This is BY FAR my favorite recipe for the fall - seriously can eat it weekly.

Almond Cranberry Chicken Recipe

 

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

MAKES: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon grated orange peel
• 1/4 cup Diamond of California Slivered Almonds, toasted 

Directions

Flatten chicken to 1/4-in. thickness. In a large resealable bag, combine the flour, salt and cayenne; add chicken, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat. In a large skillet, brown chicken in butter over medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until juices run clear. Remove and keep warm.
In the same skillet, combine the cranberries, water, brown sugar, vinegar and orange peel. Bring to a boil; cook for 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Spoon over chicken; sprinkle with almonds. Yield: 6 servings.

Originally published as Almond Cranberry Chicken in Quick Cooking November/December 2005, p40 

Nutritional Facts

1 chicken breast half with 2 tablespoons sauce equals 330 calories, 13 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 83 mg cholesterol, 313 mg sodium, 29 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 25 g protein.

 

Original source: Taste of Home

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/almond-cranberry-chicken

 

My Favorite Crochet Pattern

I use this pattern just about EVERY time I need to make a hat. Its my GO-TO. I love the fit personally, so I grab this one first every time.

BERNAT® COTTONTOTS CROCHET BEAR HAT

SIZES
To fit baby’s head sizes 12 (18-24) mos.

MATERIALS
Bernat® Cottontots (100 g /3.5 oz; 156 m/171 yds)
Sizes 12 mos 18 mos 24 mos Main Color (MC)
(90007 Sweet Cream) 1 1
Contrast A
(90420 Pretty in Pink) 1 1
Size 5 mm (U.S. H or 8) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge. 1 snap fastener.

GAUGE
15 hdc and 11 rows = 4 ins [10 cm].

ABBREVIATIONS: www.bernat.com/abbreviations

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.

Note: Ch 2 at beg of rnds does not count as hdc throughout.
With MC, ch 3.


1st rnd: 8 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with sl st to first hdc. 8 hdc.
2nd rnd: Ch 2. 2 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 16 hdc. 3rdrnd:Ch2.*1hdcinnexthdc.2hdcin next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 24 hdc.
4th rnd: Ch 2. *1 hdc in each of next 2 hdc. 2 hdc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 32 hdc.
5th rnd: Ch 2. *1 hdc in each of next 3 hdc. 2 hdc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 40 hdc.
6th rnd: Ch 2. *1 hdc in each of next 4 hdc. 2 hdc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 48 hdc.
7th rnd: Ch 2. *1 hdc in each of next 5 hdc. 2 hdc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 56 hdc.

Sizes 18 and 24 mos only: 8th rnd: Ch 2. *1hdcineachofnext6hdc.2hdcinnext dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 64 hdc.

Size 24 mos only: 9th rnd: Ch 2. *1 hdc ineachofnext7hdc.2hdcinnextdc.Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 72 hdc.

All sizes: Next rnd: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to first hdc.
Rep last rnd until work from beg measures 6 (61⁄2 -7) ins [15 (16.5-18) cm].
Fasten off.

Left Chin Strap
Join MC with sl st to 9th (11th-13th) hdc of last rnd.
**Next row: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each of next 11 hdc. Turn. Leave rem sts unworked. Next row: Ch 2. (Yoh and draw up a loop in next st) twice. Yoh and draw through all 5 loops on hook – hdc2tog made. 1 hdc in each of next 7 hdc. Hdc2tog. Turn. 9 hdc. Next row: Ch 2. Hdc2tog. 1 hdc in each of next 5 hdc. Hdc2tog. Turn. 7 hdc.
Next row: Ch 2. Hdc2tog. 1 hdc in each of next 3 hdc. Hdc2tog. Turn. 5 hdc.
Next row: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each hdc to end of row. Turn.
Rep last row until chin strap measures 2 (21⁄2-3) ins [5 (6-7.5) cm].
Fasten off.**

Right Chin Strap
Join MC with sl st to 38th (44th-50th) hdc of last rnd.
Work from ** to ** as given for Left Chin Strap.
Front Ears (make 2).
With A, ch 3.
1st row: 7 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Turn. 7 hdc. 2ndrow:Ch2.2hdcineachhdctoend of row. Join MC. Turn. 14 hdc.
3rd row: With MC, ch 1. *1 sc in next hdc. 2scinnexthdc.Repfrom*toendofrow. 21 sc. Fasten off.
Back Ears (make 2).
With MC, work as for Front Ears, omitting color references.

Finishing
Join Ears: With WS of pieces tog, join MC with sl st through both thicknesses and work 1 rnd of sc around Front and Back Ears to join. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Edging: Join A with sl st at center back of Hat. Ch 1. Work 1 rnd of sc evenly around, working 3 sc in corners of Chin Straps. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Sew snap fastener to Chin Straps. Sew Ears to Hat as shown in picture. 

New hat pattern to try

Today I am giving this hat pattern a try
http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=6875

SIZES
To fit 6 mos (12 mos-18/24 mos).

MATERIALS
Bernat® Softee Baby® (140 g/5 oz; 331 m/362 yds)

Contrast A: Antique White (30008) 1 (1-1) ball
Contrast B: Soft Red (30424) 1 (1-1) ball

Size 4 mm (U.S. G or 6) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge.

GAUGE

16 sc and 19 rows = 4" [10 cm].

ABBREVIATIONS
www.bernat.com/abbreviations
Approx = Approximate(ly)
Beg = Begin(ing)
Ch = Chain(s)
Hdc = Half double crochet
Hdc2tog = (Yoh and draw up a loop in next stitch) twice. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook
Rem = Remain(ing)
Rep = Repeat
Rnd = Round(s)
RS = Right side
Sc = Single crochet
Sc2tog = Draw up a loop in each of next 2 stitches. Yoh and draw through all loops on hook
Sl st = Slip stitch
St(s) = Stitch(es)
Tog = Together
Yoh = Yarn over hook

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for eachsize are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.

Note: Ch 2 at beg of each rnd does not count as hdc.

With A, ch 3.

1st rnd: 12 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with sl st to rst hdc.
2nd rnd: Ch 2. 2 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to rst hdc. 24 hdc.
3rd rnd:Ch 2. 1 hdc in first hdc. *2 hdc in next hdc. 1 hdc in next hdc.
Rep from * to last hdc. 2 hdc in last hdc. Join with sl st to Fi rst hdc. 36 hdc.
4th rnd: Ch 2. 2 hdc in rst hdc. *1 hdc in each of next 2 hdc. 2 hdc in next hdc. Rep from * to last hdc. 1 hdc in last hdc. Join with sl st to rst hdc. 48 hdc.

5th rnd: Ch 2. 2 hdc in rst hdc. *1 hdc in each of next 11 (3-2) hdc. 2 hdc in next hdc. Rep from * to last 11 (3-2) hdc. 2 hdc in next hdc. 1 hdc in each of last 11 (3-1) hdc. Join with sl st to rst hdc. 52 (60-64) hdc.
6th rnd: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to rst hdc.
Rep last rnd until work from beg measures 4 (5-5)" [10 (12.5-12.5) cm].

First Earflap: Proceed in rows as follows:
**1st row: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each of next 13 (15-15) hdc. Turn. Leave rem hdc unworked.
2nd and 3rd rows: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each hdc to end of row. Turn.
4th row: Ch 2. Hdc2tog. 1 hdc in each of next 9 (11-11) hdc. Hdc2tog. Turn.
5th row: Ch 2. Hdc2tog. 1 hdc in each of next 7 (9-9) hdc. Hdc2tog. Turn.
6th row: Ch 2. Hdc2tog. 1 hdc in each of next 5 (7-7) hdc. Hdc2tog. Turn.

Size 6 mos only: Fasten off.**

Sizes 12 mos and 18/24 mos only: 7th row: Ch 2. Hdc2tog. 1 hdc in each of next 5 hdc. Hdc2tog. Fasten off.**

All sizes: Miss next 8 hdc. Join A with sl st to next hdc. Work from ** to ** as given for rst Ear ap.

Edging: Join B with sl st to center back hdc. Ch 1. Work 1 rnd of sc evenly around edge of Hat, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Outer Ear (make 2).
With A, ch 11.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of ch. Turn. 10 sc.
2nd and 3rd rows: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.
4th row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. 1 sc in each of next 6 sc. Sc2tog. Turn. 8 sts.
5th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st across. Turn.
6th row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. 1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Sc2tog. Turn. 6 sts.
7th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each st across. Turn.
8th row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Sc2tog. Turn. 4 sts.
9th row: Ch 1. (Sc2tog) twice. Turn.
10th row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. Fasten off.

Inner Ear (make 2).
With B, ch 9.
1st row: 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch to end of ch. Turn. 8 sc.
2nd and 3rd rows: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc across. Turn.
4th row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. 1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Sc2tog. Turn. 6 sts.
5th row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Sc2tog. Turn. 4 sts.
6th row: Ch 1. (Sc2tog) twice. Turn.
7th row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. Fasten off.

FINISHING
Sew Inner Ear to Outer Ear.
Attach Ears to sides of Hat as shown in picture.

Crochet bear hat

Today during Leiland's nap, I decided to crochet a little bear hat for the baby. I know its SO super early, but the yarn was just sitting there, so I gave it a go.

Look how cute???

I used this pattern...
http://www.pacountrycrafts.blogspot.com/2013/04/crochet-bear-hat-pattern.html

The only change I would make, is to so a single crochet around the bottom instead of a slip stitch. The slip stitch doesn't leave much room to stretch.

Quilt finished

I made this for a soon to be 1 year old. I didn't want it too baby but it is super soft on the back so she should love it. I don't do a lot of regular quilts as I typically do rag quilts. But I'm happy with the results. 

2 day quilt

Finished size 46" X 38.5"

6x5 squares. Squares were cut using an 8.5" template. 

Another quilt

I was able to cut the fabric yesterday and sew it today all during nap time. Nothing too complicated but different from my usual rag quilt. 

Tomorrow ill sew the back on and ship it off for a first birthday gift.