Tales of the Traveling Tote #45, Giveaway

 Hello, readers, and welcome to Panoply! Happy December! 

Today marks the 45th instalment of the Tales of the Traveling Tote, can you believe it? It's all about quarterly tales of ladies connecting friendship and stories of our everyday lives via a MacKenzie-Childs tote we all purchased at one time or another. 

To read more about the origin of this series of posts, you can learn how it started here. A link to all my previous tales can be found here. 

In mid-September, my sister Marcie & I attended one of a series of "Let's Get Cooking", sponsored by AARP at our Capitol Market. We are lucky to have a James Beard award-winning chef in town who hosts this summer series from April through September, free to the public.

In early October, Marcie went with me for a pumpkin trio workshop in another farmer's market in South Charleston, WV. The local flower farmer hosted it, and it was a brisk morning that day. A coffee vendor supplied us with warm treats for the workshop. Little did she know, but Marcie had broken her hand the day before, and she went to have it x-rayed after the workshop, only to be casted!

Mid-October was a good time to do a day trip in WV for some fall leaf peeping. The colors were actually not peak until almost two weeks later,  but the day spent with Mr. P., my brother and his companion was a fun time,

Jacqueline, my granddaughter, continues to amuse and entertain us. Her latest go to phrase is, "guess what???" She's still all about costumes and makeup (and she's pretty good at it!), and it doesn't even have to be Halloween. This is her first year with Elf on a Shelf, and she named her elf Heart. 💖

I went with Jacqueline, her mommy, and her daddy to a local farm which hosts Fall Fun each year. I did ALL the things with J because mom's arm was in a sling from recent rotator cuff surgery, and dad was chillin'. I had a blast!

This fall was a bit of a roller coaster of emotions. My Panoply sister Jackie passed away in mid-October. Her celebration of life was held in Cincinnati in mid-November. So many of our family traveled from WV to OH for that. It was a very special visitation at the funeral home the night prior to her funeral mass. A volunteer chapter of the Nurses' Honor Guard was held in Jackie's honor, and the place was packed. 

The church was also very full for mass the next day, and Jackie's kids held a luncheon for all those who came. It was truly a celebration of who Jackie was and all that she accomplished. Let alone family, Jackie had so many friends and colleagues! It gives me some comfort knowing she is reunited with her husband of 53 years (Jack), who passed away in 2021. Marcie & I will carry on our antiquing as a Panoply duo from this point forward, but we miss her terribly.

Thank you to everyone who called, sent texts, emails, cards, and gave hugs. They were all very much appreciated.

The week of Thanksgiving is the beginning of holiday chaos! There are so many event opportunities, so many come-ons for retailers (including our antique booths running a sale for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday), and so many social gatherings, both family and friends. 

We took advantage of our minor league (Charleston Dirty Birds) baseball park's "Light Up the Park" November 24th free admission with 3 on-perishables per person. My oldest daughter and her husband hosted his entire family plus us for a pizza party before. All together, there were 18 of us trying to stay somewhat together in that park you see below!

It was a really fun, chaotic evening, and a great start to the holiday season.

We enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving at my brother's home with a small pocket of eight family members (we were all spread out this year, even the locals). Friday and Saturday were the beginnings of Christmas chaos, with Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. I kept it low-key, shopping with my sister Marcie at small businesses. Meanwhile, my 'kids' and J had a blast at our city center's "Holly Jolly Brawley" opening events. J had the most fun dancing with the Grinch!

NOW, ONTO THE GIVEAWAY!

The Traveling Totes Tribe is offering another giveaway and Jackie is our giveaway sponsor this time at Purple Chocolat Home. One lucky reader who leaves a comment on Jackie's post will have their name thrown into the hat for an opportunity to win these MacKenzie-Childs makeup remover pads and pouch.

Be sure to check out my other traveling sisters' posts to see how they spent their autumn months. It is with a heavy heart that we let everyone know our dear sister Jenna from the Painted Apron passed away in October. Please keep Jenna's family in your prayers, as they celebrate Jenna's creative life mid-December. 

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths

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

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 January 15, 2026 for another edition of Tales of the Traveling Tote.

Be sure to come back tomorrow, December 2, as I'll be hosting a blog hop of Christmas tablescapes with seventeen table enthusiasts to welcome the holiday season!

Rita C. at Panoply