FINALLY A FALL WEEKEND AND A THANK YOU

I began this post a few weeks ago and it has been hectic here with a little touch up painting and staining doors mixed in with football weekends and a little travel. Now I am ready to enjoy getting ready for the holidays. Thank you to all who have sent me notes to say I was missed!

Hello sweet friends. First I want to say Panama City, Florida is in my thoughts and prayers. Such a terrible hurricane leaving so much property damage and now hardships for those living there. A beautiful town with sugar white beaches. We know it well, a favorite vacation destination and  my daughter-in-law's family and friends living there. 
Update: All power has been restored to Panama City. Clean-up and rebuilding will take a long time after so much devastation. 

~~~~~

Jim and I have been traveling with our son, daughter-in-law and grandson. When we left home our highs were in the mid nighties. Returning home the weather channel promised the first cool front for the weekend.  Now we have our first weekend here with fall temperatures and I finally feel like adding a few fall touches around the house. 

I like to keep it simple so I added my velvet pumpkins on the dining room table with my Juliska Flint charges. 

We always enjoy cooking out but fall is a favorite time. We love to watch SEC football outside while we enjoy the cooler temperatures. We have been grilling fish a lot lately, my favorite. It is such an easy meal to prepare. Spray the fish with EVOO and use your favorite seasoning. We like to blacken our fish so I use Paul Prudhomme's Magic. 

Serve with favorite sides

I have a lot of catching-up the next couple of weeks. I will be adding more fall touches inside and out. I'm overdue for a visit to the pumpkin patch! 
I'm sorry I've missed some of your posts so I will be visiting with you soon.
As always, thank you for your visit. I love for you to leave a comment, it's the only way I know you stopped by!

Thank You!
I want to give a shout-out to my friend Deb at Mountain Breathes for a chance to win this funny cookbook, The Burn Cookbook by Jonathan Bennett and Nikki Martin. My name was the lucky one drawn. Thank you Deb! I will enjoy the recipes and the laughs. Visit Deb here to read all about this entertaining cookbook. I've already found several recipes I can't wait to try.

The Burn Cookbook

I have to make this for my husband

And, this Citrus Salad I will make for myself

TALES OF THE TRAVELING TOTES SEPTEMBER AND A GIVEAWAY

Thoughts and Prayers for Texas

Fall is in the Air

If it is September It is time for Tales of the Traveling Totes. I find it hard to believe it is already September! Yes, fall is in the air and  there is the Labor Day weekend, the last hurrah of summer. I filled Miss Courtney Childs with velvet pumpkins to start the season.

There has been little travel for us this summer, we enjoy vacations and traveling in spring and fall, even winter. Of course we usually have the trip to the beach, my happy place, in late spring or early summer and enjoy traveling to visit our families. So what did I do during the summer, a lot! 

While I'm not traveling I'm usually planning a trip

Smaller totes are great for holding reference books for trip planning so Miss Blossom has been helping out

Did I mention I was having the house painted, the entire interior of the house!  It was like moving and it spilled over into summer getting everything back in order. I told you I was busy! Did you notice the new grey color, the Chinese Silk is out of here, time for a change.

The study and my desk where I work and blog when I'm not using my laptop

Totes for my happy place are wonderful for necessities 

Alys Beach ~ Hwy 30-A

A favorite spot

Going to Birthday Parties and celebrations

Totes are wonderful for holding and delivering gifts

My sister makes delicious birthday cakes for our parties

My sweet Connor turned nine this summer, what fun!

Diving and chasing turtles in the Keys

A favorite pic he sent me from his vacation this summer

Fun in Atlanta with my sister enjoying her pretty courtyard

She's had this MC look-a-like table for years and it's still gorgeous

 

And we celebrated Lulu, the newest four legged family member with this delicious chocolate cake, made by my sister, with little toy gifts for Lulu.  She loves to play with her presents. I have to say she is a sweetheart of a kitty, so loving and playful. 

Lulu is a Chartreux, a rare breed from France. They are known for their blue grey coats and orange or copper colored eyes. 
I think she looks like a Halloween kitty!

And other things I really enjoyed this summer are my flowers and container plants

Did some shopping at this cute shop while visiting our son, daughter-in-law and Connor

Connor liked the "beetle" 

Miss Molly and I visited a lot of flower and vegetable markets

Miss Courtney loves to bring home favorites from the supermarket and specialty shops

Lots of crackers, cheese and spreads for cheese boards on game day

Did you stock up on the seasonal Peach Bellini jam at Trader Joe's? I hope so, it's all gone until next year!A seasonal treat and it tastes like home made. I love toast and jam for breakfast

As you can see we have been busy. All of my totes and I have been out and about town, busy and enjoying summer. Now we are looking forward to fall and mild temps. Here in AL we won't see cooler weather for another six weeks. Fall color usually comes with Thanksgiving! 

A Giveaway

The Tales of the Traveling Totes members are offering another giveaway.

Our giveaway for September is being hosted by

Linda at More Fun Less Laundry

http://morefunlesslaundry.com

Visit Linda and Miss Rosie and leave a comment for a chance to win. 

Visit our other TTT members to hear about fun travels, food, and latest projects.

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs @ The French Hutch

Jenna with Miss Coquille @ The Painted Apron

Katie with Miss Daisy @ Preppy Empty Nester

Linda G with Miss Rosie @ More Fun Less Laundry

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Patti with Miss Kenzie and Miss Taylor @ Pandora's Box

Rita with Luna C @ Panoply

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

You know how much I love your visits, thank you. I hope you will leave a comment here, it's the only way I know you stopped by!

Please come back December 1, 2017 to see where our travels will take us next.

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