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I'm Melodie.

Writer & World Traveler

Dive Deep. Discover.

You start another day and sigh, “My life is so boring.” While watching a movie filmed abroad, you long to experience for yourself the places and “fancy” foods you see. You wish you could travel more.

I can help. 

I believe God doesn’t put dreams in our hearts He doesn’t plan to satisfy. And I believe you don’t have to go far away to get away.

I’m someone who has been where you are and will encourage you to dive in and savor ideas, food, and art from…everywhere.

Here’s what’s on the menu:

  • CULINARY TRAVEL TALES to inspire you to sample new dishes, places, and explore further;
  • TRIVIA from the worlds of art, language, and travel;

PLUS

  • RECOMMENDATIONS AND REVIEWS of books, movies, and podcasts to fuel your imagination and creativity.

Consider me your foodie travel mentor!

It began just before my 8th birthday.

We were on a family trip to Montréal, Canada–my first time outside of the U.S.– when a woman smiled at me and said, “Bonjour!”

I was hooked.

From then on, I ran after every opportunity to travel overseas, including a career that plunged me (happily!) into everyday life in Europe, Bermuda, and the Pacific Islands.

By the time I moved to Las Cruces, I had lived in six countries on three continents, and traveled to 15 more.

So after a few years of enJoying my small town, I began to feel I was missing out on the adventurous life I had pursued since childhood. “What,” I asked God, “am I doing here?”

And over time, He led me to throw myself into exploring the local region and its cuisine using the skills I’d gained in my international travels.

Bit by bit, my craving for excitement in faraway places fell away. I realized I had everything I needed where I was.

I discovered you and I can be enthusiastic hosts, better neighbors, dessert artists, more imaginative creators–in short, A-class adventurers–wherever we end up.

And now I live as great an adventure here as I did in any of those faraway places.

I can help you live the adventure, too.

So let’s keep in touch. I love hearing from you. No, I really do. I welcome your questions, suggestions, and your stories. Thoughtful words in emails are one of my love languages. So feel free to contact me. We can talk about your latest adventure, or lack thereof. I’ll grab a cuppa and listen.

Glad we’re connected and excited for the journey ahead!

14 Sort of Random Facts About Me

  1. Made in Brooklyn.
  2. Fave Cuisines: Japanese, Southern Italian, and Southern USA.
  3. Certified arts and design nerd who studied decorative arts history at the New York School of Interior Design and art appraisal at NYU.
  4. Earned an M.A. in Latin American and Caribbean Studies with a history concentration at NYU.
  5. And no, I’m not in love with NYU. But I do luv history and languages. Living in NM makes me glad one of them is Spanish.
  6. Fave collectibles: Friends, memories, vintage tableware and fashion accessories.
  7. Fave getaway: Walking city with choice eats, grand old buildings, and lots of art.
  8. Sang with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir for 14 years.
  9. Served in Bermuda, Europe, Hawaii, and California as a naval officer.
  10. Earned a certificate to teach ESL from Cambridge University and taught English to high schoolers in Japan.
  11. Fave local snack: Red Chile Southwest Kettle Korn sold at the Las Cruces Farmers & Crafts Market.
  12. Favorite international snack: Dates (Deglet Noor or Medjool) dipped in tahini. With morning coffee, oh.my.goodness. 
  13. Current Location: Southern New Mexico. 
  14. Home: Anywhere my husband is.

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