Wednesday, April 1, 2009

The Secret Garden

How do YOU pronounce Louisville?!

Greeting from Louisville, Kentucky!

It is 11:02 am and I am now in Kentucky!

So, last time I wrote you all, I was sitting at the Frothy Monkey coffee house in Nashville. I spent some time just relaxing and people watching for a while. After that I decided to go explore the heart of the city and take some photos. After another day of exploring I was one tired girl so around 5pm I decided to take about an hour and a half nap in the back of my car. ha! I knew I had to if I was going to do more exploring at night.

Around 7pm I went to Laura & Phil's house to join them for their community group. (I met them the first day I was here at the Belmont church in Nashville). Such a sweet couple! Group was really great although I wish I was able to get to know the people there a bit better. The group is doing a video/discussion series so much of the time was spent watching the video and then a little bit of discussion.

Around 9pm I met up with some friends I met at Fido, the coffee house I was at on Monday. My new friend George, who has worked at Fido for about 8 years thought I needed to see some music while I was in town, and I agreed! George is a very talented musician, and is in a band called The Early Evening with his brother. Their music is beautiful and packed full of harmonies. My kind of tunes! I even got a cd! Woo! I had really wanted to go to the bluebird cafe but reservations were required to attend the show and it was all sold out! Bummer! So, I went to the Listening room for a taste of Nashville Open Mic! After that I stopped in the Mercy Lounge and heard some great artists including Shawn Mullins. Best part is- I didn't spend any money! No cover charge and I got an ice cold water! :o)

By that point it was about 11:45 pm and I for some reason wasn't feeling all that sleepy so I decided to drive for a while. I was planning on leaving for home this morning but I thought I would get a head start last night. I drove for about 2.5 hours and ended up in Louisville where I stayed at the Microtel Inn. I enjoyed some good sleep! It was much needed!!

Since I got a head start and had a little extra time, I decided that it would be quite sad if I did not do some exploring in Louisville. I am in the Old Louisville district which holds a ton of history that I wish I could learn more about. Since I am a lover of coffee houses (you all should know this by now) I decided to stop into the Old Lousiville Coffee House. Which is where I am right now. I met a girl named Erin who works there. She helped me figure out where I should go next in my Louisville adventure. I told her that I wanted to spend some time outside so I am now headed to the Floral Terrace which has walking courts full of flowers! Can't wait!!! Maybe I will let you all see too! ;)

OK, I should head out! Check back soon for a video update- Kentucky style!

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

sweet sweet southern hospitality!!!

Hello all!

It is 1:36 pm on Tuesday morning. I am back at the Frothy Monkey enjoying a cup of tea and listening to some good tunes- Tracy Chapman to be specific. :)

I meant to write last night but I was so exhausted that I couldn't find the energy to! So, yesterday was pretty awesome. I went to the Burgess Falls State Park- as you saw if you watched my last video. The Waterfall was amazing. It was so sweet to be able to get so close to it and just relax and take it all in. On my hike I was pleasantly reminded of my little chloe dog when a cute little chocolate lab puppy came running up the path to me and jumped up and laid its muddy little paws all over me!!

After the Burgess Falls I headed back to Nashville. Sarah, the girl I met at the Frothy Monkey on Sunday invited me to come to her girls group, so I joined them last night around 7pm at a coffee house called the Ugly Mug. The time with the girls was so precious and will never be forgotten. I had the privilege to spend a couple hours with some of the sweetest girls who have such an intense passion to live their lives for God. We all shared a bit about ourselves and what was currently going on in our lives. They were all such an encouragement. I will be forever changed by the time spent with them.

Thank you Sarah, Julie, Ashley, Michelle, and and Jessica for such welcoming hearts.

Ashley was SO kind to offer to let me stay at her place last night- so I did. I was and still am blown away by her generosity. I met her at 7pm last night and within 2 hours she had invited me to stay with her. After girls group at the Ugly Mug, we went over the the Anchor (the church). One of the Anchors ministries is that they are a venue. They hope that the venue will help bring in some younger kids from the community. Last night, they had a battle of the bands.This morning, Ashley's fiance Andy cooked us breakfast. It was delicious and I am officially being completely spoiled here in Nashville. Thank you Ashley!!!!


Today I think I am going to go to the Country Music Hall of Fame. I am going to a community group tonight at 7pm. (I was invited by Laura, the girl I met at the Belmont Church on Sunday morning.)

I have been told that I should check out the Blue Bird Cafe. After church group tonight I will head over and enjoy some live music! I can't wait!!!!

Ok! Time to get outta here and do more exploring!!

Meet Ashley

Monday, March 30, 2009

green grass,a mountain pass... blue sky, delicious pie... friendly folk, sunshine soaked... skirts that twirl, I'm one happy girl.


1:00 pm...

... and that was my attempt at poetry! Pretty sad I know! :o)

Unfortunately, I had to leave the Brentwood Bed & Breakfast this morning- but it was nice to feel like a princess for 13 hours I must say! Breakfast was wonderful! Lisa, the woman that owns the bed and breakfast is an AMAZING cook! I got to sit with the two people who are from Batavia, and then two women who were in town visiting their mother. We got to know each other a bit and then I told them I HAD to take their pictures so I would always be able to remember the wonderful breakfast we shared. They agreed even though they thought I was a bit crazy for wanting pictures of strangers.

I made my way to the Hillsboro area and saw a coffee house while driving that looked interesting so I pulled over and stopped in. The coffee house is called FIDO. Everybody is SO friendly and I got to chat with some of the staff here.

Laura, the girl I met on Sunday at the Belmont Church told me that it was an absolute must that I go to the Burgess Falls State Park and check out the waterfalls there... so that is what I am going to do today! It is about an hour and a half away and I will be heading out soon to go there.

There is a thrift store across the street and I have been eying it... and I am pretty sure I hear it calling my name. I love thrift store shopping so I think I will stop in and see what they have going on. Maybe I will make some more friends there!

I miss you all and wish I could bring a bit of Nashville home for all you. It is absolutely gorgeous.

Mom, give the Chloe dog a kiss on the nose for me. I miss her way too much!!!

That's all for now. :o)

Sunday, March 29, 2009