Around the Block: News, Happenings, and Cool Websites

One of my favorite new websites is Kitchen Stewardship. Katie’s blog is a refreshing mix of practicality, healthy recipes, whole food tips, and green living—all from a Christian perspective.

She writes, “Kitchen Stewardship is dedicated to balancing God’s gifts of time, health, earth and money.” I’ve already learned so much from Katie, although I’ve only been subscribed for a few weeks.

Make sure you check out her Real Food Face-Off series, where she invites guest bloggers to share their stories of whole food eating. Lots and lots of great information here.

Feeling a little down in the dreariness of winter? I actually am starting to come out of my seasonal funk with the newness of the year and the ever-so-slight lengthening of days. But we still have a long way to go until the warmth of late April.

I heard an interview last week with the author of this article from New York magazine. It’s 50 Simple Steps to Happiness. Many of them are New York-centric, but some of the broadly appealing ones include making your bed everyday (FlyLady has known this for years!) and painting your walls yellow. I love the practicality of these and surrounding yourself with the scent of cucumber!

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I’ll be attending my first-ever blogging conference in a few short weeks. Blissdom will be held at Opryland here in Nashville.

Blissdom Conference ~ Nashville ~ February 4-6 2010

The speakers and workshops are to be amazing PLUS Harry Connick, Jr. (Harry! Connick! Jr.!, people) is slated to be a special guest. I think until my husband heard of the special guest, he thought I was going to something like a glorified moms’ night out. But with Harry on the agenda? “Oh! That’s a big deal! Like A-level big time!” Uh-huh, baby.

I expect to learn a lot, meet some fabulous women bloggers/writers/communicators, and be inspired beyond belief. I’m especially excited about two small group opportunities: a dinner/discussion with the Savvy Blogging gals and a dinner with the Faithful Blogger gals.

I'm Going to Savvy Blogging

And the best part? In an unexpected last-minute decision, Rebecca @ Toothwhale and I got a room at the Opryland Hotel for one night. Yay! A night in a hotel. I barely remember what that is like.

If you are going to Blissdom and you and I don’t know each other in real life, please leave me a note in the comments. I’m trying to create a master list of all the people I want to meet there.