Rabbit ~ Rabbit
Welcome September, and welcome to
Tales of the Traveling Tote #28.
No, I'm not already decorated for Christmas,
but we are still staying close to home with no big adventures
out and about, so I'm grateful for Zoom adventures now and then.
Last December I had great fun with a Zoom Cookie Decorating evening sponsored by Chi Omega Austin Alums.
You can see that post here.
When the alumni group offered a chocolate tasting Zoom gathering
this summer, Miss Merri Mac and I immediately signed on.
Delysia Chocolatier is an award-winning artisan
chocolate company based here in Austin, TX.
"Inspired by artisan chocolate shops in Europe, Chef Owner and Chocolatier Nicole Patel began handcrafting chocolate truffles as a way to relieve stress from her engineering job. Celebrating 12 years in business, Nicole was named 2020's Best Chocolatier in the Americas, as well as earned a Grand Master Chocolatier designation for the past eight years. Today, Nicole is utilizing her process efficiency skills in the kitchen and winning over chocolate lovers around the world."
Known for using unusual local ingredients, many of which are only available here, and the freshest ingredients possible, the
preservative-free chocolates are handmade in the Parisian style.
I found the chocolates exquisite in taste, and surprised that ones made with the most unique flavors ended up being my top favorites.
To check out the different flavors,
you can visit Delysia Chocolatier here.
Chocolates and flowers are two of my favorite pleasures,
and Miss Merri Mac is the perfect companion for shopping the latter.
My guy had a birthday recently, so Miss Merri Mac and I headed to
our local Central Market to fill her up with bouquets of summer blooms for a birthday lunch honoring my chef and his twin brother.
I had arranged the flowers in a different MacKenzie-Childs
piece, but when my sister-in-law arrived with a gift for me . . .
I quickly swapped the bouquets out and into this beauty,
a vintage MacKenzie-Childs Honeymoon Sweet Pea canister.
I set a casual table for four, and my sister-in-law
prepared and brought over a delicious lunch.
We dined on a healthy meal of
gazpacho, shrimp cocktail, and
watermelon, cucumber, and feta salad.
You can find the recipe for this delicious salad here.
We ended with a fabulous key lime pie from our friends at
So grateful for this special guy!
Happy Birthday to the twins!
The following Wednesday, I invited my CC wristlet
to accompany me to a birthday luncheon for a special friend.
Happy 93rd Birthday, Jo!
My latest outing was yet another lunch!
Olivia, on the left, was visiting from NYC.
How fun for me to enjoy time with these special friends.
We lunched at a cute new place,
It is counter service with both indoor and outdoor seating.
The interior walls are painted with colorful graphics
by Claire Ferguson (@ccferg on Instagram).
Vintage refrigerators hold drinks.
They serve both breakfast and lunch.
Menu here!
Cherry Kay @ Entertaining Women is hosting our giveaway.
Leave her a comment for a chance to win.
Congratulations to our winner!
Be sure to visit all the adventures below.
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch
Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box
Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul (You are here)
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader
Cherry Kay and Miss Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women
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Happy September Sarah! Happy belated birthday wishes to your hubby and his twin…double the fun! I’m swooning over your SIL’s gift and vintage MacKenzie-Childs Honeymoon Sweet Pea canister. What a gorgeous vessel for your beautiful bouquet! Those sunflowers in particular are so striking, are those green petals or are those are those the bracts that I’m seeing? Your birthday lunch and table looks beautiful and delicious served on your Courtly Check and Flower Market plates. ♥
ReplyDeleteHappy September Sarah! I love the photos of Monnie celebrating his birthday, and the delicious key lime pie. Did you squeal when you received the beautiful MacKenzie-Childs Honeymoon Sweet Pea canister? Wishing you a wonderful autumn.
ReplyDeleteSarah, what special and unique events you participated in! The chocolate event really looked special. Your birthday dinner for the twins was really nice (how'd you rate getting the gift??!) Lunch with your wrist wallet and friend from NY - are equal to or surpass any trip elsewhere. Making the best of stay at home is wise, and leaves us with just as grateful a heart. Happy September!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a fun summer filled with lots of flowers and celebrations! You have created some lovely floral centerpieces! Enjoy the last few days of summer!
ReplyDeleteSarah, your SIL gifted you with a special piece of MC, love the sweet pea! Lovely vignettes and oh my, the chocolates! And, the zoom meeting must have been a lot of fun. You set a pretty table for a special lunch and the food looks delicious. Love, love, love the pic of you and your guy and how awesome he's a twin, double the fun. Glad you both are staying safe this summer. Happy September sweet friend.....
ReplyDeleteLove that photo of you and your baker:) Fraternal twins for sure..How lucky they are..And that Jo! 93..impeccable.♥A lovely post Sarah.
ReplyDeleteFlowers and chocolates, two of the best of life's pleasures! Happy birthday to your hubby and his twin brother, the 4 of you must have so much fun together! The vintage MKC sweet pea canister is swoon worthy! All your photos and vignettes are always styled to perfection, so pretty. Happy September Sarah!
ReplyDeleteJenna
Belated Happy Birthday to your dear M - and his twin of course!!! Lovely celebration - you always astound with your table settings and delicious looking food offerings!
ReplyDeleteThose chocolates are beautiful - almost too pretty to bite into - I can imagine the flavors are wonderful.
Fall imminent - I'm happy as this has been a terribly hot, arid summer in NC - I'm ready for cool!!!!!
Stay well - be happy - enjoy autumn months.
Hugs - Mary
P.S. Any news on Maggie - I can't locate her any longer - hope all is well in the UK. We've just cancelled our overdue visit there yet again - International travel is just not in the cards yet!
Sarah, Clearly you have more fun than I have.....and I didn't know that you're a Chi-O like Victoria MacKenzie-Childs! I love that you have one of the owl mugs....what a great piece for Chi-O's!!! And the chocolate looks like little works of art....I love chocolate! I especially love the summer floral arrangement in the MacKenzie-Childs Honeymoon Sweet Pea canister. How pretty! I love that pattern, too. Happy September, Sarah! I enjoyed reading about all your fun activities and parties!
ReplyDeleteYou have been having a grand time! And some wonderful food as well. That's loads and loads of fun. Love all the delicious table settings and dishes and boy, that chocolate tasting sounds like loads of fun. They're really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post. Happy belated birthday to your chef and his twin brother. I love flowers and chocolates too, guilty pleasure with the yummy chocolates. What a gorgeous gift the Honeymoon Pea Canister is. The flowers are so lovely, they always brighten the day. The food looks delicious! Happy Labor Day weekend and happy September.
ReplyDeleteDearest Sarah,
ReplyDeleteWishing your Chef a happy belated Birthday and many more!
Also to his twin brother.
Lovely luncheon you set out and your sister-in-law prepared some yummy looking food.
Hugs,
Mariette
Flowers, chocolates, and a yummy birthday pie sure sounds like a wonderful and delicious month to me!
ReplyDeleteFlowers and chocolates and MC - what a partnership! You have the most amazing places to go to lunch. Wow 93! She is so elegant. What a beautiful lady.
ReplyDeleteSarah, swooning over the food and flowers! Happy belated birthday to your hubby and his twin. The vintage Honeymoon Sweet Pea canister is a special gift from your SIL. I know she knew how much you loved it when you swapped the flowers. You have had a fun summer with good food and friends!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to the twins. What a great treat to sit at your gorgeous table to celebrate the birthdays. Oh my that Honeymoon Sweet Pea canister filled with spectacular flowers! Happy to see you and the tote are enjoying life’s celebrations!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun summer you’ve had, Sarah! Happy Birthday to your Chef and his twin! The luncheon table and menu were wonderful. That chocolate tasting sounded like a yummy idea. Aren’t those chocolates such pretty works of art??!! Happy September! ❤️
ReplyDelete