Cherry Chicken Salad & A Very Hungry Caterpillar Shower

A couple of weeks ago I had the joy of co-hosting a baby shower for the daughter of a dear friend. When Amanda (the mom to be), Mary, (whose beautiful home the shower was at), and I met to plan, I asked Amanda if she wanted a particular theme. She wasn't sure at first, but did know that in lieu of a card, she wanted picture books. So, I asked her if there was any particular book that was her favorite. She said she loved Eric Carle's A Very Hungry Caterpillar because the little main character was so cute. Amanda is just so cute herself and immediately set up a joint Pinterest board full of ideas for a Hungry Caterpillar shower.  Thank God for Pinterest! We got all our food ideas from our board, but the cherry chicken salad recipe is mine.  So many people have asked me for the recipe that I decided to post it here. I cut different types of bread (white, rye, whole wheat) in circles to make the caterpillar sandwiches, but it is also good served solo atop a bed of mixed greens.

Ingredients:
2 to 3 cups cooked chicken, cut up into bite sized pieces
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup finely diced celery
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
about 1/2 cup mayonnaise

In a large bowl, gently combine the chicken, cherries, pecans, celery, green onion, salt, and pepper. Add the mayonnaise until it is well coated - don't feel like the full 1/2 cup has to be used - it should have enough mayonnaise to hold it together, but not seem like it's "swimming" in it.

Golden friends who have known Amanda since she was a baby!

One Grandma to be with another golden friend.

Me, Marilyn (Amanda's mom), Amanda, and Mary