A trip from Nashville calls for a slice of homemade sherry wine cake | Elaine Revelle

I had an interesting January. Not only the beginning of a new year, granddaughter Tabby turned 21 mid-month.

She wanted a get-together to mark the event — and named Nashville, Tennessee her place of choice to meet.

Well, since you only turn 21 once, how could we resist.

Mom Wendy, Dad Robert, brother Toby and I hit the friendly skies for a somewhat long weekend in what has become one of the nation’s music capitals.

I was glad to go. Having been there once before (early 1990s), figured I’d see lots of changes. It didn’t take long, but I was right.

After an uneventful flight and trip into Nashville, we stayed at the Hilton Garden, only one block off Broadway — the “happening” street.

We arrived before Tabby and one of her Coast Guard coworkers, a cute little pixie named Jessica. The girls decided to make the trip sans boyfriends, and believe me, “party” was the operative word.

We started the big day with a champagne toast, visited the Opryland Museum, and that night dined at one of Nashville’s popular places, Jason Aldean’s Kitchen, where we found a little piece of home.

Solvang’s upcoming musician Bear Redell, was featured that night and we were delighted. Part of the Halme clan, Bear is the son of Billy and Melissa (Halme) and grandson of Paul and Susan Halme.

We enjoyed Bear’s music.

He won the 2011 Teen Star Santa Barbara competition at age 14 with a cover of “Drops of Jupiter.” The win included recording his original song “Think of You” with musician Kenny Loggins. We wish him a bright musical future.

Next day we toured Belle Meade (beautiful meadow), a lovely historic farm just outside the city. Established in 1807, built, owned and controlled by five generations of the Harding-Jackson family for nearly a century and known for its long line of racing thoroughbreds, Iroquois in particular, Belle Meade weathered Civil War, economical ups and downs and stands grandly amid ancient trees and beautiful landscaping.

We enjoyed the tour, highly informative and impressive. The visit ended at a tasting room with a flight from Nashville’s first Winery — quite different from our local wines, these feature Tennessee red and whites made from muscadine, a native southern grape and blackberry fruit. Somewhat sweet, but tasty.

We had a good time and feel we ushered Tabby into adulthood in a unique way.

As usual, my souvenir of the trip is a cookbook from Belle Meade featuring dishes from across the years. Haven’t had the time to test any yet, but as soon as I do, I’ll share.

I have to say that Nashville’s restaurant fare was excellent.

One thing I did notice about this trip, where we would have a potato dish as a de rigueur side, Nashville restaurants served macaroni and cheese. And believe me, it was some of the best I have ever tasted.

In the meantime, this week I’m sharing a favorite recipe I did bring home from my 1960s hiatus on the East Coast.

From 1971, here’s a family favorite I’ve shared before, one that is still baked in my house and local homes.

1 package yellow cake mix

1 small package instant vanilla pudding

1/2 cup oil (can be olive oil)

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Mix all ingredients and beat at least 4 minutes. Pour into well-greased and floured bundt pan and bake 50 minutes at 350 degrees. When done cool 15 minutes. Invert onto plate. When completely cool, glaze with following:

(FYI: oil and flour baking spray works well with bundt pan)

1-1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

powdered sugar for dusting, optional

Mix all ingredients until smooth. With a toothpick, make holes in cake and “paint” with glaze, covering top and sides well. For a more festive look, after glaze has “set,” sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar.