I chose this week’s FFF meme because winter seems to be settling in early. It’s not snowing, but we have low temperatures forecast for the next week.
This has been a full week, in more ways than one. I’m sharing blessings with Susanne and friends at Living to Tell the Story.
1. Lunch with Melanie. We usually meet for lunch once a month or every six weeks. Due to scheduling conflicts and health issues, we haven’t seen each other since August. So we had a lot to catch up on at Cracker Barrel this week!
2. The Fantasy of Trees is a fundraiser for the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Different groups decorate Christmas trees and gingerbread houses and put them on display for sale at this event. There are so many, and they are so expensive, I don’t know who buys them–probably businesses account for some of the sales. There are also booths for kids to make Christmas ornaments and a stage where various area groups sing or dance.
We had gone a few years ago and enjoyed it, but not enough to go back. This year, however, some of Timothy’s friends were performing there. That made it much more enjoyable.
Here are some if my favorite trees:
I liked the pink theme here. 🙂
This Snow White themed tree was in a section of fairy tale motifs.
It was hard to get a picture of this one because two guys kept getting in front of it and waving their hands–I guess the Abominable Snowman was supposed to move, or at least these guys thought it should.
And a couple of favorite gingerbread houses:
This Mother Goose house was so detailed and well done.
And I loved the pink decorations here.
3. Kern’s Food Hall is several restaurants and a few businesses in one building. Jason and Mittu have been here several times and told us about it, but it was our first time. There’s a burger place, pizza place, and taco place, but there are also a lot of ethnic foods, from Ghana, Cuba, India, and I forget where else. Being the non-adventurous eater that I am, I got pepperoni pizza. 🙂 But everyone else branched out. We’re planning to bring the whole family here again when Jeremy comes for Christmas.
4. Thanksgiving is always an enjoyable day, with feasting and family and a time to reflect on what we’re thankful for. We printed out some Thanksgiving place mats here and made our annual Thanksgiving tree.
Updated to add: I neglected to mention my dear husband cleaning bathrooms and vacuuming while I was in the kitchen Thanksgiving morning.
5. A spare microwave. Thanksgiving Day started out with our microwave dying. Not a good thing on one of the busiest cooking days of the year! Thankfully, we had a small one in Jim’s office from when his mom lived there, so he brought it up to the kitchen.
I hope you had a blessed week as well.
Stray Thoughts 
Such unique trees! They do look expensive but so pretty. The Abominable Snow man – did it ever move?
I’m so glad you had that spare microwave! Those appliances are essential for holiday meals!
I did enjoy our lunch. It was a long time coming. I had forgotten to put it on my FFF list, and you reminded me, so I scurried to add it to my post!
I think that one of my grandsons worked at an eatery at Kerns Food Hall. I’ve been there once. Lots of choices. I’m not a very adventurous eater either.
I’m glad you had a good Thanksgiving. I love your Thanksgiving tree! How many of those leaves did Timothy do?
Have a great weekend.
Wow! What beautiful displays!
Enjoyed your post this week! So much to be thankful for. I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving and have a wonderful weekend!
What a fun thing to do! A Christmas tree fair and with Timothy’s friends performing. that must have been fun. I love the first gingerbread house. So cute.
It’s not too abnormally cold here in southeastern MA where it all began but back home they had a few inches of wet heavy snow yesterday! An area where I often hike had more than 8 inches up i the mountains! Next week is supposed to be very cold for eastern NY. I’m ready for some cozy days in my warm house.
Have a wonderful weekend and happy belated thanksgiving
I love the gingerbread houses. I used to make one at this time of year when my kiddos were little. So fun!
Your meet-up lunches always sound so cozy and fun. Glad you found time to do it.
Those trees look quite elaborate — how on earth would you transport them??
What a fun place to get an adventurous (or not) meal 🙂
I enjoyed the virtual trip to your Festival of Trees! We have one that sounds very similar, and like you, I’ve attended in the past but wasn’t so thrilled that I go back each year. Timothy’s friends’ performance sounds like a good reason to go back. I’m glad you got to squeeze in a friend lunch. I had one planned Monday but was sick this week, so it’s now this coming Monday. Should be a good time 🙂
I would love to find a Christmas tree festival to see this year. It’s amazing how creative people can be.
I love your Thanksgiving tree! Such a wonderful idea.
Yes, those trees look a bit overwhelming. But they are beautiful. I loved that gingerbread houses.
What a great idea to make the Thanksgiving tree. I will have to do that next year (if I remember).
Glad you and Melanie had the good time at Cracker Barrel.
Happy Thanksgiving weekend to you as you eat all the leftovers.