Hi everyone! Here I am again, for the first time since the last day of January! In my defense, it has been a hectic year; we bought a house, did renovations (with everything that entails...), moved in...
I actually started working on the set for this story back in February. And yet, here we are. Better late than ever, right? Sorry!
This story covers the following two prompts of the SF Collectors Community challenges: Love is All Around and Welcoming Spring.
I hope you enjoy it!
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The rabbits of the Rosenberg family
love nature. They have always felt a strong connection to plants,
especially to flowers. They admire their beauty, their diverse aromas
and the effects they can have on other Sylvanians. Who doesn't love
flowers, after all?
Laura and Landon Rosenberg have never been
afraid to travel far away and often in search of new specimens. However,
in recent years they had been talking about providing a bit more
stability for their children, Serena and Romeo. And that's why they
decided to settle (for now, at least) on the village of Arcfield and
open their flower and gardening shop, "The Daisy & The Daffodil".
Let's follow them on a day at the shop.
First thing in the morning, Laura and Landon get the shop ready before their first clients arrive. Landon makes sure the new seed packets are in stock, and Laura lovingly waters their plant. It wouldn't do for a flower and gardening shop to have a wilting plant, after all! The Rosenbergs also sell planters, pots, books and all the tools one might need for gardening.
It's not long before the first client of the day arrives. Elizabeth McFarlane, the village's Mayoress, loves taking care of her garden.
"How can I help you today, Mrs McFarlane?" asks Landon, always ready and helpful.
"It's Liz, please" smiles the Mayor's wife. "You see, my tools were out during the rain and they have rusted. I think I need new ones"
"But of course. These ones are brand new and I have sharpened them myself. I'll get them ready".
Elizabeth thanks Landon and then turns to the seed stand and takes a small bag of poppy seeds.
"I'll like to try my hand at growing these ones, Laura".
"Of course, Liz". Laura sees the Mayoress very often, and since they share their passion for gardening and flowers, they have become friends. "Do you want the newest gardening magazine as well? Take a look at these pictures! And there's a very interesting article about topiaries as well".
"You know me so well", laughs Elizabeth, nodding.
While Mrs McFarlane is getting her purchase ready at the cash register, Carissa Burke arrives at the shop. Since it's the week-end, her Rainbow Nursery is closed.
"Good morning, Carissa. How can I help you today? And how is little Addie?"
Baby Adelaide giggles from her carrier, and Carissa smiles.
"She's doing great, thank you Landon. I was looking for fresh flowers to decorate the nursery school for a little party next week. Do you have any in bloom?"
"Of course. Come with me".
The most popular part of the Rosenbergs' business isn't the little shop itself, but its big outdoor area where all kinds of flowers and plants can be found. Carissa is sure to find the flowers she needs here.
The shop is very popular, and sometimes Laura even has to leave the store to attend to the customers outside. Luckily, their children share their love for nature and always stop by to help after school.
Best friends Evie Hazelwood and Fiorella Andes are here looking for fresh flowers for Ariadna, Fiorella's mother. Ariadna loves flowers so much that she even named her daughter after them! Serena is showing the girls the newest blooms and discussing the future bouquet arrangement with them.
Freya Chocolate is also here with her friend Frances Robinson. Romeo Rosenberg is hopelessly in love with her (or so he says) and he goes running to offer her a flower as soon as he sees her.
"A flower for a flower, dearest Freya, although this one couldn't hope to match your beauty! Ah, but you look enchanting as ever!" Romeo speaks theatrically, as always.
Freya just gives him a deadpan look.
"And just what am I supposed to do with that?"
Romeo's smile falters a little as he thinks of something to answer.
"Ah, well, to put in a jar I guess, or... Oh! But, most importantly, how can I help you?"
"No, thank you. You can keep it. Also, I'm just here looking with Frances. Let's go, Fanny".
Frances just looks apologetically at Romeo before hurriedly leaving with Freya. The chocolate rabbit girl is as oblivious as always at her admirer's advances.
After everyone leaves, including the Rosenberg children, and before the shop closes for the day, Landon takes out a hidden planter he has for a secret project of his. He smiles at seeing that the flower he has been trying so hard to grow has finally fully blossomed.
"For you, my love" he says soon after to Laura, offering his wife the result of his efforts.
"Landon! A pink tulip, my favourite! But this is a hybrid, how have you managed it? It must have taken so much time and work!".
"Nothing will ever seem enough for me if it's for you, my most beautiful flower".
"Aww, you flatterer... come here".
Well, it's clear where Romeo's antics come from! :D
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The End!
I hope you enjoyed this little story. It took me a very long time to finally get around to working on it and finishing it, but I really enjoyed it at the end. I remembered how fun Sylvanians are. :) I had fun setting up the scene. The colourful wallpaper at the store was a gift from my friend Amaia, and I knew from the moment I saw it that it would be for my future flower shop
Two other gifts from my dear friends feature in this story. Cutata made the bag Freya is holding especially for her. It made me really happy to get her adorable package. And Berna remade Frances' dress for me after her original one got completely ruined. The Robinsons are one of my favourite families, so it made me really happy to have Frances "whole" again. :) Thank you, my friends, for your support and encouragement!
I hope to be more active in the hobby again now that we're all settled in our new home. Fingers crossed!
Stay safe and healthy, everyone, and have a wonderful rest of November!
