Day 423: Mercy Me Christmas Sessions

The reviews were right - fabulous music celebrating Christ and Christmas!!
Got it today. Love it.

Day 423: Advent Wreath

In addition to our wonderful Christmas tree, my favorite thing about the holiday decor that is all over our house, if the Advent wreath I just made. I used the lovely silver candlesticks that the Stewarts, Mandy, and Jelleys gave us as wedding gifts.
We are all set for the holiday season and I am so proud of the first "real" advent wreath I have ever made.
In honor of this, and for any of you who are less familiar with this tradition, here is some information we shared with our 2nd Pres families about this holiday tradition!

The Advent Wreath
For hundreds of years, Christians have used an Advent wreath to inspire their hopes for the coming of Christ. By lighting candles and reading Bible verses, we are reminded about the meaning of Christ's birth and become more excited about his coming in the past, in the future, and in our own lives.

The Candles and their Meaning
Use these reminders as you use your wreath each week.
1st CANDLE- (purple) "CANDLE OF HOPE" - First week
We can have hope because God is faithful and will keep the promises he made to us. Our hope comes from God. (Romans 15:12-13)
2nd CANDLE- (purple) "CANDLE OF PREPARATION" - Second week
Preparation means to 'get ready'. "Help us to be ready to welcome YOU, O GOD!" (Luke 3:4-6)
3rd CANDLE- (pink) "CANDLE OF JOY" - Third week
The angels sang a message of JOY! (Luke 2:7-15)
4th CANDLE- (purple) "CANDLE OF LOVE" - Fourth week
God sent his only Son to earth to save us, because he loves us! (John 3:16-17)
5th CANDLE - (white) "CHRIST CANDLE" - Fifth week
The white candle reminds us that Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, sent to wash away our sins!
His birth was for his death, his death was for our birth! (John 1:29 and John 3:1-8)

Source 1
Source 2

Day 422: Brunch at the Bistro at the Bijio

There are about 17,481 things I love about my new husband...give or take a few.
One of them is that fact that he plans and picks fabulous things. We never get in a rut, especially when it comes to dining out. (Which is why restaurants is the #1 tag on this blog). Today he picked Bistro at the Bijio for lunch. We enjoyed their Sunday brunch menu in this historic building adjacent to the legendary Bijio Theatre. I'll do that egg and cheese panini any day, on it's perfectly pressed dense french bread. And I would love to go back Eggs Bijou, which is Carolina crab cakes, tomato, poached eggs and béarnaise sauce on an english muffin. The live jazz didn't hurt either.
Great choice!

Learn more about the restaurant, the world famous theatre, it's history and guests, including Andrew Jackson, Rutherford B. Hayes, James K. Polk, and Ulysses S. Grant here->

Source

Day 421: Our first Christmas Card

We just received our very first Christmas card as Mr. and Mrs. Fitch! Thanks to my sweet Sarah Weaver for so promptly getting out the holiday greetings. She's always such a rock star.
In honor of the momentous occasion, I fond the a fabulous holiday pic featuring the best and brightest of Converse College crica 1999...I think that is the correct year. Several of us look like we have been adequately scared by the Vietnam experience.
Thanks Weaver, for kicking off the holiday season!

Day 420: Thanksgiving!

So, I started this blog to tell you about new things in Knoxville that I was discovering or re-discovering. And now, I get to add in things I am learning and seeing in a new job, a new home, and as a newlywed!
But today's post is nothing new. It is Thanksgiving! My favorite time of the year!
And true to tradition, here is what the Landon/Theilen and now Fitch families are having for Thanksgiving dinner:

Turkey & Dressing
Crab Legs
Duck
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Beans
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Cranberry Sauce
Deviled Eggs
Crescent Rolls
and maybe more?

While we are watching the Macy's parade, we'll be snacking on:
Apple Dip
Mini Sausages
Pumpkin Bread
Apricot Bread
Cinnamon Rolls
and more!

And for dessert:
Pumpkin Pie
and another pie, whose identity will be revealed when Grandma arrives!

Day 419: Fantasy of Trees

It opens today!! I'm kicking off the activities in the fabulous Reindeer Pals booth! There are countless other children's activities, shops, entertainment, and, of course...the trees!!! Over 300+ fabulously decorated treed trees. We have truly taken over the convention center. And it is all to benefit East Tennessee Children's Hospital!

Here are jsut a few of the special events you can enjoy...
Carousel, Decorate-a-Cookie, Face Painting, Itsy Bitsy Trees, Letters to Santa, Penguin Telescopes, Princess Manicures, Reindeer Games, Snow Friends and Thumbprint Ornaments to make, a unique "Giving Tree" to give to direct needs at Children's hospital, Gingerbread Village, the legendary Target Raffle Tree, Tinsel Time for Moms & Tots, Babes in Toyland Parade, Santa's Senior Stroll, Kris Kringle's Kiddie Party, Handbell Concert, Baubles and Bangles jewelry, Personalized Ornaments, Santa's Warehouse, Secret Santa, and Trim the Tree shop. Plus, entertainers from throughout the region perform daily at the Fantasy Theater...I fondly remember preforming year after year!!
And, the one, the only-Santa Claus will be there!!

Learn more here->

See you there!

Wednesday, November 24 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Thursday, November 25 3 - 9 p.m. (Thanksgiving Day)
Friday, November 26 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday, November 27 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday, November 28 Noon - 6 p.m.

At the Knoxville Convention Center, located at Clinch and Henley Streets.

Source

Day 418: Fantasy of Trees Preview Party

The Fantasy of Trees starts tomorrow. We've been decorating since last weekend. And now, tonight, it's time for the Preview Party!!

"The Fantasy of Trees Preview Party is a great opportunity for visitors to celebrate the upcoming holidays, enjoy wonderful food and dancing, check out the Fantasy of Trees before the crowds of visitors, and get started on their holiday shopping list," said Elizabeth Thomas, coordinator for the holiday event.

See you there!
Now, what on earth to wear?



Source