Soon after I started this blog (has it really been almost two-and-a-half years?) I published a post titled “Ask Ellie,” where I invited readers to share their feedback, questions, and post suggestions. I have lots of new ideas up my sleeve, but I’m always eager to hear what you all have to say.
What are your favorite posts that I have shared? What types of post
would you like me to share in the future? Do you have any questions that
you would like me to answer (either in a video or a written post)?
Go ahead and share your answers as comments. I will read and take into consideration every single response.
Anonymous
Not a question, just an encouragement. I follow all your blogs and I really like them. You do a great job!
Jessica D
Maybe this is personal, and maybe you have already answered this in an earlier post. I would love to hear your thoughts on having children. Do you have any specific thoughts or will the two of you let it happen in the Lord's timing?
Are you active in any specific church or congregation?
Julianna
Ellie, For starters I love reading all of your blogs π My favorite posts are the ones pertaining to decorating and DIYing (homemade cleaners, lotions, etc.) as those are things I really like doing/making. I always have fun with the giveaways too. Who doesn't love a giveaway? π I really enjoyed your recent post on the fabfitfun box too. As far as questions, I wonder how you got started blogging in general and how that led to your TV appearances (which I think are really cool). Not many people can say they've been on the news! And on a side note, how did you first meet the Duggars and Bates and become friends with them? Anyway, keep up the great work π Thank you for everything!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi Julianna,
Thanks for the feedback. I'm compiling a list of questions/suggestions based on the comments I have received. Just wanted to share the link to this post about how I started blogging/my relationship with the Duggars and Bates: https://www.nashvillewife.com/2015/11/the-story-of-my-blogs.html
Have a wonderful week!
Ellie
Anonymous
My favorite posts are anything where we can get to know you more! Also I enjoy when you post recipes, money saver finds, DIY home decor, and anything to de-clutter and organize! I do especially enjoy watching Vlogs with you and Mr H, but only if you both are comfortable filming yourselves. If not that is perfectly OK too!
Anonymous
I know this can be a touchy subject but when do you think you and Mr.Handsom will have kids? How many do you want and do you want biological, adopt, or both? Do you care which gender you have first?
Jessica Browning
What are some of your favorite things to do in and around Nashville?
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi Jessica,
Great suggestion. I'll try to post more about that. In the meantime, I have started an "In and Around Nashville" section on my "Ellie's Life" page where you'll find links to some of my past posts. https://www.nashvillewife.com/p/personal.html
I'm blessed to have you as a reader,
Ellie
Anonymous
You were doing an interesting series of vlogs on the progression of the relationship between you and your husband. It seemed there were unfinished perspectives, and events that have not as yet been posted in a vlog. I would say that the readers liked those and we all are waiting for more.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi there,
Here is the link to the next vlog in the series about how we met: https://www.nashvillewife.com/2017/10/how-i-met-mr-handsome-part-4.html
Ellie
Anonymous
The New Testament talks about forebearing one another in love and doing everything we can to preserve the bond of peace that the spirit gives. The Proverbs say a man is better off in a room near the roof than with a nag of a wife. Ellie posted one video about how she prioritizes mentioning any issues to Mr Handsome. Now, after all this time, how do the two of you get along? Does it take constant self-giving work, like everyone says about successful marriages? Do you have many challenges to keep the peace? And beyond just that, to keep a spirit of beautiful, wedded, blissful, unselfish, love in the picture everyday?
Anonymous
Ellie you are an expert hows that word forbear or forbore spelled?
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thanks for the suggestion. I'll have to work on a post about that. π
I believe the verse that the original commenter is referring to is Ephesians 4:2 (With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love).
Ellie
Anonymous
I enjoy all of your blogs. I think you are creative, a great writer, and share just the right amount of info about yourself and your life without losing your privacy. But I am still wondering about the names of all the wildflowers and your part in the progression of your relationship with Mr. H! I am finding it very difficult to read comments and post them on your blogs from ads flashing in and out but I am reading them. Have a great day Ellie. Eileen
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi there,
Thanks for the feedback. I'm blessed to have you as a reader. π Here is the link to the next vlog in the series about how we met: https://www.nashvillewife.com/2017/10/how-i-met-mr-handsome-part-4.html
Ellie
Anonymous
I love all your post you have share. I also love hearing about your vacation trip you and Mr.Handsome when on.
Do you ever run in to the Bates or the Willis when your out in about?
Anonymous
I agree, love hearing about your vacation trip you and Mr. Handsome went on. Anything outdoorsy is great…Jane
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi there,
Thanks for the feedback! The Bates live in East Tennessee (a few hours away from us), but we did see them a short while ago. We also saw some of the Willis children, at a mutual friend's wedding.
Have a blessed day,
Ellie
Anonymous
I find it difficult to pinpoint what I enjoy the most about your blog. I like the DYI wedding and birthday party ideas….you have some really great ones!! I especially like your husband's paintings. My oldest is an art educator so I enjoy the pictures of his artwork. Donna Jean Carson
Anonymous
What do you usually buy during Black Friday/ Cyber Monday, and what stores/ websites?
Shela G
Ellie you do an amazing job with your blogs!! My favorite post on this one are when you share about your adventures and everyday life with Mr Handsome. I would ask please tell your side of when you met Mr Handsome.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi Shela,
Thanks for the encouragement and feedback! Here is the link to the next vlog in the series about how we met: https://www.nashvillewife.com/2017/10/how-i-met-mr-handsome-part-4.html
Have a wonderful day.
Ellie
Regina
Ellie I enjoy all the topics you have shared thus far. I would love for you to share your testimony of how you came to the Lord.
Also I've noticed from some of the comments left on your other blogs(partiularly The Bates Family blog, there are young ladies who have expressed a desire for a godly husband. What advice would you as a young wife, give them?
Lastly could you do a post on you favorite crockpot meals?
Thanks Ellie!
Anonymous
I also like your blogs a lot. I am a dutch reader and my question is; do you know how far your blogs reach? Obviously you have readers from the entire USA and also Canada but which nationality's are also visiting your blog? I think it's pretty cool to have an international public! And i am curieus if you know how far your blogs travel.
Robyn
Oh that's so awesome you are from Holland. I am a regular reader too, all the way from Australia π
Anonymous
Hi there ποΈπ!
Anonymous
I follow Nashville Wife from Germany!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
How neat to hear from international readers! I love it when folks from various countries comment on my posts because it adds a unique perspective. π
Ellie
Anonymous
What do you do when you plan your trips? That must take quite a bit of organizing. You seem to have the last detail planned well in advance and when you go you are timed to the minute! How do you do that? And how do you handle coming home? Do you have a routine or plan to get through the unloading, unpacking and on to the next thing?
Your life would make me dizzy, how do you manage it?
Anonymous
Do you and Mr.Handsome read the bible everynight?
Anonymous
I love reading about ways to save money and good buys (like your gift basket idea). I like reading your favorite recipes too. If you and mr. Handsome have children I would be curious about your thoughts on homeschooling and curriculum.
I briefly read through the previous comments and I liked the suggestion of hearing your testimony. I also wondered if there were supposed to be more vlogs on how you met. And lastly, I did read your post about how you know the duggars but I was wondering specifics like how were you able to get in touch with them for the first time to meet them?
Anonymous
I'm going to add to the above comment that sometimes I have trouble reading about ways you save money. I see it as a 20-something thinking they're saving money. But with many more years of experience under my (once very-tight) budget belt, I can think of more or better ways, too. I'm sure I'm not alone in that. I'm sure there are other ladies here who can (and have had to) make do with stones instead of gold. So when you present these money saving ideas, use them as a jumping-off point for a discussion about all the ways something could be done, not just your way. Don't present your way as the best or only way. Ask for more input, and you might be pleased with what everyone learns.
Anonymous
Yes I would definitely be interested in this type of discussion. I would love to learn ways others have learned to save money or repurpose things. Esp with Christmas around the corner I could use some ideas on gifts that are meaningful but don't break the bank!
Anonymous
Why don't you (Ellie) toss out some questions like this and see what sort of replies you get, instead of waiting til you have an idea yourself and the pictures to go with it?
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thanks for the feedback!
To the original commenter, here is the link to the next vlog in the series about how we met: https://www.nashvillewife.com/2017/10/how-i-met-mr-handsome-part-4.html
To the additional commenters: I'm always open for discussion, so you can always feel free to add your own tips and tricks to my posts. π That being said, I do like that idea of specific discussion questions. I have posted a few in the past, but I'll think up some more (especially money-saving). If you have any specific topics/suggestions, I would love to hear them.
Ellie
Anonymous
Perhaps you should have yet another blog, done by both yourself and your husband too. Not just jokes though. The purpose and topics of that blog should be going further into Christian teaching. There you could share testimonies and the things that you have found most pertinent to your salvations and your born again lives. Your blog here is good but you are oftenjust alluding to Christianity in a cultural context. Reaching people with the gospel and educating people in Christian truth is not only life changing, but eternity changing. If that message can't be front and center here, it should be somewhere that people can be referred to. You may say there is so much Christian teaching online already. However as Christians we have Jesus Christ inside of us – and – His primary focus is to seek and to save the lost 'sheep'. He did come to call the righteous Jews, and also he came for the sinners and he did not turn them away as outcasts. Then in the Acts of the Apostles Gentiles were also fully included in His salvation. There is obviously errors in peoples minds when they are unschooled in any Christianity. It is essential for people who are touched by the presence of Christ in you and your husband to know that Jesus came for them too. There is more to say to readers who need Christ….
Anonymous
If you had a Christian blog you could put a gif flashing cross on this blog page that people cpoul 'click' on to link to that blog page.
Anonymous
I wouldn't read a Christianity-only blog. Her everyday life around the house posts are what interest me. Not so much the travel posts (who can relate to so much travel by a young childless couple?) and certainly not posts about a religion that her readers might not share.
Anonymous
A flashing cross gif? I don't like websites that flash at me! Visually disturbing.
Anonymous
Noooo! No hideous flashing gifs. Don't go back to the 90s.
Regina
I like the OP comment. I've been inspired by your faith in the Lord Ellie. You can most definitely share your faith here. Your long time readers know you are a Christian so it's perfectly fine to share it here. You might readers who are vegetarians but that shouldn't stop you from posting meat recipes.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Mr. Handsome and I have talked about starting a ministry-minded blog. I'm happy to hear that we have readers who would be interested. We will have to talk more about it. π
Ellie
Anonymous
Do you and your husband plan on having children soon??
Anonymous
That question should never be asked of anyone. It's way too personal, and nobody's business.
Anonymous
Amen!
Anonymous
Do you and your husband plan on having children soon??
Anonymous
None of your business!
Anonymous
This is a wife blog, so why is that not suitable to want to ask? A wife blog could actually have all kinds of stuff. What is not included speaks about what is considered information to not write about in a blog. That in and of itself represents something, what? The things people do not say are as important as the things people say. When kids are growing up their parents may not say something about everything. But the children will find out or continue on ignorant of the knowledge of somethings. A curious mind is good for learning and shaming kind of puts up a barrier to knowing about he unspoken things as well as the spoken things. But if it is truly a mistake ,to bring up some questions and topics how does one learn that? If they are even aware that an 'unsaid' topic exists at all.
Anonymous
A quandary! A guide to sort out this dilemma of what to talk about is the good book, the Bible. People are told to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Females are taught to be discreet. Some topics are probably virtually impossible to get some people to mention, (and that is considered being a good wife)! Therefore learners need insight to get to know all the information they need and want. It is not all just broadcast. π
Anonymous
Proverbs 11:22
Like a gold ring in a pig's snout, is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion
A lack of discretion is equated to a pig's snout!
Anonymous
Pig snouts are cute! Have you ever seen a pig at a farm? Cute animals and smart too!
Anonymous
It's up to you to decide what you want your blog to be. Right now it's a hodgepodge of snapshots of what you've been doing or where you've been going. Think about what your purpose for the blog is. (And notice I didn't use "purpose" as a verb, as happens on your Duggar blog…) Is it about housekeeping or travel or frugality or party planning or art or product promotion or…??? Focus. Otherwise, it's simply random thoughts, or your diary, online.
Anonymous
I agree, some focus would be beneficial. You need to find your niche as a blogger if you want to attract an audience beyond the Duggar and Bates family blog followers. Personally, Ellie, I think your skills as a writer shine the most when relaying historical information, such as when describing the history of a place you've visited. When it comes to more personal posts about your daily life, I feel you need to work on developing your voice and crafting a blog post that creates an interesting narrative. I hope you don't take offense to this, as I only want to offer constructive advice. It just seems that as a journalism major, you were trained well when it comes to reporting a story that's already happening and already has a lot of interesting information surrounding it, but you need to work on creating a story that people will be interested in and writing in an engaging voice. Blog writing is very different from news writing.
If you don't already, I think it would be beneficial to read a wide variety of other blogs on different topics to inform your writing.
Anonymous
My, do you have to be so critical? Ellie does SO WELL already. If she stopped these blogs there is A LOT of us that wouldn't know what to do with ourselves. She is our daily ritual!!!!! Please don't stop Ellie!!!
Anonymous
Ellie asked for advice and I think the advice given here was excellent. Could improve her bloghood. Bloginess. Bloggery. Whatever you call it these days!
Anonymous
I enjoy your blogs a lot. As a mom of adult children it gives me insight into their perspectives. I don't recall seeing any reports on the project you took of growing tomato plants in buckets. How was your harvest?
Anonymous
And I'm wondering, with moving and travel, if there was any gardening at all this past summer.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi there,
I planted tomatoes and peppers in buckets this year, as I did last year, but they didn't produce near as much. Last year, I bought 6-12" plants, but this year I started them from seeds, so I think that was part of it. And we did move partway through the summer, so they experienced a bit of trauma. Lol. Hopefully our harvest will be better next year!
Ellie
Anonymous
I'm wondering why you feel the need to hide you and your husband's real name?
Anonymous
I still think it's odd that the TV station introduces you as only "Ellie" when you do those TV spots. Hiding online is one thing. But hiding IRL? Odd. If you want to keep secrets, maybe you shouldn't be on TV. What is your goal with those TV spots, anyway? Fame and fortune?
Anonymous
Anyone who puts themselves out there publicly should protect themselves and hold onto some privacy, it's not important to her blog to know her husbands name(I think I remember she said he wanted to remain private with that) or their last name, it takes away nothing
Anonymous
Maybe because they would not want people showing up at his workplace. I'm quite sure it is for safety reasons which is completely understandable don't you think? Would you give out your full name on the internet if you had a blog,knowing someone could google you and find out where you live and hopefully not show up at your residence or work place?! That happens alot to you know.
Anonymous
I agree, it doesn't make much sense to want to be on TV but want to be anonymous, too.
Anonymous
Mr. Handsome shouldn't mind people showing up at his place of employment. After all, he's a dentist, and that might mean more business?
Anonymous
I love reading your blog and looking at all the pictures. How many children would you and Mr. Handsome like too have? Would you ever consider sending your children to a public school? Ellie, Your the Best Blogger!!!Jane
Anonymous
Please don't change allowing Anonymous replies to any of your blogs, the way some bloggers have. It's not a "hiding" tactic, it's for ease of replying. I don't have those other posting accounts listed, and I don't want them. If I have to remember one more Login and Password, my brain will explode! "Name" or "Anonymous" are the only choices I have here, and since names are meaningless online (and more to type in another tiny box), I default to Anon. If you get rid of that choice, then I won't reply and won't read the blogs.
By the looks of the number of Anon replies you get on all your blogs, I can see I'm not alone in this. That option is helping your pageview counts and keeping your replies up. Since you moderate all your replies anyway, I don't see a reason to ever do away with the Anon option. Ignore the few who grumble about it.
Anonymous
What is Mr. Handsomes real name?
Anonymous
Why is that so important to you? You and I are anonymous too
Anonymous
There is a reason why we do not know. They do not wish to divulge that information and I am sure it is for safety reasons. Let's not ask anymore.
Anonymous
I don't want to know his real name. I like calling him Mr. Handsome…Jane
Moon Sparkle
Hi Ellie, I enjoy reading your blog. π My favourite posts are recipes and household tips and reading about what you and Mr. Handsome have been up to.
Anonymous
I enjoy all your blogs. I Love blogs about you and Mr. H. I enjoyed your vlog about your relationship.
Odie
Anonymous
I'd like to hear about ways to make money from home and ways to save money!
Anonymous
Some more confessions, bloopers, embarassing moments or funny stories would be good.
Anonymous
Do you and Mr Handsome have sit down planning and budget sessions?
Anonymous
How do you decide which comments to publish? Do you have guidelines you follow? You always respond with grace (or ignore) unkind statements and I wonder how you do that!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
You're very kind! π When I receive a negative comment on any of my blogs, I try to decide whether the person seems to be interested in discussion or whether they are being negative just to be negative. It's not always easy, but if it seems like they are genuinely interested in discussion, I try to post the comment, unless it is derogatory, profane, insulting, or in poor taste. Moderating and responding to comments is definitely a difficult task that requires much patience and prayer.
Ellie
Anonymous
What Church do you and Mr. Handsome go to?
Anonymous
It would be nice to se some of your own seasonal decor and party or celebration decor and food, etc. If it would give away a birthday date then show those pictures months later.
Anonymous
I love all your DIY posts, party posts, husband's art posts, the music ones, etc. I enjoy your blog. I LOVE your interviews and would enjoy seeing more of them. Could you interviews ever include one of the Bates or Duggar family members. I would enjoy learning more. Keep up the good blogging work.
Anonymous
Recipes are my fav.
Ashley
I enjoy your diy posts and vacation posts. I also like the recipes you share. I think a video answering session would be great! (I love watching vlogs. π )
A couple questions for you:
Do you know how to do any handiwork?
Can you play any instruments?
Do the cats still linger around your house?
Where is one place you would love to visit?
What are some of your favorite books?
What's your favorite hobby?
Do you have any degrees? Or, did you go to college for a degree?
Love
Ashley
ashleysyarnworks.etsy.com
creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Hi Ashley,
Great question ideas! I'm curious what you mean by handiwork? To answer the question about the cats: We moved this summer, so unfortunately, we no longer see the cats. We did inherit a pet gecko though…
Ellie
Ashley
Ps. I really love the party posts you share. I've gotten so many great ideas for you! (And your sister in law. :))
Johnna
Ellie,
One thing that I especially enjoy on your blog is your canning and food preservation posts. I am an artisan that sells at Farmers Markets, but I don't sell produce. I would love to know how to take fruit and vegetables that are in season and have them last all year. We don't have apple trees where I am but if I knew the season was coming up I could arrange to make a trip just to have homemade apple pie filling and apple butter all year!
Anonymous
Johnna, if you are going to be selling food that you preserved at home, then you need to study more than some information found on a blog. You need to know about food safety in particular. You also need to follow your city, county, and state Health Dept. rules and regulations for food prep and food sales. If you're already selling some sort of food, you should be familiar with those rules. But producing, say, baked goods is different than producing processed fruits and vegetables for sale. I know that where I live, I would violate city zoning and county health ordinances if I used my home kitchen to produce anything to sell at retail, baked or preserved.
Anonymous
Johnna said she was an artisan that sells at Farmers Markets, but does not sell produce. She no where in that comment said she was even planning to sell the produce if she learned to preserve it, she said she wants to do it like Ellie does. The odd thing is that this market must not even sell apples, she has to figure out where else to get them!
Anonymous
I liked the videos you made about your cupboards and also preparing stuff. I've been waiting for more of you and Mr Handsome when you met him. Another thing you have yet to do is give away an item from your Fabfunfit kit.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thank you, Johnna! How neat that you are an artisan. I have posted one new canning tutorial each year and had a blast with it (apple butter, peaches, and peach jam). I would love to hear more about your experiences with selling at Farmers Markets!
Ellie
Anonymous
ellie hasn't answered anything. What is this?
Anonymous
I love hearing personal stories about your life, your friends and family, such as your recent "Lend a Hand" story. It's so interesting to me to hear about other peoples' lives! Thank you for sharing your life with us.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
It's my pleasure! Thanks for the feedback.
Ellie
Anonymous
Do you support LGBT rights?
Anonymous
….you have the freedom to stick your hand onto a fire, but why should anyone support your right to do that? A good person would support the right not to get burned. Some people think if they can get "support" that makes something "right". The two are not equal. The Bible has even identified enabling vs righteousness. Johnathan and David were close friends and Mary and Elizabeth were friends. But wanting o fulfil base desires with a close friend is not the same thing, and not condoned in Chrisianity.
Anonymous
Is it a matter of supporting or acknowledging that the USA is a free country and people have the right of free choice as the Bible also acknowledges that people must choose whom they will serve. Asking what a person's political stands are is one thing but forcing a politicaslly correct response is another.
Anonymous
That first reply does suggest the nobility and greatness of each of us, that should be confirmed, not undermined, by our own choices.
Anonymous
Still would like to see a blog about volunteering work. All Christians should volunteer their time helping others on a regular basis. You could help to deliver food to seniors, at an animal shelter, clean up a park, and so on. Please lead by example.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Great idea. We have recently been doing volunteer dental work for the underserved (Mr. Handsome does the dental work, and I help with the administrative side). But we are always looking for more opportunities.
Ellie
Anonymous
Do you celebrate Halloween?
nashvillewife@gmail.com
So far since we have been dating/married, we haven't done anything for Halloween, so I don't see us starting. As a child, I dressed up every year because it was such a big thing at my school, but I never really enjoyed it. Mr. Handsome didn't celebrate Halloween growing up.
Ellie
Christine Sanford
My blog favorites are: recipes, DIY projects, Homemade and natural living tips, like everyone else is saying giveaways cause well free stuff!!, and frugal living. The ty[pical 2017 young wife stuff i think lol. Keep up the good work and stay positive.
nashvillewife@gmail.com
Thanks for the encouragement and feedback, Christine! I'm glad to have you as a reader.
Ellie
Anonymous
Why don't you work outside the home?
nashvillewife@gmail.com
That's not what God has for me right now, but I do contribute to our income through multiple work-from-home ventures. π
Ellie
Anonymous
Do you have plans for your life other than being a wife and mother?
nashvillewife@gmail.com
My plan is to live the life that God has for me. I take my role as a wife very seriously, and one day, I hope to be a mother. That doesn't mean that I don't wish to accomplish additional things, but serving my family (Mr. Handsome and, Lord willing, our children) is and always will be my primary occupation. Even if there is a time when I am working full-time outside the home, I will consider my role as homemaker to be the most important.
Ellie
Anonymous
Good for you, Ellie!
Anonymous
Do you know what your Myers-Briggs personality type is? I'd love to hear! If you aren't familiar with it, you can take the test at 16Personalities.com! I'd love to hear what Mr. Handsome's personality type is too, if he doesn't mind sharing!
nashvillewife@gmail.com
You're right, that would make for an interesting post! I took the test several years ago in college, but I don't remember what my result was.
Ellie
Anonymous
I was wondering if your parents come to visit you? Does your Mom work?
nashvillewife@gmail.com
My mom was here a few weeks ago. She was a stay-at-home mom when we were living at home, but she returned to the workforce when my brother left for college. Her job doesn't allow her to visit often, and neither does my dad's. Mr. Handsome's parents have slightly more flexible situations, so they are able to visit more often.
Ellie