Welcome to
Tales of the Traveling Totes # 9
We have enjoyed a gorgeous autumn here in Texas,
so before the rush of holiday activities begins,
the Courtly Check girls and I want to share
some of the highlights of our autumn excursions.
Speaking of the holidays ~
I've already opened a Christmas gift!
This year, the Traveling Tote Girls
planned an ornament exchange.
My package arrived weeks ago, but I waited until now to open it.
Isn't this Scottish Santa adorable?
Thank you, Linda @ More Fun Less Laundry.
You know me well. This tartan loving girl is
thrilled with this little charmer.
Our Christmas tree goes up soon, and my sparkly
jaunty Scottish Santa will be the first ornament on the tree.
Aren't surprises fun?
September had us on a jet plane headed to Kansas City
to attend the Annual Meeting of Quimper Club International.
The QCI Annual Meeting is always a much
anticipated gathering of collectors of Quimper pottery
who have become cherished friends.
anticipated gathering of collectors of Quimper pottery
who have become cherished friends.
In addition to our annual meeting,
we enjoyed many special sights in Kansas City.
we enjoyed many special sights in Kansas City.
A short bus trip to Independence, MO took us for a visit
to see the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.
I highly recommend all of these attractions
if you plan a trip to Kansas City.
One of my favorite things to do in any new city
is to explore the antique stores.
in Prairie Village, KS was a great find.
300+ dealers in 50,000 square feet offered a treasure trove
of interesting finds, including this booth that featured
items from the estate of Charles Faudree.
View of Union Station and Downtown from Liberty Memorial
Kansas City is a sleeping jewel.
I think it's fair to say that I
left a bit of my heart in Kansas City!
You might recall that Miss Merri Mac and I
visited my friend, Phyllis, this summer at her home on Cape Cod.
Phyllis was in Kansas City for the meeting and returned
with me to Austin to shop the fall Round Top Antique Markets.
Yes, we took this east coast girl to shop in the fields of Texas.
Free tickets and tees were an added bonus from Facebook.
Phyllis was impressed with antique shopping Texas style.
She found so many treasures that she commented
there was no reason to make a trip to
Paris to shop the antique markets.
The Round Top Antique Market is top notch,
and yes, the two of us have shopped the
French markets many times together,
but I'm not ready to give up shopping trips to France!and yes, the two of us have shopped the
French markets many times together,
October found us taking a day trip to nearby Seguin, TX
for a Garden Club visit to Gretchen Bee Ranch.
We learned much about the work of a bee keeper
and how the honey is harvested and processed for their shop.
and how the honey is harvested and processed for their shop.
Our New Members
Lunch followed at historic Fritz House
on the campus of Texas Lutheran University.
I was one of the hostesses and used my
collection of bee skep honey pots as the centerpiece.
For dessert, I made these cute little bee hive cakelets
using the Wilton pan and recipe for lemon honey cakes.
More shopping opportunities lured Miss Merri Mac
and me to the annual Settlement Home Garage Sale.
Lots of antique and vintage finds to tempt us.
Last on the calendar ~ the annual
Junior League Christmas Affair.
With the theme Merry and Bright,
the booths sparkled with tempting goods
and tasty foods to help check off the Christmas shopping list.
We left the Christmas Affair in a festive mood,
ready to begin the holiday season.
Just in time for the holidays, the Traveling Tote girls
are giving away a beautiful MacKenzie-Childs tree ornament.
We will offer a MacKenzie-Childs giveaway
with each of our next four posts.
with each of our next four posts.
Debbie @ Mountain Breaths
will host this month, and to be entered you must
leave a comment on Debbie's blog for a chance to win
the MacKenzie-Childs acorn ornament above.
More Tales of the Traveling Totes
at the links below.
at the links below.
~ Don't Miss the Fun ~
Next Traveling Totes Adventures ~ March 1, 2017
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Sarah, what fun adventures! You covered my most favorite in all the world - SHOPPING VINTAGE! Kansas City - do tell - did you purchase a small token of Charles Faudree's estate? And Round Top, Marburger - if I'd want anyone to be my personal guide, it'd be you (someday, I hope, I hope). And the project sales for the Jr League and Settlement Home - they looked fabulous too. Speaking of fabulous - your Scottish Santa is terrific! But your luncheon theme with the bee skep collection and food theme.....they are the bee's knees! You are such a fine hostess, truly.
ReplyDeleteYour adventures always delight me. Thank you taking me along. Happy Holidays, Sarah.
Oh Sarah you have had a very busy autumn. I sure wish we could have joined you in Kansas City but couldn't get away. My first missed trip since attending my first trip! I see you found wonderful antique shops to explore. How nice Phillis was able to return home with you for a visit. I'm sure you two missed no shops! I love those little lemon honey cakes, yum. I'm sure that was an interesting visit to the bee reach. I sure hope the chef bought you that little red sports car, it's you Sarah! I feel as I've traveled right along with you, great pics of you and Miss Merri Mac......
ReplyDeleteWow...it certainly was fun tagging along with you on these adventures!! You found some fun places to visit and shop! I love your collection of bee skeps - quite a unique idea to collect these!! I wish we all lived a bit closer to each other - wouldn't that be fun? Love your Santa ornament - so special!
ReplyDeleteYou know how to have fun Madame!
ReplyDeleteLove everything Sarah..
You look wonderful as always and I still love those mini beehives.
The Santa ornament is charming..as well as all the others.
What a fun post. I would have liked to do the ornament exchange. Maybe next time.
ReplyDeleteI came by to let you know that the Count Down To Christmas Part is 'live' over at my blog.
The party runs all the way to Christmas Day so you can come and link all your posts.
News ones and old ones too! The more the merrier!
http://ourholidayjourney.blogspot.com/2016/12/count-down-to-christmas-link-party.html
I hope you can come and add Count Down To Christmas to your party list!
Merry Christmas.
What a fun trip!! Thanks for taking us along. Ps..Harry looks fabulous with Miss Merri Mac! ;)
ReplyDeleteNow that's a Christmas tree!!! Looks like you had a fun fall and I love your new ornament-enjoy:@)
ReplyDeleteSarah, your luncheon theme with the bee skep honey pots as the centerpiece is fabulous. I think I spy a MKC piece with a bee on it. I'm sure seeing the bees was very interesting! Great trips with Miss Merri Mac......The Scottish Santa ornament from Linda is perfect for you, and you look stunning as always.
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah! I'm so glad you like Santa dressed in his kilt! I thought of you as soon as I saw him. And my heart went pitter patter when I saw your bee skip collection! Please show us each one in a huge individual photo complete with descriptions!! I have a very special one from a wonderful blog friend :) which sits in a place of honor in my dining room and no one is allowed to touch except me! :) The Faudree booth must have been intriguing. Did you find anything to take home? I can't wait to see what treasures you found this time at Round Top. I really must go someday. Sounds like a perfect destination for our Tribe of Toters! I hope our paths can cross sometime soon, either there or on the Cape. The Junior League event looks like fun too and a great place to check items off my list too! Thanks for the tour, and have a wonderful day, Sarah. Linda
ReplyDeleteYou ladies of the traveling totes are having such a great time! Love your Santa ornament! I'm ready to put up my tree this weekend! Hugs.
ReplyDeleteYou have had some exciting adventures with a lot of shopping, perfect for traveling totes! I love KC, and have a niece that lives there, such a great town. Shopping in Texas looks amazing too! Such fun to have a special shopping friend to go with- Love your tartan Santa! Happy Holidays Sarah!
ReplyDeleteJenna
Goodness me Sarah, what a busy time! I want to climb into that tote bag and go with you to see such fabulous things!
ReplyDeleteThe bee hive cakes are amazing - what a good idea - know they must have be well received and delicious!
Have fun decorating for the holidays - I will truly miss it this year as we leave next week and return at the New Year, so no point in doing much round here. Was at SuzAnna's holiday open house last night though, longing to buy something Christmassy - and of course did - and will pack it away for next year, haha!
Happiest of holidays - know you will make it special in every way.
Warm hugs - Mary
Oh my gosh, you certainly had some wonderful trips and so many great things to see and do.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to have your friend come back to Texas with you so you could show her the sights.
You look great Sarah - take care and have a wonderful weekend.
Mary
Sarah, you really know who to have fun. I envy your lovely trips and I appreciate you sharing your adventures with us. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun and busy fall you have had Sarah! That darling ornament is perfect for you. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
amazing way to well come fall and loved the Santa seems a perfect decoration for you adorable tree .
ReplyDeletebest wishes
My goodness! You have been ONE busy lady!
ReplyDeleteSo many things to comment on, Sarah. You know I must say I would have LOVED to have seen the Chas Faudree pieces though I would guess they were priced out of my budget!
Someday, I would love to go to the Texas Round Top, and going with YOU would be an added bonus. It is on my bucket list! If we end up moving south, which I do anticipate, it could definitely be a possibility to meet there. Wouldn't THAT be fun?
That little tartan clad Santa is SO you. Sweet!
Wishing you, your hubby and Sadie a very happy holiday season.
xoxoxox
A
Sarah, I'm swooning over your collection of bee skep honey pots! I don't recall seeing your collection *bee*fore ;) I would love to see a table from you with your collection! Every time you share an antiquing trip to Round Top I tell myself I'm going to get there one day. Love your sweet Scottish Santa too.
ReplyDeleteDearest Sarah,
ReplyDeleteWell, of all cities visited in the USA, Kansas has never been on my list and like you say, it sure is a gem.
Lovely photos and some high quality antiques!
Your center piece with all the honey pots is perfect and so are the little edible beehives.
Sending you hugs and blessings for the 2nd Advent.
Mariette
Oh Sarah, your new ornament from Linda is just perfect for YOU! You certainly had a busy Fall with Miss MerrimMac. How fun for you and Phylis to be able to enjoy time together, and also to do some great shopping together and see the sights. Happy December to you, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteMiss Merri Mac and the other totes have all the fun!! What a whirlwind to travel and antiquing you two have had. So glad dear Phyllis got to spend time with you and visit Texas and Round Top. Love your new ornament from sweet Linda! Can't wait to see you in TX soon, dear Sarah!! xx
ReplyDeleteYou have the best trips Sarah. I am with you on the scouting out the antique malls! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!
ReplyDelete