liven up the game seeing as the Packers weren't playing. However the lights going out definitely added to the excitement and the surge of the 49ers in the second half.

PS - Once Upon a Vine wines are pretty spectacular for an easy drinking red wine. The Big Bad Red and Charming Pinot are both very delicious. I didn't try the Chardonnay (The Fairest) or Sauvignon Blanc (Glass Slipper) and I'm having a hard time finding them in the area besides one store in Big Bend. These just increase my obsession with the show Once Upon A Time on Sunday nights on ABC. See our Halloween party themed after the show -- I was the Evil Queen all in black in the back.