Boy Rag Blanket-Strips

So, I have officially decided that all things "ragged" are my favorite blankets to currently sew. This is my third finished one. I LOVE it! Awhile back, a friend posted on her blog a strip rag blanket. Before that, I had only seen them in block form. Anyway, I had to give it a try. From start (cutting fabric) to finish (all the snipping), I think that it only took me around 2 or 3 hours. Then of course I had to wash and dry it, but that doesn't count in my "completion" time.

Here is the over all picture of the finished blanket.

Here is the close-up photo.


This one is going to a neighbor that recently had a baby boy this past week. This family also showed a very generous and outpouring of love and support when Ryan passed away. I feel very honored and blessed to have them as neighbors and that I can show my appreciation in this small way.

John Deere Rag Blanket

Seriously, I LOVE making these blankets. So fast and easy! I started this one this morning about 9 and I had it completely done and in the washer by 230 this afternoon. Anyway, I love anything John Deere. It is my upbringing. You can take the girl away from her tractors, but you can't take the tractor out of the girl (or something like that).

This blanket was a special service project blanket. My great friend Holly in Utah requested it for Sub For Santa basket that she is putting together. So, it is a wonderful cause and I was happy to help.

I used the same pattern for both the front and back. Only the front has the "rag" look though. I LOVE the way it turned out.

Girl Plaid Rag Blanket

I have been wanting to make a rag blanket forever. I really like the "rag" look, and they have always looked SO simple. Well, quite a few months ago, I cut out some square blocks and never got around to sewing what I really wanted to make. Since I have been bored out of my mind the last few weeks, I decided to sit down and try my hand at making the rag baby blanket finally.
Here it is!

I LOVE the way it turned out. Not to mention that it was SO easy to make. I had a good majority of it done in one afternoon WITH 3 children running around (I was watching my neighbor kids). I think that this may be my new favorite blanket. I am so going to try to different styles and layouts for sewing the rag blanket.

Chicken with black beans and rice

Lately, I have been going through one of my cookbooks. All the recipes are supposed to be one-dish meals and able to be made in 30 minutes or less with the exception of the crockpot recipes. I have had fun trying new things from a new cookbook again.

This recipe was extremely simple but extremely delicious. Though we did not eat it this way, I think that it would be fabulous served on tortillas making it a chicken, rice, and bean taco.

Here's is what you need.
1 pound chicken breasts, cubed
2 tbsp oil
1 package Spanish rice mix (I think if you have a homemade version, it would be great too)
1 3/4 Cup Water
1-15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1-14.5 oz can diced tomato, undrained
Sour cream (optional)
Sliced green onion (optional)
Lime wedges (optional)

1) Brown the chicken in 1 Tbsp of oil. Remove chicken from skillet.
2) Add the last 1 tbsp oil and rice mix. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in rice seasoning mix, water, beans, and tomatoes. Add the chicken. Bring to boil. Simmer, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes or until rice is tender and chicken is done.
3) If desired, serve with sour cream, green onion, and lime wedges.

We also served ours with cheese on top.

Service Project Blanket

Last month, the ladies in my church held a Service Auction. We were all supposed to bring items or write down a service that could be auctioned off with our "fake" money. Items included things like cleaning, cooking, babysitting, home decorating, etc. Originally, I had planned on having a finished baby blanket to take in, but with the chaos of my life surrounding Ryan's passing, I just didn't have time to get one made. So, I wrote down as my service that I would help teach someone how to make a blanket or I would make a blanket. Granted there were limitations. I told them that it would be a "block" blanket and simple because I am not a good seamstress.

Anyway, the lady that "purchased" my service had a little girl about 7 months ago. She wanted a warmer blanket for her daughter for the winter months. Another on of my specifications was that it would be a flannel blanket, so this worked out. She called me last week to place her "order." She said that she liked light blue and black. Therefore, away I went to the fabric store with the wheels turning in my head. Here's the finished product.


I did a reversible with the same pattern on both sides. I just switched the main colors around. I think it turn out really cute. I haven't gave it to the lady yet, so I hope that she likes it.

Cinnamon Halloween Wreaths

Last Saturday, I had two wonderul friends that willingly watched RJ ALL day for me. They did this so I could go play all day at a craft fair with another friend. Anyway, as a "thank you," I decided to make these cinnamon wreaths for them. I attempted to decorate them with little pumpkins on them; I am not good at free hand drawing though. So, I just used my basic cinnamon roll recipe, added some cinnamon chips too, and then shaped a "wreath" instead of cutting the rolls.

The important thing is that they taste yummy not looks, right? At least I hope; I actually didn't taste them either.

Sauteed Sweet Chicken with Tomato Chutney and Rice

Long title even though that is the shortened version. Basically, this recipe is a honey glazed chicken served with white rice and a tomato chutney. For those that may be unfamiliar (as I was) with chutney, it is basically a condiment or sauce used in Southern Asian cuisines mostly. When I first saw this recipe, I skipped over it because I didn't know what chutney was. The next time I saw the recipe, I read it through, and I liked all the ingredients, so we gave it a try. It is definitely a keeper in our house now.

2-14 ounce cans Chicken Broth (use one can if halving the rice)
3 Tbsp olive oil
2 Cups white rice (use less if feeding 2 people...we had rice coming out our ears)
6 plum tomatoes, quartered (I bought a package of grape tomatoes and used them)
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
1 Serrano or jalapeno pepper, half the seeds removed and chopped
2 shallots (I didn't use)
2 garlic gloves (I used powder)
salt and pepper
3 Tbsp sherry vinegar (I used regular..it was all I had)
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1/4 Cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
3 scallions (I used regular onion for these and shallots)
1/4 Cup fresh parsley, chopped (I used equivalent in dried)
1 Tbsp Honey (I used more)
4 Chicken breasts

1) Bring the chicken broth and drizzle of olive oil to boil in a pot. Add the rice, reduce heat to a simmer, and cover. Cook until the rice is done.
2) While the rice cooks, heat a medium sized skillet over high heat with a Tbsp of oil. Add the tomatoes, cumin, coriander, Serrano peppers, shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Add the vinegar, brown sugar, and 1 cup of water. Turn down the heat to medium low and simmer about 10 minutes or until water evaporates.
3) While the chutney cooks, combine 2 tbsp of olive oil, cilantro, scallions, parsley, honey, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Add the chicken breast and coat each side of each chicken breast with the honey mixture. Add the coated chicken to a heated skillet and cook about 5 minutes per side or until it is done.
4) Serve rice and chicken topped with the tomato chutney sauce.

Enjoy!