FiddleStar

Still in love, still arguing over the menu, still two of the best parents a girl could want. #familyiswhatyoumakeit #nogarlicplease (at Nido)

A sad occasion, a memorial service for a close relative who was really fabulous and meant the world to me, but a wonderful opportunity to spend the morning with my mom and stepmom, who (and divorced parents take note) always got along, showed great respect for one another, and were generally fabulous female role models for me. I love them both dearly. And they look pretty awesome for old broads… #familyiswhatyoumakeit #mytwomoms (at Frankie, Johnnie & Luigi’s)

I wouldn’t play the viola for just anyone (mostly because I barely know how…) but when @marysueenglund asks me for stuff, I’m powerless to resist. What a fabulous way to spend the afternoon - with a talented best friend, a legendary producer, and beautiful songs. Special thanks to @theviolinshop for a fabulous instrument. You should all buy a viola from them right now. #viola #whatamidoingplayingtheviola #cstring (at SonyTree Studios)

Breakfast with these dearest ones. @jonweisberger helped me understand how to live in #nashville when I first moved here - helped me make it work when I thought it would never work. @mrfiddler1 is getting ready to head out to where I’m from so my mom and I were passing along a little encouragement and wisdom toward his future success in the Bay Area - knowing full well he’ll make it work. Seems like things are always moving in a beautiful circle. #meemawmovestosanfrancisco #fiddle #circleoffriends (at Frothy Monkey)

There’s also something really important that you should know about our camps. This is the thing - we are pretty much gonna get Nate Lee to teach anything and everything we can, as often as we can. He makes students feel like they’re capable of anything (which we believe wholeheartedly) and that this is all just a fabulous, fun, wonderful journey. And he just straight up gives a damn about each and every one of the people he teaches. Nate Lee, we love you and salute you. Thanks for being a valued, trusted part of Nashville Acoustic Camps. #nashvillemandolincamp #thenatelee #mandolin #nashville (at Fiddlestar)

John Reischman tested, John Reischman approved. It must have been really great for Katie to hear that she made a good choice buying her new #collings at @cartervintageguitars I noticed her beaming for hours after he played it and told her she did alright. #nashvillemandolincamp #mandolin #nashville (at Fiddlestar)

Tonight’s staff concert is beautiful and thoughtful and features not only some of the greatest mandolin players in the world, but also the guitar stylings of David Grier and I am just in awe… (at Carter Vintage Guitars)

#latergram from just before the storm yesterday. Our cat #busterkeaton is an outside cat but he is kind and loyal and rather hilarious. He’s also super fluffy and you can carry him around your shoulders like a stole. I just wanted you all to meet him and say hello. Oh, and when it gets cold we bring him inside so don’t worry. #blackandwhitecats (at Fiddlestar)

For the last few months I’ve been making an effort to compliment at least one person (especially, but not exclusively, a woman) when I’m out and about. Today Mary Sue and I were walking down 12 South and we spotted this fabulous woman working with her husband, setting out pies for a pop up pie stand. I told her how amazing she looked and she asked if we could all have a picture together. She explained that she was known as Purple Pat and that she and her husband sell pies everywhere and that she loves purple. I think Purple Pat rocks and that you just never know what you might be missing when you’re not looking for something great to acknowledge, each and every day. #purplepat #pecanpie #saysomethingnice #nashville (at 12 Avenue South)

As staff concerts go, getting to recreate songs from your latest album with some of your dearest friends (and your amazing husband) is a pretty perfect way to go. #fiddlebanjocamp #fiddle #banjo #bass #gibsonguitars #oldtime #texasstyle #insideout (at Ridgetop, Tennessee)