All signs point to fresh Strawberry Buttermilk ice cream. We snapped this pic this morning en route to the Orchard, Don Henry's Nashville-area farm, which is supplying the strawberries we're using to make Strawberry Buttermilk ice cream, one of the new Ohio Love You early harvest flavors available now.
After a weekend in Nashville, Charly and I were up with the sun and now we're loaded up and truckin' strawberries back to Columbus. That's right. The van's packed with bright red strawberries bursting with flavor from the Orchard, Don Henry's farm just north of Nashville.
Don Henry, me, and a van load of just-picked strawberries this morning north of Nashville, Tenn.
So, why the hell would we go to this much trouble to get our hands on some strawberries? Because Ohio strawberry season is still weeks away and you all want Strawberry Buttermilk ice cream RIGHT NOW DAMN IT!--and so do I.
We don’t just follow the seasons, we follow the emotions of the seasons. When warm weather hits after a long winter (of eating Honey Buttercake ice cream) you want berries, mint, and all the flavors of spring immediately. This year’s solution? Tennessee!
So, here we are, the CB's fired up, the fuzz buster's making sure the coast is clear, and we're hauling ass (and strawberries) back to C’Bus so we can making your Strawberry Buttermilk ice cream tonight.
Our van, jammed with the Orchard's beautiful, fresh strawberries and ready to travel across state lines.
In the meantime, I'm dodging smokeys and singing a tune from a little ol' film starring a hairy man named Burt and his side kick Jerry Guitar Man Reed: "(North)east bound and down, loaded up and truckin', aw we gonna do what they say can't be done, we've got a long way to go and a short time to get there, I'm (north)east bound, just watch ol', uh, Jeni and Charly run."
Charly and I had a great time once again in Nashville. Nashville is kind of like if L.A. and Brooklyn had a love child. It’s a tourist town, but that only makes it better. The food is off the hook, the sites are amazingly fun, the neighborhoods are compact and historic in architecture. There are great parks, and many wonderful walkable districts similar to Columbus, and it's only 6 hours from my kitchen.
The music gets you moving--and it ain’t just country. Everywhere you go there's the sense that the people are hard at work at some project, be it a music project or a neighborhood building one. It feels like there is a great underground to this city and there's a sense that every dirty mustachioed guy ain’t doin it for fashion; he's really a driven, productive genius. I appreciate a city where people get to work, especially in arts. And where you aren’t looked down upon for having dreams that are bigger than a crunchy storefront.
But this is what happens in the "fly-over" states. We work hard. Nashville is perhaps the next great American city. It’s getting a brand new huge convention center, it has many great hotels, countless great restaurants, and tons of things to do, see, hear on every block. But it still feels like a small town. Nashville’s biggest export is music, but there is so much more to the city and we could not feel more honored to at long last, be a part of the place.
We almost picked up a pint of Strawberry Buttermilk yesterday @ HOT&COLD...now I wish we would have! I have grown up with sweet Tennessee strawberries...nothing quiet like them. :)
So glad you guys "get" what Nashville is all about! Can't wait for the book.
Posted by: Cara | May 20, 2011 at 06:22 PM
My husband and family are from Nashville, I am glad you had time to get a feel for what it is all about, Wonderful nightlife, restaurants, and things to do. It's not just about the music, but so much more. Born and raised in Ohio, but Nashville is my second home.
Posted by: Sharon | May 21, 2011 at 12:44 PM
I love what you said about Nashville!
And I love your ice cream so, so, so much. I was introduced to it by my husband (Manley at Powell Design Studio) and am completely in love. I think y'all are wonderful. I'm so glad you are here!
Rebekka
Posted by: rebekka | May 30, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Thanks so much, Rebekka!
Posted by: Aaron Beck | June 13, 2011 at 09:19 AM
This makes me so happy. My husband and I moved to Nashville three years ago from Columbus. We missed Columbus so much and we had your ice cream shipped to us. When we heard about Hot and Cold we became very gitty. We love both cities and now that we can get Jeni's it is even better.
Posted by: Amanda | June 27, 2011 at 11:35 AM
I moved to Columbus from Nashville and I couldn't agree more. People unfamiliar with that region usually have an unfair stereotype in mind but it couldn't be farther from that. It is a fabulously artsy and eclectic city that reminds me so much of the Columbus that we love. I have been sharing the Jeni's love with my Nashville peeps like it's my job! I think it will be a perfect fit!
Posted by: Missy | June 30, 2011 at 11:31 AM