Knoxville Daily Photo will post one photo per day taken from the Knoxville/Knox County, Tennessee area. Knoxville is the city of my birth, the place where I work, and the largest city near our hometown. It's a wonderful community in which to raise our family. It's really a beautiful place . . . . at least I think so.

I am not a professional photographer; I call myself a point & shoot photographer. I have had a genuine love for and interest in photography since childhood. My camera is a Nikon Coolpix S600 ~ which I love for many reasons that I won't list here. Sometimes I use my old camera which is a Nikon Coolpix 5900.

Photography is something that I enjoy immensely. My photographs & albums are treasured above all other material things I own. The memories that are captured and preserved through my camera are so precious.

I am glad that I have discovered City Daily Photo and started a photo blog. It's an honor to share my little corner of the world with those who find themselves here. Enjoy looking around my blog, and welcome to all who visit.

Friday, October 31, 2008

I Wish I Had Half Their Energy

First of all...Happy Halloween! I thought this photo fit the mood of the day.

These are my son's hands interacting with an exhibit at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge, TN. Not a photo from Knoxville...but close enough.

How many times have I uttered the words...I Wish I Had Half Their Energy...when referring to my kids' endless supply of zest for life! I thought these words made a nice caption!

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Go Bulldogs!

Isn't high school football the best? Daughter was fascinated with the school mascot. Photo taken 2 years ago at Bearden High School in Knoxville.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Happiness Is . . . a Balloon

Outside the entrance to Calhoun's Restaurant (located on the Knoxville waterfront of the Tennessee River) is this seating that looks to be taken from a train station of yesteryear.

I may not be sure about the antique seating, but I am sure about the kids' happiness when they were given these balloons as we left the restaurant! Such a simple gesture gave them such genuine happiness.



I have been given the Kreativ Blogger Award by JM of Oeiras and Environs Daily Photo.

Sincere thanks to JM for passing this award on to me....I am truly honored.





In receiving this award I must now list 6 things that make me happy. So many things bring happiness to my life . . . but I will list 6 things here that make me especially happy.

1) My son, daughter, and husband.

2) A good peaceful night's sleep with lots of warm blankets.

3) Chocolate of any kind or form.

4) Exploring and hiking within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

5) Looking through old family albums and recalling precious memories of years past.

6) A family vacation to the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.


It's also my turn to pass this Kreativ Blogger Award on to 6 other bloggers . . . I have chosen 6 blogs that I enjoy visiting on a daily basis. Enjoy this award and have fun passing it on to others!

1) Denise at An English Girl Rambles

2) Gerald at Hyde Daily Photo

3) Felicia & Alexandra at San Diego Daily Photo

4) JT at Daily Photo L.A.

5) Julia at Kitakami Photoblog

6) Abraham Lincoln at Brookville ~ Ohio Daily Photo

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Pumpkin Patch Pose

Our church has a pumpkin patch . . . hence the church clothes son wore while exploring amongst all the pumpkins. Son points at his favorite pumpkin while sitting on one that obviously wasn't.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Secret City Exhibit ~ American Museum of Science & Energy

Daughter had fun with the interactive Secret City exhibit at the American Museum of Science and Energy located in Oak Ridge, TN. A photo taken outside the Knoxville city limits . . . but not too far away. The city of Oak Ridge is a close neighbor.


Quoted from Wikipedia . . .

Oak Ridge was established in the early 1940s as a base for the Manhattan Project— the massive U.S. government operation that developed the atomic bomb. As such, scientific development still plays a crucial role in the city's economy and culture in general.

In 1942, the United States Federal Government chose the area as a site for developing materials for the Manhattan Project. Maj. Gen. Leslie Groves, military head of the Manhattan Project, liked the area for several reasons. Its relatively low population made acquisition affordable, yet the area was accessible by both highway and rail, and utilities such as water and electricity were readily available due to the recent completion of Norris Dam. With Tennessee's history as a right-to-work state, Union rules or civilian wage issues were virtually non-existent. Finally, the project location was established within a 17-mile (27-km) long valley, and the valley itself was linear and partitioned by several ridges, providing natural protection against disasters between the four major industrial plants -- so they wouldn't blow up "like firecrackers on a string".

The location and low population also helped keep the town a secret. Although the population of the settlement grew from about 3,000 in 1942 to about 75,000 in 1945, and despite the fact that the K-25 uranium-separating facility by itself covered 44 acres (178,000 m²) and was the largest building in the world at that time, Oak Ridge was kept an official government secret. It did not appear on maps, and wasn't formally named until 1949, only being referred to as the Clinton Engineering Works (CEW). All workers wore badges, and the town was surrounded by guard towers and a fence with seven gates.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Balance Beam Success

Daughter successfully crosses the balance beam . . . again wearing flip-flops.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

A Girl in Flip-Flops Can Do Anything

Daughter shows us that it is possible to cross a rope bridge wearing flip-flops.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Helicopters Above

Police helicopters circling overhead . . . my son was in awe! Not to worry . . . these flying machines were adding some excitement to a hometown parade.

* * * * *

This is a first for me . . . I'm officially participating in SkyWatch Friday! I've posted sky photos previously and not always on a Friday. Some comments mentioned SkyWatch Friday, and to be honest, I didn't know anything about it. So, of course, I was curious and decided to investigate. I found the Skyley website and thought it looked like lots of fun. Another great community of bloggers! Well, anyway, here goes my first SkyWatch post! To see more SkyWatch photos from all around the world visit Skyley at www.skyley.blogspot.com.




Thursday, October 23, 2008

Driving Already?

I took this photo approximately 40 miles outside the Knoxville city limits. Daughter was using all her powers of concentration to drive her Little Piggy amusement park ride. I thought the colors were nice!




I have received a BFF blog award from Tanya at Around Roanoke Daily Photo Blog.

Thanks so very much, Tanya! It was such a nice surprise!

Later in the day, I realized that Laurie at Glimpses of South Pasadena had also given me this award. Thanks so much, Laurie, for this award and your very kind words mentioned in your post. Your words mean so very much to me.




I have noticed that this award has been passed among many blogs in the CDP family. I think this shows that we are all friends here no matter how new or established we may be with the CDP group. We are all here to share our part of the world with others...through our words and photos. What a wonderful community of blog friends!


Now it is my turn to pass the award on to some very deserving blogs following these rules:

1. Only five people are allowed.
2. Four have to be dedicated followers of your blog.
3. One has to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world.
4. You must link back to whoever gave you the award.


I have decided to pass this award on to the following . . .

1. Knoxville Girl at Knoxville Daily Photo

2. JM at Oeiras and Environs Daily Photo

3. Jim at Terrell Daily Photo

4. Rambling Round at Selma, Alabama Daily Photo

5. Z at Based in Villigen, Switzerland

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Brother's Protection

Photo taken at our hometown high school football field . . . during flag football games.

My son was only 5 years old in this photo and my daughter was 22 months old. But even at this young age, our son still looked out for the safety of his little sister. What I love about this photo is my son's hand resting protectively on his little sister. I can imagine a similar scene when my children are in their teen years and my son will still be looking out for his little sister's best interests.




I received a blog award from Leedra at Photography by Leedra.

Thanks so much Leedra! Now, I have decided to pass this blog award on to some wonderful CDP blogs which have posted some beautiful Autumn photos. Enjoy!

And the award goes to . . .








Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Climb Every Rock Wall

The Knoxville Zoo has a wonderful play and exploration area for children called Kids Cove. This climbing wall is part of that area. My son loves to climb this wall! Concentration and determination help him conquer the challenge . . . as well as those socks. Required climbing equipment, he says.

Monday, October 20, 2008

My Light at the End of This Tunnel

The post title says it all for me! Daughter having some upside-down fun!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Saturday, October 18, 2008

A New Hairstyle

Daughter was sitting on my husband's shoulders when I snapped this photo. She had just returned from the hair salon with a new haircut and was very happy to show off her new style.

Photo taken May 2008 in our home's driveway. . . . daughter's hair has since grown much longer!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Interstate I-75 North at Merchants Road

A breathtaking sky was painted for us on this drive home back in June.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Historic Tennessee Theatre ~ Est. 1928

I remember going to movies at this theatre as a child. My husband and I have attended Knoxville Symphony Orchestra performances here. The absolute beauty and grandeur of this theatre is breathtaking. Someday I hope to once again see inside . . . and maybe be able to take some photos.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Rainbow Ice Cream

Daughter chose the prettiest ice cream at Kay's Ice Cream shop! Usually she wants Mint Chocolate Chip...but when she saw all the pretty colors, she would have nothing but the Rainbow Swirl.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Kay's Ice Cream

Husband and I took our daughter out to Kay's Ice Cream in South Knoxville on Saturday just for fun. Our son had a sleep-over and birthday party with a friend. So...the three of us decided to do something a little different. We had hamburgers & french fries, and daughter had a hot dog and a rainbow-swirled ice cream cone. The old-fashioned-grill/diner kind of food! We're already planning a return visit, and next time we'll take our son along too!

Monday, October 13, 2008

The Oarsman ~ Rowing Man Sculpture

The Oarsman, having spent years rowing, has remained in the same spot. I wouldn't say he's gone nowhere though . . . . as he sits in downtown Knoxville . . . . and that's somewhere!

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Self-Portrait

I held my camera out at arm's length to take a self-portrait of myself and my 4 year-old daughter. This is the result. I'm certainly in my element in this photo...having fun with my daughter and my camera!

I'm not quite sure why I felt like posting this photo. I guess because it was a fun moment my daughter and I were having...goofing around with the camera...trying to take self-portraits. My kids, having been around cameras since birth, are always game to let me point the camera in their direction.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Twisters ~ Gibbs Community

We drive a long distance just to eat ice cream at this wonderful ice cream shop located in the Gibbs community. Oh, they also have awesome hot dogs and hamburgers, too! I highly recommend a trip to Gibbs!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Checkers at the Cracker Barrel

A game of Checkers is always nice after a delicious meal at the Cracker Barrel!

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Dandelion Seeds

I took this photo in April . . . in my front yard. Yes, we have many dandelions . . . only because I let my children blow the seeds into the wind for fun. Poof! Watch the seeds fly through the air. And they laugh with happiness.

We recently had a professional landscaper re-do our lawn . . . the dandelions will be gone next year. I think I'll miss them.

* * * * *

I've posted this photo for another reason. In recent months Knoxville has experienced 3 tragic events gaining national attention in the media. A church shooting. A school shooting. And yesterday, a mall shooting. 3 very violent acts. All resulting in deaths of innocents. Fine folks who didn't deserve to die in such a terrible way.

Life can change in an instant . . . like the dandelion plant which loses seeds with a poof of air. I send out prayers of healing and comfort for my city. . . for Knoxville.

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Fort Kid ~ Climbing

Son is climbing the ladder already!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Bird Nest ~ Kids Cove at Knoxville Zoo

The kids pretending to be baby birds.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Our Pretty Princesses

Daughter went to an all-girl birthday party on Saturday. The girls played outside, jumped on the trampoline, had fingernails and toenails painted, played with make-up, and received princess hairstyles. Then they dressed up as princesses and danced to Hannah Montana music. It was as much fun for the moms as for the girls!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Andrew Johnson Building

The Andrew Johnson Building opened in 1930 as an upscale hotel in downtown Knoxville. Now it's home to the Central Office of the Knox County School System.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Watch Your Step ~ Powell Playground

Daddy is always near to lend a helping hand.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Fountain ~ Riverview Tower Plaza

Daughter was in awe of this fountain that I walk by frequently without a second glance. To be able to see the world through the eyes of a child is a wonderful gift, indeed.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

At Work with Mama ~ Lunch Break

Going to work with Mama was fun . . . especially the lunch-hour part!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Peeking Through My Blinds

The sun peeks through my blinds . . . insisting that I pay attention to the beauty of it's setting.

(I didn't register for the October Theme Day, but I had this photo that seemed to follow the theme of "Lines".)



10/21/08 ~ Thank you to Leedra from Photography by Leedra


10/23/08 ~ Thanks so much to Tanya from Around Roanoke Daily Photo Blog

10/23/08 ~ Thanks also to Laurie from Glimpses of South Pasadena and your very kind words (to follow) . . .

"With gratitude and great pleasure I would like to pass the award to these photography bloggers:

Hope of Knoxville Daily Photo. Hope can squeeze images out of her Nikon Coolpix that will astonish you. The photographs of her kids capture the essence of childhood and a mother's love with the same poignancy and joy of the paintings of Mary Cassatt..."


Tanya and Laurie . . . . I am truly honored and flattered that you have chosen me to receive this award. Sincere thanks to both of you for this award and your nice comments!



10/28/08 ~ Sincere thanks to JM of Oeiras and Environs Daily Photo who has given this award to me. I am truly honored and will enjoy passing this award on to others.

11/4/08 ~ Thanks so much to Sean Claes of Kyle, Texas Daily Photo for giving this award to me, also. It's a great honor and I appreciate it so much!

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