Dicken's Christmas

This year was mine and Billie's second year to visit Dicken's Christmas in downtown Franklin, Tn.

Snow was blowing from the balcony!

Choir singing... 

Cracking chestnuts...

Real sugar plums!

After leaving downtown, we drove over to The Factory at Franklin, which was the coolest place! It's a huge factory of shops, a theater, and restaurants. We particularly wanted to visit Five Daughters Bakery, because we heard they had paleo baked goods. :) 

Also, DeAnn Art and House of Belonging, both who I follow on Instagram and admire from afar, have booths inside The Factory. I could have walked around inside for hours! 

Dickens of a Christmas

Billie flew home from training this morning! I picked him up in Nashville, and we drove down to Franklin, TN for Dickens of a Christmas. Each year, this street festival takes place on Main St., and volunteers dress as characters from Dickens novels. Carriage rides, turkey legs, street performances, and roasted chestnuts. What's not to love?

How fun is this hat?!

Recognize Marley, the ghost in chains, from A Christmas Carol?

We snacked on candied almonds while listening to the Franklin High chorus

We had such a fun day! Our day in Franklin ended with a trip to Whole Foods, aka my happy place. So glad to have Billie home!

Cooking Steak and Chimichurri + New Instagram

Friday nights= date nights for Billie and me. This past week, Billie requested "steak and lots of green" for our date night. Usually we go OUT to eat, but I thought I would surprise him with a dinner at home this time.

I've always been intimidated by steak. For example, which cuts do I buy? and do I want to spend good $$ on something I could mess up? Who's with me? But after a ten minute long pep talk from the butcher at Publix, I was ready to take on the task.

His advice was to broil the steak. (I'm intimidated by the grill too-- we will save that braveness for another day.) So broil, I did! I placed the 2 New York strip steaks in a glass dish and put them in the oven on broil. 7 minutes on each side, until the internal temp reached 145. PERFECT. I'm proud to say they were restaurant quality!

For topping, I made chimichurri sauce from @rochelleswholeplate (on Instagram). Recipe and picture below!

For sides, I served sauteed garlic kale and roasted broccoli.

Steak + Lots of green= what my baby wants, my baby gets. :)


Chimichurri from @rochelleswholeplate:
- 1 cup fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar (I would use a little less)
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- 2 garlic cloves
- 3/4 tsp crushed red pepper
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
 *Combine all ingredients in food processor. Serve over cooked steak. Or over anything, really! 

*****

In other news, I started a new Instagram account for friends, family, and unknown people to follow for paleo recipe ideas. Follow @kitchenandkale if you are curious or need some food inspiration!

Here are a few Instagram pics from last week... 

Steak with Chimichurri is the top left!!

*****

Saturday, Billie was out doing field training. So I drove to Franklin for a little shopping on Main St.

Tea from Franklin Tea, chipotle powder from the Savory Spice Shop, and a fun soap dish and straws from The Shoppes on Main. 

After shopping, I went to Whole Foods for a little grocery shopping, which is my favorite kind of shopping. I love Whole Foods oh-so-much.

That's all for now folks. Hope you're resting and enjoying the Lord today. He makes everything good.

Weekend in Franklin, take 2

I'm a week late posting this one. That seems to be my theme lately! Ya win some, ya lose some. :)

On with the details... Saturday before Easter, we made a trip back down to Franklin, TN (about 1 hour and 15 minutes south). 

My friend Catherine was in town visiting her parents for Easter. 

And I couldn't miss a chance to see her!

 

We had lunch with Catherine, her husband and baby, and Catherine's parents who are possibly the sweetest people I know. 

We ate brunch/lunch at 55 South. Most everyone got shrimp or oyster po-boys. I'm sticking paleo due to some skin issues, so I went steak and eggs. 55 South also has benedict, oysters, seafood, and gumbo.

This is cute downtown Franklin. For the next couple hours, we strolled around, peeking in shops as we went. Clothing, art, home decor, antiques, spice shop, and a tea shop where I got some amazing cinnamon spice tea. (And I don't even like tea! Well, I'm evolving...) Click here for a list of all the shops downtown!

Billie and Jon made a yogurt pit-stop

me and Catherine

Although I don't miss being in grad school, I really miss seeing Catherine every day! 

On our way back home, Billie and I stopped in Nashville at the only burger place (I think) that we haven't tried yet. ha.

Burger Up. Oh man... it was family friendly but nice enough for a date night. Rustic feel but with candles and cloth napkins. I loved it!

Bottom right: I got a kale salad with a bison burger on top. Perfect paleo.

Weekend Adventures in Nashville/Franklin

Last weekend, we got away with our friends Ben and Louise and did some Nashville and Franklin exploring. I was pretty impressed with Billie... he planned the entire weekend. :) Talk about a girl's love language... a man with a plan!
All ideas came from this list of "30 things you need to know about Nashville..."

1st stop: Village Pub & Beer Garden

a "Mule"
If you're in Nashville on a Monday,
they have $3 Mule Mondays! 

Louise and Ben

Dessert: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

Whole ingredients, milk from grass-fed cows, and amazing, unique flavors! 

I got an almond flour macaroon ice cream sandwich!
Dark chocolate hazelnut ice cream... tell me about it. 

Nighttime entertainment: "Music in the Vines" at

 Arrington Vineyards in Franklin 

Little fun fact for you country music fans: Arrington is owned by Kix Brooks! Complementary wine tastings (if you can get your name on the list soon enough), free event, just bring your own food! 

I would go again for the scenery alone.

How pretty is this?!

Live jazz music

Our picnic from Whole Foods:
fruit, cheese, prosciutto,  hummus, pita chips, and dark chocolate

 

Next stop: Merridee's Breadbasket in downtown Franklin

One of my best friends, Catherine, worked here in high school. She and I have day dreamed about opening our own coffee shop/bakery one day. So I had to stop here!

Saturday morning breakfast: Pfunky Griddle

Make your own pancakes! (Or omelets) 

This litle gem was in the middle of a residential area. 

Every table has it's own griddle, and pancake batter is unlimited!

They recommend to arrive before 8:30 on weekends if you don't want to wait.

My banana pecan pancakes

After breakfast: 

Parthenon replica in Centennial park across from Vanderbilt!

Outdoor lunch at Mafiaoza's.

Awesome pizza. Located on 12th ave. 

And a coffee at Frothy Monkey before hitting the road!

Such a great weekend! 

The more time I spend in Nashville, the more I love it.