Tales of the Traveling Tote, A Busy Spring and Happy June!
I belong to a group of MacKenzie-Childs loving bloggers
that all have this same fabulous tote
Our totes all have names
I named my tote Miss Coquille {French for seashell}
because most of my travels are to and from the beach house
We share our tote travels and adventures quarterly
and give away something from MacKenzie-Childs
We live all over the USA and have many different interests,
but our MacKenzie-Childs love has bonded us like sisters!
Let’s get traveling!
Oh what a different June this is from last year!
We don’t have to wear masks all the time,
we can travel, we can shop,
we can meet, gather, party and eat!
Our Spring was full of birthday parties ~
all 4 of my grands have Spring birthdays
My tote, “Miss Coquille,”
had fun carrying presents and party decorations
CC’s March birthday party was held at an art studio
They had a painting lesson and then enjoyed cake in a party room
The theme was bunnies
Miss Coquille toted my MKC Easter bunnies for the table
We spent Spring Break on the coast,
the weather was mild enough for the boys
to paddle board and kayak
We’re still waiting for the pier to be rebuilt
after Hurricane Sally took it out last fall,
but we can tie a boat to the pilings
to use when we’re here
As the crow flies,
our beach house is only about 30 miles from
the Pensacola FL Naval Air Station,
home of the incredible Blue Angels
We often see sights in the skies flying by,
like the Blue Angels or this fleet of helicopters
We celebrated Easter with family and close friends
on the patio with tulips
and a Spring Charcuterie Spread
We love to entertain,
and after fully vaccinated
we couldn’t wait to make the most of every weekend
We had a Master’s Golf Tournament party the week after Easter
I set a buffet up on the kitchen island
with golf themed things and Augusta National souvenirs
The weather was mild
so we were able to watch Saturday’s round
on the patio with golf loving friends
I served Pimiento Cheese Canapes~
{The Master’s is famous for their pimiento cheese sandwiches}
and some new recipes,
and Strawberry Cheesecake Cookie Cups
They were a big hit with everyone
Mid April was time for Charlie Brown’s karate birthday
{he’s front and center in the white karate outfit}
Miss Coquille toted gifts to the party
and I watched the lesson with the moms and grandmoms
The children were adorable!
We “traveled” to a favorite local garden center
and got gardening supplies to brighten up the yard
I went to Hobby Lobby for the 1st time in 14 months
I found this fabulous frog
that I painted to look like MKC’s Fergal the Frog
We had another patio gathering to watch
the fastest 2 minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby
I loaded my tote with items needed for the buffet
and tables outside, to make setting up easy
For Mother’s Day, CC and I had a special Tea Party
for her mom, and her other Grandmother
It was quite elegant with silver, china and flowers
Miss Coquille was thrilled
to be included and surrounded by other MKC pretties
The next weekend it was time for more birthdays,
HHjr’s boys birthdays are only 4 days apart
so we had a double celebration
which included a Donut Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Pie
Miss Coquille and I went over to DD’s one afternoon
to check out her new outdoor kitchen
I’m looking forward to lots of cookouts on her beautiful deck
After all the May parties I tucked my laptop into my tote
and headed south to the beach house for a few weeks
Things are in full swing on the coast,
restaurants are open and people are having so much fun
The weather has been picture perfect all week,
we’ve been swimming, boating, playing in the sand…
The kids have had a lot of fun riding
on a giant raft pulled behind a friend’s boat
This is where you’ll find me most of the time,
my little corner of the porch art studio,
a table near the wall holds pencils,
pens and brushes, and a tub of water
A rolling drawer cart
is so handy to store and keep supplies organized
Each drawer is dedicated to one medium
colored pencils, markers
watercolor supplies and paint,
pastels, sketchbooks and paper
Another rolling cart holds a mini easel, palettes and towels
I can quickly roll them inside overnight or if it’s rainy
You can get the 6 drawer cart from Amazon here
Definitely my happy place!
Thank you so much for “traveling” with me today
You can visit all my fellow tote travelers on the links below
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
and be sure to leave a comment on The Sketchy Reader
for a chance to win our awesome giveaway!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado Love Your Creativity Over the Moon
Between Naps on the Porch, Celebrate Your Story,
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Turn About Tuesday
Full Plate Thursday Centerpiece Wednesday Creatively Crafty
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Happy June, Jenna! It looks as if you and Miss Coquille have had a busy and fun packed spring! I loved reading about all of your adventures. Isn’t it so wonderful to be able to gather again! Wishing you a most beautiful day!
Thanks so much Shannon!
I know you’re thrilled to be able to enjoy birthday parties and celebrations again this spring Jenna! So much activity at your house and the beach! Charlie Brown is the cutest and all those boys along with CC are growing up! So glad you had wonderful weather at the coast this week. Happy June ♥
Thanks so much Mary!
You, my dear, are the consummate at-home entertainer, whether that be at the beach or in the city! As if being able to go without a mask wasn’t enough, all the gatherings you hosted were certainly ones for the books this year. And I think my Pinterest food board is full of Painted Apron recipes! Happy June!
Aren’t you sweet, thank you Rita! I am so thrilled to be able to entertain again, we’ve had quite a few fun dinners with friends at the beach house too, and it’s so great not to have to wear a mask all the time!!
That white sand and water are calling my name. How beautiful it is from your deck to enjoy painting with that gorgeous view.
I loved hearing about all the birthday parties and gatherings, all so festive. It is great to gather again. So thankful for vaccines.
I’m crazy about the frog from Hobby Lobby you painted to look like a MCK piece. Great job.
Thanks so much Bonnie, I am so thankful to be able to entertain again, and looking forward to lots of beach time this summer. Happy June!
Jenna, you are our go to party girl. You entertain so effortlessly with fabulous food and tables. Your happy painting spot looks perfect. You have enjoyed a wonderful spring. It is so freeing to be out and about! Enjoy your beach time!
Thanks Pam, it feels so good not to have to wear a mask and browse through stores again!
What wonderful travels! How fun to get out and be able to have a party again.
Yes, isn’t it grand! It’s like being out of hibernation!! Thanks Carole!
Miss Coquille has certainly been busy! I want to be your neighbor!
Haha, I would love that, then I could taste your wonderful dishes!
I discovered your site through the Painted Apron this morning and I am having a wonderful time checking things out! The oil painting of pink peonies is my favorite (so far)
I love your stories about Ms. Coquill.and your painted frog is adorable…..where to explore next
Thanks so much Patricia!
Jenna, such a fun post. Being with family is so important. Your are the hostess with the mostess. Wonderful food. I love that you a re always ready to entertain and share your tasty creations. Your beach house is is amazing. The family must love coming to visit and enjoy the water. So glad everything is opening up and we can get back to normal. Your beach house is a perfect place to paint and sketch away. Happy June and happy summer.
Thanks so much Linda, it’s wonderful to be able to entertain and travel again!
Jenna, you’ve been one busy girl catching up with family birthdays and celebrations. Such sweet pics of all the grands. I love seeing your lovely tables. I know how pretty your tables are in person! Your patio looks so pretty with all the flowers and the brick wall. It sure makes a pretty backdrop for Miss Coquill. The beach house looks so inviting with your art set up and the view. It is always fun seeing the Blue Angels. We saw the performance beach front in Pensacola. Glad all the repairs from the hurricane are almost completed. I hope you soon have your pier rebuilt. Happy June Jenna……..
Thanks so much Emily, it is so wonderful to be able to entertain again! The Blue Angels are amazing and they fly by a lot, such a treat to see them but you have to be quick, they are literally gone in a flash!
You have been busy, Jenna. Here we still have to wear mask, but many restaurants, stores and public services are open..so are the schools. Love your beach house…would be really nice to spend some time with the family there during the hot summer days.
Continue to enjoy your spring, Jenna!
Thanks so much Angie, the beach house is my haven for sure…I’m glad things are normalizing for you and your area, it’s so amazing to be able to do normal things again!
Happy June Jenna! Life is Good for you! Your adventures are so fun… and your Beach Life is fabulous! Love seeing your family pictures. Feeling so grateful that life is finally getting back to normal again.
Enjoy your first day of June.
Thank you Nancy, I am so grateful that we can now gather and entertain friends again!
Jenna, all of your celebrations look fun and festive. I know you are ready for the lazy days of summer at your beach house. Knowing you, they won’t be lazy days. You are always creating and cooking or entertaining. Happy Summer!
Thanks so much Sarah, it’s such a treat to be able to entertain again!
I enjoyed looking at the photos of all of the places you and your bag have been to. It looks like you are off to having a great summer by the beach.
Thank you for traveling with me Julie!
I can’t decide if Miss Coquille is enormous, Miss CC is petite or the photo is an optical illusion (near the top!) The bag looks as big as her waist to head and wider than she is! It looks like a glorious catch-up with much beauty and great good fun! What a joy!
Miss Coquille is a good sized tote bag, so handy for traveling especially, and CC is only 8… it probably is just a weird photo angle…thanks Jeanie, it is wonderful to entertain normally again!
So fun to read of your and your tote’s adventures. You have been quite busy. It’s great to see everyone out enjoying social activities again. I don’t know how you survived without Hobby Lobby for that long, but I guess you just shopped from your own surplus. Being well stocked, whether t.p., ammunition, or art supplies is a great thing when our world is going crazy.
Well, good old Amazon to the rescue, they really have a great selection of just about anything from art supplies to home decor to gourmet groceries! But it’s a treat to shop in person again for sure!
You’ve definitely been busy with the grands! I love how you and your family celebrate all the things….and the tea party table looks so elegant and pretty! It’s nice that people are going out again and celebrating with family and friends. I bet it was very busy over Memorial Day Weekend at the beach. It was busy at the lake, but more people were on their docks and around their pools because it was so unseasonably cool, especially with the wind!
Sorry to hear the weather at the lake was cool, it was gorgeous on the coast, low to mid 80s and I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many boats, everyone seems to be celebrating!
It was such fun to see all your Spring photos of happy birthdays, tea party, and celebrations. Your frog turned out so cute, and I’m loving your rolling cart that’s organized by your different mediums.
It’s so nice that you’re back at your happy beach home, Jenna. Your creativity must really be set free there.
Thanks so much Kitty, I do love lazy days on the coast!
What a whirlwind of activities, Jenna! You are the best hostess, and I’m sure great times were had by all! Happy Summer!
Rosie
Thank you Rosie, it is so nice to be able to gather with family and friends again and to see things normalizing everywhere!
Miss Coquille and you are the best hostesses! I always enjoy your travels to and from the beach house. Your frog turned out so cute, and I’m eyeing that tea party since we are having one for my grand-niece’s third birthday celebration. It looks like you are having wonderful celebrations and will have a great summer at the beach house. Happy June!
Thank you Deb, it is so wonderful to be able to entertain again! The tea party was so much fun, I hope to make it an annual Mother’s Day tradition…I hope you will post about your grand niece’s party!
Spring is such a great time for birthdays! All three of my boys have theirs in March and I always loved it. What a difference a year makes. I am so glad things are opening up. That donut ice cream cake looks like something we need to make for a family dinner – all of the goodies in it!
I noticed your dock right away – hoping that gets fixed sometime soon, but glad you are all still able to tie the boats up and enjoy.
You truly have the most amazing spot for an art studio ever – I always love seeing your new paintings. You are creative in so many, many ways and we all get to enjoy that. Have a wonderful summer.
Thanks so much Jackie. Life is pretty much normal now except for the pier…just about every pier in Orange Beach was damaged or destroyed, so we have to be patient. Our big boat is still being repaired, with with shortages of labor and parts due to the pandemic, things are taking so much longer, but we are grateful to be able to enjoy our house, pool and small boat.