[FRIDAYS GOODIES]

Last weeks test was to find out if I really liked the way blogger "follows" blogs as well as I like Google Reader. I must give that a big fat NO! It doesn't show updates on Private blogs, however, that is the same on Reader. I just didn't like it. It felt all scattered to me. And not that much better. BUT that is just me. My opinion.

I DID find something that DID however take the place of Reader, for me. If you scroll down to the bottom of my sidebar you will notice that there is a list, like many of you already have, of blogs. I have it organized according to most recently posted. It makes it SO easy to keep up with you all. I really like it! It lists the private blogs at the bottom of the list. No problem. Now I just scroll down and click on each one on the list. Easy!

To get this "gadget" just click on "Add a Gadget" then select "Blog List". It will give you the option to choose to have them listed alphabetically or by most recently posted. It also, very conveniently gives you an option, once you click on "Add to List" to upload a list of blogs from Google Reader or Blogs you Follow. For my purposes the most recently posted worked best.

NOW for the new tricks! Since Tiffany asked....I will deliver! That's how it works around here people. If you see something on someones blog that you like, but you don't know how to get it for yourself....JUST ASK! I will try my hardest to figure it out and I will bring it to you here!

Tiffany asked how I got my background and my header. I actually made the template myself using digital scrapbook paper and photobucket. I learned how to do this thanks very much to my friend KARA who emailed me THIS link. The instructions there are pretty easy to follow. You are going to delve just a bit into your html, but it will be a good lesson! Have fun with it! And DON'T save anything until you have previewed it and know that is what you want!

I made the header picture in Photoshop using some of the coordinating embellishments for the paper. I added it to the header through the html. You will find instructions for that in the link above.

So, there you have it. Your tip of the week! Next week I will be in Utah, however, I think I will be tossing out a few of my ESSENTIALS in "settings" to make your blog more usable and private, without going totally private. They are a MUST!

Let me know if you have any questions!