Tales of the Traveling Tote No. 29 and Giveaway

Hello, tote traveling troupers! This past quarter has flown by for me, mostly because I was wholly immersed in moving. Yes, we've had three homes in three years. It's a Goldilocks thing.....we think we've found the "just right" home this time. Join me as I recount my travels in this 29th edition of the Tales of the Traveling Tote.

People ask us if we're moved in to our new home, and our answer is we moved the day we closed, on October 6th! A sweet neighbor welcomed us with a bouquet of tulips shortly after our arrival. With nothing more than a set of sheets and pjs in my tote, and some items for breakfast the next day, we slept in our new home that first night. We negotiated the bed and snack trays, which served as bedside tables until our official move at the end of October.  😊

About a week later, another housewarming gift arrived from one of my "other purse friends" (I am a member of the Antique Purse Collectors Society).

Isn't this the cutest dish?! My friend Mary took up glassmaking two or three years ago, and knows how I love the Courtly Check pattern. She created this piece by fusing the various glass pieces. I love it!

Just a few days after our closing, we went to a family wedding for my brother's son. It was held in the Rose Garden of the city just one hour west of our home. You may remember my telling of my shoe mishap, here.

In early November, my local MacKenzie-Childs boutique held an open house that was spectacular.

They rented retail space adjacent to their existing business in early August for the sole purpose of Christmas displays, and the MacKenzie-Childs stock was huge, with a 20% discount on all Christmas items during the open house.

There were refreshments and door prizes, and the place was buzzing! It was a joy to run into friends and neighbors, and sip and shop throughout.

So, what did I buy? Just a couple of hand towels for the holiday season, which happen to coordinate with my upstairs bath that has its original 1938 hex tile.

The same day as the open house, my sister-in-law hosted all of Mr. P's siblings for a Covid collage celebration. It was the party of all parties missed during our almost two years away from each other. 

We were greeted by a St Patrick's Day flag at the entry, along with our hosts, Woody and Jessie (that's Mr. P bent over with laughter, and me with disbelieving wonderment at top rt). The food fare ranged from summer hot dogs and fried chicken to ham, mashed potatoes and stuffing, with dessert birthday cake decorated with all holidays and family noted. The home décor was a mishmash of all the holidays too. It was a hoot! 

We were happy to be able to have Thanksgiving at my sil's too, and Baby J was with us.🦃🧡

Our local arts center has a Van Gogh exhibit going through February, so my daughters, one son-in-law, and Baby J went to that on Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. It wasn't the wholly immersive experience that I've seen friends share in other cities, but it was fun. We had more fun, though, in the kids' discovery museum. 😜

By the end of the Thanksgiving weekend, I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of boxes needing unpacked and organized, with my sight set upon getting the house decorated for Christmas. It's all still a work in progress, but things are coming along. 

I'm looking forward to Christmas, and even though the Omicron variant threatens to be the uninvited guest, our family is hopeful in getting together. We've already received the best gift ever with Jacqueline. 🎁 She was on her way to having Christmas photos taken when my daughter sent me this one, below. 🎄💓

NOW, ONTO THE GIVEAWAY!

The Traveling Totes Tribe is offering another giveaway and Debbie at Mountain Breaths is our giveaway sponsor this time. One lucky reader who leaves a comment on Debbie's post today will have their name thrown into the hat for an opportunity to win this beautiful Highbanks pattern travel mug. I love this pattern, and it's a perfect accessory throughout the entire season of winter. 

Be sure to check out my other traveling sisters' posts to see what how they spent their autumn season months.

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

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

Jenna with Miss Coquille @ The Painted Apron

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply (you are here!)

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie with Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess de Monet @The Bookish Dilettante

Join us again on March 1, 2022 for another edition of Tales of the Traveling Tote.

Thanks so much for your visit. I love reading your comments, and be sure to leave one on Debbie's blog for a chance to win our token gift. Stay safe, and Happy December!

Rita C. at Panoply

Parties I Share With: Pieced Pastimes, Love Your Creativity, BNOTP, All About Home Common Ground, All About Home Follow the Yellow Brick Home, Apple Street Cottage, Grandma Ideas,  A Stroll Thru Life, My Wee Abode, Thistle Key Lane, Bluesky at Home, Zucchini Sisters, French Ethereal SYS, Happiness is Homemade, Traffic Jam Weekend, Katherine's Corner TFT, Grace at Home, My Thrift Store Addiction, Our Hopeful Home, Karin's Kottage, My Hubbard Home FWF, County Road 407 Farmhouse Friday