A couple of weeks ago when I wrote a blog post explaining how Ryan and I were considering giving up cable, many of you commented to tell me about free alternatives that we could use to watch our favorite shows.
While we have agreed to cancel cable beginning in March, we plan to get NetFlix and hope to use the internet to stream some of our favorite shows. Our goal is to stop using television as a default form of entertainment and limit TV-watching to movies and the small handful of shows we actually enjoy together.
Last night, I discovered that Amazon Prime members can stream Downton Abbey for free!
This is fantastic news considering the fact that my mom, grandma, sister and I got way too invested in the show over the weekend. I know I’ve hopped on the Downton Abbey train a little late, but I am officially hooked and told Ryan it’s the best show I’ve seen in a long time.
Breakfast
Breakfast this morning was just peachy!
Err… nectarine-y.
Along with my nectarine, I had a bowl of scrambled eggs made with shredded cheese, chopped peppers and broccoli.
Plus a can of La Croix coconut sparkling water on the side.
Question of the Morning
- Have you ever watched Downton Abbey? What did you think?
I actually missed the very first episode, but my mom and grandma filled me in, and now I’m hooked! The Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith) is a hoot!
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We got rid of cable in October and don’t miss it. We have Netflix and Hulu, so if there’s something we really want to watch, we have ways to do it. And there’s always watching shows online for free the next day!
I have yet to see this but I may have to check it out! I have heard only good things!
By the sounds of it I’m missing out on Downtown Abbey. Need to add that series to the list to see.
No workout this morning? Breakfast looked awesome though!
Hi Julie,
I tried to enter the blender giveaway but the comment section is not working. Not sure if you closed entries or if there is a problem with it. Just thought I’d let you know!
-K
thanks so much for letting me know. i am trying my best to get it resolved.
I hopped on the Downton train late too, but have caught up on all 3 seasons in the last month and a half! I love it and am not sure how I am going to wait for next season, I suggest trying to spread it out as much as possible so you don’t have to wait as long. 🙂
love downton! my husband and i got hooked in december and quickly got caught up through amazon prime just in time for the jan/feb season that ended this past sunday night. next season will premiere in the us in january 2014….such a long time to wait!
I’m in love with Downton Abbey, but I need to find where I can watch seasons 2 and 3 (I don’t want to pay for Amazon Prime).
I love love love Downton Abbey, just a heads up Season 2 is on Netflix, but you can watch season 3 for free on pbs.org
Hannah, are you sure season 2 us on Netflix? I see only season 1 🙁
You can see season 2 on Hulu Plus if you have it. You’re right it is not on Netflix.
Ugh I just got hooked on it and was watching season 1 on Hulu, but it’s now only open to Hulu Plus members! But I do love that show. Nearly everyone at my office is hooked. GREAT clothes and I love how politely snarky some of the characters are!!
We are newlyweds, and decided right from the get-go that we’d refrain from cable to save money, but I don’t feel like we’re missing out on anything! We have Netflix, Hulu Plus (and a Roku box)…and one news channel, haha. It took us all of a few weeks to watch all three seasons of Downton Abbey.. my husband loves it just as much, if not more than I do!
I’ve watched one episode of it and I have to say I don’t get it. I could never really understand the big fuss about it.
Omg that show is amazing!!!!! Ridiculously addicting yet always throws unexpected curveballs like last night, but I’ll still watch. I love old English everything. You can also stream it on PBS.org that’s what I do!
I was a little late to Downton as well, since I just started it last month. However, my husband has now caught up as well and loves the show, too. I think that’s truly saying something, if a man can enjoy an English period soap opera.
My family and I tried doing this for six months. And then we realized how much we missed HGTV, Food Network, and Bravo. We’re now happily back to cable, but if definitely can be done.
I haven’t had cable in about 3 years. It has not been missed! I love that I save money and don’t waste hour after hour absorbed in a show that isn’t even that entertaining. I have heard a lot about Downtown Abbey! I might have to try to watch it!
Hey Julie.
Downton Abbey is my favourite TV series ever. We have just finished series 3 in the UK. Series 4 will be due to start probably in September and it is always a long and agonising wait each year!! Also love your Sanibel Island posts, so much that I have decided to stop there for a few days during our next Florida vacation! Usually just do Orlando and all the theme parks so it will be a nice change.
i hope you love sanibel!!! enjoy your wonderful vacation, natalie!
ive never seen it but according to the world, its the show to watch so im thinking about buying cheater notes just so i can talk about the show.
I am OBSESSED with Downton Abbey! When I first watched it, I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about but I got so into it! All the characters are so well developed and each has their own story so I’m glued to the screen every single time! I’m actually studying abroad in England this semester and Highclere (the filming location for Downton) is on my list of must-dos 😀
We started watching DA in December and now are up to the recent episodes. I’ll be honest, the show is amazing, as are the characters, but this season has a lot of people up in arms. Fair warning! 🙂
I watched one episode & didn’t really get into it? But maybe it was the mood I was in? Because all my sisters & friends LOVE it. Hah.
Coconut sparkling water?? Sounds good!!
was it the first episode? b/c i’ve heard that one isn’t as enthralling – and that just happened to be the one i missed!
I feel like everyone is so in love with Downtown Abbey and I have yet to watch an episode!! My mom, my future mother-in-law, my future grandma-in-law, and future brother-in-law are all hooked and can’t stop talking about it!!! I may just have to bite the bullet and see what all the hype is about!!! PS: The coconut LA Croix is absolutely my favorite!! 🙂
Downton! ALL. THE. WAY! I can NOT wait for season 4. It is fantastic!!
I am in love with Downton Abbey and watch it online as we have gotten rid of cable as well. Are you going to invest in a Roku box? We have Netflix, Hulu plus, and Amazon Prime and can watch all of our shows on the tv. You will find that you may find new shows to love 🙂
P.S. I can’t believe season 3 is over and I have to wait patiently for season 4… 🙁
Love love love Downton Abbey. I started watching it in January and got all caught up to the current season. It is a great show!! Maggie Smith is so funny!
Just last week, I watched the whole first season in 4 days! haha! I love it! But, Netflix only has the first season 🙁 I’m hoping they add the second season soon!
I miss nectarines!! I haven’t been able to get them in Wisconsin this time of year!
Get Hulu premium instead! SOOO much better than Netflix!
Gah I keep hearing about it but we’ve been going through our other zillion shows we love first.
Downtown Abbey is my favorite show! My mom and I watch it together as a sort of bonding time. Get ready to become totally hooked 🙂
I have never had a tv in my house! I watch shows online which means I watch it behind everyone else but I have a little habit of falling in love with a show about 5 years behind everyone else. Which means that I will be into Downtown Abbey in about three years…
Love Downton. Bought the first two seasons last summer and DVRd all shows this season.
I’ve never watched Downtown Abbey before.. I’ve heard great things about it but I already watch like a trillion different TV shows a week so idk if I could fit a new one! lol
My fiance and I contemplated turning off our cable too. Our cable bill is just rediculous and we are trying to save for our wedding.. We have netflix and hulu plus so it shouldnt be a problem for us to turn it off.
I LOVE Downton Abbey. Such an amazing show. I watched the Season 3 finale on Sunday and boohooed!
Congrats on your Personal Trainer Certification! I’m studying for Group Fit right now with ACE. Definitely tough!
I’m not a fan..though I do love peaches/nectarines…peachy is my nickname!
I’ve never watched it, but I have heard good things! I LOVE my Netflix and even though you have to wait for your current season on TV to be over, it’s totally worth it because you can get caught up on your own time schedule
I love the cook! She’s always yelling at Daisy, no matter where Daisy goes the cook always finds her!
The cook’s name is Mrs. Patmore.
Love Downton Abbey! Kept reading about it on blogs and finally sat down one weekend to view and was in love. Enjoy 🙂
Just hoped on the Downton Abbey train last week and absolutely love it!!
I also just got into Downton Abbey a few weeks ago! My fiance’s parents are the ones who turned us onto the show. Now I am so into the characters’ lives that I am actually dreaming about them sometimes! Lol. We also gave up cable about two years ago and just watch shows online through Hulu or Netflix. To be honest, we haven’t missed cable one bit! And I love how watching TV is a scheduled activity rather than default mindless mode. Hope it works well for you + Ryan, too! 🙂
Okay, I’ve been visiting your blog for a whileee now, and I must ask- HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR EGGS? They always look so wonderful, and if love to know your method!
Downton’s great! It’s become more soapy and less well-written over the seasons. Season 1 > 2 > 3….but still entertaining television. Maggie Smith alone is worth tuning in.
Downton Abbey is AMAZING!!! I am absolutely hooked. Enjoy watching!
LOVE Downton Abbey!! My hubby can’t stand it lol but it’s my absolute favorite show! 🙂 and we tried canceling our cable last summer and it barely lasted a week :/ haha
LOVE LOVE LOVE Downton Abbey!!!
I just finished watching the Season 3 finale. Now, another whole year to see what the heck happens! Aggh! I am in agony! This show is sooooo good.
I 100% agree with you on the fact that it is the best show I’ve seen in a long time (maybe ever).
Luckily, the new season of Mad Men starts in April. I don’t have cable either, so hopefully I can watch on the internet….
Where can I get my hands on this sparkling coconut water?! I’m absolutely obsessed with coconut!
love the show
I jumped on the Downton train a bit late too and am working my way through season 2 (seriously, thank goodness for Amazon Prime!) and am loving it.
I gave up cable over four years ago, and have never regretted it. I can watch all my favorite shows for less than $20 without the filler that cost over $175. Yay for savings!!
I’ve heard a lot about it but never seen it- why not give us a quick run down, maybe you could convert some of us 😉