Tales of The Traveling Tote and a Giveaway

• Tales of The Traveling Tote and a Giveaway 

  
  

   Welcome to another adventure of the Tales of the Traveling Tote. This is where my fellow Traveling Tote friends and I share our latest travels, projects and our most current events. You will have an opportunity to visit other members at the end of this post and learn about our giveaway.

  

  
  Hello dear friends and welcome. 

  Wow, it's hard to believe today is the first day of December! I am behind with my usual schedule of decorating by the first. 

  We haven't been on any travel adventures this past year but we have been really busy at The French Hutch. Today, we are all about enjoying the beautiful autumn season and a little Christmas shopping. 
  
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Shopping at a local farmer's market downtown is always a great opportunity for a walk on Tuscaloosa's Riverwalk. 
• The Black Warrior River runs along Riverwalk, turning and twisting paths under the trees. The perfect place  
• for enjoying a little nature.












• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Miss Courtney Childs has been helpful doing heavy duty work

Where The French Hutch 

always gets a touch of autumn color

in early September

Autumn colors are always part of my table setting for Thanksgiving

My tote often shops with me, great for stuffing full of pumpkins, flowers and Christmas gifts

Who can resist these charmers 

in this favorite shop 

Another stop on this shopping trip 

is a favorite nursery and gift shop 

to pick up a maidenhair fern

You always find such a nice selection of maidenhair fern at this nursery, if you shop early. I've found they sell out fast!

Beautiful magnolia garlands and wreaths

I am always inspired after shopping to finish up the last minute decorating

Christmas ribbons for all my topiaries

Last week I had a special date with two dear Traveling Tote members. 

I met up with Jenna from The Painted Apron

 and 

Ricki Jill from The Sketchy Reader. 

We met for coffee and had a lovely time catching-up. We also did a little fun shopping together at Trader Joe's. We have plans for lunch in December, can't wait!

~~~~~

Now for the Giveaway!

Linda, at Life and Linda, will be hosting our giveaway. For a chance to win this MacKenzie-Childs key chain just leave a comment on her blog post

 Life and Linda 

  

Tales of the Traveling Tote members would love for you to visit them here....

  Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader

~ ~ ~

 

Please join us March 1 for our next Tales of  Traveling Totes. 

Thank you for your visit. I would love to hear when and how you decorate for Christmas. I hope you will leave a comment, it's the only way I know you stopped in.

Tales of the Traveling Tote and a Giveaway

Tales of The Traveling Tote and a Giveaway 

 Welcome to another adventure of the Tales of the Traveling Tote. This is where my fellow Traveling Tote friends and I share our latest travels, projects and our most current events. You will have an opportunity to visit other members at the end of this post and learn about our giveaway.

Our vacations plans this year are coming in the fall, a little late to share here today. Plans are to pack up and take a road trip to the beach, about six hours away. I'm pulling some of my photos and a previous trip from the archives to share today. 

By the Shore


My favorite place to be beachside is 

somewhere, anywhere along scenic Highway 30A in the panhandle of Florida's emerald coast. Jim and I look forward to a spring and fall getaway and this year we enjoyed a weather perfect week with mild temperatures and lots of sunshine. 

 Trips here in the past find us in a beach house, townhouse or condo. This trip we were beachfront in a condo with million dollar views. My sister and brother in law usually drive down from Atlanta to join us. Come along while I share some of my favorite places along this Florida coastal hideaway.

A previous drawing my sister did of me,

happy to be by the shore

Loving this beach house where we were guests of my sister and brother in law on several occasions. When we are in the neighborhood we always drive by to see the new homes 


Seagrove

Next to the pool and only steps to the beach.  The Grove by the Sea, my favorite beach houses!

Seaside

A favorite food at the beach is blackened grouper

Served up at one of my favorite restaurants in
Seaside. Everything here is always as you remember, delicious!

Known for their key lime pie

And right next to Great Southern Cafe is my favorite beach bookstore
Sundog Books

I chose a few books from the shelves for beachside reading and relaxing

For a leisurely stroll, lunch and shopping, a great spot is Baytown Wharf in San Destin 

Clay Gardens and Gifts


 I love to visit this local garden and gift shop. Spring is a great time to visit for ideas and inspiration. 

 

Road Tour ~ Hwy 30A

google

Rosemary Beach and a little shopping

Alys Beach

The striking architectural features of this town are traditional Bermuda brilliant-white homes. Featured with pathways and courtyards only a short walk to the beach 

Home away from home for this vacation is in one of only two high rise condo's on 30A. It is always a challenge to find anything last minute. Book in advance!

Miss Courtney held my MacKenzie-Childs Berries and Blossoms set for a pretty table setting. I mixed it with the white beach theme set in the condo

Love the "waves" in the glassware

And, doing a little fall inspiration shopping, 

look who finally was allowed on a shopping trip, 

Miss Lulu

My MacKenzie-Childs Serendipity Bag

In 2020 the Traveling Totes celebrated our five year anniversary. In acknowledgment from MacKenzie-Childs, each member was gifted our very own custom Serendipity bag. I love the colors and patterns of my bag and I mostly use it for Christmas 

Thank You MacKenzie-Childs!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for your visit. I hope you will leave a comment, it's the only way I know you stopped in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now for the Giveaway!

Jenna at The Painted Apron will be hosting the giveaway for a chance to win a lovely shopping bag from MacKenzie-Childs. For your chance to win just leave a comment on her blog post.

Tales of the Traveling Tote members would love for you to visit.

Patti, Miss Kenzie and Miss Tizzy @ Pandora’s Box

Deb,  Miss Aurora and Miss Tassie @ Mountain Breaths

Emily, Miss Courtney Childs and Miss Lulu @ The French Hutch

Jenna, Miss Coquille and Hello Gorgeous @The Painted Apron

Linda, Miss Lola and Miss Gigi @ Life and Linda

Rita, Miss Luna and Miss Penny C @ Panoply 

Sarah, Miss Merri Mac and Miss Poppy @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie, Miss Madi K and Miss Pansy @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill, Countess De Monet, Miss Square Peggy @ The Sketchy Reader

Cherry Kay, Carrie Ann Hall and Miss Waverly @ Entertaining Women

 

 

~ ~ ~

Join us December 1 for our next Tales Travel post