Thursday thanks (versatile blogger award edition)

I've got plenty to be thankful for, since I've made the Big Time.
I've been graced with a Versatile Blogger Award!

The "official rules" of the Versatile Blogger Award are that you must: (1) Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post. (2) Share 7 things about yourself. (3) Pass this Award along to 15 recently discovered blogs.

But I'm a fan of breaking the rules. (I put more than 500 miles on every pair of running shoes, and I regularly wear white pants after Labor Day. Call me a rebel and judge me if you must.)

Sandra Day O'Connor being sworn in as a Supreme Court Justice

Because... let's admit... this award's rules make it seem a bit like a chain email (remember those from the early days of the interwebs?) or a Facebook post that warns you that you'll lose all your money, friends, and health if you don't re-post RIGHT NOW. (Why do the originators love their CAPS LOCK key so much?)

But rules or no rules, I am honored by this award.

I do want to thank Chef Mom, Chef Dad, Mr. N and Miss A over at Eat, Play, Love for suggesting that my blog was worthy of Versatile Blogger status. Their recipes, geography lessons, travelogues, and fabulous photography set them apart from other culinary blogs. (Plus it's hard not to love a blog in which the youngest child is picky about some foods, but has a deep appreciation for balsamic vinegar. Go figure.) Drop by Eat, Play, Love and say hi! You'll be glad you did.

10/30/11 Update: I also want to than Megan at Watch MeGo Run for a second nomination for the award. Her blog manages to be both upbeat and down to earth, and is one of the blogs I read regularly. Thanks Megan!

I also regularly post "gems of the web," so here are a handful of the posts I've come across this week that immediately struck me as having Versatile Blogger status. (There are plenty of excellent blogs I follow, but I am not about to count to 15 just to fill space. Just visit again soon. I post lovely new discoveries whenever I find them.)

• Megan at On The Road Again posted the most balanced analysis of marathon mom that I've seen so far. Bravo!
• And for a much more tounge-in-cheek perspective on the whole ordeal, drop by The Last Mile Lounge. Jamoosh picks up on the "real news" buried in the headline that "oh my god, a woman ran the Chicago Marathon then delivered a baby!" (It's hilarious.)
• Silly Girl Running's Wordless Wednesdays are always a delight.
• The Running Historian has a brief word about sulking while injured and getting over it.
• And if you can't get over it, maybe you can travel on the cheap? Woman Seeks World has suggestions for four ways to find free accommodations anywhere in the world.

(Ladies and gents, if you've been tagged, feel free to claim the award and skip any, or all, "rules.")

What's YOUR favorite blog?

I'm always looking for new reading suggestions!

Photo courtesy of the U.S. National Archives