Okay – what in the world is a Blizzard Blog Hop?
Basically it’s a way for other bloggers to get to know each other – like a meet and greet.
We all write a post introducing ourselves and link them altogether – so we can make new friends virtually.
So…from my little corner of the world…welcome!
I’m Melinda.
I’ve been married for almost 20 years to an amazing man and we have 5 great kids.
I adore chocolate – so much so that I started a separate Chocolate Blog.
I despise the taste of coffee – but could smell it all day!
I used to be a classroom teacher – but now my classroom is at home and filled with my own five kids (ages 17 down to 9).
We live in the middle of the nowhere among the hills in southern Iowa. Our nearest neighbors are Amish.
This is the view from my window – but not today. Today it is an ugly brown with patches of dirty snow with frozen mud and dreary dark skies.
You don’t want to see it – trust me – enjoy this view from June when everything is green and lush and beautiful.
My husband and I moved from the city to our homestead 11 years ago. We lived in a dreary old farmhouse (the hovel) that was already here while we worked to renovate a big beautiful farmhouse (the mansion) that we moved on to the property. It took us 9 years.
We moved in a year ago. 
In my spare time I want to learn how to restore the patches of native prairie we have on the property.
Oh – and I want to learn how to take great pictures – well, at least better pictures.
I love fiction books, old quilts, and Hallmark movies.
I don’t like rye bread, politics, and science fiction.
I’m a big gardener – which means I have a big garden and grow really big weeds!
I love cooking and baking.
I shop thrift stores.
I lost almost 40 pounds in the last year.
I’ve been blogging now for almost 3 years.
I blog because I love words. I love to play with words and move them around. But mostly I blog because I feel a need to create something that doesn’t immediate get eaten!
I blog about my life, my faith, and my family. Sometimes I have deep thoughts. Sometimes I’m just silly.
Thanks for stopping by!
Heather
February 9, 2010 | 7:58 pm1
Stopping by on the blog hop…a little late. I enjoyed learning a big about you. Nice to meet you!
Teri
February 7, 2010 | 4:44 pm2
Hi, nice to meet you. I really enjoyed reading about you. Your view is beautiful and I am with you on wanting to be able to take better pictures. I have feeling I will be back to read more :]
Heather@It's Twinsanity
February 7, 2010 | 8:49 am3
I’m stopping by from the Bloghop and wanted to say hi! Your home looks beautiful! I would love to see the “after” photos! We refinished a 100-year old farmhouse before we had children. It was quite an adventure!
MominIN
February 6, 2010 | 10:18 am4
Nice to meet you! You have a beautiful family – and I love your June view! I grew up in the country with beautiful views, but now live in town. I really miss the scenery! Have a great weekend.
Jennifer S
February 5, 2010 | 8:48 pm5
I’m visiting from the Blizzard Bloghop!
I grew up in Iowa and I’ve passed through various parts of Southern Iowa on many, many occasions. It really is a beautiful area (in beautiful weather).
We have a lot of similar interests – especially chocolate!
Kathy
February 5, 2010 | 8:08 pm6
Hi, thanks for visiting my blog. When I found your comment I hopped on over. I love your blog. I laughed out loud at the post about the banana smoothies! I can also identify with the daughter helping coordinate your clothes–been there, done that! LOL I will definately be back to visit. Have a great weekend:) Kathy
Julie From Inmates
February 5, 2010 | 6:42 pm7
Stopping by from the Bloghop. It’s nice to meet you! I have my share of mountains here in WV, too! You have a beautiful family – 5 kids? – you go, girl! I love chocolate am not a big fan of coffee – but love smelling it, too! I’m headed to see your big farmhouse now! Blessings, Julie
Christi
February 5, 2010 | 6:10 pm8
How nice to meet you! I feel the same way about coffee, by the way…
Have a great weekend!
pj
February 5, 2010 | 5:40 pm9
stopping from the blog hop! it is nice to meet you!
your family is beautiful!
congratulations on the weight loss!
many blessings
patricia
Christy
February 5, 2010 | 5:15 pm10
Hi, it’s great to meet you! I’m here via the blog hop! I also love chocolate and dislike coffee (but I do not like the smell of it!). I’m an Army wife, stationed in Germany, preg. with baby #5! I also homeschool! I look forward to getting to know you better.
Jodi
February 5, 2010 | 3:44 pm11
So nice to meet you! What a beautiful family you have, and a lovely view. It looks so serene and peaceful. Chocolate is always good:)
Rhonda Stansberry
February 5, 2010 | 2:59 pm12
So nice meeting you! You have a great place here and I look forward to many more visits!~Rhonda
karen@faithfamiyfibro
February 5, 2010 | 1:36 pm13
Okay, now I know who you are. The blog title had me confused but I just saw your twitter name and picture and we are twitter friends. Have a great day!
karen@faithfamiyfibro
February 5, 2010 | 1:32 pm14
Hi there,
I am blog hopping and was very excited to meet a fellow Iowan today. We live close to Cedar Rapids. I am looking forward to reading your posts. I am off to be a follower. I love meeting bloggers in my state! Have a blessed day!
Karen
Hallee
February 5, 2010 | 1:21 pm15
It’s so nice to meet you. I would love your yard. You have a beautiful family!
Sidnie
February 5, 2010 | 5:55 am16
I love chocolate too!
And I would love to live in the middle of nowhere someday, in a beautiful farmhouse. One day… For now, we’re stuck in military housing in Germany- and I love it…
Nice to meet you!
Julie
February 5, 2010 | 4:33 am17
Nice to meet you
I really like your blog. Your house looks awesome!!! Wow what an amazing project.
Lori Zimbardi
February 4, 2010 | 11:38 pm18
I love chocolate and coffee. Adore them. I love the view our of your window!! Awesome.
Lauren
February 4, 2010 | 10:46 pm19
It’s so nice to meet you!! Thank you for your comments on my blog. You have a beautiful family!! It reminds me of my family (I’m 1 of 6 kids). Hope to come back and browse through your blog soon.
Tracey
February 4, 2010 | 8:22 pm20
Someone who understands my relationship with coffee!! Love the smell, but could never drink it – which suits my husband just fine as he gets the whole pot to himself! Great info in your post; so glad to meet you!
Hope
February 4, 2010 | 7:52 pm21
Nice to meet you ! Great blog !
Kristi Stephens
February 4, 2010 | 7:10 pm22
I LOVE your header… and your mansion sounds fabulous! I think you’re living the life I want to live someday!
Kate
February 4, 2010 | 7:02 pm23
Your house looks amazing!! I can’t wait till we find our dream house in the middle of nowhere! A dream come true
Dee
February 4, 2010 | 6:42 pm24
Howdy! Just hopped over from the BlogHop and had to say that I TOTALLY relate to growing big weeds. HAHHAH That made me smile.
I don’t have a big garden though so I guess I’ve got ya beat with a small space in that area? Heheh…
Take care!
Allison
February 4, 2010 | 5:44 pm25
Hi. I found you through the bloghop! I loved your post about your girls “dressing” you. Isn’t it funny when you lose weight and want to wear something more fashionable and just can’t get it together. Wait, that’s just me. Looks like you pulled it together just great.
Congrats on the weightloss and happy bloghop.
followingtheroad
February 4, 2010 | 5:38 pm26
Hello! It seems like you and I have a lot in common. Except my nearest neighbors are bears, not Amish. Although I guess they could be Amish bears.
I’m glad I got introduced to your blog today! Happy Bloghopping!
Blizzard Bloghop Tour: Second Hops | Hallee The Homemaker
February 9, 2010 | 1:04 am27
[...] Melinda, her husband of 20 years, and her five children homestead in the hills of southern Iowa where they dress casually. I love big families. Melinda blogs about life, faith, and family. I am absolutely going to read about her adventures in gardening to seek inspiration for my gardening efforts this season. [...]