1. Female, just past 30 this winter, one sweet little girl that is just past 4 months, married to my best friend.

2. Colorado! Originally from New York, by way of Ohio and Michigan for schooling.

3. I just found you a few weeks ago, and am enjoying everything, the space and money saving tips, the stories of your experinces in Berlin, etc.

4. Keep doing what you are doing! The variety of your posts are nice.

5. I like the simpl living idea, and hearing about life abroad! I wish we could live abroad, but I don’t think it will ever happen. I grew up with a father who went to school in Switzerland, so we went back every time there was the opportunity. In fact, baby, hubby and I are going this June, and I can’t wait!

6. I have a blog, but it’s more of a personal journal type one, that’s just for my own enjoyment. I enjoy reading about other people’s experiences in living more simply and enjoying where they are and what they are doing. Thanks for blogging! :)

Hi, my name is Alicen, my husband and I have a 2 year old little girl. We live in New Brunswick, Canada. I really enjoy the tips on simplifying life and I find your posts about the differences between Europe and North America very intriguing. I had no idea that baking powder wasn’t a world-wide thing!
No blog for me, yet… maybe someday :)

Hi Katie! My name is Ellen, I’m 37, married and have 3 children ages 8, 4, and 1 year. I’ve lived in southeastern Michigan all my life. I work for Ford Motor Co as a finance analyst (stifling yawn). I’ve been following your blog for several months and I really look forward to reading your posts. I enjoy hearing about your adventures in Germany (as I come from a long line of German Lutherans) and I also envy your ability to make living small and eco-friendly seem so wonderful. You’ve inspired me to start living smaller, getting rid of clutter and surrounding myself with the things I love. Thank you for sharing your life and adventures with us!!

Hi, my name is Marissa. I’m from California, young, and married. I enjoy reading your blog for it’s encouragement to live simply. Sometimes real life can feel like it’s more about keeping up with the Jones’ than I’d want it to, so it’s refreshing to find spaces and communities online that also strive for simple living.

Katie,
First let me say you would fit right in here in Texas with your cowboy hat and shirt. Now on to answer your questions
I am Eric Zimmerman born in Wichita, Kansas, but have lived the last two and a half years in Dallas texas. I am Married with 4 children. My wife is a German Citizen who I met taking dance lessons. My two oldest daughters are from a privious marriage, the both still live in Wichita one just got married in April, is graduating from nuring school this year, my other older daughter is also in college her second year. I have a younger 13 year old daughter from my wife privious marriage that I have adopted, and we have my son who is 7 that me and her have had together.
2. I am currently in Dallas Texas, my wife and two youngest kids have moved and have now been in Germany with her family a week as of yesterday. I will be joing them in just less than a year as I still have a house I own with renters in that I have to wait till they move out and I sell before I can move over. I will be visiting in Aug and Dec however.
3. What I would like to see more of? I really enjoy when you write and show pictures of daily life in Berlin. As a person that will soon be moving over, I am really interested in how life is from a Americans view on the trials and tribulations of living in Germany. I would like to hear what you miss about America, and now living in germany what things you have become fond of and would miss if you would have to leave germany.
4. Why I enjoy reading? In addition to you talking about life in Germany I also enjoy how you show the simple lifestyle and enjoy life without having to have all the extravigant lifestlyle that most American seem to long for in order to find happiness. You really have made me change in the way I view a lot of things. I also enjoy reading the comments from your other readers that are from all over and seeing their perspective.
Please keep up the good work and never stop writing LOL!!

I’m a married, 32 year-old, stay-at-home-mom to two-year-old identical twin boys and freelance writer in Portland, Oregon (originally from Salem, an hour south of here).

I’m curious how you and Martin met. Oh and I’d love to see more pictures of the rest of your place. I *think* we’ve just seen the bathroom and kitchen?

I love reading Making This Home for simple living and to learn about Germany and it’s just great to read! :)

Hi Katie!

1. I am a married, 24 yr old, soon to be stay at home mom due with my first child in July.

2. I am originally from East Texas although we are currently living in West Texas. (I miss all the trees. Hubby is military.)

3. I wouldn’t mind reading more about some of your favorite recipes. I think your tiny kitchen is fabulous – it reminds me to be grateful for the size of my own.

4. I think your blog is wonderful as is.

5. I really enjoy reading about life in another country. My husband would love to get orders to Germany – maybe some day. I also really enjoyed reading about your flying lessons. My husband is an air traffic controller and it was fun to hear airplane jargon from the opposite side.

6. I have a question for you. You’ve mentioned sewing in several previous posts. I adore all the colors in the quilt you made. I recently purchased a sewing machine and LOVE learning to use it, but I can’t imagine packing everything onto a shelf every time I pause during a project. I don’t think I’d ever finish everything. I’m talking small projects too nothing like sewing a full quilt. Where do you sew and what do you do with your sewing machine when it isn’t in use?

Wow, I seem to be the only young, unmarried one around here! I am 21, just graduating from college in Maryland. I love everything on this site about simplicity. It is something I really value, and I love to hear about other people who do as well. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only one in this materialistic, stuff-driven world that would really rather just have less. I’m glad to know that I’m not!

Hello! I’m Stacie, 28 and live in North Carolina. I have been reading your blog for almost 2 years now (I think). I found it while searching expats living in Germany. (During that time, I was trying to convince my husband we needed to move to Germany. I still feel that way, just isn’t going to happen anytime soon.) My husband has family that live in the Heidelberg area of Germany and we visit as often as possible. I don’t have any kids, unless you count our 4 dogs and 2 cats!
I enjoy reading about your life and experiences as an American in Berlin. I also love all the tips you have posted on your blog!

1. Lisa, female, just turned 26, married to Drew for almost 6 years (our anniversary is in May).

2. I’m from all over! I was born in Illinois, moved to Virginia when I was a little kid, then moved to Wisconsin, went school / University in Wisconsin, got married, moved to Aix-en-Provence, France for a year, then moved to California for my hubby’s graduate school, and now and preparing to move to Hannover, Germany in July! Phew!

3. I really enjoy everything on this blog! I particularly like learning more about your life in Germany as an American.

4. hmmm… not that I can think of. Keep up the good work! I too, love the variety in posts.

5. I’m moving to Germany myself in a few months so it has been really nice to take a peak into your life and get a mini glimpse of what I may be in for! I also enjoy organizing / simple living so I am happy to see those posts too. :)

6. I’m blogging over at: http://www.BlueCakesBlog
Other thoughts? THANK YOU for keeping this blog! I always am excited when I see there is a new MTH post on my google reader! I look forward to hopefully meeting you after I move! Have a great weekend! :)

1. Angela, 28, no kids. Not married yet, but I think the BF is ready to go that route :)
2. Kansas City metro area. I’m from a rural town around this area originally, but wanted to move to the big city as soon as I could!
3. Hmmm…I would love to live in Germany one day and like reading about what it’s like to live there vs. the U.S., and would love to see more of your small space. From your posts, it seems like Germany doesn’t have nearly the “consumer culture” the States has – is this true?
4. You do a great job with the blog! I wouldn’t change anything!
5. I like reading about other young couples trying to live a simple yet full life and also about people who live in other countries. You satisfy both likes in one :)
6. Nope. I usually lurk so this is the most I’ve ever commented!

Hi Katie, this is my first time commenting but I’ve been reading your blog for a year or so.

1. Who are you? I’m female, age 28, not married, no kids.
2. Where are you? Toronto, Canada. I lived in Düsseldorf last year, and found your blog by googling for expats.
3. What would you like to see more of on Making This Home? Let’s see more of Berlin and how you like to enjoy the city.
4. Any advice on how Martin and I can make the blog better? I wouldn’t mind reading more about you 2 as a couple. Like your thoughts, feelings, goals.
5. Why do you like to read Making This Home? I like reading about ex-pat stuff and living the simple life.
6. Anything you wanna add? I’m also dating a German guy named Martin. :)

1. Who are you? I am 8 1/2 yrs married to my best friend. I am 36 yrs old (whew!). We are the best aunt and uncle you can imagine but we are trying to add to the population ourselves.
2. Where are you? We are Canadian expats living in California right now. My wish is to live in Europe again – I did when I was just out of high school but that was more like crashing, not living. :-)
3. What would you like to see more of on Making This Home? Or less of? I love all the before and after pics. And discussions of living in small spaces.
4. Any advice on how Martin and I can make the blog better? … Nope
5. Why do you like to read Making This Home? Both simple living and expat life. When I moved to the US, I think that I imagined that it would be fairly smooth, but I am reminded regularly that it _is_ a different country/culture.
6. Anything you wanna add? I have purchased second hand clothing and goods my whole life. I simply LOVE second hand shopping. But it also means that I am VERY good at getting out stains. I can remove almost any stain – even sharpies… My little private pride. ;-)

Hi Katie,

I’ve been reading for about a month now but have yet to comment. I am mom of one (#2 due in a few short weeks) and my husband and I are both in the Canadian Airforce and currently live in Northern Alberta. We are originally from central Canada (near Toronto) and have also lived on the west coast. I am loving your blog for a few reasons – great ideas on living simply and little tidbits about life in Germany. I spent a year on exchange in German (near Bremen) when I was in highschool and went on to study German at University. As military members there are a few opportunities for us to be posted to Germany for 3-4 years and we are keeping our fingers crossed for that eventuality! I would love to be back in Germany enjoying all the little things I miss so much – Christmas Markets, fresh bread, predestrian zones and bike paths just to name a few!

Keep up the great work on the blog :-)

1. Female, early 30s, married, no kids (my choice)
2. FABULOUS Las Vegas, Nevada! My hometown, Erie, Pennsylvania (Great Lakes anyone?) couldn’t be more different than this place in the desert we call home.
3. Would love to hear more tips about keeping it simple. You seem to do it with grace and style.
4. The blog is great, so personal and entertaining.
5. I am a Pennsylvanian living in Las Vegas, not that different than you living in Berlin (!) so I feel strangely connected. I love your easy tone and honesty. I feel like I’m having coffee with you in your cute kitchen when I read your posts.
6. Of course I’d love to add that I have a blog called “Less is Fabulous. Living Simply in Las Vegas.” Interested? Check it out at http://www.lessisfabulous.com. Favorite ice cream – vanilla bean with all natural peanut butter on top. Oh. My. Goodness!

1. 31, female, married, and have 2 little boys (6 and 2)
2. I am from the US (grew up in NM and spent several years in Texas after college), but have lived in Asia off and on (mostly on) for the past 8 years. We currently live in Taiwan.
3. I would love to see more about expat life in Berlin…or more about what makes life in Berlin special or different. I love seeing how expats in other countries live!
4. Nope–I think it’s great already!
5. Like I said above, as a fellow expat, I enjoy learning about how expats in other countries live. I am fascinated by daily life in other countries. I am also trying to learn more about living simply and love all of the tips you offer in your blog.
6. Well, I do have a blog (everetthome.blogspot.com), but it’s not reader-focused–it’s mostly about our family and daily life here in Taipei as expats, with a few cultural and random posts thrown in. Anyone is free to check it out, but it’s not as fabulous as Katie’s since it’s mostly for family and friends in the US.

Hi Katie!

I just started reading your blog and I love how simple it is, like you are really telling a story about your life while we sit and have some coffee.
I am a 36 yr old Jersey girl whose NY fashion job took her to Phoenix Arizona (this state has been in the press big time lately…anyhoo I digress!) actually it was first Tucson we ended up in. I am starting all over again and hopefully one day can live as a photographer by profession. I am married to my high school sweetheart Hubert and I have a 6 yr old son Marcus and a 3 yr old Sofia. They are the best people I will ever know!

I read your blog because since coming to AZ and then getting laid off after 1 yr here, I realized by force, how much things figure into who we are and how we live and love. So I’ve been on this learning mission on how to make life more of an experience and how to surround myself with things and people that are good for me and my family. Blogs like yours show that there is something to reducing clutter, living more eco-consciously, and appreciating what we have and not what we wished we had. Sounds corny right. Well…its the truth. So I come to you for inspiration, ideas, etc. I would love to see more of your place, of course more pics of your travels in Berlin, and maybe some interviews of interesting people you meet and how they live. I think it would be interesting to maybe here from your husband himself. Lots of blogs picture their husbands and involve them…but I think so few kind of let us hear the guy point of view.

But I think you do a great job! Keep inspiring us!

Your comments are absolutely amazing to read. Thank you!

Please keep them coming…
Katie

Hi Katie,

I’m 24, from England and have recently bought a flat with my boyfriend. I love Reading your posts on how you manage a simpler lifestyle, no clutter and trying new things. I also love seeing your pictures and your stories about learning German.

Since moving from my childhood home into our flat, I’ve struggled to maintain clutter and to not buy nice things, that we don’t really need. I would like to see more examples of smaller homes, especially as our kitchens in our living room too! Also, how to keep plants alive, as we don’t have a balcony and can’t have window boxes.

Please keep up the brilliant blogging, looking forward to your next post.

Hello! I’ve been reading your website for a few weeks now. I love the expat stories, as well as how you manage to simplify your life. I love the No New Clothes Challenge, and I’ve been considering giving it a go myself.

As for me, I’m a female, 22, born and raised in Rochester, NY. I’m not married, but I am nearly done with my college career (graduate in December). I’ve been studying geography, which is a fantastically awesome major. I’m looking forward to getting out of upstate New York when I graduate, and desperately want to go abroad. My best friend lives with her boyfriend in Göttingen, attending the university there, and I’m hoping to someday join her in Germany, though I’d be happy to get to almost anywhere in Europe.

I love seeing stories of life in Germany, especially the differences between life in Germany and life in the U.S. You make me want to move there more and more. Out of curiosity, do you have any advice to offer a person who wants to move abroad but isn’t married to a citizen of another country? I’ve been rather stumped on that front.

Thanks for making such an interesting website, I always look forward to seeing your updates in Google Reader!

Hi Katie! Happy May Day!!

1) I’ve been 26 for exactly a month and a half. In July I’m marrying a Koeln-born, Woodstock NY-raised redhead who I met when we both worked for the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC (he still works there, this is the last weekend of the 2010 festival and I’m sitting in his office right now while he finishes some work…and then it’s out to the movies for the evening!). We’re taking a 2-month backpacking honeymoon to Europe. I couldn’t be happier about all of it!! No kids yet, but someday…

2) I was born In Philadelphia, two minutes after my twin brother. I grew up 30 miles south-west of the city in mushroom country (seriously, if you’re in the States and buying white mushrooms, check the label. If it says Kennett Square – that’s where I’m from!), went to college 20 minutes outside the city, spent a glorious 4 months studying abroad in St Andrews, Scotland, and moved to NYC when I graduated. Someday I hope to use your expat guide firsthand when we put our talk of moving to Berlin into action.

3) I love the fact that there’s so much variety on your blog, yet it all comes back to the idea of making life simpler and truer to oneself. I’d actually love to see more of the funky German things that you find different from America. Sure, they don’t have baking soda. What about the things they *do* have? Different kinds of sauerkraut, hazelnuts, Christmas markets, green roofs (!), Karneval celebrations (though maybe that’s more of a Koeln thing…). I always love discovering weird little European things like that which can seem so odd to Americans! Also, recipes. You guys seem to be amazing cooks. :)

4) I suppose there’s always room for improvement, but right now I’m fresh out of suggestions! I’m just glad the background color isn’t that horrible burn-your-eyes-out sea green color that I see so many other [casual] bloggers using… At first I thought asking questions at the end of each post was a little odd, but I actually really like it – so many other sites are completely passive, and I love that you encourage your readers to connect with you first-hand!

5) I love your suggestions on how to declutter your living space! More and more I want to move to a smaller apartment, just to clear out all the stuff that’s accumulated over the past two years that we don’t need. I totally decluttered the bathroom/linen closet last weekend, and it felt AMAZING. Now I have to remember to take the box of unused products to the women’s shelter…

6) I have a really boring day job. My “real” job – though it’s not yet the one that supplies an income – is my Etsy shop, A Certain World: http://www.etsy.com/shop/acertainworld. My blog, and the other Etsy shop I run with my (soon-to-be) mother-in-law, are linked on my profile page. Making jewelry and running these shops are what make the rest of my work-week bearable! And my fiance. He makes anything bearable. :)

Thanks, Katie – great post! Love reading through everyone’s comments.

1. Female. age?mumble,mumble,mumble,57,mumble,mumble… did you get that? …and I don’t know how that happened; I’m MUCH, M-U-C-H, younger inside. LOL! No kids, by design. One FABULOUS cat, Divinci. Next month, married 17 years.

2. In Round Rock, TX, just a few minutes North of Austin; born in Austin.

3. I love the frugal, simple, streamlined-living posts; I love discovering how little STUFF we need to be really happy. I enjoy the topics that make me hyper-focus on the little things in everyday life… that I haven’t thought about in years. I love seeing other small homes/spaces. It’s all interesting, really, even the things I have no particular excitement about! It’s never boring.

4. Your exceptional pictures are what makes the blog the best… so keep that up! I’d like to see more non-mainstream ideas and ways of living (like soap nuts, and living small) that make more sense than “advanced technologies”.

5. I like reading because of #3, and because you challenge me to THINK about the things you’ve written about. You ask a question at the end; that’s engaging! I like the dialogue; I like that we can all CONTRIBUTE something through your comments section.

6. We put a FOR SALE sign in our yard, April 1, to let people know we’re OPEN to selling, but have priced the house to NOT sell… unless they want to pay for the privilege. We are still completing our renovation (lots more to do!), and have fallen in love with our small house all over again!
———-
For years, if I had been invited to a party and was told to “enjoy” myself, I’d have rearranged the hall closet… or the pantry… or the under-sink cabinet. Today, I might do that… or create a quilt, …or find simple ways to beautify the room, the house, or the yard (decluttering?). A CPA friend of mine said she’d balance everybody’s checkbook. I hold this vision of everyone being **SO** IDEALLY and PERFECTLY suited to whatever they choose to do, that WORK feels like PLAY. Always.
———-
My OTHER vision is this: On a specified day, worldwide, everyone that does not like their job, QUITS. Suddenly, there will be LOTS of job openings, and everyone can move into their perfect job. Then everyone will be happy (since work will feel like play), and we will have peace on Earth. Ok, I just made up that last part, but it would be a nice start.

No blog, yet, but thinking about it.

Kathryn Kistner in Texas

Hi! I’m Holly and I live in a 2-bdrm condo with my husband and 3-year-old. I love living in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada. I just discovered Making This Home and love the simplicity tips. I’d love to know how you deal with well-meaning gifts from friends and family. I find that one of my biggest sources of clutter is gifts!

I discovered your blog only recently and like it a lot!
I am 38, married with no children and live near Munich in South Germany.
On your blog, I especially like the ideas for a simple, uncluttered life. I also love reading your experiences in a foreign country as I had the wonderful chance to study one year in the United States. Everything was so different… you know how you feel in a strange country at first! In the first days there, I decided to walk to “Krogers” near campus. It was about 2 km, not far for me to walk in Germany. Let me just say: it was the first and only time I did this dangerous trip. And I didn’t enjoy all the strange looks I got…
Thanks for all the time you are putting in this great site, and just keep it like it is! Best wishes! Martina

1. Who are you? I’m Female, 37 years old, happily married with 2 little kids.
2. Where are you? state/country? St. Louis, MO USA.
3. What would you like to see more of on Making This Home? Or less of? I love learning about life in Berlin. I love the home tour and the use what you have concept. I really want a peak inside your wardrobe to see exactly how you are able to live with so few clothes. How do you mix/match? Also, love learning about doing laundry in a small apartment in Germany. How do you second hand shop in Germany?
4. Any advice on how Martin and I can make the blog better? More photos???
5. Why do you like to read Making This Home? Simple living? I think it’s the simple living aspect.
6. Anything you wanna add? frugal tip- I started saving our tiny soap scraps and put them in the bottom of a clean hand soap pump. I added a bit of hot water and swished it around. The next day I had a new container of hand soap for next to nothing.

#1 Who are you? male/female? age? any kids? marital status?
Chris, Christine, Kritty Krinkles (brother & sister call me this); OmO (my daughters call me OmO-I hastily sent an email message to one of them about 10 years ago and instead of putting MoM – I put OmO)…; 60 years old; two daughters – 32 & 30 yrs old + 37 year old stepdaughter & 6 yr old granddaughter; remarried in 2004 (was with my first husband for 33 years-high school sweetheart).

#2 Where are you? state/country? expat? is that where you’re from? (gotta love a chance to plugin your home state sometimes!)
Live on Central Coast of California (half-way between San Francisco & Los Angeles); born & raised in California (dad=California Mission Indian + Spanish; mom=English, Scotch-Irish mix).

#3 What would you like to see more of on Making This Home? Or less of?
Gosh – I love it all! especially love seeing pictures of your city = ordinary items (things from the grocery store); would like you to explain recycling in Germany; how people spend their free time; do many people garden? do you use the library? are you able to get reading material in English? what does your husband do for a living? do you speak German at home? we’ve seen pics of your kitchen – what does the rest of your place look like?

#4 Any advice on how Martin and I can make the blog better?
Can’t think of anything… love that you post on a regular basis. Wish I could do the same (work sometimes sucks the energy from me – but I love my job in education).

#5 Why do you like to read Making This Home? Simple living? Expat life? You’re my mom? Something else?
I loved when I stumbled across your blog – and then got very interested in the variety of topics you share; now I check your blog every time you post! Love simple living strategies! love traveling! intrigued by expat life… it sounds like such a fabulous learning experience. I’m all about new LIFE experiences.

#6 Anything you wanna add? Here’s your chance to shout from the rooftops. A favorite simplicity tip? The coolest ice cream flavor? (if you’ve got a blog or online shop – tell us here!
Curious – do you have family that visit? have you & Martin taken trips to surrounding countries? where do you find your ideas for posts? what sort of computer do you use? is it difficult to establish internet connections in Germany? do you travel to the US? what are schools like in your city?

Favorites = husband (JPE); mint & chip ice cream; love hanging with my girls (although they all live 4 hours north & south of us); love blogging; enjoy riding bicycles, walking and tent camping; eat “tacos” at least 1-2 times a week; take my breakfast (like to eat at work about 9am) & lunch to work every day; don’t like clothes shopping; enjoy reading magazines (my one vice – subscriptions to 5 magazines – all gifts from my family members)… I love painting & repainting the interior of our condo!

1. Who are you? male/female? age? any kids? marital status?
Rabbit (female), 30, married since 2007, no kids yet, but we do have three cats

2. Where are you? state/country? expat? is that where you’re from? (gotta love a chance to plugin your home state sometimes!)
Coastal CT, USA. Grew up here, lived here most of my life except for college.

3. What would you like to see more of on Making This Home? Or less of?
So far, so good!

4. Any advice on how Martin and I can make the blog better?
Will Martin ever post?

5. Why do you like to read Making This Home? Simple living? Expat life? You’re my mom? Something else?
Simple living, seeing how people make anew life in a new place, I just like your blog, too!

6. Anything you wanna add? Here’s your chance to shout from the rooftops. A favorite simplicity tip? The coolest ice cream flavor? (if you’ve got a blog or online shop – tell us here!)
I never answered your question to me abt no new clothes (you asked via Twitter)! So I’ll do it here, if that’s OK. I used to love clothes shopping when I was a teen & in college. Also had more disposable income then (I know, most times it’s the opposite.) After graduation & entering the “real world” I’d gained some weight & gotten a job & the clothing styles really changed. I never found what I really wanted–wasn’t the right size, didn’t flatter me, couldn’t find what I was looking for,.. Plus I got busy with other things–clothes fell to the wayside. I do like looking nice & getting new stuff, but only when it’s stuff I truly love. Not just another $5 t-shirt…just to have it.

I hope this makes sense–it was never a STOP BUYING NOW type of thing. It happened gradually, Now, I have money for things for my house–flowers, tools, paint!

1.Christina, 31, a 5 month boy with my partner
2. born and raised in San Francisco, CA , but have moved due to school to Santa Barbara, CA and Ann Arbor, MI and jobs in New Jersey before making it back to the Bay Area
3. More of Berlin! I spent my summers there as a child and love reading about the city that I would move back to in a heartbeat given the chance.
4. Hmm, nope.
5. I love expat blogs (see above) and reading about all the little things that it entails.
6. No blog or shop, barely have time for facebook anymore.

1. Female, married for 8 years & have 1 son 2.5 years old.

2.Ontario, Canada

3. I love absolutely everything about your blog=)

4. Read answer #3=)

5. I found your blog about a year ago while I was looking up front loading washers, so glad I found it=) I really really enjoy the articles on simplifying & your life abroad=)

1. I’m female, married with no children (by choice) with a dog and a cat.
2. I live just outside of Baltimore, Maryland. I’m a military brat, so I’m from all over. I used to live in Stuttgart, Germany. My mom’s parents emigrated from Germany in the 20′s. I graduated high school in Minnesota.
3. I’d love to see more of life in Europe. It is a dream of mine to live in Europe but I have no idea how to make it happen. I know you’re not an expert, but any tips would be great. I’d really like to know how I could go about getting my German passport (I heard it’s possible through my grandmother). I’d also like more on how to live more “green”.
4. Only to post more! I can’t get enough. :-)
5. The expat life and living more simply. I also really dig your outlook. :-)
6. I’m a 2nd grade teacher. I’m really digging chocolate hazelnut gelato right now (it taste JUST like Nutella).

Oops, forgot to put my age 29=)

I am 67, a mother of four, grandmother of eight at the moment. (Twin boys due in August :) I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. After I married we lived in several different towns in Missouri (husband taught at colleges), a short while in Nashville, Tn and then moved to Georgia (also a college position). We have retired here and our children all live in four different states….and not one in Georgia…..so we travel fairly often. :)
We will be married 48 years this June.
I really enjoy your blog because I’m interested in simple living, decluttering, cooking, Germany (two great- grandfathers came from Germany. One from Hannover, the other one I don’t know). I am working on our families genealogy and enjoy anything about Germany.
Over the years I have tried to get closer to eating completely organic and being green. I make a lot of my cleaning products from baking soda, vinegar, borax, and vegetable soaps. I want to improve in all the above areas. I love seeing how you and Martin have come up with ideas to make a better, simpler, more frugal lifestyle. Love the pictures, recipes, hints, and also the comments that people leave.
I wouldn’t ask you to change a thing, just keep sharing with us what you have been.

In the interest of full disclosure: I’m actually a Berlinerin. I started my blog during my first days of German class, before learning about the genders, ha! I’m a musician who loves food, cooking, simplified living, kids, green things, writing, and sun. Happy Spring! And happy popcorn eating!

Thanks for asking.

1. Who are you? male/female? age? any kids? marital status?
Diana, 40 something, happily married almost 22 years, sadly no children of our own but plenty of them in our lives!

2. Where are you? state/country? expat? is that where you’re from? (gotta love a chance to plugin your home state sometimes!)
NoCO, USA Grew up as an AF brat, went to 5 elem schools, 3 JHS and 2 HS! Lived in Germany for 8 years, my mom is German so it was nice to live near family (they mostly live in Munchen and Liechtenstein)

3. What would you like to see more of on Making This Home? Or less of?
Enjoy hearing about Germany, initially was looking for a blog in German to practice German but enjoyed yours so much I check in often! My comprehension of German is fluent but I don’t read very well (German, that is!)

4. Any advice on how Martin and I can make the blog better?
More photos of Germany. Photos from local community gardens, I love visiting those in whatever countries we visit.

5. Why do you like to read Making This Home? Simple living? Expat life? You’re my mom? Something else? You seem like such a genuinely nice person.

6. Anything you wanna add? Here’s your chance to shout from the rooftops. A favorite simplicity tip? The coolest ice cream flavor? (if you’ve got a blog or online shop – tell us here!)

I’m very involved with youth gardening, coordinate a garden club at local elem school (this is our 11 or 12 year!), work with 3 first grade classes in the gardens and do youth gardening programs for the city. Also a member of Home Grown Foods NOCO, Slow Foods and Be Local movement. Love to hang out with friends and family, hike, bike, garden, cook…… enjoy life! Current favorite ice cream flavor is “Julie’s Organics” Blackberry.

Hi Katie,

I’m 35 (as of tomorrow) and I live in New York in a small town about 2 hours north of New York City. I was born and raised in this area but I have also lived in the Ukraine and Russia (6 weeks in high school), England (junior year in college), and Brooklyn (3 years while starting my career after grad school). I’m married 5 years and have an 18-year-old stepson in college.

I love your blog and share many of your philosophies in living a simpler life. I love that you challenge yourself by learning new things. I learned how to ride a motorcycle last year and, while I have yet to become comfortable on the road, that is my goal this summer.

I also love to cook and garden and my family is trying our hand at keeping a beehive–our first bees should be arriving any day now.

Oh, and my favorite flavor of ice cream is mint chocolate chip.

Hi Katie,

I just recently found your blog, and it has been such a pleasure to read. My husband and I moved to Berlin from Toronto last summer. We’re in our early 30s. No kids. I’ve read so many helpful things on your blog – I have to thank you. 9 months into our stay, and I’m still figuring out the basics and learning to adjust to a different culture. I’m excited to continue to read about your adventures in Berlin, and your advice on how to achieve a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. Thanks again!

I just found your website and I must say, I feel right at home! I am 36, married, with one son who’s turning 10 in two weeks. My baby will be in the double digits!

I work Friday nights at my brother-in-law’s auction house at the Green Dragon Farmer’s Market…seeing all the “interesting” items people are carting home is a great reminder to use my head when shopping! I’m also starting back part-time for the dentist I worked for until I had my son. I’ve been reading through the archives and enjoyed your dentist story!

I live in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania with a view of a mountain in the distance and a preserved farm out our front window, and exactly one mile from my drive to my parents’ drive…I love it! One of my favorite things to do right now is taking walks with my son by the farm ponds and watching the baby goats hopping through the meadow. I feel so blessed to live where I do.

I am especially enjoying anything related to simple living. As I’ve sought to simplify my own life I’ve found so much inspiration on various blogs and I really appreciate people like you taking the time to open up your life and share your story. Seeing the little journals you are creating took me back to a writing class I took 7 or 8 years ago (and they look so pretty!). That class opened up something wonderful in me that life has since pushed into dormancy. One of my goals in simplifying has been to start writing again.

My favorite thing I’ve read so far? The post sharing your fabulous kitchen! I am borderline obsessed with tiny spaces that function really well and your kitchen is one of the best I’ve seen. Thanks for sharing! And thanks for giving me the chance to introduce myself (better late than never!).