HOT SAUSAGE DIP

Hi Everyone, I hope that you all had a fantastic Christmas.  I know that I sure did! Hopefully you were all able to enjoy a few days off from work, and relax a bit.  Christmas is certainly special, but I’m not sure if it’s relaxing… now that I’m thinking about it.  We were able to share the joy with friends and family, and I received many “Loves and kisses” from my little grandbabies.  That in itself makes it pure magic!
Coming up very quickly is New Years Eve.  It’s hard to believe that another year has passed and 2010 will be ringing in shortly.  I only have to look at the bags under my eyes and the lines on my face as a reality check!  New years resolutions are floating around in our minds, and a few of them might even be written down as firm goals to reach.  As I think about my own resolutions for the coming new year, I resolve to be happier with “the real me.”  That probably sounds a bit odd, but around these parts, I’m starting to wonder if anyone is really “the real them!”  Lips that look stung by bees, eyes that barely blink, botox smiles and fore heads that don’t crease, boobs that still salute at fifty, hair extensions, ect……are rapidly increasing by the numbers.  “Is anyone real these days?”  I resolve to try to be happy and content with the “real me.”  It’s difficult…..I must say! 
For those of you who plan to party like crazy through the New Year, I thought I should share a few easy delicious recipes with you. If you have some dips in your family, why not serve them dip!  Hot Sausage Dip is easy to prepare, and really yummy.  You can keep this warm in a slow cooker, and serve through out your party with crackers and tortilla chips.  We like to top ours with tomatoes, but you certainly don’t have to.  Oh yes….I hate……repeat hate green peppers, but I love this dip.  I believe this might make me…one of the  dips!
HOT SAUSAGE DIP
1 lb. country style sausage
*I used Italian style
1 large onion
1 large green pepper
1 – 8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 – 16 oz. Sour Cream
2 small cans Diced Green Chili Peppers
3 large tomatoes (optional)
Directions:
Brown and drain sausage.  Finely dice onions and green peppers and add to sausage in pan on medium heat.  Cook until onions are soft…turn to low heat and then add the cream cheese.  Stir until well blended.  Add chili peppers and the sour cream and simmer on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring constantly.  Put completed dip into a crock pot and turn to low heat.  When ready to serve, put diced tomatoes on top of the dip and serve with tortilla chips or whatever you like.
*You can easily make this ahead of time, keep chilled until you place in slow cooker to serve.
If this gets too thick throughout the party, simply add a little milk or water and stir.  Yum!
More recipes to come!