December 2010

DECEMBER 2010 FASHION FOR YOU • YOUR HOME • YOUR LIFESTYLE

Joyful Living in Knoxville ATHOMETN.COM

Stocking Stuffers | A Yuletide Fête A Merry Married Christmas

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY Sarah

Dobbins

contents december 2010

COVER FEATURES

61 A Merry Married Christmas A WEDDING PREVIEW

31 Stocking Stuffers ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS Tiny gifts that pack big holiday cheer. You’ll find something for everyone on your list!

These enchanted winter weddings warmed our hearts. Read on

44 Joyful Living in Knoxville A TALE OF TWO HOMES A couple discovers their taste for downtown living after a home renovation forces them to relocate further into the city.

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to discover how these brides coped with mother nature crashing their big day.

61 A Yuletide F ê te MERRY GATHERINGS Stephanie Alexander of You’re Invited shares creative tips for fun holiday parties your guests are sure to love. From delicious recipes to do-it yourself projects, Stephanie has everything you’ll need to make your party the hit of the season.

contents december 2010 61

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SELF 20 WINTER FASHION Cable-knit sweaters, faux-fur caplets and army-inspired jackets, only the hotestst looks for your cold-weather needs.

22 WINTERIZE YOUR SKIN Coddle chapped lips and frost bitten cheeks with these soothing moisturizers.

24 THE GREAT RESOLUTION REVOLUTION At Home Tennessee’s Mandi Gaskin wrestles with self-acceptance as she debunks the need to pronounce a new year’s resolution.

26 A PLAN FOR BETTER HEALTH Knoxville’s Becky Fox explains the art of making goals for the new year.

TRAVEL 38 LUXURY MEETS ADVENTURE Take a trip to Park City, Utah, an outdoorsman’s paradise and home of the award winning Silver Star community.

40 CHRISTMAS VACATION WITH THE FAMILY Which getaway will the family remember forever? Read on to discover five destinations guaranteed to make this holiday special. The best part-They’re all just a car trip away!

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68 WEDDING PLANNING 101

AT HOME WITH 42 AT HOME WITH RAMAY WINCHESTER As the Director for Retire Tennessee, Ramay Winchester is leading the way in marketing toward a graying baby boomer generation.

HOME AND GARDEN 56 NEED A HOME DECOR SOLUTION? HERE’S YOUR RESOLUTION New for 2011-- At Home Tennessee brings you home renovations, makeovers, expert advice and must-have products for the home. This month, Nashville designer Marjorie Feltus introduces the home resolution.

58 DECEMBER GARDENING

Newly engaged? Look no further for great advice to help you start planning your dream wedding.

FOOD 76 THE PIZZA KITCHEN: MORE THAN JUST PIZZA The Pizza Kitchen is known for know more than just pizza. With an extensive menu, there is sure to be something to please everyone in the family at this Knoxville eatery.

IN THIS ISSUE 12 PUBLISHER’S NOTE 70 by invitation—THE SOCIAL PAGES

Preparation and maintenance-- the tools for a successful growing season in 2011.

84 BOOK REVIEW

WEDDING

90 ESSAY

61 HAPPILY EVER AFTER We have two lovely winter weddings to inspire winter brides.

66 UNLIKELY WEDDING LOCALES Whether you love art, music or animals, we’ve found the perfect non-traditional wedding location for you.

86 HAPPENINGS 88 SOURCES

December 2010 • Vol. 9 No. 9 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Margaret Monger - mmonger@athometn.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Donna Hopgood- dhopgood@athometn.com

EDITORIAL CREATIVE DIRECTOR Nikki Aviotti Hodum - naviotti@athometn.com MANAGING EDITOR Hallie McKay- hmckay@athometn.com SOCIETY EDITOR Lesley Colvett - lcolvett@athometn.com EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Lindsey Phillips Abernathy, Mandi Gaskin, Terri Glazer, Andy Pulte, Jordana White, Shana Lusk CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Mike Boatman, Sarah Dobbins INTERN Kelly Kriegshauser COLOR MANAGEMENT Charles Reynolds - cr@colorretouching.com WEB MASTER Donna Donald - donna@donnadonalddesign.com

ADVERTISING REGIONAL SALES Melissa Hosp - mhosp@athometn.com REGIONAL DIRECTOR- MIDDLE TENNESSEE Stacy Sullivan-Karrels- ssullivankarrels@athometn.com REGIONAL DIRECTOR- CHATTANOOGA Susan Philips-sphilips@athometn.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Janna Herbison - jherbison@athometn.com Virginia Davis - vdavis@athometn.com Hilary Frankel - hfrankel@athometn.com Cynthia Olive-colive@athometn.com

BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Trip Monger - tmonger@athometn.com

HOW TO REACH US 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018 TOLL FREE 877.684.4155, FAX 866.354.4886 WEBSITE athometn.com BEAUTY INQUIRIES beauty@athometn.com WEBSITE INQUIRIES web@athometn.com At Home Tennessee does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to - Lindsey Phillips Abernathy, Managing Editor, At Home Tennessee; 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018.

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE Call 877.684.4155 or subscribe online at athometn.com.

Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99.

At Home Tennessee is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Tennessee; 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Lindsey Phillips Abernathy; At Home Tennessee; 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018 or by e-mail to lphillips@athometn.com.

10 | At Home Tennessee • December 2010

December 2010 • athometn.com | 11

publisher’s note

A Griswold Christmas

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love watching the commercials made just for the holidays. I love the Folgers coffee commercials where the kids come home from college and quietly come in with a small suitecase and just want to sit down and have a cup of Joe with the parents. I also love the commercials for multiple baking items where the mom and kids are all neat and clean in the kitchen and everything comes out golden brown and cooked to perfection with a nice roaring fire perfectly glowing in the fireplace. We all appreciate the perfectly wrapped gift with bows that would make my sister-in-law, Jennifer, green with envy. Now, I am not complaining but just putting a bit of reality to the story. When my daughter comes home from college, she brings a carload of belongings with her, including three weeks of laundry for me to do “because I miss it so much.” We do like to bake; in fact right now there are pans of cornbread ready to make dressing and a pan or two in the sink, soaking, because the golden brown color turned more like black velvet. Oh, and we do have a fire glowing but not before I lit it and didn’t do something right resulting in smoke filling my home and my neighbor coming over thinking my house was on fire. Not to mention my King Charles having a reaction to it and her poor little eye swelling shut. About the perfectly wrapped gifts, well the leather jacket we bought our daughter didn’t even make it in the box before our dog, Rudy, decided to eat it.

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” We all know the song and hear it multiple times over the holidays. Although I love this time of the year, listening to the words the other day made me laugh a bit. It talks about happy, perfect gatherings with family and friends, but does it mention the three days before when everyone is pulling their hair out trying to make the house perfect? Anyone else found themselves hiding “stuff” in the dryer at the last minute that you asked your husband or kids to pick up for a week? It talks about telling great stories from previous Christmas experiences. We are very fond of the Christmas memory when my dad thought it would be fun to pull out his dentures and smile for our children. Yes, that took them a while to get over.

This truly is a magical time and can be the most wonderful time of the year, but only if we realize what we see on television isn’t always the entire story. Enjoy the kids home from college and all the hectic times that come with that, including the laundry.

Get in the kitchen and cook with the kids and expect it to turn out like a real person made it and not something that has been photoshopped. Light a fire, just open the flue so your home doesn’t fill with smoke and if it does, it will go away soon and the fire will still be great. I can’t give much advice on the perfectly wrapped gifts because I gave that up a long time ago. Jennifer won the battle of the bows and cake decorating in my family. I am just thankful for the pretty little bags and tissue paper. Besides, any bows on gifts are quickly removed by one of the three cats or two dogs we have.

Enjoy this wonderful time of the year and I hope your home, like mine, resembles the Griswolds’ more than a Norman Rockwell print. Although the Rockwell print is nice to look at, we Griswolds have more fun!

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contributors’ page

www.haljaffe.com

Lesley Harris Colvett

is pleased to rejoin At Home Tennessee magazine. Her 10year career in magazines began promptly after graduating from the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Journalism as editor of RSVP magazine, where she covered countless parties in Memphis. Most recently, she was one of the founders of by invitation Kansas City, a social magazine in Kansas City. Lesley is proud to bring social pages to Tennessee!

Stephanie Alexander is a wedding and event planner and owner of You’re Invited Events in Nashville. Stephanie specializes in social events throughout the state of Tennessee.

Helping her clients carry out their vision and truly making each event unique is her passion.

She earned an MBA from the University of Memphis and a BBA in marketing and Spanish, and her extensive business background allows her to approach each event with the client’s budget and timeline in mind. Stephanie is also an avid entertainer, chef and baker and loves expressing her creativity through do-it-yourself projects. You can learn more about Stephanie by visiting her website at yistationery.com or her blog at yievents. blogspot.com.

Becky Fox is a certified personal trainer, nutrition consultant and owner of the Knoxville-based personal training and boot camp company, Fox Fitness. Becky enjoys helping individuals lose fat and tone their bodies through fun, efficient and challenging workouts. She has written for various publications including the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Becky is an Optimum Nutrition sponsored fitness model who can be seen on the covers of Power Systems and Magazine Blu. You can learn more about Becky by visiting foxfitness.com.

Stephenie Ward

is a registered dietitian who partners with clients of various medical and fitness backgrounds at Germantown Athletic Club. Her clinical experience includes pediatrics, cardiovascular disease, lifecycle changes, diabetes, obesity, eating disorders, osteoporosis and athletes desiring improved athletic performance. Outside of work, Stephenie enjoys training for triathlons, playing the violin, cooking and spending time with her family of five.

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self

Winter Fashion

Photography courtesy of Trink Turk

Shawl-Collar Tweed Cardigan in Red Eddie Bauer eddiebauer.com

Faux Sheared Mink Capelet Trina Turk trinaturk.com

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Barbour Ursula Jacket available at Oak Hall Memphis, TN 901.761.3580

self

Thomas Pink Assorted Scarves thomaspink.com

Frye Rogan Engineer Studded thefryecompany.com

Rolvenden Coat Modcloth ModCloth.com December 2010 • athometn.com | 21

self

Winterize Your Skin

Chilly temperatures bring brisk winds and dry skin. Luckily, we’ve found some great products that should keep you silky smooth and well moisturized all winter long. From lotions to scrubs, your skin is sure to be in top shape no matter how low the temps may go.

emerginC Phytocell cream emerginc.com

Glowology’s Lovely Body Lotion glowologyskincare.com

Lavanila’s Healthy Body Butter in Pure Vanilla lavanila.com

Red Flower’s Isla das Rocas revitalizing sea salt scrub redflower.com

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Therapy Systems Protective Hand Treament AM and PM therapysystems.com

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self

The Great Resolution Revolution At Home Tennessee columnist and fierce rebel, Mandi Gaskin, is taking no prisoners as she tells the New Year’s tradition who’s the boss.

TEXT Mandi Gaskin | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of Mandi Gaskin

I

t happens every year about this time. After all the presents have been opened and I am slowly coming down from the sugar high that I have been on for the last month, the dim reality of the New Year sets in. And the resolutions that I made from the previous year begin to mock me like a fat kid playing dodgeball as I come face to face with the broken promises of yesteryears.

Last year I made a resolution not to worry so much, only to have an anxiety attack two months later as a result of my cable going out and almost missing the Housewives reunion. And then after making the I’m-going-to-work-out-more-to-become-the-nextMiss-Fitness-USA resolution for 10 straight years in a row, I am still sitting on 15 extra pounds and bribing myself with Snickers bars to take a walk around the block. But this year I am wising up and going rogue on the New Year’s traditions. Instead of making promises that will most likely last until St. Patrick’s Day, I am going to sit this year out-- making no resolutions and setting myself free from grand expectations.

However, when talking to my best friend about this new state of mind she gave me a suggestion of a new spin on the tradition that she started two years ago. Instead of making specific negative goals for herself in the temporary (i.e.- no more cupcakes, Fatty!), she began creating positive themes for the coming year that she could stand behind the whole year through. In 2008, after being fed up with going along with whatever people suggested despite how she felt, she created the “Year of Truth” for herself.

Throughout the year when someone would ask her to accompany them to an event she had no interest in or to go to an obligatory dinner that she despised, she would remind herself of the “Year of Truth” and confidently tell them “no, thank you.”

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Coincidentally, that was also the year that I learned she hated my favorite boots as well as the casserole that I always prepared for her when she came to visit. “It’s about giving yourself back the power and the opportunity that enables you to differentiate the things you do for yourself and the things you do for others. And it’s astounding how quickly that simple theme becomes a law in your life that allows you to prioritize yourself and what is important to you,” she says.

Intrigued by this notion, I began to inquire as to what my theme would be should I choose one. My first consideration was the “Year of Ambivalence,” prodded by my lack of motivation or general laziness to make any sort of change. But then I figured it should probably be something a little more positive so that I don’t spiral into an existence of all-around slacker with the excuse of my self-proclaimed theme.

And so, dear readers, after careful deliberation I am declaring this next year to be the “Year of Acceptance;” for the acceptance of things that I cannot control, for flaws that I cannot correct, as a way of letting go to allow myself the freedom to breathe and grow without constantly fighting the reality of what is going on before me. Or in the words of Steve Winwood, I am going to “just roll with it, baby.”

And so on this New Year’s Eve, as I am counting down one more year that has passed me by without my meeting the ridiculous expectations that I set for myself; I know that I will be facing the year ahead with a willingness to just be me, and that is perfectly acceptable.

Mandi is a writer, a wife, and a mother who keeps telling herself that she has it all figured out, but who is she kidding? You can follow her hilarious life lessons on www.freedingo.blogspot.com or right here at At Home Tennessee.

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self

A Plan for Better Health Indulge Without the Bulge TEXT Stephenie Ward, registered dietitian, LDN, Germantown Athletic Club

Whether you’re trying to lose weight or just start the New Year with healthy habits, keep your goals realistic to avoid disappointment. Increase your chances of succeeding by sticking to the following checklist: • 80/20 approach. If you eat too healthy, you can set yourself up for failure for a variety of reasons.

First, it is not necessary. You can enjoy all foods on a healthy eating plan. Pay attention to how often you select higher calorie and higher fat items.

Being too strict can also lead to unnecessary guilt and cravings for larger portions. Eat healthy 80 percent of the time to leave leeway for the remaining 20 percent.

• Pay attention to portions. For most meals, try to fill half of your plate with veggies, one-fourth with lean meat and one-fourth with whole grains.

Incorporate low-fat dairy and fruit into your meals, as well.

phone. Distracted eating often means overeating.

• Leave food on your plate. Being a member of the “clean plate club” does not offer any benefits.

Stop eating when you are full, and box up leftovers.

• Avoid highly processed foods. Choose whole foods. When looking at ingredient lists, avoid products with ingredients you can’t pronounce.

Stick with what you know: whole grains, fresh veggies, fruits and dairy products.

• Eat healthy. Choose grilled over fried. Have high-calorie condiments on the side. Substitute for healthier choices, like oil and vinegar.

• Exercise. The USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Eating a well-balanced diet and incorporating exercise into your routine is the best prescription for a healthy lifestyle. If you • Follow the 150-to-100-calorie snack rule. are currently inactive, check with your doctor Snacks should include at least two food groups. before beginning any physical activity program.

Pre-measure the correct serving size into bags to Visit www.mypyramid.gov for general nutrition guidelines and meet with a registered dietitian prevent from overeating. for a customized nutrition plan for the new year.

-150 calories: Half a cup of canned peaches in light syrup.

-Half a cup of low-fat cottage cheese.

-106 calories: One cup of baby carrots with two tablespoons of hummus -Other snacks to consider: whole grains, vegetables, fruits, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and half an ounce of nuts.

• Eat slowly. It takes 20 minutes for your brain to realize your body is getting food. Enjoy each meal by keeping distractions to a minimum.

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self

New Year, New You Plan your health goals for 2011 and avoid holiday weight gain with these tips from Knoxville’s Becky Fox. TEXT Lindsey Phillips Abernathy

Holiday Maintenance With 2011 just around the corner, don’t let a holiday weight gain set back your brand-new resolutions. The key to warding off holiday pounds? Stick to your regular work out schedule even if you’re out of town. “If you typically get up early to workout, continue to,” Becky says. “ Many hotels have gyms or there usually is a gym nearby you can visit, or simply work out with body weight exercises or take a resistance band.” As for holiday party buffets, eat before you go and snack primarily on healthier options like turkey breast, sweet potatoes, fruit and veggies—just make sure they’re not smothered in butter.

Planning Makes Perfect In order to stay on track, planning is a must. Plan everything from the type and duration of your workout to your meals “Just like anytime you are staying on track with your fitness and nutrition goals, it’s important to have a plan,” Becky says.

“Make a date with the gym and stick to it.”

ed, while making the long-term goal seem more attainable. Write those goals down and post them somewhere in your home or office so they’re always in your mind. Visualize how you’ll look and feel when you finally meet those goals.

Don’t Go Overboard “Often times, after the New Year we make resolutions that are so great and we are so motivated we jump on board with a little bit too much enthusiasm,” Becky says. “Make sure you are playing it safe by easing yourself into exercise rather than going out and trying to run a marathon the first day you start.” If you’re a beginner, aim for doing cardio three days a week for 20 to 30 minutes, adding more time as needed. In the kitchen, avoid fad diets and start with simple changes such as eating breakfast, incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet and drinking more water.

Be Goal-Oriented “Setting goals is a huge part of success for reaching the healthy and fit body you want,” Becky says. Set both short-term and long-term fitness goals to motivate. The short-term goals will keep you on track and motivatDecember 2010 • athometn.com | 27

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What’s New in 2011: •All new design section! In January, we are looking at kitchens.

From redesign to great products, we’ve got it all.

•Good Eats: We are taking a look at fresh produce and recipes to go along with the produce.

•Restaurant Guides: Take a peak inside some of the great restaurants scattered across Tennessee December 2010 • athometn.com | 29

Super Stocking Stuffers Tiny delights that are sure to please!

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stocking stuffers

Crane & Co. Leopard Note Cards Cynthia Howell Stationary and Gifts Chattanooga, TN 423.266.2667, cynthiahowellonline.com

Royal Highnies Exclusively available at Coachman Clothiers Knoxville, TN 865.690.5805, coachmanclothiers.com

Jack Black All Day Oil Control Lotion available at Oak Hall Memphis, TN 901.761.3580

Barbara Garwood Carved Cinnabar bracelet Taylor Jewelry Jackson, TN 731.668.0057

Personalized Coffee Mug Dandy Lions Maryville, TN 865-977-LION (5466), dandylionsgifts.com December 2010 • athometn.com | 33

stocking stuffers

Spirit Song Pottery Mugs, local Oxford, MS Artist available at Old Taylor Antiques 66.234.9797

Dior 61/2 Sunglasses The Urban Eye Jackson, TN www.urbaneyejackson.com

Lollie Ring Kate Spade Mall at Green Hills, Nashville 615.292.9168 34 | At Home Tennessee • December 2010

FaceMD Natural Exfoliator Cream facemd.net drlangsdon.com

J Crew Nail Polish jcrew.com

Memphis Heritage’s 2011 Calendar memphisheritage.org

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stocking stuffers

Vie Lux Bleu scented candle vieluxenyc.com

eos Lip Balm Smooth Sphere Holiday Bag evolutionofsmooth.com

cinda b coin purse and carry all Dandy Lions Maryville, TN 865-977-LION (5466), dandylionsgifts.com 36 | At Home Tennessee • December 2010

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travel

Luxury Meets Adventure Whether it’s skiing, fine dining or a relaxing mountain getaway you’re looking for, Silver Star at Park City, Utah, has it all.

Explore Park City, hit the slopes or enjoy the beautiful scenery from a luxury condominium.

TEXT Lindsey Abernathy | PHOTOGRAPHY Mike Boatman

T

his winter, experience sport, culture and luxury at one of Park City, Utah’s newest destinations: Silver Star At Park City (silverstaratparkcity.com). Located at the base of Park City Mountain Resort, Silver Star is an award-winning ski in/ski out community with its own chairlift, onsite dining and a location close to tons of other Wasatch area activities.

“Silver Star is unique in the sense that it’s a standalone village at the base of the Park City Mountain Resort,” says Dusty Orrell, branch broker for Silver Star realty. “What that’s enabled it to be is the only brand new, high quality, luxury condominium project on the Park City mountain side of the town. It allows us to have our own personality.”

Inspired by Park City’s history as a silver mining community, Silver Star is built around three of the original 1860s buildings. In keeping with the theme of the revitalized mining community, Silver Star’s residential units feature rustic materials like wood, stone and metal to reflect the area’s history. The Silver Star project— headed by Paladin Development Partners, Old Waverly Utah, JSA Architects and Oakland Construction—is the recipient of the Utah Housing Coalition’s 2009 Project of the Year award and the Utah Heritage Foundation’s 2008 Heritage Award. “The project was originally the Spiro mine site,” Orrell explains. “It’s award-winning in the sense that it had three historic buildings on the property. Architecturally, it was taken from the nature of those mining buildings.”

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Live Silver Star at Park City features 98 privately owned condominiums, many of which are available for vacation rental through Resorts West Vacation Rentals (resortswest.com). Choose from four- to six- bedroom metal-roofed cottages, two- to four- bedroom Village Lofts or opt for a three-story townhouse rental, depending on your space needs. The residences feature amenities such as heated underground garages, private decks and patios, custom cabinets, kitchens equipped with Viking appliances, granite countertops and rustic interior elements ideal for a mountain getaway.

Visitors to Silver Star can explore onsite businesses like Silver Star Ski & Sport for equipment rentals and Silver Star Market and Café for a bite to eat. The property also features a heated pool, hot tub and fitness room as well as private ski lockers for property owners. “People like Silver Star,” Orrell says. “It’s familyfriendly, it’s kid-friendly, it’s pet-friendly, it’s vibrant.”

Three units—a two- bedroom townhome, a threebedroom townhome and a four- bedroom penthouse flat—are still on the market, according to Orrell.

Adventure With 9,326 acres of snow and three resorts, Park City is an outdoorsman’s paradise. The nearby Park City Mountain Resort (parkcitymountain.com), ranked a top five resort in North America by SKI magazine, allows Silver Star owners and visitors easy access to 3,300 acres of terrain to ski and snowboard in the winter and mountain bike through in summer months.

travel Popular activities in Park City include snowmobiling, hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, fly fishing and hiking, among a variety of recreational sports. Be sure to check out the Utah Olympic Park; bobsledders can try their hand on the track used in the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Learn about the town’s mining-to-skiing history with a tour at the Park City Museum, or browse boutiques on Main Street for great shopping options. With more than 100 restaurants and bars, spas and plenty of shopping, Park City is a great destination for anyone in the family.

Learn Park City is rich in culture, and Silver Star is no exception. The Silver Star Plaza houses the Sundance Institute headquarters, which will host its annual Sundance Film Festival in January, as well as the Spiro Arts Institute (spiroarts.org), an artist-in-residence program. Silver Star Realty is also based out of the community, giving the condominium project a unique edge because of year-round activity, Orrell says.

“Most condo projects are strictly that,” he says. “There are no residents in condo projects, generally.

You get a truly dynamic village as the result of having the Plaza.”

To plan your Park City vacation visit parkcity.com.

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travel

Stone Mountain Park

Gaylord Palms Resort

Christmas Vacation with the Family TEXT Hallie McKay and Kelly Kriegshauser | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of Stone Mountain Park, Gaylord Palms Resort, Dollywood

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort

Dollywood

If it’s adventure you seek this holiday, take a drive to North Carolina’s Wolf Ridge Ski Resort. With over 72 acres of ski terrain, the family is sure to find a piece of winter wonderland they can enjoy. Here, visitors have the opportunity to receive quality lessons from a top-rated Snow Sports School. Other amenities on the slopes include excellent dining options at the Wolf Ridge Grill, a ski shop, multiple chairlifts, and 100% snowmaking capability.

Stay at the Scenic Wolf Resort where you’ll enjoy views of the Blue ridge Mountains from your very own rustic log home. The resort offers three- and four- bedroom cabins with large kitchens, fireplaces and game rooms. Need a break from the biting cold? Head over to the glass enclosed, heated pool for a trip down the waterslide. It’s all just minutes from your lodge.

Special: A 3 Day Pass adults $150, Kids (9-17) $130.

The state’s most famous attraction really shines this month, with 3 million lights, carolers, characters and a Broadwaystyle musical in its 12th year. Dollywood is a must-see for anyone in the family. For the music lover, there’s an abundance of live entertainment for the best in country, bluegrass, and gospel music. In need of adventure? The park is host to rides for all ages, including the famous wooden roller coaster “The Thunderhead.”

Spend the holiday in one of several Pigeon Forge accommodations. From luxurious cabins to area hotels, you’re sure to find something that fits your budget.

Park events include Carol of the Trees, the synchronized lighting of Rivertown Lake to a holiday symphony of music; Christmas in the Smokies, a classic musical tradition; Dollywood’s Babes in Toyland, one of the park’s most elaborate stage shows ever; and roving holiday characters like Ebenezer Scrooge.

Of course, the celebrations are endless at Dollywood. But don’t take our word for it, go check it out for yourself. If it’s festive entertainment you’re looking for, Christmas in Dollywood is the place to go.

Special:

Smoky Mountains Sip hot chocolate on the deck of your private cabin as you enjoy hillside views of winter’s natural splendor. Gatlinburg Falls Resort offers family cabins ranging from one to nine bedrooms with tremendous views, luxurious amenities, and convenient location to local entertainment and attractions.

Enjoy Gatlinburg’s Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade from December 3 until January 1.

A number of unique boutiques, cafes and galleries await you in the quaint downtown of Gatlinburg. Have breakfast at the Pancake Pantry before strolling through the Old Worldinspired shops of The Village. Or stay in by the fireside and prepare a hearty holiday meal the whole family can enjoy. After dinner, hop into your private hot tub or view a movie in one of the resort’s private theaters.

Make this holiday about the family. Take a trip to Gatlinburg and relax by the fire. The view will take your breath away.

Special: Starting in December, stay two nights and get two more free! Call 1-866-97CABIN to make a reservation today.

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Stone Mountain Park, Atlanta Stone Mountain Park is a year-round destination for family recreation and entertainment. Starting December 11, Stone Mountain Park transforms into a holiday playground complete with snow and festive characters.

Take a trip down the 400-foot snow covered Avalanche Alley. This exciting tube ride is a one-of-a-kind adventure the family will remember for a lifetime. After you’ve taken in some thrills, head over to Snowman Valley where you can make a winter companion all your own. Be sure to check out Igloo City, too, where you can construct a fort and dig tunnels for an Igloo that’s distinctly you.

After a day spent playing in the snow and flying down hills, grab some hot chocolate as you relax on the Sno Deck.

At night, sit fireside with the family as you roast s’mores and

travel

Dollywood talk about the day.

Special: The Family Value Pass includes four admission tickets, unlimited hot chocolate and four meals.

Gaylord Palms Resort Make this season especially memorable with a trip to the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida. Family entertainment, award-winning restaurants, a rejuvenating spa and championship golf courses make this a holiday destination you can’t afford to miss.

Family fun begins at the wildly popular “Ice” exhibit. This magical event uses two million pounds of ice to create an arctic forest of dazzling ice sculptures and holiday scenes. Children will especially enjoy the Christmas carnival, complete with a life-size carousel. Santa’s ornament room and reindeer are present as well! This year, the resort plans to add 40 tons of snow for the “North Pole Carnival”. Other activities include Elf Bowling and a Snow Tube Run. After the kids have gone to bed, head out for a romantic dinner in one of the resort esteemed epicurean establishments. Activities abound in a destinatin that’s simply got it all. Shop from an array of unique retail stores or head to the spa. Play 18 holes at one of Orlando’s championship golf courses. There’s a PGA Tour Shop on location for those in the need of some stylish gear. It’s a magical time of year at the Gaylord Palms Resort. Don’t miss out!

Special: Stay one to six nights with The Best of Florida Christmas Package where you’ll get admission to “Ice,” a souvenir photo, admission to “Snow,” daily breakfast and parking for $199$233.

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at home with

At Home with Ramay Winchester As the Director for Retire Tennessee, Ramay Winchester is leading the way in marketing toward a graying baby boomer generation.

TEXT Hallie McKay | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of Retire Tennessee

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or years people have talked about how the retirement of the Baby Boomer generation-those born between 1946 and 1964-- would affect the United States. As a demographic, they redefined the ideas, politics and culture of their era. As a market, their enormous buying power enabled them to set consuming and lifestyle trends. Now, as the first wave of boomers enter a new phase in life, our market is once again set to change drastically.

According to a study by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, boomers possess approximately $2.1 trillion in annual buying power; that’s seven times more than Generation X and Generation Y combined. As a result, it has always been in the best interest of retailers, developers and businesses to keep up with the needs of this vital customer group.

The question on everyone’s mind now, however, is how.

Determining the needs and wants of a generation who have radically redefined traditional concepts throughout the years is no easy task. They are not expected to act anything like their parents’ generation. Retirees today lead very active lifestyles and are not showing any signs of slowing down. In fact, 80 percent of the boomer generation plan on continuing to work in some form.

How the 77 million baby boomers will react to retirement has yet to be determined. The only certainty is that they will define retirement in their own terms, just as they have every other phase of their life. In an effort to anticipate the changing market and the needs of this juggernaut of a demographic, Tennessee has established a program intended to drive economic growth and meet the needs of these

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new retirees.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) started the “Retire Tennessee” program officially in 2008 to promote the state as a great place for retirees to relocate. Heading the effort is Program Director Ramay Winchester. Winchester has served Tennessee for nearly 20 years by assisting communities toward a more positive, asset-based economic direction through tourism, retail development, and most recently, through retiree recruitment.

As Director of Retire Tennessee, Winchester’s role involves analyzing trends in retiree attraction, communicating the economic benefits of a retirement community with local chambers of commerce and assisting Retire Tennessee communities with developing effective marketing strategies. She also plays a vital role in determining the readiness and desirability factors of all 95 counties to accept and attract retirees.

Retire Tennessee remains one of the few programs of its kind in our country that is specifically focused on retirement and that is recognized by the American Association of Retirement Communities. The program has enabled several communities to receive AARC’s elite Seal of Approval. The award involves an arduous application process in which a community must prove it possesses the resources and amenities necessary to attract today’s relocating retiree. The three Tennessee communities that currently meet the AARC’s Seal of Approval standards are Cumberland County, Putnam County and Hamilton County.

In order for a community to be considered a part of the

at home with Retire Tennessee program, they first must be a certified Tennessee ThreeStar community and have retiree recruitment in their five-year strategic plan. Officials conduct a thorough examination of community resources including health care, housing, adult education programs and various cultural and recreational activities.

“They have all completed community inventory and assessment forms that help them recognize their strengths and weaknesses in deciding if their communities are ready for an influx of retirees” says Winchester.

Once a community inventory is completed, a plan is enacted by the local chamber of commerce to showcase the area’s affordable attractions. As program director, Winchester works closely with these participating chambers of commerce to develop marketing strategies that reach the target demographic and promote relocation.

“The Retire Tennessee program is not a quick fix for any community, but it could be an extra engine in their development strategies,” says Winchester.

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A Tale of Two Homes A couple gets more than they bargained for while renovating their Knoxville house.

TEXT Jordana White | PHOTOGRAPHY Sarah Dobbins

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nce upon a time, Cynthia Moxley and Alan Carmichael lived in a house in Knoxville that they absolutely loved.

Built in 1951 on a two-plot property on Cherokee Boulevard, the house was recessed from the street for quiet and privacy, had plenty of space to meet their needs and a design that was timeless. Best of all, they had purchased the house from Moxley’s mentor, now deceased, so the home teemed with personal memories and meaning for the pair. Thus, when Moxley and Carmichael approached Craig Shelton and Chris Davis, owners and partners at The Drawing Room interior design, to be involved in a fairly extensive renovation of the property, all they had in mind was perfecting an already beloved house.

Little did they know that in the process, they would change their residence and their lifestyle forever.

By all accounts, Moxley and Carmichael planned on remaining in their Cherokee Boulevard home not only after their renovations, but also during the process. Despite the extensiveness of the plans—according to Moxley, “practically roof to driveways”—the couple hoped to avoid uprooting their lives. Since, however, Moxley and Carmichael worked long hours at their PR firm, and living in the house would be extremely stressful (all the bathrooms and kitchen were being completely redone!)

Shelton and Davis urged them to move out, just until the house was ready for them. Moxley laughs, “they convinced us that we should either move out or get ready to get a divorce, so we agreed to leave.”

That’s when things started to get interesting.

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Moxley and Carmichael found a downtown condo to purchase in the Cherokee Lofts for the duration of the renovations. At just 745 square feet, it seemed far less attractive than their 3,900-squarefoot home. They figured they’d either sell the condo once the renovations at their home were done, or they’d keep it as a pied-a-terre—but they never imagined any plan that did not include returning to Cherokee Boulevard.

And then they moved downtown. Despite its size, the condo had an attractive location, looking out onto both Church and Market Streets. Just two blocks from their business, Moxley and Carmichael were able to walk not only to work but also to restaurants, the movies, the theater—all of downtown Knoxville was now at their feet. Plus, Moxley jokes, they sure were saving a lot of money on gas!

After a little more than six months, the renovations were complete and Moxley and Carmichael were ready to move back. According to Moxley, the house was now the home of their dreams—“It was beautiful, perfect,” she exclaims. Especially the kitchen, which, for an amateur chef like Moxley, had the ideal setup: six burners, a gas stove, even a warming drawer, all installed during the renovations. But, both Moxley and Carmichael agreed that one thing was missing—it wasn’t downtown!

For almost a year, the pair shuttled back and forth between the silks and velvets of their dream home and the edgy, urban décor in their Knoxville condo. During that year, Moxley and Carmichael acquired a second condo that neighbored their tiny one. With the help of Shelton and Davis, they

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feature

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feature knocked out the wall between the two apartments, chose one kitchen to keep (the one in the second condo was selected, since it was slightly larger and had a more functional layout), reworked one bathroom, connected the hardwood floors and repaired some tile work. The entire process took just over a month, leaving the couple with a spacious downtown abode, complete with exposed brick and duct work and a color palette of oranges, browns and terra cottas to match.

Even the furniture and upholstery felt organic to the space; Shelton and Davis used natural fabrics and linens, and stonetopped furniture pieces for a distressed, modern feel. “They really decorated to accentuate the natural features of the condo,” Moxley says. “There are so many textures in the apartment: exposed brick, hardwoods, big windows—Craig and Chris highlighted all the special features and used many different textures for a really authentic feel.”

Despite the perfection of both the house and the condo, owning two properties started to take a toll on the couple. “It was so difficult living in two places,” Moxley remembers. “You were always leaving an outfit at the other place, you never knew where things were…it was just frustrating.” And if the constant back and forth was tough on the homeowners, someone else involved was even less happy about it: Rexie, the pair’s Calico cat, was not pleased with being regularly uprooted. It became quite clear that a 52 | At Home Tennessee • December 2010

decision had to be made.

Certainly, that decision was a tough one—after all, the recent renovations had provided the Cherokee Road home with all the comforts and amenities that Moxley and Carmichael could have dreamed of, even down to the custom cast iron-bed in their master bedroom. But they realized that every time they were in their house, “we were wondering what we were missing downtown,” Moxley explains.

And so, with a bit of agonizing, Moxley and Carmichael put their dream home on the market and permanently relocated to their downtown residence. Certainly, leaving behind the home they loved was difficult. The pair was able to incorporate a lot of the furnishings from the home into their office space, so they could still hang onto the polished, refined style that Shelton and Davis created for them. And while the decision to sell was tough, Moxley says, “When you’re sitting in the new living room, looking out on the downtown scene, the urban energy that you feel in that room just trumps everything about the old house.” And it is the power of that energy that leads us to this happy, yet surprising, conclusion.

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home and garden

Before

After

Need a Home Décor Solution?

Here’s Your Resolution Redecorating is a cinch when you have an expert to help! Take Marjorie Feltus Hawkins’ advice and learn how to refresh and revamp your home to start the year right. TEXT Marjorie Feltus Hawkins | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of Marjorie Feltus Hawkins

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nce a year, we gather with loved ones to celebrate a new year at the stroke of midnight. Powerful and symbolic, it is a natural time for renewal and to identify resolutions to better ourselves. We often focus on personal change and improvement: physical, mental and spiritual. However, our dwellings deserve the same level of motivation and drive.

This year, I challenge you to make a 2011 home resolution: reorganize, refresh, renew.

Not only is the new year an ideal time for this, but it conveniently falls after the holiday season. Many of us already are moving furniture, decorating, rearranging and planning. When it’s time to put away the stockings, trees and all things jingle-jangle, take the opportunity to refresh your home. Here are a few ideas to make your days merry and bright: • While putting away holiday decorations take the time to sort and organize storage areas, such as your attic, garage and closets. Mark boxes and bins clearly with labels or photos for ease the following year.

• Make a resolution to organize all seasonal décor throughout the year.

• It’s likely that living room or den furniture was rearranged to accommodate a Christmas tree or other large décor. Use this opportunity to give these rooms an updated feel, moving the furniture around for a new look.

• Apply the same thought to smaller items such as vases, throw pillows and figurines. If you’ve removed them to make way for holiday decorations, now’s the time to rear56 | At Home Tennessee • December 2010

range or introduce some new design elements.

• Designate a cabinet, closet or several shelves to store vases, candlesticks, platters and other accessories together.

This makes finding that perfect piece much easier and allows you to rotate decorative items for an at-home “shopping” experience.

• Pay attention to upcoming spring trends and identify a color palette that inspires you. This is a great time to choose a bright, fresh color for a new coat of paint in your favorite room.

• If you’re not up for painting, tweak a room’s color scheme by changing the accent color for items like throw pillows, candles and vases. These small modifications can transform a room.

• If you don’t regularly hire a cleaning service, treat yourself to an annual top-to-bottom cleaning after the holidays.

If you’re happy with your home’s look and feel, perhaps it’s time to adopt a new habit. Resolve to change one thing about your home and stick to it for an entire year.

Maybe buy fresh flowers once a week or set a formal dinner table every weekend. Your home is indeed your very own signature space, something to be treasured and enjoyed. When you ring in the new year, have a plan to improve your dwelling; it’s an extension of fabulous you, after all.

Marjorie Feltus Hawkins is a licensed and registered interior designed with more than 30 years experience. She is currently a principal at F|H Design, an interior architectural design company in Nashville.

Marjorie’s design philosophy is “Your space is your signature. Don’t scribble!”

Just Jackson

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home and garden

December Gardening Great results come from great preperation. Follow these tips from expert Andrew Pulte to see how you can be better prepared for next spring as well as maintain a healthy winter garden with relatively little upkeep. TEXT Andrew Pulte, gardening expert and faculty member, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee | PHOTOGRAPHY Andrew Pulte

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or some, making the annual trek from the garage shelves to the front yard with the Christmas lights is about as close to gardening as many of us get. The warmth of inside tasks and family gatherings takes the place of the time we spent outside in warmer months. But don’t completely ignore the idea of gardening this holiday season, December is a good month to start thinking about landscape improvements for next season. Spend some time looking through books for ideas. If your future plans are elaborate, make an appointment with a landscape professional. Many landscape designers and landscape architects are less rushed this time of year.

A wonderful array of gardening catalogs should begin arriving this month. Start a list of items that you want to purchase for next spring. This is also a good time to review pictures you have taken of your gardens during the past growing season. Take a second to reflect on the things you want to repeat and the places in your garden that could still use some work. When you get a sunny day this month, I encourage you to go outside for some horticultural therapy and knock out a few of these outside tasks.

Shrubs and trees • As long as the ground is not frozen, you can plant trees and shrubs. Be sure to mulch transplants and keep them well watered.

• Prune trees and shrubs that are dormant or rejuvenate overgrown shrubs by severely cutting them back. Keep in mind that if you prune spring flowering shrubs like azaleas and forsythia, you are pruning off their spring flowers.

• Prune evergreen branches to use in holiday decorating.

Perennials, annuals and bulbs • Remove heavy layers of stray leaves that may have accumulated around perennials. They can smother plants and promote rotting.

• Empty the soil from your container gardens. Add the soil to your garden beds or to the compost pile. Clean, sterilize, and store your pots so they will be ready for planting next year.

• Plant paperwhite bulbs in a shallow container of soil or gravel. They will bloom indoors during the winter months.

They only need a steady supply of moisture to thrive. Keep the container in bright sunlight. You might have to stake or tie flowering stems upright if they grow too floppy. These delicate little flowers send out a fragrance that will permeate your home.

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Lawn care • When you have finished your last mowing of the year, make sure that your mower is properly stored. Run it until it is out of fuel.

• Be sure to sharpen your lawnmower blade.

Fruits and veggies • Weather permitting and following label directions spray fruit trees with dormant oil to rid them of overwintering insect eggs and fungus. Thorough coverage is important. Do not spray when temperatures are below freezing.

Indoor gardening • Check houseplants frequently to see if they need water. Dry heated air can cause them to lose moisture more rapidly than they do in the spring and summer when indoor air is more humid. However, if you keep your home on the cool side, houseplants may need less frequent watering in the winter months.

• Reduce or eliminate houseplant fertilizing during short winter days unless your plants continue to grow actively. Most plants grow more slowly now because there are so few hours of bright light each day.

• Wash your plants with lukewarm water with a few drops of mild dishwashing liquid added. Dust and grime not only look bad on the leaves, they filter what limited light we have this time of year.

• Inspect houseplant leaves, especially the undersides, for fine webbing and pinprick yellow discoloration. These are signs of spider mite infestation. Spider mites are common pests that can thrive in warm, dry, indoor conditions. They are very difficult to see without magnification.

Chores and maintenance • Continue to keep bird feeders full. Word will get around, and many visitors will come to call during the winter months if you provide a steady supply of suet and seed!

• Drain your hoses and put them away so they don’t freeze and burst.

• Clean your garden tools for winter storage.

• December is a good month to replace garden tools that have seen better days. Prices are generally lower this time of year.

Holiday Gardening Tips • Poinsettias are a favored flowering holiday plant. While red is still the traditional color, pinks, whites, variegated, salmon and yellow varieties abound. Plant sizes vary from standard four- to six-inch pots to miniatures to tree forms and even hanging baskets. Regardless of the size or variety, poinsettias like bright light and even moisture. With plenty of light, they can keep their colored bracts for many months. All too often, however, poinsettias are used as centerpieces, away from lights. Leaf dropping can be avoided with a little extra light.

• Besides poinsettias, consider purchasing Christmas cactus, kalanchoes, and cyclamens to make your home more festive for the holidays.

Be sure to remove any foil wraps on the containers. These can hold water in the pots, which might cause the plants to rot from excess moisture.

Make sure these plants are well wrapped before leaving the store for the trip home.

• If you plant amaryllis bulbs early in December you can have blooms

by Christmas. Amaryllis also come in a variety of colors. After the magnificent bloom is spent, cut off the bloom stalk and place the plant in a sunny window.

• Keep fresh-cut Christmas trees in a cool, not freezing location. After bringing a tree home, cut 1 to 2” from the base and plunge it into a bucket of tepid water with preservative added to prevent the cut end from sealing over. Don’t let the water run dry! When bringing a tree indoors for decorating, allow it to rest in the stand with water in it for several hours to allow the tree to “relax” its branches as it becomes acclimated to indoor warmth. Then decorate.

• Don’t forget the gardener on your gift list. A gift certificate to a nursery, garden center, gardening magazine or mail order source would be appreciated.

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home and garden

A Wedding Preview

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wedding

Unlikely Wedding Locales TEXT Nikki Aviotti Hodum | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame

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rom invitations to decorations, there’s a lot of emphasis on personalizing weddings these days.

So why not choose a unique location to go along with your specially-tailored wedding? Gone are the days of only having a few location options for the ceremony. Now, the sky is the limit. From weddings with stingrays to celebrating on stage, we’ve chosen five great venues from across the state that offer a memorable and distinctive experience.

Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame Located in the heart of downtown Music City, the Country Music Hall of Fame (countrymusichalloffame.org) is the perfect wedding venue for any country music fan. Although both indoor and outdoor locations are available, one of the most popular spots for the ceremony is the Hall of Fame Rotunda, where bronze inductee plaques are showcased. “The inscription on the walls, taken from the famed Carter Family song ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken’ lends itself to the symbolism of marriage and a wedding ring, which adds to the reverence and uniqueness of the space,” says Jo Ellen Drennon, Senior Director of Event Management for the Hall of Fame.

Other options for the ceremony or reception include the Curb Courtyard, Crump Terrace or the Curb Conservatory.

“With our multiple spaces, we offer brides the rare chance to have their ceremony and reception in one location, but in two distinct and separate spaces,” says Drennon. “Guests and clients alike often recognize our sincere Southern hospitality as a very memorable part of their experience.” This hospitality has resulted in repeat clients. “This past April we held a rehearsal dinner for the son of a family whose daughter had selected the Hall of Fame to host her wedding reception in 2008,” recalls Drennon. “It meant a whole lot to our whole team to have this family back for another big event for their household.” About 30 couples choose the Country Music Hall of Fame each year for their wedding, but the venue also hosts engagement parties, rehearsal dinners and receptions.

Memphis Metal Museum If artistic flair is more your style, you might be interested 66 | At Home Tennessee • December 2010

in the National Ornamental Metal Museum (metalmuseum. org). It is the only organization dedicated solely to the preservation and promotion of fine metal work. The museum’s gazebo overlooking the Mississippi River is a great place for a ceremony; So is the outdoor sculpture garden. According to Stephanie Swindle, an employee at the Metal Museum, brides interested in hosting their ceremony with the museum must book early, last year they were booked nearly every weekend between April and October.

Location is an important feature for the museum. “We are close enough to downtown but in a quiet and beautiful location,” says Swindle. One really unique feature at the museum is that custom favors can be made. “We can also make wedding favors for the guests in the foundry with enough lead time,” says Swindle. “We can make metal paperweights that have the Metal Museum logo on one side and the date of the wedding and names of the couple on the other side.”

Knoxville’s Tennessee Theatre Is theatrics your draw? Then holding your wedding on stage at the Tennessee Theatre (tennesseetheatre.com) is certainly the choice for you. “We usually have the house curtain down for the ceremony,” says Kevin Clark of the Tennessee Theatre. “After the wedding, we raise the curtain and have a live band and dance floor on stage.” Another plus to the site? Everything is in one location, from the ceremony to the reception to the dancing. “Of course, being downtown is a huge plus, too. Out of town guests and friends who don’t want to drive can stay in nearby hotels and walk over,” says Clark.

A spacious backstage area makes for a comfortable dressing area and spacious options for entertaining.Very few weddings are held at the Tennessee Theater. “It’s pretty unique to be able to look out at the theatre while having your own party on stage,” says Clark. “Who wouldn’t want to celebrate on the same stage where legendary entertainers like Diana Ross, BB King and Elvis Costello once played? There certainly is some magic in that.”

The Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga

wedding

If it’s entertainment you’re after, then the Tennessee Aquarium (tnaqua.org) may just be for you. “One of the most unique features of an aquarium wedding is the ability to give your guests a chance to actually tour the aquarium and see the exhibits,” says Meredith Lewallen of the Tennessee Aquarium. “Brides choose to have their wedding at the Tennessee Aquarium because not only can they offer dinner and dancing, but also an up -close look at sharks, penguins, jellyfish, seahorses and more.”

The aquarium hosts about 20 weddings a year ranging from small to large.

The locations for the ceremony or receptions include the outdoor pavilion, Tropical Cove, the River Journey building, the Ocean Journey building or the IMAX Great Hall. Last spring, a couple from Alabama chose to have their wedding at the Aquarium. “They had their first date here and decided to have their wedding here as well,” says Lewallen. “Courtney and Shane actually said ‘I do’ beside our stingray touch tank!”

The Pink Palace Museum For an elegant, historic venue, the place to book your wedding is the Pink Palace Museum (memphismuseums. org). “The Pink Palace is one of the most famous and elegant structures in the Mid-South. We have antique fixtures, priceless artwork and historic collections that make the interior exquisite, “ says David Branch special project manager for the museum. Built in the 1920s, by an influential resident of Memphis, it’s beauty is astounding.

The museum holds approximately 60 weddings per year. “The Pink Palace caters to the bride who wants to offer herguests a unique as well as beautiful experience,” says Branch. “We offer complete and personalized planning and coordination services for all of our brides.”

“We really hate to say no and we really will go to unprecedented lengths to accommodate our clients,” says Branch.

He feels that value is also a key aspect in choosing the Pink Palace. “We offer unrivaled value for what we charge.” says Branch. “People are shocked to learn how far their money will go here.”

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wedding

Wedding Planning 101 TEXT Nikki Aviotti Hodum | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of dreamstime.com

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ongratulations! You’re engaged... now what? If that’s your train of thought, then have no fear, At Home Tennessee has you covered. We talked to wedding and event planner Stephanie Alexander of You’re Invited Events in Nashville about all of the important planning information to get you started.

At Home Tennessee: What would be the first thing you recommend a bride do when it comes to wedding planning after she gets engaged?

Stephanie Alexander: The bride needs to sit down with her family and her fiancé and talk about what kind of wedding she wants and determine what type of budget she has to work with for her wedding day.

Discussing money can be one of the hardest things for a bride to do, but it will help her determine what she can afford. I really encourage brides to also list their top three priorities in their wedding, so they can budget accordingly.

AHT: What are some of the most time consuming portions of the planning that you recommend starting on early?

SA: The guest list, designing a seating chart (if it’s a sit-down dinner at the reception), and addressing envelopes, unless the bride hires a calligrapher.

AHT: When should you start booking reservations for the wedding?

SA: At least six to eight months ahead; ideally a year ahead. Some venues here in Nashville can book out a year or more in advance.

AHT: When is it too early to start planning?

SA: If the engagement is longer than 2 years, I say wait closer to time (trends change, venues and management change, etc).

AHT: Do you have any great wedding planning tips for brides to be?

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SA: Wedding planning can be stressful, so I really encourage brides to meet with wedding planners at the beginning of the planning process. Most planners offer various packages and levels of assistance, and can really be an asset to a bride. Planners help take the stress off the bride and her family; we can negotiate contracts and get special discounts, and we really know what vendors fit their style and budget.

I also tell brides to “soak up the moment” on their wedding day. It really does fly by, and I encourage them to take in and savor each moment as it occurs.

These are memories that you will have for the rest of your life, so really soak up the moment.

Stephanie’s Sample Time Line for a year long engagement 8-12 months ahead: select date, ceremony and reception site and choose an officiant; buy a dress, choose vendors, including but not limited to wedding photographer, videographer, caterer, lighting company, cake baker, entertainment, musicians and florist. Work on the guest list as well.

6-8 months: order invitations, announcements, and personal stationery; work on accommodations for out of town guests; work on details with vendors 4-6 months: order men’s formalwear, select stylist for day-of wedding 2 months: finalize the details of the wedding with all vendors 2 weeks to 1 month: confirm all details with wedding vendors; review contracts and make final payments

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food

The Pizza Kitchen: More Than Just Pizza TEXT Kelly Kriegshauser | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of The Pizza Kitchen

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ust outside the hustle and bustle of the Vols’ college town, The Pizza Kitchen (thepizzakitchen.net) has made a name for itself on the outskirts of Knoxville. And their name is a deceiving one, just look at their menu! They offer an extensive selection from Memphis Pulled Pork Nachos as an appetizer, a variety of specialty gourmet pizzas and calzones, along with inventive paninis and pastas. Some of the favorite items on the menu include Thai Pie, Greek Salad and Muffaletta Panini. And no one forgets dessert! A baker is in the kitchen every day to prepare homemade, delicious desserts that customers can’t pass up.

When the restaurant opened in 1998, Travis Redmon, owner of The Pizza Kitchen, says he had a “dogged determination to succeed”—and that is exactly what he has done. Redmon and his crew have worked hard at keeping his customers coming and making them happy. A variety of people fill the room, from his “regulars” who frequent the restaurant a few times a week to those who drove for miles to get a slice of his pizza.

He is constantly testing out new ideas, adding diverse items to the menu, and giving customers a treat beyond the dough and toppings of a pizza. One of favorite recipes is the Kalamata Olive Tapenade. Most people aren’t quite sure what

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a tapenade is, but after they try it they’re always coming back for more. Redmon recently added gluten-free pizza, pasta and beer to his menu for those who can’t eat wheat products. Leave it to The Pizza Kitchen to satisfy pizza lovers of all kinds.

A Memphis native, Redmon wanted to keep a little bit of home in his restaurant and there is no better way to do it than with a little Elvis memorabilia, “to share some of the King with East Tennessee,” Redmon says. It started with an Elvis clock hanging on the wall and has now flourished into a mini Elvis shrine with artifacts given to him by his loyal customers. Elvis has only boosted the ambiance of The Pizza Kitchen, which is nothing short of idealistic. With a warm, comfortable atmosphere, soft lighting, and light music, it is a place for the perfect dining experience. The restaurant itself pleases customers of all ages, with a projector playing family-friendly movies to keep children entertained so their parents can enjoy a meal together. It doesn’t stop there. When the weather is nice and you’re with friends and family, The Pizza Kitchen is the place to be with their wide array of beers on tap, live music playing on the patio, and mouth-watering pizza in hand.

After all, what goes better with a slice of piz-

food za than an ice cold beer? The Pizza Kitchen is notorious for their bar and ever-changing, widespread craft brewery choices on tap. Every Thursday evening is Brewery Appreciation Night, where a selected brewery is featured on tap with a giveaway pint glass and other prizes. Just recently, Redmon has started Sunday Brunch from 10 am to 3 pm.

Where else can you find a pizza parlor that serves bacon and eggs on Sundays? Just another reason why The Pizza Kitchen is unique and one of a kind!

Redmon admits, “Our attention to detail certainly costs us margin but we feel it endears us to the community and our loyal following to make us the number one choice when it comes to dining.” Next time you’re near Knoxville, stop in and try The Pizza Kitchen.

You’ll truly find what they’re known for: “World Class Food, Hometown Flavor.”

The Pizza Kitchen 9411 S Northshore Dr. Suite 102, Knoxville, TN 37922 865.531.1422

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Merry Gatherings Now that the holidays are upon us, the entertaining season is in full gear. Be the star of the party circuit this year with tips from Stephanie Alexander of You’re Invited in Nashville.

TEXT Stephanie Alexander | PHOTOGRAPHY Stephanie Alexander

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or the past three years Stephanie and her husband have hosted a Breakfast with Santa event to benefit the children at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

Stephanie says there’s no better way to show gratitude at this special time of year than by giving back to those around us. “Each guest who arrives to my party brings an unwrapped gift from the wish list provided by the hospital.

We all are so blessed, and this is a small way we can give back to the community.” Here are a few pointers from Stephanie to make any holiday gettogether a glowing success:

The Table – Adding labels to dishes makes for an interesting table. This keeps guests from having to guess what is being served, and it also lends an element of creativity. Stephanie’s Breakfast with Santa party table labels started with foam snowmen she glued to lollipop sticks. “I then used my circle die-cutter tool to cut out circles from black construction paper. I wrote the names on the paper with a metallic silver pen and glued the labels to the snowmen’s bellies. It was an inexpensive way to add some fun to my tablescape,” Stephanie says.

Plan a Creative Menu – Try to incorporate fun Christmas titles into the menu. Also make sure to vary the dishes served from year to year.

Menu: Prancer’s Peanut Butter Spread Comet’s Chocolate Chip Muffins Jingle Juice Not Everything Has to be Homemade – While Stephanie makes some of her specialties from scratch, she also stresses the importance of taking advantage of ready-made items from local warehouse and grocery stores. “The trick is to add your own touch to store-bought goods,” she says. For instance, Stephanie gives her Cupid’s Cinnamon Rolls a double shot of homemade icing to make them extra gooey!

December 2010 • athometn.com | 79

food

Do It Yourself:

Peppermint Topiaries Materials: Styrofoam Topiary Form Peppermints, unwrapped Container (In this case, I spray-painted a terra-cotta pot metallic silver) Hot Glue Instructions: Hot glue peppermint candies all the way around the Styrofoam topiary shape.

Start with the top and work

your way down to the bottom. Allow to completely dry. Place in a container and use for your centerpiece!

Variation: Peppermint Ball You can use the same technique with a ball-shaped topiary form. I have done this, and displayed the ball on top of a vase and filled the vase with peppermint candies.

Naughty and Nice Gingerbread Cookies This was my favorite part of the menu! I made gingerbread men using cookie cutters. For the nice, I kept them whole and decorated them with icing, dragees, red hots for the eyes, etc. For the naughty, I used a serrated knife to make it look like they had been eaten, and only left half of their body. Guests loved this touch!

80 | At Home Tennessee • December 2010

These foam snowmen make the perfect labels for the different dishes.

food

Recipes: Prancer’s Peanut Butter Spread 1 c. creamy peanut butter 1 cup marshmallow creme 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/4 c. confectioner’s sugar

1. In a medium bowl, combine peanut butter, marshmallow creme and butter. Beat at medium speed until smooth. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar, beating to combine.

2. Place in a cute bowl and surround with chocolate chip muffins. Lightly dust with more confectioner’s sugar.

Comet’s Chocolate Chip Muffins (I did these the semi-homemade way!)

I used a store bought chocolate chip muffin mix and added extra mini chocolate chip morsels to the batter.

I baked in mini muffin tins lined with Christmas-themed cupcake wrappers.

You could also purchase from a bakery to save time.

Gingerbread Men Cookies from allrecipes.com 3 cups flour 2 teaspoons Ground Ginger 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup butter, softened 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar December 2010 • athometn.com | 81

food 1/2 cup molasses 1 egg 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.

Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla; beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies as desired. Store cookies in airtight container up to 5 days.

Easy Egg Muffins from cooks.com 6 eggs 6 strips of bacon, cooked & diced 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese** 1/2 small onion, diced 2 tbsp water salt & pepper to taste Pam Fat Free cooking spray Medium size cup cake/ muffin pan

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Cook bacon in microwave with paper towels to help absorb the excessive grease. Cook until bacon is almost well done. Diced into small pieces, then set aside.

2. In a small non-stick skillet spray with Pam and saute’ your onions until they are soft. Set aside.

3. In medium mixing bowl combine the eggs, bacon, cheese, onion, water, and salt & pepper.

4. Spray cup cake/muffin pan with Pam and spoon in the mixture evenly into all 6 compartments.

5. Spray cup cake/muffin pan with Pam and spoon in the mixture evenly into all 6 compartments. Bake for 35 to 35 minutes.

Cook’s notes: Feel free to add any of 82 | At Home Tennessee • December 2010

food your favorite low carb veggies.

Save some cheddar cheese to melt on top of the mufďŹ ns before they are completely done.

Jingle Juice I have two versions and the first version is is my Nana’s Christmas Punch.

It is so easy, and as a child, there is no telling how many cups each of us grandkids drank during our Christmas Eve party!

Version One: 1/2 pitcher orange juice 1/2 pitcher Cherry Cool-Aid

1. Mix until combined and served chilled.

Version Two (from Southern Lady magazine): 1 (12 oz) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed 4 c. pineapple juice 4 c. apple juice 2 (11.3 oz) strawberry-banana flavored nectar 2 c. water Garnish with apples and oranges.

1. In a large pitcher or beverage dispenser, combine all ingredients. Serve chilled with garnishes.

December 2010 • athometn.com | 83

book review

Warm Your Heart by the Fire this Winter TEXT Shana Raley Lusk

C

hilly winter evenings are the perfect time to curl up by the fire with a great book and a mug of hot chocolate. With its thought-provoking subject matter and easy style, Chris Cleave’s Little Bee is a great selection for just such an evening. This novel chronicles the story of Little Bee, a teenage Nigerian refugee who finds herself in the confines of a British immigration center at the onset of the tale. As the first chapter unfolds, readers become acquainted with the strong yet somehow fragile heroine and her inopportune situation.

Though she has no experience in the industrialized world, she has managed to teach herself the English language with the expectation that it will aid in her prosperity upon her release. She has only one human connection, but she relies heavily on the hopes that it will be her saving grace. Andrew O’Rourke and 84 | At Home Tennessee • December 2010

his wife Sarah are the individuals in whom she places her trust, though she has met them but once. This novel follows the development of their relationship and examines the relevance of human connection in an everchanging world.

As the story progresses, Cleave explores the give and take nature of human bonds as well as the ways in which we teach and learn from one another. The book leaves us with a sense of responsibility and its purpose endures in the hope that it plants within each of its readers. Above all, it is a book of change. It will change your mind, change your heart, and change your outlook forever.

The soft, honest voice of Little Bee will ring in the ears of readers long after the final page has been turned. This novel is an excellent place to lose yourself by the comfort of a roaring fire this winter.

happenings

December 2010 December 1 Unveiling of Walking Tall Trail at Graceland Memphis December 2 Cider Carols: Benefit for Hope Clinic for Women Rocketown Downtown Nashville www.hopeclinicforwomen.org December 2-4 Nashville Symphony Presents Steven Isseris Lipscomb University, Nashville 615-687-6400 December 3 Candlelight Christmas at Rocky Mount Piney Flats December 3 Christmas at Carter Mansion Elizabethton (423) 543-5808 December 3 Gatlinburg Annual Festival of Lights (800) 568-4748 December 3-5 Rural Route Art Studio Tour Eads www.starkpottery.com December 4 St. Jude Memphis Marathon Downtown Memphis stjudemarathon.com December 4 Breakfast with Santa Memphis Botanic Garden Call 636-4131 for reservations Through December 4 Winter Days and Lights Chattanooga 86 | At Home Tennessee • December 2010

December 4 -5 Annual Holiday Open House Rockwood Christmas Home Tour Rockwood Rockwood2000.com, 865.253.6711

Through December 23 A Christmas Story The Circuit Playhouse, Memphis www.playhouseonthesquare.org

December 4-6 The Living Christmas Tree Knoxville (865) 577-2937

Through December 24 WinterArts The Shops of Saddle Creek, Germantown www.winterartsmemphis.com

December 10-12 Christmas Express Train Ride Knoxville (865) 524-9411

December 3- 28 Snowy Nights Memphis Botanic Garden Last entry 7 pm

December 11-12 Dickens of a Christmas Street Festival Downtown Franklin Main Street from Second to Fifth Avenue

Through December 31 Camp Good Grief’s Gingerbread Dream Memphis Botanic Garden

December 11 & 12 Historic Harriman Christmas Tour Harriman Cornstalkheights.com December 13 A Celtic Christmas Ryman Auditorium Nashville December 16 Clark’s Christmas Dinner & Christmas Vacation Viewing Party Majestic Grill , Memphis www.majesticgrille.com December 17 Santa’s Last Blast Downtown Paris (731) 642- 9271 December 18 Brunch with Santa Majestic Grill , Memphis www.majesticgrille.com

Through January 1 Rock City’s Enchanted Garden of Lights Lookout Mountain www.seerockcity.com/lights Through January 1 Titanic’s “Christmas in a Winter Wonderland” (800) 381-7670 Through January 5 Christmas at Carnton Carnton Plantation Nashville www.carnton.org

88 | At Home Tennessee • October 2010

sources 38 Luxury Meets Adventure Silver Star- 435.640.8903, silverstaratparkcity. com 44 A Tale of Two Homes Home: Builder- Scmid & Rhodes, 865.584.9956 Interior Designer- The Drawing Room, 865.584.2090 Appliances- Ferguson Enterprises, 865.470.2242 Landscape- Hedstrom Design, 865.329.0012 Condo: Builder- Dewhirtst Properties- 865.522.6506 Architect- Mark Hines, 865.522.6506 Interior Designer- The Drawing Room, 865.584.2090 56 Need a Home Décor Solution? Here’s Your Resolution Marjorie Feltus- Feltus Hawkin Design, 615.244.4328, www.feltusdesign.com

December 2010 • athometn.com | 89

essay

The Ultimate Holiday TEXT Terri Glazer | PHOTOGRAPHY courtesy of dreamstime.com

B

usy. Most of us can sum up our December schedules with this one simple word. So much to do in our quest to make it “the most wonderful time of the year.” We stress and hurry and sacrifice our time and money to achieve some elusive, idealized, greeting-card Christmas.

But who really has ever had a picture-perfect holiday? Does it even exist?

I believe if we modify our quest for the ultimate holiday, making sure to keep our sense of humor firmly intact, we will enjoy ourselves and those around us more, lose less sleep and still create lifelong memories for ourselves and our loved ones. Those memories might not be Hallmarkworthy, but they will be treasured all the more.

It was my first Christmas as a married lady, many years ago, and since my husband was active-duty military we were living far from the Tennessee home where my family, friends and traditions were. “OK,” I thought. “We’ll make our own traditions.” In my mind holiday routines would be like they always had been in my family, just in a different time zone. My new husband obviously missed that memo though, because when I asked him what he wanted for our first Christmas dinner together, he said spaghetti.

SPAGHETTI!!?? For Christmas dinner? I don’t recall ever seeing a Norman Rockwell painting with the family gathered for the quintessential holiday meal around a bowl of spaghetti! And I intended to make the classic holiday dinner. But spaghetti was important to him and he was important to me, so spaghetti it was. Although this was a short-lived tradition in our family, it is a fond memory all these years later.

Fast forward a few years. We are back living in Tennessee, albeit the other side of the state from my childhood home, and we’re the parents of two small children. Now a commercial pilot, my husband often had to work on Christmas Eve. Dads in heartwarming TV specials never have to work on Christmas Eve. They are nestled in their homes with their adorable families singing carols and sipping hot

90 | At Home Tennessee • December 2010

chocolate by the fire. In reality, however, many people have jobs that must be done, holiday or not. So again we adjusted tradition. The boys were put to bed with not only visions of sugarplums in their heads, but also the sure knowledge that Dad was flying home with Santa. Some of my dearest memories are of stories told to wide-eyed preschoolers on Christmas morning about reindeer and a sleigh on the radar screen and of late-night laughs with my mother and sister while we waited up for my husband to arrive home so our Christmas could truly start.

I have a million more priceless holiday memories and none of them are picture perfect: the Christmas pageant at my sons’ all-male grade school where sweet little boy angels with crooked halos heralded the savior’s birth every December; the annual Christmas Eve dinner with dear friends when my youngest once proudly read about the wise men’s gifts of “gold, Frankenstein and myrrh;” and of late, my wacky obsession with the classic film A Christmas Story and my unyielding insistence that we watch it together every year.

Yes, like everyone else, I’m busy in December. From time to time my inner Martha Stewart emerges to try to engineer the consummate holiday. But over time I have come to accept the fact that my family will never spend a cozy afternoon decorating the perfect tree together while Christmas music plays merrily in the background. And the charming Christmas card picture…well, that’s no longer in our plans either.

Yet we have traditions, unorthodox though they may be. I love them, I embrace them and I can’t wait to see what new memories each year will bring.

So I wish everyone happy holidays. I hope you will take a moment from your busy schedule to pause and reflect on what’s really important in your family. Then bid Norman, Martha and perfection farewell and enjoy your spaghetti.