Tennessee

August 2025

Nashville & Beyond: Old Friends, Holy Surprises, and Hobbit Adventures

I’ve been to Nashville enough times that the only real reason to come back is for friends.

Reconnecting with Aline

I spent two days with my friend Aline—remember her from Rome? She, her husband, and their new baby are stateside for a few months, and by God’s grace, the timing lined up perfectly with my drive through Tennessee. We squeezed in some much-needed catch-up time, and it was so good for my heart.

Saturday evening, we went to Mass at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, and it turned out to be something truly special. Earlier that day, several men were ordained, which meant we had the joy of attending Fr. Joseph’s very first Mass as a priest. Afterward, we received his first priestly blessing—an incredible gift.

The Cathedral is also a Jubilee pilgrimage site for the diocese, complete with an astounding relic collection. I was especially moved to see relics of my patron, St. Catherine of Siena. After Mass, we joined the reception for Fr. Joseph, where I ended up chatting with two priests who, by chance, knew my corner of Kansas well—one even had a Notre Dame roommate from my area. Small world moments like that always make me smile.

Gallatin Stop & Julie’s House

On my way to Gallatin, I stumbled across what might be the coolest hidden gem yet: Urban Cowboy Parlor, a historic home turned hotel, wine bar, pizza spot, and cocktail garden. Picture rich mahogany, leather-bound book vibes, an outdoor fire pit, and the energy of a cozy cigar lounge—minus the cigars. I’m definitely going back to spend a night there someday.

From there, I headed to see my friend Julie—hard to believe it had been three years since our last get-together! (Last time was our Door County trip—read about that here.)

My friend Julie is a Midlife Business Mentor and Brand Coach and her business is Bright Brand. She helps women in midlife create a clear message and build a business where they stand out, attract aligned clients, and thrive with confidence.

She just started a free community called Thrive and Shine so women who work for themselves don't have to work by themselves. She offers a space for practical business-building Q&A, virtual coworking, networking, free training, hot seat coaching, and more. You can join for free here. 

A Hobbit Village & Archery Bruises

Aline told me about a Hobbit village in eastern Tennessee—and as a Lord of the Rings fan, I couldn’t resist. This whimsical little place in Knoxville even has an archery range. I’ve been wanting to pick up archery again, so I signed up for an hour… but I’ll admit, solo archery is intense. After 15 minutes, I walked away with sore fingers, a bruised forearm, and a big grin.

The village itself was like stepping into someone’s sketchbook—a whimsical little town made real. The butterflies greeted me as if on queue.

They host retreats, have rooms for rent, and even an on-site restaurant. I immediately thought, This would be perfect for a future retreat! (Want on the waitlist? Message me.)

Next I head north…