Hello

Melanie’s background is as diverse as the pages of her journals. She has worked in hospitality, retail, livestock farming, writing, and gardening—experiences that give her a practical, down-to-earth perspective on both the triumphs and struggles of homesteading and growing food. From the windswept prairies of South Dakota to the woods and mountains of Missouri and Tennessee, she has learned firsthand what it takes to adapt, persevere, and thrive in different climates and seasons.

 

In 2018, Melanie and her family restored a 1917 Craftsman bungalow and opened the Ironstone Cottage Tea Room & Garden—a cozy gathering place where people could slow down, share a meal, and enjoy the comfort of tea together. That project sparked much of the inspiration behind her later books: the desire to create resources and experiences that nurture both body and soul.

​

Today, Melanie lives with her husband and daughters on a small Tennessee farm, in the Federal-style home they built together. Their homestead hums with life—free-ranging chickens, noisy ducks, and a peculiar flock of barn cats all share the space.

​

When she isn’t tending the garden, caring for her animals, or exploring new teas, Melanie pours her creativity into writing practical, beautiful journals, planners and workbooks that help others capture their own journeys—whether in the garden, the kitchen, the barn, the tea table or navigating their own wellness. Her books are more than blank pages; they’re tools to make life simpler, more intentional, and deeply fulfilling.

​

Melanie’s hope is that her planners and journals will help you to discover not just a way to stay organized, but a way to savor the small joys and create a life worth remembering—one cup of tea, one plant, and one page at a time.