Happy December!
Fearless Friday will be back next week~
Today is about some special friends of mine…
It’s time for another Tale of the Traveling Tote!
The Traveling Totes had a major adventure this fall in fabulous NYC!
You can see the video here
The highlight was lunch at the Russian Tea Room
followed by a visit to the MacKenzie-Childs store and a reception with champagne and dessert
Be still my MacKenzie-Childs loving heart!
Alas, Miss Coquille and I couldn’t go
We had a busy fall
Dodging a hurricane or three…
But, generally just enjoying life, doing what we love
Even though we couldn’t go to NYC, my fellow toters made me feel so missed, they showered me with gifts and mementos so I didn’t feel left out!
I was truly overwhelmed with their incredible kindness!
Miss Coquille had much fun posing for photos with all her new gifts
We were feeling so lucky ☘️
We did travel to the French Hutch for a lovely lunch and shopping
After I was really nosy and looked everywhere touring Emily’s beautiful home and oohing and aahing over her beautiful collections, we headed downtown to one of her favorite stores
Aren’t these churches gorgeous?
Miss Coquille loved the furry pillows
And I fell in love with this stunning Christmas tree in pale green, silver and white
This is where you can generally find me
Our little quiet community in Orange Beach, Alabama
Houses here range from modest to monsters and we watch the world go by from our porch
There is a waterway that separates our island from Perdido Key and just beyond is the Gulf of Mexico
The Ono island community wasn’t developed until the 1970s, it is a narrow finger of land 5.5 miles long, and only a mile wide at it’s widest part. It is located on the state line between Alabama and Florida along the panhandle. As the story goes, both states were fighting over claim to it, hence the name was born…
Oh no it’s in Florida, Oh no it’s in Alabama…
Our favorite thing to do is go out to one of the funky restaurants on the water, like the Anchor Bar & Grill where the building is perched on the edge of a bay and is shaped like a big boat hull
Dining is alfresco over the water and the restaurant is famous for it’s homemade tater tots {to die for!}
On Thanksgiving Day we went for a boat ride, it was very quiet and beautiful
This is a view of Ono from the water, with the Ono water tower in the distance
Believe it or not this is one of the hottest spots to go, the Flora Bama Yacht Club right on the state line
The infamous Flora Bama bar is across the street, but that’s for tourists, the locals beach their boats and head to the yacht club for a bushwacker and a gourmet bite
Yep, they have a great chef, my favorite thing on the menu is Lobster Tempura with crispy kale
Thanksgiving is one of the few days a year when it’s not hopping
Time to head back and check on the turkey
Our house is on the west end of the island near the Ono bridge
It is in definitely in the modest category, but it’s perfect for us
Tile floors, weathered furniture, sandy feet and wet bathing suits welcome
We look South across the west end of Perdido Key to the Gulf of Mexico
This is state property that is protected from further development
I am truly grateful to have 2 different homes, a casual coastal home,
and a formal traditional home,
within 4 hours of each other, right in Alabama
It’s so hard to ever leave!
Right now Miss Coquille and I are off to the post office to spread some holiday cheer!
We are so excited to welcome 2 new toters this month, Jackie & Miss Madi K from Purple Chocolat Home and Ricki Jill and Countess de Monet from the Sketchy Reader
Leave a comment on Pandora’s Box to enter the December giveaway!
Be sure to visit all the tote gals and see their adventures below
👜
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths
Katie with Miss Daisy @ Preppy Empty Nester
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch
Jenna with Miss Coquille @ the Painted Apron
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 Miss Luna C @ Panoply
Jackie with Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill with Countess de Monet @ Sketchy Reader will be posting next time
👜 🌺 👜 🌺 👜 🌺
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Rustic and Refined, Between Naps on the Porch, Make it Pretty Monday Coastal Charm,
Celebrate and Decorate, Thursday Favorite Things Foodie Friday & Everything Else