Monday, December 1, 2025

Tales of the Traveling Tote # 45


 

Rabbit, Rabbit!
Welcome to Tales of the Traveling Tote, Edition 45


Today's post is in honor of our dear friend, Jenna.
I'm sad to say we lost Jenna in October.
Jenna was an avid Traveling Tote Friend who took
us on many lovely adventures within her Alabama home
as well as her coastal retreat on the Gulf Shores. 

One of my many endearing memories of Jenna were her 
shares of  beautiful tablesettings, often set on the round table in her entry and shared with her clever rhymes and playful words.
We could often count on delicious food, complete with recipes.

Click the link above to visit the tablescape 
Jenna created and shared for all of us last December.  

Jenna was an artist, and often gifted pieces to friends.  
Jenna's art is an ever present reminder of her amazing talent.  

Farewell, Jenna.  Until we meet again!
I urge you to visit Jenna's Blog, The Painted Apron.

My one get away this fall was to Colorado 
to experience the autumn color of the Aspens.

Miz Merri Mac and I boarded a plane 
to Aspen, CO in late October.

Flying in to Colorado is always a thrill as I look 
out the window to see the majestic mountains.

We flew to meet my cousin who flew in from Houston,  
just us girls relaxing a few days at Lauren's beautiful River House.

Upon arrival at the airport, one is 
always greeted by this friendly bear.

Once inside, some friendly reminders!

I shared previous trips to Basalt, joining my cousin
and her family at their home along the Frying Pan River.
This trip was my first autumn visit.  
The changing colors and the many wild animals 
moving about did not disappoint my nature loving heart.

In addition to soaking in all that Mother Nature had to share, 
there was abundant time to sit and read or stitch.
Always grateful for my Colorado River House visits.

Be sure to comment on Jackie's post to be entered in our Giveaway!

Don't miss all the adventures below:

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box  

Rita with Miss Luna C Panoply 

Sarah with Miz Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul Your Are Here

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Bookish Dilettante 



Please Join Us 


Jenna's Entry Hall Nutcracker

🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
- Merry Christmas  - 
And
- Happy Holidays -

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.

12 comments:

  1. Sarah, a sweet tribute to Jenna..I have much of her artwork displayed now. Your trip to Colorafo seemed.like the perfect fall getaway. Time to focus on family, the season, and being present in your own enjoyment. Too many times trips are packed full with itineraries consuming the entirety, and one just relishes being back home to rest again. Your trip looked restful.
    Happy December, my friend.

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  2. Dearest Sarah, your tribute to our friend, Jenna was perfect. I was so sad when Emily called to tell me. Jenna reached out to me when I first started blogging. We had much in common, fellow Alabamians, Roll Tide fans, and grandmothers that doted on our grands. We never met, but only lived 60 miles apart. We planned to meet but it never happened. At best, life is short!

    I am so happy you enjoyed a trip to Aspen. We had a lovely autumn visit to Aspen a few years ago. The Aspen trees are a delight to see during the fall season! Thank you for sharing your lovely heart. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season!

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  3. A lovely tribute..Its saad when we lose long time blogging friends..Glad you got away:)

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  4. Thanks for sharing such sweet memories of Jenna - she will truly be missed by all of us! Colorado was a grand escape for you - awesome photos! Have a wonderful holiday month!

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  5. A beautiful tribute to our dear Jenna. Her artwork, recipes and decor plus those lovely rhymes will be greatly missed. I was so close to meeting Jenna in person when we visited friends in Florida. Our schedules did not work. Sarah, so glad you got away to Colorado. The river house is lovely. Aspen looks so beautiful with the fall colors and wildlife. May your holidays be filled with joy and happiness.

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  6. Sarah, a lovely tribute to our friend Jenna. She will be and is forever missed.
    What a wonderful getaway you had to Colorado. The colors must have been magnificent! Wishing you a beautiful and Happy December sweet friend.........

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  7. Happy Monday Sarah,
    I was so distressed and sad to hear about Jenna. I have really missed having her join our blog hops and visiting her. Your post is a wonderful tribute to her talent and creative spirit. I felt like I knew her even though we never met. She was such a vibrant and kind soul.
    Your trip to Colorado looks wonderful with all the nature sightings. I remember your post about your Lauren’s river house, so beautiful! Wishing you a Merry December and look forward to hopping with you tomorrow. 🎄❤️

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  8. Great to see Miz Merri Mac carrying your needlepoint to the river house. I remember your post about the river house and so glad you got to see the changing colors and wild animals on this trip. A lovely tribute to our friend Jenna. She was a gem. Wishing you a beautiful December dear friend!

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    Replies
    1. I just realized my post said Anonymous. It's me :-) Deb @ Mountain Breaths

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  9. What a beautiful post with all of Jenna's beautiful artwork! She will be missed by friends and family. I love your picture of her nutcracker too!
    Sounds like a wonderful trip to Colorado. Such a fun time of year to enjoy it before we get dumped with the snow.

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  10. THhnk-you so much for sharing some of Jenna's art. I had thought about writing a separate post about it because we have quite a bit of it around here.

    I enjoyed seeing your nature shots. There is nothing better for healing than getting out and enjoying God's gorgeous creation! The photo of the Aspen tree is so pretty. I've always wanted to paint one!

    Lovely and thoughtful post as always, Sarah!

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  11. Thank you for honoring our dear Jenna with such a loving tribute, Sarah. She certainly was so gifted, talented and creative, and will be missed.
    Your adventure to Colorado and being there for Fall color and with your cousin, must’ve been so good for your soul.

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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.