Sunburst Flower Granny Square Swatch Test

Last night I stayed up way past my bed time just to get this baby worked up but I'd say it was worth it :). Though funny enough, I'm sure I had a hard time sleeping after working the square up because I was pretty excited about the outcome lol :) This design is called Sunburst Flower Granny Square by Kasa Amend. I found it on ravelry as I was browsing through all the granny square motifs they have :). I had gone back to my post about the study colors and while this granny square pattern wasn't either of the two I though I might use it was fairly similar to flowers in the snow... sunburst flower is a bit puffier but that's why I like it ;)

Wanted to share some pics and the links to the patterns for others before I got into laundry and more crocheting  ;) I hope you're having a great week! Best, Dawn

Chicken and Broccoli Cheesy Casserole - Low Carb Recipe

Last Sunday night I was home... hungry & tired... I want to eat ASAP but nothing in the fridge looks like a good idea. I remember a recipe I saw earlier this week for chicken salsa casserole and then realized I didn't have enough salsa.. :( but I had mozerella! :) And I had ricotta cheese... and sour cream... so with a lil imaginiation and hope of what some ingredients I had on hand would do here's what I managed to put together...

Ingredients Needed - less the bacon grease & pan ;)

Chicken & Broccoli Cheesy Casserole

Pin it for later here.

Ingredients:

3 cups cubed chicken
16 oz (1lb) bag of frozen broccoli
1 med onion diced (about 1 cup)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cube chicken bouillon (or 1 tsp bouillon powder)
1/2 cup water (optional, I added this to help disperse the chicken flavoring but the water from the veggies as they cook also would suffice if the dish seems too watery to you)
1 Tbspn olive oil
1/4 tsp pepper (or to taste)
1/4 c sour cream
1 cup ricotta
Bacon Grease

Grease a 9 x 13 inch casserole pan - I used left over bacon grease for added flavor, pan spray would be okay too (just maybe not as tasty ;))

Add broccoli, onion, chicken bouillon, water, olive oil and pepper to a medium frying pan. Cook covered for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.

In a medium bowl mix the chicken chunks, garlic powder, sour cream and ricotta cheese together. Mix till blended.

mmm - steamy broccoli!

After 10 minutes of cooking the veggies, pour the broccoli mix into the bowl with the chicken. Stir until blended. This was my favorite part - I could smell the garlic! :) Mmmmmm....

Add 1/4 c of the shredded mozzarella cheese to the mix. Stir.

Transfer your mix to the greased pan and spread evenly.

Add the remaining mozzarella cheese to the top and pop that baby in the oven!

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 - 60 minutes. Once the top layer of cheese is browned a bit it should be done. If you like your broccoli on the softer side bake until the florets are to your liking.

Serve warm and enjoy!

8/13/13 UPDATE:

 Many have come to this recipe from pinterest - I'm elated so many are pinning for later! ;) 

Please feel free to leave a comment with different variations of the recipe for others to try! 

One pinner said she added more veggies and her family loved it!

Thanks for stopping by! :) ♥ Dawn

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Looking for more Low Carb casserole recipes? 

Since posting this recipe I've started a foodie blog! 

Find more low carb CASSEROLE RECIPES HERE.

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Cathedral Motif - Granny Square Crochet - Free Pattern

I recently pinned the lovely Cathedral Motif Granny Square to my Crochet Pinboard and akaCinders a fellow crafter mentioned the post was in Russian... and well, she doesn't read Russian. With the idea in mind to help other American or English reading crafters ;) put this pattern to work for them, I looked at the sites chart and translated it into English crochet directions.

Please let me know if you have any questions as you work this up, I have done my best to explain the steps as you go. In time I may add step by step pictures but in an effort to get this ball rolling for others who want it here you go :).

Cathedral Motif - Granny Square

Trivet layout :) 

Worked with H Hook holding 2 threads through out

Worked with H hook holding one thred through out.

Special Stitch:

Bobble Stitch: YOH (yarn over hook), insert insert hook into
next stitch, YOH and pull through loop, YOH, pull through 2 loops,
*YOH, insert hook into next stitch, YOH and pull through loop, YOH,
pull through 2 loops, repeat once from*, YOH, pull through all 4 loops on hook.

What I used:

- Worsted Weight Cotton -

Brown/Tan motifs were made holding one thread - H hook was used I suggest using a smaller hook when       using only one worsted weight thread
Green/White motifs were made holding two threads together - H hook was used

- Size H Hook 8.5MM

Starting with Brown or Green (or whatever color you want :))

Row 1:  Chain 7, slst in 1st chain (making a ring)

Row 2:  *Chain 3, dc 3, ch 3, sc 1*(all into the center) repeat 3 more times around, SlSt 3 in the first Chain 3 of the row.

Row 3:  *Chain 3, Bobble Stitch (BS), chain 3, scin top of ch 3 from prior row, chain 2, sc in top of next chain 3* repeat 3 more times around. FO

Change yarn color to light tan or White (or whatever color you like :))

Row 4:  Chain 1 in any of the chain 2 sections from prior row, Dc 1 into center *Chain 4, Slst in top of BS, chain 4, Dc 1 into center, chain 2, Dc 1 into center* repeat 2 more times, chain 4 Slst in top of BS, chain 4, Dc 1 into center, chain 2, slst in top of 1st chain.

Row 5: *Sc 2 in chain 4 of previous row, skip one, Sc 2 in next chain 4,  Dc 4 in chain 2 Chain 3, Dc 4 in same chain 2 * repeat 4 times, slst in 1st sc of row, Fasten Off.

My single thread squares measure 3 inches square and the double threaded squares are 3 1/4 inch square.

Make 4 (or however many you like :)), stitch squares together in whatever pattern you like and add your own embellishing edge! :)

Enjoy! :) ♥ Dawn