Let The Joyous News be Spread: March

March was a pretty chill month for celebrations. On March 12th is was National Alfred Hitchcock Day.

So, the way that I celebrated was I watched a documentary on Alfred Hitchcock and then I watched The Birds. 

When a girl comes in from out of town to seek a man that she might like, and bunch of bird attack the town she goes to.

I have never seen this movie before this but I honestly had no idea what I was expecting. However, this was not it. I really didn't like the movie this much. It's wasn't that scary, and it's was just an odd movie. 

That was it for celebration. Trust me the one for April is going to be more exciting. 

What Ought To Be: March

 1. Closer in Faith: I am very excited that I have still kept up with my Bible reading everyday. However, Prayers still needs work. I have been dealing with stuff, and instead of going to God I have been turning to other things. 

2. Lose 50 Pounds: I made it to the gym over ten times this month. However, isn't not been as consistent as I want it to be because I have changed the time from after work to before work, and it's been an adjustment. Eating has not been the greatest.  I have eaten out a lot this month because of the stuff on my plate. However, the soda intake has been under control and what I have been eating has not been nearly as bad as it has been in the past. 

3. Cook Better: Again lacking. I have made all of the meals that I was supposed to make this month out of my TCM cookbook. I did break my no ordering of food rules three times this month. I feel like this is the month were everyone gives up on their resolutions. However, I know that if I don't allow this to be a set back, I can continue making progress

4. Dress for Success: This is the one that I have done very well in. I rally have added in the dresses that I have been wanting to wear. I was doing good on every day being really ready to go before work. However, this is true except for the day I overslept for work. That was the only time I was not ready. 

5. Speak up: I can say that there hasn't been a lot to really speak up about really. However, there is one thing. I spoke up and said yes when Bradley asked me if I wanted to co-host or dj, not sure what the right wording is, a Rat Pack Themed party at the Ossoil Club in Knoxville. I am really excited about doing that, but I also said yes to singing! I have no idea what I was thinking. When we for the meeting to plan that thing a little better, I also said yes to do a comedy skit with Bradley in front of everyone. I will let you know how that goes. 

6. Own the Room: I feel like I improved a little on that this month. When I went to the meeting at the Ossoil Club I talked with everyone there. I helped a nice woman pick out a dress for the party, I gave my ideas, and I helped to put everything together! I had a lot of people talking with me and it was really exciting to get into the planning and getting involved. People actually came up to me like I had any idea as to what I was doing. However, I think I pulled it off

7. Look People in the eye more: This is still the one that I am struggling on. I really want to not look at my feet so much when people talk to me. I feel like I did better when I was at Ossoil, however, not near where I want to be. I want to be well listened to and viewed as receptive. I feel like this is the one I really need to keep in mine more.

8. Building Relationships: This one I did get a chance to improve of the ones that I felt like weren't doing as well on. I texted Nora and Angela early in the month and asked if they wanted to do something together every month. Like We have have to watch a show, or a movie, or do something and then actually talk about it every month. That way we actually talk instead of just texting every once and a while. As for the rest of my friends, we are still going strong. I see most of them at least twice a month, and I have loved being with them

9. Style: I bought this shirt that looked really cute but I am not sure if I love it. I want to love it but something is just not there. 

10. Creativity: Let me tell you something. I was able to finish off a ball of yarn for a blanket I am working on, however, I have other ways that my creativity is being worked. I can't say much yet, but April is going to be wild when I comes to this one!

11. Spoiling: So, I got a target gift card not too long ago, and I used it to buy me a pair of tennis shoes. I hate buying new tennis shoes but they are saving my feet let me tell you!

12. Peace: I am not really at peace much this month. I know I have not been doing my best in all of these areas. I know that I just have to get back to be being disciplined. It's gonna take a little bit of time but I know that I will get through all of that! One bad month does not make a failure. I also know that even with as back as I have been, I am not nearly as back as I was in years past!

When it comes to love there is one man who knows what he is talking about, or at least he thinks that he does. Hitch knows how to work the mind of woman to get her to notice, and potentially, fall in love with a guy. However, he meets his match when he meets Albert. Albert is in love with Allergra, a millionaire who wants to do good in the world. Hitch does everything he can to try and change Albert to be a more "Sauvé" guy but ultimately fails. While he is trying to fix Albert, Hitch has also met his match when it comes to Sara. Hitch finds that every play he has don't really work on her. It forces him to really be himself. However, bad both of these men fail it doesn't mean that love is totally lost. 

What I really like about this movie was just how much being yourself works. Yes, when most people are looking for someone to date or anything like that we tend to overlook some because of what we have in our head as to what some of this is supposed to be. This is including myself. I know that I try to overlook people because it's not what I have "imagined'. Albert, as much as he wanted Allergra, had a really had time not being himself. Hitch basically gave him a way to be noticed by her everything else was him just being himself. 

Now for the delicious part of our blog!

 

A movie about love and marriage, but not in the traditional way. Jean Crawford is a mistress to a wealthy man who is in love with her. He wants to divorce his wife and marry her but his wife says that she will not give him a divorce. In order to make her less stress, the hopefully soon to be ex-husband, sends Joan on a cruise to take her mind off of everything. However, on the cruise she meets the dashing Clark Gable. A love affair of their own starts. The question is who does she really love and where should she go?

The name of the dishes in this meal are A Sherry Flip, Radish Salad with Buttermilk Dressing, and Roasted Chicken with Cider Gastrique. I had to cook a whole chicken for the first time in my life. I forgot to take a picture of the whole chicken but here is the left overs and my parents enjoying the meal with me.

I was not going to be able to eat a whole chicken alone, so I asked them to come over and they watching the last two episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. We had a good time and some good food. I enjoyed the Salad, however, I am not a huge fan of roasted chicken. I don't think there is ever enough flavor. It was not a scary as I thought it was going to be cooking that. No one rally liked the Sherry flip. It sound good but it really wasn't.

This movie was hilarious and seeing Joan Crawford in a roll that wasn't just totally her being an awful human is wonderful. He is good at those roles but her being a young hopeful woman is not really what she is known for. I love Clark in this movie as well. He was sweet and charming. I also loved that Mickey Rooney made a really small appearance in the film as well. 

More love and marriage. This movie is the sad end of a long term marriage after the children have married and the husband retires. The wife wants to see the world and not be stuck in a small town. Dodsworth wants nothing to do with changing his whole life. They go on a cruise around the world just to find that neither are happy in their marriage. Dodsworth goes home and his wife stays in France and starts an affair. However, love fine a place to bloom in the strangest of places. 

The Meal for this one was Neopolitan Seafood Stew and a Highball.

This is my little brother helping me. I was very nervous about good mussels. So he was making sure they were ok to eat.  

This is Aaron and Dad helping me eat the food. I mom does not do seafood. Aaron and dad said the they lived it. It was fine. I don't like soup or seafood really. However, the mussels were really good. I didn't think that I was going to like them but they were good. The highball was too strong for me but mom even liked that. Mom made tacos for her and I to eat when I was done cooking the stew. 

I enjoyed this movie a lot! I thought it was going to be a little dull but I was wrong. This will be on of those movies that have a lasting memory with me!

The movie that made John Wayne a star! A stagecoach traveling across Indian territory reals to real stories behind the travels of the passenger aboard. They meet Ringo Kid and he helps them to get to their destination along the way

This meal was super intense to make. There were a lot of ingredients and it took a lot of time, I also made this one for a crowd. My small group ended up being the ones to eat this meal. They seemed to like it. I had a few bites, not a big chili fan either. 

This was Duke's Bourbon Paloma, Spicy Popcorn, and Bourbon Chili.

I am not a huge fan of Westerns either so I am not really a big fan of this movie. I really found it kind of boring. I might have to give it another try though.

Next Moth is looking promising. I will let you know how it goes. I have a lot of stuff coming up already and I am very excited to get started!

No Place Like Movies At Home: To Have and Have Not

 So, it's been a little while since I have done one of these. We are hopefully going to be doing more of them this year because I really need to get back into the swing of things. 

Today's movie is To Have and Have Not

When asked to help move Resistance member during the war, Harry Morgan said no. however, you get a pretty girl, and money, involved things change.

Look, I have a very hard time keeping interest in this movie. I so badly wanted to! I really love both of these actors, but I can not get into it. I had the same problem with The Big Sleep which will be a movie I watch again soon. The only thing that I remember from this movie that stuck was the fact that Lauren Bacall was supposed to be this lounge singer... and when she sang it did not sung that great to me. 

Follow The Yellow Brick Road: February

 As much as I love my city I was not looking forward to go exploring this month. The reason is because it's been so nasty out! So much rain and gray sky was really eating away at me. Wanting me to do such a thing was a task to work myself up in. I really didn't want to do much of anything. However, I made my way through the dreary city, and learn a few new things about her origins. 

This month still kept us in the Downtown area. Still not very far from where I work. We are in the Market Square area today. If you have ever been downtown you know that that is the place to go for food! Not just the fabulous restaurants that we have, but also the farmer's market that is held there almost every week of the year! There are great street musicians that love to show off their talents, and if you find the right one, they will teach you a thing or too as well. Market Square has held lots of memories for me over the years. The first time I really remember being in that area was in 2009. December 12, 2009 if you want to know the whole truth. The first time I ever entered the great majestic walls of the Tennessee Theatre was that night. I was in Krutch Park, just across the street from Market Square and will also be discussed today, and I remember the blue Christmas lights that clung to the trees. I remember seeing the waterfall and the little man made creek that runs though. I remember the Christmas tree. I never would have thought that almost 13 years later I would have many more memories to add to that, and be writing about it's history in such a way either. I have wonderful moments with the closest of friends, and with those whom I don't talk with anymore. I have been to brunch, Lunch, dinner, dessert, working lunches with so many people. Alaina and I have eaten sushi many times in the square and have been casual and dressed up doing so. I remember sitting at the table on a hot and sticky midnight when Luke and I hung out with some old co-workers that we loved getting to see again. Bradley and I went to dine and walk about the same night that we did the Rat Pack Radio Show. I remember when I first started to work Downtown and just walk around and thank God that I get to live in this city but I now get to work in the area of the city that I love so much! How many people have I helped to take their picture in this square. How many movie have I seen for free with so many other wonderful people who love classic movies as well? 

Now, my memories are apart of history. Not only my person History but for anyone who ever happen across this page. So, lets relive some of Knoxville's memories as we take a look in the past.

When you come up to Market Square from the Krutch Park side, you will see this beautiful building right on the corner. This is the Peter Kern's Building. It is now home to the Oliver Hotel, Tupelo Honey and the Oliver Royal. This building has been updated a bit on the outside in recent years. As many years as I can remember this building was brick, it's still brick but now it's painted. However, I admire the fact that they didn't totally cover the brick and still made it have a classic look as to not make it look out of place with the rest of market square. The building was created for Peter Kern, a German immigrant who late became the mayor of Knoxville, to house he candy factory. Well I should say Candy factory, barker, and Ice-cream saloon, and a ballroom. 

Standing across the street and looking at this building you greeted with the faces of three young women. 

The Tennessee Woman Suffrage Memorial was placed in Market Square in 2006. The three ladies are Anne Dallas Dudley, Elizabeth Meriwether and Lizzie Crozier French. These three ladies are Suffragettes from Tennessee. One to represent the three sections of out state, West Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and East Tennessee. The reason that this statue is here will be discussed in a minute, but these ladies have great stores written on the statue of what they did in order to push through to have women have the right to vote. 

The large bell next to these women is the Market House Bell (no picture). It was the first hung in the City Hall building but was taken down for safety reasons. The bell was used by the police chief to ring out fires and alarms before the radio came into existence. The bell was also used in World War II to ring out blackout drills during the time. 

When you turn to the Left on Union you will follow the road down a little past Market Square. you will find even more wonderful food, and two building called the Pembroke and the Daylight. 

It's undergoing some construction, but the building is still standing strong. I am not sure when the building first came to life, but it was the home to the TVA for more than 40 years. It's was originally called "New Sprankle". No idea why. 

The Daylight is directly across the street.

My understanding from the book Historic Knoxville, which is were I am getting all of this information, they seem to have built around the same time. This building have visit from India's Prime Minister, and a few others in it's time. It currently houses a Restaurant called J.C. Holloway, a coffee house, and Knoxville's only independent bookstore Union Ave Books. 

Once you have been temped by coffee, and books, you will have to pass another temptation of one Pete's Diner. Please, I beg you, give into temptation here. The food is great! Once you have eaten start walking off that food and go the end of the street (away from market square still) and you will run into a very strange building The Masonic Temple. 

All the book really says about this building is that it's a very remodeled home that once belonged to Charles McClung McGee. He donated the funds to the McGee library and was also a railroad tycoon. However, nothing else is mentioned. However, there is a Wonderful blog all about all that happenings in Knoxville. The blog is called 'Inside Knoxville' and it's written by Knoxville Urban Guy. He has stated on his 'About Me' page that he didn't want to use his real name. So, that is why he gets this credit with that name. He actually got a chance to go into the building, and ask questions, in 2011. Below I have the link to that blog if you are interested. 

https://insideofknoxville.com/2011/11/just-exactly-what-is-inside-that-masonic-temple/

Now, you should head back up toward Market Square again and cross the street to crutch park. If's it Christmas time, come back and check it out once the sun sets. It's still wonderful even if it's not "the most wonderful time of the year". Take your time and look at all of the works of art, and the history written on the ground in front of the archway. Take pictures in front of the waterfall, and enjoy the only bit of grass that you are really going to get in this part of downtown. 

I am very excited to see that the flowers are starting to bloom on the trees here. it's a lovely spot to read, or have a picnic. This was made possible by Charles Krutch. He was a TVA Photographer, who's work is at New York's Museum of Modern Art, and when he died in 1981 is donated the money to the city so a park could be added to the downtown area. The Krutch Family has had lots of influence and respect to Knoxville, and East Tennessee. 

The statue that you see featured in this picture is the Rotary Club Centennial Statue. The man is named William Sergeant, from Oak Ridge, who fought to eradicate polio worldwide. He was a leader of the club lived to see the statue added to the park in 2006. This statue is sculpted by Lajos Biro of Hungary. he is known around the world to be prolific sculptor and this might be he only work in America. 

Crossing over Clinch, you will see another statue of a man and woman. Let me introduce you to Febb and Harry Burn.

 Those suffragettes at the top there may have fought long and hard for the right to vote, but this unlikely team made it happen. Harry Burn was a legislator from East Tennessee. He was a man that was 100% against the 19th Amendment and went public about how he was going to vote "no" if the vote came to Tennessee. The vote did come to Tennessee, and it was also need just one more state to have a majority for "yes" for it to pass that Women could legally vote. Even more so, Harry Burn was the last to vote. When it got to him the vote was also at a tie. Why is there a statue of a man who didn't want women to vote? Well, it's because of the women with him, his mother Febb. Febb wrote her son a letter just before the vote was set to happen, and she asked him to be a "good boy" and vote yes. Any properly raised Southern gentleman always knows that you should listen to you mother. It's because of that letter that Mr. Burns actually voted yes. Against every thing he has said about the Women's vote and changed his mine and the 19th Amendment was passed. In honor of that event, both Febb and Harry were place in the heart of downtown Knoxville in 2018. 

We have talked a whole lot about some really well known people that have helped to shape Knoxville. Let's talk about one who is from Knoxville that has had an impact on the world of entertainment, and this month that is Quinton Tarantino. 

Mr. Tarantino was actually born in Knoxville in 1963. The reason was because him mother has her parents living here when she was pregnant. He lived here until he was about 4 and went to California with her mom and Step-father. He returned to live with family when was in about the 5th grade, for a very short time, and when to South Clinton. He is a Director, Writer, Producer, and Actor that got his real big break in the early 90s when he wrote the script for From Dusk Till Dawn. His first movie was as Director was Reservoir Dogs that came out not terribly long after the success of From Dusk Till Dawn. One of his signatures, other than the bloodiness and dark humor of his films, and that he almost always mentions a name of a town in Tennessee. 

The movie that I watched to honor Mr. Tarantino's work this month was Django Unchained. 

When a bounty hunters to assistance of identifying some men who are watched by the government, dead or alive, he hunts down a man that know what they looks like. However, it's not someone you would normally think that he would be looking for. Dr. King Shultz stops some men who are escorting some slaves to be sold. Among them is a man by the name of Django. In a, very violent, act of freeing all of the men so Django can help they are off to search for these men. As they venture together, King gets to know more about his new deputy and find that he is hoping to find he wife, and get them both up north so that they can be free. However, King learns that Calvin J Candie is her new owner. He is a very charming, and dangerous, man who will not let go of his "property" so easily. They come up with a plan to win over his trust and save his wife.... nothing goes according to plan.

I have not seen all of Mr. Tarantino's movie but I love this one! It's funny, and it's got some of the best actor to come on screen. Jamie Fox is always fun to watch and the outfits he wears as a freeman are hilarious! However, Christoph Waltz has got to be one of the best actors of the modern day. He is in several Tarantino movies, and every time he shows up in anymore movie you know that you are going on a whirlwind of a ride. This is the movie that I suggest when people ask what of his movies you should see. I know lots of people pick Pulp Fiction, but Django Unchained will be my favorite. 

I hope you have enjoyed this month's tour of Knoxville, I hope that next month will be just as good. 

What Ought To Be: February

The hardest thing about February, besides is always being cold and rainy, is the fact that it's so short! I have to pack everything into less days and still have to do the same amount of stuff! I am very glad that it's very over and now tat I get the chance to actually say what's been happening! So, let's get right into those questions! 

1. Closer in Faith: I am very excited that I have still kept up with my Bible reading everyday. However, Prayers still needs work

2. Lose 50 Pounds:  I did make it to the gym 10 times this month (barley). I always have been good with my eating. I feel like really good and my clothes fit better.

3. Cook Better:  I did make two of my meals from the TCM Cookbook. I have also made lots of dinners at my place. So, I'm feeling better and more comfortable about cooking

4. Dress for Success:  I still have not dressed up in my fancy dresses. However, I have enjoyed putting together my outfits and have stopped throwing them up in the morning

5. Speak up: Oh, those one really had a huge step forward. I went to a memorial service this month. One of my friends, Will, showed up in a suit. I kept thinking "Man, he looks good in a suit". Instead of just dropping it, I told him

6. Own the Room:  I feel like I am walking in confidence, however, I still need to figure this out. I'm not sure what I want out of this I think that's the problem.

7. Look People in the eye more: I have improved... it still needs more work.

8. Building Relationships: So, yes this is still going, and no. I really need to connect with some of my friends better, however, I did spend a lot of time with some friends because of the memorial service.

9. Style: I broke down and bought a romper. I wasn't sure what I have thought about this. I love it now

10. Creativity: I failed a bit at this one. I read Francine River's new book "The Lady's Mine" and that was really all I had time for. However, if we call my video editing skills creative, I did do the memorial service video

11. Spoiling: I bought a new purse! I always wait till the one I am using breaks and I bought a new one.

12. Peace:  Overall, I feel really good, however, the areas that I needs to work on I'm disappointed that  I didn't improve much from last month. However, we have plenty of time. There is still a  lot of year left.

Two different worlds collide when a movie star and a college student wind up meeting in Ireland. Finley and trying to reset after to failed attempt to get into an orchestra program for college. Beckett is on set for a movie that is going to be a hug release. They met on the plan from the states but they were not very interested in each other, and also hoped to never really see each other again. However, Finley's host family owns the bed and breakfast that Beckett is staying at. They soon become reluctant friends, and learn to be themselves while everything is falling around them.

This movie was one that I was really looking forward to when it came out in 2021 or 2020... I can't remember. However, it was a nice refreshing rom com that we need when it came out. It's still a really good movie. I find that it's so sweet. I picked this movie on the list of Confidence because Beckett learns that he can be himself without having to put on a front of what sells on the magazines. Finley, learns that she can be joyous and enjoy live even thought she feels a little lost since of the loss of her brother. That there is something in living your life by being yourself that seem so unattainable. However, once you learn not to care of what other people think, then you really can just be yourself because there is no need to impress anyone else. 

Let's talk food! 

 I know that I have talked about this movie before when I did my Best Picture Challenge. However, it's in the book so have to speak on it again. Very simple. Lots of story interact and collide when many guests arrive at the Grand Hotel. 

This drink this evening was a Louisiana Flip. It's was sweet but very strong. It's also one of those drinks that has an egg in it. So, that is always a little nervous. However, I did enjoy it for the most part.

Dinner was a German Pancake with Ham and Gruyere. So, this one I didn't like as much for a few reasons. The first being I forgot to buy the right cheese and didn't go out and get it. So, I used Provolone. The second.... I put way too much provolone. It really was way too much cheese. Like, I regretted putting that much in there. the Third problem was I didn't like that Pancake because it was no sweet. There is a Sweet version of this that I am willing to try at some point. Jeannie also told me that I should put sugar in the recipe for the pancake next time (it was also way too eggy). She makes something similar to this all of the time so I will be taking to suggestions next time I try again.

The second meal is going to be very hard to beat.

This is another pre-code movie that was really thought provoking for the time. Miss Drake and a CEO of a car company. She works all hours of the day and wants nothing to do with marriage or children. However, sex is a completely different story. She has men, that work for her, around her home all of the time. However, when they fall for her she ships them to another part of the country for work. That is until she meets just the right man.

The drink for this meal was Vodka Tonic. It came right out of the movie when one of her butler's says that it helps to lure the men to her bedroom. I didn't like the tonic water so much. I think that if some other flavor was there I would have liked it. Just not enough there for me. 

The meal is going to be hard to beat. I mean this will be a meal that I will add for future dinner. It's Boozy Olives (they were ok) but the Bowtie Pasta With A Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce... now that's a good meal!

I am not really a huge fan of olives, but I thought I would give them a try. I wasn't a huge fan. I keep meaning to bring them to my mom though and keep forgetting. However, The pasta is amazing! It's super simple to make, and cheap. It's got a great kick. I really don't like eating a lot of leftovers, however, I had this three days in a row and I want more! 

So, one great meal and one ok one. I think that's totally fine. I know I said I was going to do three every month but I ran out of time. So four next month. One of my favorite movies is on the list for next month and I can't wait to watch it. I'm not so sure about the meal though.