Tales of Traveling Tote # 15

Welcome back to Tales of the Traveling Tote #15.

Miz Checkers, aka The MKC Town Tote, is my go to bag for 

buzzing about town, but this gal has been "roaring" 

to hop in the car and take a little day trip.

In April, I slipped on my comfy Napoleonic Bee flats, 

grabbed Miz Checkers, and and the two of us joined

my group of CAMEO friends to head south to San Antonio.

Taken from the Argly's Website, Used With Permision

It was a beautiful spring day, and our first stop was the Argyle.

This historic property was built in 1854 and served as the headquarters of the Charles Anderson horse ranch which stretched

over thirty miles from San Antonio into the Texas hill country.

The structure features beautiful verandas with white columns.

Our group was welcomed into this beautiful private dining club

now owend by Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research.

Seated in a private room, we enjoyed a glass of champagne

while learning a bit of the history of this fascinating property.

A delicious and beautifully presented lunch followed.

If you wish to know more about this property visit their website.

 Then we were off to another historical property, The Vila Finale.

First begun in 1876, the home took on several transformations to become the Italianate structure that stands today in the 

King William Historic District of San Antonio, TX.

Meticulously restored in the late 1960s by preservationist, 

Walter Mathis, Villa Finale today serves as a National Trust Property and home to Mr. Mathis' prodigious collections.

 Most notably is Mr. Mathis' extensive and remarkable 

collection of Napoleonic Memorabillia.  

One finds an amazing assortment of things related to 

Napoleon Bonaparte, for whom Mr. Mathis had a life long fascination, first beginning when Mr. Mathis was eleven years old.

With these artifacts in almost every room of the mansion,

I was in Napoleonic Euphoria.  As some of you may know,

I, too, have collected Napoleonic memorabillia through the years.

You can find a previous post on my modest collection here.

 Mr. Mathis' collecting habit extended beyond his interest in Napoleon, with extrodinary collections of European furniture, religious art, and the decorative arts, as well as Texas art and

furniture, and Texas Campaign ceramics.

Miz Checkers also enjoyed a few special outings here

in Austin, making new friends along the way.

 Look who came to town ~ The Beekman Boys!

In Austin to promote their new book, 

I didn't want to miss the opportunity to say "Hi, Neighbors!"

With Miz Checkers in tow, off we went downtown on a chilly day.

These guys are just as warm and friendly as they appear on TV. 

What fun to connect with these two talented and engaging guys.

A SEAT AT THE TABLE, available on Beekman 1802.  

Do you remember Miss Merri Mac's adventure to 

Austin's Stickworks Sculpture here?

My sister was in town to help with these two cuties while 

they were on their school spring break.

It was the perfect opportunity for us to picnic in the park, 

introduce the girls to the Stickworks Sculpture,

and make a return visit to my see my friend's donkeys.

The girls had fun chasing each other in and out among the stick rooms and exploring the creek, but it was no surprise that the donkey visit was the favorite of the day.

Meet, Pamela, a new friend and MacKenzie-Childs enthusiast.

 Patti, our Traveling Tote organizer, introduced me to this lovely 

lady, who happens to live right here in Austin.

It's fun to have a local friend who shares a passion for MKC, 

and as friends often do, the two of us have combied our MKC stash to help each other out. Pamela loaned me a couple of 

her Flower Market trays to augment my own Flower Market

pieces used for a recent Garden Club lunch, and some of my Courtly Check enamel ware was used for a special engagement party to honor Pamela's son and his fiancee.  Combined forces!!!

Pamela used a Courtly Check theme for her table,

and incorporated some darling mugs she found to fill with flowers.

The proposal and engagement party was a surprise for the 

bride-to-be, but note her choice of dress.

This girl rocks black and white!

Congratulations, Eric and Krystal!

Come along and travel with:

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

Jackie with Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Katie with Miss Daisy @ Preppy Empty Nester

Lia with Miss Scarlett @ Cici's Corner

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Patti with Miss Kenzie and Miss Taylor @ Pandora's Box

Ricki Jill with Countess de Monet @ The Sketchy Reader

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

The June Giveaway is this beautiful Flower Market Globe Vase.

Be sure to stop by Preppy Empty Nester and leave a comment

to be included in the drawing for this gift.

Stacey @ Poofing the Pillows 
hosts a Home Tour on the First Friday of the Month.
She selected Hyacinths for the Soul for June's feature.

You can find the post here.

Also Joining

Dishing It and Digging It @ Life and Linda  Mosaic Monday @ Normandy Life

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern StyleShare Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olsen Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome LifeShare Your Style @ Vintage NestVintage Charm @ My Thrift Store Addiction, Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage Pink Saturday @ How Sweet the Sound