Hello, My Lovelies! Welcome to my Friends and Family Edition of Tales of the Traveling Tote! We have not been traveling much recently, only to visit friends and family in Louisiana and Michigan. We went to Louisiana in December because I was a hostess for our niece's baby shower. We stayed at the lovely Southern Hotel in Covington, Louisiana, which is one of my very favorite small hotels.
La Countess de Monet loves the Southern Hotel, too.
We visited Covington the first weekend in December, and the Southern was decorated for Christmas.
The gardens surrounding the hotel are so beautiful, even in December.
.png)
Our niece Molly
I promise we did not coordinate outfits for the baby shower!
It was nice spending time with Molly and seeing her extended family and friends at the shower. Molly and Brandon welcomed a baby girl in late January. Shelley and I had such a nice time, and we love visiting Covington with its quaint shops and lovely restaurants.
In February we visited friends in New Orleans for a Mardi Gras ball and a couple of parties.
The weather was gorgeous while we were in New Orleans. We stayed by Audubon Park and took a couple of walks around the park. We loved our walks!
We did just a little shopping this trip, and one of our favorite stores is the Tasc flagship store on Magazine Street.
Tasc is a New Orleans based business that manufactures activewear made out of bamboo. My son-in-law loves their golf shirts, and I love their yoga pants. I wear them to my stretch and yoga classes.
One of our favorite Mardi Gras parades is presented by Le Krewe D’Etat, a highly satirical krewe that pokes fun at politics and pop culture. The male-only krewe is led by a "Dictator" (The Dic) whose identity is kept secret (I kid you not). We have several friends who are members of this krewe, and they invited us to their den party. A den party allows revelers to preview the floats before the parade. Below is one of my favorites. Keep in mind that no one is safe from this krewe's disdain: They are equal-opportunity lampooners.
Poor Elmo! He's on fire!
Last month, I went to Ann Arbor to visit our daughter and son-in-law. It was a working trip to help them redecorate a special room because:
We are so happy!
We are not really able to take big trips until our home renovation is complete. We are hoping to get away a little this summer to Lake Martin, and of course I will be flying to Ann Arbor a lot!
As far as our renovation goes, I'm still waiting on one project for the library to be finished, and a couple of tweaks in our kitchen. I'm hoping that in two weeks both will be DONE!
The Ferguson people delivered our new bath and bath fixtures for our bathroom today. The bathroom renovation will start soon, and I'm hoping it goes a little more smoothly than our kitchen. Our library went extremely well, though.
I have been doing a little bit of gardening. I planted our giant planters out back, and our New Dawn Rose was spectacular a couple of weeks ago.
Plumbago always performs well in this spot.
.png)
Our New Dawn Rose
That's all I have to report for now, but I think I shared some pretty big news!
We are also giving away this lovely tote:
So please leave a comment here on my blog in order to win!
You must have a Google account to leave a comment on my blog; I do no allow anonymous comments.
Please visit the other participating blogs. Links are below!
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch
Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
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 (You're here!)
Until next time...
Blessings!
Ricki Jill
What a wonderful post! It's great to play catch up here a bit. I can't believe you didn't coordinate your outfits. Is that a crazy match, or what?!! I hope the rest of your renovations go smoothly. It's always a process and usually a lot more complicated than anticipated. Have a wonderful weekend- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThe BEST news ever! Life will only get better with a grandchild!!! Your trips looked like fun and your outfits for the shower matched so well - what a coincidence!! Haven't been to New Orleans, but its on my bucket list! Cant wait for the pics of the little one!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, oh yes you are going to be off to Ann Arbor over and over! Congratulations on your new grand. That is so exciting. I noticed your coordinating outfits right away. You were so sweet to travel to host the shower and congratulations to her too. Babies are the best. Your trip to New Orleans sounds so unique and to get invited into their den - wow. We have been there once and it is so lovely as are your roses. Everything froze here, and I mean everything, even our oak leaves and Japanese maples - no fruit this year from our garden!
ReplyDeleteA lovely post Ricki Jill. So difficult to be,I’ve you didn’t coordinate with Molly on those dresses. Great minds think alike. How exciting for to be a grandmother this summer. You will love being a grandma. So happy your renovations are almost complete. I am so happy for you. New Orleans is such a fun town. We visited there with friends years ago. Love the food and the vibe. Happy summer.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ricki Jill and Skip! Becoming a grandmother will only make your life happier. I can't wait to talk to you as I'm sure you are over the moon! The hotel is so pretty, especially decorated for Christmas. The baby shower must have been a lot of fun for you and Shelly. Funny, how your clothing taste is similar and very pretty dresses. Glad you have been having fun in the Big Easy, a great location to shop. I know you will have a fabulous summer.............
ReplyDeleteRicki Jill, becoming grandparents is the best news! Congratulations! I know you will be happy when the renovations are complete. You and your niece look adorable together. What beautiful dresses! Hope you are feeling better. Take care of yourself. Happy Month of May!
ReplyDeleteGood morning RJ. I am so excited for you to be a new grandmother this summer. How fun that you and Molly did not plan your outfits but coordinated nicely. We are headed to the airport this morning to return home after our North Carolina adventure. Hope to visit Alabama soon. Hugs. Kris
DeleteHello Ricki Jill! I am new to your blog and found your travels so interesting! Your photos are lovely and stories informative and heartfelt. Congratulations on becoming a Grandmother. My grandchildren call me Mimi!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, RJ!! Big news indeed! What a fun summer you're going to have with a new grandbaby to spoil. I love the matching dresses! No need to coordinate...good taste just obviously runs in your family! I hope this part of the renovations go much smoother and are behind you before you know it!! Happy Saturday!!
ReplyDeleteI know you are beyond excited to be a grandmother this summer, Ricki Jill! Yes, you’ll be traveling a lot to Ann Arbor for cuddling time.
ReplyDeleteYou’ve had a busy last few months and hopefully your renovations will be completed soon. Your rose looks gorgeous and that plumbago…wow! I think I need one. Have a joyful week!
You and Skip will love being grandparents! So happy your renovations are almost complete. We've been to New Orleans for Joe's sister's 60th birthday and it was so much fun. Love your dresses at the baby shower. I know you will have a Happy summer!
ReplyDeleteRicki Jill, I adore that photo of you with Molly, and isn't it ironic that the two of you were so well-coordinated?! The description of the Krewe party and poor Elmo on fire made me laugh out loud. Grandmothering is the absolute BEST! Congratulations to your family, and I can't wait to know yours and Trip's chosen names as grandparents. The room snapshots are so cute. The hotels and gardens are beautiful, but YOURS is gorgeous. I love that shady spot with cyclamen and plumbago with vinca. Looking forward to seeing more of your renovations once completed. I am in love with your library. Happy May!
ReplyDeleteI just joined your blog and find it very interesting. Loved the Spanish Moss on the trees and the roses on the red brick house.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, congratulations on your granny news! You will LOVE it! (And maybe sometime when you get to A2, we can connect!). And you've been a busy woman and on the road! It looks like loads of fun and wonderful times on your travels and the photos are great! Happy Summer!
ReplyDelete