We Have A Situation Here

Do you see this sign?  Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams just opened a shop in our neighborhood in East Nashville, Tennessee.  Two day's ago I read an article in The Huffington Post Food and Wine section that names Jeni's one of the top ten - that's top 10 - ice creams in the country.   They are based in Columbus, Ohio,  and, they have a location in our neighborhood.

Now this is serious because no one on the face of the earth loves ice cream more than my husband (and he's also a major chocoholic).  I mean he LOVES ice cream and we have a Jeni's right down the road.   This is seriously serious because it is right next to our favorite coffee shop, Ugly Mugs, and right next to Silly Goose which is an incredible gourmet sandwich shop.

Do you see where this is heading?  We are retired.  We can arrange our schedules most days to do what we want.   Many days, we start with coffee at Ugly Mugs.  It is a lovely locally owned coffee shop with a great atmosphere and nice outside sitting area which we like to take advantage of on these beautiful days.

Sandwiched between Ugly Mugs and Jeni's is Silly Goose (no pun intended).  Silly Goose just expanded to accommodate more patrons.  They serve wonderful cous cous, salads and gourmet sandwiches.  The cous cous dishes have things like curried shrimp and cashews, grilled chicken and poblano peppers.
Their salads have ingredients like prosciutto Di Parma, artichokes and kalamata tapenade, organic quinoua, roasted red peppers, roasted red beets, blue gouda and sweet onion jam.

Sandwiches include things like smoked salmon, honey black pepper goat cheese, ham, brie and green apple, or herb grilled portabello and walnut pesto on fabulous breads.  These aren't sandwiches you will find at a local chain restaurant and they are fantastic!

And then there is Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream -  and they are not kidding!  The orange and yellow sign hangs like a beacon in the night or perhaps a siren calling your name.  "Please stop in and try some of our delectable treats like Cherry Lambic Sorbet, Reisling Poached Pear Sorbet, Brambleberry Crisp, Bourbon Buttered Pecan, Queen City Cayenne, Wildberry Lavender, and Salty Caramel."  These are just some of the flavors.

Dan and I had several errands to run today and when we were done, I suggested giving Jeni's a try.  He was all up for that for sure.  He gave the dark chocolate ice cream a try and I had a scoop of the Reisling Poached Pear sorbet and a scoop of the Cherry Lambic sorbet.  There just are no words.  I am simply at a loss to describe the consistency and taste.  You will just have to try it if and when you can.   Know that when any of you come to visit, there will be a trip to Jeni's.   It's worth a trip to Nashville just to try the ice cream.  

Now, back to my point.  Here is the situation.  We can start the day at Ugly Mugs, enjoying our coffee, maybe a bagel or muffin to go with it, discussing philosophy and major world events.  Time will pass and it's lunch time.  Maybe we will just walk a few steps to Silly Goose.  There we can enjoy whatever we choose from the menu.  We can discuss philosophy and major world events, our grandsons, how the garden is growing.  Time passes.  Oh look, Jeni's is right next door.  Maybe we should have some ice cream before we go home.  And, before you know it, an entire day has passed and we have walked a total of 50 feet (maybe) and done nothing but eat and talk.  We have accomplished absolutely nothing but eating and talking.  Wait.   Now that I think about it, is that really so bad?   We have spent a lifetime working and hurrying.  Let me rethink this whole situation.  This is an ideal situation.  Things are looking up.  It is all in the way you look at it!

Everyday Donna

Things to Remember:

“Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”   Winnie the Pooh