The Final Day

Eighteen months. 400 blog posts. A year in a new job and a new home. Nine months of marriage.
I think I can officially say, I am settled.

I started this blog with the title "Rediscovering Rocky Top." I wanted to celebrate all the things I was discovering and re-discovering about this city, after a decade away. I changed the name to "KtownKatie" as I got a bit more settled in, but life still had so many changes. Since moving, I have fallen more in love with my family, made wonderful friends, planned and celebrate the wedding of my dreams, become a part of Second Presbyterian Church, found dozens of wonderful restaurants, shops, and special things, and become a home owner for the first time. Most importantly, I am married to a wonderful man and I love it.

So, as I'm turning 31, I am taking a break from blogging. And leaving you with 31 things I have learned over the last year and a half.

1. Sabbath is a commandment.

2. While I may be concerned with happiness, God is concerned with Holiness.

3. Google Reader can change your life.

4. Hospitality can be a ministry.

5. Not every girl is girly.

6. It takes time to become good at things.

7. It is okay to not edit your blog posts. You will have typos. People will judge you. But there is freedom in not worrying what they think.

8. God commands. Sometimes He "calls" us or "gives us peace" about something. Other times, He just says do it.

9. It is better to make food from scratch.

10. People don't give kids enough credit. Especially toddlers and preschoolers.

11. In this life, we will always want for things. That is our nature as created beings. Even Eve wanted something she could not have. Only in heaven will we be satisfied.

12. Homes are supposed to be a haven.

13. People will hurt you.

14. Love delights in truth. Evil loves darkness. The Lord loves light.

15. We are supposed to "make every effort" to love people well and to serve with excellence. But our best effort is all we can do and all we are held to.

16. To analize or discuss something, figure out: What are we trying to achieve? What are we trying to avoid?

17. My home and my husband are even more important than my work.

18. When in doubt, wear cowboy boots.

19. Christmas is so fun in your own home. Can't wait for Easter.

20. I want to make everyone feel important and loved while they are with me. The way my dog does.

21. Spiritual disciplines really do fit into the 21st century.

22. Sometimes, the most important thing you can do is not the biggest, most noticeable thing.

23. Weddings are for brides and grooms. But also families. Especially moms.

24. My mom is wonderful. I am blessed.

25. My mother-in-law is wonderful. I am doubly blessed.

26. Yard work is a metaphor for life.

27. Listen more. Honor people by not talking yourself.

28. Being a team player can be thankless. But it's still right.

29. Two become One. Wow.

30. I am never going to know it all and I am never going to be perfect.

31. I am okay with that.

Day 494: Katherine Theresa Landon & William Fitch

Now that life has settled down and we're settled in, here is our wedding announcement - today in the Knoxville News Senteniel.
Note1: This is the 2nd time we have been in the paper this week. Read about Brad->
Note2: One of my first graders was the first one to bring this to me this morning - thanks Dale!

Katherine Theresa Landon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald R. Landon, and William Bradley Fitch, son of Ms. Jenny J. Fitch and Mr. Walter B. Fitch, were married July, 10, 2010, at Second Presbyterian Church, Knoxville.
After a honeymoon in Bar Harbor, Maine, the couple is at home in
Knoxville.
The bride is a graduate of Farragut High School and Converse College and is employed at Second Presbyterian Church.
The groom is a graduate of David Lipscomb Campus School, the University of Tennessee and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. He is employed at Pathway Lending. Read here->

Day 260 Updated: Brad's wedding present

While checking out the Arts Emporium website, I saw the site for my favorite local artist, Mike Berry, who is one of their artistst in residence. That made me realized, I never told you about Brad's wedding gift. It was a collection of work from that artist, Mike Berry. He recreated the picture above, a portrait of our church. It was a little different angle and it has made it's home in our den. Also in the den are 5 other pictures I got for him, print that are also of Knoxville and the surrounding area, highlighting places we love.



The Torchbearer, His Collegiate Home



Big Ed's, Our Favorite Pizza




Neyland, Our Team's Stadium




Market Square, site of Our Engagement

Check out more at mikecberry.com or the Postcards from Knoxville series (source)->

Day 428: DIY Weddings

"“I think people think if you want to do a lot yourself and have a big wedding, you have to be engaged for long.” - me!
Yes, that is right. I was quoted today in the Knoxville News Senteniel's article on Do It Yourself weddings. I harding feel like the DIY bride of the year. But, I did have the DIY Mother of the Bride of the year.
" 'I had a bunch of websites that I stalked,' Landon said of her inspiration."

Below is the full story. or read more at knoxnews.com.

Mollie Lacher married her husband, Joe, on Oct. 16 at the Maple Grove Inn in West Knoxville, and during their yearlong engagement, she got crafty. “I knew I wanted something one-of-a-kind,” she said. Lacher is creative, she said, and she wanted to do a lot herself to stay within her budget. “I had my hand in everything,” she said.

Allison Sprouse of The Modern Hostess, a local event designing company, believes DIY weddings have become more common within the past few years. “I think it’s a mixture of the recession,” she said. “And I think a part of it is with blogs.” Sprouse believes brides have more access now because they can see what other brides are doing and get ideas on blogs. “There are great things to be DIY and be thrifty and creative – Save the Dates, programs, favors,” she said.

Local photographer Carrie Jo Pinckard of Texture Photographics agreed. “I have seen a big change in brides desiring their fingerprint on everything,” she said. And the DIY trend helps those brides reflect their style and personality, and it can even include people they love, she said. “It’s so much fun to arrive on a wedding day and feel like you know a couple so much more just by the location they chose and the way the bride so uniquely decorated it,” she said.

And Lacher was one of the DIY brides. She helped design Save the Dates, invitations and programs, and she said along the way, she continued to find more fun DIY ideas to help save money and express her style. “Things that I couldn’t knock down cost-wise were like menu, food, band … so that left décor.”

She collected jars, vases and burlap from Joann Fabrics & Crafts, Hobby Lobby, Southern Market and Home Goods to create reception centerpieces. “I did burlap table runners,” she explained, sewing buttons and weaving teal ribbon through them. She had a friend cut down a tree to make, what she called, “tree trays,” which she then put various vases and jars to hold candles and flowers. She and Joe also created mason jar chandeliers, she said. She gathered mason jars and tinted them blue for an antique look before Joe attached them to wooden boards and hung them from the ceiling. Lacher admitted she loves ice cream, so instead of the traditional wedding cake, she and her mother created an ice cream bar, gathering varieties of ice cream and toppings for guests to enjoy. Her friend Carolyn Coley added to the reception by making a variety of cupcakes. And for wedding favors, Lacher had her family help her make peach preserves.

For new bride Katie Fitch of West Knoxville, a lot of her DIY techniques came down to the details. “I knew I wanted sapphires for my wedding cake,” she said. “My ring is a sapphire.” Fitch said she’s not very traditional, so she wanted to do more herself, like search for unique cake decorations, to make her wedding less generic. Fitch said, “I think if you just go out and get stuff, it makes it less expensive, too.” She did that, with the help of her creative-minded mother, Marlene Landon, when planning her July 10 wedding to her husband Brad. The ceremony was at Second Presbyterian Church, and the reception was at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

“I had a bunch of websites that I stalked,” Landon said of her inspiration. And together, she and Fitch got to work. While she didn’t do her own invitations, Fitch wax sealed and stamped each one. For her bridal luncheon at the Apple Cake Tea Room, they collected different cups and saucers from thrift stores to hand out as favors and made table runners out of toile fabric. At the wedding reception, they hand-painted signs for drinks and food, and they even created a candy bar, collecting different candies and serving them in paper cones. She also enlisted help of friends and family to set up the reception area.

While she had her hand in many details, Fitch was only engaged to Brad from December to July. “I think people think if you want to do a lot yourself and have a big wedding, you have to be engaged for long.”

Sprouse said the new DIY trend can be accomplished, and luckily, it doesn’t take away her job. She explained The Modern Hostess helps brides create a “blueprint” for their wedding, taking their vision and helping them with details and logistics. “There are things we say, ‘You could save money and do that yourself,” she said.

But both Fitch and Lacher agreed brides can do too much. “Eventually, your head will explode,” Lacher said. And that’s where, Sprouse said, professionals should step in. “When it comes down to it, you do need a professional to help you carry it through in the end,” she said. Pinckard agreed she’s seen the importance of a bride passing her vision on to either a wedding coordinator or trusted person to help carry out final details. “It’s nearly impossible to see that plan carried out on your wedding day when you’re unable to run around because of the train on the back of your dress,” she said. “As a bride, you can’t really celebrate well when you’re distracted.”

Sprouse and Pinckard both said that while the DIY trend is helpful in personalizing weddings, there are some basic rules to apply. Pinckard encouraged brides to consider their guests. If it’s a backyard wedding, remember that it could rain or be cold, which isn’t comfortable for anyone, she said. “Consider caring for all people involved,” she said. “While they are celebrating you, celebrate them.” Sprouse said simply, “Do it because it has means; not just because it saves a dollar.”

Source

Day 377: Wedding Photos!

This weekend, we finally organized, arranged, and ordered more wedding pictures, in various shapes and forms. If you have 25 minutes to kill, please enjoy our slideshow!

Click here for the video->

Wedding Memories

In honor of our 2 month anniversary, here are some of my favorite memories of our wedding weekend. There are too many to hit them all, but here are a few (totally unedited, so beware of typos)...
* Thursday night. Amazing shower. Pink decorations, a perfect bouquet, lots of friends from forever and from right now, and "The Katie-tini". Seriously, how in the world did Marci plan all that from Nashville. Best MOH in history.
* From drop off on Thursday to Friday set up to every moment of the wedding - our reception venue The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame rocked!
* Tea cups. Charms. Pink table runners. Picture perfect Bridal Tea. For me and my 18 bridesmaids/junior bridesmaids, plus family at Farragut's Apple Cake Tea Room. It was one of about 7,921 things that mom amazing mother made absolutely amazing.
* Standing up at the bridal tea, it was all I could do to tell each of these amazing women just one thing they had taught me. It was a sweet, sentimental moment...and then Angie came up to ask for further clarification on her one word.
* My mother-in-law knows how to through a rehearsal dinner. Wow! From the invitations to the menu to the custom art to the appearance by "Willie Nelson" to the incredible menu and table decoration, it was wonderful. And the desserts!! Wow!
* All the rehearsal toasts. Every single one was so special. Though, a vast majority of them remarked on my lack of vocal talent. Thanks y'all.
* After the toasts were made, Brad and I stood in front of the room. I looked out over so many faces I love so much. I was overwhelmed with thankfulness as Brad expressed our graditude. I was speechless. Speechless.
* Throughout the weekend, I got to see just the right people at just the right times. Like catching Bret Allen's eye when people toasted to t-shirt designs or laughing with the preserves early on the wedding morning.
* I was so excited, that every morning that week I was up with the sun - ready to go. The morning of the wedding, 6am. Awake. Ready. It was like the lord woke me up and said, "Katie, before this day gets too busy and full of so many wonderful people, I want you to spend some time with me." I got up, ran 4 miles along the Tennessee River. I knew life was exactly as it should be and I was right where God wanted me.
* Ephesians. Husbands and wives. What an incredible calling.
* When I found out my Grandma Ce could not attend the wedding, it was the hardest moment of our engagement for me. But that morning, as I was in the salon (just before i got my makeup done, ironically), she called. It was a bitter sweet, precious conversation I will cherish forever. And throughout the weekend, it was precious to see my Aunt Debbie there, as stand in grandmother, loving me so well every step of the way.
* We did see each other before the wedding. In the picture perfect courtyard of the church (thanks to Amanda and Andrew). I will never forget it. And the only thing better than my custom earrings by Diana Warner (which I woke for the reception) was my wedding gift from Brad. It was diamond earring from his grandmother Evelyn, who passed away the month before. Thank you Uncle Randy for making her memory part of our special day!
* My bouquet was incredible, as where all of the flowers by the reknown Samueal Franklin. Perfect orchids. Perfect lighting on them. Perfect ring bouquets. Perfect everything.
* To top it off, my bouquet included a fan that my mother, grandmother, and great grandmother all carried on their wedding day. Rachel and Maddie, where you are ready, I've got your "100 YEAR OLD FAN!!"
* Right before I walked down the aisle, Bret, Kim, and Merissa led my bridesmaids and so many special women from my life in a time of prayer.
* Susan, Meredith, and Alex didn't pray with us in person, because they did about 2 million other little things and were the most beautiful, gracious, welcoming attendants in the history of weddings.
* "Jesus, You are the one, the one who makes life beautiful...." as said about Josh, Anna, and my sweet brother Sam in the prelude music.
* Brian and Rich...we loved everything about our wedding ceremony with 2 favorite pastors.
* After we took communion, we stepped to the side (literally) as the sacrament was administered to our guests. It was amazing to literally get out of the way and let Christ take center stage.
* As we were waiting on communion to conclude, Brad kissed me. Yep, that's right. we totally cheated and missed me minutes before the minister told him he could.
* You are the sun! I could not have picked a better first dance song!
* "In so far as I have possessed the keys to the wonders of this universe, I have allowed free use of them to you..." my daddy's toast still brings tears to my eyes as I blog.
* Ogle entertainment lighting - WOW! WOW! WOW!
* Rex Bradford Jones. Exceptional catering. Exceptional menu. Exceptional cake. If you are getting married in Knoxville or planning any event ever, call this man. Fabulous. Freakin' Fabulous.
* Sweet Pea and Powder. All the little details - from the napkins to the sapphire broaches adorning the wedding cake. Thanks Kathy - you made the honorary daughter's wedding wonderful.
* Converse. Converse. Those girls remembered the lyrics to our alma mater.
* The Junior League Transfers. The TKEs. The Team In Training friends. So many special groups of people in one place.
* "I will stand by you FOREVER!" Rachael was there in spirit.
* "This day must be the very best day of my life." So sweet to sing in a circle of hugs and love.
* We saw our precious parents just before we walked out the door to OAR and a mass of friends and bubbles and Matt, Brian, and Karkau rushing at our get away car.
* Maine. Amazing. Wonderful honeymoon.
* I want to do the week before and after our wedding over and over and over again.

...and too many other things to mention. I loved it. I love married life even more.
* Standing in the parlor of the church, with just my father, I was trying to take in every moment.

Day 276 - ???: The Wedding break

It's wedding week....
Check back in August for details, pics, reflections, and even more new beginnings...

In the meantime, you can practice the words to our congregational hymn.

Lift High The Cross Hymn

Refrain

Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim,
Till all the world adore His sacred Name.

Led on their way by this triumphant sign,
The hosts of God in conquering ranks combine.

Refrain

Each newborn servant of the Crucified
Bears on the brow the seal of Him Who died.

Refrain

O Lord, once lifted on the glorious tree,
As Thou hast promised, draw the world to Thee.

Refrain

So shall our song of triumph ever be:
Praise to the Crucified for victory.

Refrain

Day 260: Brad's wedding present

Today I am picking up the greatest wedding gift I could think of, for my wonderful future husband. Check back in July and find out what it was!!

Day 252: ONE MONTH!

The forecast sunny,

The day will be grand,

My dress has been fitted

And the wedding is planned.

I am so excited I simple must say,

It is exactly one month,

Until Our Wedding Day!

More from our Wedding Website->

Day 249: Campbell Station Park

"This 17-acre park is adjacent to the Farragut branch of the Knox County Library System."
Welcome to the Campbell Station Road Park! Site of my bridal portraits!!

Source

Day 239-247: It's Pre-Nuptual Time in Tennessee!

...And South Carolina.

...And some mystery location.

This week is full of a trip to South Carolina for seeing the Junior Bridesmaids, a very exciting shower Mother/Daughter Shower there, then Bridal protraits, then off on a much anticipated Mystery trip with my amazing Maid of Honor, then all topped off with a shower at Brentwood Hills, the church Brad grew up in! Whew!

One of my favorite things about this season is the chance to see and celebrate with so, so many people I love! And meet so many wonderful people from Brad's life.

Day 234: Place settings

We just got our first piece of everyday china and our first piece of our fine china. We have selected 2 of the most traditional patterns around, but we absolutely love them! Here they are, with a pieces of our fine dining - these are some of the registry items we are most excited about, so thankful for, and blessed to receive.
We have the best friends and family ever!
Currently, they are sitting on the counter, as I think about holiday dinner with our families, super clubs on the back patio, and maybe being a breakfast group mom...someday, not any day soon, but these dishes should last a long time. We are so blessed!

Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles Pink China


French Countryside


Wedgwood Knightsbridge Crystal

Source

More info is here on our wedding website. (Yes, this is a shameless plug for you to sign our guestbook!) Click here->

Day 217: Ogle Entertainment

We are getting married in less than 70 days! July 10 will be here soon and we have so much to celebrate. Above is not a picture of our venue, please see the Women's Hall of Fame post for that. But this is a picture from our lighting designer, Ogle Entertainment. Thanks to Debbie and Samuel, our coordinator and florist respectively, they've got a fun and unique look and feel for our big day!
Check out Ogle Entertainment! Amazing! Fun! Awesome!

Photo Credit

Day 207: Bridal Show at the Bleak House

Mom and I will e there, with over 25 wedding vendors, Live DJ on Patio, bridal fashions, catering by Rex Bradford Jones (see Day #196). Excited to see the beautiful Wisteria in Bloom too!
Source

Day 201: Our Invitations

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Ray Landon
Request the honor of your presence...


They are here.
Our wedding invitations have arrived in Knoxville.
They are fabulous!
Debuting next month, in a mailbox near you!

Day 196: Rex Bradford Jones & Abner's Attic

Welcome to Abner's Attic, "a unique place to
stop in for a bite to eat and a little shopping," home of amazing spiced tea and our wedding cater - Rex Bradford Jones. With 25+ years experience, I fell in love with this custom caterer. Amazing work, amazing presentation, and so, so wonderful to work with! He made it so easy. We hound him via Josh and Alissa's wedding last year. And Rex helped us settle on a great menu for July 10. Country Ham and Sweet Potato Biscuits. Crab Cakes. Roasted Vegetables. Fruit and Cheese with Chocolate Fondue. And more!


Photo Credit

Day 195: Your Reflections

I love our photographer! Your Reflections will be doing our wedding and I can't believe I have not blogged about them yet. I love Tonya's work, her creativity, and her laid back, have fun attitude!
Photo Credit

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!

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!

Photo Credit