Day 181: O.P. Jenkins

Monday, I was on the hunt for some decorating and gift ideas. That brought me to O.P. Jenkins, a downtown Ktown furniture store. Brad suggested that I go and I told him, "I think you have created a monster. I love that place."
Above are a few of my favorite things and design ideas.

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Day 182: Sam

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM!

Love You!

Disclaimer: the details of this birthday and the gifts invovled are not yet able to be disclosed.

Day 180: Knoxville Track Club

So, on Sunday, I did not run the Knoxville Marathon. I confess that my plans to run 26.2 in honor of my upcoming 30th birthday have fallen victim to the business of moving, career, house hunting, and (most of all) being engaged! I am certainly glad I have not tried to overcommit myself. But the spring-like weather we are getting and all the upcoming races and all the excitement of this weekend has reminded me - I am a runner. Running makes my life different. It motivates me, clears my head, and gets me out in the sunshine. So, I've pulled out my mag from the Knoxville Track Club and determined to get back in the game, not just raining, but getting in some good distances.
So, now I am off to find some Ktown running buddies!

Day 179: AYSO

This is my new favorite Saturday morning tradition.Watching my little brothers soccer team. Nothing like American Youth Soccer! Go AYSO.

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Day 178: Brad

Today’s post has got to be about my fiancé, on his birthday. I have been thinking about it for almost a month. Earlier this week, I started to type a list of reasons he is wonderful, one for every year he has been alive. But Brad is not the type for cheesy, gushing displays for appreciation. So, I am going to skip that and just say that I love him. I am so glad he was born. I hope he enjoys his birthday gift. I am so thankful that the Lord led me to such a wonderful man.

106 days.

Day 177: Foothills Mill & Company

I've heard so many great reviews. Last night, they were confirmed. I took Brad to Foothills Milling Company in Maryville to celebrate his birthday. It was very bit as wonderful as people say.
We started off the meal with a grouper taste from the kitchen, in a flavorful sauce I can't even describe. For an appetizer, we enjoyed a remarkable Cheese Fondue. I had a sweet glass of Riesling, while Brad enjoyed one of the specialty beers they have on tap. We cleansed our pallet with an apple sorbet. Then, the birthday guy had a short rib stuff meatloaf for dinner, along with potatoes and a macaroni and cheese tart. I loved their salmon, marinated, roasted, and served on a plank of cedar, with potatoes and asparagus. For dessert, we loved the buttermilk pie!
After dinner, we talked with one f the owners about a need for them to open up in Knoxville. Here's hoping!

You have got to check their complete menu. Outstanding->

Day 176: Lady Vols March Madness

The only other thing as good as the buzz of March Madness in Men's College Basketball when you are in a college sports town...

Lady's College Basketball March Madness when you live in Knoxville, TN.

I love this town.

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Day 175: Vol's March Madness

There is only one thing as good as the buzz of March Madness in Men's College Basketball when you are in a college sports town...

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Day 174: Chop House

I love lunch. On a day of meetings and file organizing and lots of little todos, I obsess over when, where, and with whom to have lunch. Today it was with my all time favorite, just back from a baseball trip. We headed to the Chop House. It was the first time I've been there for lunch since I've been back in Ktown. As the name indicates, the burgers, steaks, and anything carnivore is fabulous. But today I also discovered the Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes… topped with avocado, diced tomatoes, cilantro and chipotle ranch dressing. Yes, that's right, avocado. That will keep my day going....

Day 173: How to Hang with Harding

Pop Quiz: Harding is:
a. The most lovable dog in America
b. 55 lbs of energy
c. totally obsessed with Brad
D. All of the Above

The answer is D. All of the Above. But I think he's starting to like me almost as much. I spent the weekend with Harding. And yes, he missed Brad.

But, in response to these truths about Harding, I attempted to win his affections in these ways:
1. After he demolished the new toy Brad got him, I got him another new toy. I even got a back up new toy. But so far, the first replacement is still surviving.
2. Outside. Outside. Outside. Thank goodness for the best weekend weather ever!
3. I bribed him with his own feature on our wedding website. He was very happy to be noted as part of the family.

Click here to see what Harding has been working on->

Day 172: Farragut High School Drama

They aren't the "Invisiple Players" anymore, but the Drama Department at Farragut High School, now under the direction of Zach Best, is still producing amazing work. As an alumn of the drama department, it is exciting to see the tradition continue.

Click here for more information on APAC, as well as show times and information->

What people are saying. From the Press Enterprise:
Farragut High School will present “Oliver!” a musical retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic novel “Oliver Twist,” March 18-21.

“Oliver!” features one of FHS’ largest musical casts and a full student orchestra, and was jointly directed by FHS drama director Zachary Best and choral director Kenton Deitch.

“Altogether, it’s almost 70 students participating,” Best said, including the student musical and acting cast, orchestra and backstage operators.

“It’s extracurricular, so the whole school is invited to audition or participate,” Best said.

The musical cast includes Will Stone as Fagin, Garrison Stallings and Molly Morgan as Oliver, Paul Gary as the Artful Dodger and Robert Wrinkle as Bill Sykes.

“Oliver!” follows the title character of the same name, an orphan, as he escapes abusive caretakers and joins a gang of pickpockets, led by Fagin.

Oliver “is arrested for pick-pocketing … and the gang becomes concerned that Oliver may reveal their location.

“So they set out to recapture Oliver into the pick-pocketing gang, and eventually, his long-lost grandfather finds him,” Best said.

Sophomore Garrison Stallings said he enjoyed the musical aspect of his character more than the acting.

“My favorite thing would probably be the musical numbers, mainly because I’m a singer, not really an actor that much.

“[The songs] have really worked my falsetto range, because I sing tenor in my choir, but this is the part of an 11-year-old boy, so I get to sing soprano,” Stallings said.

Calls to Molly Morgan, who also plays Oliver, were not returned by press deadline.

“Oliver!” is an adaptation of Dickens’ classic novel, with music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. That includes such well-known songs as “You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two,” “Consider Yourself” and “Oom-Pah-Pah.”

“I would say ‘Food, Glorious Food’ would probably be one of the most recognizable songs, and then ‘Oliver,’” Deitch said.

Deitch said there are six lead solos in the musical, but most of the songs are group-led.

The musical debuted in London in 1960 and was later made into a film, which won six Academy Awards.

During the show’s four days of production, FHS will collect school supplies for Holston Home for Children’s Beacon School in Greeneville, Tenn.

Anyone who brings school supplies to a showing will receive a free popcorn.

To see a list of the needed school supplies, visit www.fhsapac.com

Tickets, which can be purchased at the door, are $8 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens.

Show times are at 7:30 p.m., March 18-20, and at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 21.

Sponsors of “Oliver!” include farragutpress, WFIV, Charter Media, Alphagraphics and Coldwell Banker Wallace & Wallace. The production is being produced by special arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.

Day 167: Sneak Peak: Katie and Brad online

Here it is, our wedding website!
As you can tell from this blog, I am a horrible proofreader, so edits are still coming. But go ahead, check it out for info about us, our wedding day, weekend details for out of town guests, registries, and more.

Katie & Brad's Wedding

Be sure and sign the guestbook!

166: Knoxville Men's Collition

Black ties. Perfect March air. Super T revue. And lots of "chatter."
Saturday was a great night as Brad was added to the role of the Knoxville Men's Cotillion. It's one of one two Men's Cotillions in the south. When the cotillion is put together for and by the opposite sex, I noticed a few key differences:

A Girl's cotillion: Lots of time was obviously spent on the perfect curtsy
A Men's cotillion: Lots of time was obviously spent selecting a fabulous band to get the party going

A Girl's cotillion: Everyone is talking about dresses
A Men's cotillion: Everyone is talking about "the chatter"

A Girl's cotillion: There are huddles of girls gathering together for pictures
A Men's cotillion: There are huddles of gentleman gathering together for cigars

Day 167: White and Black

I live in a town with a White House Black Market!
Just bought this dress and shoes. Love them.

Day 161: Deborah Bolinger

I just can't wait any longer! I've got to tell you all about Debbie! She is our wedding coordinator - full of fun ideas, an eye for detail, lots of excitement, and so much flexibility. Here are 10 wonderful things about Debbie (there are hundreds more).
1. Customized. Debbie is the coordinator for weddings that need some help, but not everything. She's come alongside Brad, my mom, and I to give us just the help we need!
2. Her office - and Tea Room - is located inside the Silk Purse (see Day #129), one of mom and my favorite shops. That's how we found her!
3. Judy a.k.a. her lovely "assistant" a.k.a. a wanna-bee wedding crasher a.k.a. the owner of the Silk Purse a.k.a. my "flower girl"
4. DIY Bride Seminars. She can walk you through anything, destination weddings to backyard BBQ's to make any event special.
5. We see eye-to-eye. Even before I ask her a question, she's got a great idea, just to make it easy.
6. Coffee. Debbie comes up with great ideas (like a wedding day coffee break) to make sure the day is relaxed, fun, and we'll really get to enjoy time with people.
7. Co-or-din-a-tion! Photos. Flowers. DJ. Space. Debbie helps bring all the details together.
8. Dream big. She's so fun becuase she helps me dream big about what fun, unique, and traditional elements are important to us and our families in planning our big day.
9. Mom. Having a little help and knowing she'll be there on the day of the event has taken away some worries. We are really looking forward to the big day!
10. A Southern Soire! That's what our wedding will be thanks to Debbie and La Belle Soire!

Call Debbie. Click here for contact info->

Day 159: Samuel Franklin

Monday I met with my favorite wedding people, including the one and only Samuel Franklin! He is so fun, so creative, and so exciting to work with. I am excited to say he'll be doing the flowers for our wedding, reception, and rehearsal dinner! Marci, Emily, Angie, Lo, Dori, Alissa, and Amanda....I don't know what you will be carrying - but I know it will be fabulous!

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Diversion: Houston

And we're off. It was 4 full days of seeing Houston, talking Children's Ministry, and lots of girl-ness. Rachel, Stacey, Children's Ministry, the Gallery, THE Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Italian food, Papas, Vacation Bible School, super heroes, Town & Country, Anthropology, Gilly Hicks, Neiman's, Cafe Express, Grace Church, the Backyard, the Treehouse, 2nd Street, baby chickens hatching, boots, the Heights, Kalachy, flying squirrel underwear, yodeling pickles. And yes, I am serious about the last two.
My prevailing prayer through all this has been to be a blessing to whomever the Lord calls me to serve and to have a front row seat to see what He is doing, in the lives of individuals and throughout the body of Christ.

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Day 154-157: Bag A Bargain

Supporting the Junior League of Knoxville this week as I volunteer for my first "Bag A Bargain." This giant one-day rummage sale raises funds to support the Junior League’s 20 plus community programs. The sale includes new and gently used items offered at bargain prices.

Where: Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park
When: Saturday, March 6, 8:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
Admission: Tickets are $5

Click here for More Info and $1 Off Admission->

Departments include:
Linens
Arts & Crafts
Handyman
Furniture
Homegoods and Housewares
Adult Clothing
Children’s Clothing, Toys & Accessories
Electronics & Books
Treasure Chest

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Rachel: Bold and Bald

My friend Rachel is getting bold...and bald. She's raising $5000 for the American Cancer Society and sacrifice her hair to do it.

"I am issuing a challenge. Help me raise $5000.00 for Relay for Life and I will shave my hair!
Why? I have lost both my parents to this disease and figure I can lose my hair to the cure.
Am I serious, I will really shave my head? Yes, I am serious. I thought about this long and hard and I am completely willing to do this but I need your help!" - Rachel

Read more here and donate->

Day 152: Salsarita's

Lunch with Dori or Chips and dips at the Wilson's...I am so glad to finally live in a town with our very own Salsartita's.

And gee, don't those cabinets look nice?

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Day 151: Linnea, Tony, Mollie, & Joe

Saturday night, we had some of our favorite fellow new members from 2nd Pres over to Brad's condo for dinner. We hope to do it again soon and perhaps with more of our new friends. It was a great night and here are a couple of the fun things I learn and random surprises.

The oven in Brad's condo really does take a long time to reheat.

You can never have too much Pimento's pimento cheese.

Kitchen sink? Ha!

Michigan makes great Riesling.

Brad learned why we need to register for a trifle bowl.

6:30 turns into 11:30 before you know it.

Looking forward to next time...

Day 150: Pack 414

Saturday was a big day. My little brother is an outgoing Cub Scout. And Saturday morning was an action packed Pinewood Derby Day. There was checking in. There was weighing in. There was a rope line. There was randomized racing procedures to insure fair scoring. There were medals. There were donuts. There was pizza. There was capri-sun.
It was a good day.
Oh, and Sam is the campaign of the Weebos 2 race.
Big Day.

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