Messyjoyfuljourney

Are you on sugar overload like me? Here is a simple hummus recipe that you can eat with vegetables! Yes... I said vegetables. It's shocking! I've had THAT MUCH sugar lately. This hummus is both gluten-free and dairy-free, and it is a perfect appetizer to share with friends to hold you over until dinner. Find the recipe here https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/simple-hummus-recipe/

I'm trying to branch out with my gluten-free, dairy-free snack options. This pumpkin hummus dip tastes like pumpkin pie and is delicious served with apples (my favorite) or gluten-free gingersnaps. Get the recipe at https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/pumpkin-hummus-dip/

Thanks to a friend who loves bread pudding, I have come up with a solution for all those leftover hamburger and hotdog buns that usually go into my deep freezer, never to be seen again! This Apple Rum Bread Pudding is so good that I had to give it to the neighbors to stop me from eating the whole pan! The crispiness of the apples and the sweetness of the vanilla rum sauce are the perfect complements to this delicious treat. Get the recipe at

Apple Rum Bread Pudding - Messy Joyful Journey This apple rum bread pudding is the perfect way to use up extra hamburger and hotdog buns. The apples really give it a delicious touch!

This is an easy treat to share with friends or to eat as an after-school snack! Click on the link for the recipe! https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/peanut-butter-rice-krispie-balls/

These Pumpkin Eater Pumpcakes are THE BEST fall treat ever! Given to me by a wonderful friend, it is the recipe I get the most requests for. They are easy to make and delicious, served warm or chilled with whipped cream. This weekend I made 48 for my church BBQ, but by the time I got there, I only had 13 left. They are that addictive. Get the recipe here: https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/pumpkin-eater-pumpcakes/

When I was in my early twenties, a remarkable woman welcomed me into her life and taught me to quilt. The quilting was fun, but the wisdom I gained from being with her was life-changing. Gail was an excellent example of Biblical hospitality and impacted so many lives by living out her faith in a simple way. Let's learn from her. Click on the link to read about her https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/an-easy-way-to-build-community/

These are a simple version of the treat that means "Fall" to me. It's only 3 ingredients, so anyone can make this bite-sized deliciousness. You can get the recipe here: https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/easy-pumpkin-chocolate-chip-mini-muffins/

It's that time of year when we start thinking about our Halloween costumes. Here are some ideas of how to dress up as a family... with some bonus couple costume ideas thrown in. https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/family-costume-ideas-for-halloween-fun/

I make these cookies ALL THE TIME! It's a recipe I can count on, except when I don't pay attention and add WAY too much sugar. (2 cups of oatmeal solved that problem!) They are great for sharing or making your house smell good on a rainy day.

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies - Messy Joyful Journey These are the best chocolate chip cookies you will ever make. I have perfected the recipe at 4,367 feet and make them perfectly every time.

This post really sums up where I am going with the blog from now on. I hope you will all join me as I attempt to think smaller and make a difference in the world... one person at a time.

How to Make a Difference - Messy Joyful Journey To make a difference in the world, we need to think smaller. Let's start by practicing hospitality and investing in one new person this week.

This healthier version of a Tamale Pie is a twist on a childhood favorite of mine. It's an easy dish to take to a friend in need!

Healthier Tamale pie - Messy Joyful Journey This healthier tamale pie is an easy dish to bring to a friend who just had a baby. It is easy to throw together and is DELICIOUS!

This is my favorite comfort food to take to a friend in need. It also brings back great memories with friends.

Chicken Curry Mac & Cheese - Messy Joyful Journey This Chicken Curry Mac & Cheese is my all-time favorite comfort food. It is loved by kids and adults alike. This delicious dish is easy to make out of things I have in the pantry and perfect for sharing with a friend on a fall or winter day.

So... I'm switching things up a bit and hope to help make "loving your neighbor" a little bit easier! Here's an easy salad you can make while the weather is still hot! https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/best-summer-cobb-salad-to-share-with-friends/

Best Summer Cob Salad to Share With Friends This Easy Cobb Summer Salad is a family favorite. It tastes fresh and light and is perfect for sharing with friends on a hot summer's day.

With so many people heading out to national parks this summer, I thought I'd share this updated post to give you some tips if you are thinking of heading to Yellowstone. https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/yellowstone-national-park-a-pandemic-vacation-2020/

Yellowstone National Park Vacation | Messy Joyful Journey When I finished throwing a tantrum after I had to cancel my luxury vacation, we planned a Yellowstone National Park vacation. It was exciting!

So... I've been gone for a bit. I broke my hand and found it extremely difficult to type. I've missed you all and now that I'm functioning again, I wanted to share what I discovered while I couldn't use my dominant hand! https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/guess-what-i-have-a-food-processor/

Guess What? I have a Food Processor! | Messy Joyful Journey It took a broken hand for me to realize that I have a food processor. Why have I not been using this useful gem?

When the kids leave the toilet paper roll empty... this is what I do. I’m not sure it encouraged them to put on a new one, but it did make me feel like I am hilarious 🤣.

Sometimes you just need a little bit of Gilmore in your life... https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/gilmore-girls-self-care/

Gilmore Girls Self-Care: When all you have the energy for is TV. | Messy Joyful Journey In a really tough year, I found that I was using Gilmore Girls as self-care. It was all I had time for and Gilmore Girls brought me joy.

Morning coffee with my favorites! I love when I get Fridays off... it feels like vacation ❤️

A new pastor's wife confession is on the blog today. :) https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/the-blessings-of-being-average/

The Blessings of Being Average | Messy Joyful Journey I have been average my whole life. I recently discovered that being average can be a blessing. In his post you will find reasons why.

Looking for ideas of what to give the one you love this Valentine's Day? Here are some of our favorites! Herald is my current favorite! https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/what-to-buy-your-sweetheart-this-valentines-day/

What to Buy Your Sweetheart This Valentine's Day | Messy Joyful Journey Wondering what to buy your sweetheart this Valentine's Day? Here are some sentimental, silly, and creative ideas to make this year the best!

I may have overdone it with the animal prints. I should have paid more attention to what I was wearing when I left the house.

Meet Herald. My one goal for 2021 is to keep Herald alive. Luckily, there are tons of “Heralds” at the nursery if #1 is a fail!

With several of my friends having babies recently... it got me thinking https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/11-things-they-dont-tell-you-about-having-a-baby/

11 Things They Don't Tell You About Having a Baby | Messy Joyful Journey After I read all the books I was sure I was ready. I quickly learned that there are things they don't tell you about having a baby.

This guy is the culprit... he’s planting a sock garden. I can’t wait until spring to see how many new socks will grow!

Another confession... these are all the socks I found without friends.

Confession... I have 2 sock drawers!

Organized my sock drawer for my first win of 2021!

As we close out 2020, I wrote another post reflecting on all of the lessons learned this year. It was a doozy. https://messyjoyfuljourney.com/5-more-life-lessons-learned-in-2020/

5 More Life Lessons Learned in 2020 | Messy Joyful Journey I learned more life lessons this year than ever before. The trials of 2020 have brought lessons that will change me forever. Here are 5 more.

The first present of 🎄 Christmas

Last night’s candlelight service... a lot different this year, but still lovely