Cultivating my cookie skills at Magpies

A favorite childhood holiday tradition of mine was making and decorating Christmas sugar cookies with my mom. I loved combing through our collection of cookie cutters and colored sprinkles. Sadly I've never made any Christmas sugar cookies since leaving home 10 years ago. So when I saw that Magpies, my absolute most favorite bakery of all time, was offering cookie-decorating classes, I sprung for it to both relive the tradition AND take it to the next level -- the Magpies level.

Well, maybe not quite to the Magpies level, but our lovely hostess Maren did everything she could to coach u. First she explained how royal icing is made and how the consistency affects your icing skills. Then we practiced on designs we drew on parchment paper. Finally we took some time to ice and decorate the dozen cookies we were given. And we did it all while munching on snacks, sipping sodas and listening to Christmas music.

The lovely Maren shows us how it's done

Practicing on parchment paper

There's ONE MORE class on Tuesday, and if you hurry you may be able to get a spot. This is fun for all ages too -- my class' youngest student was a seven-year-old boy there with his mother and his grandmother. YOU HAVE TO CALL AND MAKE A RESERVATION, or else they won't have enough supplies for you. Call Ryan at Magpies at 673-0471 to make your reservation. The class costs $25 for one person or $40 for an adult/kid duo.

Finished product: some got smushed in transit, some I snagged from Maren's stash, others are already in my belly

P.S. Hey Peggy, I'm totally ready for my cookie-decorating gig!

Tour Delight

For the most part, I maintain a quiet love for Knoxville, but every so often that love grows more exuberant. Last night was one of those times; I attended the "Tour de Lights" neighborhood bike ride hosted by Knoxville Regional Bicycle Program.



I'm not positive how many cyclists showed up, but it had to have been at least 200. Man, woman, child were decked out in Christmas attire, their bikes adorned in lights and tinsel.





The route started in Krutch Park, weaved through downtown to North Knoxville, and back again. Police stopped all vehicular traffic as we rode though intersections. People came out of their homes or stopped on sidewalks to wave and shout, "Merry Christmas!" which we gladly shouted back. It's probably the closest I'll ever feel to being like George Bailey running through the streets of Bedford Falls.



To top off the experience, there, waiting for us at the finish line, was hot chocolate and cookies. All of it made me quite happy to be a Knoxvillian, to be a part of what's going on downtown, and to know that there are many (crazy) people who feel the same way.



If you're interested in knowing when the next ride is, might I suggest befriending the Knoxville Regional Bicycle Program on Facebook. Otherwise, check out their website.

Merry Drunkmas?

This is one of the more interesting things happening this weekend that is off most community calendars' radar.

In an effort to raise funds to put a roof on the Mary Boyce Temple House, Brian Pittman (the owner) is hosting a Hobo Cabaret at his house tomorrow night, Friday, December 11. The admission is by donation, but he wants you to come even if you can't give much.

There will be two performances, one at 8 and one at 10pm. There will be drinks and snacks and a little crassness (leave the kiddies at home) And don't forget to dress warmly. It is, after all, a hobo cabaret. 

this week in review

 
I made sure to have my camera on me this past week to catch all of the different festivities happening in downtown Knoxville recently. Here are a few highlights.




Above: Ice skating in Market Square on Monday.


   The Christmas parade on Gay Street Friday night. Above are some pretty cute VW bugs, and below, who else but Frosty the Snowman on a dump truck.

 
 
 Above: At Lox Salon on First Friday for a show themed around the highly esteemed PBR.


Above: The snow covered valley of Townsend. I had the pleasure of waking up to this Saturday morning. I don't think I've never witnessed this much snow in Tennessee before.

Hope y'all had a merry week as well!

O First Friday, O First Friday

It's that time again, kids. I hear there may be some snow in our future. Wouldn't it be awesome if it snowed in time for today's First Friday events? But just in case there isn't, there's still the annual Christmas Parade that kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Gay Street to get you into the holiday spirit.

I'm so pleased to announce that our very own B will be kicking off her own show, A jaunt through Knoxville, at La Costa tonight. She's showing many small screenprints that would make fabulous Christmas gifts (hint hint). If you stop at the bar while you're there, ask for the 'artist's special.' $2 Negra Modelos and Coronas and $4 glasses of Santa Rita 120 Sav Blanc and Snoqualmie Organic Merlot. If you can't make it to catch B's work today, you're in luck because it will be up all month.

And since you'll be out at La Costa tonight, check out these other fine First Friday offerings while you're out:

-- I'll Have What She's Having! at Lox Salon in the Old City. This is a photography show that's really a party. The artists are savvyKAT and Action Jackson and the music is by DJ Whorse (formerly DJ brothersteve). PBR and possibly spiced cider. Anyone who's ever been to Sassy Ann's knows PBR and dancing to great music is the perfect recipe for warmth.

-- Lonely House by Erin Pischke at the Birdhouse in Fourth and Gill. Erin spent two years living in Guatemala and adopting Guatemalan culture. She's created a video installation based on her time there. I love how she describes the installation ... 'The videos are Martha Rosler-esque in their simplicity, but are bilingual in their silence and cross-cultural in their imagery.'

-- Apophenia and the Great Escape by Karley Sullivan at 121 S. Gay St. Karley recalls her methods of escape while growing up in Knoxville in a series of paintings. There will be music and boxed wine too!

-- The Holiday Extravaganza at the Emporium (Friday and Saturday). Affordable crafts and handmade gifts by local artists are available for purchase. There will also be art, music and dance.

I hope your First Fridaying is merry and bright!

blogging and holidays

Hey guys- holidays really cause a lot of havoc for our schedule here at the Wigshop. Many of us are out of town and, you know, we have real jobs and stuff that keep us busy. So posting will be sporadic this month- but don't give up on us! Holiday time means lots of great stuff to do in Knoxville, and we'll do our best to bring it to you here.

As a heads up, this Friday is one of the best First Fridays of the year. Local artists (including one Wigshopper) will be out in full force to meet your creative shopping needs. Make sure to go out and spread some wealth in the local economy instead of corporate chains, or at least go see some good art.


The Christmas Parade is happening that night too- maybe one of the Knoxvillest things that happens in town. The floats show a cross section of our culture: basically, if you have a tractor and some tinsel, you're in the parade. So come on downtown, watch some funky floats, roast marshmallows on an open fire, and go to some galleries. It makes for a great evening! (More info will probably follow later this week).

Cheers, CK

merry christmas from the wigshop

Sorry we didn't get you anything! But since we haven't gotten any gift baskets from our adoring fans, I guess we'll call it even. Thanks for all the encouragement (and condescension, smoochie) over the past year. We hope you stick with us as we explore the highs and lows of Knoxville life in 2009. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tour de Lights

I don't have a bike here in Knoxville, but if I did, I would totally be participating in the Tour de Lights tonight. It starts at 7 p.m. at Krutch Park and includes an easy, 6-mile, fairly flat ride to see the lights of downtown and Island Home. There will be cookies and hot chocolate at Mast General Store after it's over. Don't forget your helmet!

For the especially enterprising soul, they're also having a contest for the best decorated person, bike and bike helmet.

Let it snow , let it snow...

A few pics from the great blizzard of '08 on Saturday

It's the most wonderful time of the year

I finally got to see the Christmas trees and ice skating rink on Market Square and the holiday decor on Gay Street while lunching downtown yesterday. I think it was the most in-the-mood-for-Christmas I've felt yet this season.

First Friday returns tomorrow night, and because it's the last one before Christmas it's not your usual First Friday. More like First Friday drunk on spiked egg nog.

Many galleries will be hosting holiday-themed First Friday gatherings. Abode is having a Christmas bash, and our friends at Remedy Coffee are participating in their first First Friday.

And then, of course, at 7 p.m. is the Christmas Parade. I've participated in and watched a lot of Christmas parades in my time, but Gay Street seems to be the most classic location for one, 34th Street in NY aside. Julianne Hough is grand marshaling.

One last thing: A few of us Knoxville Twitter fanatics have decided to form a team for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis 5K on Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. We'd love for some more people to join our Twitmastwees team (mock if you will, I dig the name), and you don't have to be down with Twitter to run/walk with us. Sign up here or feel free to donate to the cause. If running/walking isn't much your thing, we'll be taking over some poor Market Square establishment after the race to indulge in food and drink. Meet us there.

It all started with Dolly...

Ok, I'm gonna say this just once and then get off of it.

There oughta be a law, No one is allowed to use Christmas as an advertising tool until after Thanksgiving. There I said it. I'm not one who like putting curbs on freedom of speech, but I think it's time. Just as the Alien and Sedition Acts helped to drive home the serious ramifications of treason, I believe the Yuletide Non-Promotion Act would benefit everyone in our society in the long term.

People need to see that Christmas is not just a super-sized McRib that can be cheaply sold for a while. Dolly Pardon was on tv advertising Dixie Stampede for Christmas a week before Halloween. How is that OK??

I know you've seen the ads, it has to stop.

Call your congressman, Duncan, Wamp, Alexander, Corker, please have them support (and create) the Yuletide Non-Promotion Act.

If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

Who's with me?

old city warlock, plus: christmas bonus!

as i prepared to make my first 'weird knoxville' post, one great figure of knoxville came to mind. no doubt many of you have seen him numerous times. his typical garb includes a ruby studded chalice and wizard's staff (or shepherd's cane?). i don't know his name, but i prefer to think of him as the old city's resident warlock. the attached picture of our wizard friend was captured in the urban bar a few weeks ago. i apologize for the quality of the image, i had to snap the picture on the fly and without a flash (its rude to take a picture of someone without their knowing, but apparently, its not rude to blog about them). i've never talked to the mage himself, but i do have an anecdote. a friend once saw him in the downtown vicinity and, quite naturally, asked to hold his chalice. he refused her this simple act of community and joy because my friend "did not really believe." now, that's what i'm talking about! i can think of no better candidate for 'weird knoxville.' my hat's off to you, warlock of the old city.

also, i'm reposting my favorite picture from the christmas parade. the only thing that might put me more in the spirit of the season is a few ghouls on christams eve!

2 months

It's been two months today since stan thought this all up and got this blog rolling. I think we've got good thing going here. It certainly stimulates conversations when we get together. I figure that nobody is going to post this next week during the holidays, so we'll get started with the "Weird Knoxville" documenting when we all get back after New Year's.
Merry Christmas!

In 2007 | Funny Jokes at JibJab

added 12/20: I think this sums up 2007 very well.

pictures, video, etc.

on our way to the emporium. 1st stop on first friday.

look! christmas flags.

please notice the two dancers on the first float. i realize they kind of look like little white squares on this video, but they kept doing the same two second routine over and over again--and gay street is long!

as promised, here are some more good images of the parade:

actually, just one, the best one--a pontoon boat with christmas lights. if there's anything that says it's that time of year better than two aluminum floats and a platform adorned with christmas lights, i don't know what it is.

a very knoxy weekend

the little knoxvillians had a very knoxy weekend indeed. we're like a little band or something. or a bunch of nerds. i'm not quite sure.

we started the weekend by gathering at stan's place on the 100 block and drinking some jinro (will corrected my ignorance. what we were drinking was soju. jinro is the brand) that our favorite little korean sent us. soju is a korean beverage, apparently a cross between vodka and gin, perhaps like my favorite beverage of all time, vodkagin. i find it to be thoroughly disgusting (sorry will), but stan, the pol, ck and lucas seemed to enjoy it mixed with gingerale.

next it was off to first friday. oh, how i love first friday! for all those non-knoxvillians, first friday is a downtown event that occurs on the first friday of every month (smartly named, huh?). it's like a little mobile art and culture event, and it's a true testament to the strength of the community here. lots of people walking about, lots and lots of smiles. usually the emporium (112 s. gay) has meatballs.

so we checked out some galleries, and then it was time for the santa parade to begin. the parade had a great turn out. i must say that it brings its own element of knoxville weirdness. it's not really like any (good) parade i've ever seen. kind of a half-assed silly little thing, which, really, is probably a very accurate description of our town in general. dont get me wrong; i love everything about this half-assed silly little thing. but i'm just saying. i think stan has some parade pics that he can post later.

next stan and lucas and their lovely wife and girlfriend were off to a dinner at the bistro by the tracks (not jealous at all...); and the pol, ck and i headed to the cigar shop (118 s. central) for some cigars and conversation. first we stopped in at lox (my salon) where ck talked to a new pal about on the road and the pol and i checked out the art. later, the pol was hungry so he stopped in a davinci's (113 s. central) for a delicious slice. we went to manhattan's for a bit, and i had some french fries. i think manhattan's fries must be laced with crack. they are soooo delicious.

now for the good part...stan and megan returned from dinner; and, at ck's prompting, we ventured to a new-to-us locale: marie's olde towne tavern on magnolia (having a hard time finding the address; it's basically at the corner of magnolia and central). sweet, sweet marie's. this place is a gem. we love the framed pictures of elvis in the various stages of his career. the jukebox has a lot of country music but also has my favorite lady patsy cline and some other greats. and for the ladies...1.50 high lifes. hooray! we talked with marie and her son, had a couple beers and then headed back down central to urban bar (109 n. central). urban bar is my favorite knoxville bar. i love this place. the atmosphere is, um, perhaps non-existent but the patrons are eclectic and friendly and the staff is also very friendly. urban remained a smoking bar when the october switch went down, so it's true that you smell particularly like ass when you leave, but i think it's worth it. man i love pbr-s and tequila shots at urban.

whew, that was friday! well, i think ck and the pol weren't quite finished with their evening, and i hear some krystals and chicks were enjoyed...

saturday evening, the gang minus me went to davinci's for calzones (3 for 15 bucks!). then i joined up and we took a nice little stroll through downtown and stopped in at the new store on union, a cute little cafe called coffee and chocolate (327 union). i hope this place does well; it's a welcome addition to downtown. then we walked through the square, laughed at the ice skaters and stopped in at downtown wine and spirits (407 s. gay) before heading back to my place on the 100 block. we all agreed that it was nice to stay in, have some great (funny) conversations and save money. plus my christmas tree is awesome.

today i am running late, as usual. by running late, i guess i mean "being lazy." i watched my sunday morning usual, degrassi high and am now debating a shower (aka, washing off last night's eyeliner and making myself appropriate to be in public) and heading to pat sullivan's for brunch (i probably wont make it in time, though) or to old city java for some coffee and reading.

thanks for the good weekend, knoxville!

i like christmas too!

emulating em's christmas post, here are some pictures from the our household. enjoy.














and because this is ostensibly a blog about knoxville, here are some overly dark shots of downtown...from our window, of course. would you expect me to venture out into the world?

i hope you enjoy the faux panorama.

happy holidays, 100 block

it's a christmas tree, but i chose hanukkah colors. as always, the lawn jockey reigns over all.

friends of mine live across the street. apparently last night they looked from their window into mine and caught me snapping pics of my tree (gotta send home to mom...). slightly embarrassing. i need to remember things like these: don't take lame pictures for mom while the blinds are open; don't watch embarrassing tv shows while the blinds are open; wear clothes at all times...

'tis the season