I made a King Cake!

Last year I had the chance to speak in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  After the conference, the precious pastor's wife took me to the grocery store at my request. The reason is I LOVE to visit grocery stores in a new city.  They always have great regional specialties.

I was only looking for some Creole or Cajun treats, but discovered something amazing.  That day I saw something I'd never known about, being an Arizona gal and all.  It was a wall of King Cakes for sale!   These beautiful cakes were covered in purple, green and yellow frosting and filled with different fruits and flavors. 

Just the day before I'd eaten my first King Cake made by the ladies of the church.  I had no idea you could buy them in the stores.

I bought one to carry home on the plane, and wished I bought more.  For a year I checked the Internet to find somewhere to buy them in Phoenix.  No success. Finally, I told my new friend Amy Bayliss about my desire for a King Cake and she sent me her personal recipe - actually her grandmother's recipe!

Sunday, I made my first King Cake and it tasted amazing.  It took all afternoon, and we had it for dessert. 

This isn't exactly what it's supposed to look like.  Normally, it is in an oval circle, sometimes with braided dough.  I don't work with yeast dough often, and it rose more than I thought it would.  But it tasted great.  And the colored sugar hides the flaws ... kind of.

If you are interested in the history of the King Cake, here's some info.   The recipe on this page is the same one Amy sent me.  The only difference I made was adding a filling.  I blended 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup flour and 4 Tablespoons melted butter.  NOTE:  I should have doubled it. 

To add the filling, simply roll it out after the first rising.  Spread the filling and then form it into a big circle (unless you want it round like mine). 

I also didn't make the lemon frosting. 

If you like making unique items, and learning about regional customs, I can recommend this.  And say "thank you" to Amy for sharing her personal family recipe.  That was just as much a treat as the King Cake.

In His Love,

Glynnis

Menus, Organizing and a Give-away

People often ask me how I do all that I do. 

There are a few answers to this.  First, God wired me this way.  Second, He called me to this life.  Third, I have an amazingly supportive husband.  Fourth, I'm constantly revising my priorities. And finally, I've developed some systems that save me when life gets crazy.  And believe me, with five kids at home, my life can go from calm to crazy in minutes.

One of my favorite stress-busting tools is a weekly menu.  Almost every week, you'll find a piece of note-paper on my refrigerator door with the week's menu.  This menu has been crafted based on sale items at the grocery store and activities during the week. 

A few weeks ago, I started posting my Monday Menu on my other site:  http://www.herorganizedlife.com/. 

I thought it was time I let you know about it, and hopefully increase some traffic to my organizing blog. 

On that topic, I've just signed a contract for my next book to be released in summer or fall 2011 called, "I Used to Be So Organized!"   Between now and then I'll be working on developing a blog filled with helpful ideas on balancing priorities and increasing productivity.  It's truly my passion to be an effective steward of everything God has given me:   my time and resources. 

If you enjoy practical tips, I invite you to join me at HerOrganizedLife. 

What is your greatest organizing need?  

Post your organizing challenge and on Wednesday, I'll pick a winner to receive the book Practicing Hospitality by my friend Pat Ennis and Lisa Tatlock. 

This book is filled with biblical wisdom and practical ways to get organized so that you can reach out to others.

In His Love,

Glynnis

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I'm happy to announce that "SueBe" won this book.  Thank you for your comments, and I hope to address each of them on my blog www.HerOrganizedLife.com.

Celebrating and an awesome chimi recipe

Today is a day of celebration in Mexico.  Many people think that Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, but it's not.  Today, September 16, is. 

I wanted to honor by sisters and brothers of Mexican decent today, and so my friend LeAnn Rice allowed me to post my recipe for cheese enchiladas on her site, She Cooks.  If you are visiting from there, welcome.  I hope you'll spend a few minutes looking at my site.  Also, if you have time, please visit my other site, Her Organized Life. 

If you have stopped by my site first, please visit She Cooks.  It's a great site.  Today, I want to share a bit of history and my favorite Chicken Chimichanga recipe.

Elizabeth Rose from About.com tells this brief history about the day:

In 1810 on September 16th, Father Miguel Hidalgo, sounded "El Grito," or The Cry of Independence in Dolores, in the State of Guanajuato. "El Grito" called for independence and sovereignty for Mexico. Father Hidalgo inspired the people of Mexico with a fiery cry: "Long live religion! Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe! Long live the Americas and death to the corrupt government!". At the same time Father Hildalgo gave his call to action, other revolutions broke out in all of Latin America. The 16th of September is the biggest holiday in Mexico. So, today, the Latino community celebrates the anniversary of this heroic cry for freedom with fiestas, decorations and a remembrance of the importance of freedom.

Galatians 5:12-14 says this about freedom:

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

God loves freedom, when it is used for righteousness.   Let us celebrate freedom today by turning our hearts towards God's call to love one another through that freedom.

And now for something completely different (as they said on Monty Python years ago) ...  chimichangas!

Chimichangas are not a traditional Mexican dish, but it is traditional to Arizona, and has spread around the country.  I actually have found my favorite recipe from Emeril Lagasse.  He serves it with a chipotle salsa (click here to read his entire recipe), but I serve it with sour cream and sometimes guacamole if I plan ahead and get a ripe avocado.   It's the best recipe I've ever tasted for chimichangas:

Chicken Chimichangas

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup diced white onion
1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1-1/2 pounds cooked chicken breast, shredded while warm
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (4.5-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
8 (10-inch) flour tortillas, warmed
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack
Wooden toothpicks

Heat vegetable oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add onions and saute until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, oregano, and cumin and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the shredded chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the green chiles. Cook mixture for about 5 minutes, or until heated through. Set aside and cool slightly.


One at a time, place the tortillas on a work surface, keeping the remaining tortillas covered with a damp towel. (For pliable tortillas, sprinkle lightly with 1/4 teaspoon water and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave for 10 to 20 seconds just before ready to stuff, and keep covered until ready to roll.) Spread 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture in a rectangle in the center of the tortilla. Sprinkle with 1 to 2 tablespoons of cheese. Fold the bottom of the tortilla over the filling and then fold the sides over. Fold the top of the tortilla over the folded sides and secure the sides with wooden toothpicks. Place folded side down.

Heat about an inch of vegetable oil in a frying pan to about 360 degrees F. Using tongs, lower the chimichangas folded side down, 1 at a time into the hot oil. (It is helpful to hold the chimichanga with the tongs until it has "sealed" together.) Cook until golden brown on all sides, about 3 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and continue with remaining chimichangas.

Happy cooking and happy Independence Day!

In His Love,

Glynnis

Give Away Carnival

Today, in celebration of Mardi Gras, my Proverbs 31 sisters and I are participating in a carnival of celebration. Most everyone is giving away gifts, and so am I. If you keep reading you see links to my friends' site and a list of their giveaways. Please take the time to stop by, say hello and enter into the fun.

Speaking of fun and Mardi Gras, recently I was speaking in Walker, Louisiana. What fun I had! I fell in love with the ladies of Judson Baptist Church, and all their sisters from surrounding churches who set aside a Friday night and Saturday morning to hear from God.

I truly believe that each woman who attended was called by God to be there. It was no accident. And God had something special planned for each woman. But I've walked with God long enough to know that it's often what you would least expect.

I know that some women will be touched by God during worship, prayer time, the teaching, the door prizes, the fellowship or the meals. Yes - I believe God called some of those women there so they could feel His love through act of someone preparing the meals for them.

And what meals they were. I usually don't eat before I speak, but that Friday night dinner was magnificent thanks to Miss Ruby and her team. I even had seconds. Those ladies must have spent all day cooking - especially the King Cakes in honor of Mardi Gras. (Miss Ruby gave me her recipe and I left feeling like I was smuggling out a family treasure.)

Then when I didn't think anything could top the dinner, those precious sisters in Christ served a full breakfast the next morning. And I ate everything ... before I spoke. Don't even get me started on the gumbo for lunch. Then Miss Edith took me out for an oyster po boy. Lord, have mercy. I gained four pounds in two days. Really. I weighed myself before and after the trip. But it was worth it.

Everyone felt loved, appreciated, honored and delighted.

I tell you all this to highlight food as a cornerstone of celebration. There is so much love that goes into making food for someone else. Today I'd like to leave you with that thought, and this one: Consider how you can bless someone by making food. Here are some suggestions:

Make homemade jam.

Bake banana bread, with nuts or chocolate chips.

Make a pot of homemade spagetti sauce and deliver with pasta and a salad.

Homemade granola

Chocolate dipped pretzels or strawberries

Host a potluck and game night (then everyone gets to make something)

In celebration of food and gatherings, I'm giving away a beautiful French Country Wire Silverware basket you can set out on the counter for a buffet, plus a copy of my book "work @ home." My husband and I run a home-based business (http://www.roselanecottage.com/) and the silverware basket is one of the items we sell. We also have beautiful new office products if you have the time to look around. Go to "Cottage Office."

To win, simply post a comment on my blog, making sure I have a way to contact you. I'll select a winner at random by the end of the week. I'd love to hear if you make something special for your friends or family. I always am looking for new ideas.

Now on to the carnival. Please make sure you stop by my friends' blogs. Here are some of them and what you can win on their sites.

Wendy Blight http://www.wendyblight.com/ Wendy is giving away a copy of the “One Year Chronological Bible” and her book “Hidden Joy in a Dark Corner: The Transforming Power of God's Story.”

Shari Braendel http://www.sharibraendel.blogspot.com/ Shari is giving away three beautiful jewelry pieces to begin a spring wardrobe with! One for a Glamour Girl, one for a Movie Star and one for a Rock Star!

Micca Campbell http://www.miccacampbell.com/ Micca is giving away her book, “An Untroubled Heart,” and a cute clutch purse for those fun summer evenings!

Whitney Capps http://www.whitneycapps.blogspot.com/ Whitney is giving away a $30 Francesca's Gift card, redeemable at http://www.francescascollections.com/

Melanie Chitwood www.melaniechitwood.com/ Melanie is giving away one marriage conference call and her new book “What a Wife Needs from Her Husband.”

Lynn Cowell http://www.lynncowell.com/ Lynn is giving away a prize for mom and a prize for a teen girl in her life – the 3 book series B.A.B.E. series by Andrea Stephens (Beautiful, Accepted, Blessed, Eternally Significant) for the teen and for Mom a $10 gift card to Starbucks along with Lynn’s CD “Building a Bridge to Your Child’s Heart”.

Karen Ehman http://www.karenehman.com/ Karen is giving away a Winter White Basket centered on Psalm 51:7 "Wash me and I will be whiter than snow" that includes Skin Milk body wash, a white loofah, Winter White Citrus Bath & Body Works products, white lily linen and room sprays, white hot cocoa, a white mug and white-chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Along with it, a copy of her book on celebrations entitled “Homespun Memories for the Heart: More Than 200 Ideas to Make Unforgettable Moments.”

Suzie Eller http://www.tsuzanneeller.com/ Suzie is giving away a Logitech Pro 9000 2-megapixel Quick Cam webcam!

Zoe Elmore http://www.zoeelmore.blogspot.com/ Zoe is giving away a journal, a copy of “My Heart's Cry” by Anne Graham Lotz and a piece of jewelry Zoe style!

Charlene Kidd http://www.charlenekidd.blogspot.com/ Charlene is giving away a $20.00 Starbucks Gift Card and a copy of Karen Ehman’s book: “A Life That Says Welcome, Simple Ways to Open Your Heart and Home to Others.”

Tracie Miles http://www.traciemiles.blogspot.com/ Tracie is giving away her CD "Overcoming Stress with Extraordinary Faith" and a Soulmates Slipper with Christian Notepad and Pen.

Rachel Olsen http://www.rachelolsen.com/ Rachel is giving away "Bread for Life," a hardback copy of "The Daily Message: Through the Bible in One Year" by Eugene Peterson (which you can read this along with her this year) and the Williams-Sonoma Muffins cookbook.

Wendy Pope http://www.wendypope.org/ Wendy is giving away a copy of her book “Out of the Mouths of Babes” and her CD “Yes, No, and Maybe of a Balanced Life.”

Luann Prater http://www.luannprater.com/ http://www.encouragementcafe.com/ Luann is giving away an Encouragement Cafe mug and t-shirt for both sites!

LeAnn Rice http://www.leannrice.com/ LeAnn is giving away a copy of her cookbook “Sharing Grace: Recipes - Family Traditions- Gift Ideas” and a Starbucks gift card.

Susanne Scheppmann http://www.susannescheppmann.blogspot.com/ Susanne is giving away her "Birds in My Mustard Tree Bible Study" with an I-tunes gift card.

Renee Swope http://www.reneeswope.com/ Renee is giving away Lysa TerKeurst’s Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD Set and her CD message, “Living Beyond the Shadow of Doubt” on DVD.

Lysa TerKeurst http://www.lysaterkeurst.com/ Lysa’s give away is a Mom's Book Club gift pack including 4 copies of Lysa's book, "Am I Messing Up My Kids?" and a 30-minute Q & A conference call with Lysa.

Van Walton http://www.vanwalton.blogspot.com/ Van is giving away her DVD for children – “From the Pound to the Palace.”

She Read http://www.shereads.org/ She Reads is giving away two novels, “Watch Over Me” by Christa Parrish and “Screen Play” by Chris Coppernoll, and chocolate, courtesy of the authors. They will tell the story of how their writing brought them together - a love story, quite literally, fit for a novel!

RadRevolution http://www.radrevolution.org/ Our ministry to teen girls is giving away a copy of “Do the Hard Thing” along with a RadRev t-shirt!

Have fun as we prepare to enter the Lenten season on our way to Easter. The greatest celebration of our faith.

In His Love,

Glynnis

Congratulations to Kelly at www.myfaithfulliving.com. She was randomly selected the winner of a copy of "work @ home" and the silverware basket. Thank you to all who posted a comment. This was so much fun, we are already planning the next carnival giveaway.

Ideas for Dinner

Today I have started a new column called "Creating Home" on a website called "At the Well." This column will run once a month and is aimed at helping a woman set up her own home - whether it be a rented room, small apartment or first house.

My post today was about using seasonings to dress up simple cuts of meat. By buying one new condiment a month, you will soon find your creative cooking library expanding. I promised to provide some simple recipes using seasonings you can easily find your grocery store, so here are a few of my favorites.

Pesto & Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo over Chicken

This recipe can be made for one or more.

Use one small chicken breast per person.
Sprinkle with Cavender's Greek Seasoning.
Pan fry in a small amount of oil until cooked through.
Meanwhile, heat a jar of Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo (Classico's is great)
Add a tablespoon of pesto and chopped sun dried tomatoes if you like.
Cook appropriate portions of spaghetti.

To serve, simply put spaghetti down first, topped by grilled chicken breast and sauce.
Serve with a green vegetable.

Thanks to my friend Cheri Jimenez for this idea.


Baked Salmon

Paul Prudhomme makes a really great "Magic Salmon Seasoning." Simply sprinkle seasoning mix on salmon and bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily. Buy more salmon than you need, and refrigerate leftovers.

To make a great sandwich filling the next day, add mayonnaise and extra magic salmon seasoning to the salmon.

Chicken Fajitas

Sprinkle Mrs. Dash's Southwest Chipotle seasoning on boneless skinless chicken breasts. Grill until cooked through. Slice thinly. Saute sliced red and green peppers and onions.

Warm a flour tortilla and fill with chicken, peppers and onion.
Everyone likes their fajitas their own way. I like salsa, sour cream, cheese, and guacamole on mine. Lettuce and tomatoes are yummy additions too.

Old Bay Shrimp Scampi (from www.mccormick.com)

1/3 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 1/2 teaspoons OLD BAY® Seasoning
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon parsley flakes

Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds or until fragrant. (Do not brown.)

Add shrimp and Old Bay; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Stir in lemon juice and parsley. Serve over cooked pasta or rice, if desired.


If you are feeling stuck in a cooking rut, I suggest you invest in a new seasoning that sounds good, and then do an online search for recipe ideas. Most seasoning companies offer recipes on their websites.

I also love buying unique condiments to dress up simply-cooked meats like pork chops, fish or broiled chicken. Consider interesting chutneys or seasoned oils.

My final tip for creating delicious meals is to plan them ahead of time, when you are hungry. I know you aren't supposed to go to the store hungry, but creating a meal plan is easier when you are hungry. Things sound better.

It's so easy to get worn out with cooking. Spices, seasoning and condiments can brighten things and make cooking more interesting.

In His Love,
Glynnis