Joyfull Living

Against all the current fitness advice which stress the benefits of accountability and community, I am what could be called a 'fitness loner'. It's not exactly by choice, but more by circumstance. I love being a part of fitness classes etc., but the time frame just doesn't work for me. But, because I love the effects that a healthy lifestyle provides, that is enough to keep me disciplined enough to get a daily work out in and attempt to keep a mostly healthy food intake. But, when a friend asked me to join a Facebook fitness group, I finally found a fitness family! This group is a place where workouts can be posted and non-fitness friends don't have to be bombarded by all those numbers - miles walked or workouts completed! This fitness family loves to hear how many miles I walked a day! We freely share those victories along with those days when energy and motivation are way low. This is the place where we strive to eat healthy, but can also share about our weak

Today finally feels like 'fall' in our area!  Not exactly cool, but less humidity and comfortable temperatures.  An added bonus is that it is my day off!!  After an early morning workout class, then a walk it was back home to see what needed to be done.  But, because I'm continually being drawn outside to enjoy the day, there isn't a whole lot getting accomplished!   In fact, it is almost to the point where if it isn't an outside task, it just may not get done today! But there is a school function we are attending with our youngest son tonight that a dessert must be brought.  I've been dying to try some pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, so this would be the perfect opportunity!  Then, while searching for a recipe, found one with pumpkin, oatmeal and chocolate!  Does it get any better?  So, real quick, before I head to the porch with a book, here is the recipe! Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies 1 1/2 cups butter, softened

Finally a bit of fall weather has hit our area!  Last week's Making Your Home a Haven's challenge was to light a candle each day and pray for peace.  We had a couple of days with temperatures in the high 80's which limited the candle/cozy effect!   This week's challenge is to  "Play soft music everyday in your home . Choose worship, classical, jazz or another form of peaceful music that the family enjoys. Focus on using peaceful words and maintaining peaceful relationships." Live out the fruit of the Spirit of gentleness and self-control this week. I will have to admit that last week's challenge was much easier for me!  Being a visual person, the candle flickering jarred my memory to pray for peace.  Auditory people are ones who tune in to sounds and respond well to music.  They have an ear to hear the beauty and blessing of sounds...I do not!  Notes, ranges, harmony, melody mean nil to me!  I rarely even turn the radio on while riding in the

    Every fall, there is a Making Your Home a Haven challenge over at Women Living Well.  When I first began to participate, our family had three sons living at home.  All three were active and involved in church, school and sports activities.  Since then things have calmed down quite a bit.  Two sons are adults now and as they have became independent, our home and schedules have slowed down some.    But, the need to make home a haven has not dimmed.  A Christian home should look different than the world we are a part of through work and outside activities.  Where the world generates drama and strife, our homes should reflect peace and a place to relax.  Where day in and day out, pressures force us to rush, stress and be what others need us to be, the home should be where we come, let the atmosphere of love and joy envelop us, renew us, recharge us and equip us to go out and be the best we can be.    This type of home atmosphere doesn't just happen.  It must be inte