An award!

I am thrilled to get the Versatile Blogger Award, so thank you Pam over at Everyday Snapshots! Now, in accordance with the rules, here are 7 things about me, and then 7 blogs (new to me) that I'd like to nominate also.

1. We don't have cable, so I watch TV through Netflix. I had heard a lot about the show Glee when I still worked at a grocery store, and was constantly bombarded by magazine headlines, but never watched it. Now I've finished season 1, and I'm hooked! My other "embarrassing" show is Grey's Anatomy, which I watch online each week.

2. In winter, my fingers are always cold. Through a co-worker, I discovered these lovelies, and now my hands stay remarkably warm! I wear them all the time. It is honestly an addiction.

3. I am a terrible housekeeper. I am a great cook, and I think a very good mother, but housekeeping? It tends to fall by the wayside far too often. I am one of those people that rushes around cleaning like a mad fiend when people are coming over. And I dislike it very much. I wish I were a better housekeeper, and I strive to be... I just get so busy with other stuff.

4. Coffee is my all time favorite beverage, with tea coming in at a near second. I love coffee... the way it smells, the way it tastes... I drink it strong, with no sweeteners, just a dash of half and half. I am loving a couple of new-to-me teas that I discovered though.. both from Stash - the Meyer Lemon (so, so delicious with a little stevia!), and the Licorice Spice, which is like dessert in a cup (without having to add any sweeteners).

5. One of my favorite things about the holidays are all the pretty, twinkly lights. I love Christmas lights (my favorite term for them is fairy lights). The kids and I love to get in the car with a thermos of hot chocolate for them, and a travel mug of tea for me (sometimes coffee) and just drive around to look at all the pretty lights.

6. I've been on a fairly strict diet for just over three weeks. No grains, no gluten, almost no dairy, very limited fat, and very limited eggs. Partly to clean out my system, but as a side benefit, I'm losing weight. 16 pounds right now to be exact. I plan to start incorporating more foods at the end of the week, now that my system seems pretty well cleaned out. That way I can see what my trigger foods are - those that make me gain weight, or simply not feel as well as I should. For some reason, this diet is easier than I thought, and I'm sticking to it better than I have to any diet in years! I feel tons better too.

7. I go through phases where I don't read a lot, and then I read heavily, like a book a day. I am one of those people who can't set a good book down. I would rather read sometimes than sleep, although I usually regret that in the morning.

And now for the seven blogs...

1. The Firefly Files - while it hasn't been updated in a while, it is truly a lovely blog, and is new to me!
2. Sage Parnassus - I like the tone of this blog, and the variety of resources used, plus it is very pretty!
3. A Small Tribe - fantastic photography (and more)!
4. Fairly Odd Mother - I like her humor, and her honesty in writing.
5. Freeflowing Ways - I like the relaxed approach, and all the lovely photos.
6. Almost Unschoolers - I like this blog because of all the hands-on, and well, because we're almost unschoolers!
and finally,
7. I Capture the Rowhouse - an eclectic blog that is fun to read!