Low Carb Sausage Gravy

 Creating healthy versions of meals I’ve made for years for my picky husband has been challenging. This mistake turned out to be a happy mistake. I’ve attempted mashed cauliflower several times. Only once did it actually turn out well. 

In frustration I shoved my most recent failed attempt in the fridge because I hated to throw it out even though it was the consistency of baby food. 

I had the idea to use it as gravy and my husband and I both loved it!

Brown ½ lb of sausage. 

Steam a 16 oz bag of frozen cauliflower until soft and blend until smooth with ¼ cup heavy cream. Add creamed cauliflower to the browned sausage. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add water to bring it to desired consistency. 

Serve over low carb bread. I used the THM WWBB. 

Basketweave Slouch Beanie

It’s amazing how satisfying a small and simple project can be. I absolutely struggled with getting the right slouch beanie for this gorgeous girl. I ended up with 3 beanies. This was the third and I knew she would choose this one. It felt right! 

This is a very well written pattern and is easy to follow and FREE! I added a few rounds to give it a slouchy effect. Kudos to the designer!

This pattern can be found here.

Hearty Sausage Bean Soup Low Carb Instant Pot

If you follow my blog, you know I love to crochet and that I love to cook in cast iron.  I have a new love...my Instant Pot!

My husband and I are following a healthier, lower carb lifestyle. I’m always experimenting with low carb meals and love this enough to share.

I’m going to include Instant Pot directions as well as stove top directions.

Hearty Sausage Bean Soup

This is a hearty, low carb soup that is versatile by changing the sausage flavor and combination of beans. It’s super quick and requires minimal prep.

1 lb. Jimmy Dean Sausage (I prefer Hot)

½ cup chopped onion

½ cup chopped bell pepper

2 cups chopped cabbage

1 can Rotel 

½ tsp. granulated garlic

Salt & pepper to taste

32 oz. chicken stock (maybe more)

1 can pinto beans

1 can black beans or kidney beans

Instant Pot Instructions

Add all ingredients to your pot except the beans. Pressure cook for 25 minutes. The second time I made this my sausage wasn’t thawed so I added 5 minutes. Once pressure is released crumble the sausage and stir. Add the beans and cook on Sauté for 10 minutes, then set to Warm until you’re ready to indulge.

Stove Top Instructions

Brown the sausage with the onion and bell pepper. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer until cabbage is tender, about 30 minutes. 

Super Simple Cup Cozy Free Crochet Pattern

Comment below if you would like for me to email you a free PDF version of the pattern. 

Super Simple Cup Cozy 

Materials: 
Bulky (5 or 6) weight yarn 
Size J or K (6.00mm) crochet hook


Instructions:  
Ch 14 

Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across (12 hdc) 

Work remaining rows in BLO (back loop only)

Row 2 - 7: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in each st across. (12 hdc)  

Row 8: Ch 1, turn. Sc in next 5 st. Hdc in next 7 st.  

Row 9: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in next 7 st. Sc in next 5 st. 

Repeat rows 8 and 9 to desired length. I did a total of 19 rows. Bring ends together and join with slip stitch. Finish off and add decorative button.

Felted Teapot Coasters

I have a dear friend who decided she would like to give cast iron cooking a try. When she and her husband bought a new home it was the perfect opportunity to give her this great little Lodge 3-notch antique No. 3 cast iron skillet. This is the perfect size for eggs. I crocheted a handle cover to protect her hands and felted these crocheted teapot coaster for her as well. 

My pattern for the handle covers is available for free here.

Bobble Infinity Scarf Free Pattern

This is such an awful photo of such a great scarf! I loved working with this inexpensive yarn (Red Heart With Love) and this simple pattern. Give it a try!

Yarn: worsted weight yarn

Hook: Size H

Chain 24

Row 1: In fourth ch from hook dc3tog, ch 1, skip next ch, dc3tog across, turn

Row 2: Ch 3, dc3tog in ch 1 sp, ch 1 across ending with dc3tog in 3rd ch of ch 3, turn

Repeat row to 2 to desired length. Suggested length is 55". Slip stitch ends together. Finish off.

Free Ear Warmer Crochet Pattern

Ear Warmer

Yarn: Bulky (5) or Super Bulky (6)

Note: The ch 2 does not count as your first dc.

Ch 6

Row 1- Sc in second ch and each across (5 sc)

Row 2- Ch 2, dc in each across (5 dc)

Row 3- Ch 2, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in last st (7 dc)

Row 4- Ch 2, dc in each st across, (7 dc)

Row 5- Ch 2, 2 dc in first st, dc in next 5 st, 2 dc in last st, (9 dc) 

Rows 6 - 21- Ch 2, dc in each st across, (9 dc) 

Row 22 - Ch 2, dc decrease in first 2 st, dc in next 5 st, dc decrease over last 2 st (7 dc)

Row 23 - Ch 2, dc in each st across (7 dc)

Row 24 - Ch 2, dc decrease in first 2 st, dc in next 3 st, dc decrease over last 2 st (5 dc)

Row 25- Ch 2, dc in each st across (5 dc)

Row 26- Ch 1, sc in each st across (5 sc)

Join row 1 to row 26 with slip stitch.

Border: Join contrasting color to a single crochet row. Work 1 sc in each sc row and 2 sc in each dc row. Do the same for other side. Finish off.

Add flower or other adornment of your choice.

Basic Dishcloth Free Pattern for Beginners

I wrote out this very basic pattern to use to teach my students how to crochet in rows. This teaches the concepts of crocheting:

~ 1 ch at the beginning of a sc row and that it doesn't count as the first sc

~ 3 ch at the beginning of a dc row and that it counts as the first dc

~ practice identifying the first and last stitch of a row so that you don't end up with too many stitches or too few 

~ importance of counting stitches at the end of every row
~ back loop only technique

I understand that this is a very basic pattern and that there are probably many
that are very similar. I have no intention of copying somebody else's pattern. It was just easier to make my own in order to have it accomplish my lesson goals.

Materials:

Worsted weight cotton yarn 

Size H hook

Instructions:

Loosely ch 33

Row 1: SC in 2^nd ch from hook and in each ch across (32 sc)

Row 2: Ch 3, (counts as first DC) turn. DC in back loop only of each stitch across (32 dc)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. SC in back loop only of each stitch across (32 sc)

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until desired size is reached, ending with a sc row.

If you don't want a border, finish off.

To add a border: at the end of final sc row ch 1, work 1 sc in the end of

each sc row and 2 dc in end of each dc row. Ch 1 at corner, sc in each

stitch of foundation ch row. Ch 1 at corner, work 1 sc in the end of each sc

row and 2 dc in the end of each dc row. Ch 1 at corner, join with sl st to sc

of final row. Finish off.

Boot Cuffs for Tabitha

I made these boot cuffs for Tabitha and I really like how they turned out. I especially like her button placement (she added the buttons since I don't like to sew).

Heart Hot Pad

We had a snowy day yesterday. Some had to venture out but I was blessed to be able to do what little work I absolutely needed to from home. Mostly I just curled up on the sofa alternating between my iPad and some crocheting. Wanting a little project I could start and finish quickly I decided on this doily pattern but used worsted weight yarn instead to make a hot pad in blue and white to match my Churchill England Blue Willow dishes.

Cast Iron Skillet Handle Cover (Free Pattern)

Worsted weight cotton or wool yarn

Size I hook

I don't recommend acrylic yarn as it is more flammable. I made the first few with acrylic because I happened to have the scrap yarn in the colors I wanted in my stash. 

Remove before using skillet in the oven.

Hold 2 strands of yarn together throughout

Ch 3, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1

Round 1: 5 sc in ring, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (5 sc)

Round 2: 2 sc in each stitch around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (10 sc)

Rounds 3 - 6: Sc in each stitch around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (10 sc)

Round 7: Sc over first 2 sc (decrease made), sc in each sc around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (9 sc)

Round 8: Sc in each stitch around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (9 sc)

Round 9: Sc over first 2 sc (decrease made), sc in each sc around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (8 sc)

Round 10: Sc in each stitch around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (8 sc)

Round 11: Sc over first 2 sc (decrease made), sc in each sc around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (7 sc)

Round 12: Sc in each stitch around, join with slip stitch to first ch, ch 1 (7 sc)

Finish off.

I'd love to see your pictures if you make some of these. I've had lots of questions on how well these protect. I have had no problems with using those made with 100% cotton. Acrylic is just a bad idea for this project!

Feel free to sell your finished product but please do not publish or sell my pattern elsewhere.

Crochet Owl Tote in pastels

Another little crocheted owl tote! I don't love making these but I do love the final result. It's a great project for using up scrap yarn as well.

Cast Iron Fried Potatoes

Fried potatoes and onions was one of the things I most wanted to try in cast iron. My first time was a fiasco. I ended up removing them to my electric skillet to finish them. This time I used baked potatoes from the day before and got the most beautiful golden brown fried potatoes. Start by melting some butter or bacon grease in the skillet over medium heat. I used some of both. Cut the cold potatoes into the skillet. Add salt and pepper. I love onion so I added some onion flavored Mrs. Dash. Watch them closely but give them a chance to brown without being tossed often. This will prevent them from breaking up or turning mushy. Cleaning the skillet was just a few swipes with a paper towel.

Cast Iron Skillet Low Carb Quiche

Ingredients:

6 eggs

¼ cup whole canned milk

½ tsp. garlic powder

⅓ cup shredded cheddar cheese

1½ cup chopped smoked kielbasa 

12 oz. bag Green Giant Frozen Broccoli & Cheese Sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp. bacon grease 

Preheat oven to 350°. 

Prepare the broccoli as instructed on the package while you beat together the eggs, milk, cheese and seasonings. Stir in the chopped kielbasa. Remove the broccoli to a seperate bowl and mash a bit. I used only about half of the broccoli because I knew my family wouldn't like as much as I do. Add as much as you like.

Melt the bacon grease in a #6 cast iron skillet. Be sure to brush it up the sides as well. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes. Sprinkle on some shredded cheese and bake until the cheese melts.

Bumble Bee Baby Photo Prop

How cute is this! I think crochet photo props are such a great idea for awesome baby pics. This one is for sale for $25 + shipping. Please leave a comment if you are interested in purchasing this fun set.

Boot Cuffs

Boot Cuffs seem to be such a popular fashion item and I made my first pair for a friend. She picked out and sewed on the buttons. I hate to sew! But I love the final look and plan on making more but using different patterns.

Free Pattern for Crochet Newborn Baby Beanie

I have struggled finding a pattern for a beanie for a newborn that I really liked so I modified my Nic Beanie pattern. I don't have a baby to try this on but I do have a Middleton Doll which is supposed to be a realistic newborn size and this fits nicely. Please comment to let me know if you've tried the pattern, if you have any questions or find any mistakes.

Link to pattern on Ravelry: Newborn Baby Beanie

Newborn Baby Beanie

SPECIAL PATTERN NOTE: Please notice that the chain 2 at the beginning of each row does NOT count as your first DC. It is simply there to prevent a gap between the beginning and end of the row. You won't join to the top of the ch 2 but to the top of the first dc. 

Holding 2 strands of worsted weight yarn and size I hook

Rnd 1: Holding 2 strands of yarn at once, ch 4, join with slip stitch to first chain to form a ring, ch 2, work 11 dc in ring, join with slip stitch to beginning s, ch 2. (11 dc)
Rnd 2: Work 2 dc in each dc around, join with slip stitch to beginning dc, ch 2 (22 dc)
Rnd 3: 2 dc in joining dc, dc in next dc, rep around, join with slip stitch to beginning dc, ch 2  (33 dc)

Rnd 4: 2 dc in joining dc, dc in next 2 dc, rep around, join with slip stitch to beginning dc, ch 2 (44 dc)

Rnd 5: 2 dc in joining dc, dc in next 10 dc, rep around, join with slip stitch to beginning dc, ch 2 (48 dc)

Rnd 6 & 7: Dc in each dc around (48)

Rnd 8: Dc in next 4 dc, work dc dec over next 2 st, dc in next 10 st, dc dec over next 2 stitches, dc in next 10 st, dc dec over next 2 st, dc in last 6 st, join with slip stitch to beginning dc, ch 1 (44 dc)

Rnd 9: Sc in each st around, join with slip stitch to beginning st, turn slip stitch in last sc of round 9, ch 2 (44 sc)

Rnd 10: Dc in each st  around, join with slip stitch to beginning st, ch 1 ( 44 dc)

Rnd 11: Sc in each st around. Finish off. Turn up last 2 rows to create cuff.