We ended our short trip with dinner at Husk joined by sweet friends we hadn’t seen in years. It was a treat to eat at a restaurant started by one of the greats from Chef’s Table.
Until next time, Music City!
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- Nashville’s coffee game did not disappoint. I will proclaim that I had 3 of the best coffee beverages I’ve ever had. First was the “Southern Limerick” at Pinewood Social. A hot, delicious combination of rye, cream, & coffee. The perfect thing to warm your bones & soul. Next was the “Atlas” at Steadfast Coffee: a beverage that has a thick layer of sweet, cold cream on top followed by a smooth, tangy cup of joe. Lastly we tasted the “coffee soda” at Crema– a completely different experience. Coffee mixed with seltzer, Demerara sweet syrup, and orange zest. So refreshing!
- Riding scooters from our hotel to the Ryman was equal parts terrifying & exhilarating. Jason Isbell was incredible per usual, especially when he brought his four year old daughter on stage.
- Seeing old friends does nothing but fill your cup.
- It’s odd being back in the south, so close to where I grew up. I would say my emotions were a cocktail of nostalgic, glum, & peaceful. It’s hard to describe. In some ways, scooting around this city made me appreciative of how clean & well designed Minneapolis is, along with the lack of tourists & social media influencers taking selfies. Yet Nashville also has a certain grit about it that the midwestern metropolis lacks. The history & diversity here feels raw & organic. The food, flavorful yet straight forward, also calls me back to my roots – unlike the Scandinavian based, artsy, & often -in my opinion- overly fancy dishes of the twin cities. For me, it feels as though Minneapolis chefs are trying too hard. In Nashville, the food & drink are balanced in a way that suits me well.
- Shout out to my sweet Blake Alice who slept her cute self through Nashville. Don’t freak out, safe sleep connoisseurs- I was keeping a very close eye on her.
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Hi from maternity leave! It’s crazy- even in the haze of newborn sleeplessness & adapting to a life of 4- I still have more time & energy now than I did while pregnant & working 30+ hours a week. Growing a human is hard work, y’all. Raising one is, too, but my body is slowly getting back to its new normal & that’s encouraging.
New babies do sleep a lot- just usually not when you want them to. But while Trip is playing with friends, I do have a little down time to write! I have a few new recommendations that I’m excited to share!
- This playlist I created. Soothing & refreshing.
- This recipe for coffee creamer. So simple & yummy.
- This kids book – so fun to read to your kids & wonderful message. Amazing illustration also.
- Did you know you can get Costco groceries delivered on instacart? Game changer. Give these a whirl.
- Did you know Urban Outfitters sells furniture? Very cool pieces for reasonable prices.
As always, below are a few images that have inspired me lately. Hope they inspire you as well!
“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”
-Walt Disney
Bookshelf from Urban Outfitters -
- This healthier version of banana bread is actually just as good as the unhealthy stuff.
- If you’re a Game of Thrones watcher, I recommend this podcast, Binge Mode. They do use some language so be aware, but it’s funny, witty, & very insightful. Definitely helping me keep up with all the different story lines.
- If you’re married, check out the app called “Card Decks” by the Gottman Institute. Lots of fun questions & ideas to shake things up in a good way.
- This weekend I had the burger from Parlour Bar in Minneapolis for the third time & I think I can confidently claim it’s the best in the cities. Go forth & try it. The actual bar is in the basement below Borough restaurant – and it’s more of a lounge without tables with a smaller menu. If you want a more low key experience, sit at the bar upstairs in Borough & you can order the burger there as well as anything from Borough’s menu.
- This verse has been encouraging me when I am dealing with anxiety: Cast your burden on the Lord & He will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalm 55:22
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- This podcast episode. If you’re a mom, it’s a must listen. I’m now planning to read her book: “What being a “good mother” really means with Tiffany Dufu”
- This Ted talk. Doesn’t take long to listen to and is incredibly insightful.
- This podcast. One of my favorite voices today, Jacque Hill-Perry, & her husband started a podcast called Thirty Minutes & it’s awesome to listen to for many reasons. They’re only 30 minutes long (seems obvious), and they are so vulnerable & eloquent in how they talk about their marriage. Don’t let the title of the first two episodes scare you off. They will leave you feeling incredibly encouraged no matter what you’re dealing with in your marriage.
Several great things to listen to 🙂 enjoy!
Kacie B. Sharpe 