Raspberry Vinaigrette Chicken Salad

It's back! Panera's Strawberry Poppyseed and Chicken Salad! I could eat at Panera everyday, but there isn't a Panera in my town. As much as that saddens me, it's probably a good thing for my wallet. So I'll settle for the next best thing; I'll make my own version of the salad. I substituted the poppyseed dressing and used a raspberry vinaigrette. I also left off the pecans this time around...I didn't have any in the pantry.

Salad minus dressing and chicken. Looks good! 

To make this salad you need the following:

- romaine lettuce hearts, chopped
- strawberries, sliced
- blueberries
- mandarin oranges
- pineapple, sliced
- pecans (if desired)
- cooked chicken breast, sliced into strips
- raspberry vinaigrette

Toss the lettuce, fruit, pecans, and chicken in a bowl. Drizzle desired amount of dressing on top of the tossed salad.

Looking good! 

Whether it's Panera's salad or my version of this salad, I truly enjoy this salad! It's great on a summer day, having lunch with friends outside on the deck and enjoying some fresh lemonade. I have a feeling I'll be making this salad a lot this summer....it's so good!

Raspberry Vinaigrette Chicken Salad - yum!

Yogurt Covered Blueberries

Pinterest has been filling my head with ideas. Before Pinterest I flipped through various cooking and knitting books/magazines hoping to find an idea I liked. Since discovering (and becoming hooked) I can access some really cool (and simple) ideas and put them into practice that day. This idea blossomed from another post I stumbled upon. 

I know blueberries are not quite in season yet, but this idea has been simmering in my head for awhile. Plus blueberries pints were 3/$5 at Kroger.

These make a delicious snack! I can place some in my lunch in the morning and by time I get to lunch they have thawed enough where the yogurt isn't runny and the blueberry isn't frozen in the middle. They are quick, easy, and delicious! 

You will need the following:

- baking sheet

- parchment paper

- fresh blueberries

- vanilla yogurt 

Here's what you need to do:

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment (or wax) paper.

2. In a small bowl, place the yogurt and mix in blueberries.

3. Scoop out blueberries; make sure the yogurt covered the entire berry.

4. Place berries on the baking sheet. Put in the freezer and allow the yogurt to freeze completely. After frozen, removed the yogurt-covered blueberries in a container or freezer bag and store in the freezer.

5. ENJOY! 

Baby Blanket and Wine Cover

My needles have been knitting away over the past few months...trying to get ahead start on Christmas gifts. I needed a break from knitting the same pattern over and over, so I tried two new patterns. The end results: a baby blanket and a wine cover.

Pattern: "Orange You Glad"

Baby Blanket

My nephews all have blankets that I knitted, but the pattern was simple. I knitted back and forth and there was A LOT of guess work. Also my thinking, "This looks good".

Awhile back I picked up a book by Lorranie F. Hickey called Terrific Textures for Baby: 5 Lively Afghans to Knit. I had every intention of knitting one of these patterns for my youngest nephew, but that didn't happen. However, I did manage to knit him a blanket using my guess and check method. Finally I got around to knitting a pattern.

There was only one reason I started knitting this blanket - to use up the pound of yarn I bought last fall when it was super cheap. It was taking up space in my stash. There's was no baby I had in mind to receive this blanket. I simply just started knitting. Once started, I fell in love with the pattern and the color of yarn I used, Lion Brand - Pound of Love: Turquoise. I decided to keep this blanket and store it for my future kids. The pattern was easy to follow, so if I need to knit one for a family member or close friend I should be able to knit one in no time. I look forward to trying another pattern from this book.



Wine Cover


Wine is a nice gift to give to friends when invited over for dinner or when celebrating various life events: engagements, births, new job, new house, etc.

I found this free pattern during on of my trips to Jo-Ann Fabrics. At the time I had no intentions on knitting a wine cover. I just wanted to store the pattern for a rainy day pattern. Well my "rainy day" happened when celebrating a friends engagement. You can find the pattern online here. There are two patterns you can choose from...I followed the grey bottle cover.

The pattern was very simple and easy to follow. It doesn't take too long either, and you can use your left over sock yarn. I think I made it in a day or two...between work and work. I'm thinking about knitting a few more and saving them for when I want to give one away last minute.