I’ve been working on this on and off for a couple of weeks now…
I love to “Link Up” and since you all were such awesome guests, brought awesome food and didn’t trash my house at my last party 
I figured out a way to host my own Linky Parties!
Unfortunately, I had to go outside of WordPress to do it. Free WordPress sites don’t allow Javascript plug-ins the way Blogger does and since I’m not committed to purchasing a self-hosted site at this point I created a shadow blog on Blogger. I have no intention of giving up my WordPress site, this is my home, but there is a certain amount of freedom to be found on Blogger…specifically Linky Parties and Blog Hops.
I’ve also spent some time researching different ways to “link” and for now I’ve settled on Linky Tools. Right now I am experimenting with their Free 30 Day Trial. I think this is giving me everything I want in a Linky tool and we have the next month to test it out. And this is a HUGE upgrade from the last freebie tool I used because it actually shows the Thumbnails of your selected images!
I know it’s a bummer to have to leave WordPress but it’s only one click! Here’s how to party with me:
Click here. This will take you to my new Justa-FrugalFoodie site and the actual Linky Party post. Highlight the address in your browser (I actually open a few tabs in my browser to make the flow easier). Go back to the recipe post you want to share and edit it by adding this link stating you are linking with Fantastic Food Fridays. This is courtesy in any Link-Up and let’s others know where your post is being shared across the web. For an example of how I Link Up see this post and scroll to the very bottom.
Click on the blue “Click Here To Enter” link.
You’ll be asked the following:
Link It To…if you’re linking Baked Beans from your blog this is where you enter the direct link to your Baked Beans post…not your homepage…I always delete the existing http:/ because every link I enter already has it.
Caption…this is the title of your post…if you are linking Baked Beans then type “Baked Beans”
Email…this is a way of reducing spam. Your email will not show publicly. I think I will be able to see if from the back end but I have no use for your personal email and will never share it for any reason at any time.
Name is Optional…You can leave it or not
Let Me Crop My Own Image…Choose the From Web option. This will bring up every picture from your Baked Bean post as well as any other image associated with your home page. Click the image you want, move the “cropper” around to focus on the best part of your image then click “done” or “select” or something like that…I actually forget what it says.
I’ve already tested it by linking up my New Mexico Style Chili Chicken Casserole so you can see what the final product looks like.
Next…Leave me a Comment to let me know you visited and what you “brought to the party”.
And finally, click around to the other entries!! Even if you don’t participate in the party and are just lurking! Clicks are especially important this first time around!! First, they let me know if I have my back-end settings set the way I want them. Once I have that determined, clicks are important because we all love “Views” and Comments…so leave some comments for your fellow foodies!!
And here’s another reason why clicking around is important…I plan on making this an every Friday event. If I have my settings set correctly I should be able to see the “Most Viewed” links. Each weekend I will take the Most Viewed links and Feature them not only on the next Fantastic Foods Friday but I will feature them on my Pinterest account, my Facebook page and my Twitter account! This will give your blog added exposure and hopefully bring in new followers!
So what do you say WordPressers?! Are you ready to party again?
The link is open. Let’s get the party started!
I tried to link up, but it looks like it’s closed. I’ll get on the next one!
The new one is open now and will be open until Wednesday night. Hope to see you there!
I just brought Mediterranean Wraps to the party. Yay! (Oh, I hope I did it right. :0) I’m looking forward to checking out all the other recipes. They look delish from the pictures. :0)
So glad you made it!
I just brought Tuna Macaroni and Cheese to the party!
Awesome! I can’t wait to check it out!
Darn it! Hate to miss a great party, but I’m leaving town tomorrow. Next time? Ya’ll don’t make a big mess, ok?!!
A quick post and run for me but I wanted to let you know the link is open now! Go link something up and we’ll catch up when you get back. I don’t want you to miss it!
Thanks so much, but “rain check” time is here…if I don’t pack something in my suitcase, there won’t be any clothes joining me on my journey in the morning
Party On, Dude!
One really should try to travel with clothing so I understand the priority…unless of course you’re going to a nudist colony, lol! Sorry you couldn’t make it but we’ll get together next time!
Hope I did it right, thanks for the invite!
Awesome! Thanks for coming! Right now there’s only two links, other than my test link. I hope we get some more people and get lots of yummy recipes!
Sounds like fun. Thanks for the invite!
You’re welcome! I hope to see you there!
I’ll be there – I love a good party!
Great!
I’ll have to go through your instructions more thoroughly, but I’d love to come to another party!
It sounds WAY more complicated than what it is! Just follow the link to my Blogger site and you’ll be able to figure it out!