Fun, Food and Friends

My husband and I made the very hard, but wise decision not to follow our TCU Horned Frogs to the Rose Bowl this year. We really wanted to but it was just not in the cards. Instead we stayed home and threw a watching party for the handful of friends that did not go to Pasadena for the game.

my daughter being a goof

one of the food tables

(I apologize for the poor lighting in these pics)

While I did get teary eyed several times watching the game (the fly over, national anthem and of course the victory confetti at the end), we had a wonderful time spending New Year’s Day with good friends and food. The kids skipped naps and ran around like crazy cheering T-C-U. Everyone ate way too much food and may or may not have had too much to drink. When the game was over, both of our phones started blowing up with texts from friends at the game. It was a good day.

loading up the plates

yummy pulled pork

My husband cooked the show stopping pork for our pulled pork sandwiches. Ya’ll he started cooking it in the smoker 7 hours before the game. It was super yummy! One of my other personal favorite things from the party was the cheesy bean dip. It is so easy and a crowd pleaser. I got the recipe from a friend (thanks Jen) and thought I would share it for those of you who might be having a playoff or super bowl party soon. Do me a favor though, eat this dip with Fritos. It just isn’t the same with anything else:)

okay, so I forgot to take a picture of just this dip. It is the white casserole dish in the upper middle part of this picture. (Above the mini cupcakes and cookie plate)

Cheesy Bean Dip

1 large can refried beans
8oz cream cheese
16oz sour cream
½ packet taco seasoning
Small jar of picante regular
2 cup bag of shredded cheddar cheese
2 cup bag of shredded monterrey jack cheese
(or sub a 4cup bag of the mixed shredded for the above 2)

Mix the first 3 ingredients with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the taco seasoning, picante and all but ¼ cup of the cheese to this mixture. Mix thoroughly. Pour into 9x13 baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Bake until cheese is melted (appx 10-15 more minutes). Serve hot or cold. (is great left over too!).

Congratulations to the TCU Horned Frogs, Rose Bowl Champions!