Because I'm sure y'all are waiting for my words of wisdom...

My bloggy pal Jo-Lynne over at Musings of a Housewife is hosting a brand-spanking new weekly carnival called, "What I Learned This Week."




Isn't she too clever? I can't wait to play along -- not because I have weekly earth-shattering epiphanies, but perhaps writing such a post will help me be able to recognize the beauty in the small moments, yanno?

The idea is for the carnival to be fun and easy. Just write a post on what you've been learning over the past week -- it can be serious, funny, heartwarming, you name it. (Seeing as how I've been ankle-deep in vomit for the past three days, you can bet my post is going to be PRO-FOUND. I'm sure y'all will be on pins and needles all weekend wondering what words of wisdom I will espouse. Ha!)

All you've got to do is put your post up sometime on Tuesday, January 27th. Then, link up the post's permalink over at the Mr. Linky on Jo-Lynne's site. And, be sure and link back to her in your post so people know what's going on.


Then, go read some of the other participating posts and leave lots of comments. Everyone loves comments, y'all. Seriously. It can make or break a blogger's day. :)

That's it. Easy peasy. See ya next week! Have a great weekend!

Blog Party!

Last weekend, I ventured into the Big City for my very first blogger get-together. Whittaker Woman helped spearhead an effort to organize a "get-to-know-you" dinner for 40-some bloggers. And, while I thought most would be from the Atlanta area, turns out people came from all over -- South Carolina, Florida, even as far as California.

It felt a little weird going to an event where I was going to meet people "in person" who I had first "met" on the Internet. Very surreal. And a little scary. But within minutes of walking through the door, I fell into conversation with the most wonderful people.

To start, I finally got to meet fellow Georgia blogging pal Soliloquy. Love. Her. She's as down to earth in real life as she is on her blog.

I chatted about Twitter with Natalie, shared a few laughs with Erika and Vanessa, and found a kindred spirit in Cookie. Michelle and I commiserated over the trials and tribulations of raising picky eaters. I also met Jacinda -- who makes the most adorable flower hair clips (I happened to win one!) -- and Liege, who made the trip from Califorinia with her 7-week-old baby girl (absolutely precious, she was).

I've added so many new blogs to my reader and can't wait to read about the lives of these amazing women.

Hopefully, we'll all get a chance to meet up again.

Spreading the Bloggy Love...

I never cease to be amazed by this thing called the Blogosphere. It seems so bizarre to say it, but I've made so many great friends, most of whom I've never met in real life (that's the bizarre part).

A couple weeks ago, I won a contest over at Raising A & C -- the prize was my very most favorite new mascara -- Covergirl lashBlast. That was terrific enough -- but you know what else the fabulous "mah-meeee" threw in? Check it out:

That's Godiva chocolate and you'll notice TWO mascaras. And, because that girl understands my picky eater struggles -- a box of Mickey-a-roni and cheese. She's such a great bloggy friend. Isn't she the coolest?

Then, my pal Domestic Spaz sent an award my way!

Like mah-meeee, Spaz has been a blogging friend from the very beginning. I wanted to turn right around and bestow this award on her, because I do heart her blog. But, she obviously already received the award. So, I'm following the rules and passing on the love to seven other worthy recipients:

She Just Had to Say It -- for having the courage to spill the beans (the good, bad and engorged).

Finding Me in the Madness -- because there is no one more committed to health and well-being than Heather.

Domestic Accident -- because her baby steps toward green living are so inspiring, and she's got a wicked sense of humor.

Such the Spot -- because Darcie's writing is first rate and every post she writes is well worth the read.

Just Pure Lovely -- because Lori's photos inspire me to keep trying for just the right picture.

Style for the Stay at Home Mom -- for Leah's love of clothes, books and all things Banana Republic.

Gourmet Momma -- for always having an easy solution to the "What's for Dinner?" quandry.

And finally, one last bit of bloggy love. One of my closest college friends has finally started a blog. It took Lori a while to come over to the "Dark Side" (heck, it took me six months to convince her to create a Google profile so she could stop commenting as "Anonymous"), but she's finally jumped in with both feet. Go check out her new digs over at Barefoot in High Heels. And feel free to pass around some bloggy love -- leave her a comment!

And I'd like to thank...the little fish

Have y'all met my pal Domestic Spaz? Can I just say, she is so cool.

Last week the two of us were talking about the vastness of the blogosphere.

There are just so many blogs.

Of course, there are "the big blogs" -- the blogs we all have in our feed readers. But for those of us with only a handful of subscribers, as opposed to hundreds, it's sometimes hard to shake the feeling that you're a very small fish in a very large pond.

So, you know what Spaz goes and does?

She creates an award. For the little fish.

See why I love her?

She is one smart (not to mention inclusive) cookie.

Each week she has decided to feature a "little fish" blog -- one you don't find all over other people's blogrolls.

And, you know who her first award recipient is? Me! **blush**

I'm so honored -- I don't know what to say! The Little Fish Society is a club that I am more than proud to join, my friend! Thanks so much for the terrific acknowledgement.

So, what "little fish" blogs do you read? What "lesser known" blogs continually have you coming back for more or crack you up with their content? Leave a comment and let me know, or even better, head over and let Spaz know. Because she wants to award the Little Fish to blogs recommended by y'all.

See. I told you she was cool.

Bloggy Business

This is the first time I've been able to really sit down and blog in weeks and this post has been a long time in coming. Kendra at A Superhero, A Princess and A Monkey and Domestic Spaz have given me the Arte Y Pico award. Wow! I am so honored -- particularly because I'm a huge fan of their blogs. Both have three kids, just like me. So, we've all got a lot in common.

The Arte Y Pico award (not Pico de Gallo award -- which I'm sure would be quite a tasty award in and of itself) basically translates, "Wow. The best art. Over the top."

Gosh. I feel like such an artist! An artist who needs a margarita to celebrate! Thanks for thinking of me girls!

Winners are supposed to pass this award on to other blogs that are deserving due to their creativity, design, interesting material and contributions to the blogging community. Well, Lizz at Yes, and So is My Heart, Jackie at Our Moments, Our Memories and Kellie at La Vida Dulce -- this one's for you!

Honing My Photographic Skills (or lack thereof)

Have I mentioned before that I lived abroad?

It was years ago, in the beginning of our marriage. My husband was transfered to England for work. It allowed us to do a lot of traveling. We visited nine countries in Europe and Asia within a year.

My pictures from those trips, I'm ashamed to say, probably total about 40. Most were taken by my husband, who feels a snapshot is not worth its salt if it doesn't have a smiling person in it.

Looking back, I could kick myself at the missed photographic opportunities. But, at that point in my life, photography just didn't really appeal to me. I was always forgetting the camera or forgetting to get the film developed. Not to mention, film developing is expensive and, with photographic skills like mine, I could only be guaranteed one or two good shots out of a roll of 36.

But then two random events came together and changed my perspective. First, I had a baby. A subject to photograph! Someone who would look adorable, no matter what kind of picture I snapped. Then, there was the advent of the digital camera, which meant I could take as many pictures as I wanted and only develop the best of them.

So for my birthday six years ago, I got my first point and shoot digital camera. Since then, I've taken hundreds, probably thousands, of pictures. It's been a good little camera, my Canon Powershot. But recently, I discovered that I've reached a point where I need a better camera. One with faster shutter speed (don't I sound like an expert all of a sudden?).

This year for my birthday, I got a Canon Rebel Digital SLR.

It is fancy.

I'm sure if I hit just the right buttons, it would prepare a delicious dinner for me.

Or it would self destruct.

One or the other.

So, I keep the dial safely on the "auto" setting.

But, I do need to get out there and practice with it.

Lori over at Just Pure Lovely is encouraging everyone to pick up their cameras and do just that. Lori's pictures are amazing. This week, she's offering up a few photography tips for us beginners, starting with "take a lot of pictures." The more pictures we snap, the more likely we are to capture that perfect moment on film. On Friday, Lori will post a Mr. Linky so everyone can show off the best photos they took this week.

I'm going to play along. You know, give it a shot.

Or several hundred.

Whatever the case may be.

Books and Stuff

Whoo! It has been a week. We've had family in town and we've been running around doing every recreational activity under the sun -- tennis, golf, swimming, fishing. It's a tough life, I know. ;) And, in my down time, life could be summed up in a continual routine of feeding the masses and cleaning up after the masses. Six kids running around can really wreak havoc on a house. But, truth be told, all the work is more than made up for in the laughter, memories and time spent together.

I've also just finished reading The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. I've got to tell y'all, I couldn't put it down. If you're at all into Gothic fiction (think Jane Eyre and Rebecca), this one really is a must read. It starts off a little slowly, but picks up quickly and holds you in its grip right to the end. The writing is beautiful and the plot is well thought out. I was so sad to see it end.

But, I needn't be sad for long because my reading pile continues to grow. This week I actually won TWO books! Can you believe it? I never win anything! First, I won a copy of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil from Domestic Spaz. The book and movie are legendary, and I've read/seen neither. It's been years since I've visited Savannah. This book might be just the inspiration I need.

Then, over at Jo-Lynne's review site, I won a copy of Practically Posh: The Smart Girls' Guide to a Glam Life. It's all about living the high life on a budget. I am going to be fancy, folks! Move over Posh Spice, there's a new sista in town.

That's right.

The name's "Practically Posh."

You can call me "P.P." for short.

Um, on second thought, maybe not.

I never thought I'd use these two words together in one post...

Okay -- two quick things that I found of interest this week:

If you don't know what you're making for dinner tonight, go to the store and get what you need for this Mexican Pizza right now! It is soooooo easy to put together and tastes awesome. To give you an idea, my 5-year-old daughter actually opted to eat a slice of this over the regular cheese pizza I made. That is no small feat. Believe me. (BTW, if you haven't checked out Gourmet Momma, you are so missing out. Nikki's recipes are always easy, delicious and figure friendly.)

Switching gears a little -- ever had a run in with lice? We had a lice scare last summer and it flipped me out, to put it lightly. That's why this post on conquering lice by Slacker Mom is so great. Tons of helpful information -- and even better, she gives ideas for preventing the little buggers from setting up residence in the first place. Mint shampoo, anyone?

I know. After that discussion, you're probably not hungry anymore.

Sorry.

Worth the Read...

A few interesting things I read on the 'net this week:

Hands Only CPR -- CBS News

Geneva Hosts Huge Inventions Fair -- Yahoo. I'm sold on the self-making bed, but I think I'll hold off on the nose hair.

Easier Finger Foods -- Life's Not a Paragraph. Can I tell you how much aggravation this saved me this week? It's brilliant.

Wal-Mart Has Gone Soft -- This Ain't New York. This cracked me up! The characterization is dead on.

Have a great weekend!