Tales of the Traveling Tote #48

Tales of the Traveling Tote # 47

Tales of the Traveling Tote # 45

 

Tales of the Traveling Tote @ 44

Tales of the Traveling Tote #42

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 whena 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.

Also Joining

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Sundays on Silverado @ House on Silverado 

You're the Star @ Electric Red Barn
Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia     Over the Moon @ Marilyn's Treats 

All About Home @ Common Ground    Vintage Charm @ Our Hopeful Home 

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn
Share Your Style @ French Ethereal  Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner      Farmhouse Friday @ Country Road 407

Saturday Sparks @ Pieced Pastimes

Tales of the Traveling Tote, Edition #39

Tales of the Traveling Tote Edition # 38

Tales of the Traveling Tote Edition #37

Tales of the Traveling Tote Edition #36

Rabbit, Rabbit

Welcome, September 

~ The Cusp of Autumn ~

I've not been on a plane nor traveled since before the fall of 2019,

but a thoughtful invitation to join eight friends and spend a few days in the Hamptons the first week of June offered a much needed

 chance to get away for pure relaxation.

We stayed in my godson's beautiful 

old home in East Hampton.

The village of East Hampton 

is full of historic charm.

Everything was lush and green with

abundant vibrant blooms.

Peonies were growing in the gardens of every home.

Big, gorgeous blooms!

First thing I did was cut 

blooms to bring into the house.

Are you surprised?

We also cut white iris blooms from

the garden and filled this pretty vase.

We ate at charming restaurants.

We shopped the boutiques in 

East Hampton and Sag Harbor.

Mostly we relaxed around the house 

and played Mah Jongg.

We took morning walks along 

the shore of a nearby beach.

One evening we arranged for 

a clambake on the beach.

The dinner was delicious!

It was a gorgeous evening with perfect 

weather, a full moon.   .   .

And sand between our toes!

Five days filled with good friends and lots of laughter.

Just what my spirit needed!

An added highlight for me was lunch with these two special ladies.

Kathleen, Alma, and I first met in 2009 through our blogs.

You may remember Cuisine Kathleen and The Tablescaper.  

Sadly both Kathleen and Alma no longer have their blogs,

but you can find them on Instagram.

@thetablescaper 

@kathleenmiller

Closer to home, I ventured over to Opening Day 

of a brand new independent bookstore. 

First Light Book Shop

Hyde Park Neighborhood ~ Austin, TX

It has a walk up window for coffee 

and baked goods that opens early morning.

Picnic tables under shade trees 

provide space to spend time with friends.

Inside is a coffee bar open all day.

Opening day was filled 

with enthusiastic customers.

I was thrilled to see a special space for young children

set up with small tables and chairs and an excellent book selection.

I couldn't resist this book and a few others.

I'm addicted to children's literature!

Tell me, do you have any independent book stores in your community?

If so, I hope you will support these businesses!

If you are local, please consider shopping

First Light Book Shop

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 (Give Away Here)

A new edition will post December 1.  Please join the fun.

 
Joining

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Sundays on Silverado @ House on Silverado 

You're the Star @ Electric Red Barn  Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia   

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life Tuesday Turnaround @ My Wee Abode

All About Home @ Common Ground  Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn
Share Your Style @ French Ethereal  Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Charming Homes and Gardens @ Shiplap and Shells  Embracing Home and Family @ The Everyday Farmhouse   Farmhouse Friday @ The Painted Hinge