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Novelists bound by the pen, sisterhood, & more

We’ll always have Paris

November 1, 2022 By Tamera Alexander

Last Tuesday was such a fun day! Deb (Raney) my dear friend and writing critique partner for some 20+ years now and I met at a midway point for a visit—and that place happened to be Paris, TN!

We MIGHT have gotten caught in the rain a time or two, but who cares when you’re having such fun!

We started our visit at Sweet Jordan’s, a wonderful restaurant that happens to serve some of the best bread pudding we’ve ever had!

Sweet Jordan’s is an extraordinary, not-to-be-missed establishment! Check it out here.

Next, we hit the Eiffel Tower, of course (because we’re in Paris!), where the wind was NOT our friend! But we didn’t let it stop us!

Incidentally, Paris, TN is just one of 15 U.S. cities named Paris. Little known facts: The historic Henry County town of less than 11,000 residents is known for the “World’s Biggest Fish Fry” as well as its 70-foot, to-scale replica of the original Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower. Paris, TN which dates back to 1823, is the oldest incorporated town in West Tennessee.

Following the Eiffel Tower, we did some really fun thrift shopping, talking and laughing the entire time.

Here are pics of Deb’s fun (and thrifty!) purchases—

Pic 1: Look at that adorable Coca Cola cookie jar! Pic 2: The lovely round blue and white “scroll” jar on the left (that perfectly coordinates with the other jars she has). Pic 3: That adorable “Cracked Egg” sign that she tucked with her cute little chicken timer. And finally, pic 4: I brought her a little teal “church” spoon rest that she’s using in her coffee center.

Here are some of my thrifty purchases—

I love bowls! Especially vintage white mixing bowls, so those two thrifty treasures came home with me. As did that cute little pitcher (and another bigger one not pictured). And I couldn’t resist the sign, which, if that offends you, well . . . ; )

Finally, we grabbed some quick chips & salsa and caught up some more, and even did some brainstorming on the book I’m writing now—thanks, Deb!—before hitting the road. Even the drive there and back was a gift from God. So beautiful! As I told Deb, the tree and clouds were showing off just for fun. She said the same was happening for her!

And lest you think we weren’t thinking of others as we shopped . . . We picked up a little reminder of our trip to share with one of you! A pretty little Paris sign, plus Deb’s giving away a copy of her newest O Little Town, and I’m giving away a copy of Christmas at Carnton!

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this blog post by 9 PM Central TONIGHT—telling us who you would meet in Paris, TN for a day if you could—and we’ll choose a winner at random and post the name below the following image!

CONGRATS, ANDREA! You’re the winner!
Please respond to the email, and Deb and I will get your gifts in the mail. THANK YOU to everyone who commented and shared today! And I hope you all get to Paris someday (TN or France, both are great!). ; )

Both Deb and I highly recommend Paris, TN. It was such fun and we didn’t even scratch the surface! And Lord willing, this was just the first of many fun “meet ups” for us in Paris!

Hugs from Nashville,

Tammy


Tick, tick!
LAST DAY to enter to win the phenomenal book
Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund

VISIT TAMERA’S WEBSITE TO ENTER TO WIN GENTLE AND LOWLY

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Tamera Alexander

Novelist at Novelist
Tamera Alexander is a USA Today bestselling novelist and one of today's most beloved authors of inspirational historical romance and women’s contemporary fiction. While being Gram Tam is her current favorite role, she’ll never turn down a stroll through an old cemetery or browsing through antique shops.
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Filed Under: Assorted & Sundry, Family, Friendship Tagged With: deborah raney, Girl Time, Paris TN, Tamera Alexander, travel

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Comments

  1. Deborah Raney says

    November 1, 2022 at 4:10 am

    I’m not entering the giveaway, of course, but just wanted to hop on and say what fun it was to relive our day in Paris through your pictures and story! It WAS such a fun, fun day! Can’t wait till next time—and can’t wait to see who wins the giveaway!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 3:40 pm

      Ditto to all, friend! 🙂

  2. Kathy Pollard says

    November 1, 2022 at 5:39 am

    Sounds like a perfect day! I’d love to meet my sister in Paris, TN!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 3:46 pm

      It was perfect! Love that you’d meet your sister!

  3. Melissa Andres says

    November 1, 2022 at 6:00 am

    Awww how fun! Paris looks like a fun town and I definitely go with my mom. We’d have a blast there! Glad you both had fun!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 3:47 pm

      You and your mom would love it!

  4. Andrea says

    November 1, 2022 at 6:26 am

    I LOVE the church spoon rest! If I had a day for a girls’ adventure, I’d want to meet my best friend . . . or my “spiritual mother” . . . or my friend who is an interior decorator (and gives the best advice) . . . clearly I need more than one of these such adventures!Thank you for sharing!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 3:47 pm

      Yes, you need a Paris, TN day, Andrea! 😉

  5. Erin Gillett says

    November 1, 2022 at 7:32 am

    Oh my, what a delightful day you had! I would meet my sister in law, Kelly, for a day in Paris, TN. I discovered Tamera’s books when we visited Nashville and Franklin for the first time last summer. What a beautiful state!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 3:49 pm

      Thanks for visiting Nashville and Franklin last summer, Erin, and so grateful we “connected” then. Bless you!

  6. Becky Wade says

    November 1, 2022 at 7:34 am

    Love you two and your friendship!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 3:50 pm

      You know how important girl time is! ; )

  7. Jennifer Black says

    November 1, 2022 at 7:44 am

    You two have so much fun when you are together! This post made me smile! I’m excited for your next visit to Paris.

    If I could meet up with someone in Paris, TN it would be my friend Cindy who lives about 15 hours away. We catch up via texts or the rare video chat periodically and pick up right where we left off. Such a special friendship…even with the miles between us. I’m sure we would have a blast visiting the same spots you gals did!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 3:51 pm

      Wishing you and Cindy an adventure together soon, Jennifer! 😉

  8. Amy B. says

    November 1, 2022 at 8:11 am

    That sounds like such a fun trip! I loved the fun things y’all came back with. In answer to your question. I would love to meet up with my sister & nieces there in Paris. (And I’d bring our mother along with me!) Thank you both for sharing the fun trip & for the giveaway opportunity!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:00 pm

      What fun you all would have, Amy! 😉

  9. Linda Hutchins says

    November 1, 2022 at 8:30 am

    You have some very nice thrifty finds! I would love to meet up with my dear friend Liz, who is a great thrifty shopper and a fun travel buddy. Thanks for posting!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:00 pm

      You and Liz would have a blast in Paris, Linda!

  10. Betty Strohecker says

    November 1, 2022 at 8:56 am

    Great pictures! I also love hearing about the fun times you and Deb have together.

    I’ve always wanted to go to Paris, France, but since I’ll never get there, Paris, TN sounds great – even an Eiffel Tower! I would meet my daughter, Danielle, who has a French name!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:03 pm

      Thanks, Betty. But don’t say never. You and I and Deb will go to the REAL Paris together on the New Earth some day. And I’m serious. Forget having to fit everything in on a bucket list here. Not for believers. We have an ETERNITY to explore not only the new redeemed and “made new” earth but ALL the glorious works and wonders of God’s gracious and creative hand!

      I love that you’d meet Danielle there! Y’all would have a blast!

      • Betty Strohecker says

        November 1, 2022 at 8:14 pm

        This means so much to me! Thank you.

  11. Lori Cole says

    November 1, 2022 at 12:28 pm

    Sounds (& looks) like a lovely day! I love the little Coca-Cola jar!

    If I could meet a friend in Paris, TN, for the day, I’d choose my BFA, Sandy. We always have so much fun together! 🙂

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:04 pm

      You and Sandy would rock Paris, Lori. And yes, that jar is so cute!

  12. Joan Kurth says

    November 1, 2022 at 12:50 pm

    I would love to meet either or both of you in Paris, TN. It would be so exciting to meet you two and I have never been to TN. so that would be fun, too. Looks like you both had a wonderful time!
    Keep writing!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:04 pm

      Thanks for those kind words, Joan. We’d have such together! Hugs from my corner of TN.

  13. Jeannie Holderfield says

    November 1, 2022 at 12:53 pm

    I can’t decide between Deb Rainey who would be an enormously fun garage sale partner or one of my beloved sister friends! It would be lovely either way!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:05 pm

      LOL on that predicament, Jeannie! Love it. And yes, lovely either way!

  14. Robbie Thomas says

    November 1, 2022 at 12:56 pm

    I love spending time with long time friends! Your time together sounded like so much fun.

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:05 pm

      Amen to that, Robbie. Hugs to you!

  15. Connie R. says

    November 1, 2022 at 1:09 pm

    That looks like a really fun day trip, and how special you can do that once in a while!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:06 pm

      I’m so grateful, Connie. Praying a fun adventure for you soon too!

  16. Gretchen EK Engel says

    November 1, 2022 at 1:22 pm

    I love this! You ladies are a lot of fun. Meeting you two was one of the highlights of ACFW 2018!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:07 pm

      Ditto to you, Gretchen. It was a joy meeting you too. So appreciate your contributions to our community here. Hope our paths cross again soon.

  17. SHERRY PIKE says

    November 1, 2022 at 1:25 pm

    I would meet with my youngest daughter who is away at college. We would have a fun day!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      Oh you would have such fun! Blessings to her as she’s away at college. I remember those days with my own daughter.

  18. Patty says

    November 1, 2022 at 1:30 pm

    Sounds like such a fun day! I would definitely meet my two girlfriends who live a bit further north than me.

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:08 pm

      And you gals would have such fun, just as we did. Thanks for sharing, Patty!

  19. Ann Leatherman says

    November 1, 2022 at 1:30 pm

    I would like to meet the two of you, Deborah and Tamera, two of my favorite authors!! (Not very original — I see that was posted numerous times, but it was my first thought when I read what the comment was supposted to be about!!)

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:09 pm

      Thanks for your kind words, Ann, and I hope our paths cross someday soon. Thanks for being part of the community here!

  20. Brenda Walters says

    November 1, 2022 at 1:45 pm

    Since I live near Paris, I go there almost every week. I would like to meet some of the nice ladies I have worked with or my cousin who is an expert shopper in the second hand stores.

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      What?? How cool that you live near there, Brenda! Those second hand stores are such fun. We laughed and laughed. : )

  21. Cyndi Kempke says

    November 1, 2022 at 1:48 pm

    We have a Paris in Texas too! I love Paris, France, and been blessed to go there twice. I was even born on Bastille Day. I love the Coca Cola jar you bought, Deb. If I went to Paris, TN, I would go with my daughter, Ana. I have told my husband that if I ever disappear, you will find me in Paris. Maybe we could disappear there together for a few days!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:11 pm

      Wonderful on your trips to Paris. Isn’t it amazing? Feels like walking through history at times. And great on going to Paris, TN with your daughter. Y’all would love it!

  22. Joy says

    November 1, 2022 at 3:07 pm

    I’d love to meet my grandkids there, what fun to all be together again!

    • Tamera Alexander says

      November 1, 2022 at 4:12 pm

      Oh meeting your grandchildren there would be such a delight, Joy! Family time is the best. Period!

  23. Catherine says

    November 1, 2022 at 3:49 pm

    I would meet a good friend who is also a former co-worker – she moved to Iowa a couple of years ago to be close to new granddaughter. I see someone else has already mentioned the Paris, TX. Since my favorite hobbies are reading, genealogy, and visiting estate/tag sales, I enjoyed the pictures of all your good “finds”.

  24. Tamera Alexander says

    November 1, 2022 at 4:13 pm

    I love that you love estate/tag sales. Woman after my own heart! 🙂 I hope you and that former co-worker are able to meet up sometime soon!

  25. Daphne Woodall says

    November 1, 2022 at 5:51 pm

    Love this! We are heading to TN this week to see our son & DIL since their wedding in June and meet our new grand dog! I don’t think Paris is on the way.

  26. Sherry Deatrick says

    November 1, 2022 at 6:10 pm

    You both look like you had a ball! How sweet to have such a friendship. I’d meet my friend Nancy there. What fun!

  27. Linda Stringer says

    November 1, 2022 at 6:48 pm

    Looks like you gals had a really fun day. I like having lunch and shopping with my bestie. And we don’t let a little rain (or snow) stop us unless it becomes a major downpour or snowstorm. Really loved the treasures you found as well.

  28. Pam Kellogg says

    November 1, 2022 at 7:20 pm

    I have a friend Tandy who lives in Tennessee. I would love to meet her in Paris for a visit. It looks like your visit there with Deb was so much fun.

  29. Edward Arrington says

    November 1, 2022 at 7:36 pm

    I saw Deb’s pictures and viewed her post the other day. If she mentioned Paris, TN, being in Henry County, I missed it. I live in Henry County, VA. I bought a car in 1973 in Paris. However, it was in another of the 15 states with a Paris. Paris, KY, was only an hour or so from where we lived at the time. Concerning your question, I can’t really think of anyone I would meet in Paris, TN, but it sounds like a great place to take my wife for a visit sometime. Glad y’all enjoyed your time there.

  30. Cyl Sand says

    November 1, 2022 at 9:48 pm

    My love of reading really started in Mrs. Barton’s third grade class. Now over 50 years later, I still love to read. Thanks for the ability to discover new authors by giving away a book. Even if I don’t win, there is joy in knowing someone will have an awesome book to read.

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