On this rainy Friday night (at least it’s raining here in Nashville), I thought it would be fun to kick off the weekend with a discussion post. My favorite part about blogging is being able to chat with my readers via comments, email, and Facebook, and I always enjoy learning more about each of you.
Mr. Handsome and I have followers from across the globe, and I would love to know what part of the world you live in. I’m also curious to hear any interesting or unique facts about your hometown or native country. I’ll start…
Many people know that Nashville has earned the nickname Music City because it is where the majority of country music (as well as other genres) is produced. But here’s a fun fact you might not have known. Nashville is home to the only full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon. Originally built in 1897 for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition, it was reconstructed in concrete thirty years later and is now a permanent fixture at Centennial Park (located on West End near Vanderbilt University). Above is a photo of Mr. Handsome and me at the Parthenon with our friend a couple years ago.
Now it’s your turn. Where do reside, and what’s something interesting about your home?
Hi Ellie,
I live in the city called Goes, it’s in Zeeland, the Netherlands! In Goes itself there are not a lot of interesting places, but in our province of Zeeland there certainly are! You should google ‘stormvloedkering’, ‘Neeltje Jans’ and of course beaches!
Very interesting structures. I visited Amsterdam as a child, but that was the only place we went in the Netherlands.
Ellie
Hi Ellie,
Another dutch reader here. I live in a very small village called Gouderak, close to Gouda. Gouda is known for the cheese and ‘stroopwafels’ and the longest church in the Netherlands, called the Saint John (Sint Jan), also known for the 72 beautiful stained glass windows.
I however was born in Goes (what a coincidence) and lived in the province Zeeland for 18 years (in Middelburg). I think these cities are both very pretty, you could google ‘stadhuis Goes’ and ‘stadhuis Middelburg’. O, and google for the Sint Jan in Gouda 😉
Greetings,
Sanne
Thanks for commenting, Sanne. I had no idea that Gouda was from the Netherlands. Very interesting. And what a beautiful church!
Ellie
We have visitied the parthenon as a family! I used to live near Nashville. Now I have married a German and live in the Black Forest in Germany. It is beautiful and the weather is most of the time how I prefer it – not too hot! 🙂 I think the 2 coolest things about Germany are the Christmas markets and seeing things that are thousands of years old.
Hi Kay, how long have you been living in Germany? I also married a German and made the leap across the pond to the Stuttgart area. As the time is nearing, I second the wonderful Christmas markets and beauty and the history of all the old buildings.
Wow, that’s so neat! Maybe we live near each other. Stuttgart is the closest airport to us anyway. Maybe we can get in touch with each other through Ellie? I could send her an email. I have lived here for almost 8 years.
I would be happy to connect the two of you through email, if you would like. 🙂
Ellie
This is interesting, Kay! That you used to live here in TN and moved over there! Can I ask you what the Black Forest looks like? I’ve always wondered…A heavily forested area-something like the Smoky Mtns? You live in the woods? I’ve always wanted to go see Germany. 🙂
The Black Forest is beautiful, and huge! It’s called black because it is so dark and thick, not because it is really black. There are a lot of fir trees too, so that makes it darker. I think it is prettiest in the snow – it is truly a winter wonderland! It covers a lot of area, but of course you have the villages and cities in between. We don’t live directly in the woods but in a village. You can always walk to the edge of the woods or in the woods if you want, but you have to watch out for the most dangerous animal in Germany – the ticks!
Thanks for your interesting information Kay! You really have me wanting to see it someday!
I originally lived in Giessen, Germany but was adopted and moved to the U.S. as a toddler. I currently live in West Alexandria, Ohio. Very small with a lot of corn and soy bean fields. West Alexandria is close to Eaton, Ohio which is known for the Pork Festival. Even though I have lived in the U.S. for a long time I have never felt like I belong. I guess my roots are in my birth country, Germany. So exciting to hear about those of you living in Germany. Along with the Black Forest are they known for cuckoo clocks?
Yes, there are definitely cuckoo clocks, especially in the Black Forest. However, I don’t hear about them or see them very often as a resident. But you will definitely find very nice homemade ones in the tourist towns. You should come and visit sometime! 🙂
I live in a town called Geelong in the state of Victoria in Australia. We are best known for our football (Australian Rules) team, our access to the amazing coast and funnily enough – a floating Christmas tree that appears at the waterfront at the holiday season and lights up on the water. It’s so pretty.
Hi Sez. I searched for photos of the floating Christmas tree, and it looks beautiful!
Ellie
Hi Ellie
Ohhh glad you think our tree is beautiful. Two more weeks till it comes back to our waterfront, and I cannot wait!
Live in Lott, TX, close to 1/2 hr south of Waco,, used to be a thriving town when the railroad went thru years ago, known for it’s Western Wear Store. But that glory was before our time here, as now it’s shabby and run down. Before living in TX we lived in Crossville, 90 miles north of Nashville, just off I40 for a little over 5 years. I actually grew up in Honduras, my parents moving there from IN when I was 3 1/2.
This is interesting that you lived in Crossville! We live about 30-40 minutes from there more on the Cumberland Plateau. There is sorghum making in our community in the fall and the roads and shops are filled with tourists this time of year. We are behind with the leaf color this year so we are barely starting to see some color now. There is lots of neat interesting places in nature to see on the Plateau. Yesterday we went to the Lost Creek Cave and waterfall natural area outside of Sparta TN and it is a beautiful sight. A number of years ago Disney filmed the waterfall there in its jungle movie! The open mouth of the cave is huge and you can walk right in and go explore. It goes for miles under there. It’s a big cave system. This time of year they were discouraging people walking in there tho because of the bats disease. There is more numerous places and state parks and natural areas to visit in our area. Love to hike. LOVE Tennessee!!!
We have been to a couple waterfalls (Burgess Falls is beautiful) in the Sparta, TN, area, but we haven’t yet been to Lost Creek Cave. I don’t believe we have been to Virgin Falls either. It’s a lovely area! We really enjoy hiking, as well.
Ellie
I am from Sparta, TN. Small world. I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Lost Creek Cave, and also your visit to Burgess Falls, Ellie.
Small world, indeed. It’s a beautiful area.
Ellie
Aww Waco! Would love to see Magnolia someday! Have you been there? Or caught a sighting of Chip and Jo?
Hello Ellie, i am Sandra and live in Amersfoort, a city in The Netherlands.
Amersfoort is a little over 750 years old and has some beautifull buildings. Mostly from the defendencewall aroud the city.
Amersfoort got its name because of a river that was here and this was a place they could get through ( river was called amer) where the water was not too deep. So they decided to start building a town here.
How neat to live in a 750-year-old city! I’m sure the buildings are just beautiful.
I am from Waynesville, Ohio. It is a smaller town in southern Ohio, it is between Dayton and Cincinnati. It is the antique capital of the Midwest and home of the Sauerkraut Festival.
We have been to both Dayton and Cincinnati (we had friends living in Dayton for a year, and we also went up another time to visit the ARK/Creation Museum). Not too far from Nashville.
Hi Ellie!
I’m in Chino Valley, AZ near Prescott. Prescott is know as Christmas Cit because of the beautiful Christmas trees and decorations in downtown Prescott.
People here greet each other while walking, riding their horses or even their riding lawn mowers as some people ride theirs to go up the road to mow a neighbors land.
Sounds like a quaint town, Regina! Having friendly neighbors is a wonderful thing.
Hi Ellie
I’m from suffolk in England. I love that each morning I look out my window at green fields. We are currently having warm weather for our time of year. My village used to be a thriving village with three inns. Now they are trying to build it up with more houses and no job opportunities. I am a Londoner born and bred but a country pumpkin at heart
Thanks for sharing! I would love to visit the English countryside sometime.
Ellie
I’m from Manitoba, Canada. Waiting to see how many more Canadians post.
Hi, I’m from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. If you came here the Forks might be a good tourist choice. It is at the junction of the Assinaboine river and Red river. As many ‘things’ as possible to get in one area are there. It is also historical as well as just exciting to visit. Google it rather than me trying to text it all!
I’m a Canadian who now lives in Germany near Regensburg, a city founded over 1200 years ago. It has the oldest bridge over the Danube and a famous monument, called Walhalla, modeled after the Parthenon. Walhalla sits beautifully on a hill above the Danube and is a popular place among not only tourists but also locals who love to sit on the majestic steps in front of it with a picnic while watching the sunset.
Ellie, this was such a fun idea! Thanks. All the best to you and your two guys!
Hello to all the readers from Winnipeg! You have a beautiful city. I have been there once. 🙂
To the commenter who lives in Regensburg, that sounds like a neat place. I have been to Rothenburg (another old city in Germany), but it looks like that’s about 3 hours away.
Ellie
Yes, Ellie, Rothenburg on the Tauber River is about 3 hours from us, but we always take our North American visitors there anyway. It’s such a quaint and we’ll preserved village. Everyone loves the Christmas shops, too.
I remember it being very quaint. And it has a wall, doesn’t it? We spent a night in a cute inn. I believe that was the time on our trip that I got locked in a bathroom, and the owner had to throw a key up into the second story window. A bit traumatic, but the city was gorgeous.
Ellie
https://www.theforks.com/attractions
From Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Ha! Ha! Ellie, that’s so funny and reminds me of one of my first trips to Germany to visit my Mr. German-Handsome. He took me to the beautiful waterfall at Schaffhausen… where I too locked myself into a ladies room! Now it’s hilarious, but when you can’t speak German to ask for help, it’s pretty nerve-wracking. I eventually got out, but to this day, if I take too long, he calls in to check on me!
Oh my, that must have been quite the ordeal! If you don’t mind me asking, how did you and your Mr. Handsome meet?
Ellie
My brother was stationed in my husband’s hometown, in the Black Forest, with the Canadian Forces. As university graduation gifts, our parents gave my sister and I plane tickets to visit our brother in Germany. My dad jokingly said that I was going to meet my prince in Europe. I may have rolled my eyes at him, but I did just that! We had outrageous phone bills and traveled back and forth for 2 years. Traveling together on the same plane after our wedding in the states was very special.
What a neat love story, Karen! Thank you for sharing.
Ellie
I live in Schoharie county in the capital region of New York York taye. Unfortunately we have been in the news for that horrific limo crash a few weeks ago. Please pray for our first responders who saw things no one should see along bvb with the victims and their families.
Will definitely be praying, Lisa! That was certainly a horrific accident.
We currently live in Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. In Honolulu, there is The ‘Iolani Palace, which is the only royal palace on US soil.
Hawaii, how lovely! 🙂
I live in Wooster, Ohio. It is about an hour away from Cleveland and about and hour and half from Columbus (our states capital). In Wooster we are home to the College of Wooster and the Ohio Light Oprea. We are also within about half an hour from Mochian State Park which is a great place for camping and hiking! Also we about 45 minutes away from Holmes County which is known for their lovely fall colors! It is definitely a beautiful hometown!
Ohio is a great state, Madison. The times we have visited, we have found the people to be very warm and welcoming.
Ellie
Hi Ellie! I write from the Swiss Alps… besides the Alps which are well-known I guess I love a lake called Caumasee which is within walking distance of our house. The colour of the water is like in the Carribean with snow topped mountains in the background. I spent so much time with my two toddlers there this summer. Nature is wonderful!
Hi Sabine,
How cool that you live in the Swiss Alps. I travel a lot and the route between Zurich and Geneva is the next trip Im planning. I love the amazing natural sceneries. I ve thought about staying in Interlaken. Could you please suggest places or villages for me to visit?
I looked up photos of that lake, Sabine, and it looks incredible. Reminds me of a lake we saw in the Canadian Rockies. I agree, nature is a wonderful thing to enjoy.
Ellie
I live in Ogden, Ut, home of the beautiful mountains, grandchildren and sunshine!
Would love to visit Utah! It’s on my list.
Ellie
I live in Bristol, CT. Home to ESPN. CT is also home to Yale University. Louisa May Alcott’s father’s house is in Wolcott, CT, where I grew up. It’s still lived in, although not by the Alcott family.
Mr. Handsome loves ESPN, LOL. On our east coast trip, we visited another one of the Alcott’s houses, in Concord, Massachusetts. While there, we happened to stumble upon filming for the upcoming ‘Little Women’ remake.
Ellie
I am from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Having lived in Canada for a few years Ellie, you may know this. In December 1917, the harbour of Halifax was the location of the largest man-made explosion in the world (until Hiroshima). Two ships collided with one carrying a large amount of explosions onboard. Nova Scotia is also home of the Bluenose, which is the Tall Ship depicted on the Canadian dime! We are also home to many gorgeous beaches, lighthouses, and of course amazing seafood.
I haven’t yet visited the far eastern side of Canada, but I would love to. We made it up to Quebec City a few weeks ago after our time in Boston, but that’s as far east as I have been. I hear Nova Scotia is beautiful!
Ellie
I live in Melbourne, Australia, now, but I grew up in Launceston, Tasmania- the island state off the bottom of Aus. The best thing about ‘Lonny’ is the Cataract Gorge. It’s a deep rock canyon with a river flowing through it, and halfway down it spreads out into a natural lake that people swim in during summer.
Hi Shell. I looked up photos of the Cataract Gorge, and it’s spectacular! Is Tasmania a large island?
Ellie
Ottawa, Ontario! Known for Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal, and Gatineau Park. Have you visited Ottawa?
I have! I have been to all those places you mentioned. Summertime in Ottawa is beautiful, especially along the canal.
Ellie
Hi everyone! Greek girl here. I am Greek and I ve lived in many different Greek cities for the past years. Greece is known for its huge history and the ancient civilization. Also know for the beatiful islands. What I love the most is the people. I havent met such warm, happy and smily people anywhere else in the world while travelling. Ask me anything!
I know someone who is in Greece right now, and I can’t wait to see pictures. They are doing a Greek island cruise.
Ellie
Hi! I’m Italian, and I’ve been to Greece a few times, the last of which this past summer. The very funny thing was that people there kept talking to me in Greek, which I know only 5 words of. I didn’t understand why, when I clearly gave signs that I wasn’t understanding anything. 🙂 Later on I guess it’s because I look just like Greek people (olive toned skin and dark brown hair). After all part of my family comes from the South of Italy – the ancient Magna Grecia.
I live in Rockport/Fulton, TX. A small fishing/beach town & people like George Strait vacation/have homes here. We’re a tourist area & noted as a prime bird watching area. We have a long history but sadly we’re now mostly only known for the fact Hurricane Harvey made landfall in the area & destroyed our town. The people, culture, food, etc are great and the land & water around us is truly beautiful!
So sorry to hear that you were hit by Harvey. Have you been able to rebuild?
Ellie
Yes I have. A lot of people haven’t and, of course, it was awful to see our city destroyed but we were also able to see the good in people. In our community and from other areas. Amazing the good that can come from the awful. Our town has & is making a comeback. We’ve been very blessed.
That’s wonderful to hear that good has come out of such a tragic situation. Praying that your town can rebuild to what it once was.
Ellie
I live in Strängnäs, Sweden. It’s a small town, only about 15.000 people in the town itself, but it’s known for several historical sites, one of Sweden’s oldest churches among others, which they started building about 800 years ago. It’s close to the water – many of Sweden’s oldest cities are close to the ocean or a lake connected to the ocean, because that used to be the fastest way to travel before there were any major roads. There is a lot of tourism, especially in the summers, here thanks to that.
Hi Jessica,
I spent a day in Sweden as a child, during my family’s one Europe trip. Not sure where we went, but I know it was along the water.
Ellie
Hi Ellie, My home is Hagerstown, Maryland, located south of the Mason-Dixon line & north of the Potomac River. Our crown jewel is our historic City Park. With man-made lakes it’s listed as one of the 10 most beautiful parks in the U.S.!!! Jane
Jane, I went to a summer camp just across the PA line from Hagerstown! It was many years ago now, but I loved that area. It’s so beautiful there.
Thanks for sharing, Jane! Have you lived there your whole life?
Ellie
I’m following your blog from Zwickau, a 900 year old town in Saxony, Germany.
My hometown is best known for its automotive industry, especially the car that was produced here during the time of the German Democratic Republic, the so called “Trabant”. Zwickau is also the birthplace of Robert Schumann, a famous german composer, who was born here in 1810.
Very neat! I’ve heard of Robert Schumann. 🙂
Ellie
Hey Ellie,
It seems like you have quite a few dutch readers. I am one as well. I live in a small town near the city Rotterdam. Rotterdam was mostly destroyed in WW2, so there are many new buildings with very unique architecture over there.
I love this idea for a blogpost. I absolute think it is so cool to be able to interact with people around the globe!
Mieke
I’ve heard of Rotterdam, Mieke. I’m glad to have you as a reader. 🙂
Ellie
Hi Ellie, I live in the Netherlands in a small village in the southern part of the province Utrecht. We have a primary school, a community center and a church, but no shops.
Thanks for commenting, Adja. Looks like I have a lot of readers from the Netherlands. I am grateful to have you as a follower.
Ellie
I have really enjoyed reading about all the different fascinating and intriguing places everyone on here is from ! I’m from Cartersville GA. I live super close to where Sam Jones (a famous preacher from long ago) used to live and also a house where Lottie Moon live at one time. I’m also not far from where one of the battles of the Civil War was fought.
I live in Calhoun Ga. Just twenty minutes North of you! Small world.
Wow yes it is 😀 A good friend of mine lives in Calhoun
Very neat. We are familiar with Lottie Moon. 🙂
Ellie
Born in IReland
schooled in United States
now home is outer Melb ….Australia
I’m lucky to live close to the mountains and the sea ………
Wow, you have moved around a lot! What state did you attend school in?
Ellie
Hi Ellie, i live in a small town near Paris in France. In Paris i love to go to Notre Dame de Paris, The Sacré Coeur, The Eiffel Tower. Near my town there is many castle to visit, i particularly like to go to the castle Vaux-le-Vicomte in december because it is decorated for Christmas and it’s beautiful.
How lovely! I have heard so much about Paris.
Ellie
Aww this is so interesting Ellie! I love reading where everyone is. It just makes me itch to go traveling to some of these places. Doesn’t it you? Thanks for an interesting read…I did post earlier up where I was at 😉
Yes, it definitely does! 🙂
Hi!
I live in south Africa. I love the weather, scenery and wildlife we have here. Loved here my whole life, but have moved around different cities.
We have friends from South Africa. I love your accents. 🙂
Ellie
Hey Ellie! I’m from a small town that is 30 minutes east from Kansas City, Missouri! A fun fact about KC is that we are known as the City of Fountains.
Thanks for sharing! Are there a lot of fountains throughout the city?
Ellie
There are! We have about 200 registered fountains in KC.
Wow! That’s impressive!
I live close to Miami, Florida. Miami is best known for its warm beaches, art deco architecture, and Latin culture as “gateway of the Americas”. My favorite part of living here is the nature: I can spot manatees in the small canal behind my house and my yard teems with colorful birds, bromeliads, palms and large iguanas (up to 4 ft!).
How picturesque! Mr. Handsome and I flew through Miami on our way to Grand Cayman for our honeymoon, but we were only able to spend one night there.
Ellie
I live near Grand Rapids Michigan. My favorite part about Michigan is probably all the water.
Michigan is beautiful! Thanks for reading, Marie.
Ellie
A big hi from Belize, Central America!
Hi, Grace! Thanks for reading.
Ellie
Hello Ellie, I currently live in our Nation’s Capital, Washington, DC. It’s a great and vibrant place to live. DC is filled with museums, restaurants, and so much more. I love all of your blogs!
I love DC! Spent a day there several years ago when I was interviewing with the FBI, and I cannot wait to go back someday. I’m glad to have you as a reader, Zara.
Ellie
I’m a reader from Malawi Africa! Here as missionaries for 5 years with my husband and 4 children. There are too many things that I love about Malawi and it’s people for me to mention!
That’s wonderful, Marie! What kind of mission work are you doing, if you don’t mind me asking?
Ellie
Hi!
My name is Katya and I live in Minsk, Belarus. Do you know, where my country is?)
I came to visit your blog from Duggarfamilyblog and I am very happy for you and your husband to have a little boy)
So glad to have you as a reader, Katya! I have heard of Belarus. Is it near Poland? What are some of your favorite things about your country?
Ellie
Exactly, Belarus is between Poland and Russia!
I like the wide streets of Minsk, the forests and lakes, when snow slowly falls in winter (but it usually either smashes you in your face or sleets:)
Thanks for sharing, Katya. My family has roots in Eastern Europe, so I would love to visit sometime.
Ellie
Marie, I’m from Grand Rapids Ohio. lol. We are the home of the Applebutter Festival. We just had it a couple weeks ago. My town is a small picturesque town, where the people are friendly, and the many visitors to our antique shops become our friends and come back frequently because they say it is like home to them now. If you are ever in our area you should spend a night or two at The Millhouse B&B. We love our little town here ☺
I love applebutter! Did the festival have lots of tasty variations?
Hello Ellie,
I live in the Netherlands, in a town vallen Hilversum. It is not too fat from Amsterdam.
We have some beautiful buildings designed by Dudok. I love the woods around the place, great for hiking! Most people know my town because this is where historically speaking all television-programmes where made and aired.
Very neat, Marianne! Have you lived there your whole life?
Hi Ellie,
I currently live in a small town just north of the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Growing up, I lived in a suburb of St. Paul that bordered both St. Paul and Minneapolis. I could see both skylines from our yard.
The Twin Cities are a metropolis of architecture, museums, theatre, food, and sports.
How neat that you could see both skylines from your yard, Carrie! I haven’t been to the Twin Cities, but I have heard a lot about them.
Ellie
Hey Ellie!
I’ve been following you for a while now on the different blogs. Live it!
I’m from Jerusalem, Israel.
There are so many things that are super unique about Jerusalem, starting with the 3 religions the coexist here, the hot tempered culture and all the amazing sites!
We have very recently moved to north Atlanta and we really love it here!
I would love to visit Jerusalem. Has moving to Atlanta been a big adjustment?
Hi to Ellie and also to Carrie in Minnesota, my home state! I’m originally from different suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota,I now live in North Dakota, known for the International Peace Gardens on the ND and Canada border, sooo many beautiful flower gardens wow! And also North Dakota’s number one tour attraction: the town of Medora, ND, known for their western culture, the wonderful Medora Musical (mix of country, western, and gospel music). The musical is dedicated to America’s 26th President Theodore Roosevelt and the time he spent here in the North Dakota Badlands!
http://www.medorand.com
Hi Ellie, I live in Sussex, a county in South East England. It’s divided up into 2 parts, West and East. I live in West Sussex, but only a few miles from Brighton (city) which is in East Sussex, It’s a popular tourist destination. I live on the coast but near the countryside too, which is nice.
Coast and countryside sounds like the perfect combination. 🙂
Hi from Yellowknife, NT Canada,
I love hearing where everyone is from. We came here for a year from New Zealand with a new baby almost 27 years ago, and never left!
Hi, Margaret! We have distant family that spends part of the year in Yellowknife. How cold does it get in winter?
Ellie
I’m from saint louis Missouri. We are known as the gateway city. Fun fact my grandpa helped put the windows in the arch.
That’s very neat, Lauren. I have seen the arch and have always wanted to go up in it but haven’t had the chance. Have you been to the City Museum? Now that was a blast!
Ellie
My family and I recently moved to Grosse Ile Mi. It is an island. I found this article that gives more information.
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/michigan/island-hidden-gem-mi/
Hi Ellie 😊
I’m from northern Norway. A small Village in the Lyngen Alps.
We have the northern light and midnight sun! And you can ski from the top of the mountain right down to the fjords.
Love your blog!
Hi Marianne,
I have always wanted to see the Northern Lights. We have them here in North America, but I’ve never been in the right place at the right time. And I’m sure skiing near the fjords is beautiful. I grew up skiing. Do you ski a lot?
Thanks for being a loyal reader. 🙂
Ellie
Hi! I seem to be the only Italian here. I was born in Verona, which of course is the city where Shakeaspeare set Romeo and Juliet. Though the story is made up, there are some references in the history of my hometown.
The main thing to visit in Verona is the Arena: the Roman amphiteatre that’s still used today for the Opera during summer and other kind of concerts. People come from all Europe for the Opera.
Verona is a very ancient town and part of the Unesco world heritage. It was a Roman city, and an important marketplace and communication area between Italy and Germany during the roman empire and in the middle age.