I have Nashville on the brain. We had an awesome time there with family over New Years, and then when we got back we saw this article in the New York Times, declaring Nashville the new “it” city. And then there’s the fact that I’ve sort of been fueling my new obsession through the show Nashville, which is just too much fun. I would watch it for the music alone, but then there’s Connie Britton. I think we’d all watch her fold laundry because she’s just that good. It’s always been funny to me that I haven’t spent more time in Nashville, since I grew up only three hours away. But I think that’s part of why it feels so much like home to me–a river city in the South, full of music and kind people and good food. I am so glad I have family there now, and I plan on getting back as much as I can. It doesn’t hurt that my amazing brother-in-law had these city guides and local chocolates waiting for us when we arrived! (Let me tell you, I need some more Goo Goo Clusters in my life. Sooo good!)
On our first night in town we hit up the impossibly cute Cafe Coco, which provided a cozy shelter from the pouring rain. Also: completely delicious Greek salad.
After dinner we popped over to the Opryland Hotel, which is really a magical place at Christmas. So many lights! The only time I’d been there before was when I was about 10, and I remember being dazzled. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen such an enormous Christmas tree. It was so big it had actual presents on it, as ornaments. Word.
It was actually pleasantly humid inside, so I had to take off all my layers.
Winter wonderland!
Also: orchids everywhere!
The next day we went to the beautiful Belmont Mansion, and…it snowed all day! It didn’t stick, but it sure was gorgeous. We Southern girls never get over the excitement of snow.
We also got to hear a little bluegrass. Fun!
I’m not gonna lie and tell you that our little trip to Jeni’s in East Nashville wasn’t a highlight. I have never seen more interesting ice cream flavors in one place! If I lived there, I’d be there every day. Especially since they are so nice and do not at all mind you trying, say, nine flavors before you decide.
Brambleberry crisp and honey pistachio!
On our last day in town, we got a tour of Vanderbilt from Eric’s brother, who is an alum. It was cold, but cool to hear about the university from his perspective. Our impromptu tour was put together for a young lady who was visiting on a day when there were no tour guides available. Andrew to the rescue! I loved the sculptures. I named this one the Giant Peppermint.
But some of my favorite memories are from the time we all spent around this table at the house that Eric’s parents rented for all of us. We had a lot of amazing meals and wonderful conversations, and I even got them all to play Scattergories with me! Best in-laws ever. I miss them so much. Thank goodness for (copious!) pictures!
I can just feel in your writing how it helped you to come to the South, the place you declared so firmly you couldn’t wait to leave! It’s good to be around folksy people as well as family! The Opryland Hotel brings back many many memories of swim meets. It warms my heart to read about all the fun you all had being together. And now nashville is on my list too!
I know! Well, youth is often foolish, isn’t it?! It was so so good to be home.And now I am cooking up new schemes: I should come home, and we should go to Nashville together! Andrew can take us to all the cool old historic houses, and then we can hear bluegrass and buy ALL the cowboy boots! Sounds good, no?
I have really vivid memories of going to the Opryland Hotel too when I was a kid, an the moment you mentioned how humid it is in there, I was like YES. That was a detail I had stuffed in the back of my mind. We drove through Nashville on our way back to NC this summer, and the whole time I wanted to move there. It’s a cool place!
I want to move there too! It is such a homey place:) It is ridiculous how much I love the South, especially after my high school disavowals of it. Sigh, youth! And I am serious about being addicted to the show Nashville. Now I have watched all the episodes, and I am like nooo!
Gosh, I just love Nashville too. And Opryland at Christmas, Ah! Glad you guys had a great time.
Thank you! I love Nashville too!
So excited (and a little jealous) that you got to go to Jeni’s! The only time I’ve ever been near one was in Columbus (on the way back from your wedding) and Kostas and I opted to get cookies at the Northstar Cafe instead (not that I’m complaining). I’ve made Jeni’s at home, but I want the live experience….one day, it’ll be me, Jeni’s and Bangkok Peanut.
Oh, it was awesome! I only wished I had gone there for lunch, so I could have tried more flavors. They were so patient and encouraging, they really wanted you to try as many as you wanted to! Oh yes, don’t think I didn’t think of you when I saw the Bangkok Peanut.