Joyfull Living

This little recipe is so easy, yet so delicious! Some way to use it may be to: Spread pumpkin butter on your toast or biscuits Pumpkin butter makes a great topping on pancakes.  Spread on crackers Stir in oatmeal Mix in with vanilla flavored yogurt Pumpkin Butter Adapted from AllRecipes 1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree, approx. 3 1/2 cups 3/4 cup apple or orange juice 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1 1/3 cups brown sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg Juice of half a lemon optional - grated lemon and orange zest to taste 1. Combine pumpkin, apple juice, spices, and sugar in a large saucepan; stir well. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until thickened. Stir frequently. Adjust spices to taste. Stir in lemon juice, or more to taste. 2. Once cool, pumpkin butter can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge. To preserve: Spoon hot pumpkin mixture into hot jars, filling to within 1/4 inc...

Gratitude is a remarkable attitude. It can bring a new direction to the worst situation or stir up a heart to overflowing as it reflects on blessings. Gratitude can and should be practiced daily.  In big ways, such a counting our blessings and in small ways as noticing the beauty of small things, such as crunching leaves, a sunrise or sunset, the little blessings all around us. This photo was edited by adding the textures of Autumn Burst and Shades of November.  The memory of walking through the mountains is etched forever in the gratitude attitude!  

Thanksgiving has come and gone and our thoughts and sights are moving toward Christmas.  This weekend at our home, the Christmas tree went up along with the decorations to bring the holly jolly spirit alive!  Living with a husband and three sons, I've learned that boys don't get into the festive spirit easily! We all know what this time of year holds, much joy, much fellowship, food, family, friends and all that can add...much stress!  The best remedy for holiday stress is to remember the true Reason for the Season - the birth of Jesus.  This year as we go and do and take part in the many Christmas festivities, may He be first in our hearts and bring forth true Christmas joy in us.  I found a free printable to keep within sight as a reminder of all that He is: Here is the link for you to print one to add the precious reminder of our Lord: http://content.jonesdesigncompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/and-he-will-be-called-blue.pdf

B less the LORD, O my soul;                                                   And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul,   And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities,   Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction,  Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalms 103:1-5 Gratitude seems to come alive the closer we get to Thanksgiving.  We all have so much to be thankful for and the warmth and excitement of the holiday sparks our hearts to thankfulness. This year, I p...

Last night, we got home from a quick trip to the mountains!  The week before Thanksgiving was perfect for kindling a thankful and adoring heart for the Lord.  The majesty of the mountains, the majestic waterfalls, the leaves on the ground crunching underfoot, the cool, fresh mountain air and the soft sounds of a running creek all bring up a grateful attitude.  We stayed in a cabin simply, but beautifully decorated with a cozy atmosphere. Every year,  I do this, try to keep alive the feelings of vacation upon arriving home.  The feeling of relaxation, the enjoyment of simply being together, doing basic things, walking, reading, talking etc.  But....upon arriving home, there is laundry, cleaning then preparing for Thanksgiving!  Seems like there is no time to recapture the vacation mode! But, our attitude begins in our heart and Thanksgiving is a perfect time to notice the little things and create the atmosphere we desire in our lives and h...

Time Warp Wife is a blog filled with godly wisdom for women, but also some great free printables. There is something powerful that comes from a beautiful reminder of the qualities and virtues of a godly wife and mother.  The theme of Time Warp Wife is "Empowering Wives To Joyfully Serve".  What a great week (Thanksgiving week) for us to be reminded of the joy of serving with a thankful heart.  Here is the link for some free printable bookmarks: http://www.artbookbindery.net/timewarpwife/BookMarkPrintable.jpg Here is the link for some beautiful free printables: http://time-warp-wife.blogspot.com/search/label/Inspiring%20Images This will be a very busy week for many of us.  May we rejoice in God's blessings and allow them to flow from our heart into our family, our  home and the lives of those we come in contact with.

For the last several weeks, I have joined Good Morning Girls for a Bible Study walking through I John.  This has been a great study, but this week's verses came to life in my heart! I John 4:7 -  Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.   This was good, but a fact that is well known.  God is love and those of His, should love one another.  But my study deepened with those words "knows God".   To "know God' refers to an intimate knowledge of God rather than just information about Him.  Anyone in whom God dwells reflects His character.  As we know Him more and more, we will reflect Him more and more in our love for others. Then the 'why':  I John 4:9-10 -  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His ...

I was 'cleaing out my computer' recently and came across this devotion about living out Proverbs 31.  As Christian women, we want so bad to have these characteristics and qualities alive in our life that is often seems so overwhelming trying to live up to them.  But, as with anything worth doing, it takes diligence and practice.  Little by little, day after day, step by step.  Here are some great ways to begin this journey. Living a Proverbs 31 Life Develop a life consumed by a positive outlook. This means that you have to look (and often search hard) for the uplifting moments of each situation. Understand that there is only one that worth of your trust in all situations. Putting your trust in God - and not people, things or situations - will go a long ways towards developing a Proverbs 31 Life. What is your first reaction to circumstances? Create a sense of strength and boldness by walking in a life that is rooted in the Word. Confidence in who you are c...

One evening last week, we decided to check out the cotton field right by our house. The three of us rode the four wheeler although it was hard to capture the shot! We had a great driver with one passenger in front and one in back: Take a look at all this cotton: Of course I had to capture the moment: It’s not everyday you get to wander in a cotton field!!

Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.  John 4:35 There is a field near our home that is planted in cotton.  It is almost ready for harvest and the field is truly ‘white for harvest’ as far as the eye can see! Every Sunday our pastor has been bringing out the fact that Christians are to be distinctly different than the world. There needs to be a visible difference in the way they act, talk, think etc.  People are watching and wanting a true hope.  Will we offer them true faith, true love and an unshakeable hope in Christ?  We need to be ready, the fields are white unto harvest.

Today’s Texture Tuesday’s theme is “TWO”.  On the spur of the moment came a four wheeler ride with two of my favorite guys – husband and youngest son and my photo of ‘two’. The textures used were Golden and Grunged Old Paper.

As part of the experiment that I shared about HERE to try probiotics, my two weeks are up and it's time to report the results. Although my digestive health is overall good, I noticed a few foods seemed to bother me, mostly my favorites - macaroni and cheese, pasta and steak and potatoes!  In fact, the night we went to Sam's to pick up the probiotic, we ate a delicious steak dinner out and for hours, I had discomfort from overeating. Members Mark 4x Probiotic is found at a reasonable price at Sam's Club.  According to Digestive Health For Me, this product contains 4 strains of natural beneficial bacteria. It also helps to support and maintain a healthy digestive system while promoting gastrointestinal health and digestive system balance.  While it is recommended to take a probiotic following a round of antibiotics (which destroy all good and bad bacteria in the body) to replenish the good bacteria, I simply needed some balance and maintenance....

Thanksgiving Day will arrive in just a few weeks!  Many of us are 'practicing and preparing' by daily counting our blessings and intentionally seeking out ways to be thankful.  Next in line is the Thanksgiving Meal.  Whether it is an entire meal being prepared or simply a favorite dish to share, most of us will be cooking something this Thanksgiving.  Some of the best Thanksgiving memories involve food and traditions - certain dishes, desserts etc.  Comfy In the Kitchen is one of my favorite food blogs.  It is a place to always find cooking inspiration, exciting recipes and easy to follow directions.  A new ebook  Comfy In the Kitchen On Thanksgiving is a resource you will want to check out!  This ebook is filled with traditional dishes along with some new things you may want to try out, complete with step by step pictures.  I"m planning to practice on my family a few of these along with sharing at the traditional Than...

Although I don’t usually share too much personal information here on the blog, there is something I need to talk about….Digestive Issues! What I count as one of my great blessings is good health.  But, now being in my 40s, there are a few things that pop up here and there to remind me that my body is slowly aging.  My eyesight isn’t what it used to be nor is my energy level. Digestive issues have never been a problem, but I notice that some of my favorite foods seem to bother me some.  As I intentionally pursue a healthy lifestyle, my diet and habits are scrutinized and healthier options are always being sought out. The topic of probiotics seems to pop up in most healthy living resource topics. Probiotics refer to the bacteria that exists in the gastrointestinal track which supports digestion and the immune system.  Probiotics are actually good bacteria that can be found in certain foods and also supplements.  Probiotics are a type of living bacteria that ...

Have you heard of the fad – Planking? According to Wikipedia planking is an activity consisting of lying face down in an unusual or incongruous location. The hands must touch the sides of the body and having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on the Internet is an integral part of the game. A newer fad is Tebowing.  Patterned after the example of Christian athlete Tim Tebow, who falls into prayer position to thank God during his football games. “Tebowing” is to get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different. Yesterday, my 17 year old son and a few friends were practicing these fads at school. Planking: Tebowing – under a timely banner! Double Tebowing: These ''activities’ delayed their 30 minute commute home from college in a neighboring town.  On their usual route home, at the time they would have normally been traveling through, this happened: An accident between a semi and a car...

Happy November!!!  Beginning in September, I think each new fall month is my favorite!  September marks the promise of fall, October finally brings some relief from summer heat but November marks full blown fall blessings!  November kicks in with the anticipation of Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Christmas celebration season.  The beginning of November means there is some time to prepare before the busy season and can be used as a month to prepare our hearts to truly enjoy these holidays. Gratitude, thankfulness and contentment are some qualities of November and Thanksgiving.  I'm hoping to use the entire month, not just the week of Thanksgiving to prepare and cultivate a thankful heart.  A timely newsletter arrived in my inbox this morning with some great thoughts to begin this month:  This excerpt from the book "The Resolution For Women" by Priscilla Shirer often describes my attitude: "Instead of relishing each moment, each year, each oppo...