OK, so this recommendation comes from Dora. She and her sister were out for the after Christmas sales and they said I had to mention this place Marti & Liz over in Cool Springs. You’d have thought they found a box of kittens or something. (How can women find so many ways to use the word cute?)

I don’t know anything about the place, but from the boxes they brought home they seem to have found plenty of stuff they liked over there. They said the prices were too good they couldn’t help it. Couldn’t afford not to buy them. I like that logic.

Anyway, there you have it. If you’re looking to help the shoeless in your family, try Marti & Liz.

Dane

OK, Santa didn’t bring me that Harley at Boswell’s I’ve had my eye on (man, they have some incredible bikes over there…), but I got the next best thing: a hand-made banjo from Cotten’s!

That one has been on my list for years. I mean, come on, handmade. It’s like playing a work of art. The guys at Cotten’s know what they’re doing. But I have to say I never thought I’d actually get one. Don’t tell me I don’t have the greatest wife in the world.

I’ve been playing the thing so much since Christmas it’s actually a little hard to type this right now. My fingers are numb. But I ain’t complaining. Hope Santa was as good to all ya’ll.

Dane

Well, it’s definitely sad being the only one doing the blog this holiday. Sabrina we miss you already. But we hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family in Alabama. And a great new year too.

And I know Sabrina joins me in wishing all you reading the blog the same thing from all of us here at Hotel Preston. We really do think of all the people who come to stay with us from all over the world like family. So we just wanted to send a little yuletide cheer to everyone.

Enjoy and happy holidays!

Dane

This is a sad day. If the hotel had a flag, we would be flying it at half mast today. Sabrina, it’s been a lot fun working with you. And it’s been great doing the blog together. Thanks for asking me to get involved … when you left us that first time…

I’m just kidding. Seriously, we all wish you the best of luck in your new job. I’m not exactly sure what a systems analyst does, but the systems are lucky to be getting an analyst like you.

So happy trails to you and Chad. And you tell the Crimson Tide that next year we’re gunning for them.

Dane

Well, I put off posting about this until I was sure. But it looks like I’ll be leaving Hotel Preston! When Chad finishes this semester we will actually be moving back home to Alabama. I know…

I was offered a job as a systems analyst at BAE and I thought about it a long time but finally decided I had to take it. So it looks like I’ll be going back to the type of work I was doing before moving to Nashville.

I’m excited to be closer to my family, but I’ll miss Nashville. And of course I am going to miss everyone at the hotel and the interaction with the guests. But no worries I will still come back to visit and aggravate everyone.J

So I just wanted to say thanks to everyone! And have a great holiday!

See ya!
Sabrina

Have you heard of Garage Mahal? Great name. We’re clever people, we Nashvillians. If you haven’t heard of it it’s an art studio over in Five Points and they’ve always got something interesting going on.

Right now they just started a holiday art show that they say will run basically every day until Christmas Eve. I haven’t gone over there for it yet but I’ll bet it’s worth the trip. Maybe it’s even good for some ideas for presents. They have everything from wooden toys to furniture to metalwork.

Even if you don’t make it for the show, you should take a look over there sometime at their Art & Invention Gallery. They’ve got the Tomato Show in August which has become really popular. And they also have workshops for adults and kids.

Dane

You see the name of this special Preston package and it definitely grabs your attention. It’s called Let’s Get It On…And Make a Baby! Seriously. How are you going to ignore something like that? You can’t.

So what does it mean? Well, if you have to ask then you’ve got bigger issues than we can help you with. Ha. But if you mean the package it’s a special get away deal we offer that includes:

•    Bottle of wine with a fruit and cheese plate
•    Bubble bath and candles
•    A tranquility CD
•    In-room movie
•    The book “What to Expect, When You’re Expecting”

And of course the normal stuff like our pillow menu, linens and 24-hour room service. So, I don’t know, if you’re trying for a fall baby why not get pampered for a bit? Check with reservations for details.

Dane

Here’s maybe something for your schedule. Especially if your spouse has been giving you a bad time about not helping in the kitchen. Every other Monday at 7:30 p.m. Mitchell Deli in East Nashville is doing a Learning to Cook 101 class.

Actually, now that I’m thinking about it that would be perfect for your kid too. Maybe for a Christmas present. I think it’s good for kids to know how to at least do the basics when they go off to college. I did, thanks to my Mom. At Mitchells for $25 you can learn about cooking eggs on up.

And even if you don’t take the class they’ve got some great sandwiches over there. I can recommend the muffuletta which is really tasty. Also one of the best places to get cheese too.

Dane

Looking for something fun with the kids? I don’t know if I’ve started any of my posts with stuff about kids before. Dogs, yes. But not so much kids. But this one might be worth even finding a kid for if you don’t have one.

If you liked Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, either the book or the movies (the original is the classic), the Nashville Children’s Theatre is doing a production of it seven days a week until Jan. 20.

Seriously, I just want to go see how they do some parts of the story on stage. I guess they use a combination of actors, puppets and other stuff. Not sure what they’re doing about the Oompa Loompas though. That will be interesting.

Dane

I kept forgetting to do this! I just wanted to thank everyone that came out for Herb Williams’ art reception the other evening. I thought that was a really cool event. I hope we do more of those sorts of things because it’s a great way to introduce people to what Hotel Preston is all about.

It was an invitation-only party for artist Herb Williams, who also happens to be the curator at the Rymer Gallery downtown. For his own art he does these really awesome creations made completely out of crayons! My favorite had to be the platform shoe.

We had it in the Pink Slip and it was just a really fun evening. And congratulations Herb! I hope ya’ll had a great time. I know we did.

See ya!
Sabrina