Tales of the Traveling Tote, Staying Home
Happy June!
I normally don’t post on Mondays, but this is a special occasion…
Time for the June Tales of the Traveling Tote!
Wow, has our world has changed since our March 1 post!
I will always remember the beginning of the incredible changes to our lives
by what I was doing Friday, March 13
It was the day DD and her family moved back into their rebuilt house after 11 months
and it was the day of Grandparents luncheon at Charlie Brown’s school…
As news of the virus began filling the airwaves earlier that week,
I seriously considered not going, and thinking, “I’ll bet they will cancel it…
But all of a sudden it was Friday and there I was…
One of the grandparents even jokingly said,
“This is probably not a good idea since we are all the most vulnerable!”
Yikes!
But I was glad I went,
Charlie Brown was so happy and proud sitting between his 2 grandmothers
Miss Coquille accompanied me,
with my purse essentials plus a raincoat for this rainy day
A mere 2 days later,
the shut down began and I began making plans to head South
to isolate at our beach house
Miss Coquille and Hello Gorgeous are my loyal helpers,
Miss Coquille is the designated laptop {and other essentials} carrier,
and Hello Gorgeous holds my current needlepoint project and supplies
Hello Gorgeous was so excited, it was her first trip and her first time on the coast!
This is where you will find me most days,
A corner of the porch where I keep my watercolor supplies at the ready,
along with my kindle and Hello Gorgeous with my needlepoint
My daily routine is to swim laps mid morning while the pool is still in the shade
Then paint for awhile…
It’s not hard to stay here all day enjoying this view
Weekdays are pretty quiet but this water is a constant boat parade on the weekends
Our house is on a private residential island
parallel to a sliver of Perdido Key and the Gulf of Mexico
The catch of the day right now is Red Snapper…
very happy fishermen Saturday!
By mid afternoon I’m ready to prop up my kindle and stitch while I read
In early May our Tales of the Traveling Tote tribe arranged to have a Zoom meeting
I set up my laptop so my fellow toters would have a pretty background to enjoy as we chatted
{my laptop is decorated with a laptop skin from Society 6}
So even though we couldn’t travel, we still managed to “get together!”
We are going to have another Zoom party in a few days
Many have been asking about DD’s house…
I have barely seen it myself!!
This is her dreamy kitchen…
The kitchen is open to a huge dining room and great room
A wonderful space for entertaining and a growing family
I popped in the day after they moved in just for a few minutes,
they were in a sea of boxes, but were all smiles…
powder room
I just wanted to see them in their house, give them a hug,
and I planned on going back for a grand tour in a few days…
In those few days, our world changed
and sadly we decided it wasn’t safe for me,
their house had been full of moving and delivery men, and contractors…
Media room
DD was nice enough to snap a few photos to share with you today,
The photo above is the media room located on the lower floor of the house
It opens to the backyard, and there is a playroom behind the sliding barn doors
Just off the media room is a workout room with a big window
making it a pleasure to exercise
CC and Charlie Brown have many places to play
a front yard swing and a huge back yard
Hopefully I will be able to give you the grand tour soon!
You’ll want to visit all my fellow toters and see what they’ve been up to!
Leave a comment on Life and Linda to enter the giveaway
👜
Patti, Miss Kenzie and Miss Tizzy @ Pandora’s Box
Debbie, 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 P, 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
🌞
Happy Summer!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Meal Plan Monday Happiness is Homemade Love Your Creativity
Over the Moon Between Naps on the Porch,
Make it Pretty Monday Turn About Tuesday Celebrate Your Story,
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Full Plate Thursday
Thursday Favorite Things Creatively Crafty Creative Cumpulsions
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Such a gorgeous place to spend your coronacation, the views are wonderful. Wow, private pool and a super deck space, lovely!!
I love the term “coronacation!” Thank you Carole!
Jenna, of all the places I’d have to be sheltering in place, I do believe your beach home would be one I could EASILY handle! Your routine of laps, painting, reading and needlework sounds like endless vacation! I cannot believe the size of those snapper, and seeing your daughter’s home is such a pleasure! I bet she has thoroughly enjoyed the time to be able to unbox and organize during this quarantine. The kids looks really happy. Looking forward to seeing more of her home and what these next few months unfold for us all. Stay well. Happy June!
Thank you Rita, yes this is definitely the place to be right now, and luckily my son is able to come often, his work is just now starting to pick back up. An active hurricane season is predicted, not the news I want to hear this year, but I am going to enjoy it while I can…💕
Jenna, the beach house is the perfect place to spend your Quarantine. I love the beautiful views and what a comfort to be in your own home. Your routine is what I love, morning swims and then the remainder of the day outside on the porch with your laptop and stitching. Sounds like paradise to me! When we travel to the beach Miss Courtney is like Miss Coquille and carries my laptop and essentials for me. How fun for you to attend Grandparents Day for adorable little Charlie Brown. Great pic of you two. I enjoyed the pics of DD’s new home. I know they were happy to spend this time getting moved and organized. So gad they got this in before the Quarantine. Awesome pic of the fishermen, wow what a catch! Sure have been missing you and lunching! Look forward to seeing you when we Zoom………Hugs.
Thank you Emily, and I miss you too! I am grateful every second to be here, and so thankful my son has been able to be here so much of the time, and that DD was here for Memorial Day. It is going to be hard for me to go back to “city” life! My son says 280 is still eerily empty! 💕
I’m so glad that you were able to attend the special grandparents day at your grandson’s school before our world shutdown. Being at your beach house, painting, reading, doing needlework, swimming and gazing at the water would make me happy!! I’m happy to see your daughter’s beautiful new home, and I look forward to seeing more of it when you can. Happy Summer, Jenna! ❤️
Thank you Kitty, I am so grateful to be here!
Jenna, your beach house is so perfect. A place to get away during the quarantine and not be bored. With swimming, fishing, boating a dreamy place to stay. Your daily routine sounds wonderful. A time for painting, stitching and your famous cooking skills. DD’s new home is gorgeous…love the kitchen. How fun to spend time with Charlie on Grandparent’s day. The fish looks amazing and I bet tasty. continue to remain safe and enjoy your paradise. See you soon on Zoom.
Thanks Linda, it’s a little bit like living in “La La Land” it will be hard for me to put shoes on again 😂
Jenna, I love the photo of you and Charlie Brown and I am so glad you were able to be there. I remember that day so well because I had a speaking engagement. I had also been wondering about DD’s home, it is beautiful and I can’t wait for the grand tour. For sheltering in place, I would say you are in a perfect place. Your days sound so peaceful…swimming, painting, and needlepoint provide balm for this unprecedented time. I know the fresh caught red snapper is delicious, it is one of my faves. Wishing you a lovely Monday, it was 54 degrees this morning!
Thank you Pam, the days are peaceful, and I love having the fishermen show up on the weekends! My daughter told me that Charlie Brown talked about the lunch continually for days, so I’m so glad I was able to go and be there with him…you never know what they are going to remember!
Jenna, your daughter’s home is beautiful! What a gorgeous kitchen! I’m so happy you were able to attend grandparents day. Your grandson is adorable! I always love seeing your beach home. I’m envious, and I wish I had one. Your back deck and pool is so lovely and what a wonderful place to spend the day painting, crafting, reading, and taking in the pretty views. I hope you enjoy your day!
Thank you Shannon, I feel so lucky everyday to be in this beautiful spot, it is really stress free living. My daughter is loving her new home, she has a beautiful office with a view and is able to work from home, such a blessing that they were able to move in when they did!
Girl, YES mam i would gladly shelter at your beautiful beach house! That would be like a major sweet vacation. LOL! Love all the pictures and anytime there’s a sweet grand in the picture it makes me smile. WOW! Your DD home…that Kitchen! YES! Love it. I hope that you and family are doing well dear Jenna. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
thanks so much Cindy, I am definitely not suffering during this time, but it is killing me not to see my daughter’s house! But at least I got to spend Memorial day with her and her family.
Such a lovely place to shelter in place. And what views while you paint, draw and needlepoint. Creativity must come easily with such loveliness all around.
I enjoyed seeing your daughter’s beautiful home! Glad they have moved in.
Take care my friend! Happy Week to You!
thanks so much Nancy, life is good…
No wonder you have had so many wonderful pictures you have painted! I just love your isolation routine and spot! So happy that you were able to get away.
Your daughter’s home looks so wonderful. Yes, it was hard not seeing the little ones. We sneaked in a few when we changed from orange to yellow. I still am a little nervous – since we are in that age range!
Thanks for bringing us to your haven for the Zoom call.
What a wonderful spot to isolate in. It was so fun to see it on Zoom, but these shots show it even better. It is so fun to watch boats go by isn’t it. I was wondering how you were getting so many paintings done! What a way to relax and get through this.
Thanks Jackie, I am really turning into a beach bum!
A very beautiful home and beautiful children. I used to live in Gulf Breeze. Enjoyed the read.
Oh wow, well you know how nice this part of the coast is!
You are so lucky to be sheltering in place at your beach house. It’s so beautiful there and nice to have the daily swims in the pool and then tackle your hobbies. It looks like you are going to have a fun summer Jenna!
Thanks Julie!
Jenna, you paradise quarantine was a perfect idea! Your list of activies is perfection! I envy you that beautiful view and ocean breezes, not to mention the pool for a dip and morning laps. I don’t paint, but I sure could fall into a rhythm of stitching and reading out on your deck. Look forward to our Zoom this week.
Thank you Sarah, it is pretty much heaven, just miss my friends! Luckily my family has been able to be here a lot, and yes there is Zoom!
Jenna, I enjoy seeing your art so much on Instagram. I get notifications for your posts and for only about two other people. You really do inspire me to make more art! Thanks for posting your daughter’s gorgeous home. It’s beautiful! I love her finishes.
Ono Island is a fantastic place to stay under house arrest. The salty sea air is good for you, too!!!
Enjoy your fun in the sun!
xo,
Ricki Jill
I am happy to inspire!! I am really living the bum’s life down here, doing my favorite things everyday…so glad you can get away to the lake for sun and water fun too!
You’ve definitely got an ideal spot for sitting out a pandemic! I love the photos of the red snapper. I’ve eaten it, but never knew what the fish itself looked like. Your daughter’s updated home is lovely. They must be so pleased.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you Michelle! Red snapper is a coveted fish around here, and the season is short so the guys fish as much as they can. My daughter hasn’t minded staying home during this time, that’s for sure!!
Jenna – you were wise to choose the beach house during this “intermission”. I enjoy seeing your daily paint projects, and envision you watching boats near the water and waving a sweet hello to those who pass by. Those red snapper are stunning! I bet you can’t wait to get back to your daughter’s beautiful new home for a visit! Here’s to a wonderful summer, and even better fall. xo
Jenna – you were wise to choose the beach house during this “intermission”. I enjoy seeing your daily paint projects, and envision you watching boats near the water and waving a sweet hello to those who pass by. And wow, those red snapper! I bet you can’t wait to get back to your daughter’s beautiful new home. Here’s to a wonderful summer!!
Thanks Deb, so grateful to be here!
I’m so glad you could get out before all this started. Despite the lockdown you have been productive and had loads of fun with your creative activities. Your daughter’s home is terrific and I always love seeing your Littles.I love the term coronacation — that’s a good one!
thanks Jeanie, yes, I thought coronacation was a great term too! Makes it sound fun instead of awful 🙂
So wonderful that you have a coastal home to self-isolate in! Swimming, painting, reading, stitching and watching the water is excellent therapy for these strange and stressful times. Glad to see a peek into DD’s gorgeous new home. I love seeing your grands’ sweet smiling faces too ♥
Thank you Mary, it’s not hard to stay home here 😎
Thanks for the tours. Both your house and your daughter’s are beautiful. Enjoy!
Thanks Linda, my favorite part of the day is on the porch with one of your book recommendations!
Well, I can’t believe it is Thursday already and I haven’t visited. This week has been hectic with getting away to St. George Island for our family vacation.
I love seeing and hearing about your time since the quarantine at your beach house. It sounds so peaceful and productive.
I love the previews of your daughter’s new home. It is very nice.
Coronacation is an awesome term. What a time!
Our guys caught two redfish keepers today. Hooray!
Enjoy every moment. We are so blessed!
I’m glad you’re enjoying vacation Bonnie, I hope Cristobal doesn’t escalate too much!
I enjoy seeing your daily paint projects, and envision you watching boats near the water and waving a sweet hello to those who pass by. I love seeing and hearing about your time since the quarantine at your beach house. It sounds so peaceful and productive. I love the previews of your daughter’s new home. I am really living the bum’s life down here, doing my favorite things everyday
ablsoft
Thanks so much, I really had an idyllic life during the first months of Covid, living at the beach, Covid was not a prevalent thought or inconvenience… I love to be at home so that party is easy for me…I’m glad you are able to do your favorite things everyday, what a blessing!