Thoughts About Food As Thanksgiving Nears

Welcome!*

As Thanksgiving nears, thoughts of luscious food, not surprisingly, become more prominent. Visions of Thanksgiving turkey with cornbread dressing and pumpkin pie dance in our imaginations.

Mama always had the most wonderful Thanksgiving meals. She was a chef extraordinaire! In addition to the above-mentioned food, she'd also have sweet potato casserole, cranberry casserole, mashed potatoes with gravy, fresh green beans, and homemade dinner rolls. (No brown-and-serve rolls for her!)

Since I'm discussing good food on this post, I thought I'd share with you a special restaurant that Greg and I recently visited in East Tennessee.

Last month, Greg and I were on a trip which took us right through Fountain City (which is actually a part of Knoxville). Suddenly, I happened to think about a co-worker telling me, several years ago, about a restaurant, Litton's Market & Restaurant in Fountain City, that had great food, including hamburgers.

When I mentioned hamburgers to Greg, I said the magic word because he dearly loves them, especially cheeseburgers, and so, of course, we had to go and find Litton's.

And, here it is-

Litton's is a casual place with a good atmosphere-

Imagine being here with your favorite people or special person.

The food is great!-

Chicken salad sandwich, anyone?

And, the cheeseburger did not disappoint! Greg said it lived up to its reputation.

Here's the proof of how well-liked Litton's hamburgers are. (This is just one of many accolades hanging on the wall at Litton's.)

In addition, Litton's also excels with their desserts. In fact, according to "TripAdvisor," Litton's is "ranked #1 of 40 'Dessert in Knoxville.'" (Also, Litton's received a "Certificate of Excellence" from TripAdvisor.") 

Here's one of Litton's...

many yummy desserts.

We're looking forward to making a return visit soon!

FYI:

Litton's Market & Restaurant

2803 Essary Dr.

Knoxville, Tennessee 37918

(865) 688-0429

*The pretty fall pumpkin decoration above is at Merridee's Breadbasket in Franklin, Tennessee. I wrote a blog post about it on 8/3/14, entitled, "Merridee's Breadbasket Is a Favorite." (You might want to check it out!)

Thanksgiving chuckle: "An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day."

-Irv Kupcinet

Helpful hint: Cracker Barrel Old Country Store has an excellent traditional Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving Day.

(The above Thanksgiving sign is from another really good restaurant, Farmers Family Restaurant in Columbia, Tennessee. For more info, please see my 4/28/12 blog post, "Farmers Family Restaurant.")

Positive thought: "Give thanks for unknown blessings already on the way." -Native American Saying

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, December 4, 2016, Becky

Love "The Loving Pie Company"!

Once fall arrives, one thinks of warm, tasty food and and drinks.

I have a wonderful restaurant to recommend that has both of these-

If you love warm, hardy food, especially pies, as I do, this is just the place. "The Loving Pie Company" serves only pies, both savory and sweet.

Upon the recommendation of a woman we know, Greg and I went to Nashville a few weeks ago, just to visit this restaurant, and we weren't disappointed!

The decor is attractive-

The savory pies are great!

Might we suggest the "Shepherd's Pie" which has "local ground beef sauteed with onions, peas, and carrots, then topped with homemade mashed potatoes. always gluten free," to quote the menu.

And, for dessert, there'a a large array of "Sweet Slices," such as-

a fall specialty, "Salted Maple Walnut Pie, " one of the very best desserts I've ever had in my life!
(Photo Courtesy of  "The Loving Pie Company")

Greg had the "Red Velvet Chess Pie" which would be especially tasty accompanied by one of many beverages they serve-

"The Loving Pie Company" has been favorably mentioned in several publications-

It's "# 11 of 40 bakeries" in Nashville on "TripAdvisor."

And, it's easy on the pocketbook when it's time to pay-

We're looking forward to a return visit, and we might even enjoy our pies outside next time-

Kudos to the talented owner of  this wonderful restaurant-

Chef Suzanne Loving

(Photo Courtesy of "The Loving Pie Company")

FYI:
"The Loving Pie Company"
2806 Columbine PL
Nashville, TN 37204
www.thelovingpiecompany.com

Today, my recommendation for being happier and more positive is in the form of a quote from "The Secret"-"You can change your emotion immediately..by thinking of something joyful, or singing a song, or remembering a happy experience."

Positive thought:

Thanks for visiting! Until Sunday, November 6, 2016, Becky

The Christmas Spirit Every Day

Welcome!

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
-Charles Dickens

Remember how you felt last month during the Christmas season, all happy, friendly, and giving, wanting to be nice and to help you fellow man? You might have even felt buoyant, lighthearted. If you did feel this way, it's because you had the Christmas spirit.

Wouldn't you like to feel this way most or even all of the time?

I know how you might get that feeling back, or to get it in the first place if you never got it last year or ever.

It's easy. Just go to The Inn at Christmas Place in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!

Greg and I were there a few days ago, and I still feel like I'm under its charming spell!

What's not to love about this place?

It's the number one hotel in Pigeon Forge according to "TripAdvisor."

It also got a "Certificate of Excellence" from "TripAdvisor."

It won the "Travelers Choice Awards" in 2011, 2012, and 2014.

It was also the winner, "Top 25 U.S. Hotels."

It's reasonably priced, as well!

Also, the people who work there seem to have the Christmas spirit, as they are personable  and helpful.

Take a look for yourself-

This is how it looked when we arrived at the back entrance. There were Christmas lights everywhere.

A large beautiful Christmas tree greets you in the lobby.

I almost felt like a child again, standing here with Santa and one of his reindeer.

There were manger scenes...

and snow scenes.

There was a small Christmas tree with deer atop the TV in our room with a lovely fireplace DVD that also had beautiful (what else?) Christmas music playing in the background.

The next morning, we enjoyed a large tasty breakfast buffet in the dining room to the sounds of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers singing Christmas songs.

After breakfast, we made our way to the The Incredible Christmas Place across the street which is a really neat place to shop for all things Christmas.   

F.Y.I.

The Inn at Christmas Place

119 Christmas Tree Lane

Post Office Box 130

Pigeon Forge, TN 37868

www.innatchristmasplace.com

The Incredible Christmas Place

("Celebrating the spirit of Christmas every day of the year.")

www.christmasplace.com

We really enjoyed our trip to Pigeon Forge which, along with Sevierville, and Gatlinburg, celebrates Winterfest all winter long!

Positive thought: "Wouldn't life be worth living

                              Wouldn't dreams be coming true

                               If we kept the Christmas spirit

                              All the whole year through?"

                              -Author Unknown

Thanks for visiting! Until next Sunday, Becky, www.beckyarnottartist.com