Nashvillian Ways

Now in Nashville nearly 3 months, we've had some time to absorb some life, culture, climate and perspective. We came here with an adventurous mindset and have found that to be easily achievable. Nashville has so many options and having Evelyn makes anything that was ordinary last year, new this year. I thought I might share some highlights with you, things we've found that have become part of our life that are new.

In Portland, I was baking often and enjoying the warm bread on cool winter days. In Nashville it has been over 90 degrees nearly every day so the notion of baking seemed contrary to the notion of staying cool and thus, baking has taken a hiatus. Enter fish tacos, we found this recipe online and have enjoyed these near weekly. A definite recommendation. Similarly, we have found a taco serving Winnebago that comes through a nearby neighborhood on Thursday evenings and have made this a weekly tradition. The food is stellar and leaves us drooling all week until "Mas Tacos" comes back around. The other food we are loving here in Nashville or the greater South for that matter is what is called "Meat and 3's". You choose your meat (meatloaf, fried chicken, chicken fried steak, fish, pork...) and choose up to 3 sides (fried okra, collard greens, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, green beans, cauliflower and cheese...). This is some good eating my friends, too good and you have to be careful with this (see running section below). The restaurants that specialize in this menu are usually fairly minimal in their decorations and accommodations, fairly inexpensive and open odd hours but once you get the idea of the whole "Meat and 3" figured out, they are amazing.

Running is for sure not new but I think our little family has a renewed purpose in running. Annie is currently training for a 1/2 marathon in Washington DC at the end of the month and next up is the Nashville marathon in the spring for both of us. This will be Annie's 2nd marathon and my 1st. Training in Nashville is different; hills are everywhere, humidity saps your energy, sidewalks don't exist, running trails are less continuous and running strollers slow you down. That said, you can run everyday and according to the locals, can keep it up nearly all year. We've been surprised at how common it is to see runners out and about. For Ev, she will have many miles strolled by the time she can put her own feet on the ground and she is definitely increasing the "training effect". Khaya has yet to become a long distance runner, I think when the weather cools a bit, I'll take her out for the last couple miles of my runs to keep her girlish figure in check and youthful spring in her steps. On the weekends, we like to run all together at Percy Warner Park. Within the park is a 5.8 mile loop that provides thick woods, grueling hills, many fellow runners and a relief from autos (it is open to cars, but on the weekend mornings they seem to know better than to drive through the park). We love what running does for us physically and mentally.

Vanderbilt has become part of our life now that Annie works there and is privy to the activities that take place. This weekend for instance, there is an appreciation for all employees that provides a "tailgating" lunch and free tickets to the football season opener against Northwestern. We are very excited to go to the event. Ev even has a new Vanderbilt onesy to show her support of the Commodores. We will be sure to post a picture of the little miss. In His mercy, the weather forecast for gameday is a high of 79 degrees.

With all the above and with a calendar full of things to do and places to go, we are thoroughly enjoying this Nashville life. We are loving our new friends and appreciating the ability to stay close and active with our old friends. Our family is more distant on the map, but closer in communication and heart. Above all, our sense of home is becoming more defined by who we are as a family and less by where we reside.

Our love to you all, B