Welcome to the summer edition of the Tales of the Traveling Tote. Where have I been? I appreciate you visiting my blog and for your interest. I hope you will enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post. It's our gift to you for following along!
In August, we went on a dreamy getaway to a couple magical spots in Vermont. We enjoyed hiking the Green Mountains, which run north to south through the center of the state.
One of our stops in Stowe was the Trapp Family Lodge. It was hopping with tourists so we were quite happy to stay in a quiet B & B down the road. In the collage below, some of the highlights of our trip were glamping in Shelburne, a picnic in lovely Basin Harbor, staying at a lakeside home in Grand Isle on Lake Champlain, and our final destination was a B & B in lovely Stowe.
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It seems so long ago, but in June I had a wonderful time at the MacKenzie-Childs warehouse sale where I met my social media friend Crystal who is from Michigan. She drives to NY and fills up her car! So glad I finally got to meet her. While I was in the parking lot, I spotted Patti! Joe took our picture.
I brought my custom made tote from MacKenzie-Childs to the Aurora Inn for lunch.I love this tote because it is so soft and so versatile.
I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that I bring my tote every Wednesday to Pickleball. Do any of you play Pickleball?
Joe gifted me with a night out for my birthday, and took me to a sold out concert at CMAC in Canandaigua, NY. I haven't been to a concert in quite some time, and it was one incredible night of music with Chris Stapleton. Actually there were three bands, and they were wonderful also.
While we were in Canandaigua for the concert, we decided to maximize our trip and visit Sonnenberg Gardens.While in the Orchid House, I read that Mrs. Thompson had a love of orchids and travelled to the tropics to find specimens, although unfortunately these were thrown away by a train porter who thought they were rubbish. (Geez)
One of the many fountains and statues at Sonnenberg gardens. So lovely.
Of course I brought the tote to the campground where we stayed for one night. I camped with my parents before they built our camp, and I continue to camp once a year even though it's a lot of work and I prefer my own bed at home. We always have a great time but question all the preparation ahead of time.
One of the biggest highlights of the summer was to have my grandchildren and kids visit me on my birthday. Joe organized a party and cooked a full dinner which was lovely. The table was decorated with sunflowers since it is the "August" flower.
We're finally at the best part 😊 DON'T MISS OUT ON THE GIVEAWAY!! 🎁
Just leave a comment on Painted Apron's blog, and you will be entered in the drawing.
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
Cherry Kay with Miss Carrie Ann Haul at Entertaining Women
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader
Pickleball? Will have to Google.Oh I bet sarah misses the MC sale..seeing you etc..I love stowe!And your one of a kind MC bag:)
ReplyDeletePickleball has become very popular but it has been around for a long time. I get a good workout and it's a fun social event. Sarah misses the MC sale, and I hope we can get together again in Aurora.
DeleteYou had a summer filled with "nature adventures"! We will be heading to VT this fall, same area! It was fun to run into you at MC and look forward to seeing you at the end of the month - Happy September1
ReplyDeleteIt's been a wonderful summer, I'm so pleased I could retire at the end of April to truly enjoy it. Happy September Patti!
DeleteFabulous adventures. You and Joe are always on the go. Love your outdoor getaways. I am so jealous you and Patti can pop in and shop Mackenzie Childs in person. Your birthday sounds fabulous with the concert and birthday celebration with family. Happy September 🍁 Debbie.
ReplyDeleteSuch fun to see your summer adventures, Debbie! How wonderful of Joe to cook for your birthday celebration, and to enjoy the concert. Pickleball is really popular at my gym. I haven’t tried it yet, because I do so many other classes there. Happy September !
ReplyDeleteI love all the fun adventures you and Joe had this summer. We haven't been to a concert in way to long. Sounds like you had a blast for your birthday. I think it's awesome you live close enough to MC to shop the sales and run into Patti too! Wishing you and Joe a happy September and happy travels.
ReplyDeleteI love how you and Joe have such wonderful travel adventures Deb. Love all the pics, and your birthday concert, how fun. Love the pic of you with the hat, so cute. It's so nice you live close enough to visit Aura and the big barn sales. And, run into Patti. Happy September.......
ReplyDeleteDebbie, you have a full life and way more fun than mine! I love seeing how you embrace everything everyday! Cute cowboy hat and boots. I'd love to visit Stowe someday. I've got travel envy!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to meet up with other MKC friends at the sale. Your girls are fortunate to live close by. Happy September!
I loved following your active getaways, Debbie. To have spotted Patti and Crystal at the barn sale had to be fun. Your glamping trip looked amazing, and how sweet of Joe to not only cook your meal, but to send you off to a getaway for the Chris Stapleton concert. I'd say you wear retirement quite well!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun summer, but the fun is not over yet! Plenty of nice weather left for Autumn adventures. Then ski season and tropical travel. Party on!
ReplyDeleteWow, you guys got around and had a wonderful summer. I love all of the places you stayed and the glamping looks so fun. We did that a few years ago. One day I want to get to the Barn Sale. I was too sick to even be aware of it this year - drat!
ReplyDeleteWow, you guys got around and had a wonderful summer. I love all of the places you stayed and the glamping looks so fun. We did that a few years ago. One day I want to get to the Barn Sale. I was too sick to even be aware of it this year - drat!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful blog Debbie! I loved reading about your adventures and summer events. I'm very honored to see I made your blog. Thank you. It was such a great surprise meeting you and Joe at the Warehouse Sale. What are the odds that we parked by each other, with all the cars there? I'm glad we are social media friends and now true friends in person! Joe was a great help putting my MC treasures in my car that day. Very much appreciated! Can't wait to read your next adventure!
ReplyDeleteYes, I play Pickleball! We have a Pickleball court in our backyard. With September now at our doorstep, the weather will be better here for outdoor Pickleball. Throughout the summer everyone plays at indoor courts. Happy Birthday! Your party looks so festive and fun. CherryKay
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to visit Vermont. Based on your photos, it is a lovely place to visit in the summer! And I LOVE seeing the photos of you and Patti. I'm so jealous! I want to meet you guys. Maybe I can attend the warehouse sale in 2023 if they have one. Are the prices great? Did you buy a lot of pretties??? I hope you are having a lovely Labor Day Weekend.
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