Delightfully Free to Liebster Away

It was perfectly delightful timing to receive a Liebster nomination from Erin at Seven Little Australians and Counting.  Russ is out of town, the kids are in bed, I have a pumpkin beer in hand (well, obviously not right now, because I'm tapping it out on the QWERTY two-handed, but it's near by...) and I have the evening free to tell you a little more about me.  Thanks, Erin!

Now, along with Erin, you'll be in-the-know about...

1. How do you express yourself creatively?  Wow.  Stumped by the first question is never a good thing...  I'm fairly creative, but I haven't thought of it much as expressing myself.  I get an enormous amount of satisfaction from being crafty - especially when the end result is something lovely and functional.  I love to sew and crochet most of all.  But in terms of expressing myself, I think it may be singing as prayer - in Church or alone.  I love to sing, but have a mediocre voice, so when I'm singing to pray I pretend like no one is listening and find it expressive.  

2. What is your favourite genre of books?  I currently read mostly non-fiction, but I love a good mystery, especially set in the past (like the Jane Austen Mysteries I've mentioned before.)  I also enjoy historical fiction, and popular historical non-fiction (like Shadow Divers, Endurance, and Unbroken, etc...)

3. What is a favourite childhood book?  Very difficult to just choose one, but I *think* I can narrow it down to two: The Riddle of the Drum, a tale from Tizapan, Mexico .  I received this book as an award when I was in Kindergarten or first grade, and I still have it and read it my kids!  The second is from high school:   His Enemy, His Friend, by John Tunis.   Read it.  (note: link is to Kindle Edition.)

4. If you had a whole day to 'yourself' what would you choose to do?  Go to Mass, then sew.

5. Would you consider yourself an introvert, extrovert or somewhere in the middle?  Introvert.  A dyed in the wool introvert.  

6. What is your preferred method of exercise?  none, unless it's done with a companion :)

7. Share a quote that has 'spoken' to you:

"A married woman must often leave God at the altar to find Him in her household care."

St. Frances of Rome

8. What is your favourite genre of movies?  British TV.  Some favorites (that's how we spell if over here, Erin ;) ) that are not as obvious as Downton Abbey include the  Horatio Hornblower Series and To Serve Them All My Days.  You MUST watch these.  Put them on your Christmas list because they are the best two series ever.  Right now, I'm also enjoying Foyle's War and The Paradise on Netflix.  

9. Share one blog you 'must read' regularly?  Someday (Hopefully) They'll Be Saints, by the fabulous Gina, is my new must-read spot, but I'm afraid that she'll be scared of me if I look too enthusiastic, so don't tell her it was me that sent you in her direction!  But do go there!  You'll enjoy getting to know her

10. How many bloggers and whom have you met irl?  In my little corner of the world, I know and see regularly the lovely Mary from Better Than Eden, and the hysterical Heather from Mama Knows, Honeychild, and among those I wish I saw more regularly is the indomitable Nella from Is There a McDonalds in Heaven?    Most recently, my sister, Sarah, has started blogging (yay!) at Too Wonderful, where she's written about books, our phenomenal parents, and... thongs :)   
I think that's it.  Hope I'm not missing anybody!

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So remember when I told you I'm an introvert??  I'm also a little shy and self conscious when it comes to stuff like "tagging" other people for posts.  This is a huge (and not a little uncomfortable) step for me... but I'm going to do it and ask if a handful of you want to join in...  If you don't, no hard feelings!  At all!  

Tagging...

Sarah at Too Wonderful
Amanda at Erring on the Side of Love
Gina at Someday (Hopefully) They'll be Saints
Christine at Splendor in the Home 
Ann-Maria at Ulczynski Update
Kathy at 9Peas

Asking... (I gave you a couple of my answers for fun!)

1. Have you ever had something stolen from you?  (me: yes, a beaded turtle coin purse :(  )

2. Show us your favorite internet meme or cartoon.

3. Can you show us a picture that tells us something about you (no words)?

4. What's one of your guilty pleasures?  (me: scented candles and watching Professional Bull Riding)
5. Is there a hobby/sport you'd like to learn?  
6. How do you see yourself spending your retirement (or golden years, as it were!)  (me: being alone with my husband!)
7. What was one of the most thoughtful gifts you've received? 
8. What's your biggest pet peeve (me: stepping in water with clean socks)
9. Have you started your Christmas shopping or crafting?  (send your awesome ideas my way!)
10. Blogger's Choice: You pick that awesome question that I'm forgetting to ask - the one you've been dying to answer!  (sorry!)

and then... pass it on!


I'd actually love if anyone else wanted to participate too.  Link your blog post back to here or answer some or all of the questions in the comments!  It's always fun to get to know each other on a little more informal level :)