Nashville: Music City

Strains of live music pour through the door of almost every bar or restaurant on the street as you pass by. Should you happen to duck into one, you'll find hoards of people sitting at the bar and surrounding tables, nursing beers while tapping their booted feet to the beat of the girl on the fiddle. Doesn't matter who's playing - whether it's a performer who has stopped by on their way to the Opry, or an up and coming guy with his guitar just trying to make a way for himself in Music City.

Unlike New York or Paris, or really any other city, you won't find the flagship shops of famous designers in downtown Nashville. What you will find are family owned stores for boots and guitars and records. I suppose you could, in theory, hop on a bus to Nashville and walk down Broadway, stopping shop by shop to pick up the clothes and instruments you need to become the next big country star. There's a reason people get discovered here; it's a city that lives and breathes only one thing - country music - and they love anyone who feels the same way.

Over the past few weeks, I've been asked numerous times what kind of music I like (sometimes in relation to talking about the trip to Nashville and the inherent assumption that I was going to see it because it is the mecca of country music), and never really knew what to answer. I blame my classical music career for my snobbery lack of direction when it comes to listening to bands and artists, and, as a result, all of my "favorite" artists feel like guilty pleasures. But while I was listening to a band in a bar, I came to the realization that my favorite kind of music is live music. I have very few stylistic prejudices in music, but no matter what kind, I would rather listen to music that is intentionally made by a human, in a moment of inspiration and love, over a record that produces an imitation of the real thing.

There was one stop in Nashville that I knew I had to make. Hatch Show Print is a legendary shop that has created posters for almost every event in Nashville, and even some beyond. They still print everything by hand letterpress, and you can watch the process while you stop in to buy a souvenir poster. AND THEY HAVE CATS. That hang out in the store. 

We stopped into Tootsie's, one of the famous bars on Broadway, and the girl playing the fiddle was amazing. The whole crowd started chanting her name - I think we were all in love with her. 

One of the quirky things about Nashville is its full-size replica of the Parthenon hanging out in Centennial park. It is as random as it sounds. We took a walk around that part of town (and the neighboring Hillsboro Village) and found a bunch of awesome food (including cupcakes) and adorable shops.

Oh yeah, and we met a puppy in the park. He wanted to take my sister home with him.

And I totally saved my favorite for last...

A Frame

Chocolate Cupcake + Strawberry Frosting + Chocolate Covered Strawberry = more goodness than one dessert should rightly hold in this world.

This is why Valentine's Day will always have a place as one of my favorite holidays. This is why my husband is the best.

Happy weekend!

Cupcakes 101

So we know that I like cupcakes. And Aslan likes them even more.

And because I've made them before, it would logically follow that I know what ingredients go into them.

I impulsively decided that I was going to make said cupcakes Wednesday night while we were on our weekly Trader Joe's run. Actually, it's probably a bi-weekly run, and while I'm being all technical about it, I'm not exactly sure how long it had been since the time-before-that because we were completely out of food. This happens a lot at our house. Which probably makes me a bad future wifey.

Anyway, while we were out, I decided I was going to make cupcakes because one of my co-workers was having a birthday. And I wanted to show how much I care. Because cupcakes show you care, in my book (now you know for the future). So I put a small jug of milk in our cart, looked at Ben's questioning face (we don't drink/buy milk), and announced that I was making cupcakes.

I suppose it would be a good time to add that anytime I decide to make or bake something, milk is always the ingredient I'm missing. Always. And I was tired of it being missing. So I was doing something about it. I should also add that I've been saying I'm going to make cupcakes at least twice a month for the past...oh, I don't know...eight months (or longer...), so Ben doesn't always believe me when I say it. But he knew I was serious when I put the milk in the cart (or knew that I thought I was serious).

We got home. We made dinner. I tried to pass out on the couch, but Ben reminded me that I needed to make cupcakes. I pulled out the Barefoot Contessa boxed mix (hey, if you're going to go boxed, go with hers. They'll at least taste like they're from scratch). I looked at the back of the box to see how much milk would be involved.

There was no milk involved. It called for eggs.

Guess what I didn't pick up at the grocery store?

And that is exactly why there is a picture of a Rice Krispy Treat at the end of this post.

At least Rice Krispy Treats turned out to be my co-worker's favorite.

Until next time, cupcakes. Until next time.

Also, have I mentioned I'm a huge fan of My Drunk Kitchen? Add it to the list of things I wish I'd thought of first, but enjoy immensely anyway.

Happy Friday and Happy Weekend!

Cupcakes

Happy Birthday to me! I had a few people over this past weekend to celebrate, and we had lots of scrumptious cupcakes. 

Aslan invited himself to the party.

And thought he would help himself to some dessert.

See what I mean about this being a daily conversation at our house?

I know thanksgiving the only holiday that is set aside for giving thanks, but all holidays (including my birthday) remind me of the things and, most importantly, the people who I'm grateful to celebrate with. My life would not be as full or joyful or wonderful if it weren't for all of the love and support from the amazing people who are my family and friends. So today I celebrate all of you...because you have made it the best 24 years a girl could ask for :o).