Bridling our Tongues

After a long cold winter spring is finally here... in Kansas that is!!! :)  The red bud tree and the lilac bushes are bursting with color and there is even talk of putting in a garden this week!!!  This has got to be the best season of the year... as long as there aren't any tornadoes. :)
Today in Sunday school we were talking about the last judgement.  One of the things we talked about in relation to that was how everything we say is going to be taken into account when God judges us.  To me that is a very scary concept.  I know I have heard it a million times but somehow I just tend to forget it when it comes to having conversations with people.  It is so easy to let slip a foolish or mean word when I am talking.  It is something that needs to be on my mind all of the time so that I do not forget.  However, I tend to let other things be on my mind such as worldly pleasures.  When I was thinking about this I realized that I would be able to be more careful of my words and be paying more attention to what I say if I was not concentrating so much on the pleasures of this world and more on the pleasures of God.  Man's chief end is to glorify God.  So really, it comes down to how much easier it is to worship God if you are thinking of Him, instead of the things of this world.  I know I am not the only person that struggles with this and so I hope this will be helpful to others.  
Have a great spring! 

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

TOO MUCH SNOW!!!

Sara, Dan, Tim and I have spent half the afternoon shoveling snow! :(  Not the most enjoyable experience! However, when one is able to come inside to hot chicken soup and of course a cup of tea, it doesn't seem quite so bad.  I would like to share an absolutely superbly delicious recipe (obviously this an extra special recipe)!!!

Apple Cinnamon Rolls

1 recipe sweet roll dough

1/4 C. butter, softened

1 1/2 C. finely chopped apples

1 C. sugar

1/2 C. chopped pecans

1 tsp. cinnamon

Prepare dough.   When ready to shape, divide dough in half.  Roll out each half into a 9X12 “ rectangle.  Spread with butter.   Combine finely chopped apples, sugar, pecans and cinnamon.  Sprinkle over dough.  Roll up the long way so it is 12” long.  Cut into 1 inch pieces and place them into a 9X13” pan sliced side down.   Let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.  Bake about 20 minutes in 350˚ oven.  Drizzle with powdered sugar icing.  Best when warm but also good when made Saturday night and eaten for a special Sunday morning breakfast.  Makes two 9 X13 pans. 

You can serve my apple cinnamon rolls with what else but a hot cup of apple cinnamon tea!  Apple cider would also be tasty with these. 

Well enjoy baking and have a wonderful day!

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

Tea, History, and Snow!

My fingers are going numb!  I think my family should, without a doubt, move our computer upstairs where it is warmer:)  This morning I decided to indulge in a little history and a cup of cherry tea to try and forget about the snow and cold outside. So I read a little of volume four of  A Basic History of the United States by Clarence B. Carson.  His series of books on American history are very informative and intriguing, though they are sometimes hard to read.  I would definitely recommend them for high school and older.  Also for history lovers, if you have never picked up G.A. Henty's historical novels, do so now! They are the best historical novels I have read yet, covering from Ancient Egypt to the time of Queen Victoria.  The heroes of these books are real men, and the heroines real woman!  G.A. Henty's books leave you with all sorts of snippets of historical knowledge without you even realizing it!  These books work well for middle school age and up (one can never be to old for these), and are a perfect supplement to any history curriculum.  Well enjoy your day and happy tea drinking and reading!

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

A Good Book and a Cup of Tea

There is nothing like a good book and a cup of tea, especially on those cloudy and gloomy days.  My friend Beth calls those Jane Austen days.  You curl up on the couch with a blanket, cup of tea, and a Jane Austen book.  So for my first post I would like to recommend just that.  Grab your favorite Jane Austen book, a cup of steaming hot tea, and indulge in fifteen minutes of wit and humor.  If you have never read a Jane Austen book then I would recommend starting with her very best Pride and Prejudice.  For me I will curl up by our wood burning stove, with a couple blankets, a cup of hot peach tea, and... well I am not sure yet which Jane Austen book to choose. :)

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