Friday, June 1, 2018

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 Napoleonwith 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







Sarah
Sarah

The summer we married, my husband was in graduate school, and I was employed as a teacher. We took a portion of our savings that summer and purchased a sailboat. We christened our Catalina 22, “Hyacinths For The Soul” after Saadi’s poem. Our "Hyacinths" provided years of pleasure.

26 comments:

  1. Your CAMEO group takes the most interesting and informative field trips! I'm always fascinated by collections. Love your photo with The Beekman Boys and how fun you have a local MKC enthusiast & friend to share dishes with now! I had a chuckle over that cute 'engaged' mug. ♥

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  2. Sarah, You and Miz Checkers have persuaded me I must go to An Antonio. The Argyle property looks interesting and is certainly beautiful. Your lunch looks beautiful presented and I'm sure delicious. Champagne always makes lunch special! The Vila Finale looks equally interesting and knowing your love of Napoleonic memorabilia I know it was Napoleonic Bliss! What a fun time you were having with your sweet sister and her two darling granddaughters. Loved those pics. You've had a busy and fun spring. Hope your weekend is great....hugs dear friend.

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  3. Sarah, as always I love the traveling totes series! You and Miz Checkers have been busy! Your bee shoes are too cute. The Argyle looks fascinating! Happy Weekend!

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  4. What a fun post Sarah. I so enjoyed your cameo group. How fabulous to meet the Beekman Boys. Miz Checkers and yourself sure know how to have fun. The lunch looks delicious. Champagne is a favorite of mine. How fun your sister and you had with the kiddos at the Stickworks. Thanks for sharing your fun adventures Sarah.

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  5. There are a couple of things I need dear Sarah. The first is those darling bee shoes. And the second will take more time and energy. I need to move to Austin so that I can join the cameo group. You do such wonderful things! Miss Checkers is the perfect size by the way. Miss Daisy gets a little bulky at times. Pamela looks like a lovely lady. She is lucky to have you as a friend. Thank you for the tours. Have a wonderful weekend with your handsome hubby.

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  6. Oh Sarah, my sister lives in San Antonio and we have never gone to these historic houses - I can't wait to get to go there. I just love your Napoleonic shoes and Miz Checkers! I can see that when we walk into stores with our big bags people might wonder, so Miz Checkers is just the perfect size.
    So fun that you and Pamela could meet and combine forces. What a gorgeous table, and yes, the bride to be knows how to dress! So fun to see so many shots of you and all your fun!

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  7. LOvely post with beautiful photos. It is nice to see you here. HAve a great weekend.

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  8. Ooh, Sarah, your adventures make me want to see more of the Vila Finale! That Napoleon collection looks pretty amazing, and so does the variety of other collections - I spy vintage and antique purses, both mesh and beaded!
    So fun to spend time with family as you did on Spring break, but also getting to meet new friends who share our passions!
    Speaking of which, I'm off now to read about your own Napoleon collection. :)

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  9. What a lovely post with such beautiful pics! We saw a Stickworks display in Atlanta a couple of years ago. It's just amazing! Happy new week!

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  10. You are so adorable Sarah! How much fun to have your sister visit to help out with those cute girls, I know you had your hands full, and it looks like you entertained them perfectly! I always learn new things from your historical visits, the Argyle sounds very special indeed. Fun to meet the Beekman brothers!! And combining your MKC pieces with a fellow collector, how special for such a wonderful occasion! Her mug and dress couldn't be more perfect! I hope you and your totes keep cool this summer!
    Jenna

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  11. Oh Sarah, I just read your post on Poofing the Pillows, your home is so lovely and I enjoyed seeing the "chef" in your colorful cozy MKC kitchen! I've never seen your house from the front before, it truly looks like a home in a fairytale and your surrounding gardens and landscaping is not only beautiful, but adds such privacy! Such a lovely sweet post!
    Jenna

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  12. Oh Sarah, how apropos to wear your Napoleonic Bee shoes for your San Antonio trip! Your Miss Checkers was the perfect tote to take along. How fun to meet the Beekman Boys, and to have fun with your sister and your nieces during spring break. Wasn't it nice to meet Pamela, and share some of your MKC pieces with each other? I'm going off the visit Stacey.....

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  13. What beautiful photos Sarah! Everything is so lush and green! You and your sister with those sweet girls is the best! Glad you got to meet the Beekman Boys! Can't wait to see you in July. xoxo

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  14. Adorable shoes with lil bees!! Ad Mix Checkers is a perfect look with them...Love the pic of you ad the boys!! Aren't they fun guys? Beautiful collaged photos ad it was fun traveling along with you!

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  15. Adorable shoes with lil bees!! Ad Mix Checkers is a perfect look with them...Love the pic of you ad the boys!! Aren't they fun guys? Beautiful collaged photos ad it was fun traveling along with you!

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  16. Sarah, look at you with the Beekman Boys! How much fun is that!?!?!? I love it! Last week I read a book set during the Napoleonic Wars, so I would've loved to have seen the collection of Napoleon treasures. What a fantastic tour! It was also fun seeing your sister and family. I know the girls enjoyed the sculptures.

    xo,
    Ricki Jill

    I hope you're keeping cool so far this summer. You said it was getting very hot in Texas!

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  17. Sarah,
    Miss Merri Mac must have been green with envy of Miz Checkers and all the fabulous places Miz C visited with your Traveling Totes' friends.

    I saw Poofin' the Pillows' June home tour in which she featured your beautiful home. Stacey is such a gracious and supportive fellow blogger. I am thoroughly enjoying her monthly home tour features, and was delighted to see Hyacinths for the Soul was this month's feature.

    Stay cool in the Texas heat,

    Judith

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  18. What an absolutely wonderful time you've been having, you visit the most fabulous places and it's always a delight to travel right along with you. I'm sure you'll forgive this Brit for not knowing who the Beekman Boys are (shock horror). Love your bee shoes, the perfect accoutrement for such an outing, what fascinating collections you saw. Off to check out the Home Tour post before googling the Beekman Boys, you have me intrigued!

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  19. What a fun outing with your CAMEO group. History, good food, and good friends are a winning combination in my book. Like Maggie above, I have no idea who the Beekman Boys are, but I'm glad you got to meet someone you admire.

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  20. You and travelling tote make a great team. Thanks for the lovely pics and mosaics

    much love...

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  21. You've definitely added some wonderful adventures to your traveling tote this Spring! I love San Antonio and it's nice to make some day trips. Enjoy your week sweet friend. Hugs, Diane

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  22. Always fun to see the adventure of the traveling totes!

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  23. What an adventure, Sarah! Thanks for taking us along & sharing at Vintage Charm!

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  24. Sarah, you and your traveling tote have way too much fun!! :) And girl, I love those bee shoes!! Where did you find them? Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  25. Dearest Sarah,
    Once more your blog is not showing up on my side line, only the post from 3 months ago is there.
    But glad that I figured it out.
    You and Miz Checkers traveled again and show us interesting photos here!
    Sending you hugs,
    Mariette

    3 months back is when I fell and had 2 (closed) pelvic bone fractures. Too bad when you jump off your bed early morning because of killer cramps in lower right foot... But I'm back to moving about again since last week Wednesday when my orthopedic surgeon gave me the green light. i've biked again with my husband but still need to catch up on so many things that I couldn't do for 3 months...

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  26. I don't know why a whole bunch of your old posts popped up here -- and I'm not finding my comments on any, yet I always check when I see you on my reader. I don't understand blogger! Looks loads of fun!

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Thank you to each of you who take the time to leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one and will respond to any questions. Your notes are the only way I know who has stopped in for a visit.