Quick Gingerbread House

Each year at Christmastime, my kids and I make gingerbread houses out of graham crackers and frosting. This year I noticed that makers of my favorite graham cracker had started making gingerbread crackers. I quickly bought a box and a bunch of small candies, nuts, and dried fruit (to decorate our little houses). We use the frosting to hold the cracker walls together. To make a quickie icing bags, I fill plastic zip bags with frosting, zip the baggie closed, and snip a wee bit off one corner. Squeeze the icing through the hole you made in that corner. For a simple white icing to drizzle over your completed house, mix together a cup of powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk or cream.

Taco Seasoning

If you’re like me the letters MSG turn you off. I was thrown for a loop when I noticed my store-bought taco seasoning had MSG (aka Monosodium glutamate) and silicon dioxide in it*. So I set about stirring up my own taco seasoning. Why have extra sodium in your seasonings and condiments? Here’s my recipe: * 2 teaspoons chili powder * 4 teaspoons ground cumin * 2 teaspoons ground oregano * 2 teaspoons salt * 1 teaspoon dried red pepper * 2 teaspoon dried minced onion (or onion powder) * 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder I use this much like I would the ready-made seasoning mix. Also works nicely sprinkled over a cheeseburger or coldcut sandwich. *Care to guess which brand of seasoning I’m referring to? Hint: if you fast-food tacos, you’ve probably had it.

Today, on BookCookCraft, I will be reviewing Chapter 7 of Claudia Mair Burney’s book God Alone is Enough: A Spirited Journey with Teresa of Avila. Claudia is the author of seven novels, including the Amanda Bell Brown mysteries, and Zora and Nicky, and Christy Award finalist in 2009. Readers familiar with her style will enjoy this rollicking journey through their own interior castles. She lives in Kentucky, where she also authors the popular blog, “Ragamuffin Diva.”
 
Chapter 7—The Glorious Foolishness
Okay, I’ll be honest I read more than Chapter 7. I had to, since Sister Claudia is known for being a deep woman. I figured I needed a frame of reference upon which to hang this short review. So I read ‘backwards’ a little, in order to review this chapter. And I’m glad I did.

St. Teresa of Avila, according to Claudia, was a ‘stunning beauty’ with dark hair and eyes to match. So what if she had her share of curves beneath her nun’s habit but she was also a prolific writer and a gifted theologian. And she was wont to have visions. Teresa’s writings (at least the ones Claudia shares in the book) sing with startling simplicity and depth.

The entire book is written in classic Ragamuffin Diva style. Deep but accessible. In a word: delicious. Chapter 7 of God Alone is Enough is no disappointment. In it, Claudia speaks of giving up all personal/earthy/carnal ambitions and being open to God’s will and way. Gloriously and foolishly open to the Great Beloved One. She ends the chapter with a how-to on being gloriously foolish. Imagine that!

The chapter is a quick read (as is the entire book) but it’s worth re-reading again and again. God Alone is Enough is an excellent gift for any Christ follower—your granny or your graduate … or yourself.

From the back cover of God Alone is Enough:

 “Joyous, sprightly, earthy, zestful and real, St. Teresa of Avila comes bursting forth in this vibrant new book. Claudia Mair Burney is the perfect guide to lead readers into the freeing, but often misunderstood, spiritual insights of one of history’s most remarkable women.” — James Martin, SJ, author of My Life with the Saints. 

You have the opportunity to spend a few hours listening to the wise advice of a prayer warrior–one of the most interesting women to ever follow Jesus with abandon. So pull up a chair as Claudia Mair Burney introduces you to Teresa of Avila. You’ll be able to say you’ve met a real saint.

“A perfect read for all who thirst for spiritual waters.” — Lisa Samson, author of The Passion of Mary Margaret.

The Recipe– Flavored Water.
That’s right water. When you read God Alone is Enough, you’ll see why this recipe is for water. Besides we all need to drink more water. So why not save money (and the environment) and skip the bottled stuff and make your own. It’s sooooo easy.

Start with filtered water. I use a Pur faucet filter, available at Wal-mart, hardware store, etc. Then add one of the ingredients below. Chill it, ice it, or drink it while you’re standing there at the tap. Enjoy!

• Slice of lime or lemon 
• Mint leaf (crushed a little) 
• Slice of cucumber 
• Edible flowers (like lavender or honeysuckle) 

 Remember to give your ingredients a little rinse before adding them to your filtered water. Just enough to wash off any pollen and such.

ps. Don’t you dare add sugar or even sugar substitute.