Help Me Pick a New Blogger Template

I am on the hunt for a new blogger template, and I want to hear your opinions.

I'm currently using a template called NoteBook Scribbles, created by Blogger Candy.  It's absolutely adorable, but I feel like it can be difficult to read.  I always change the text to Arial, size large, to combat that problem. Plus, the mobile version is definitely lacking.


A few notes about what I'm looking for in a blogger template:

• A blending of minimalist and cutesy: I'd like a design that's mostly clean and simple, but with a few whimsical design elements.
• 2 Vertical Columns: I prefer the classic blog layout with the most recent post in the center of the screen, and menu links on the sidebar.
• Adapts to Mobile: My blog needs to be readable on smart phones.
• A design with a focus on text, not images: For example, I've seen a number of designs that have a large image (like a Facebook cover photo) at the top of each post. Does coming up with a cool-looking cover image for each and every post sound like a pain in the butt to anyone other than me?  Photos will never be the focus of my blog because I'm an extremely wordy writer.  Heck, I'm writing a long-winded description of what I'm looking for in a blogger template, instead of just getting on with showing you the templates that I'm considering.  I need a text-based design, people. And possibly an editor.
• FREE: This is probably the most important element, and in some ways the most difficult.  There are approximately twenty billion free blogger templates available on the internet, but somehow the designs I absolutely love are not free.  They aren't necessarily expensive, but cheap is not the same as free. When I set up my blog in early March, I promised myself that I wouldn't spend any money unless I posted regularly for at least six months.

Below are pictures of, and links to, the possible templates I've found so far with my commentary.  I've checked to see how well a couple of these convert to mobile, but not all of them. Any feedback ya'll have would be appreciated!

1. EverAfter

This template strikes an excellent balance between simple and cute, but I wish the navigation was on a side bar. View the live demo here.

Image Credit

2. Confit

This design looks great--IF you can find a cool looking background image.  The small images next to the popular post links look great too--IF your most popular posts include an image that looks great at that size.  Live Demo Here.

Image Source

3. Eclair

This design is simple and pretty, although it still has too many images for my taste.  Live Demo.

Image Source

4. Runo Lite

Clean and simple, with a focus on writing, not images.  Live Demo.

Image Source: MyTrickSchool.com

5. Festive Bokah (2 Column Version)

A cute template with a cute dotty pattern, and not too many images.

So, what do you think? Should I use one of these, or look for something else?  Make my heart smile by commenting on this post. :)