Baby Shea on the way!

Dreaming of Italy

In September, my husband and I spent 10 days in Italy. We visited Rome, Florence, Tuscany (Siena, Volterra, Montelcino), and Venice. I was in Heaven!!

If music and entertainment were not my passion, I would be a Graphic Artist and play around in visual art mediums (clay, pastel, and charcoal) for fun. I still do those things when I have time, but you give your time and energy to what you love most.

The reason I'm rambling about this is because I got a chance to indulge in Art History in the Heart of Art History for a week! We visited all the Museums and Galleries we could, but the streets have such famous works of art that you can get your fill on a stroll. We took several walking tours to get the meat of it all. We learned a lot about Michaelangelo and his sense of humor, how different artists would be commissioned to paint biblical scenes with the commissioner's family fit into the story (of course the artist would also paint himself as an advertisement of his work!), and the wealth of sculptures in the Vatican alone is unbelievable! I know I only scratched the surface. I want to go back!!

Last night, I had a dream that I was hired to sing at a Hotel in Venice for a week and I took my Dad! We had a blast! I've always wanted to take my parents to Europe. They are both special education teachers and have never had the means to travel outside of the States. With the Euro and British Pound as valuable as they are now, it would be impossible for my parents to travel without me. I'm confident I'll have the chance to show them Italy and Ireland one day.

Maybe my dream will come true....

-Liz

Itty Bitty Sandwich Shop

One favorite restaurant I always visit when I come home to Nashville is the Itty Bitty Sandwich Shop in Hendersonville. It's a MUST! I save up my calorie cheats for this day and indulge in a boxed lunch with my best friend, Jenny.

Jenny and I often share our sandwich halves so we can try two flavors. Today, I chose creamy chicken salad and she had pimento cheese. Itty Bitty's sandwiches are homemade and served on fresh baked yeast rolls with crispy lettuce. I chose pasta salad - also homemade - as my side item and finished with their hot fudge cake topped with fresh churned vanilla ice cream. (I'm a sucker for anything chocolate!) I washed it down with their sweet fruit tea. Sooooooo yummy!

Itty Bitty is set in a quaint home at 706 West Main St in Hendersonville, decorated with an Apple Theme. Often you will hear 40's Big Band Music playing and the waiters are young and friendly. There is a short menu and the desserts are listed on a dry erase board. The serving sizes are perfect for lunch - no need to loosen the belt - and you will always walk away satisfied. It's a casual atmosphere, which leaves you free to relax and enjoy your meal and the company of your friends.

The couple who own the Itty Bitty Sandwich Shop are retired from their former careers and do it for the joy of it. The wife learned to bake with a fleischmann's yeast cookbook when she started raising children. She was making homemade yeast rolls for years and also learned to bake different desserts and breads that friends would ask for and encourage her to sell. One day, she decided to open a bake shop. She had good business, but not enough to break even. She realized she should sell sandwiches and boxed lunches for the lunch crowd that often stopped in for a sweet treat. She learned to roast turkey and chicken, how to make the perfect Mikey hot dog, and created delicious egg and chicken salads to go on her famous yeast rolls. It was a hit!

In the past few years, the Itty Bitty Bake Shop moved to Hendersonville, TN and became the Itty Bitty Sandwich shop. You'll see the owners in the kitchen and the husband usually meets you at the check out to ask how you enjoyed your meal. They are open only for lunch, so don't be surprised to find it full of customers!

I'm a huge fan and wanted to share this local hidden gem with you. I truly believe Food Network should visit this sweet couple and share their story with the world!

So...if you ever find yourself in Hendersonville, stop by and have a boxed lunch at the Itty Bitty Sandwich Shop! You will not be disappointed and I bet it will become one of your favorites!