It’s more than where we work, it’s where we live. It’s where we raise families. Where we show up for one another – in the everyday and in the unexpected. It’s where names are neighbors, and care is connection. It’s about the people. SCAN FOR MORE INFO
If your house currently contains a backpack you can't find, pets that you adore, teens, or toddlers, congratulations... you've found your people.
This month is all about the beautiful, hilarious chaos of family life in Williamson County. Around here, we're raising readers, artists, athletes, musicians, entrepreneurs. We're remodeling homes to keep up with growing families, organizing closets with the best of intentions (whether they stay that way is another story), and finding creative ways to encourage imagination wherever it appears... even inside a retired school bus.
And then there are our pets. Equal parts therapist, alarm system, vacuum cleaner, and professional treat negotiator, they somehow manage to become the heartbeat of our homes.
What I love most about Williamson County isn't just the beautiful neighborhoods or excellent schools. It's that this community is filled with people who pour their hearts into helping families thrive, whether that's through education, creativity, home, health, or simply making everyday life a little easier.
My own kids are adults now (19 and 22). I am proud to say they are functioning young adults and they are no longer dangers to themselves, others, or property so I see that as a win! The house is eerily quiet sometimes and to be honest, it's been quite neat having a house to myself for a few hours at a time.
So grab a cup of coffee (while it's still hot, if you're lucky), enjoy this issue, and remember: someday you'll miss the noise. Maybe today's not your day... but someday.
Warmly,
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August 2026
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ANNA SKATES AND HER DEPARTMENT OF CURIOUS THINGS ARE GIVING KIDS THE FREEDOM TO CREATE
ARTICLE BY MARIA DINOIA | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
There is a little bus parked near the carousel at The Factory at Franklin on Tuesday afternoons, and if you look through the windows you will see something inspiring: children completely absorbed in their own imaginations.
This is the Department of Curious Things, the brainchild of Franklin's Anna Skates — preschool teacher, children's librarian, former children's pastor, and lifelong creative who has spent most of her adult life working with kids in one form or another. The bus, which she spent the month of May converting into a rolling open-air studio, is stocked with what she describes as a "normal" cabinet and a "weird" cabinet — paper, scissors, pencils,
fabric scraps, random game pieces, and materials sourced largely from Turnip Greens Creative Reuse in Nashville, a organization dedicated to keeping usable materials out of landfills.
The philosophy is simple. "Everything's there for you," Skates tells kids when they board. "You're welcome to do whatever you'd like." Then she steps back and watches what happens next. What happens, it turns out, is magic. Kids have written entire joke books on the bus. One child fashioned an elaborate egg carton and Easter egg game with handwritten questions to help her get to know a new babysitter. "I could have never facilitated that," Skates says.
“Kids can rise to the occasion and meet you in spaces and make some really beautiful things that you could never, never imagine in a million years.”
Her vision extends well beyond the bus. The ultimate goal is a brick and mortar creative hub, a hidden-door, secret-passcode kind of place with rooms for photography, pottery, visual art, and a gallery to display what kids make. For now, though, the bus is a starting point.
"I think kids don't need us to instruct them as much as we may think that we need to," she says. "They have really amazing ideas. They're incredibly thoughtful, incredibly creative naturally, instinctually. And I think something that they need that they don't get a lot of is the space to explore their own ideas."
Tuesday open studio sessions are $12 for 20 minutes, with drop-off available for kids five and older. Parties and book clubs are also available. Find the Department of Curious Things at The Factory at Franklin on Tuesdays to see the bus for yourself.
TheDepartmentOfCuriousThings.com
To learn more, reserve a time, or book a party: thedepartmentofcuriousthings.com/bus
Sponsorship (for other businesses who might be interested in adding their name to the back window of the bus): thedepartmentofcuriousthings.com/sponsorship
• Carpenter Bus (title sponsor)
• Daybird Creative (founding sponsor)
• Thrive Education
• Robinson Immigration Law
• Apple & Anchor
Donations (always looking for community support! Taxdeductible donations are available at the link on the bottom of this page): thedepartmentofcuriousthings.com/tdoct-donation
More about Anna and her work: annaskates.co
From
Looking to get the young readers in your house to practice their skills in a way that doesn’t feel like school? Or maybe you want to find a way for you and your pet to give back to the community? Whatever your desire, check out some of the ways therapy animals are helping students become more confident readers while bringing smiles to faces all across Middle Tennessee.
Visit Williamson County Library’s Fairview Branch for their “Reading with Reggie” program every Tuesday in August from 4 – 5 pm. Reggie is the certified therapy dog of a local Fairview resident and loves to help kids with their reading. Kids 12 years old and under are invited to come practice their skills by reading to him. The Fairview branch is located at 2240 Fairview Boulevard, Fairview. For more information, visit Wcpltn.org and see what other libraries in Williamson
ARTICLE BY LISA VALENTINE
"This is the perfect way to help improve your child’s reading confidence and keep their skills sharp."
County also offer the reading with dogs program.
Another great place for young readers to practice their reading while also learning to give back is at Williamson County Animal Center’s “Book Buddies” program. Children ages 5 – 12 (accompanied by an adult) can read to the cats and dogs at the facility. This provides them with companionship and social
interaction to make them more acclimated to people and, in turn, become more adoptable. They can read to cats in a more open environment where the cats can wander, or for dogs, they can read to them from outside their cages. This is the perfect way to help improve your child’s reading confidence and keep their skills sharp as they transition into the next school year. All children and an accompanying adult must attend a short class to receive training on how to interact with the cats and dogs in this
program before beginning. For more information, visit Adoptwcac.org
Music City Pet Partners is an organization that takes animals for visits to hospitals, schools, libraries, and senior living facilities, as a way to improve people’s health and well-being through bonding with animals. To learn more about signing yourself and your animal up to
become a therapy team or to request a visit with a therapy animal at your organization, visit MusicCityPetPartners.org
READing Paws is a national program that puts together teams of literacy mentors and qualified therapy animals to visit libraries, schools, etc., to help children with their reading. For more information on getting your dog involved and becoming a therapy team, visit ReadingPaws.org
ARTICLE BY KAREN CREASON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Three local student artists are earning recognition far beyond Middle Tennessee, but their work begins with something much closer to home. Through paintings, drawings, photography and film, Lucy Maris, Jimin Lee and Teague Kindred explore relationships, identity, and the stories hidden in everyday life. Their award-winning portfolios reveal not only remarkable talent, but also the perspective, resilience, and curiosity shaping their futures.
How many times have you told your child to clean their room? Well, you may want to reconsider, because Lucy Maris turned hers into an award-winning painting.
Clean Your Room , her oil painting of her own bedroom, won a Silver Key in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards and was named "Best of the Best" in the Painting category at the Middle Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition (MTRSAE). The painting will also hang in the Frist Art Museum as part of the 11th Biennial Young Tennessee Artists Exhibition, on display from August 2026 through March 2027. Experimenting with perspective, Lucy used the vantage point of her own bedroom to draw the viewer into a space that is ordinary yet deeply personal.
"My bedroom is my space, and there's a bit of vulnerability that I was forcing myself, in a good way, to share," she says, "because I think vulnerability is really important in art."
Some of her most meaningful work begins with her siblings. Many of Lucy's pieces explore the ways they influence one another, shape each other's identities, and offer new perspectives on who she is. Like Sister, Like Brother, a mixed-media piece, was also
“THERE’S A BIT OF VULNERABILITY THAT I WAS FORCING MYSELF, IN A GOOD WAY, TO SHARE.”
recognized at MTRSAE. Lucy enjoys mixed-media for how it combines materials in unexpected ways, much like the layered relationships it portrays. Her gouache-on-wood piece, Back Float, is featured on our cover.
"I want my portfolio to be very joyful and show this sense of play that my siblings inspire," she says.
That focus has also led her to reflect on her own role in their lives. "I'm thinking about how I'm influencing them and in what ways they're looking up to me," she says. "It forced me to look at the ways they're influencing me and changing who I am."
Lucy carries with her the vulnerability her art and siblings helped shape, hoping to bring it into the new friendships and experiences ahead as she leaves Franklin to attend Bowdoin College this month.
@Lucy-Maris_art
One of Jimin Lee's artworks now resides on the Moon. Yes, the Moon. The honor places her among a remarkably small group of artists, of any age, whose work has traveled beyond Earth, after her pencil drawing Grandfather was selected for the Lunar Codex "Polaris Collection."
While that achievement may be the most extraordinary on her growing list of accolades, it represents only one chapter in an artistic journey rooted in identity, curiosity, and connection. Through her work, Jimin explores her Korean-American heritage, family, and the experiences that have shaped her understanding of herself and the world around her.
Her talent has earned recognition in some of the most prestigious competitions. Jimin was named a National YoungArts Winner in Visual Arts, placing among the top five percent of more than 13,000 applicants nationwide. Her work has been displayed at the U.S. Capitol after earning first place in the Congressional Art Competition, and it was exhibited at Sotheby's New York through the International Art Renewal Center Salon Competition.
“THIS IS SOMETHING I WOULD HAVE NEVER DREAMED OF AS A LITTLE KID.”
Despite her résumé, Jimin remains grounded in what she loves: playing cello, spending time with family, and volunteering. She founded Artistry Explorers (artistryexplorers. org), which provides art instruction and art history education for underserved children, and Thousand Heart Portraits (thousandheartportraits.org), which provides complimentary hand-drawn portraits honoring local heroes.
"Volunteering and doing something for my community fills me with a lot of gratitude," she says.
Art's impact extends far beyond technique. It has taught her resilience, patience, and the confidence to persevere through mistakes.
"Through art, I can better articulate myself," she says. "It has given me confidence to express who I am. It has helped me see humanity differently and recognize the value in every person."
Looking ahead, Jimin hopes to explore the intersection of art, science and healthcare, combining creativity with service to others.
@jiminlee.art
@artistryexplorers
Most high school students are still discovering their passions. Teague Kindred is already earning recognition from the same organization behind the Emmy Awards and placing in global competitions for young filmmakers.
The student filmmaker and photographer received a Student Production Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for his documentary Fish Market. His film Lily was later named a Third Place Winner in the Film category of the Undergraduate SCAD Challenge, a global art and design competition that attracted more than 3,700 submissions from around the world.
"I like taking things at a slower pace and checking things out that most people miss," he says. "I notice things people overlook."
That ability to slow down and pay attention has become the foundation of his work. Whether he's filming a documentary, photographing a family, or capturing a landscape, Teague is drawn to the stories hidden in everyday moments, capturing emotion and authenticity rather than posed or manufactured moments. That instinct earned a Gold Key in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for his photo entitled Sheltered in the Rush Teague photographs landscapes, architecture, families, weddings, and senior portraits. While each project is different, he is most fulfilled when working directly with people. "I love getting to meet new people and make a memory for them," he says.
Despite his growing list of accolades, Teague stays grounded in the routines he loves: taking walks around his neighborhood and managing the lawn-care business he's worked hard to build. He describes himself as surprisingly organized, a trait that carries over into how he approaches his work behind the camera.
For Teague, the goal is not just to capture images, but to slow down enough to see what others miss. That passion is one he hopes to carry into a career in film and photography, turning moments into stories that last.
YouTube: @TeagueKindredStudios teaguekindred.com
For many Middle TN parents, few words create instant anxiety quite like “Your child has lice.” It tends to arrive at the worst possible time. What follows is often a blur of online searches, drugstore treatments, endless laundry cycles, and growing frustration.
Local families are finding something different in the middle of that stress: calm, clarity, and a faster path forward. Located in Cool Springs, Lice Clinics of America-Nashville has become a trusted resource for Middle Tennessee families looking for a more efficient and compassionate approach to head lice treatment.
Led by owner Joe West, the clinic is focused not only on solving the problem, but also on removing the embarrassment and emotional weight that often comes with it. “Getting lice is not a moral failing; it’s a mathematical probability,” West says. “Especially if you have kids who are in school, sports, camps, or constantly around other children.”
That perspective sets the tone for everything the clinic does. Rather than treating families with judgment or urgency, the team emphasizes reassurance, empathy, and education from the moment they walk in. “We get it,” West says. “Nobody wants to be here. But once they are, they usually don’t want to leave.”
ARTICLE BY JOE WEST
PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
The clinic uses the FDA-cleared AirAllé® device, a heated-air treatment designed to eliminate lice and eggs without pesticides or harsh chemicals. "The technology has been around for over 11 years and we are the only ones in the state of TN authorized to use the process.
“Our first job is to assess the situation, calmly, kindly, and quickly,” West says. For parents, that calm approach can be just as important as the treatment itself. Instead of a long, drawn-out process at home, families are guided through a structured visit designed to restore normalcy as soon as possible. “We tell every patient: the problem stops today,” West says. “Our goal is to make sure people walk out feeling relieved, confident, and maybe even a little entertained.”
West’s path into the business began with a simple realization: families needed a faster, more supportive option when dealing with lice. What stood out most was not just the inconvenience, but the emotional toll it takes on parents and children alike.
Today, the clinic serves families across Franklin, Brentwood, Spring Hill, Nolensville, and the greater Nashville area. Same-day appointments are often available, something parents deeply appreciate when school notices or exposure alerts start circulating.
The emotional side of lice is something the clinic sees every day. Children often feel embarrassed. Parents may feel frustrated or even guilty, despite having done nothing wrong. Households can quickly become overwhelmed by cleaning routines and fear of reinfestation. “Lice cause stress. Lots of it,” the clinic explains. “They can turn your world upside down.”
That understanding shapes the experience from start to finish. The environment is intentionally designed to feel welcoming rather than clinical. Children are reassured, parents are informed, and the focus remains on moving forward rather than dwelling on the problem.
Education is also a key part of the clinic’s approach. Families are taught that lice are not connected to cleanliness or hygiene, but instead spread through close head-to-head contact, something common in school-aged children.
For West, the mission goes beyond simply treating a condition. “It’s about helping people feel better,” he says. “When families walk out the door relaxed again, that’s the best part of what we do.”
LiceClinicsOfAmerica.com/Nashville
ARTICLE BY BRYAN SEBRING | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
Family life is a beautiful mix of routines, milestones, celebrations, and, let's be honest, a little bit of chaos.
Between school schedules, sports practices, work commitments, family gatherings, and the occasional muddy paw print, today's homes are asked to do more than ever before. And while beautiful finishes certainly matter, the homes that families love most aren't necessarily the biggest or the trendiest—they're the ones designed to support the way people actually live.
As a design-build professional working with homeowners throughout Franklin, I've found that the most successful remodeling projects often have one thing in common: they're focused on improving daily life. Here are seven remodeling features that consistently make family life easier, more organized, and a lot more enjoyable.
1. WHERE LIFE LANDS: THE MODERN MUDROOM
Every family has a place where backpacks, shoes, jackets, sports equipment, and dog leashes seem to gather naturally. The question is whether your home was designed for it.
Today's mudrooms have evolved far beyond a simple entryway. Built-in lockers, custom storage, charging stations, benches, and concealed cabinetry help create a designated space for the items that tend to follow us home each day.
A thoughtfully designed mudroom acts as a transition zone between the outside world and the rest of the home. It's one of those spaces homeowners rarely prioritize at first—but once they have it, they can't imagine living without it.
Some remodeling features make a dramatic first impression. Others quietly improve your life every single day.
A well-designed walk-in pantry falls firmly into the second category.
Beyond providing storage for food and small appliances, today's pantries often accommodate everything from pet supplies and bulk purchases to lunch-making stations and entertaining essentials. By keeping everyday items organized and out of sight, the kitchen feels calmer, cleaner, and more enjoyable to use.
It's a luxury that doesn't always get photographed—but homeowners appreciate it every day.
Kitchen islands have officially become the center of attention—and they’re earning it.
The kitchen remains the heart of the home, but the island has become its command center.
It's where homework gets finished, conversations unfold, snacks disappear, and guests inevitably gather during every holiday and celebration. In many homes, the kitchen island serves as dining table, workspace, entertainment hub, and social gathering spot all at once.
Larger islands with ample seating, integrated storage, and durable surfaces create a natural place for families to connect throughout the day. It's one of the most impactful investments homeowners can make because it enhances both functionality and togetherness.
The needs of a family rarely stay the same for very long.
The playroom that works beautifully for young children may eventually become a study space, media room, exercise area, or guest suite. That's why flexible spaces have become one of the smartest investments homeowners can make.
Designing rooms with adaptability in mind allows a home to evolve naturally alongside the family that lives there. Rather than remodeling every few years, homeowners can enjoy spaces that continue to serve new purposes as life changes.
The best homes aren't designed only for today—they're designed for what's next.
CONTINUED >
Luxury and durability are no longer mutually exclusive.
Today's homeowners are choosing materials that offer both beauty and resilience, from scratch-resistant flooring and performance fabrics to durable countertops and easy-to-maintain finishes. These selections allow families to enjoy their homes without constantly worrying about spills, scratches, or everyday wear and tear.
Children, pets, and active households will always leave their mark on a home. Thoughtful material selections simply make sure those memories don't leave permanent damage behind.
Formal living rooms are disappearing in favor of comfortable spaces designed for everyday life.
Today's families want rooms where everyone can gather— whether that's movie night, game night, hosting friends, or simply spending time together after a busy day. Comfortable seating, built-in media features, flexible furniture arrangements, and thoughtful lighting help create spaces that encourage connection.
The most successful family rooms aren't designed to impress visitors—they're designed to be used.
If there's one feature homeowners consistently wish they had included in their remodel, it's more storage.
From seasonal decorations and sporting equipment to pet supplies and household essentials, families accumulate a surprising amount over time. Thoughtful storage solutions help keep those items accessible without allowing them to take over the home.
Built-in cabinetry, custom closets, understair storage, window seats, and well-designed laundry rooms can dramatically improve how a home functions while maintaining a clean, uncluttered appearance.
The best storage solutions are often the ones you barely notice—until you realize how much easier they make everyday life.
The most successful remodeling projects aren't defined by square footage or luxury finishes alone. They're defined by how well they support the people who live there.
Whether it's a hardworking mudroom, a flexible family space, or simply better storage, thoughtful design has the power to reduce stress, improve organization, and create a home that feels more comfortable and connected.
Because at the end of the day, great design isn't just about creating a beautiful house— it's about creating a better way to live.
Bryan & Jenny Sebring are the owners of Sebring Design Build, a luxury designbuild remodeling firm based in Franklin, Tennessee. With over 30 years of experience designing and renovating high-end homes, they specialize in creating kitchens, bathrooms & whole home interiors that are as functional as they are beautiful.
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
HOW MODERN HOMES ARE EVOLVING TO BRING ORDER, FUNCTION AND CALM TO BUSY FAMILY LIFE
Behind every beautiful home is a closet working overtime.
No matter how stunning the kitchen is or how perfectly styled the living room looks, real life usually happens somewhere between the mudroom, the pantry and the frantic search for a missing soccer cleat five minutes before school drop-off. For today’s families, luxury is no longer just about beautiful finishes or square footage. Increasingly, it is about function, organization and creating a home that supports everyday life.
Increasingly, the most valuable rooms in the home are not always the grand kitchens or formal living spaces. They are the hardworking spaces quietly keeping life
“THE ORGANIZATION OF THESE SPACES HELPS TO KEEP HOMES OF BUSY FAMILIES MUCH LESS CHAOTIC.”
on track. Sandra Sokol, owner of Closets by Design, has seen this shift firsthand. “Homeowners are definitely compartmentalizing their spaces,” Sokol said. “Homes are all open-concept now, but consumers are looking for ways to create specific areas for each specific need.”
That shift has led to growing demand for intentional spaces designed around modern family life. Mudrooms, drop zones and customized storage are helping families better manage daily routines. “Mud Rooms or ‘Drop’ areas for shoes, bags, etc, when they get home,” Sokol said. “Clients want storage for sporting equipment to keep it from ending up all over the home and garage. We all want ‘a place’ for everything.”
Spaces once considered secondary, such as closets, pantries and laundry rooms, are now central to keeping a household running smoothly. “Today's Moms and Dads are working and have kids with full schedules,” Sokol said. “The organization of these spaces helps to keep homes of busy families much less chaotic.”
Thoughtful design helps eliminate daily stressors that many families know well. A missing shoe can derail a morning. A cluttered pantry can turn snack time into a scavenger hunt. Laundry piles can quickly become overwhelming.
“If you give a Mom an organized closet, you may be saving her those 15 minutes that she needs to be able to have
breakfast with her children before she leaves for work,” Sokol said. “Those minutes add up and allow for more calm in a person’s daily life.”
For local families balancing elevated living with packed schedules, that balance between beauty and practicality matters more than ever. “Once we have planned a very functional space that meets the client’s needs, we then have the fun of layering on the customization with accessories, colors, collections and other upgraded options,” says Sokol.
The rise of remote and hybrid work has also changed what families need from their homes. Home offices now serve multiple purposes, functioning as workspaces, guest rooms and flexible family spaces. “Remote work really skyrocketed during Covid,” Sokol said. “Since then, we have seen a continued rise in our clients needing home offices that can also serve other needs.”
At the core of every successful design is one simple principle: everything needs a home. “Finding a specific place for items solves the endless searching for these needed items when you are trying to get out the door for work, play or any activity,” Sokol said. The impact goes far beyond organization. A thoughtfully organized home creates calmer mornings, smoother routines and less daily stress. For many families, the greatest luxury is a home that makes everyday life feel easier, calmer and more connected. After all, a beautifully organized home may not solve every problem, but it can at least help you find the missing cleat!
ClosetsByDesign.com
“SPACES ONCE CONSIDERED SECONDARY, SUCH AS CLOSETS, PANTRIES AND LAUNDRY ROOMS, ARE NOW CENTRAL TO KEEPING A HOUSEHOLD RUNNING SMOOTHLY.”
ARTICLE BY KRISTY BELLEY PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
TRANSFORM YOUR HUMBLE PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH FROM LUNCH BOX BASIC TO GOURMET GREATNESS
Ready to give this childhood classic the upgrade it deserves?
Whether you’re packing your kid’s lunch or treating yourself to something special, these elevated PB&J creations will make anyone excited for lunchtime.
The secret to an elevated PB&J isn’t complicated—it’s all about premium ingredients and creative combinations. Swap that white bread for artisanal sourdough, brioche, or even croissants. Trade processed jelly for fresh fruit compotes, gourmet preserves, or actual fresh berries that burst with flavor.
Quality nut butters make all the difference. Think creamy almond butter, rich cashew spread, or that perfectly salted natural peanut butter from the farmer’s market. These simple swaps instantly elevate your sandwich from ordinary to extraordinary.
Bread Options
• Artisanal sourdough
• Brioche
• Croissants
• Multigrain bread
• Cinnamon raisin bread
• Hawaiian sweet bread
• Whole wheat bread
• Thick-cut bread (for open-face)
Nut & Seed Butters
• Natural peanut butter
• Almond butter
• Dark chocolate almond butter
• Cashew butter
• Coconut butter
• Nutella
Fresh Fruits
• Strawberries
• Fresh blueberries
• Fresh raspberries
• Fresh peaches
• Kiwi
• Mixed berries
• Bananas
• Pears
Preserves & Sweet Spreads
• Honey
• Fig jam
• Mango preserves
• Raspberry preserves
• Grape jelly
• Marshmallow cream
Toppings & Add-ins
• Fresh mint leaves
• Granola
• Toasted coconut flakes
• Cream cheese
• Everything bagel seasoning
• Dark Chocolate Syrup
CREATIVE COMBINATIONS THAT HIT DIFFERENT
The Sophisticated Sweet: Nutella, sliced strawberries, and a drizzle of honey on brioche bread
The Panini Perfection: Peanut butter, fresh blueberries, and marshmallow cream pressed between sourdough slices
The Beautiful Mess: Your favorite nut butter topped with sliced fresh peaches, kiwi, or berries, then drizzled with golden honey or sprinkled with toasted coconut on thickcut bread
The Grown-Up Classic: Almond butter, fig jam, and thinly sliced pears on multigrain bread
The Breakfast Crossover: Cashew butter, sliced bananas, and a sprinkle of granola on cinnamon raisin bread
The Tropical Twist: Coconut butter, mango preserves, and toasted coconut flakes on Hawaiian sweet bread
The Chocolate Dream: Dark chocolate almond butter, raspberry preserves, and fresh mint leaves on whole wheat
The Savory Surprise: Natural peanut butter, grape jelly, and a thin layer of cream cheese with everything bagel seasoning
PRO TIPS FOR LUNCHBOX SUCCESS
Toast your bread lightly for extra texture, even if you’re making it ahead. Create a barrier with your spread to prevent soggy sandwiches—apply nut butter to both sides, then add your sweet elements in the middle. Pack fresh elements separately and assemble just before eating when possible. Cut into fun shapes with cookie cutters, wrap in parchment paper tied with twine, or pack in a bento box with complementary sides like apple slices, fancy crackers, or dark chocolate squares.
THE BOTTOM LINE
An elevated PB&J proves that sometimes the best meals come from taking something familiar and making it special. These upgraded versions will have everyone asking for the recipe—and maybe even offering to trade lunches.
Wellness is about caring for your whole health—and that includes your hearing. Hearing health is closely connected to your overall well-being, making it an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
This National Wellness Month, make hearing health part of your wellness routine. Protecting your hearing isn’t just about hearing better—it’s about living better, staying connected, and supporting your long-term health.
Because hearing health isn’t just a quality-of-life issue—it’s healthcare. Take the next step. Visit www.HearTN.com to learn more.
info@HearTN.com www.HearTN.com Untreated Hearing Loss Is Linked To: - Cognitive Decline & Dementia - Social Isolation & Loneliness - Depression & Anxiety - Balance Issues - Lower Quality of Life Stay connected to the people and moments you love.
For our Franklin, Spring Hill, Nolensville, and Dickson Offices: (615) 591-6410 For our Tullahoma Office: (931) 393-2051
Being a dealership built on family values means not cutting corners. It means personalized videos instead of canned messages. It means honest appraisals instead of games. Most importantly, it means treating every customer the way we’d treat our own family.
