Condo Blues: 2018

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 457

Wow! 2018 has flown by! It's time to link up your fantastic recipes, projects, and posts for the last party of the year!

Let's Party!



Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:



Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL
Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Dog Theme Christmas Tree Decor and Friday Favorites Linky Party 456

I like to switch up my collection of Christmas tree ornaments and decorations from year to year. It's a fun little challenge to keep things looking fresh by trying to create a loose theme based on the decoration in the Ornament Storage tub or whatever weird stuff we have around the house. For example, I used a Groot Halloween mask as a tree topper and childhood action figures on our small "fun" tree when someone challenged me to make a Marvel hero Christmas tree. But most years the theme is generally If You Like It Put It On the Main Tree, If It is Red Stick It On The Tree, or Stuff We Haven't Stuck On The Tree For Awhile. Creative, I know.

But this year we have an actual theme for our main Christmas tree - DOGS! - in honor of our best girl Lacey!

Hi Everyone! Happy Holidays!

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 455

We're counting down to Christmas and the end of the year and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us this week!

Be sure to check out my blog giveaway before you go!

Hamilton Beach Air Fryer Giveaway!

Let's Party!



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Sunday, December 9, 2018

How to Make an Outdoor Mod Podge Christmas Sign

I decorated outside my house with two lighted Santa Dachshund decorations similar to these as my crazy dog lady homage to our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Dachshund mix Lacey. (Disclosure; I am including affiliate links in this post for your convenience.)

Lacey Condo Blues
I fell asleep while Lisa was decorating the Christmas tree and woke up in a Christmas collar! 
She's bonkers about decorating for the holidays.

In the décor world, an odd number of decorations is usually more visually pleasing than even numbers which is why my two little Christmas dogs looked a little sad and lonely. I wanted to make a DIY vertical Christmas sign to fill that visual void but I don’t have big stencils to paint it or fancy die cutting machine to use vinyl letters.  Instead I used my crafty BFF Mod Podge to make a weather resistant outdoor decoration.

Yes! You can use Mod Podge on outdoor decorating projects and it will brave the elements – as long as you use the right formula. Keep reading and I’ll tell you how!

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 454

Wow friends you made it very difficult to pick ONE favorite project, recipe, or post idea to feature in today's link party because there were so many awesome ideas! I absolutely love that!

So please, as a favorite to me, make my job a little harder and keep bringing the awesome! Thank you!

Be sure to check out my blog giveaways before you go!


$300 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!


and

Hamilton Beach Air Fryer Giveaway!



Let's Party!



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Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

This post and giveaway are sponsored by Hamilton Beach. I have received the a Hamilton Beach Air Fryer for review, however, all opinions are my own. #ad #HamiltonBeach


I love a good falafel but hate the idea of the big mess it makes when you deep fry it on the stove in the kitchen. The idea of my chickpea goodness swimming in a pot of oil before it hits my plate and into my belly.  But not so, when you make falafel in an air fryer!


Keeping reading and I'll teach you how to make this easy air fryer falafel recipe! Pin this post to your Pinterest boards for later! Share it with your friends!

Saturday, December 1, 2018

10 Meaningful and Inexpensive Gift Ideas Under $25

I am one of those rare people who actually likes to shop for Christmas gifts. I shop year round for items that are a mix of heartfelt, practical, necessary, and/or treat yo’ self quirky cool. When December comes around, I usually finish the rest of my shopping for meaningful gifts on Amazon in December.

Yes.

on Amazon.

And on a budget.


in this post to your Pinterest boards for later! Share it with your friends!

Don’t believe me?

Well, check out my holiday gift guide of ideas below and keep reading to the bottom of this post to enter my $300 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 453

It is the season of giving and before we kick off our fantastic link party with your creative projects, recipes, ideas, and posts, I want to give you a little tip - I am giving away a Kitchenaid Mixer on my food blog Lazy Budge Chef!





Make sure you pop on over to Lazy Budget Chef and enter the KitchenAid Mixer Giveaway here after you've shared and read all of the awesome that is what this link party is all about.


Let's Party!



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Friday, November 23, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 452

Happy Thanksgiving to my American readers!

Lacey is wistfully wishing my homemade Brioche croutons rain down from the sky and into her mouth.

Lacey on Condo Blues
Oh for the noms!

It won't happen but I do see some homemade sweet potato dog treats in her very near future. It's a holiday after all!

Let's Party!



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Tuesday, November 20, 2018

9 Ways to Make a Combo Home Office, Craft Room, Guest Bedroom Welcoming for Guests

Like many people I have a guest bedroom that does double duty. 90% of the time it is my sewing room and craft studio. Every once and awhile it hosts a guest. That  can make it challenging to make it a welcoming, hotel like guest room experience for my visitors when I’m in the middle of working on a big sewing project – but not impossible!

9 Guest Room Must Haves for the Best Most Inviting Stay


9 Guest Room Must Haves for the Best Most Inviting Stay
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Thursday, November 15, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 451

Parents often do a theme birthday party for their children. Last week I ended up with a musical birthday by accident.

I spent my birthday on stage with 58 of my closest friends at the historical Lincoln Theater at a concert band dress rehearsal!


The Lincoln Theater opened in Columbus in 1929 and quickly became known as a place to see such jazz greats Count Basie and Cab Calloway, among others. The City of Columbus saved it from demolition in the early 2000s, refurbished it, and it now hosts a wide variety of entertainment options - including little 'ol me.

Let's Party!



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Thursday, November 1, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 449

I had the most incredible experience this week. I got to meet, learn about, and hold a falcon!


Please don't yell at me about the furs, animal lovers. First, they are vintage and second, they didn't have anything to make cold weather clothing about of but animal products in the time period I'm portraying in the photo. Thanks.  

While dressed as a pretty, pretty princess. 

Cool, huh?

Let's Party!

Sunday, October 28, 2018

The One Thing You AREN’T Doing to Save Money on Your Heating Bill but Should!

In 2008, my husband and I started a year long project to reduce our utility bills by what we though was a too lofty goal of 20% with cheap home improvements and new habits. We beat our original goal and reduced our electricity and natural gas our use by 32%!

We’ve kept our yearly average lower than comparable size energy efficient rated homes in our area for 10 years running and with all of the things that make life worth living: holiday lights, electronics, and toasty warm toes in the dead of winter.

So while my heating bill stayed low and the rest of the house is toasty warm (thanks in no small part to adding weather stripping like this to the bottom on my window sashes installing a programmable thermostat like this one and using it) my laundry room was always colder than the rest of the house. (Disclosure: I am including affiliate links in this post for your convenience.)

the one thing you MUST do to save money on your energy bill
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Monday, October 22, 2018

How to Make an Easy Hot Glue Embossed Wood Sign

Call me Danger Girl. I have to admit hot glue is one my favorite adhesives even though it has the potential to sear off my fingerprints. I use hot glue to glue stuff together all of the time but using hot glue to make the craft itself? Not so much. 

Which is why I was very interested when a review copy of the book  Hot Glue Hacks and Crafts 50 Fun and Creative Décor, Fashion, Gift and Holiday Project to Make with Your Glue Gun by Angie Holden and Carolina Moore was delivered to my doorstep. I was happy to learn the book does not feature your typical crafts put together with hot glue. Instead Hot Glue Hacks and Crafts teaches you how to make the craft elements almost entirely out of hot glue – including a pair of flip flop shoes!

(I reviewed a copy of the book for review but that has no bearing on giving you my honest review of it. I am including affiliate links for the items I used to make this project in this post for your convenience.)


One of the things I like about craft books like Hot Glue Hacks and Crafts is how it can inspire you to use several techniques from different tutorials in the book to make a totally different hot glue gun craft on your own. In this case, I drew inspiration from the Hot Glue Embossed Vase and Hot Glue Party Cake Topper projects to make an embossed hot glue Love wood wall sign.

DIY hot glue embossed Love sign
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DIY Hot Glue Wall Art Tutorial

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 447

Let's Party!



Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL
Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!



You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Thursday, October 11, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 446

Let's Party!



Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL
Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!



You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Sunday, October 7, 2018

How to Clean a Dryer Vent the Easy Way!

Even if you clean the link trap/screen in your dryer after every load lint can still build up in the dryer duct, vent, and end cap. Dryer lint is highly flammable (which is one the reasons why people use it to make homemade fire starters) and according to experts it doesn’t take much for accumulated dryer lint to cause a dryer fire.

Fortunately, there are easy steps to help prevent this:

1. Clean the lint trap or screen after every load you put in the dryer.

2. Clean the dryer vent and dryer a few times a year.
Cleaning a dryer duct is so easy! You don’t even need to take it apart! 

Not to mention, your dryer will run more efficiently, use less energy, and lower your electric bill  if it is lint free.

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How to Clean an Electric Dryer Vent Without Taking it Apart

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 445

Let's Party!



Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL
Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!



You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Sunday, September 30, 2018

How to Change a Pocket Watch Battery

Like most people, I rely on my cell phone to tell time. On those occasions when I shouldn’t be checking my modern phone throughout the day  when I’m doing a historical performance gig, I tell time with a pocket watch.

Sometimes I'll woman’s pocket watch necklace like this one just because I like it or I need a long necklace to go with an outfit. The added benefit of using a watch necklace I suppose. (Disclosure: I am including big bold affiliate links in this post for your convenience.)

Why is my Watch Losing Time and How Do I Repair It?

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 444

Let's Party!



Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL
Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst
|
If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!



You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 443

Let's Party!



Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL
Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst
|
If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!



You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Allergy Free Trick or Treat Idea: DIY Ghost Bubbles

Since I have a food intolerance that is so severe I have to pretty much treat it like an allergy, I know first hand how much it stinks to get a bag full of Trick or Treat candy on Halloween that I’m grateful but can’t eat most of it.

Total bummer.

That’s why I display a teal pumpkin to let my Trick or Treaters know that I have food allergy safe treats to hand on out Halloween. We let the kids decide if they want a Treat or Prize.  My husband mans the Treat bowl full of candy. I man the Prize bowl with non food treats. 

This year’s food allergy safe Trick or Treat Prize is ghost bubbles. Let’s make some!



Pin this idea to your Pinterest boards for later! Share it with your friends!



You will need:

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 442

Hey, hey, hey! Happy Fall y'all!

This week we added 2 new hostesses to the list. They are set up to start hosting with us next week:  Lauren of All About That Mommy Life and Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer.  Please check out their blogs and follow, follow, follow all of their awesomeness!

Let's Party!


Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:
Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL
Jennifer at Busy Being Jennifer - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst
|
If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Sunday, September 9, 2018

How to Watch Spectrum Cable without a Digital Cable Box

Spectrum Cable TV is switching all of their customers over to digital cable boxes. Which means you now need a digital cable box on every TV in your house in order to watch to watch Spectrum’s new and supposedly improved digital cable TV signal.

That’s all well and good for our main television set in the living room but I’d rather not rent a second cable box for the older flat panel TV we intermittently use in our home office.

Yeah, yeah. I know. Cable TV is old fashioned and costly. This extra annoyance has made me think about cord cutting. (Well, this and I think Spectrum’s service has gotten worse since Charter bought them.)

But as of now cable TV is part of a bundle and I’d like to use what I’m already paying for to watch the news or a movie on the second TV in my office without the extra expense of renting a second cable box or buying a new TV.

Pin this post to Pinterest for later! Share it with your friends!


How to Watch Spectrum Cable on an Older TV Set

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 441

Let's Party!

Time to link up and share your fantastic craft and DIY projects, recipes, tutorials, and ideas! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us this week!

Friday Favorites DIY craft and recipe link up party on Condo Blues

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Maisy at Becoming Alice - FB | G+ | Pin
Sheree at Stage Presents - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

Best diy craft recipe and tutorial ideas of the week
You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

How to Make a Statement Ring from Old Earrings and Pendants

I broke the back off one of my favorite earrings. You know the kind of costume jewelry you wear to death because it goes with practically everything you have to wear in your closet? Yeah, that.

I didn’t mourn the loss for long. I need a bunch of big ol’ princess rings for my Halloween and renaissance festival costumes and with a little crafty DIY I made my broken earring into a statement ring.

how to make renaissance rings

Parading around the grounds with the Queen and court!


How to Make Costume Jewelry Rings the Easy Way!

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 440

Let's Party!

Time to link up and share your fantastic craft and DIY projects, recipes, tutorials, and ideas! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us this week!

Friday Favorites DIY craft and recipe link up party on Condo Blues

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Maisy at Becoming Alice - FB | G+ | Pin
Sheree at Stage Presents - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

Best diy craft recipe and tutorial ideas of the week
You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Sunday, August 26, 2018

How to Repair a Front Load Washing Machine that Will Not Drain

I think I am one of the only people in the United States who actually likes her front loading washing machine. That’s why I panicked when my trusty Whirlpool Duet washer stopped in the middle of a cleaning cycle and flashed me a F21 error.

I didn’t want to use a washing machine that will not wash as an excuse to buy a new one. We’ve been good to each other. I wanted to save her, not replace her.

Fortunately, an F21 error on my washing machine means the drain is clogged and is a very simple fix you can do yourself!

 

How to Clean a Clogged Washing Machine Drain


How to fix a Whirlpool Duet washing machine error code F21
Pin this tutorial to your Pinterest boards for later! share it with your friends!

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 439

Let's Party!

Time to link up and share your fantastic craft and DIY projects, recipes, tutorials, and ideas! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us this week!

Friday Favorites DIY craft and recipe link up party on Condo Blues

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Maisy at Becoming Alice - FB | G+ | Pin
Sheree at Stage Presents - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

Best diy craft recipe and tutorial ideas of the week
You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Small Space Garage Workshop Organizer Ideas for Short People

It is amazing how the size of an empty garage shrinks once you park the car. Or at least it felt that way after we bought our condo.  I have to get really creative when it comes to carving out but storage space AND workspace in a small garage. Add to the mix that I’m short gal and most organizers are made for people much taller than me and really creative turns into super duper really creative.

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Starting the right of my workshop is my shop vac  (This is the exact wall mounted remote controlled wet dry vacuum I bought ) that is always right where I need it for dust collection when I’m working with power tools on the workbench. I thought I’d miss having the giant size shop vac like everyone says you are supposed to have but I really like the smaller size because it is much easier to empty (compost bins LOOOOVE sawdust!) and heft around the house. Not to mention, it won’t get buried under stuff hanging on the wall.

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 438

Let's Party!

Time to link up and share your fantastic craft and DIY projects, recipes, tutorials, and ideas! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us this week!

Friday Favorites DIY craft and recipe link up party on Condo Blues

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Maisy at Becoming Alice - FB | G+ | Pin
Sheree at Stage Presents - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

Best diy craft recipe and tutorial ideas of the week
You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Friday Favorites Linky Party 437

Let's Party!

Time to link up and share your fantastic craft and DIY projects, recipes, tutorials, and ideas! I can't wait to see what you have in store for us this week!

Friday Favorites DIY craft and recipe link up party on Condo Blues

Please support and follow our lovely blog party hostesses:

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Maisy at Becoming Alice - FB | G+ | Pin
Sheree at Stage Presents - Twitter | FB | Pin | Inst | Inst
Lisa at Condo Blues - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Penny at Penny's Passion - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst
Kelly at Under a Texas Sky - Twitter | FB | G+ | Pin | Inst | BL

If you are featured this week, be sure and grab a featured button for your blog!

Best diy craft recipe and tutorial ideas of the week
You can show your love for this week's favorites by going over and commenting on the posts and by pinning or sharing!

And if you love all of this week's favorites, please pin, share, and invite your friends to this week's linky party!