Tuesday, January 21, 2020

World Day of the Snowman



We rarely have snow here in Austin, but I read that January 18th is 
World Day of the Snowman.
It is also my birthdate, so what better way to celebrate than 
with a snowy day tablescape pulled from my archives.

Pull up a chair and celebrate
The World Day of the Snowman.

I've set a table for us on the sun porch
where we'll be warm and comfortable.

These cheerful fellows are so 
happy you have joined us today.

They've actually been patiently waiting
for their turn to be featured on a tablescape.

Salad plates, designed by Williraye Studio, 
are called "Snowy Smiles". 

To pull out the red and yellow colors 
of "Snowy Smilies" I used a yellow dinner plate 
for one setting and a red one for the other. 
 The Courtly Check chargers mimic 
the border of the salad plates.

The snowpeople thought these colorful glasses
with etched "snowballs" were a good choice.

Along with the "Treble Clef" 
flatware with its curled shape.

White winter berries ring 
the napkins which are edged in lace.

The delicate lace designs remind me of
the little snowflakes of the "Snowy Smiles" plates.

I layered various textiles 
to give the table a cozy feel.

These are actually vintage tea towels 
which are large enough to use as 
 tablecloths on my small drop leaf table.

Both have fringed ends, and the largest of the two
has rows of red check details at either end.

The other has wonderful textural details 
and end borders of this red design.

The napkins are actually 
beautiful little hand towels.

I wanted you to feel warm and cozy, so 
I pulled in a couple of my French provencal 
pillows to use as chair cushions.

Layers of rich colors
highlighted with my favorite
black and white checks
warm my heart.

Even the snowpeople 
are happy to be inside today.

So pull up a chair and join me
for a light lunch and a little conversation.

We can talk about 
your plans for the new year.

Perhaps you have a few garden tips to share, 
a fun new project in the works, 
or travel plans to some fabulous destination.

I'm eager to hear all your news!

Sadie, on the other hand would like to play.
Click here to visit my previous post and leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway for this wonderful one-of-a-kind tote made by MacKenzie-Childs.

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Wednesday, January 15, 2020

5 Years of Traveling Totes ~ A Big Surprise

Celebrating Five Years with my 
Traveling Tote Friends

Five years ago, Debbie @ Mountain Breaths and I received emails from Patti @ Pandora's Box alerting us to an amazing Courtly Check 
tote listed in the MacKenzie-Childs clearance section.
We each jumped at the chance to own one of these roomy totes in our favorite "color" and decided it might be fun to blog about where 
we traveled with our totes.  As they say, "The rest is history!"

Tales of the Traveling Tote 

Thanks to all my readers for following along on these adventures!
Miss Merri Mac and I love to travel and appreciate every one 
for your interest and very thoughtful comments.
Our group is scattered across the US, literally from "sea to shining sea".  Collectively, the Traveling Tote girls have traveled to 43 of the states in the US.  Across the globe, the bags have traveled in France, Italy, 
the United Kingdom, South Africa, Honduras, Mexico, 
Grand Caymen, and cruised the Caribbean Islands.

In November, a huge box with a fabulous surprise arrived.
A Gift From MacKenzie-Childs

In recognition of the five year anniversary of the Traveling Totes,
MacKenzie-Chids generously surprised us with custom bags.
Each bags' fabrics were selected to represent the individuality of 
each of us who are part of the Traveling Totes.

Ten "one-of-a-kind" bags!

Clockwise from top left:
Patti with Miss Tizzy@ Pandora's Box
Debbie with Miss Tassie @ Mountain Breaths
Sarah with Miss Poppy @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Rita with Miss Penny @ Panoply
Jenna with Miss Hello Gorgeous @ The Painted Apron
Cherry Kay with Miss Waverly  @ Entertaining Women
Ricki Jill with Miss Square Peggy @The Sketchy Reader
Linda P with Miss Gigi @ Life and Linda
Jackie with Miss Pansy @ Purple Chocolat Home 
Emily with Miss Lulu @ The French Hutch

I couldn't be more pleased with this very special tote. 
 It perfectly reflects my love of flowers and plaids 
and pairs beautifully with much in my closet.
I chose to name my, one of a kind tote, Miss Poppy.
She definitely symbolizes the beauty, success, and lively imagination of my favorite company, MacKenzie-Childs.

Austin enacted a city ordinance in 2013 to ban the use of plastic bags.  
While the ordinance was overturned in the summer of 2018, 
most of us here in Austin are in the habit of taking our 
own reusable bags when out shopping.  

"We go together like milk and cookies!"
Miss Poppy makes the perfect shopping companion!
She is right by my side as we "pop" in and out of 
my favorite places around town.

 Just this past weekend, Miss Poppy did needlepoint duty 
when I met my Stitch Club Austin friends for our 
monthly gathering to stitch.
If you are a stitcher and want to find others 
who enjoy the art of needlepoint,
look for a Stitch Club in you community.  It's a movement across the country that started because of an Instragram account @millennial-needlepointer.
Word is stitch clubs are the new book club! 

 We met at one of my favorite spots, Fluff Meringue and More.
I ordered a cappuccino with a meringue topper drizzled 
with ginger caramel and a side of gingerbread madeleines.

I won Best Order!
Four other stitchers went back and
 ordered one of their own.

I'm eager to show Miss Poppy 
more of our beautiful city!

Read on because MacKenzie-Childs has a
surprise for one of our readers!


One lucky reader has the chance to win a one-of-a-kind
MacKenzie-Childs tote of their own.

Visit each of the accounts below and leave a comment.
One lucky readers' name will be drawn 1/27/2020.
Good Luck!

Patti with Miss Tizzy@ Pandora's Box
Debbie with Miss Tassie @ Mountain Breaths
Sarah with Miss  Poppy @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Rita with Miss Penny @ Panoply
Jenna with Miss  Hello Gorgeous @ The Painted Apron
Cherry Kay with Miss Waverly  @ Entertaining Women
Ricki Jill with Miss Square Peggy @The Sketchy Reader
Linda P with Miss Gigi @ Life and Linda
Jackie with Miss Pansy @ Purple Chocolat Home 
Emily with Miss Lulu @ The French Hutch

MacKenzie-Childs!
Thank you, 
I love you so much!





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Wednesday, January 1, 2020

New Year's Day ~ 2020


 RABBIT, RABBIT!
Welcome 2020 ~ A New Decade

~  January 1, 2020  ~

It's been 20 years since we ushered in the new millennium.
How I remember all the hullabaloo about Y2K
and the hysteria generated about fears of the "end of the world."
The "chef" and I usher in the new year quietly,
just the two of us here at home.
 We pop the cork on our favorite bubbly!

Then we make a toast to the New Year
and a few things we wish to happen.
  2020 ~ We wish for a healthy year ahead,
continued cherished times with family and friends,
and the completition of our remodel project.

And I wish each of you, my readers, 
a healthy, prosperous year ahead!

Cheers to each of you, or
as we say in Texas,

Cheers Y'all!
Joining

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