Tales of the Traveling Tote, “Back & Forthing”
I know we’re all thinking, it’s December ???
How did that happen!!!
I guess we all were busy enjoying Fall fun!
It’s time for another Tale of the Traveling Tote and a giveaway~
We are 10 ladies who have a passion for MacKenzie-Childs
and all have the same Courtly Check tote
Every 3 months we share where our totes have been
and give away an item from MacKenzie-Childs
Our family kicked off September with our annual trip
to the beach house for Labor Day weekend
We enjoyed a long weekend with beautiful weather
and Charlie Brown went on his first fishing trip with the big boys
I did a little fall decorating
Then it was back to the city for football games
and parties!
In October we went back to the beach for another Fall holiday weekend
We are so thankful that the hurricane season was kind to us this year,
but so saddened by the destruction and loss that Florida suffered…
Our beach house is only a 4 1/2 hour trip from our “city” houses
so our family does a lot of “back and forthing” all year long
When Covid hit in early 2020 and the lock downs began,
we were lucky that my hairdresser started doing “haircut house calls”
for some of her customers
She and I have been friends for years
and DD’s whole family goes to her too
Even after things began to open up
she continued to make house calls for a few of her customers,
Lucky us!
Every 4-5 weeks we have “happy hour haircuts” in the late afternoon
HHjr and his boys and I go over to DD’s
and we take turns getting beautified
I load a tote with shampoo, conditioner, a hair dryer and towel
for washing my hair …{I took my Serendipity tote this time}
and we have a family visit between snips
DD always has CC’s and Charlie Brown’s latest artwork on display
Aren’t those Boo ghost hands adorable!
CC got a fancy French braid after her trim!
Big excitement in November,
Big E’s football team made it to the Championship game
and they won!
We planned to go back to the beach for Thanksgiving…
But the weather forecast was for rain and wind all weekend
so at the last minute we decided to stay home
We had an non traditional Thanksgiving dinner~
BBQ ribs, Hashbrown Casserole, salad and Key Lime Pie!
On Saturday we had friends over to watch the Iron Bowl,
Alabama’s biggest rivalry game of the year
We had a feast with grilled sausages,
smoky chicken wings, chicken fingers, cheeses,
ham and cheese flatbread squares
Southern Sausage and Cornbread Balls,
an assortment of chip bags for the kids
a fruit tray, cupcakes, and
Cake Mix Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Bars!
So that’s what’s been going on, nothing very exciting,
just simple family and friends fun… just the way I love it~
Now on to the giveaway!
Linda, Miss Lola and Miss Gigi @ Life and Linda
You can visit all the Tales of the Traveling Tote on the links below:
Patti, Miss Kenzie and Miss Tizzy @ Pandora’s Box
Deb, 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, 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
Thank you so much for your visit!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado/ Love Your Creativity
What’s for Dinner/ Between Naps on the Porch
All About Home/ Common Ground & Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Oh My Heartsie Girl / Turn About Tuesday / Our Tiny Nest
Karin’s Cottage Linky Party / Creative Crafts / Crafty Creators
Full Plate Thursday/ Creatively Crafty/ Thursday Favorite Things
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Jenna, your grands are so handsome and beautiful! I know having your family make trips to the beach house is making so many wonderful memories for you and them. Grandchildren make every holiday fun. Your post warms my heart. Children and grands are gifts and a blessings. Happy December!
Thank you Pam, simple things make me happy 🙂
WOW – congrats to your grandson, how exciting (and how handsome!!). And your grandaughter is adorable with her french braid. I didn’t realize you were over 4 hours from your beach house, but it is certainly worth the drive (does the weather differ much between home and beach?). I always enjoy seeing your table decor, especially your hand painted pieces – you are one clever artist!. I hope you enjoy the holiday season and thanks for taking us along with you on your trips!
Thanks Patty, the trip is easy, and the weather can be very different, especially in the winter, it is generally much warmer on the coast. I love the contrast between the two locations, the beach life is very relaxed, while things are much more formal in the “city.” I love seeing your hand painted pieces too! Happy December Patti!
What a charmed life. The dream of having private haircuts is exciting. I hate sitting there with wet drippy hair and someone I know – especially a man, walks in, I want to “Curl up and Dye” – which is also the name of my salon.
It is really nice not having to sit in a salon! Plus we have a lot of fun!
Beautiful grandchildren, and a very busy tote Jenna!
Thank you Dorothy!
Jenna, you have such a beautiful family! Your grands are precious.It looks like you had a wonderful fall. I enjoyed reading all about your adventures. Happy Thursday!
Thank you Shannon, like I said, nothing very exciting, just good old family fun…
I love all the beautiful family photos. and I can relate to all the back-and-forthing. That’s a hike. Your grands are just wonderful!
Thank you Jeanie, as the old saying goes, they grow up much too fast!
Never a dull moment for you Jenna. What fun to head to the beach for holidays and celebrations. I’m happy hurricane season was easy this year but like you I feel terrible for all the damage in FL. I’m sure Charlie Brown had fun on his first fishing trip, that smile says it all! Wow, congratulations to Big E and his championship game. Handsome fellow too. Your menu sounds delicious for the Iron Bowl. I’m sure it was a fun game especially since we won 🙂 Happy December Jenna…….
Thank you Emily, no exotic trips here, just the simple life and family time! Eli absolutely loved playing football, and is so excited they won and he got a ring. Fall went by so fast, I can’t believe football season is over and we’re wrapping Christmas presents! Looking so forward to our birthday lunch next week, see you soon!
Jenna, you are always buy. Back and forth can be exhausting, but you have a beautiful beach house and your lovely family. Great activities and good food. having your own hair stylist coming to the house is wonderful. I am, a former hair stylist. Your fall adventures look like fun. Congrats to Big E’s championship.
You are a very busy grandma, and your grands are adorable. Congratulations to Big E on the championship, what a nice ring. Of course I love the French braid that your adorable granddaughter had done. Keep enjoying life to its fullest, and have a wonderful holiday season.
Thanks so much Deb, Big E is so excited about the big win, he’s such a happy and upbeat kid. Time fo holiday fun now!
Thank you Linda! We are spoiled by the haircut house calls, it’s so nice not to have to go to a salon! We’re all used to the back and forthing, it’s an easy trip and we’ve had the beach house since my children were babies, so I’m used to it. Here’s tp December and holiday fun!
What a fun tote adventure. Keep celebrating the good life!
Thank you Mary 🙂
Congratulations on your handsome grandson! The tote has really been everywhere. Continue to enjoy the Advent time, Jenna.
Thank you Angie!
Jenna, I know you look forward to your beach getaways and ‘back and forthing’ ! Big E is going to be a heartbreaker and fight the girls off. 🙂 How fun you and DD have haircut and happy hour house calls…I should be so lucky! Congrats on ‘Bama’s Iron Bowl win. Happy December. ♥
Thank you Mary, yes, Big E is a cutie! We are very spoiled with the haircut housecalls, so nice not to have to go sit in the salon!
wow! that purse had some wonderful times over the past few months. I love all your fall decorations. What a joy to spend time with the grandkids!!
Thanks so much Judee!
This is such a fun post, Jenna. 😀 I love that your stylist makes house calls! That’s so cool. Your beach house is decorated for fall just as cute as your city house: I love the skinny fall-themed tree! Congrats to your little champion. I love football season like you do. As much as I enjoy reading about the beach, I’m happy you’ll be in town to celebrate your birthday (and Emily’s!) with me. I can’t wait!
Thanks Ricki Jill, yes we’re very spoiled with the haircut house calls! I’ve never been a fan of going to the beach this time of year, I’d much rather be here where it feels more Christmasy! Can’t wait for our luncheon, see you soon!
Such a delightful time back and forthing. Your grandchildren are so cute, and I know you appreciate the precious time you get to spend with them. May the next quarter be as fun for you as the last. Yes, I am one of those people saying “December 1st already?” Start the advent calendar and make the switch from fall to Christmas decor. Fortunately I love both seasons; they just go by so fast!
They do go by so fast, I’m behind already 😂
Oh, I meant to ask: Did your nutcracker come in a MacKenzie-Childs style or did you paint it yourself? So cute!
I got the nutcracker which I call the palace guard, from Grandin Road several years ago when it was on sale, I just love him!
You had a fun Fall, Jenna, with your family. I always loved seeing pics of your adorable grandchildren. Way to go Charlie Brown in fishing with the big guys and Big E’s championship ! How wonderful to get beautified at your daughter’s house; makes it fun and easy. Happy December ❤️🎄❤️
Thanks so much Kitty, we are very spoiled with haircuts and color at home!
Jenna, simple family and friend fun is the best kind of fun. How nice that you all live close and spend quality time both at home and at the beach. Lucky grands!!!
Congratulations to the champions! I admire your zest for life, Jenna. You are always on the go, decorating, cooking, painting, traveling back and forth. Happy Holidays!
Thank you so much Sarah, no exotic trips for me, I’m pretty much a home body!
Jenna, I want to eat at your house with your lucky grands! Happy Hour Haircuts is right up my alley too. Congrats to your handsome grandson, just look at that smile and that ring. I love that your granddaughter chose the french braid. I used to do that in my younger days. Enjoyed seeing photos of your back and forthing, and wishing you a very Merry Christmas.
Thanks so much Deb, I used to French braid my daughter’s hair when she was a little girl so it brings back fond memories for me too 🙂 Have a merry holiday season!
Football season is so fun. We had up to 5 games a week this year. The kids all did so well. I am not a fan of traditional turkey dinner so your southern dinner for Thanksgiving sounds great. We did the traditional but I focused on the carbs and shrimp – haha! Your beach house is always a delight. So glad you get to go so often. We do the same with Cabo but it is a 3 hour flight.
5 games a week, wow, that’s hard to keep up with!! I didn’t realize Cabo was so easy for you to get to, that’s great! Your Grinch party was incredible, I’m sure you have many more fun things planned for December, Happy Holidays Jackie!