Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Tea on Tuesdays ~ Teatime Simplicity


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Sunday, September 1, 2024

Tales of the Traveling Tote, Edition #40


June, the start of summer, found Miss Merri Mac 
and me on Cape Cod with sand between our toes.

Living the coastal life that 
always renews my spirit.

We visited long time friends who live year round on the Cape.
~ Beach Roses ~ Ocean Vistas ~ Seagulls ~ 
~ Salty Air ~ Fresh Seafood ~

I stayed in their charming guest suite, the FROG.
 ~ Furnished Room Over Garage ~

We spent leisure days under the pergola, catching up
and soaking in the fresh, crisp, cool air.

Look up at our perfect view of
blue skies and blooming wisteria.

Meet my new bestie, Gouda!

I admit, I also indulged in a few of these tasty
delights before heading back home.

Back in Texas, Miss Merri Mac and I hopped on
an express bus and headed up to Dallas.
Vonlane is like flying first class without the hassle of flying.

The service is always exceptional, and that particular Friday Vonlane pampered their customers with a delightful surprise,
Chelles Macarons.

 Victoria was in town for Dallas Market,
and we wanted to get in a repeat visit.

The Arte Italica Crown Linen Designs 
Dallas Market Showroom is a sight to behold.
How special to see all the products displayed in one space.
The Chef and I began collecting the beautifully crafted Italian pewter
made for Arte Italica in the 1990s, and I continue to add new pieces.

Later, we enjoyed dinner at one of my favorite restaurants. 
Rise ~ Salon de Soufflé

Sweet and savory soufflés offered  
a classic French experience.

July of course brought annual 4th of July celebrations.
It was too hot to entice us to attend the neighborhood parade,
but that didn't stop us from feeling festive.

 Miss Merri Mac is the perfect companion to hold my current needlepoint "works in progress", so the two of us gather weekly with 
a group of stitchers for conversation, lunch, and stitch therapy.
One recent week we took a day trip to Comfort, TX 
to shop at  The Tinsmith's Wife.
Wow, what a wonderful resource for anyone who knits or stitches.
Click here to check it out.  They ship!

The Texas hill country is a bounty of fresh produce 
this time of year, so of course we stopped at one 
of the local stands on our way out of town.

Nothing like fresh Texas peaches!

Except of course the cool, fresh air 
of the mountains of Colorado.

Yes, lucky us escaped the heat
for a few weeks in July and August.

I've been traveling to Colorado in the summers since I was a child,
and with every trip the mere sight of the mountains instantly
restores my body with calm and contentment.


WELCOME


Hello from paradise!

Farmer's Markets enticed with 
local produce and handmade items.

This family was selling 
mango on a stick.

Looks pretty tasty 
and easy to eat.

My sojourn in Colorado extended for 
two weeks with lots of time to relax and stitch.

We celebrated my cousin's milestone birthday 
with special dinners out and a beautiful picnic riverside.

Click here to view my post on the picnic.

August also presented another family opportunity when
a group of my girl cousins met for a fun weekend in Galveston.

The last time some of us met here was in 2012.  
Since that gathering, we've sadly lost two, but are overjoyed to welcome an entirely new group of young women who have joined our family, including precious baby, Emily Kathryn.  

We celebrated the upcoming wedding of one of the young girls marrying into the family and the expected birth of another 
cousin's first child - a baby boy due in January.

What a special group of smart, 
strong, beautiful women!

Especially fun to celebrate the 
upcoming December wedding .   .   .

And the expected birth of baby Lawson!

Lots of girl time around the pool.
I love that the younger generation values family 
connections and wants to participate.  

Cheers to many years ahead celebrating together.  

Don't forget to leave me a comment and tell us 
where you have traveled the past 3 months.
Those who comment on Jenna's post 
will be entered into our giveaway.
Enjoy the adventures of my Traveling tote Friends!
Links Below
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs @ The French Hutch 
Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron (Give Away Here)
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)
Rita with 


We all have more adventures ahead.
41st Edition of Tales of the Traveling Tote in December.


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Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Tablescape Blog Hop - Welcome, Autumn, the Richest of Seasons


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Thursday, August 15, 2024

Celebrating a Special Birthday


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Monday, August 5, 2024

Monday Morning Blooms - Squeeze the Day With a Burst of Citrus

Welcome to 
Monday Morning Blooms
 when August's version celebrates citrus. 

I'm always thrilled and honored to join my talented, 
flower loving friends, Pam, Lidy, and Mary.

Thank you, friends, for inviting me to join as a guest host this month as we welcome August and "squeeze the day with a burst of citrus."

When Pam and Mary invited me to join their citrus themed 
Monday Morning Blooms, my thoughts went to the 
yummy palette of delicious citrus colors of 
oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes.

What a joyful palette for selecting flowers!
Yellow roses, a given as they are long a favorite for me.
 My mother and I had an ongoing tradition of sending each other yellow roses as a way to say, "Smile, and be happy today."  
Yellow Alstroemeria or Peruvian Lily 
 Sprigs of Goldenrod
Orange Wood Lily

I had the treat of spending a few weeks the end of July in the
mountains of Colorado at my cousin's beautiful River House
along the Frying Pan River in Basalt, Colorado.

Sunday Farmer's Market, Basalt, CO
What better inspiration than shopping the Sunday
Farmer's Market with all the colors of fresh produce.

Add in the gorgeous flowers 
blooming on the property .  .  .

Fresh mint in the herb garden .  .  .

I was totally inspired for a post 
with the colors of citrus!

Though artichokes are not in the citrus family, nor currently in season,  this Italian majolica artichoke centerpiece was a fabulous find
while we were out shopping at our favorite thrifts in the area.
You will likely see it many times this fall as artichokes 
come into their prime season and are a favorite dish.

Believe it or not, the Colorado days were super sunny and warm.
I opted to serve ice tea with a squeeze of lemon and a sprig of mint. 

I picked up lemon and pistachio 
macaroons from a local bakery,


Along with these 
delicious key lime tarts.

The beautiful Arte Italica pewter pedestal cake stand 
was another thrifty shopping score.

With a perfect setting along a flowing river with mountains
in the background, I moved our tea tray outdoors.

I wish you could hear the water flowing 
and smell the fresh mountain air.

Join me for a sip of tea 
and a citrus treat.

Embrace the last days of summer 
with a little citrus afternoon teatime.

Be inspired as you savor the beautiful 
posts of my flower friends at the links below.

Mary @ Home Is Where The Boat Is

Pam @ Everyday Living


Squeeze the Day With a Burst of Citrus


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