Tales of the Traveling Tote #35

Welcome to Tales of the Traveling Tote, Edition #35

I recently found myself out of town 

for the first time since before October 2019.  

Miss Merri Mac and I rode the Vonlane, 

leaving before sunrise, and arriving Dallas by 9am.

We hit the ground running!

 I felt like a bird out of a cage! 

Quimper Club International has met yearly since 1999, with the

exception of 2021 and 2022 because of COVID.  Two previous QCI meetings were held in Dallas in 2002 and 2009, and this year we enjoyed three days packed full of friendship and fun. 

Thank you to the Dallas girls that made this meeting possible.

Antique Shopping ~ Harlan Crow Library ~

Five Home Tours ~ Annual Meeting and Lunch

Each morning Miss Merri Mac and I started the day 

with a stroll to Starbucks for a morning coffee and a bite to eat.

Shopping at Snider Plaza Antiques and 

St. Michael's Women's Exchange

Rise

Lunch at a favorite restaurant!

Harlan Crow Library

Our group was given a private tour of the 

Harlan Crow Library, hosted by Sam Fore, Library Curator.  

The library, home to Mr. Crow's impressive Americana collection of rare books, historic documents, manuscripts, and artifacts also includes sculpture and 18th and 19th century portraiture paintings.  

In addition, the art collection includes paintings by Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and George W. Bush.

On Saturday, five Dallas members graciously invited members 

to enjoy the ambience of their exquisite collections while touring their homes.  

I wish my readers could experience these homes, each one beautifully appointed and curated. 

Not only did we see exceptional French faience, these women live with other charming collections.

Just a small sampling of some of the treasures we saw.

Sunday morning our group wrapped up the weekend with a 

business meeting, guest speakers, and farewell lunch.

I had the privilege of speaking on Napoleon, and the joy 

I've had over past decades curating a small collection of 

Napoleonic Souvenirs produced by faienceries in France.

The highlight of the morning was M. Esquerré, an entertaining French gentleman, who shared his personal story of success. 

M. Patrick Esquerré, of La Madeleine French Country Cafes, 

grew up living in a chateau on a farm in the Loire Valley.  

A successful entrepreneur in marketing and public relations, Esquerré established his own company, Dialoguer, while living in Paris.  A new business venture in the early 1980s brought him to America with a plan to bring foreign rodeos to the US market.  That did not work out, so he turned his astute entrepreneurial and culinary skills toward building a authentic French bakery in Dallas, Texas.  

As they say, the rest is history! 

Thank you for letting me share my little get away.

Miss Merri Mac and I wish you a summer of travel adventures.

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart!"

Congratulations to Gina @ It's Just Me, Gina

the winner of our Glow Giveaway.

Before you head off to visit my friends below,

be certain to leave a comment to be entered in our giveaway. 

Don't forget to include your name and web address.

Enjoy the adventures of my Traveling Tote Friends 

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)

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader 

Jackie @ Purple Chocolat Home

Cherry Kay and Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women