Thursday, November 30, 2017

MacKenzie Child Traveling Tote in Whoville

There is a fun loving and gorgeous
group of bloggers who love MacKenzie Childs and they
have invited me to participate in their
Tales of the Traveling Tote.


I have been watching them on blogs
and Instagram, and thought it would be
so fun to be a part of this group.

A few times a year the group does a
post on the places their totes have been
and offer a giveaway of a MacKenzie Child's gift.

Linda at Life and Linda
and
Sarah
at Hyacinths for the Soul
both encouraged me to join and then 
searched out the large
MacKenzie Child's tote
for me, and voila - 
Miss Madi K and I are traveling.

Before long, the mail man rang
the doorbell and I received a surprise
from Linda - these adorable MacKenzie Child's
kitchen towels.  What a treat.  


What a sweetheart!


Well, off we went to try Miss Madi K out!
First we headed off to beautiful and sunny
St. George, Utah, about four hours
south of us.  While we are surrounded
with snow-capped mountains, St. George
has palm trees.  We have a place down here
and don't get there often enough.


I was surprised at how huge this tote is.  I can fill
it so full on a vacation, that I can't even lift it -
good thing hubby is willing to help!

We went to St. George for hubby's birthday,
and had a wonderful time, and he was so cute
in letting me stop and photograph Miss Madi K.


Those who follow me on Instagram heard me tell
of the St. George Temple.  It is a stunning building
and at the very top, back in the late 1800's, my
fourth great grandfather crafted the tin ball at
the top, and then promptly stood on his head
before the spire was placed on top.  He was a tinsmith
and the ball has since been replaced with a fiberglass
one, but we love that story.

We returned to St. George with Miss Madi K
filled to the brim for Thanksgiving with the
family and had a wonderful five days down there.
The weather was in the high 70's!  


But today's story is going to focus on our
shopping and preparing for our annual
Cheermeister Party that we hold for the
family - where we kick off Christmas and
give them money for their presents.  They
then have a few weeks to purchase their
presents and they bring them back to us
to wrap them.  By Christmas they have
often forgotten some of their gifts and we
add in a few surprises, but this has worked
great for us since they are all married now,
and as good as we are, we really wouldn't know
what to buy them.


Here is Miss Madi K filled with gifts, but before
that, she and I headed off to Hobby Lobby to
find some Grinch inspired goodies.  She is a
great shopping tote.


While we
were at the check out with our bright green and red
deco mesh to create table runners with, the sweet
lady who was ringing us up said that they had fun
Grinch signs and artwork.  So we headed right
back to the aisles and grabbed some great
Grinch artwork.

We had been calling ourselves the
Cheermeisters
for a few years for this event,
but we had planned a Young Single Adult
Dinner at our home for early December.
My husband is the Bishop of this group
of Young Single Adults, and I told him
I wanted to plan a party -
How The Grinch Found Christmas.

So the ball just got rolling, and that
sweet checker at Hobby Lobby helped!


Here is another of their cute signs that adorns
the kitchen counter.  A lot of deco mesh, some
curly picks, and some feather boas and we
had a very Grinchy Kitchen going.

One of my favorites were the striped candles
with a little bit of boa at the bottom - instant
Grinchville!


Miss Madi K and I were able to snatch two of
these darling canvases that we created deco mesh
wreaths for the door.  I glued on some bright green
boas to Grinchify them.


Plans just got bigger and better and I ordered
some yard art off Etsy.

Originally I had told hubby that I wanted the
Young Single Adult Party to be early in 
December so I could put up my regular
decor,


But we fell in love with the Grinchy theme
and took it throughout the house, except the
living room.


My sister in law is talented with woodworking,
so I told her I wanted a craft day where I 
could cut, paint and craft this fun sign. 


Tables were set,



for all the Whos down in Whoville,


even the small!



And a menu prepared,


and even the Grinch was found to be there.



Don't you agree that Miss Madi K
fits right in with Grinchy colors this year?
I love her touches of Grinchy green.


Even the rolls had a touch of the Grinch!


Some Who Girls waited patiently


while the Grinch carved the
Roast Beasts.




Even Grinchy Peppermint Ice Cream Macarons
with a wee Grinch heart.


The little Whos gathered round as we read
the story outloud, then danced to 
"You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch."


And at the end, Miss Madi K waltzed
in with Miss Martha May Whovier
who distributed the gifts to all the
Who's here in Whoville.


But all this fun is nothing compared to
the NYC trip the Traveling Totes had.


I can see many more travels and adventures
for Miss Madi K and I!  Definitely a trip to a
MacKenzie Childs store.

Now for the giveaway - leave a comment at
Pandora's Box to have a chance to win this
MacKenzie Childs Holly and Berry Glass Globe
Vase.  Winner will be announced Dec. 8th.



We would love you to visit each
of the members of our group to see
where they have gone with their totes.

Come along and travel with:
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 
Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box
Emily with Miss Courtney ChildsThe French Hutch
Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron
Katie with Miss Daisy @ Preppy Empty Nester
Linda with Miss Rosie @ More Fun Less Laundry
Linda with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
Rita with Miss Luna C Panoply 
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Visit us on Instagram #talesofthetravelingtote

Come back March 1, 2018 for another giveaway and
see where our traveling totes take us.

I will be posting this with
Tablescapes Thursday
Share Your Cup
Foodie Friday


Jacqueline
Jacqueline

Chocolat - French for Chocolate. I adored chocolate from a young age when I had to sneak in the cupboard to find where my mother had hidden the Nestle's Chocolate Chips. Having read about the famous chocolat shoppes in Paris, when I finally got there I was determined to try a chocolate from every Paris shoppe. I invite you to share my adventures in creating, in travel, and in life.

18 comments:

  1. What a great theme for your Christmas decor this year! So festive and fun!! What a great party to kick off the season! That would be so fun to have amour adult children all line that near to us!!
    Hugs and love,
    Betsy

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    Replies
    1. Loved seeing all your wedding photos. Have such a great time in Germany!

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    2. Yes we love to host big parties with all 21 of us together! I wonder what my grands think of their crazy grandmother with a Grinch Christmas sweater and crazy Who hair!

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  2. Wow Jackie, what a fun party. I love how you and your mister get involved. So many fun details about this Grinch party. So colorful and festive. you both put your heart and soul into your parties. I am so glad you like your jolly towels. Getting a surprise in the mail is always fun! Miss Madi K has certainly been busy. So happy you have joined The Traveling Tote gals. Looking forward to seeing more of you and Miss Madi K's travels.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Linda! I love the towels and feel so spoiled! You are the sweetest!

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  3. Too too wonderful, J. I love the tales of the bag. I just had Linda do my Christmas header for me. Come over and take a look. !!!!! LOVE the green and red netting. Great idea for the little ones. Merry Merry Christmas !!!!
    h

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    Replies
    1. Marsha, you are just splendid! I love your new Christmas header! It is gorgeous. I didn't even think of having her design something special this year. It truly is lovely.

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  4. The party and decorations are fabulous! The mesh and the boas really took it up a notch.

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  5. Oh, my! This is totally adorable, Jacqueline. I knew you would be very creative. Everything you do is! I'm so happy your have joined the Traveling Tote group. Love this party idea. You are an amazing grandmother! Merry, Merry!

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  6. What a great first post...and what a fabulous party! The table and decorations are adorable, especially at your front door. The traveling tote does hold a lot, doesn't it? Welcome to our group !!

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  7. Wow, you've set the standard unreachably high for me in March! I'm so sad that my tote hasn't arrived yet, but I bought it last week. SUPER party! We love The Grinch! Every little detail is too, too cute. I know that all the Who's in Whoville had such a great time!

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  8. Jackie, welcome to the Tote Tribe! What a great execution of the Grinch theme! I bet the little and even the young adults (okay, even the 'mature' adults) are having a blast with that in your home. Looks to me like Miss Madi K pulled her weight throughout your first adventure in Whoville. We may all need to ask Santa for some dumbbells for strength training, the way we load our totes!
    Love the history of the St. George tower. It must be a very special place for you and your family.
    Happy Holidays!

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  9. Welcome Jackie! What a grand entrance you and Miss Madi K have made! The Grinchmas is beyond cute and over the top clever and fun! I swear you've thought of everything down to the grinch carving the roast beast! Oh to be a who in whoville and to be able to attend! I told my husband about your family Cheermeister tradition, and he thought that was very brilliant...he hates to give $$ as gifts, but of course that's all our grown children want, so you have brought the problem to a great solution and I'm sure the party is a highlight of your season! Have a wonderful holiday!
    Jenna

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  10. Jacqueline, You are a perfect new member of the MC tribe! I loved hearing about your latest adventures and seeing them in full color. You are extremely creative and have so much fun in your family.

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  11. Oh Jacqueline your party, home and decorations are beautiful! What a fun theme you use with The Grinch, just so darn cute. A huge welcome to you and Miss Madi K to our little fun group of traveling totes. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season on this first day of December.............

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  12. I know you will have fun with this group of ladies! You do such amazing things for the young ones. Wonderful trip to Whoville with you :)

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  13. Jackie and Miss Madi K, welcome to our fun group! With all your adventures, your tote will come in handy! St. George Temple is stunning! I must confess that I didn’t know that Utah has palm trees. Happy weekend, happy holidays!

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  14. So happy to have you join our group, Jackie! Your home looks positively darling! Those sweet happy faces tell me that they enjoyed every minute. Love all your pics and so glad that you are a TT Sista. Enjoy your week.

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