I am on the xbox version.

I am very confused about mining, I haven't seen the first thing that looked like it could be mined. How do I locate the veins? Is it a skill I level up or something?

I appreciate your help with this small problem I am having. =)

Lanamyen

Go into a mine. look on teh walls and occasionally the floor. the metal deposits have a name that will pop up when you scroll over them
Also, you need to have a pickaxe in your inventory to actually mine the stuff

In a mine, outside along the bottom of mountains - the mining nodes are very different colors/designs. Once you've seen one you'll know it from there on. Basically, just a small patch of very different looking mountain where it's pulled apart. Also along creeks/rivers. But always the same (almost the same) color/pattern.

And like Arctorius said, the name will pop up when you cursor over it.

Veins of ore are mostly found in mines.
Look for the crossed pickaxe icon on your compass. There's an iron mine between where you come out after the tutorial and Riverwood.
You must have a pickaxe in your inventory; a few can usuallly be found inside most mines. There are veins of different ores here and there in the world, but picks are heavy.

Wow thanks for the fast reply. I am going to head for a mine now and see if I can spot a vein or not.