Happy New Year, pals!! It's 2014 - how did that happen? Thank you for all of your reading and applauding through 2013 for this here blog. Because of your support some fabulous changes are happening in 2014, and I can't wait to share a few things I've been keeping on the hush hush. May 2014 be a year of lasting hope and endless possibilities!

On this seventh day of Christmas, I'm BRINGing you JOY. If you have not yet discovered the force that is Janae from Bring Joy, let me convince you.

I wanted to share recipes & helps answer questions about my dietary choice to go vegan. When I first began blogging nearly 5 years ago, the www was a totally different place. Pinterest didn't exist. There was no such thing as a Facebook fan page. Twitter was just in its baby phase. So much has changed, but the reason I began is the reason I continue--to connect with others & to share. 

My blog has evolved over the years (as I hope all blogs do!) to be more than just a blog about being vegan & sharing recipes. I like to share snippets of family life, share how we're striving to be frugal & get out of debt, & discuss issues about relationships & parenting. I keep blogging, honestly, because of my readers. I have some readers who have stuck around since the beginning, & my interactions with them are my fuel to keep going. I love learning from them, & feel honored to have such a thoughtful, smart audience. 

The essence of my blog is sharing, community, with an emphasis on thoughtful, purposeful living. In a few words, I'd like to think I & my readers discuss ways in which to bring more joy to living, particularly as it relates to food, family, & money decisions. 

Dear first time mom: what 5 pregnancies has taught me

Curves

I don’t know. Except I do. Because I’m a woman & I’ve been guilty as anyone of this. In the past 6 months or so, I’ve been quietly working on changing my mindset. Striving to realize that my value as a woman, as a person, does not have anything to do with the shape of my body, or the size of my jeans. It’s hard to fight against this though, in our culture, where we’re sold this idea that a woman’s power or strength at least in part, is derived from the shape & size of her body.

Let's talk about the importance of...ahem, sex 

Image courtesy of Freshly Picked

I just want to continue interacting with my readers in a very mindful, intimate way. I love nothing more than to receive emails & comments from readers that teach me something, or open my eyes in a new way. I feel like blogging is the 21st century version of extreme pen pal-ing. I get to interact on a regular basis from people all over the world, & not just any kind of people--some truly fabulous & wonderful people. 

When you head over to Bring Joy, you will quickly notice how engaged Janae is with her audience. Her smart, relevant, and challenging content stretches the gamut from frugal living to healthy eating to marriage and parenting conversations. And she has an almost magical way of beginning a conversation you want to be sure to join. So many times when I'm reading a post from Bring Joy, I find myself internally nodding and thinking "YES!" as I read her well selected content.

Janae's food photography is pretty awesome as well. Click on over to Bring Joy - and let's make it a habit to do so often in this great new year - 2014!

On the seventh day of Christmas, Pars Caeli gave to me Bring Joy.

On the sixth day of Christmas, Pars Caeli gave to me Minnow + Co.

On the fifth day of Christmas, Pars Caeli gave to me Donuts, Dresses, and Dirt.

On the fourth day of Christmas, Pars Caeli gave to me Design + Life + Kids.

On the third day of Christmas, Pars Caeli gave to me Design Stitch Go.

On the second day of Christmas, Pars Caeli gave to me Trouvé Magazine.

And Lulu the Baker !

Y'all know I love the blogging community with the supportive, creative, hilarious women I have come to know and appreciate. And when I find excellence I'm just no good at keeping it to myself. I've had a handful of local friends lately ask me for new - and great - blogs to dig into in their spare time. For me, this sort of question is in the same line as tell me about your kids... I could go on and on.

And actually knowing the amazing people behind these blogs makes me love them that much more. If you're looking for recipes that taste and look great, create seasonal decor to inspire, or read the latest adventures of successful, smart, and sassy women...follow one of these greats.

Easy overnight cinnamon pull aparts from Melissa at Lulu the Baker.

Mommy Coddle published by Molly with her incredible pumpkin bread.

Joy sharing family secrets with yummy apple butter over on Frock Files.

Alexandra making things fun with upcycled sweater pumpkins over on Alexandra Hedin.

Gorgeous and good for you roasted carrots from Janae at Bring Joy.

Learn the fall essentials with Amy from This HeArt of Mine.

Now go.. and learn and create... and if you visit these ladies, tell them MJ sent you. :)

Happy weekend, friends. Let's make it a bright one.

xoxo, MJ

Happy Tuesday! It's time for some more Grown-Up Goodness. Did you see last week's summer markets post? Ah, I just can't resist fresh produce straight from the farmers themselves.

What's next on your list for the summer? Are you making time to drench yourself in the gifts of the sunny season?

True confessions: I was a bit surprised at myself when I was compelled to put "running" on my list. Really? With the beautiful days of summer, I want to go running? For those of you who don't know me outside of this web home, let me say that I did not grow up as a runner/jogger/athlete. My body is not genetically engineered for such exercise, and although I would consider myself moderately fit, taking on a run for just for the joy of it has never been a part of my imagination (and I have a fabulous imagination).

However, in the early days of our relationship, hubby and I went for runs to have some time for conversation and to enjoy the beauty surrounding us. We even entered races. Well, other people raced, and I was super proud of myself for running alongside determined, well-trained, fit folks. My husband was always good enough to jog at my side. Companionship up a 4% incline is a real gift from God!

With the family and three kiddos now, it's tough to find time/money (= babysitter costs) to pair up for a jog, but on rare occasions we still get to run side by side. It takes me back to our first conversations, and it makes me feel great that we will have many more, thanks to the time we're investing in our health.

I've gotten to the point now, after two 10Ks and a handful of 5Ks under my belt, that I really enjoy running, even on my own. And summer running...on trails, on tracks, on roads and sideways...is like no other.

Does summer make you want to breathe deeper and feel healthier? We find ourselves playing impromptu volleyball games and swimming, jogging out to get the mail and racing to the top of the stairs. All small activities but ones that add up to a feel good, healthy summer.

And when better to feel your best when requires us to wear less to keep cool. It's been a goal of mine for a long time to have shapely arms, and I'm working on it.

Let me leave you with this awesome, short video from a blogger friend, Janae. Check out her blog, Bring Joy for all kinds of fabulous. I find her approachable, quick fitness videos right up my alley.

What's your best way to stay fit and bask in summer? Do they go together for you?

Thanks for popping over! Meetcha' back here tomorrow for some Mommy & Daddy School.

XOXO, MJ