The Joys of Cooking, The Trials of Dishwashing

There are few things I enjoy more then cooking, especially when it comes to something like cookies, cake, brownies, pies and anything else that is sweet.  Bread isn't bad when it actually turns out and boring old main and side dishes aren't too bad either.  However, there is nothing so wonderful as getting to mix up a batch of cookie dough, tasting it at various intervals, just to make sure it hasn't spoiled since five seconds ago.  Then of course while you are baking the cookies you have to make sure the dough still tastes fine.  I suppose that is why you make an extra big batch so you don't end up short a dozen cookies.  Unfortunately with the joys of cooking come the trials of dishwashing.  I love cooking as much as I hate dishwashing.  Once I am done making my scrumptious dessert, dishwashing is last on my list.  However, they tend to just sit there until my conscience wears down on me and I slump back into the kitchen to wash them up.
I suppose that one has to take the rough with the smooth, or as in this case, a sink full of dishes with a cookie jar full of cookies.

A Favorite Cookie Recipie :)

Snazzy Snickerdoodles

1 3/4 C. all-purpose flour                     1 C. sugar

1 tsp. cream of tartar                          1 egg

1/2 tsp. baking soda                            1 tsp. vanilla

1/8 tsp. salt                                        1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 C. butter, softened                       2 T. sugar

Preheat oven to 375˚.  In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix butter and 1 cup sugar until well blended and creamy. Stir in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture, stirring until soft dough forms. Do not refrigerate. Combine 2 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon in a bowl. Roll dough into balls and then in sugar/cinnamon mixture & place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 9-11 minutes or until cookies are set.  

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Agatha Christie- Mystery Novelist

     One of my favorite genres to read is mystery and pretty much my only reason for that is because of Agatha Christie's too many to count mystery novels and short stories.  Yes, of course I read other mystery novels (Sherlock Holmes, Lord Peter Whimsy, and Brother Cadfael) but Agatha Christie always will have a special place on my bookshelf. 
     I was in my early teens when I first picked up her novels.  Instantly I was captivated by her style of writing: humorous and suspenseful.  I loved her characters and how she developed them.  Now, though, having read about fifty of her novels and short stories I will admit the endings  are starting to get predictable.  Not as predictable as I would sometimes like though.  I find it quite annoying when I am talking to my brother about one of her novels and how I was surprised the end to find out who committed the murders and he spouts off with some stuff about he knew all along and the book was so boring because he had it figured out the whole way through. Nonetheless, however predictable they may end up being, there is always some new twist or a unique character that makes each of her novels stand out.
     Everybody loves a mystery, and these are just about the best.

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

My Favorite Sites

     You may have noticed my gadget that lists my favorite sites and you may be wondering what they all are.  Therefore, whether you may be wondering or not, I am going to tell you and encourage you  to check them all out.
     The first one is Answers in Genesis.  This is the website for the Christian non-profit organization called Answers in Genesis.  You may know them for the Creation museum they started up in Kentucky.  On this website you can find many links to articles about creation versus evolution as well as buy books or audios about creation versus evolution.
     The second link on the sidebar is Apologetics Press.  This is a great website with many very helpful articles about several different issues including creation versus evolution, homosexuality, different world religions, and theological issues.  I have found this website to be very useful when I need to look up information about some issue.
    Blog and Mablog is the website for Douglas Wilson, a pastor and author from Idaho. On his blog he shares about many world view issues and his thoughts on theology plus much more.
      Brink the Books is a blog by four men who share about a variety of different subjects from books to worldview issues.  I often find a nice bit of humor there when I am down.
      Creation Ministires International is a creation oriented orginization composed of several acclaimed scientists based out of Austrilia.  It has much of the same information available on Answers in Genesis but both are very good resources.
      Femina is a blog run by the wife of the aforementioned Douglas Wilson, Nancy Wilson, as well as her two daughters and daugther-in-law.  They post on the cute happenings at their houses', a woman's role, and much more.
     The next link is to I Spy Animals, which I mentioned in an earlier post.  It has lots of information and pictures on many different and unique animals.  It is kid friendly but also fun for adults.
     Movieology is a website sponsored by American Vision. It provides movie reviews with an emphasis on looking at worldviews.  I have found it very helpful when wanting to check out a new movie that is in theaters.
     The Rabbit Room is a online group of authors and songwriters who post about books, movies, and many more interesting topics. They're writing is really beautiful and insightful and I definitely encourage you to check this one out.
     The Way Home is the blog of Mary Pride and her daughter Sarah Pride.  Mary Pride is the homeschooling mother of nine children and the author of the book The Way Home. They share about a women's role, marriage, and much more.
     So that is all of them.  Check them out and enjoy!

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Tea Oatmeal?

     Yes I mean it.  Tea oatmeal.  It really tastes delicious.  All you do is make a cup of tea and combine it with a half cup of oatmeal and then cook in the microwave for a couple of minutes.  Then let set for a bit. For best results finish off with mixing in a bit of honey and butter.  It tastes just like the flavored oatmeal you can get at the store but is probably a good bit healthier.  I couldn't say if it is cheaper or not though.  I like it because it livens up the boring taste of oatmeal.  I enjoyed some today and had tea to drink with it as well. :)  

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

I Spy Animals

     During the holiday I had the chance to hear about a blog called "I Spy Animals."  So today I checked it out and I was more then impressed.  The blog has tons of information about animals as well as many pictures.  Grownups and children alike will enjoy the fun it has to offer.  So check it out at www.ispyanimals.com and enjoy!!! :)

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Movie Review- Tintin

     Over the holiday I was excited to see the new Tintin movie with family.  As a child, I grew up reading the Tintin books and thoroughly enjoying them.  Even now I still sneak them into my room and dive into the seemingly endless adventures of the young man.  Nothing excited me more then finding out that a movie was going to be made about Tintin's exploits.  The movie did not disappoint me.  The animation was breathtakingly realistic and made the movie even better (if that was possible).  The story plot was good and there was really no objectionable material whatsoever.  The adventure was lots of fun and it had much of the same humor found in the books.  Captain Haddock and the Thompson's will get you laughing as soon as you see them.  As with all movies based on books, the film strayed from the books but they did it well so it didn't bother me too much.  I would highly advise you going to see the movie and enjoying the fun adventures it has to offer.  God bless!!! :)

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Movie Review- Soul Surfer

     This is my first movie review I have written so don't mock me. ;)  If you know anything about Soul Surfer you will know that it most certainly came out a few months ago.  Well, that is true.  However, due to my not wanting to see it, I did not see it until a couple days ago when I was given the opportunity to view it, which wasn't exactly my idea but there it is. :)  However, I can now say I have watched and I am not just making up criticisms without having actually watched it. :)
     So as you may have gathered, no, I didn't enjoy the movie.  Score- AnnaSophia Robb's acting was absolutely incredible and she really moved the story, score- the cinematography was incredible, and score- I thought the movie showed the family closeness very well especially between Bethany and her brothers, but there the scores pretty much end.  This has been called a wonderful Christian movie but NO it is not.  The story pretty much goes like this: Beginning- Surfing is God, she loses her arm- surfing is still God, she goes on a mission trip (which you wouldn't know was an mission trip except that they call it that)- love is God, she comes back and makes the decision to continue surfing- surfing is pretty much back to being God, competition is over- surfing and love are God together.  Then of course there was Carrie Underwood who was cast as Bethany Hamilton's church's youth leader.  Her acting was about as bad as it gets.  Because of that and the role she played as an important spiritual influence in Bethany's life, the Christian aspect was downplayed even more.  Then of course there was the immodesty, which was pretty bad, not as bad as it could have been but nonetheless bad.  I would shudder to think of my teenage brothers watching Soul Surfer with the the multiple scenes of females (girls and women) in bikinis not to mention a photo shoot that Bethany's best friend poses for in quite sultry positions.  Also, there was a scene where Bethany and her best friend go out night surfing without asking her parents (assuming they would say no).  Of course her mother finds out and is quite upset.  However, no discipline and she pretty much gets away with it.  I thought that whole scene was really unnecessary.  If there had been a redemptive purpose I would have found it much more bearable but without that it just confirmed my already negative views of the film.
     Overall I was quite disappointed with the movie.  I am discouraged that so many Christians look up to this movie as a good Christian movie.  Let me know what you think!!!

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Lady Susan

     Last evening I read rather a good short story that was in the form of letters.  It was called Lady Susan and it is by Jane Austen.  I had never personally heard of the short story when I was first given it by a friend who was actually giving me Austen's Persuasion but Lady Susan came with it.  I do not know if it is a lesser known work but I think it is not a lesser well written work.  Before you jump to conclusions, I do not, would not, ever compare it to Jane Austen's five other novels by a long shot but I still think it is worthy of recognition as an insightful and enjoyable read.  Without giving away too much, for I want you to read the short story and if I spoil it you won't want to, I will give a short synopsis of it.  Lady Susan focuses on the character of, well... Lady Susan. :) However, unlike in Austen's other novels, Lady Susan is not a honorable woman.  She is of gentry status recently widowed with a sixteen-year-old daughter.  Lady Susan herself is roughly thirty-five.  Her chief crime is that she is a conniving flirt who knows it and doesn't care about the consequences as long as she can continue on as she always has.  Her other crime is that she is cruel to her daughter, who, unlike Lady Susan tries to make her out to be, is rather a sweet child.   Telling more would give it all away so you'll just have to read it to discover what happens.  As I mentioned before, the story is told in the form of letters but it is quite easy to follow.  You might want to take an index card and write down the names of the characters and who they are as you read so as to keep them straight.  There aren't too many of them but when Lord or Lady is attached to almost every name they all start to look like.  Pick it up and read it, you won't regret it.

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Literal 24-Hour Six Day Creation

     I am a Christian, which you have probably noticed if you have read my blog at all.  I believe in a literal 24-hour six day creation and I am going to explain why.  In a later blog post I will try to take the time to explain why I believe in creation at all but for today I am going to focus on the controversies surrounding a literal six day creation.  I am not a scientist so my knowledge is stolen from multiple CMI (Creation Ministries International) and AIG (Answers In Genesis) videos and articles as well as from Apologetics Press's articles.  I will include the links to all of the articles I use at the bottom of this post and will put in quotations anything that is not in my own words.  I hope that as I am a non-scientist, my arguments will be clear to everyone.

     To begin with, why do theistic evolutionists even doubt the literal 24-hour six day creation account in Genesis 1?  According to an article posted on Creation Ministries International's website, "If people use Scripture to try to justify that the days of creation are long periods of time, they usually quote passages such as 2 Peter 3:8, ‘… one day is with the Lord as a thousand years …’. Because of this, they think the days could be a thousand years, or perhaps even millions of years. However, if you look at the rest of the verse, it says, ‘… and a thousand years as one day’. This cancels out their argument! The context of this passage concerns the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. This particular verse is telling people that with God, waiting a day is like waiting a thousand years, and waiting a thousand years is like waiting a day because God is outside of time—He is not limited by natural processes and time. This has absolutely nothing to do with defining the days of creation. There is no reference in this passage to the days of creation."

     Theistic evolutionists will make the claim that the 6 days of creation depicted in Genesis 1 were not literal 24-hour days.  However, there is a great deal of evidence that refutes this already rather far out claim.  "Yom", the Hebrew word used for day in the Bible, when used with a numeral in front of the word always means a literal 24-hour day.  In Genesis 1, there is ALWAYS a numeral in front of the word day.  Also as Apologetics Press says, "The words “evening” and “morning” are used together in the Old Testament with the word yom over 100 times in non-prophetic passages, and each time they refer to a 24-hour day. Furthermore, if the “days” of Genesis 1:14, were “eons of time,” then what were the years? And, if a “day” is an “age,” then what is a “night”?"  In Mark 10:6 and Matthew 19:4, Jesus teaches that God created them male and female from the beginning.  A non-literal 24-hour six day creation is also a scientific impossibility because, as Apologetics Press says, "...if the “days” of Genesis were not days at all, but long geological periods, then a problem of no little consequence arises in the field of botany. Plants came into existence on the third day (Genesis 1:9-13). If the days of Genesis 1 were long geological ages, how did plant life survive millions of years of total darkness? Also, how would the plants that depend on insects for pollination have survived the supposed millions or billions of years between “day” three and “day” five (when insects were created)."   Answers in Genesis, in an article on their website say, "... in Exodus 20:8–11 God commanded the Israelites to work six literal “days” and rest on the seventh because He created in six “days” (using the same Hebrew word)."  Again we see the impossibilities of theistic evolution being true. 

I will close with some words from Apologetics Press, "Finally, one must ask, if God wanted us to know that He created the world in six literal days, what words would He have used? Or if a person wanted to explain to someone else that God created all things in a literal six days, what words would he use? The answer?—the exact words used in Genesis 1."

If you have any questions about a literal 24-hour six day creation take a look at these great articles, which I posted the links to below and/or go to Creation Ministries International's, Answers in Genesis's, or Apologetic Press's websites for more such articles.  Hail to the King!

http://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=824&topic=64

http://creation.com/the-necessity-for-believing-in-six-literal-days

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v5/n2/six-literal-days

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.

Reflections on an Evening Well Spent

     Last evening my family sat down and watched a movie with popcorn and honey baked apples with custard sauce (I made them and they were delicous).  It was great just relaxing in this manner, especially with the great movie we were watching- Life With Father, which I highly reccomend.  I suppose that having your siblings quoting half the movie as it is playing can be quite annoying, but I also found it made it just that much better.  It made me remember why I loved that movie so much.  It also reminded me what those movie lines were from that I kept quoting, but couldn't recall the origin of.  That's what happens when you quote so many movie lines; they all get jumbled up.  Looking back on my evening spent with family and good food, I must say it is a wonderful precurser to the Christmas holiday.  With everyone in school at work it has been hard to pull us all together in one spot for a few minutes.  That taste of family togetherness was marvelous and I am hungry for more.  With the Christmas holiday looming on the horizon, I look forward to more family time spent eating Christmas goodies and watching old favorites. 

     What are you looking forward to with the Christmas holiday coming up?

Lois Johnson, avid writer, tea drinker, and reader but first and foremost, avid Christian.