It Fell from the Sky....just stunning!

I bought this book today — and it’s SO beautiful, so creative, so enchanting… It’s wondrous. 💫 I typically buy a picture book, enjoy it for a while and then add it to my Little Free Library. But… I might have to buy a second copy for the LFL and keep this one… ❤️

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Bernardaud Dreams

I’m not sure how many people have “dream china,” but this Bernardaud “Marie Antoinette” is mine; I absolutely LOVE the cornlowers against the green and pearls — the PERFECT combination of my love for flowers, beautiful design, my favorite color, and my adoration for all things French. ❤️ 🇫🇷 (A tiny bread plate is $97, so this will likely stay in my “dream” file.) Description from Bernardaud: Queen Marie-Antoinette’s service was delivered to the Versailles palace on the 2nd of January in 1782 by the Royal Sèvres Manufactory. Its gracious “Comte d’Artois” shape, enhanced by its “pearl and cornflower” decoration, is enchanting in its delicate simplicity, its decoration placement seemingly improvised.
The cornflower, a simple wild flower, was a favorite of the queen. It was the color of her eyes and she would gather them in fresh bouquets at the country retreat of her hamlet in the Petit Trianon. The restrained alignment of the strikingly realistic pearls reveals to us the sovereign’s innate penchant for luxury. The pattern of cornflowers is placed between two rows of pearls, set against a green background, and highlighted by golden filets. Looking as if they have been freshly gathered, a simple bouquet of wild cornflowers decorates the center of the plate.
Only two of the original pieces from this celebrated dinnerware service can still be found as part of French national collections: one is held by the Versailles château and the other by the Louvre Museum.

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Fall Books in Little Library

I’m installing the last of my fall picture books (until Halloween is closer!) into my Little Free Library today. 📚🍂 I think all of them are incredibly special and lovely, but I want to call your attention to one in particular: “Survivor Tree” is, perhaps, the most poignant, lovely, hopeful PB I have ever read about 9-11. 🌳 I, quite literally, sobbed — filled with rawness and sadness, but also hope. 🙌🏻 If you are looking for a way to talk to young children about this event, I just cannot recommend it highly enough.
And, yes, I DO have THE most awesomely-curated LFL for kids. (I get a lot of help from @happily.ever.elephants — but more on that later!)

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Rose of Sharon

Last year, we planted this tree-form Rose of Sharon where we could see it from the dining table — and it’s been showing off for months. 🌸 Every time I notice it, it feels like… a blessing.

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