Welcome to our spring edition of
Tales of the Traveling Tote #47
Upon our return, we had an exciting end of January with our
Dish Sisters for fun times shopping the
Round Top Winter Antique Show.
Roxy flew in from the West Coast
and Alma from the East Coast.
First stop after arrival was dinner at Matt's El Rancho,
An Austin iconic Mexican Restaurant.
Early the following morning we all headed to
Round Top, Texas for some fun antique shopping.
After our day shopping Round Top,
we headed south to Rock Port, Texas where we were.
Elizabeth's guests in her beautiful bayside home, Casa Mariposa.
lounging around, and cruising on the boat.
to stock up on provisions in anticipation a winter storm.
We returned to Austin with a serious
winter storm of snow and thick ice covering.
No flights left Austin for several days, which provided
an added treat with a visit extension we didn't expect!
Roxy went home with Elizabeth,
and Alma was my house guest.
Fast Forward to spring and on to more adventures . . .
I'm fortunate to have a wonderful group
of friends who share my passion for needlepoint.
We stitch together most weeks, and on occasion take a road trip to Comfort, TX, to shop an amazing needlework shop,
Long a staple "gathering spot for those who love fine yarns, patterns, needlepoint canvases, cross stitch, and other needlecraft", Wendy and Scott are available to help with questions and selections.
The shop is in a large historic structure dating back
to the late 1800s and part of the Comfort Historic District and
recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
Within the many rooms are bookshelves and cabinets filled with various finished projects and antique collectables. It's an added treat!
This visit introduced us to two new shop kittens.
Meet Sally, relaxing in the front window when we arrived.
This is Harry. He was napping in the morning sun,
when I disturbed him for a photo opportunity with Miz Merri Mac.
Obviously, it didn't much bother him,
as he quietly curled back into slumber.
Back in Austin, the big news in the stitching
community, was the opening of Hibiscus Needlepoint.
Hibiscus represents joy, beauty, and inspiration.
I took Miz Merry Mac on opening day to meet Stephanie,
the young woman who founded Hibiscus.
It was fun to see all the shoppers, look through the
extensive array of beautiful hand painted canvases,
and to peruse all the gorgeous threads.
Are you a stitcher?
I left with some much needed Silk and Ivory thread colors for a work in process, a fun new patriotic canvas, and of course
I had to buy one of the Hibiscus needle minders.
I took Miz Merri Max to meet a friend
for dinner at the Central Market Cafe recently.
It happened to be Live Music night with the
Bagpipes! What a perfect
compliment to Miz Merri Mac.
Are you still with us?
We'll wrap up this post with a return visit from
Alma,The Tablescaper,
my longtime blogging friend who lives on Long Island.
Do any of you remember following The Tablescaper?
Alma no longer has a blog, but you can follow her on IG.
Alma was here with her husband who was attending a law conference.
We scooped her up early Monday morning and drove to
Round Rock to give her a taste of the famous Round Rock Donuts.
Then we headed straight for the
Round Rock Antique Mall.
and curator of the best booth in the mall.
If you are in the area, it's a must for an
antique shopping experience.
Meet Elizabeth, Robin, "Moi" Alma, and Ritz.
Each of us left with new treasures.
we enjoyed a lovely lunch at Whiskey Cake.
Thank you for joining me today.
It's been a busy four months with lots to share.
You'll find the adventures of my
Traveling Tote buddies at the links 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 (Here)
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Bookish Dilettante
Be certain to leave a comment on
Ricki Jill's post @ The Bookish Dilettante
for a chance to win this Courtly Check tote.
Good Luck!
Thanks for joining our travel tales.
Next edition will be September 15th.
Happy Summer and Safe Travels
.png)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Sarah, your Tales of the Traveling Tote adventures are always such a delight to follow! I loved traveling along with Miss Merri Mac and seeing all the beautiful sights, charming details, and special moments you shared. You have such a wonderful way of weaving friendship, travel, and beauty together in every post. Your photos always make me feel like I’m right there beside you enjoying the adventures with you and your ‘dish sisters’. I do remember Alma’s wonderful tablescapes and her blog. Happy May🩷
ReplyDeleteI always love your trips to Round Top and it is so fun that you have your Dish Sisters to go with. Your pictures of them are so fun. Austen in such a fun place filled with so many great restaurants and I feel so lucky to have visited you there. Glad you could store up at Buc-ee's! I have heard rumors that we are getting one here in Utah. I will believe it when I see it. Hibiscus looks like a treat to the eyes with all of those beautiful colors. What a darling proprietor! You are always going and enjoying and it is so fun to see your adventures.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I do love to read about you and the "dish sisters" and the adventures you all enjoy. I absolutely remember Alma from the Tablescaper too. I do follow her on IG as well. I loved your black and white you wore for all the fun, I always love seeing pics and hearing about Round Top. I know you've enjoyed going and treasure hunting there for years. Wish you happy adventures all summer long!
ReplyDeleteI love that you have such a wonderful connection with your "dish sisters"....and Round Top always looks like a fun adventure! I hope you share more of your stitching projects - what a special talent you have! Hoping the summer brings you just as much fun and friendship as this past winter has!
ReplyDeleteSarah, you trips to round top look so fun. I love that you have those like minded “dish sister’s” to share in your adventures. How special to have a group of ladies that enjoy tablescaping. I do remember Alma. In fact, I believe I helped her get her blog back. You are so talented at needlepoint. Your projects are so beautiful. I know you are so excited to have the new Hibiscus needlepoint store near you. Have a wonderful summer with more adventures.
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to visit Round Top, especially during the antique shows! Did you buy anything? I bet you saw some beautiful things! I enjoy seeing your pretty needlework projects on your blog and Instagram. You have mad skills! I think Sally wanted to hop inside Miss Merri Mac and come home with you. ;P I look forward to seeing your completed projects soon.
ReplyDeleteSarah, you have certainly found like minded people to enjoy your outings with Miss Merri Mac. I know Alma from blogging and her love of dishes :-) You look amazing in all the photos you shared! I finally got to vist Buc-ee's while I was in Montana. What a great store! Wishing you a wonderful summer, filled with needlework and gardening. We are just getting our garden planted as we had to work around the frost.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I wanted to be in your shoes for these past months' of travel! Although I'm not a stitcher, I adore the pieces, new and old. The Tinsmith's Wife looks like a really neat place. Your dish sisters are an amazing group, what a great, great trip and extended surprise due to the weather once back in Austin. I almost forgot about that winter weather, love that map illustration. Antique shopping is my nirvana, and Round Top is still on my list, but so would Round Rock be! If ever I make that TX trip to visit all my family and friends as I so want to, I want to spend time with you at all your fun haunts! You stay busy in the best ways!
ReplyDelete