Traveling Tote #29 and a Giveaway

Welcome to the autumn and holiday edition of the tales of the traveling tote. Where have I taken my tote, and why? Three years ago, a group of us started planning a trip to Colorado for 2021. It was a special trip to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of our hiking club. We do much more than hiking, and have had many adventures since I joined in 1993. Most of us are now in our 60's (and beyond).  

Miss Aurora knows half the fun is in the planning.  

We stayed in Estes Park which is just outside of Rocky Mountain National Park. Each of us had our own cabin (some shared with another couple). We were supposed to have two friends staying in our cabin, but they had to cancel at the last minute. 

Ten of our group went to Utah after leaving Colorado. I had to get back to work and will save Utah for a retirement trip. 

We went in early October and got very lucky with the beautiful weather. It did snow one day, and then the Trail Ridge Road closed the day after we used it, but otherwise it was certainly "Colorful Colorado".

We spent the majority of the week hiking to lakes and waterfalls in Rocky Mountain National Park, but did squeeze in three really nice dinners and visited the Stanley Hotel that was made famous by "The Shining". We walked around Estes Lakes one day to do a little shopping and to take photos. 

I always enjoy getting together with my "Scoots" group in the Adirondacks. We rented a cabin, and my dear friend Paula offered to be chef for the weekend. All we had to do was chip in for groceries. 

Are you ready for some MacKenzie-Childs fun now? 

The day before Thanksgiving was gorgeous, and Miss Aurora and I had a few hours to head to MacKenzie-Childs where we toured the farmhouse and shopped at the outlet.

It's always a special treat to visit the farmhouse, especially around Christmas to see the decor. The pastel parlor is hand-painted, and fireplace mantel is stunning. 

Just a sampling of rooms in the farmhouse. 

~Fish Hall (school of majolica fish swimming down the stairwell--it's hard to get a good photo so I didn't)

~Pure Sunshine (the walls are decorated with hand-painted dots and a floral decal is placed on top. The room also features the Dixon Road Bed which was inspired by landscapes surrounding the farm)

 

~Courtly Check Room (the entire space is hand-painted)

~Game Room (Dressmakers Floor Lamp)

~Second Floor Sitting Room (only two secretaries were ever made by the company and one is in this room)

~Rose Petal Suite (features the Cakewalk Bed and the Toulouse Goose Table)

~Morning Suite (Rattan Bed with roosters crowing on the four posters)

~Laundry Hall (this sunny sunny space has a beautiful rack of antique linens) I am drawn to this area each time we visit (see below)

The kitchen features handmade Honeymoon patterned tiles. 

This is the dining room in the farmhouse with a view of Cayuga Lake, and it features the Grandolier Chandelier and the Diorama Dining Table. They change the table settings for seasonal celebrations. 

I only bought an ornament at The Outlet at MacKenzie-Childs since I didn't find anything else unique that day. I took a million photos so if you have any questions about a specific room in the farmhouse, I probably have photos of it. LOL

*******DON'T MISS OUT ON THE GIVEAWAY******

Just leave a comment on my blog, and you will be entered in the drawing on December 5.

See what the other "travelers" have been up to.  

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths (you are here)

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader

Thanks for stopping by!

Deb