Congratulations to Newtown resident Nora Murphy, author and designer of the NM Connecticut Country House blog. CCH has been nominated for the 2016 Design Bloggers Hall of Fame for Best Overall Blog. The awards will be presented during the 2016 Design Bloggers Conference at the Grand Hyatt Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta on March 7. Nora is thrilled, she says, because her cozy blog is very different from the "chic and uber modern" blogs of the other nominees in this category. "My blog, connecticutcountryhouse.com, is an inviting combination of the down-to-earth and the elegant, a perspective on country living filled with joy, humor, and beautiful style. I've created a site where I can share my passion for decorating, gardening, and entertaining in simple bite-size tips, because I believe everyone is entitled to live beautifully, comfortably, and happily. To me, this is what interior design is: helping people do just that," Nora tells me. Here's where readers come in: check out Nora's blog at www.connecticutcountryhouse.com, if you aren't familiar with it. If you are in agreement that CCH is the blog of all blogs (and I think you will agree), cast your vote, by next Monday, February 8, to support Nora at http://design-bloggers-conference.com/hall-of-fame-awards-2016/. "I've known about this Design Bloggers Conference from past years. Friends have encouraged me to attend, but for one reason or another, I never did," Nora says. In early January, a handful of loyal CCH friends nominated CCH through an online nomination process, and when CCH was announced as one of the five finalists in the Best Overall category, "You could have knocked me over with a feather1! Really," says Nora. I'm looking forward to hearing that Nora walks away with the trophy on March 7, aren't you?

According to the Connecticut Library Consortium, this Saturday, February 6, is Take Your Child to the Library Day, "an international initiative that encourages families everywhere to take their children to their local library." And our town library is also celebrating this page-turning day, according to Children's Librarian Alana Bennison. "The Winter Express Magic Show," an interactive program for ages 3 to 8, is running from 10 am to 11 am, and artist Paula Brinkman will lead creating a wall mural for Nunnawauk Meadows, from 2 pm to 3 pm, for ages 6 to 10. Register for these programs at chboothlibrary.org. Library Director Brenda McKinley says the library staff is always happy to sign people up for new library cards. There's nothing like a library card to cherish from kittenhood to cathood.

Newtown High School graduate Kevin Droniak and his grandmother, Lillian Droniak, have been making YouTube videos for PBS. As of Monday, February 1, the most recent "The ChatterBox PBS" page video featured Monroe Senior Center members answering random questions posed by the duo.

Here's a sweet way to celebrate Valentine's Day: Caraluzzi's Newtown Market, 5 Queen Street, will host The Animal Center's Winter Cat Food Drive, beginning February 14. Donations of Friskies brand wet and dry food are requested, but all donations are welcome, through February 28. Bins will be located inside the store.

And just ahead of Valentine's Day, the Newtown Animal Control Shelter Facebook page shares some heart-breakingly adorable photos of adoptable dogs wearing red and pink (love those fluffy boas), posing with a pink heart-shaped pillow imprinted with "XOXO." I think I even detect a smile on some of the dogs posed next to roses and chocolates. If it didn't go against my catty nature, I would have to say that I might have some new crushes on this Valentine's Day. My paws are crossed that someone out there finds it in his or her heart to give at least one of these sweet valentines a forever home.

If you had the chance to catch the Newtown Choral Society winter concert last month, and found yourself wondering how to become part of this tuneful group, here's your chance. Rehearsals for the spring concert begin Wednesday, February 17, at 7 pm, in the Newtown Middle School choral room. NCS invites all singers who have only the desire to learn about and make music with others, to join. There are no auditions. Singers will be placed in sections at the discretion of director Mary Andreotta. Contact lel@sel-ltd.com for more information.

Are you looking for reasons to celebrate? Pick between the Lunar New Year on Monday, February 8, Lincoln's birthday on Friday, February 12 (maybe you feel like making a cake in the shape of a tall hat?) and Presidents' Day on Monday, February 15. Sandwiched in between is Ash Wednesday, February 10, the start of the Christian Lenten season. Seems like there should be something to keep you busy.

Now here's an activity that I can sink my teeth into - that's just an expression, you understand… The 19th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count will take place Friday, February 12, through Monday, February 15, this year. Participants are asked to count birds for as little as 15 minutes on one or more days of the four-day event and report that number at birdcount.org. If you can count, you can take part. Everyone is welcome, from beginning bird watchers to experts. Visit the official website at www.birdcount.org for more information.

Newtown Bee sports editor Andy Hutchison is reporting good luck on training his new puppy to not devour his boots, but less luck in preventing the ingestion of leaves. Chasing leaves seemed like a fun pastime until the little pup caught the rolling foliage and made a snack of it - "Beleaf it or not," as Andy quipped.

My whiskers were on high alert and caught the news that former Sandy Hook/Newtown Deli owner Artie Praino has started renovations on a space in New Milford, where he plans to open his newest venture, Zaragoza, this spring. Artie's new place will serve tapas, craft cocktails, and craft beers, as well as some tasty desserts, I hear. Good luck, Artie - I'll be listening for the rumbles of a grand opening.

I'll be listening for news to rumble by this week, too, so be sure to… Read me again.