An Interview with Mindie from Bacon Time!

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 Our guest this week is from California, USA!

Today we are welcoming Mindie from Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo. Mindie comes to us from the West.  California to be exact.  So my buddy Tom Selleck and his mustache put on his best chaps and cowboy hat and headed off in the limo about 10 minutes ago to pick her up from the airport. I have to tell you, that I was totally impressed. My buddy Tom cleans up nicely.

But as luck would have it, it seems that The Today Show is having Justin Bieber on this week. Which would be fine, if not for the fact that they put out a rumor that he would be using my Green Room.

Why, you ask? Well, let’s just say it’s a little diversion tactic. Mr. Bieber seems to be a huge draw of crazy fanatical fandom. Rather than have their studio surrounded by screaming, hyper-ventilating pre-teens, they sent them my way. Great. Now I have screaming, hyper-ventilating pre-teens and their screeching, crazy-eyed mothers surrounding my studio.

I tried to divert Tom and Mindie at the last moment, but it was too late. The crowd roared to a frenzy as the limo pulled up.  The screeching and clamoring became so intense that all my dogs ran with their tails between their legs and hid under the pillows in the couch. Well, the two chihauhaus did anyway. The big black one can only get her front end in there.

Tom naturally assumed the crowd was there to greet him and exited the vehicle gallantly, putting his cowboy hat on and bowing to the crowd. And then there was silence as he and Mindie made their way inside. Knowing that this would only be a short reprieve, I quickly shut the door and threw the deadbolt. I knew we only had moments before they realized that he was just a little too tall to be Bieber. And had a mustache…

Poor Mindie looks a bit frazzled, so I’ll take her in my office for the interview.

Tom, do not open that door! I’m telling you that none of them are familiar with Quigley Down Under. None of them!

Suzy: Tell me a little about yourself, your family, your other hobbies…
Mindi: I have two boys and a wonderful husband, who is a detective, which is kind of hot! I am addicted to jewelry making, which is why I opened my shop, Mindiemay.  I am a girly girl, I love crafting, cooking, and fashion. I enjoy working out everyday, well actually I hate the process of working out, but love how I feel when I have completed my workout.   I enjoy dancing, going to the movies, and reading.  My husband and I are currently reading a raunchy vampire love story together.  He picked out the book because he knows I have a crush Edward in Twilight. We read it before we go to bed at night 😉

Suzy: When did you start blogging, and where would you like your blogging to take you?
Mindie: I started blogging about 1 1/2 years ago.  I plan to continue blogging, maybe even after I am retired.  I finally feel like I am earning money doing something I love.  After years of working as a teacher, then Realtor, then retail manager,  I am finally in a career that suits my personality perfectly. It would be a dream to see my blog take me to The Food Network.  Would I enjoy having my own show, you betcha!

Mindie: You might not know that I have lost about a hundred pounds and kept it off for years now. I think a show like “Bacon Time” where I share how you can have your bacon and eat it too, would be a fun concept that a lot of folks would enjoy. If I had my own show, I think it would be a lot like Brian Boitano’s cooking show,  I can be a bit of a goof ball, and try to approach life with a smile.

Suzy: How did you come up with the interesting name for your blog?
Mindie: I started my blog shortly after being diagnosed with hypoglycemia, so I am the “Hungry Hungry Hypo”.  On my blog header you will see the catch phrase “It’s not all bacon”, which is true.  Although I do think bacon is a versatile ingredient, my blog is not all about bacon, rather it’s about all the things I like to spend my time on, or as I call it my “Bacon Time”.

Suzy: Your site is very popular.  Can you give any new bloggers out there a few helpful hints?
Mindie:  In my head I am giggling because when started my blog about a year and a half ago, I had no idea what I was doing. I think most people start a blog after following a blog, so they have some idea of how to do things.  I am embarrassed to say I was completely clueless.  It was actually my husbands idea for me to start a blog as a way to share my recipes. I had never seen another blog until after having started my own.

Mindie: I am tickled to know that others are reading and enjoying my site.  To be honest I never dreamed that Bacon Time would be what it is now. As a work at home mom, it is so nice to have the ability to connect with other like minded individuals online.  I have made some great blog friends over the last year, some I chat with online several times a week. Again I count my blessings.

Mindie: Here are a few things I wish I had known when starting out:

  • Linky parties, I had no clue what they were when I started out.  I would definitely recommend linking up regularly each week to different parties you enjoy.  I have a “Linky Love” page on my blog if you are looking for new places to party. I also host a weekly Friday – Monday Anything Goes linky. Important to not just link, you need to visit other bloggers and leave comments to make friends.  When you do leave a comment, make sure  that it shows you took the time to review the post, not just “please follow back” -not a big fan of that.
  • Pinterest, I see a vast majority of all my traffic from Pinterest. If you need an invite email me at [email protected] and I will send you one.
  • Facebook, it took me a long time to get a fan page, and a twitter, I think you should have both if you are looking to grow your site.
  • RSS Feed, check yours to make sure it’s readable. I am again embarrassed to say that mine was not readable for the longest time.
  • Social Spark, you can sign up here at Social Spark.  It has thus far been my greatest source of income from blogging, making up to $200 a post, writing about things I enjoy.

Suzy: This crafty blog community is full of wonderful folks.  Can you tell me what blogs inspire you?
Mindie: One of my favorite blogs is Living in France.  I really enjoy a good sense of humor. I think readers appreciate when you are honest and open.  It’s ok not to be perfect, lord knows I am not. Other blogs I enjoy, and this is certainly not a complete list are, Crafty Soccer Mom, Mrs. Fox’s Sweets, Emily Sanity, Kissed by a Frog and of course Suzy’s Sitcom.

Suzy: Can you tell us a little about what you are promoting right now?
Mindie:  I have decided to run an ongoing sale with my shop TLC Creations at  Mindiemay,  when you buy 3 items you get 1 item of equal or lesser value free.  I am currently hosting a 10 Etsy shop group giveaway event, ending 3/4/2012.  I hosted a fun Valentine crafting and cooking contest for Valentines day, and will be hosting another contest in the Spring.

Mindie: Folks will be able to link up their Spring inspired recipes and crafts for a chance to win some fun prizes and bragging rights if they win.  If you would like to sponsor the event, to promote your blog or shop email me at [email protected].

Suzy:  Please take a few moments and check out Mindies’ site, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo.  You will find tons of cooking and crafting ideas there and plenty of inspiration to go around!

Well, Mindie, I have to somehow get you out of here. Tom has been pushing furniture in front of the door for a while now as the deadbolt didn’t hold and we currently have much flailing of arms and screeching as crazy moms are trying to shove their daughters through the crack in the door. Tom is just a bit panicked, I’m afraid. Even his mustache is disheveled.

Luckily, I prepared for such an event years ago and installed an underground tunnel which leads directly to Oprah’s old studio. Up until now, it has only been used to bring in her stash of “favorite things” and provide an escape route for Steadman when Oprah was having a bad day. We’ll go that way.

But you know what is weird? The closer we get to Oprah’s studio, the more I really need that kid’s autograph…it’s like a magnet pulling me closer…and closer.  Something about that hair…

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Would you like to be interviewed on The Sitcom?  Would you like the chance to meet lots of other crafty folks from all over the world?  Then be sure to link up your blog to the blog hop below!