When I was a kid, my Aunt Caryl sent me a pink nightgown with “Victoria’s Secret” stitched across the front …
Coffee+Crumbs: The First Time I Took All My Kids to a Waterpark by Myself
This week I took all my kids to Six Flags by myself for the first time. If motherhood is like …
Coffee+Crumbs: Aerosmith, Sin City, and Flipping the Bird
I’m probably not winning any Christian parenting awards. This year my husband, Alex, and I skipped Easter and flew to …
Coffee+Crumbs: We’re Pooper Scoopers
Last spring I got a new dog, Khaleesi, Protector of the Dale Kingdom, Mother of Maltipoos. Spring in Georgia is …
Coffee+Crumbs: Just Do It Scared
My daughter learned to swim while screaming. My son was fearless in the water. When Elliott was two, I’d start …
Lighten Up #72: Anna Quinlan
If you like laughing hysterically, you guys are in for a treat today. My friend Anna Quinlan, a freelance writer …
Coffee+Crumbs: The Horrifying and Hilarious Tale of the Rogue Suburban Flasher
His junk is burned in my brain. I can’t unsee it. Last week I was walking down the street at …
Coffee+Crumbs: Karaoke By Myself
“He was a sweet-talkin’ son of a preacher man,” I croon at my desk during Office Karaoke. Office Karaoke is …
Coffee+Crumbs: Forty Feels Like Freedom
I look at a photo of myself taken recently at a wedding. I’m wearing cherry red lipstick and the last …
Melanie’s Marginal Guide to Mediocrity in 2017
I keep fantasizing about spooning a standard poodle. I need a fluffy poodle in my face. At the beginning of …
Interview with Upwrite Magazine
Hi blog-reading friend. I’m smack in the middle of launching It’s Not Fair and I’m getting to tell so many …
10 Ways to Help Support My New Book … Please
Dear most fantabulous friend, asking for your help is so awkward for me. I seriously would much rather tell you …
It’s Okay to Sit in the Questions
Today I’m honored to be featured in the Top Picks for Summer Reading series over at Tracie Miles’s blog. Tracie …
21 Gut-Laughs to Take Your Mind Off the Election
Are you worn out from political talk online? Me too. Here’s the only thing my new book, It’s Not Fair, …
Melanie Dale: Cheer Mom
I am the world’s worst soccer mom. I hate grass. I hate sports. I hate being outside and sweating. I …
Here It Is! The Book Trailer for It’s Not Fair
Last month I flew up to Zondervan and shot the book trailer for It’s Not Fair: Learning to Love the …
I Had a Little Work Done
A few months ago Alex made a statement that rocked me to the core. The CORE, I say. “Mel, I …
Happy Birthday, Women Are Scary!
Today is Women Are Scary‘s first birthday! One year ago today, I delivered a healthy baby book and became a …
10 Ways Buffy Taught Me to Battle the Forces of Darkness
It’s no secret that I think the most brilliantly written show of all time is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If …
When You Need a Little Distance from Your Life
GOODBYE, WORLD. Just got my edits back on It’s Not Fair and will be disappearing into a hole for two …
Top Buns, Man Buns, and Hot Buns
There are some things we need to talk about of a serious nature. Just some things we need to discuss …
So I’m Sticking With Maimed Baked Goods
Last month in a last-ditch effort to keep my kids from destroying each other, I pulled out gingerbread men to decorate. …
The World’s Most Perfect Dress
Last week my friend Melissa shared something with me on Facebook. A dress. The world’s most perfect dress. I ordered …
The Entire Silly Short Story
Okay, we made it through For the Love of Blog month. I have had a blast writing about whatever I …