Song Sunday

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

 

~Laura Story- "Blessings"

 

Best Fried Pickles

I used to stop in this little joint below my workplace and get fried pickle spears. They were the best ever! When the place closed down, I was determined to learn to make them.

Then one day shortly after, I seen a recipe in the local newspaper of, you guessed it, "Fried Pickles". It was a sign that I must make these or die. So I did. They tasted just like the ones from the restaurant. Oh my goodness. I actually sat down and ate a whole jar. I regretted it and have only made them a few times since.

I went to the farmers market this past weekend and when I saw Green Tomatoes, they screamed for me to take them home and fry them, that's when I thought back to the fried pickles I loved so much.

So, The next afternoon I fried that green tomato and went ahead and made some of those delicious, green spears of goodness while I was at it.

I have had fried pickles in other places but they are pickle chips and by the time they get to the table, they are cold and often soggy. I recommend using pickles spears instead of chips. Much better for dipping too.

 

Here goes the recipe :

Fried Dill Pickles

In a bowl mix together:
1 egg beaten
1 cup milk
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
5 or 6 drops of hot sauce (Texas Pete will do)
1 Tablespoon flour

In another Bowl mix:
2 cups flour
salt and pepper to taste

Dip pickles into the flour first, then dip in the egg mixture, then again in the flour mixture.
Fry in vegetable oil until golden brown.
Dip in Ranch or any other favorite dip.


Ive shared this at:
lifewiththecrustcutoff
whatd you do this weekend at tumbleweedcontessa
full-plate-thursday at mizhelenscountrycottage
tasty-thursdays at mandatorymooch
showcase-your-talent-thursday at whatscookinglove
kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday at kitchenfunwithmy3sons
super-sunday link party at whoneedsacape

Crochet Butterfly Beanie *PATTERN*

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I didn't do much but sit around all day since it was cool and rainy. It made a great day to snuggle on the couch and crochet. I have been working on a few things lately. One is a baby blanket which seems to be taking me foreeeeeveeer.
The other things Ive been working on is some more little hats to give to charity and some photo props for my favorite Photographer.
That's what brings me to sharing this cute little beanie pattern for free.

 

 

I wanted to crochet a new style of hat so I went searching for a new pattern. I seen a crochet baby beanie that caught my eye. The only problem was, I could not find a pattern for it. I just studied the look, and on my second try, I was able to make it myself. Its called a butterfly beanie. I made a pink one that will be in my shop soon. I also made this blue one which is currently in my shop ready for purchase.

I figured this out on my own so I hope it works for you. You are welcome to sale what you make using my pattern but please do not sale the pattern itself. I would also love if you link the pattern back to me if you use it.
 
Good luck.
  
Lisa's Butterfly Beanie
H hook
New born Size:

Make a magic circle
Round 1: ch 3, 12 dc in magic circle. sl st in top of beg ch:  (12 dc)
Round 2: ch 3, 2 dc in each dc around, sl st in top of beg ch-3: (24 dc)
Round 3: ch 3, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) around, sl st in top of beg ch-3: (36 dc)
Rounds 4- 6: ch 3, dc in each dc around, sl st in top of beg ch-3: (36 dc) 
Rounds 7-9: Ch3, dc in next 12 dc, ch 6, skip 5, *slip st chain in the 6^th dc, ch 6 skip 5, dc around
Round 10: Ch3, sc in next 12 dc, ch 6, skip 5, *slip st chain in the 6^th dc, ch6 skip 5 sc around

Finish off

*Note: In rounds  7- 10, the slip stitch is done in the same hole each time.


Now let me get back to crocheting that blanket!

Ive shared this at:
submarine-sunday at usscrafty
super-sunday-link-party at whoneedsacape
make-it-pretty-monday at thededicatedhouse
Handmade Tuesdays at ladybug blessings
nifty-thrifty-tuesday at linda-coastalcharm
lifewiththecrustcutoff
whatd-you-do-this-weekend at tumbleweedcontessa
crochetboulevard
thecraftyblogstalker
friday-link-party at craftionary
anything-blue-friday at thededicatedhouse

 

Song Sunday

God loves a lullaby,  In a mother's tears in the dead of night

 Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

 God loves a drunkards cry, The soldier's plea not to let him die

 Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

 

We pour out our miseries,  God just hears a melody

 Beautiful the mess we are, the honest cries of breaking hearts

 Are better than a Hallelujah.

 

The woman holding on for life, the dying man giving up the fight

Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

The tears of shame for what's been done, the silence when the words won't come

 Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

 

We pour out our miseries,  God just hears a melody

 Beautiful the mess we are , the honest cries of breaking hearts

 Are better than a Hallelujah

 

Better than a church bell ringing, better than a choir singing out, singing out.

 

We pour out our miseries,  God just hears a melody

 Beautiful the mess we are, the honest cries of breaking hearts

 Are better than a Hallelujah

 

 ~AMY GRANT - Better Than A Hallelujah~

Big and Beautiful

I Just got in from a weeks vacation at the beach. This time I did not sport a bikini like I have always done in the past . No, No. I actually invested in a couple new bathing suits. This time it was a two-piece but with a modest skirt bottom. Well, It looked more like a big ruffle instead of a skirt once I put it on. It was just enough to cover my bikini line in front but still barley covered my bum in the back but it was a lot more coverage than before. The other new bathing suit was a two piece tankini type. I have to say, I felt more comfortable.

I'm not going to say I'm obese but I am every bit of a size ten. That's big to me considering twenty years ago I was only a size zero. I had been skinny all my life. On the way to the beach, I told my husband and daughter that I was not going to complain about my fat and weight and just suck it up because it is what it is. There is nothing I can do about it now. Its my own fault I'm the size I am. That's when my daughter said "That's right Mom, Just be big and beautiful." [*sigh*] So that was my motto for the week.

Big can be beautiful. While sitting on the beach I noticed a lot of men and women just let it all hang out. I just smiled and thought, "They are big and beautiful (and brave)". Its not your size that matters, Its your health. If your weight makes you not feel good, do something about it. Being over weight is hard on your heart, muscles and bones but if your a large size and feel good then go with it! If you smile, be friendly and love yourself, then you can be beautiful no matter what.

 



I still plan to loose some weight. I want to loose at least thirty pounds and go down about two sizes. Even after that, I will still have curves.  My diet will start at the beginning of the week. My weight has made me have knee problems and no energy. Wish me luck. I have no will power when it comes to sweets and breads! Until then, I will continue to be "Big and beautiful."

Pecan Pie Muffins

Oh for the love!............Pecan Pie Muffins. I call them muffins because its a cupcake without icing.

One of my favorite (of many) desserts is pecan pie. Usually it hits the spot when I need a quick sweet fix. Those little mini pecan pies you get the convenient store will do the trick.

I made these little pecan pie cupcakes muffins the other night and "WINNER"

 

 

At first I thought they looked a little blahhh. Impatiently as I am, I had to have one hot right out of the oven. They were good but once they cooled all the way down....Delicious.! They are better cold. No icing is needed. They are good just they way they are and tasted just like pecan pie!!!

Now, grab a glass of milk and go make you some!

Pecan Pie Muffins

1/2 cup self rising flour
1 Cup packed brown sugar
2/3 Cup melted butter
2 Eggs
1 tablespoon coffee (optional)
1 Cup chopped Pecans

Preheat oven 350 degrees

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix well.
Pour into muffin tins 3/4 full (spray tin with non-stick cooking spray).

Bake 15-18 minutes
Makes 12

Note: Once they are done, flip onto a cooling rack. If they cool to much in the tins, they will be hard to remove.

Ive shared this at:
twiggstudios Sunday-off-linky-party
kitchenfunwithmy3sons
full-plate-thursday at mizhelenscountrykitchen *Featured*
marvelous-mondays at thisgalcooks
Handmade tuesdays at ladybug-blessings
Brag about it Tuesday at bebetsy