The Nashville Mom | Page 2 of 198 |

December 28, 2020 / General Info

Hello, 2021: New Year’s Ideas

I think it’s safe to say that we are all ready for the new year and the hope that it brings. Of course, I’m not sure it will be much different from 2020 for a while but let’s stay hopeful and make the most of it! Here are a few ideas to make your New Year’s Eve extra special and end this terrible year on a bright note!

Make your celebration festive with these pretty New Year’s paper goods from my favorite, Natalie Chang!

New Year’s Bingo

Milk and Cookies New Years Toast

DIY Balloon Drop

Favorite Party Foods

New Year’s Attire Favorites

Turn your Christmas tree into a New Year’s Tree

Brentwood Skate Center is hosting a New Year’s Skate from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. with a balloon drop at 4:30 p.m. They’ll also have a skate from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. with another balloon drop at midnight for the teens and adults. Admission is $10 for daytime and $20 for nighttime

Sending you all wishes for the best new year and much happier days ahead!

December 27, 2020 / Dawn's Latest

Ways to Help Nashville

If there’s one thing we’ve learned this year, it’s that Nashville is STRONG! We’ve faced tornadoes, COVID, rioting and now the aftermath of the Christmas bombing. Time after time, Music City comes together! Here are some ways that we can all work together to help our beloved city.

*How to Get Help if you were impacted by the bombing*

My friend Danielle Cather-Cohen gave her talents earlier this year with these beautiful Nashville prints. I’m selling them in my shop with proceeds l benefitting the Community Resource Center.

The Community Resource Center is tirelessly working to support neighbors affected by the explosion in addition to first responders! If you’d like to donate financially, you can do that here or they also have a need for the donations of the items below.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund

In the wake of an explosion in downtown Nashville early Friday morning that injured several people, damaged multiple buildings and caused an evacuation of the riverfront area, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) has established the Nashville Neighbors Fund, in partnership with WTVF-NewsChannel5, to support those impacted from the Christmas morning catastrophe that shook the area and was felt for miles. Grants from the Fund will be made to nonprofits providing services for both the immediate and long-term needs arising from the explosion, which city officials termed “intentional.” Make a donation here.

Warm Winter Gear for Our Homeless Neighbors

Help provide warm winter gear for our homeless neighbors. Shower Up is in need of warm blankets/sleeping bags, gloves, hats, scarves, toiletry items and much more. Find out ways to help and give here.

Go Fund Me pages have been set up for several businesses

Old Spaghetti Factory

Rodizio Grill

The Melting Pot

Ensemble Nashville Boutique, Pride and Glory Tattoo, Simply the Best $10 Boutique (These businesses have banded together with their fundraising efforts)

Bartella

I’ll continue to update this page as I hear of other opportunities.

#nashvillestrong

December 24, 2020 / Holidays 2020, Weekend Happenings

Holiday Weekend Happenings

Restaurants Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Marshmallow Hikes

December 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st 2020 and January 2nd, 9th, 16th 2021
Owl’s Hike Nature Sanctuary
A winter hike followed by hot chocolate with roasted marshmallows. $10 per hiker

Sounds of Christmas Concert

Watch Rolling Hill’s Community Church Livestream Christmas Concert here.

Christmas Day Special

My church, Rolling Hills, will also have a special on Channel 4 at 4 p.m. on Christmas Day

Cheekwood Holiday Lights

Through January 10th, 2021 Timed-ticketed event
Cheekwood
Over a million lights, new Nutcracker Marche in the Mansion, Reindeer Village, new Children’s Wonderland, S’mores Central, a letter writing station to Santa, Holiday Workshops and so much more! Timed tickets must be purchased online in advance.

Christmas at Gaylord Opryland

Through January 3, 2021
Gaylord Opryland
Explore acres of twinkling lights & decorations and exciting holiday activities, shows, and events, from ice tubing and ice skating to our all-new I Love Christmas Movies™ pop-up experience and The Oak Ridge Boys “Christmas in Tennessee” Dinner Show! Find all the details and book your packages here. Save up to 40% off when you bundle experiences. ** Limited to hotel guests and ticketed patrons.

WinterFest at Fountains at Gateway

November 20th through January 4th
Fountains at Gateway in Murfreesboro
Winterfest is back for another fun season of ice skating! Skate rentals are available or you’re able to bring your own! Check hours of operation and rates here.

Jingle Beat EAMOTION

Through December 31st
Nashville Fairgrounds
JINGLE BEAT is an outdoor drive-thru light, sound and sensory experience that brings the enchanting and playful joys of the holiday season to life in an unforgettable adventure for all ages!

FrankTown Festival of Lights

Through December 26th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Williamson County Ag Expo
The 3rd Annual Festival of Lights, enjoy driving through this holiday tradition that benefits local at-risk children.

Dancing Lights of Christmas

Through January 3, 2021
James Ward Agricultural Center (945 E. Baddour Parkway, Lebanon)
Family owned The Dancing Lights returns for it’s 11th consective season with Tennessee’s largest synchronized light and music show with a 2.5 mile route and over two million lights dancing to upbeat Christmas music through your car stereo. Open rain or shine and on ALL holidays. $25 per family vehicle.

December 23, 2020 / Recipes

Peppermint Bark Popcorn

*Ingredients*

2 bags popped popcorn (natural or unbuttered works best)

1 pound almond bark

1 cup crushed candy canes

1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil or 2 teaspoons peppermint extract

3/4 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

*Instructions*

*Place popcorn in a very large mixing bowl

*Melt almond bark according to package. When completely melted, add extract or peppermint oil. Stir quickly, the almond bark can get a little lumpy.

*Pour melted almond bark mixture over popcorn and pour crushed candy canes on top. Stir evenly. Pour popcorn onto waxed or parchment paper.

*Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over popcorn mixture. Let mixture dry completely until chocolate and almond bark are hardened. (You can place in the refrigerator to speed up the process).

*When chocolate is hardened, use your hands to break up popcorn into chunks.

Add to a jar or cute package to gift to your friends and neighbors…if you don’t eat it all yourself!

December 20, 2020 / Holidays 2020

Nutcracker High Tea at The Hermitage Hotel

The Hermitage Hotel is Nashville’s longest standing hotel. Built in 1910, The Hermitage Hotel has been the backdrop for 106 years of traditions, memories, and Nashville’s most iconic moments. One of their special traditions is the Nutcracker High Tea.

The Nutcracker was only available to watch online this year so we decided to celebrate one of our favorite holiday celebrations with tea at The Hermitage with a sweet friend.

All you could hear from the girls were “oohs and ahhs” when we stepped inside the beautiful lobby, decorated with twinkling lights and gorgeous trees. This glamourous lobby has held many historic moments.

There’s nothing like making such special memories! We ran into a lady and her grown daughters in the restroom. She reminded of just how quickly the time goes by. I want to take advantage of every opportunity of our time together.

I mean, how adorable are these two friends! Savannah is in Lily Caroline’s class and they were just absolutely precious at the tea. They said “Being fancy is hard work.”