Friday, May 21, 2010

Friendly Friday is here!



Hi and welcome to Friendly Friday! As many of you know, Friday Follow ended as of last week. I, along with many of you, had a lot of fun participating in it each week because it was such a good way to find new blogs, and get a lot of great traffic and followers along the way.

Since Friday Follow is no more, Christi at Frugal Novice, Charla at Healthy Home Blog and I have teamed up to create something new for each Friday so that there's still something fun for us to be a part of every week. We wrote Lynn at Midday Escapades and she's wished us the best with this new venture. We hope you'll participate so we can continue to get to know more of the great bloggers that are out there!

We're calling this Friendly Friday, because it's all about making friends in blogville. We'll post the link list each week at 11pm on Thursdays CST. Include your link in our list, follow the hostesses in the first 3 spots and then start blog hopping! Visit other blogs on the list and comment to give them some blog love. Then take a minute to follow them through Google Friend Connect - this is a good way to keep up with other blogs, but also lets us show support to each other!

When people comment on your blog and let you know they're a part of Friendly Friday, return the favor and follow them back. This way everyone gets traffic and followers out of participating, and it's a win-win situation! :) If you'd like to make a Friendly Friday post, you can include our great button from up above (the grab code is right on over in my sidebar) and be ready to meet some great new friends! Making a post can also be helpful because then people visiting your blog have a perfect place to leave comments.

In addition, each week we'll select three blogs at random and will feature links and a write-up for those blogs in the content of next week's Friendly Friday post. There are so many seriously wonderful blogs out there, and this will be a wonderful way to highlight some of those each week.

We hope you'll be a part of Friendly Friday and spread the word to your friends! We look forward to getting to know you and provide a great way for bloggers to support each other.

Since this is the first week, we thought we'd let you know a little bit about each of us:

Well hi, I'm Xenia. I apologize right off the bat that your brain is wondering how in the world to pronounce my name, but I'll just blame my mom for wanting me to be unique. Try not to let the X throw you off, it's Za-knee-a, with the stress on the second syllable. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, it's nice to meet you! Here at Thanks, Mail Carrier, my wonderful husband, 3 and 1-year-old daughters and I love the vrooooom sound the mail truck makes when it heads down our block. Who doesn’t get excited about receiving mail and wouldn‘t like to know what the best products are that they could have their mail carrier deliver right to their door? I love knowing that the information I give to readers helps peak their interest and hopefully aids them in becoming a better consumer and I take a lot of pride in my thorough, honest reviews of items of all kinds. When we're not trying out great new products, my girls and I love to spend time with good friends and fit as much laughter into the day as possible. Stop by anytime and say hello!

Hi, I'm Christi. I'm 28 years old, and have lived in Texas all my life. I'm a Christian and love the church family we've found in our town. I do advertising sales and design, and do a lot of freelance work on the side. I'm married to Brian, a graphic designer, and we have two adorable little boys - J, who will be 3 in August, and C, who turned 1 in April. My other "baby" is our 6-year-old miniature dachshund, Josie. I love spending time with my friends and family, baking, crafty things, shopping (for bargains), and working on fixing up our 1972 house bit by bit. I've had a family blog since 2007 when J was born, but started The Frugal Novice more recently after my mom encouraged me to give it a try. I love blogging and all the friends I've made through the process. I started my blog focusing solely on ways to save money, but quickly decided that if I'm going to write I want it to be about all sorts of different things I love, so it's expanded a little since its start. :)

Hi! I'm Charla, definitely the oldest of the three. In fact, I'm Christi's mom, and I can tell you that it's such a blessing to have a daughter who is also one of my best friends. Here are some things about me: I'm not only a Christian wife, mother of two, mother-in-law, and grandmother to Christi & Brian's two precious little boys, but also a teacher. I taught school in the Texas public school system for 19 years, and this past year I've been doing substitute teaching, hope to get a full time teaching job again in the fall. I was encouraged and motivated by our son (who's a college student) to start blogging back in the summer of 2007, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Sure, the money helps out, but what I value most is the connection to all my blogger friends. :) My favorite thing to do? Spend time with family!

Now that you know about us, it's time for you to join in! Add your link below and we'll see you back here every Friday!

76 comments:

Anne - Mommy Has to Work said...

Thanks for the early invite - have a great friday and I hope to see you next week!
Anne

SquirrelQueen said...

This is going to be fun, I look forward to meeting some new bloggers.

Looks like I'm already a follower. Have a great weekend.

Jenna said...

Thank you for doing this! Great idea! I've shared about it on my blog. :)

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you guys started this! =) I am already a follower of yours!

Set Apart Living Mama said...

Thank you for starting this!!! I'm following!

Glenda @ Me and Mine in a Small Town

Jackie said...

im glad u started this - should be fun :)

Jestti said...

Thanks for starting this! Am now a follower! Have a great weekend! :)

casey aubut said...

Thanks for the invite- your blog rocks and I am glad to be a part of your new venture! :)

Jen said...

Thanks for hosting. I'm already a follower:) Have a great weekend!

www.reviewretreat.com

Anonymous said...

Hi! I'm already a follower! :)

http://chubbycheeksthinks.blogspot.com

Mayra@InLovelyHeels said...

Great idea!!
Lovely to meet you, now following. =)

Natalie A. said...

Thanks for doing this event! I am already following your blog! Have a great Friday!

Unknown said...

Thanks for doing this! I'm always looking for new followers!

Jodi said...

Thank you so much for hosting this Friendly Friday! I'm a new follower and I linked up! Hope you have a great weekend!!

--Jodi
http://jodibee.blogspot.com

Candi said...

Hi I'm your newest follower. Cute blog! I hope you follow me back!

http://littlebittyspicecakes.blogspot.com/

Shelly Leatham said...

Thanks so much! I can't wait to me some other bloggers and gain new followers as well!

Unknown said...

Thanks so much! I a now your newest follower.

Unknown said...

This seems pretty cool. Come follow me!

http://jessraquelmyeternallove.blogspot.com/

mandala said...

Thanks for initiating this - I am excited to meet new friends in the blogosphere :)

http://adventuresinwinterland.blogspot.com/

Design It Chic said...

I've been a long way to finally discovered you guys.. i wandered around and i thought someone else was the hostess.. anyway good thing i am finally here! Hurray for hosting this new FF for us! Will join saintly every Friday:) and btw I'm following you now.. obviously:)
Here's mine! Happy Friday!

Laura Lynn said...

Thanks for hosting the new FF! I'll be following and look forward to delving into your blog.

Laura

~Bry~ said...

I am following!

Monique said...

Morning!
Came over from Friendly Friday. Following on GFC and twitter.
Monique
www.armsofasister.com

Anne said...

I'm a follower, thanks for taking this on.
http://lunaj1456.blogspot.com

Robin @ Blommi said...

I'm a GFC follower. Happy new FF :)

USCGWifey said...

Following! Thanks for hosting! :)

TheSmellyArmpit said...

Yahooo!!! Thanks for the info about your new blog hop! I was a little bummed out about Friday Follow being closed but now am soooo happy! :) This will be fun!

Life Is A SandCastle said...

So glad y'all carried a following friday & introducing to so many wonderful sites.

Shelley said...

I'm already a follower!! Happy Friday!

Unknown said...

Already following you. Just dropping in to say hi, and thanks for doing this
http://thriftycanucks.blogspot.com/

LeeAnn said...

Hi Xenia! Thank you so much for hosting this. I am already a follower and I love your site!

Pam said...

Thanks for hosting! Following you now.

Mellisa said...

Thanks so much for starting this! I am now your newest follower! I would love if you would stop by my site and follow me too!

Thanks, Mellisa
www.funsavingmoney.net

Aurora said...

Hi, stopping by from Friendly Friday follow, thanks for starting this up again (didn't know had ended). New to this and it was a great way to find new blogs and bloggy friends! I'm now following you too.

Julia said...

I am following :) Have a great day!

http://julia-livelovelaugh.blogspot.com/

Latsyrc728 said...

Thanks Xenia! I am so in! I'm posting too: http://www.thriftyandfrugalliving.com
Crystal

Steph said...

Hi there! I've been a frequent visitor to your site over the last few months, but now I'm a follower :) Nice to "meet" you!

joeandbridge said...

Happy Friendly Friday! I already love your blog :) Have a great weekend!

Bridgette
Groschen Goblins

Susan Cook said...

Hi, I linked up & am following you now. Thanks for hosting this.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Thanks Xenia for emailing me about this new friendly hop on Fridays. It's nice to meet you, Christi, and Charla. I am now a follower..

Kati Aileen said...

Thanks so much for the emailing me about Friendly Fridays. I'll definitely be joining in every Friday.

Cass@TheDiaryofaFrugalFamily said...

Hi

Happy Friendly Friday

I'm following you now ;-)

Adventures said...

thanks for hosting I am now following yout

http://adventuresofthedomesticatedmama.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks for hosting :-)

http://beonefineday.blogspot.com/

Paula@One Mom's Corner of the World said...

Hi! I'm happy to be here. I just signed up to be your follower.

Pumpkin Spice said...

Your newest follower via Friendly Friday!!

CrazySimpleLife

Anonymous said...

I had no idea yall were doing this! Happy Friday! XO

Andrea Kruse said...

Thanks so much for stepping up! I am already a follower, but glad to meet the other two ladies... Thanks!

Crazy Mom of 6 said...

Thanks so much for doing this!

TheCraftBarn said...

Thanks for hosting! Following you now!
Jennifer @ The Craft Barn
http://www.thecraftbarn-ny.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Great idea! I already follow you. Have a wonderful day! Dina @ http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com

Teresa @ ♥ Too Many Heartbeats ♥ said...

Thanks so much for hosting Friendly Friday! I’m so glad to have a new blog hop to find new blogs and new friends!

I’m your newest follower. I hope you will come visit me, too.

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,

Teresa <><

♥ Too Many Heartbeats ♥

Charlene Juliani said...

Following you through Friendly Friday!!!

Melissa Miller said...

It's so nice to meet you Xenia! Your blog is wonderful. Thank you for hosting Friendly Friday!

Blessings, ~Melissa :)

Unknown said...

Hi,
I am following you from MBC @ Google friend connect followers.

Pls. follow me when you get a chance.

Thanks,
Sumana
http://masalabowl.blogspot.com/

The Baby Store Plus said...

Oh, how totally appropriate for you to be hosting this new "Friendly Friday" Linky. I was already missing the Follow Friday.

Thanks! I look forward to finding new blogs and being discovered by other bloggers!

Anna

Linda said...

thanks for hosting! I'm following you!

Debbiedoos said...

Thanks for the opportunity to meet more awesome bloggies....following you to now!

furygirl3132 said...

I have been following your blog for quite a while and I love it! Just wanted to say hello and thanks so much for starting Friendly Friday, I look forward to finding new friends every week. Have a wonderful weekend!

Eloise
Mommy2TwoGirls
http://mommy2twogirls.blogspot.com/

Shonda said...

I'm a new follower! Come visit Knowlton Nest- www.jsknowlton.blogspot.com

Tree said...

Hi there! Thanks for the Friday link up! :) I'm already following you with 2 of my blogs...now following with all three.

Stop by and "follow" back when you get a chance!

Tree (aka Mother of Pearl)
Mother of Pearl It Is
Mommies Faves Top Sites and Blogs
Button Connection by Tree

Sarah Coulsey said...

Thank you for taking the reigns and keeping friday fun!!!!

Cool Chic Repurposed said...

Hi.. Thanks for coming up with Friendly Friday! I just blogged it, entered my link and am now Following you.

Suzette @ http://livinonadimesittinonanickel.blogspot.com

J Rodney said...

I just wanted to thank you for this great blog hop thingy. I started out this morning, but I went off on adventure with my boys and now I'm back.

Frugality is Free and Print Your Coupons!

Kyrstin said...

Thanks for hosting!! Have a great weekend.

Anonymous said...

How fun I will be joining in starting next week!

Ron Cooper said...

Thanks for hosting Friendly Friday....great meet to meet new friends and learn what's going on in their lives!

Nicole Marie said...

Thanks for the invite! Nice to "meet" you! Happy friendly follow!

Nicole
http://theboyslockerroom.blogspot.com

SueFitz said...

Thanks for keeping it up. I wish I had known sooner, so I could have joined this week.

Cakeblast said...

I missed this linky last week, but will be sure to stop by next Friday. I already follow you anyway (and you already follow me) but thanks for hosting the linky. Have a great weekend :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, I am a new follower.
Please stop by my blogs when you get the chance.
http://misc-oceansky.blogspot.com
http://www.lisasglutenfree.com

Unknown said...

New Follower!

http://bigjandlittlej.blogspot.com/

trooppetrie said...

thanks for hosting, I look forwarding to joining up next week

TerriAnn @ Cookies and Clogs said...

How sad! I just found out about your Friendly Fridays a few minutes ago - only to find out it is no more! I look forward to your idea being unveiled on Friday!

http://www.cookiesandclogs.com
Deals and reviews from a stay-at-home mother of 1

TerriAnn @ Cookies and Clogs said...

Yay, glad that it's only closed for last week! You'll be hearing from me in a couple days then. I'm following you too!

Trisha B said...

Thanks for hosting! I'm one of your newest followers!