Bacon Jalapeño Chicken

Grilled chicken season is over at this house, time for some different ideas. I had chicken, bacon, jalapeño and cheddar...it's not going to be a healthy dish, although there is nothing wrong with a little decadence. I think I will make bite size versions of this as an appetizer for the World Series, let's go Mets! Here's what you need:

Chicken breast (cut into 4 lengthwise quarters) 

1/2 jalapeño for each chicken piece 

Bacon, I slice per chicken piece

Seasoning of your choice

Shredded cheese optional

Here's what you do:

Cut up your peppers and chicken. Season the chicken, I used my standard salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, cayenne, paprika, dried parsley. 

Place the pepper on top of the chicken and wrap the bacon tightly around it, making sure the ends are underneath. You can secure with a toothpick if you'd rather not live life on the edge. 

You can get them prepped up to one day ahead, keep covered in the fridge until you are ready to cook. 

In a large nonstick skillet, cook chicken over medium-high heat, bottom side down first. 

Turning gently after about 5 minutes, the bacon should be getting brown and crisp. Cook another 5 or so minutes until chicken is no longer pink in the center. They can be finished in a 400 degree oven if needed. You can top them with shredded cheddar and place under the broiler for a minute. I forgot to do that before I took the picture!

I served them with some roasted asparagus and smashed new potatoes. 

Tip of the month:

You can download all sorts of printable labels on Pinterest. I love storing in jars and I really love these chalkboard looking labels. I just used mod podge to stick them on. Currently, this half shelf is the only organized part of my life. 

On to Crafty business:

I've been working on these vintage animals 

Flannel throws for future gifts

Another baby hat (it will be an owl hat) 

And of course, this pun towel 

Pregaming for Beyonce Bowl

I am excited for the big game tomorrow... as in the commercials, Beyonce, and having hours of couch time!
It is tradition in our family that on Superbowl Sunday that I make some party food and Dave takes it to his friend's party and I stay home and help the girls with their Science Fair projects for the fair on Wednesday. I am so happy that this is my the very last science fair for us! WOOHOO! I figure that we will be done dealing with compost, worms and food scraps by game time, then I am pouring wine and hunkering down for a night of

organizing my tangled bins of embroidery supplies! I am actually looking forward to this. Sad, huh?

oh my

Hello, my name is Carol and I am an embroidery pattern addict.

I had a free day yesterday and decided to tackle my craft supplies that have gone wild; baskets and baskets of mixed up supplies and bags from craft stores that I never put away. Wow, did I learn a lot about myself. I know that I love all things embroidery and of course I know that I love to buy patterns...vintage (original and reproduced), modern ones, corny ones, I LOVE THEM ALL! It wasn't until I decided to file them that I realized that I have HUNDREDS of patterns.

I have a special affection for produce and household items with faces and days-of-the-week; in fact I could probably produce 700 of just those towels easily. So, what the heck am I to do with them? It is nearly impossible to make money from embroidered dishtowels...I know, I've tried, so I think I will just be gifting them to every single person I know.
If you love vintage patterns you really need to visit Vicki at www.patternbee.com , she has an amazing collection and is such a sweet person.

 I love all of the cheesy Aunt Martha's that I find at www.colonialpatterns.com, the prices are great.

 Of course there is www.sublimestitching for all of your hip and modern patterns, they are so cute.

 A lot of times I just sketch a simple line drawing right on a towel or paper
for a quick gift...because I never could find a pattern before I organized them!