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 557: Pinterest

I've just been invited to the coolest new thing. It's a digital bulletin board, called Pinterest. Thanks Julia. I am checking out great home projects, entertaining ideas, fun words, and lots of pretty things.

Here's a little more about Pinterest:
Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and "follow" collections created by people with great taste.

People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things -- wedding inspiration, favorite T-shirts, DJ equipment. You name it, people are pinning it.

We know you have great taste in something. Our mission is to make Pinterest the best place for you to share your taste with the world.

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And here's a little sample of what I've been pinning:


Dreamy decorating ideas.



Home ideas.



Words, words...



And more words...



Monogrammed plates. Yes, monogrammed.



Harding will love this. Brad will not.


Check me out at pinterest.com/ktlf

Day 549: Echo

To celebrate my birhtday, we enjoyed appetizers, dinner, and after dinner drinks at 3 fabulous locations. The first was Echo. It was my first time at this upscale bistro and wine bar, which is conveniently located in the District in Bearden. It was worth the wait. It was also the perfect place to kick off what promises to be a wonderful weekend, celebrating my wonderful husband's birthday!

Here's a little more about Echo:

Legendary local Chef's Seth Simmerman & Deron Little have teamed up to bring you Echo Bistro & Wine Bar, Knoxville's newest upscale eatery.

As co-owners Seth & Deron bring over 50 years combined experience to your table every night. Serving "contemporary classics" ~ dishes you know and love from decades past ~ Steak Diane, Beef Wellington, & Dover Sole with a modern twist, and offering an extensive wine list.

Echo has an intimate, neighborhood feel that welcomes you the second you walk through the door. Sit down at the bar and you are sure to see a friend or make a new one!

Seth & Deron invite you to come enjoy all Echo has to offer. Once you try it, you are sure to become a regular!

Located in The Shops at Bearden Place - directly across from Buddy's BBQ - old Mango location.

Reservations Recommended. 865-602-2090

Source/www.echobistro.com


Then, we headed over to Chez Liberty, for another first time. It is also in our neighborhood. It's way trendier than anything we normally do, but such a distinct menu. Brad gave up meat on Fridays for Lent, so their seafood selections hit the spot. Here's more about Chez Liberty:

"Chez Liberty is a unique dining experience without the ordeal of dress, time, planning, or wait, with a menu that is gripping, fresh, seasonal, and diverse."

Located in Bearden's Homberg Place at the corner of Mohican and Kingston Pike, we opened our doors in March 2010 as a small dinner-only establishment. We soon added lunch to our line-up, and now offer brunch and Sunday Supper as well. What sets Chez Liberty apart from other restaurants in the area is our unique approach to food preparation. Our dinner menu changes every other Wednesday, with high-quality ingredients chosen specifically for their freshness and seasonal appeal. We also frequently rotate the wines on our wine menu to best complement our current food selections. Every Sunday, we host a family-style supper where our diners can all join together and enjoy home-style southern French cuisine, in serve-yourself, single-seating fashion. The courses change every week, so please sign up for our weekly email newsletter for a special preview of this week's Sunday Supper menu! **Sunday Supper is currently on hiatus, but will resume this summer. In the meantime, come enjoy our regular dinner menu every Sunday from 5-9pm.**

In addition to great food, Chez Liberty also hosts frequent special events such as wine dinners and live music by local talents, as well as private parties and catering. Please see our Food menu page for the latest special event menu. Call or email us for more information.

Source/chezliberty.com

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Finally, we ended the evening with friends at Crown and Goose. A favorite, with some of my favorite people.
Happy birthday to me!

Day 542: Sewanee n' Stuff

To celebrate my husband's birthday, we headed out for a day of driving and discovering. Brad grew up going to Sewanee often. So, we headed down I-75 to explore. Here are a few of the things we found...


The University of the South
Possibily the South's most impressive campus. (Well, if you don't include Converse, of course...)
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Shenanigan's
"Good times, good food, since 1974." Easy place to kick back.
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Monteagle
Picture perfect mountaintop
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Mountain Outfitters
The local's place for the best in gear.
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St. Andrews School
Part of the Domain of the University of the South
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Day 538: Fast Lunch

This Lent season, 2nd Pres members are fasting the mid-day meal every Thursday. It's been a neat reminder and a practical way for me to welcome the Lord into more space in my day. Some church members are also coming together for a time of devotion, solitude, and fellowship.
This week, I shared the thoughts below from a new favorite blog, burningbushes.org, authored by one of my Converse classmates, Nicole. This is reminds me, what really feeds me.

...I was reminded of the power of His Word and its sufficiency. There is so much reading at my fingertips these days, that I often forget the fact that the truest story, the best story is also the oldest story. I guess at times I can assume that because I’ve already the Bible through a number of times, it’s now old hat. I think that some email or blog post or book or article has more for me at this moment than those ancient words. I forget that God’s Word is living and active…more alive than any person living now. His Word is more relevant to me than any recent story or message...

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Day 536: Bradley's

I have had there Chocolate. But i had never been inside.

Now, I have.

And I am in love!

In love with the Chocolate...







And in love with all their gift items...







In love.

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Day 535: The report from Moultrie

While was home over Spring Break, Brad was off serving leading college kids on a service project! Here's an article about all the awesome work the Cross Greek Campus ministry did last week.

A group of 78 University of Tennessee students invaded Moultrie Monday with hammers and paint brushes in hand. The students, members of The Cross ministry, are spending the week in Moultrie for their spring break doing mission projects. They began work Monday on at least four separate projects. Continue reading->

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Shout out to Sara!